Hen: Do: Cary Baro de Leppington Comes Monmouthensis, et Honble: Ord: Balnia Eques. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. From the Year MDCXIII. To MDCXLIV. IN XVIII BOOKS. Written Originally in Italian, By Pietro Giovanni Capriata, D R at Law. And rendered in English By HENRY Earl of MONMOUTH. LONDON, Printed by I. Macock, and are to be sold by Tho. Dring, at the George near St Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet. MDCLXIII. IMPRIMATUR, Whitehall, january 10. 1662. William Morice. THE Epistle to the Reader. IT hath always (Judicious Reader) among the wisest of men been esteemed a Task most difficult, to compose the Histories of those Times wherein the Persons chiefly concerned might (yet living) behold their great or more minute Actions unmasked or displayed to the world; And therefore most have been, and still are of opinion, That such an Attempt ought not to be made by any but a Person of so resolute a Temper as might neither be swayed by Fear nor Flattery, nor yet steered by an overweening Opinion; for whilst the Bias runs on the first side men dare not speak even the truth itself; the second glosses even bad Actions, as if to the World it would make Vice appear Virtue; and the third represents things not as indeed they were, or were intended, but as we fond imagine or conceive them. The Task performed by the Learned Capriata, Author of the ensuing History, was not only of this difficult Nature, but had likewise many other Embroils and Entanglements sufficient to have daunted any less Judicious Undertaker, so many both particular and interwoven Interests of a number of petty Princes (though all united or relying upon those three great Ones, of the Church, King of France, and King of Spain) being sufficient to create such infinite Entrigues as were not to be cleared or described but by a great and perspicacious Intelligence: And yet hath our Learned Author waded through all these difficulties, and by taking no less care in clearing the Causes then describing the Effects of these late Italian Dissensions deservedly gained the name of an Excellent Historian. And it was certainly a true and deliberate knowledge of all this and more that induced the ever to be Honoured Henry Earl of Monmouth (after having made so many Excellent Italian Pieces speak English, with an Industry seldom found in the Nobility of our Nation) to make choice of this, which is now become the Posthume Child of so Excellent a Parent, and which may look (though there needs no farther Remembrancer of his never dying Fame) like a new Phoenix raising itself out of his ashes. And surely besides the Excellency of the Composure and Delicacy of the Style, he was invited or enticed by Delights far more sublime to the Translation of this History. To find what Causes should engage the Potent Monarches of France and Spain in the Quarrels and Dissensions of these little Princes of Italy, and how their Interests are involved or dependent, must needs be pleasant; To trace the Policies of the grave Spaniard and sober Italian, accounted Crafts-Masters in that Art, cannot be less delightful; but to behold such a connexion of Entrigues, as if the whole Tragedy were rather a Comedy, where the end of one Act leaves but a greater desire and expectation of what shall succeed in the next, must needs be the most agreeable of all. These, or such like, might possibly be the Motives or Incentives of the Earl of Monmouth to continue (with a Generous Soul) to communicate the Excellencies of Foreign Nations to his own Countrymen, which else must have been hidden to all except himself or some few more who by Travel or Industry might have learned the Italian Tongue; unless some other Worthy Spirit, like to his, would have undertaken so good a Work, though few are now found so industriously to prosecute the Public Good. But lest, being hurried into a Discourse that may possibly require a Satire, I should obstruct my intended brevity, give me leave to assert thus much, (omitting all that I might say of my own Judgement or Experience) and I think I may do it without Hyperbole; That the History in its Original must needs be Excellent, because the Earl of Monmouth made choice of it to Translate; and the Translation cannot be ill rendered, because the Earl of Monmouth did it, who was Master both of the English and Italian Tongues. The Contents. BOOK I. FRancis Duke of Mantua and Montferrat, being dead, Charles' Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, pretends the return of his Daughter Margaret, Wife to the late Francis, into Piedmont, together with Mary her only Daughter. Cardinal Ferdinando, Brother and Successor to Francis, retards his sister in Law's return, and keeps his Niece in Mantua: Hereupon differences arise between the two Dukes; wherefore the Duke of Savoy renewing his ancient claim to Montferrat, which was pretended to by his Predecessors, assaults that State at unawares; possesseth himself of the Cities of Alba and Trino; endeavours the like of Montcalvo, but not being able to get the Fort, levies people to take it. The condition of Italy is also given in the Prooemium; then by way of digression, the Duke of Savoys pretences to Montferrat is discoursed upon; and many other Interests and Accidents which occurred between the said Duke and the Court of Spain, at several Times, and upon divers Occasions. Page 1 BOOK II. The Wars of Montferrat are continued to be related; as also the Provisions and Negotiations made by the Duke of Mantua and other Princes. The Surrender of the Castle of Montcalvo: The oppugning of Nizza della Paglia: Prince Victorio's going to Spain: Orders sent from that Court to Italy, touching the Protection of Montferrat, and the Restitution of the Tow●… that were taken. In execution whereof Nizza is freed, and the other Towns restored to the Duke of Mantua. The War of Garfagnana, between the Duke of Modena and the Commonwealth of Lucca; which being accommodated by peace, the business of Montferrat is reassumed, and divers Negotiations passed between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua; which whilst they are in Treaty, Spain's final Resolution comes touching the quiet of Italy, and the security of Montferrat: Prince Victorio returns to Italy badly satisfied with the King and Court of Spain. 31 BOOK III. The Duke of Savoy is angry that the King should force him to lay down Arms, and to disband his men; which refusing to do he is assaulted by a Spanish Army, led on by the Duke of Milan; who being entered by the Vercelles into the Confines of Piedmont, and understanding that the Duke was gone to before Novara, returns immediately to the State of Milan to drive him from thence: Being returned, he begins to build the Fort Scandovalle, not far from Vercelles. The Duke retreating to Vercelles, desires succour from the French, Venetians, and other Princes; many whereof Treat of Agreement by their Ambassador sent into Piedmont: The War continues the mean while with the Duke; in pursuit whereof many accidents happening, they came at last to a day of Battle near the City: Wherein the Spanish Army being Victors, it goes before that City, whither the Duke was withdrawn with his men; about which the Governor having employed much time to little purpose; At last peace is concluded by the means of Prince's Ministers. 59 BOOK IU. The King being but badly satisfied with the peace of Asti makes Don Pietro di Toledo Governor of Milan; Between whom and the Duke new differences arise ●…ouching the execution of the Articles of peace: The Venetians by reason of the Slavonians, who molest their Navigation in the Gulf, make war in Friuli against the Archduke, and in Istria against the Emperor; and possessing themselves of many Towns in Friuli, come before Gradisca; from whence they depart not many days after by reason of Treaties of Agreement which were introduced. The Duke of Savoy complaining still of the not observance of peace, fears to be again assaulted by the Governor, and therefore prepares for war again: He joins underhand with the Venetians, and calls Diguieres, Marshal of France, into Piedmont; but is quickly and unexpectedly assaulted in Savoy by the Duke de Nemours, who is fomented with moneys and promises from the Governor of Milan. The King of France, to provide against the commencing uproars in Lombardy, sends Monsieur di Bettuve thither; and the Pope Monsignore Lodovisio, Archbishop of Bologna. Preparations for a new war are renewed in the State of Milan, and in Piedmont, which is again begun betwixt the Duke and the Governor, who draws near the Confines of Piedmont with an Army. 113 BOOK V. The Duke unexpectedly assaults the Spanish Army which was entered his State; and being beaten retreats to Assigliano; From whence finding that the enemy went to possess themselves of Crescentino, he departs, and speedily preventing them, defends it. The Spanish Army take Santya, and San Germano: The Duke endeavouring to keep back their Victuals was forced to come to a Battle, where he was again worsted. The Pope's Nuntio, and the French Ambassador hold the Governors' Forces in hand by introducing new Treaties of Peace: In the interim the Marquis of Mortara entering le Langhe takes many of the Duke's Castles; and Don Sanchio di Luna takes Gattinara: Winter coming on, the Governor fired Santya; and leaving a Garrison in St. Germano sends the resis of his Army into their Quarters, and retires into the State of Milan. The Duke, the Prince his Son being come to him from Savoy, and the Marsh●… Diguieres from France, with new men, takes the Principality of Messerano, and makes himself master of San Damiano Alba, and Monteggio, Tow●… in Montferrat: Wherefore Mortara firing Canelli, abandons the Langhe. The Marshal being sent for back by the King, returns with his men to France. The Venetians whilst they are busying themselves to little purpose in Friuli, are molested at Sea by the Spanish Fleet, sent by the Viceroy of Naples into the Gulf; which not being able to draw the Venetian Fleet to fight, take three Galleys richly fraught. 149 BOOK VI The Governor of Milan goes with his Army to before Vercelles, and besieging it on all sides, and the Town not being able to be relieved, after a long Siege he takes it upon Articles. The Capitulations of Peace, as well for what concerned Piedmont as Friuli, are Treated of in the Court of Spain, and are concluded in the Court of France; as also at Madrid. The Duke of Savoy being assisted by the French, who came into Piedmont after the Surrender of Vercelles, takes some Towns in Montferrat, and in Allessandria; And at last, in pursuance of the Capitulations stipulated in the Courts of France and Spain, the Peace is concluded in Pavia between the Governor of Milan and the French Embessador. The Viceroy of Naples sends some ●…lieoons into the Gulf in defence of the Rag●…siens, who were vexed by the Venetian ●…t; which Galleoons get the better, in fight, of the Venetians. A Conspiracy is discovered in Venice, and some rumours are spread abroad upon the Confines of Venice toward Milan, between the Spanish Soldiers and those of the Commonwealth; which being appeased, a period is put to the war, and Italy is restored to her former peace. 186 BOOK VII. In this seventh Book you have the condition of the affairs of Italy, after the appeasement of the War of Piedmont. The death of two Popes, as also the death of the King of Spain, and of the Emperor. The Insurrections in the Valtoline; the occasion of new rumours which arose from hence in Italy; of new jealousies, and of new Leagues made by many Princes against the Crown of Spain. The Forts of the Valtoline deposited into the Pope's hands. The Prince of Wales his journey into Spain. The Prince of Urbin's death: and the approaching Escheat of that State: And lastly, the seeds of new troubles rising between the Genoese and the Duke of Savoy, by reason of their having purchased the Fee-farm of Zuccarello, whereat the Duke was displeased. Here are also touched, by way of passage, some accidents of War, which happened in Germany, Flanders, and in the East and West-Indies. 212 BOOK VIII. In this Eighth Book you have the Description of the Commonwealth of Genoa; her Interest and good Correspondency with the Crown of Spain. The Diet held at Susa, wherein two attempts are resolved upon; the one against the Valtoline, the other against Genoa; for the execution whereof many preparations are made both in France and in Italy. The French fall down into the Valtoline, under the conduct of the Marquis of Coure; and driving the Church's Forces from the Forts which were deposited in the Pope's hands, they make themselves masters thereof: they likewise fall down into Piedmont, under de Diguieres Grand Constable, and joining with the Duke of Savoy, and with his Forces, go to the Enterprise of Genoa, and proceed far in that State; the Pope sends his Nephew Legate into France. The Genoeses are reduced into a very dangerous condition by hostile Arms. 257 BOOK IX. By relief of Monies and Victuals sent from Spain, and Men from Naples, Genoa is comforted in the midst of her troubles; she is encouraged by the wants of the Enemy's Army, and through the disagreeing of their Commanders; and is at last wholly freed by Friends coming into the Fi●…ld with a powerful Army. The Enemy's Army retreats from the Enterprise of Genoa, an●… attempts Savona; but being overtaken by Feria, retires to Piedmont. Feria takes the City of Acqui; he goes afterwards to Asti, and from thence to Verrua; where he stays long to little purpose, l●…aving many of his men, and being forced to give over the Enterprise, returns with his Army much lessened, into the State of Milan: many actions happen at the same time in the besieging and defending of Riva di Chiavenna; wherein the Spaniards have still the better of the French; they drive the French at last out of the Valtoline, and raise the Siege of Riva. The English Fleet falling upon Spain, there is repulsed; and having in vain endeavoured to take the Plate-Fleet which came from America, retires into England, torn by tempests. A Discourse upon the quality and usual Navigation of the Plate-Fleet: the Apostolic Legate returns from France to Rome; and is sent from Rome to Spain; whither being come, he finds the Peace concluded between the two Crowns; and the Affairs of Italy, and of the Valtoline, composed. The Pope, and all the Princes of the League are very much displeased with this Peace; as also all the Princes and the Court of France. Some of them do therefore conspire against the King's person: in pursuance of the Peace, the Forts of the Valtoline are restored, and demolished. New occasions of disgust between the Genoese and the Duke of Savoy. The Duke of Guise his Fleet goes from Marcelles, without having done any thing. The Duke of Mantua dies; and long after, his Brother, who succeeded him in his Principality. The Genoese Factors, who were interessed with the Crown of Spain, are much prejudiced in their private fortunes, by reason of the alteration of Payments, and of other Decrees, made to their prejudice, by the King. 304 BOOK X. The Duke of Nevers succeeds Vincenzo in the Dukedom of Mantua and Montferrat; he is opposed by the Emperor, King of Spain, and Duke of Savoy. Don Gonzallo di Cordua, the new Governor of Milan, having divided Montferrat with the Duke of Savoy, goes with his Army to before Cassalle; which whilst he endeavours to take, the Duke takes Alba, Trino, Montcalvo, and many other Towns belonging unto him by the division. A Conspiracy is discovered in Genoa, whereof the Duke of Savoy being found the Author, he pretends the impunity of the Conspirators. The Spanish Agents being desirous to satisfy him, favour this pretention; which occasioneth some distastes and jealousies between the Commonwealth and the Crown of Spain. Succours fall into Italy from France, in behalf of the Duke of Nevers; but being opposed by the Duke of Savoy are soon dissipated. The Spaniards take Nizza, Ponsone, and other Towns in Montferrat; and finding it too hard to assault Cassalle, they fall to besiege it; they are forced to forsake it by the Kings coming with great Forces into Piedmont. Which whilst the Duke endeavours to oppose he is beaten by the King's men, in a conflict near Susa, wherein the King being victorious takes Susa, and forces the Duke and the Governor of Milan to an agreement; by which Cassalle is freed, and the States of Mantua and Montferrat secured to Nevers. The King returns to France. Marquis Spinola is made Governor of Milan, goes from Spain into Italy, to provide either by War or Peace, for the Affairs of Spain which are in a bad condition, by reason of the preceding accidents. 350 BOOK XI. The Articles of Susa not being observed forceth the King of France to prepare a new Army for Italy. Marquis Spinola, the new Governor of Milan, sends men into Montferrat: of all which he makes himself master, except Cassalle; whether the French, abandoning the rest of Montferrat, withdraw themselves. The Cesarean Army falls into Italy, under Count Collalto: and entering the Territories of Mantua possess themselves of almost all the Towns of that Dukedom; and sitting down about the Suburbs of Mantua, take some of them: they afterwards fall to oppugn Porto, but quit it by reason of the excessive cold weather. The Duke of Savoy professing neutrality Negotiates with both parties, and endeavours to sell his friendship as dear as he can. The French Ar●…y falls into Piedmont, conducted by Cardinal Richelieu; w●… being kep●…●…ery scarce of Victuals, Quarters, and other Necessaries, by the D●… of Savoy, breaks with him, and going to Pinarola takes i●…, and some of the adjacent Towns. Marquis Spinola and Collalto come with Forc●…▪ ●…o assist the Duke, whither also comes Cardinal Barbarino, the Pope's Legate, to treat of Peace: which not being able to ●…e made, Collalto returns to Mantua, and Spinola sits down before Cassalle. The Legate returns to Bolognia, and Cardinal Richelieu to France; by whose departure the French Army is weakened; being reinforced it endeavours to relieve Cassalle, but being opposed by the Duke cannot do it; wherefore being forced to keep beyond the Po it meets with various fortunes, and takes some Castles. The Siege of Cassalle proceeds with much difficulty. The Siege of Mantua is brought ●…o a final end; for, not being relieved by the Venetians, who were ●…outed by the Dutch at Valleggio, and being consumed by the Plague it is at last taken and sacked, The Duke of Savoy dies at Savigliano. 393 BOOK XII. Charles Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, is succeeded by his Son Victorio Amadeo; who finding that the French had taken Carignano, goes from Savigliano to recover it, wherein failing he comes to a conflict, wherein the French have the better. The French go from Carignano to Avigliana, which they take. Collalto having taken Mantua comes into Piedmont with fresh Forces. Peace is treated of in Italy, and in Germany; and not being able to be concluded in Italy, a Truce is endeavoured; which being refused by Spinola, he dies soon after; and after his death, is accepted of by the Duke of Savoy, by Collalto, and by the Marquis of San' Croce, who succeeds Spinola, in the Government of Milan, and in being General. The Truce being expired, the French come with new Forces from France to relieve Cassalle; and being come to the Trenches of Spinola's Camp, just as they were beginning Battle, peace is concluded in conformity to the peace formerly made in Germany; in execution whereof, the interessed Princes Agents met in Chirasco, and there adjust the differences between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua; a great part of Montferrat is assigned over to the Duke of Savoy; and the manner of restoring the States of Mantua and Montferrat is agreed upon: as also the like of the Towns of Piedmont and of the Grisons Towns; after the effectual restitution whereof, the King of France demands Pinarollo of the Duke of Savoy, together with the whole Valley of Perosa, and obtains it. The proceedings of the King of France and of Swedland in Germany, against the Emperor, are treated of, and the Negotiation and Conclusion of Peace between the Commonwealth of Genoa, and the Duke of Savoy: together with the miraculous Fabric of the new Walls made at Genca, and the strange preservation of that City from the Plague; wherewith the whole State of Genoa was infected, and more than half Italy. This twelfth Book and the whole present History is concluded with the Marriage between the King of Hungary, Son to the Emperor, and the Infanta Mary, Sister to the King of Spain; and with the Duke of Urbin's death, and the devolving of that State to the Apostolic See. 438 BOOK XIII. The Peace of Italy, obtained by the Articles of Ratisbone and Cherasco, gives place for a digression of things which happened elsewhere. This present Book tells you of the Duke of Orleans his going from Flanders into Languedock, and how, being routed by the King's Forces, he was taken Prisoner. The Infanta Cardinal, Brother to the King of Spain, his Voyage from Barcelona into Italy. The Duke of Feria his marching from the State of Milan with a great Army, going for Germany, to make way for the Cardinal Infanta, who prepared to go for Flanders: What the said Feria did in Flanders. From hence we pass to the Narration of the Wars in Germany; to the King of Swethland's death, and the like of Wallestine, with a brief Examination of his actions, intentions, and of his end. The Emperor's Army takes the Field, led on after Wallestine's death by the King of Hungary, Son and General to the Emperor, with what he did till the Cardinal Infanta entered Germany, who parting with a great Army from Milan towards Flanders, joins with the Emperor's Army, and fights the Army of the League of Germans and Swedes before Nordling, wherein the Austrians have the better. The Infanta passes with his men into Flanders, where, when he came, he found a League made between the King of France and the united Provinces, against the Spanish Empire in those parts, which occasions an open breach between the two Crowns; the occasion of which breach, with the reciprocal complaints, faults, and excuses made by both Parties are diffusedly related; and how after the Battle which happened upon the Confines of France and Flanders, between the Armies of the two Crowns, the Wars passed into Italy. 483 BOOK XIV. This Book tells you the redoubled going out of the Fleet from Naples against Provence, and the accidental disaster of the latter. The occasion, rise, encounters and progress of the French Forces, led by the Duke of Rhoan into the Valtoline. The endeavours of the French to alienate the Princes of Italy from the Spanish party, and to draw them over to their King. The Pope and Venetians move not. The Duke of Savoy goes over to the French, m●…re out of necessity then of good will. The great Duke of Tuscany is constant to the Austrians. The Dukes of Modena and Parma, and the Lord of Mirandola, negotiate with the French: the Duke of Parma closes with the French, the others adhere to the Spaniards. The Commonwealth of Genoa, notwithstanding the great damages suffered by her Citizens from the Spaniards, and notwithstanding the distastes she had received in her reputation, refuseth to declare manifest neutrality, or partiality, yet in fact keeps confident to both parties. The State of Milan is assaulted by the French, and by the Dukes of Savoy and Parma; who going against Valenza del Po, befiege it, but it is relieved, and quite freed by the Spaniards. The Duke of Rhoan, having routed the Dutch and Milan Forces, remain absolute lord and master of the Valtoline. 528 BOOK XV. The King of Spain, for the preservation of the State of Milan, sends a new Governor, new men, and good store of money, thither. The Duke of Savoy returning thither with his men, and with those of France, taketh Bremi, and reduceth it to a Fort Royal; and by frequent inroads troubles that side of the Country. The Duke of Parma's Dominions are assaulted by the Spanish Forces, after his going for France; and are defended by Marquis Villa, who is sent thither by the Duke of Savoy, with a good strength of Horse and Foot, and are defended by strong diversions till the Spring; in the beginning whereof, the Duke of Parma returns from France, endeavours by means of the Colleagues Forces to get into his Country, goes to Nizza Della Paglia; being to throw down a great Trench which was made upon the bank of Scrivia, he turns back; and repassing the Po, endeavours to effect his design on that side; but meeting with strong opposition there also, he is forced to return; and passing again with some men over the Po, he tarries with them in Nizza, till such time as the Duke of Savoy, going with the body of the Army into the Confines of Novara, to annoy that part of the State, may divert the Governor from guarding the grand Trench, and leave free passage by that way for the Duke of Parma; Who by several accidents abandoning the design, marched with a few men towards the Sea; where getting into a little Vessel he passeth Incognito into Lavigiana, and gets into his own Territories. The Duke of Savoy passeth successfully the Tesino, and causeth such terror and confusion in Milan, as the Governor is forced to abandon the Trench, and defend Milan. And going with all his men towards the Enemy's Camp, he assaults it in Tornavento; but the Duke freeing himself from the assault returns to the greater L●…ke; where being come, and fearing the Governor who was gone to Romagnano would assault him on that side, resolves to return towards Piedmont. The Governor seeing the State freed of the Enemy's Army, betakes himself, partly, to recover the Towns taken by the Enemy, partly, to resent himself on Piedmont, and the Duke of Parma's State; and having sent what Forces he could thither, he proceeds so far, as the Duke who was retired to Piacenza maintains a siege till such time as, seeing no succour, he is forced to compound with the Governor. The War of Parma being appeased, the Governor turns upon the Towns in the Langhe, which were yet held by the Enemy; and having taken some of them, he hears that the Duke raiseth Forces in the Canavese; he marcheth towards him, and having in vain provoked him to battle, he sends Don Martino of Arragon with a strong body of men to discover Vercelli, against whom Marquis Villa, who was returned from the State of Parma, coming forth with a no less number of men, a great skirmish is had, wherein the Marquis hath the better. The Governor understanding afterwards, that Count Verrua was gone to besiege the Roccad' Arazzo, he prepares to defend it: And succeeding fortunately therein, his happiness was embittered by a great defeat which the Duke gave to Don Martino of Arragon before Monbaldone. After which the Duke returning victorious to Vercelli, within a month after died. Some Islands in Provence are taken by the Fleet which came from Naples. A French Fleet comes from Brittany, enters the Mediterranean, with which another joins which was provided in Provence; both which keep in the Ligustick Sea, doing but little good, and less in Sardignia, and Winter in Tolone; but putting to Sea in the Spring, they recover the Islands which were taken the year before by the Spanish Fleet. The Pope labours to compose the Wars between Christian Princes, but in vain. A League is concluded between the Crown of Spain and the Grisons, by which the Valtoline returns, upon some conditions, under the ancient Dominion of the Grisons. The State of Milan is at last freed from the French Forces, by the recovery of Bremi. 572 BOOK XVI. The Duke of Savoy being dead, differences arise between the Duchess Dowager, and the Princes, her Husband's Brothers, touching the Guardianship of the young Children, and the Regency of the State. The Duchess in the Prince's absence is sworn Governess and Regent; being compelled by the King of France, she renews League with him. The Governor of Milan goes to before Vercelli, and after a long Siege takes it upon Articles. The Princes of Savoy assisted by the Spaniards and Piedmontese take many Towns, and make much progress; they go to before Turin, and having tarried before it some days, retire without doing any thing; falling as before, to overrun Piedmont, they are received every where; till Forces being sent to the Duchess from France, under the Duke of Longueville, she recovers Chiavasco, and other Towns which the Princes had taken. The Prince Cardinal, fearing Corneo, goes to defend it; and Prince Thomaso, going once more with the Spanish Forces to before Turin, surpriseth the Town; and the Governor of Milan coming in unto him, with all their Forces, attempt the taking of the Citadel, whither the Duchess was retired. The Siege is suspended by a Truce, which being ended, the French under the new General, Count Hartcourt, take Cheri; but being presently besieged by the Governor of Milan, they are forced through Famine to quit it, and retreat in the face of the enemy to Carmagnuola. 628 BOOK XVII. You shall read in this Book the Treaties of Agreement between the Dowager and the Princes; and the interests between the Princes and the Governor of Milan; how the Governor goes with a powerful Army to Cassalle; how it is relieved by Harcourt; how he fought the Governor before he could bring in the succour, and had the better of the Fight, and did not only relieve, but perfectly free the place. Harcourt, being victorious, goes presently to Turin; he takes the Capuchins Bridge over the Po; fortifies himself there; and afterwards begirts the City with a vast Line, and endeavours to get it by Famine, Prince Thomaso being in it; but ere long he seeth the Governor upon the Hills with a powerful Army, coming to relieve the besieged Prince; the Governor finding it impossible to bring the succour by that way, strives to get a pass over the River, towards Montcalleri: and having gotten it, he passeth over the Po; where quitting the Hills, he takes up new quarters; and thinking to make the French abandon the enterprise by Famine, he possesseth himself of the Avenues by which Victuals were brought to the Camp; so as they would have been quickly made to remove, had not the Prince Thomaso, who was impatient of delay, made the Governor to fall upon the Enemy's Trenches, and to relieve him so; which falling out unfortunately, and the Governor not thinking himself any longer safe in his quarters beyond the Po, returns to his quarters upon the Hills, where he tarried, assisting the besieged in what he was able, till the City was surrendered; which happened two months, and eleven days, after the unfortunate assault given to the French Trenches, that the besieged City might be relieved. Prince Thomaso comes out of Turin, and retreats to Inurea; where he is desired by Monsigniore Mazzarini, who was come Ambassador from the King of France into Piedmont a little before Turin was surrendered, to join with the French: but Count Siruela coming to him from the Governor of Milan, he makes new capitulations with him, to join with the Crown of Spain; and the Count Della Rivera, being sent by the same Governor, to the same purpose, to the Prince Cardinal, the Ambassador Mazzarini having notice thereof forceth Prince Thomaso to join with the French upon conditions; one of which was, that the Prince should go to Paris within one month's space; which condition was not observed; for the Prince instead of going to France passeth secretly to Nice, where he and his brother re-conform their union to the Crown of Spain, to Rivera; the Ambassador Mazzarini who went to Nice, to confirm the one Prince, and to draw the other over to the French party, laboured the contrary very much; at the same time the Governor of Milan is sent for into Spain, and is succeeded in that Government by Count Siruela; the French go to Montcalvo, take the Town at their first arrival, and afterwards the Castle, which yields without expecting succour. 686. BOOK XVIII. The Crown of France, and French Commanders, being but badly satisfied with Prince Thomaso, for his nonobservance of the Capitulation made by him, go to drive him out of Inurea; which being better defended then assaulted holds out till the Governor sends succour: who going afterwards to before Chiavasso Forces the French almost to quit the Enterprise, that they may relieve Chiavasso; and Don Vincenzo Gonzaga coming to the French quarters before Inurea forceth them, to their much prejudice, to give over the Enterprise wholly; and the Prince enters joyfully into the City. The Dowagers Generals recover Ceva, Mondovi, and the Castle of Carru, and then joining with the French go to before Cuneo, and take it. The Spaniards take Montcalvo. The Prince of Monaco drives out the Spanish Garrison, and introduceth the French, to the great prejudice of the Spanish Affairs; the misfortunes whereof are by a short digression related. Cardinal Richlieu dies. The Conde Duca falls from all Authority and Greatness in the Court of Spain. The differences between the Dowager and the Princes are at last composed. The Princes forsake the Spanish party and adhere unto the French. Prince Thomaso joining with the French, after some small actions done to the prejudice of Spain, goes with the Duke of Longueville with a strong Army to before Tortona, which after a long time is taken; but some months after is retaken with much ado by the Spaniards: in which interim Prince Thomaso recovers Asti and all the Towns that were held by the Spaniards in Piedmont, except Vercelli. 744 THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK I. The Contents. FRancis, Duke of Mantua and Montferrate, being dead, Charles' Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, pretends the return of his Daughter Margaret, Wife to the late Francis into Piedmont, together with Mary her only Daughter. Cardinal Ferdinando, Brother and Successor to Francis, retards his Sister in Law's return, and keeps his Niece in Mantua: Hereupon differences arise between the two Dukes; wherefore the Duke of Savoy renewing his ancient claim to Montferrat, which was pretended to by his Predecessors, assaults that State at unawares; possesseth himself of the Cities of Alba and Trino; endeavours the like of Moncalvo, but not being able to get the Fort, levies people to take it. The Condition of Italy is also given in the Prooemium; then by way of digression the Duke of Savoys pretences to Montferrate is discoursed upon; and many other Interests and Accidents which occurred between the said Duke, and the Court of Spain, at several Times, and upon divers Occasions. ITALY hoped long to continue that Peace which She had already enjoyed for so many years, when by the unexpected death of Henry the Fourth, King of France, she was freed of the great suspicion of War, which she had cause to apprehend, by reason of the great preparations of that Kingdom: This hope was much augmented, when Philip the Third, King of Spain, was friends with Charles Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, and laid down those Arms, and dismissed those men, wherewith he threatened that Duke; so to oppose the French in the Dukedom of Milan; which Duke Emanuel having at the same time made great preparation of Arms, and holding strict Intelligence with King Henry, made it be doubted that he intended to trouble Italy, and to assault the State of Milan, had he not been interrupted by the death of Henry the Fourth of France, just when he was ready for so great an Enterprise: And the less it was expected that King Philip should let slip the occasion of resenting himself when the Duke was bereft of his assistance from France by the death of King Henry, the more was his goodness praised, and his mildness pleasing; for not minding what might peradventure have happened if affairs had succeeded otherwise, he had more respect to the good of Christendom, to the peace of Italy, and to his Alliance with the Duke, then to the desire of revenge; a great incitement to all men, but more to powerful Princes, when they think themselves injured, not only by their inferiors, but by their equals: The King's rage was much mitigated towards the Duke by the great desire which the Princes of Italy seemed to have thereof, by the intercession of Pope Paul the fifth, and by the efficacious entreaties made with much affection by Philebert, the Duke's second Son to the King his Uncle, who was sent by his Father into Spain, to give satisfaction on his behalf; but the Authority and favour of Mary Queen of France, was of no less help herein; who by the death of her Husband having the Government of her young Son the King, and being Regent of the Kingdom, did very seasonobly interpose herself in this Reconciliation: Fo●…, though the Intelligence held with the Duke, and the great preparations of that Kingdom, had caused great Commotions and diffidence in the Court of Spain; yet it not being manifest against whom the Arms and ends of that King were intended, it so fell out, That his magnanimous thoughts ceasing by his death, as also the doubts and suspicions conceived in Spain, by reason of those great preparations, the same Peace and good correspondency continued between Spain and France, which (though, if the King had lived, was very likely to have been disturbed) was never demonstratively broken; And it making for the Queen to keep peace with Spain, so to shun the troubles and contestations, which her Authority, and the guidance of her Son King Lewis his affairs, a Minor of ten years old, might probably meet with amidst Arms and Commotions in France, which was yet full of many humours and Fractions, and of so many Religions; and wherein the wounds and scars of the late civil Wars were not yet well healed, she wisely chose rather to be aiding to the Duke by Negotiation then by Forces, which she must have sent into Piedmont. The necessity of her backing the Duke's cause being made to appear in Spain by reason; and the readiness of herself and Kingdom also by some preparations upon the Confines of Italy; the King pardoning so great offences, at the mediation of such Intercessors; partly admitting of the Duke's justification, with such dissimulation as is sometimes used by Princes; he gave order for the disbanding of his Army in the State of Milan, which was designed to have assaulted Piedmont. Affairs being thus composed, and Peace being proclaimed, to the satisfaction of all men, the public Affairs of Italy were in so good a posture, and so consolidated in a continual quiet, as there was no sign seen of any the least appearing storm, which could any ways shake the solid Basis of her peaceful condition, or the tranquillity of her former quiet; For the French, who were the only, and without all question, the most powerful means to cause Novelty and Commotions in Italy, being detained by their King's minority, and busied in the necessary care of the preservation of the Domestical affairs of the Kingdom, were unable to employ themselves for the space of many years in foreign affairs. Whence it was to be believed, that they would not, unprovoked, disturb that peace which had been, with some Anxiety, endeavoured by themselves, and for their own interests: And the Spaniards, who being Masters of the Islands of Sicily and Sardigna, of the Kingdom of Naples, and State of Milan, did rule over the greatest and best part of Italy; though as being Superior to the other Potentates, they might easily cause and continue Commotions in her; yet being naturally apt to preserve peace, and having by the experience of many years known how happy it was for them to keep the chief place of Authority in Italy, by means of their so ample Dominions, peacefully and quietly, it was no question but that they would be solicitous in preserving her quiet for the future, as they had professed themselves to be in the former and present Occurrences. The Dutch and Swissers adhered unto the Authority of Spain; the latter by reason of the straight League with the State of Milan, whereby they reaped much advantage, both to the private, and to the public: And the former in respect of the Kings of Spain, who were the chief of the House of Austria; so powerful in Germany by reason of the many Adherences and great States which she hath there, and of the Imperial Crown which hath continued in her by so many successions; by which means those Kings did not only preserve Italy unprejudiced by the Forces of those two fierce Nations, so formidable by reason of their vicinity and power; but did the better secure the Majesty of their own Empire, and the large Precinct of their Dominions; and do also keep the Kingdoms of Spain in more security (which are at the present richer than any other Kingdom, through the immense Treasure which are abundantly subminstred to them by the unexhausted Mines of the Indies and new World) by a Fleet of seventy Galleys, distributed in the Havens of Spain, Genoa, Naples, and Sicily: The other Princes of Italy, divided into unequal Signories, did therefore reverence, and yield observance to, so great and so well grounded a power; the lesser whereof did for sundry respects absolutely adhere thereunto, and enjoyed quiet under the protection thereof; and the greater placing the groundwork of Principality upon Peace, minded more the preservation of their Dominions by counsel, then enlarging their Confines by Arms; and all of them, though they saw so great a foreign Empire radicated in the bowels of Italy, yet not having for many years been thereby molested, and therefore accustomed to enjoy their own Territories a long time in a happy and secure Peace, they were better contented to bear with the condition of the present Times, though upon some disadvantage, than out of a desire of absolute liberty, to irritate those Forces against them, whereunto they were not of themselves equal: Nay, that which better preserved the Public peace was, lest, as in former times, Quarrels amongst themselves, had made way for the Spanish greatness into Italy, and confirmed it there; they might now make it more formidable by affording it matter of more progress, whereby to augment itself: Therefore all former strife and contention being forgotten, and all turbulent and ambitious thoughts being laid aside, they were very intent in quenching all seeds of scandal or dissatisfaction which might discompose that Union and telligence, wherein the near and eminent danger (the truest Ligament of any whatsoever Agreement or Convention) did keep them tacitly conjoined in the de●…ence of themselves. France, a powerful and neighbour Country, and Riv●…l to the Spanish Name out of ancient pretensions, as a stout Counterpoise to the greatness of the Spanish Nation, did also add much to the safety of their Affairs, and did the more confirm the King of Spain in his good will to the peace of Italy, and in his not disturbing nor distasting the Italian Princes in their ancient peaceful possessions. Italy being for the aforesaid reasons thus secure for foreign N●…tions, and balanced within herself, and well established in peace by the counterpoise of reciprocal apprehensions, both of the Natives, that by troubling their Affairs their liberty might be hazarded; and of Foreigners, that the Empire might be prejudiced; every one, and not without reason, was persuaded, that being now escaped the so terrible Tempest wherewith she was threatened, she would easily, nay, of herself, settle her former peaceful condition, and long continue in it. But all humane reasons and judgements are easily exposed to even the sleightest accidents. Francis, Duke of Mantua and Montferrate, died of an unexpected death about the end of the year 1612. Marry, his young and only Child, survived him, whose Mother was Margaret, eldest Daughter to the Duke of Savoy; in which Francis his death, though the main course of common Affairs seemed not to be much concerned, (the Bond of common Concord remaining uninjured;) yet did his death shake the Foundations upon which the Public Peace seemed to be so firmly grounded, and occasioned much misery and calamity to Montferrat, and to the neighbouring people, by the Wars which immediately ensued in those parts. The great Rains, fierce Winds, and terrible Thunders, which happened but a little before in Lombardy, wherewith the fields were for many days overflowed, to the great prejudice of the ground, and terror of the Inhabitants, seemed to be a sad Augury of this. These States fell, for want of Heirs Male, upon Cardinal Ferdinando, Brother to the deceased Duke; Who, though he was acknowledged by all to be the true Heir, and that the People, Officers, and the whole Court, did with much joy congratulate his Accession to the Dukedom; yet because it was thought th●…t the Dowager Duchess might be with child, he would not as then accept either of the Crown or Title of Duke; but deferred doing so, contenting himself with the Government of the Dominions, till he might be sure he was true and Legitimate Heir. And Prince Victorio Amadeo, eldest Son to the Duke of Savoy, coming not long after to Mantua to consolate the Dowager his Sister, and to bring her back to her Paternal Country; he desired leave that he might likewise carry the little Daughter along with him to Piedmont: which desire having been much insisted upon formerly by the Duke, Grandfather to the young Lady Mary, begat not a little commotion in the Cardinal, and in the whole Mantuan Court; who very well knew how such demands strike at the Foundation and safety of the States: And it being thought too dangerous to give way thereunto, as also unseasonable then to deny, the result of so weighty a business was defe●…ed; hopes being sometimes given therein, difficult●…es sometimes objected; till it might be more certainly known whether the Dowager Dutc●…ess were with child or no; who, for better satisfaction, it was resolv●…d should keep in the 〈◊〉 of Mantua, the mean while also: But their delays making the Duke more fervent in his desires, he did all ●…e could to remove them; he also made herein use of the favour and Alliance which he had with the Catholic King; in whose Court, (whether by means of Officers, or no, it is not known) the young Lady Mary was Proclaimed Heir to Montferrat; Whereof they affirmed women were, by the Laws, capable; and that women had more than once inherited it; For it was said to have passed by the means of Violante, Daughter to William the Fifth, surnamed the Great, from the Paternal Family of Ala●…ame, into that of the Paleologi; and it came into that of Gonzaga, by no other means then by Margaret Paleologa, who succeeding therein, past it over to those that descended from her by Frederick Gonzaga: That therefore it ought not to be held a new thing if that State should now be seen to pass by Female succession into another Family, which was come into the Family of Gonzaga: That Succession, in the first place, belonged unto the Children, without distinction of Sex, all other Relations being wholly excluded: That it was thus Ordered by the Civil Law, and Law of Nature, according to which the Succession of great Kingdoms, yea, even that of Spain was governed: That therefore it was too inhuman a thing to permit that that Infant, descended from the Austrian Blood, Niece by the Sister's Side to the King, should be brought up with so much danger in those her so tender years with her Rival; who by excluding her, aspired at the Succession of so great a State: But that it was no less dangerous not to take such order, as that the succession of Montferrat might not occasion some important ensuing disorder in I●…aly. The Italians thought that these, or the like pretensions, might make great impression in that Court, when they saw the Duke of Savoys demands were so much favoured in Italy by the King's State-Ministers; and that they did afterwards endeavour that that Infant should by common consent of all parties be placed in Milan, as in a place in the midst between the Dukedoms of Savoy and Montferrat; but the people and Court of Mantua were much more troubled, when they saw greater demonstrations added to so pressing desires: For many persons of quality being in that City, who we●…e come to accompany Prince Victorio, part whereof were Savoyards, and part Millanesis, and Spaniards, who were sent thither under several p●…etences from Milan; the Mantuans began much to distrust that the Duke had ●…ome more hidden end: The Cardinal was therefore forced to have a greater care of the custody of the Child, and to give order that tha●… Corpse de Guard should be kept round about the City, and that the most convenient places should be diligently looked unto; so to obviate any inconvenience which might happen in such a Commotion: and the Child being declared, as well in Italy as in the Court of Spain, to be Heir of Montferrat, a greater desire was daily found to be in the Spanish State-Ministers, of having ●…er either consigned over, or deposited; which desire could the less be concealed, for that at the same time, by their means, and in her behalf, the Cause touching the Succession of that State was studied by some of the best Lawyers, and in some of the Academies of Italy; wherefore not only Cardinal Ferdinando grew jealous, but even those who had a care of his particular Affairs, and of the Affairs of Italy in general: Nor was this without reason; for great were the pretensions which the House of Savoy●…ad ●…ad to Moniferrat, against the House of Gonzaga; and much strife and contention had formerly passed between the two Families in that Point. It was likewise thought that the Citadel of Cossalle, of a very large circuit, well Garisoned, and which was very strong, might prove prejudicial to the State of Milan, if it should fall into the hands of a Prince who did not wholly confide in the King; as there were many reasons then to make it be believed the Cardinal did not: So as, so many endeavours concerning the Child, afforded reason of suspicion, that if she should come into the Duke of Savoys hands, he might by marrying her to one of his Sons, intent to add new claims to that State; so also it was not a little doubted, that if she should chance to fall into the King's hands, his Officers might make use thereof as of a means whereby to disturb the affairs of Montferrat: and because if either of these should happen, it would be contrary to the quiet and satisfaction of the Italian Princes, they did in private and in public exhort Cardinal Ferdinando not to suffer that the Child might by any means be taken out of his power: And the Queen of France, Sister to the said Cardinal's Mother, gave order to the Marquis of Trinello, whom she sent Ambassador in Extraordinary upon other occasions to the Pope, that taking Mantua in his way, he should advise the Cardinal not to give way to the Duke's demands, but to withstand the fervent endeavours of the King's Agents; publicly professing also, that she would protect him in what particularly concerned the present Occurrences: She made these her Resolutions be known to all the Italian Princes, and especially the Duke himself, who by the Spanish favour appeared to be more then meanly set upon these Endeavours: Nor did the Emperor Mathias, who was nearly allied to the Cardinal by his Wife, Daughter to a Sister of Duke Vicenzo, the Cardinal's Father, show himself less favourable in this Cause. The Duke proceeded, from friendly endeavours, to justify his demands by the Prerogative granted by all Laws to the Mother to have the Guardianship of her Children: The Cardinal said, that it was not, notwithstanding, lawful for her to carry her Daughter out of her Father's Dominions, nor to withdraw her from the ●…ight and company of her nearest friends, under the name of Guardianship. He likewise urged the minority of the Mother, who was incapable of being Guardian to another, she herself being in need of one by the same Laws which she had alleged. And though this Exception made also against the Cardinals own Person; yet the Emperor, Supreme Judge of both their Persons, and of both their Estates, confiding in his Integrity, and judging that a Prince was not incapable of being Guardian to a young Child, who was without any exception judged to be capable of the Government of two Dukedoms; declared him to be his Nieces lawful Guardian, and gave him order, that not suffering her to go out of Mantua, he should not trust her custody with any other: But it was the pretensions to Montferrat, which, though not publicly owned as yet, was thought to be the chief scope of this Negotiation; and which, in all men's opinion, was the hidden fire which inflamed the ones desire, and made the other more diffident. These Flames breaking out afterwards into so much a greater combustion, by how much they were at first suppresed by dissimulation; it will be necessary to proceed to their Declarations, as well for what belonged to the House of Savoy, as also to the Princess Mary, who's Guardianship was that which was only then disputed between these two Princes; so to know the better what it was that secretly brought this business into many straits and difficulties; as also whence the so many rumours arose, which were after publicly given out. Montferrat now in the possession of the Family of the House of Gonzaga, Dukes of Mantua, as being then an Appendix to the sacred Empire, was given by the Emperor Otho the first, in ●…e, to his Son in law Alareme of Saxony, and to those that should descend from him, both Male and Female: In whose Line Male the Dukedom of Montferrat, continuing a long time, fell at last upon Violante, Daughter to William the fifth surnamed the Great, and Sister to John, the last of Alarem's line Male: who being married to Andronicus Paleologi, Emperor of Constantinople, made Theodorus, her second Son by Andronicus, Heir to that State, in●…iling it upon those that should descend from him. Theodorus married a Daughter of his, named also Violante, to Aimone then Count of Savoy; with an addition of Dowry, by (as was afterwards pretended by th●…se that descended from her) an express Article, that if her Line Male should at any time fail, her said Daughter Violante should succeed to the Dukedo●… of Montferrat; and after her death those that should descend from her. Theodorus his Line male failing the year 1533. by the death of Marquis Johanni Georgio Paleologi; Charles the third, than Duke of Savoy, who was descended from Violante, began to pretend to the succession of that State, excluding Marg●…ret, Wife to Frederick Duke of Mantua, who being Daughter to William the Second, elder Brother to Jovan Georgio, and remaining in possession of Montferrat, by the death of her Uncle, defended it against Charles of Savoy, as her proper and Paternal State. Charles alleged, as the first ground of his pretention, that since he and Margaret did both of them equally descend from Theodorus; and Montferrat being to pass from the Male Line to the Female, he, Charles', aught by reason of his sex, to be preferred before Margarite, though she were of Parentage, and nearer in succession to Jovan Georgio, last possessor of the State in Controversy. Thus (said he) goes the Succession of all such Marchionate Fee Tenure and birthright; by all Laws: He produced for his second Argument the aforesaid Matrimonial Agreement, whereby he pretended to be preferred before any Female, or before any one that was descended from Theodorus by the Female Line, as come from Violante: For his last plea, he made use of the Lady Bianca's l●…st Will and Testament, who was Heir to the first William Paleologus, Marquis of Mont●…errat, who died without any Issue male; which B●…anca being married to C●…arles the first, Duke of Savoy, did at her death nominate him Charles the Third, for Heir General; so, as if the succeeding to that State had belonged to her, since her Father died without Issue Male, he inferred that the right of the same Succession was passed to him by the universal institution. Charles laid these three groundworks for his universal Succession to Montferrat: To boot wherewith, he laid also a particular claim to a good part of the same State; which being given by Jovan Giacomo Paleologus, and by John his Son, to Amedeus the first, Duke of Savoy, 1435. was the very same day given by Amedeus, to those that had given it him from themselves, and for those that should descend from them on the Father's side; all which being extinct (as Duke Charles pretended) in Jovan Georgio, he said that that part was, without all dispute, fallen to him, as to the Sovereign Lord. On the contrary, Margaret alleged that the Succession of Montferrat bolonged to her, as the nearest Heir to her Uncle the last Lord thereof; and denying that the Heir male should by any legal disposal be preferred before the next of kin; yea, when the Succession should go out of the Male Line, she disputed the reality of the Matrimonial Contract urged by the Adversary: And howsoever, she said, that that Contract did no ways operate to the prejudice of Succession which did belong unto her by other means then by the person of Theodorus, without the Emperor's consent: She said that no heed was to be given to the Lady Bianca's Testament, she never having had any thing to do in that State, as being excluded by others of Paleologus his male kindred: how much less than could the kindred on the Father's side be excluded from inheritance by Will, who had more right thereunto then the Testatrix herself. Then she alleged that the Donation of Jovan Giacomo, and Georgio Paleologi, was null in itself, and against the Nature of the Fee-farm: And moreover, that it was by violence extorted from the said Amedeus; when John, eldest Son to John Giacomo, being sent to a Festival in Piedmont, was afterward detained Prisoner there; so as John Giacomo was constrained for his Son's Liberty, and John for his own, to give way unto their will, into whose custody John was unadvisedly fallen: And that therefore the said Donation was revoked 30. years after by a long and solemn Decree which the Emperor Frederick made, Out of which Reasons Margaret's cause prevailing, the Emperor Charles the fifth, who as Lord, and Supreme judge of the Fee, had sequestered the possession after the death of Marquis John Georgio, ordered that it should be freely restored to her, as lawful Heir to her Uncle; rejecting by name the Duke's three Actions to the Universal State; but made good the Testament of the Lady Bianca●…, in relation, notwithstanding, to the Dowry of 80000. Crowns; for the payment whereof she might have recourse to the improvement of the State made by her Father, Marquess William: And without deciding any thing else touching the Donation made in favour to Amedeus of Savoy, he left it free for all pretenders to allege any thing they could at any time about it. The Pretenders were no ways satisfied with this Sentence; Duke Charles thought that it was given by the Emperor in favour of Margar●…t; and pronounced by Frederick out of reason of State, so to Balance the Princes of Italy in an equal power, which might be inferior to his; lest that Duke Charles might counterpoise the State of Milan, by the addition of Montferrat to Piedmont, which he could not apprehend from Margaret, nor Frederick; who possessing two States disjoined within themselves, would by consequence be necessitated to depend totally upon the State of Milan: On the contrary, Frederick, and those that were for him, complained privately; as if the question touching the Donation had been left undecided, for no other end, but that Pretensions and Concurrences being kept 〈◊〉 foot between the Parties, the I●…deavours and Inclinations of such as pretended towards the Affairs and Interest of common judicature, should also be kept the more firmly on foot in Italy: And, notwithstanding, though Margaret and F●…ederick were quiet, Duke Charles appealed from the Sentence: which (as he said) was made more in respect of the present times, then with any consideration had to the merits and justice of his claim: Wherefore thinking himself injured, he appealed to Cesar's Self, and his Appeal was admitted: But the business proceeding on, at length he obtained another Edict from the Emperor's Self, That no time might prejudicated his Title, nor the prosecuting of his Appeal; and thinking, 〈◊〉 that these were not times for such a business, he rested content with the D●…ee, and 〈◊〉 proscecuting judgement; chiefly because having lost Savoy, and almost all Piedmont, a little before, by wars made by the French; both he, and his Son Emanuel Philebertus minded more the regaining of what they had lost, ●…hen the recovery of that by Law which they were then in suit 〈◊〉 with Frederick: Yet these differences kept these Princes and their Successors at continual odds; in so much as Charles Emanuel, the now present Duke of Savoy, having obtained another Decr●…e from the Emperor Rodolphus the Second, in the year 1587. by which his pretensions were not only preserved ●…nprejudiced by lapse of time, but confirmed as much as was requi●…ite; and being nearly allied to Philip the second, King of Spain, whose second Daughter Katherine he had married; he afforded no little jealousy to Duke Vicenso, Nephew to Margaret, that by occasion of such Decrees and assistance, he would in some sort revive his ancient Pretensions, and trouble his possession in t●…t State: Wherefore, for his greater security, he built the Citadel from the very ground which is almost contiguous to the City of Cassalle. The Duke's pretensions to Montferrat were upon these terms; but that which was spoken of in name of the young Princess had in it more of show then substance: For though women, by ancient Investment, were entitled to the Succession of that State, and had really succeeded therein twice; it was only when there was not, nor did not appear to be, any Male remaining of that Line. Thus did Violante and Margaret Inherit it; but when there was any Male left of the Family, though of remote Branches, the Daughters of the late Possessors were excluded, as they had been twice before: Thus Bianca, Wife to Charles' the first, Duke of Savoy; and joan, Wife to the Marquis of Saluzzo, both of them Daughters to the first William Paleologus, Marquis of Montferrat, came behind Boniface, next Brother to their Father William: And the Marquis Boniface the second, Brother to the same Margaret, dying without Issue, jovan Georgio, her Father's Brother, was preferred in the Possession before her: Nor was she admitted to succeed in that State, till the whole Male Line of the Paleologi was extinct in the aforesaid jovan Georgio: By which he who is acquainted with the Nature of Fee-farm, and with ancient observance thereof, may easily conceive what the right of pretence was which that Maid had to strive for succession in that State with her Uncle: But as Princes through Ambition are usually ready to embrace any apparent colour to aspire unto the State●… of other men; and the worse●… 'Cause is often ●…avoured by the condition of times, by force of Arms, and the power of the Pretende●…s; So on the contrary, the apprehensions of not being able to preserve their own Dominions, makes them careful in avoiding all occasions whe●…eby others m●…y ge●…y the least shadow which may disturb them in the cle●…r possession of what i●… their own; whe●…efore the greater the inde●…vours were which: were made in the behalf of the young Maiden, and how much greater the Authority of the Intercessors was, the more jealous was Cardinal▪ Ferdinando, that the objects of these demands were not such as were publicly given out. To these were added other no less trouble some demands, concerning the Dowry and Jewels of the Dowager Dutc●…ess, and touching the execution of the Emper or Charles the fifth's Decree in the Dowry of the Lady Bianca; which together with the In●…erest which was due, was said to amount to the sum of 800000. ducats: But what did yet import more, the Duke seeing himself 〈◊〉 in his demands which concerned his Niece, by the Cardinal; did openly lay claim to Montferrat, as that which belonged to him by ancient pretence; which though they had been silenced for a while, he began now at this time, and upon this occ●…sion, hotly to revive. The first two demands were readily yi●…lded unto, upon the allowance of some ●…me, and downright denial of any interest. Touching that of Montferrat, though at the first, to avoid exasper●…ting the Duke, some intentions of friendly agreement were made known; at last the Answer was, That there were competent Judges before whom their Predecessors had long pleaded their Title thereunto. These were the Negotiations, which being treated of with some bitterness, was feared would prove (as they did) the Seeds of further disturbances: But on the other side (as hope goes often along joined together with fear) in this fluctuation of contrary opinions and pretences, some benign Rays appe●…red, which promised a no less Union and Friendship be●…ween these two Princes, than had been before the last Duke's death. Some youthful desires and inclinations appeared in the Cardinal towards his Brother's Widow: It was therefore thought that for his own satisfaction, for the quiet of those Inhabitants, and for the security of his own Affairs, (leave being first had from the Pope, who did not app●…ar unwilling to consent thereunto) he would willingly embrace mar●…iage with the Dowager Duchess; which though it was at first diversely rumoured in the Courts of those Princes, and throughout Italy; yet was it approved of by such as wished well to peace, and by the wisest men, who did best understand the Affairs of Montferrat, as the only remedy for the appearing evil: Nor was it thought out of any respects, that the Duke of Savoy would appear ave●…se to this Marriage: And particularly in consideration of the Cardinal's conditions, which came not short of those of his Brother; and for the good of his own D●…ughter, for whom there was hardly a better Match to be at the pr●…sent found: The King's consent, which was almost requis●…e in such Resolutions, was more doubted; the uniting of gre●…t Italian Princes being usually suspected in the Court of Spain: And it was known, that in that respect the first Marriage of the said Infanta, was not much approved of there; yet it was somewhat hoped that the King would prefer his Nieces good before the other respects; the rather because that she being totally of the Spanish side, she might be an excellent means to turn her future Husband's mind, who was openly declared to be of the contrary faction: And as the differences concerning the Child, and the Dowries, would vanish by this Marriage; so it was thought that the disputes about Montferrat (all former Suits giving way to this new Conjunction) would be at least quieted a while, if not quite extinguished: And it made much for the Duke, at the same time, to Match his Daughter well; and, together with public peace, (preserving friendship with the House of Gonzaga) to make use of the present occasion, as of an Honourable pretence to terminate his demands touching his Niece, and his other pretensions, with some credit: wherein being much dipped, it was impossible for him to obtain the one without the Cardinal's consent, and to prosecute the other by reason of the times: And yet (so often do Princes minds alter) the Duke of Savoy, who was so ready, and so well pleased to marry his Daughter to Francis then Prince of Mantua, did not consent to her Marriage now when she was a Widow, with his Brother who succeeded him in that Dukedom: And the King, who wa●… not then well satisfied with that Match, did not only now consent to it, but desiring it might be effected, propounded it not long after affectionately to both of them. This change in them proceeded (as it usually doth in great Princes resolutions) from the 〈◊〉 and mutation of times; But if we shall sift more narrowly into the occasion thereof, it will be necessary, that breaking off the Thread of our begun Narration for a while, we look a little backwards into the ends and designs of their former proceedings; which though it may peradventure seem to deviate somewhat from our purpose, is notwithstanding requisite to be known, for the better knowledge of several accidents, whence the occasion of many important effects rose, which shall be by us hereafter related; and therefore it will be no lost labour, nor useless, to wind up that in this place, and upon this occasion, which if pretermitted, would obscure the Thread of this present Narration; and if divided and recounted in several parts, would be a greater interruption thereunto. The Dukes of Savoy, whose State lies between the Confines of France, and the Dukedom of Milan, get this of good by the situation thereof; That being placed between two powerful Kings, of Nations which do disagree; though they be far inferior to either of them in forces, yet cannot they be not only not so easily oppressed by so neighbouring powers, but receive firmer establishment and security in their Affairs by that Neighbourhood: For it being dangerous to the affairs of both the Kings, that either of them should draw nearer the others Confines, by suppressing the Dukes of Savoy; and these Duke's being moreover very fit to be made use of in such Enterprises as the one King might sometimes attempt against the other, their friendship is willingly embraced by them both, and better secured by tye of near Alliance: And as out of these respects Henry the Second, King of France, gave his Sister in Marriage to Emanuel Philebertus, Father to the present Duke; and the Emperor Charles the fifth, who was King of Spain, wrought it so as Beatrice, Daughter to Emanuel King of Portugal, and Sister to the said Charles his Wife Isabel, was married to Duke Charles, Grandfather to the present Duke; so for the same respects Philip the Second, King of Spain, contracted a more than customary Union with this present Charles Emanuel, by giving him his second Daughter, Katherine, for Wife, with a Portion of many yearly Revenues assigned to him in the Kingdom of Naples, to boot, with great Pensions which were paid unto him before Marriage out of the State of Milan, to keep him the more interessed in the maintaining of those Territories: High aspiring thoughts began then to appear in this Prince, and much greater than became his Fortune; Ardent desires of new Acquisitions; greater inclination to war then to peace; and therefore he applied himself to military Exercises; and just as we read of Alexander the Great, that not bounding himself within the limits of Macedon and Greece, he thought the whole World too little for him: It might, peradventure, be affirmed of this present Duke, That esteeming himself too much streightened within the Precincts of Savoy and Piedmont, he sought to enlarge his State and Fortune, by the prejudice of his neighbours. This his disposition was increased by this his Alliance, which like fire in well-prepared metals, set this young Prince his mind on flame, and made his hopes the greater; and thinking that the civil wars of France made much for this his purpose, he first assaulted and took Saluzzo, which was possessed by the King of France in Piedmont: and entering into war with those of Geneva, he afterwards entered Armed into Province and Dolpheny, intending to make himself Master of those Provinces; And if Fortune had smiled upon these his high designs, his hopes led him on so far, as not to think himself inferior to any that pretended to that Crown; but the Valour, Fortune and Right of Henry the fourth, getting the better over all other Competitors, who appeasing the Tumults, and allaying the Factions, possessed himself of that Kingdom by right of Succession: The Duke was forced not only to forego his Enterprises unluckily undertaken in France; but if he would retain the Towns which he possessed on this side of the Mountains, he must pay a very great price for them. In the progress of these Affairs there therefore arose no sleight accidents, which disturbed the good Intelligence which ought to have been maintained between the King of Spain and the Duke, by reason of their so near Alliance; for the Duke, when he first busied himself in the affairs of France, built much upon the assistance which he had reason to expect from the King his Father in law; not so much in respect of his Alliance, as that the things which he undertook were of no small help to the King's self; who at the same time assisting the Catholic League of the French Princes both with men and moneys, against King Henry who was then a Hugon●…t, made himself Master of many Towns in Brittany, and in other parts of that Kingdom; and therefore made his ends and intentions be much suspected: But though the Father in law might for those respects be inwardly pleased with his Son in law's Actions; yet wisely foreseeing how much those Enterprises did exceed his Forces, and the mischiefs which might thereby accrue unto him, he professed the contrary; and seeming ●…ather desirous of the peace and safety of his Son in law's Dominions, he dissuaded him from those Enterprises; fearing also lest by provoking France thereby, he might draw many bad humours into Italy, whereby his peaceful possessions might be disturbed, and the common Affairs endangered; And yet that he might not seem to abandon him, rather than to encourage and foment him in those wars, he furnished him with forces; but not such as were answerable, either for readiness or numbers, to the necessity of the Times; and no otherwise then with limitation, that they should serve only to defend his own Dominions, if they should happen (as they did) to be assaulted by the French; but not to offend or disquiet others: Wherefore the Duke finding the Spanish Commanders directions contrary to his designs, in his most urgent occasions; and thinking himself thereby injured, he was much troubled: And as he who sees himself fallen from high hopes which he had ●…ancied to himself, useth to think it a shame that he hath not compassed his ends, and to believe that he is deluded more by the will of others, then by his own persuasion; the Duke esteeming that for so many respects he might freely have promised himself abundance of help from his Father in law, thought he had reason to hold himself too severely treated by him; wherefore beginning to be jealous of the King's mind and Magnanim●…ty, he doubted that, (though he peradventure might for his own particular ends be well enough pleased to see him busied in those wars) endeavouring to keep him in a moderate condition for the greater security of his own affairs in Italy, and that he might depend the more upon him the King; he had rather held him unfortunately in hand by those weak succours in those wars, than assisted him to the acquiring of more Dominion and Grandezza, as he the Duke had hoped: and this his dislike was the more increased, when he found that the King's Authority was not afterwards sufficient to include him in the peace which was afterwards made between the said King and the King of France, without the restitution of Saluzzo: The Duke thought that his Father in law being now very old was the less careful to leave his Son, who was but then young, in peaceful possession of his State by that Agreement, for that he had not appeared to solicit his interests; for many places of much importance being by virtue of this peace restored to the French, the Duke thought that if his Father in law had stuck a little closer to him, he might still have kept the little Marquesite of Saluzzo, which it was likely King Henry would not have stood much upon, having by this Peace many very noble Towns of France restored to him, which were possessed by the King of Spain in the time of war: But the King, who had made public profession that he had possessed himself of the Towns of that Kingdom, to no other end but to keep the Heretics from being Masters of them, with intention to restore them afterwards to whosoever should be lawfully chosen King of France; covering the necessity of his own interests, which forced him to make that Peace, with the cloak of fair proceeding, seemed as if the time of his promised restoring them was then come; since King Henry was declared by all the Orders of France, and by the Apostolic See, to be lawful and Catholic King; and that therefore the Duke having professed that he had possessed himself of Saluzzo upon the same pretences and promises; ●…nd being by the same reason bound to restore it, the King as he would not that by the Duke's interests prevailing over his, that peace should be disturbed; so could he not without manifest repugnancy allow of that retention in another, which he did allow unto himself: But because the Duke alleged that that Marquesite appertained to him of ancient right, the King thought that he had sufficiently provided both for the public quiet, and for his Son in law's Indemnity, by obtaining (as he did) that the Duke's pretensions should by the Articles of Peace be referred to Clement the Eighth, who was then Pope: which Reference when it should be 〈◊〉, the universal Peace was aftewards to be agreed upon between the King of France, and him, and the Duke: But the Pope deferring, or not resolving to decide these differences, the Duke resolved to go to Paris, hoping by his presence, and by his doing Homage, to make that King favourably to relinquish unto him the controverted Marquesite. The King of Spain, and the whole Spanish Court, were much troubled at this Resolution; fearing lest the Duke, being ill satisfied with their proceedings, should close with the King of France, to their prejudice: But their suspicions were vain, as vain were his hopes; for a settled resolution of re-having whatsoever was taken from the Crown in the late troubles prevailing in the King of France, over all other considerations, he was not to be moved by any endeavours or artificial offers; but did absolutely demand the Marquesite or some Territories equivalent thereunto: And he was so steadfast in this Resolution, as being tempted by the Duke to assault the State of Milan, and from thence to proceed to the getting of the Imperial Crown; the Duke offering him to assist him in any of these, or in any other Enterprise, and to confederate with him, so as he might enjoy the Marquesite, The King did constantly refuse to do it; so as the Duke, not being able to obtain any better Conditions, was forced to yield the Marquesite unto him within a certain limited time (without any prejudice, notwithstanding, to his right, (which was again referred unto the Pope) or else all that part of Savoy which lies between the Rosne and the Lioness, called the Country of Bresse. Thus the Duke returned to Piedmont not well pleased with the King; and not observing what was agreed upon, the King took Savoy immediately from him, threatening to descend armed into Piedmont: And though notice was come to the Court of Spain of the Duke's endeavours with the King of France, in prejudice to the Crown of Spain, and to the public quiet; yet other respects prevailing, upon this occasion, over his anger conceived against the Duke, the King caused a powerful Army to be prepared in Milan for the defence of Piedmont, and to oppose King Henry, if (as it was feared) falling into Italy, he should turn his forces upon other Enterprises: But this Commotion was once again quieted; for the Pope interposing himself, the Duke chose rather actually to surrender up Bresse unto the King, than the Marquesite of Saluzzo; reserving, notwithstanding, in favour to the King of Spain, passage through that Country, that his men might go from Italy into Flanders, for the defence of those Provinces, which did so much import the Crown of Spain: Yet subject of di●…content arose out of this Agreement; for the Duke thinking that he had not a little advantaged the condition of the Crown of Spain, in having totally excluded the French out of Italy, by the so g●…eat lessening his former Territories; thought he deserved a very good ●…ecompence: On the contrary, the Spania●…ds, though they had persuaded the Duke to that Agreement, yet they thinking that he had got more advantage 〈◊〉, having excluded the French out of the bowels of his State, pro●…essed that the Restitution of Saluzzo would have been less prejudicial to them, the smallness whereof would have been but of little avail to the French affairs in Italy, though it had been possessed by them; whereas by the Concession of Bresse they were totally deprived of the passage reserved, to the evident prejudice of the affairs of Flanders; since the Duke having received no caution from the King in that behal●…, but his bare promise, it was absolutely in the French men's pleasure, whether they would obse●…ve it, or no: and yet the Duke thinking that the advantage was not sufficiently acknowledged, held himself to be much injured, that the King, instead of the Grandezza, and the bettering of his estate, which he had hoped for, by his alliance contracted with him, and by his continual adherence to that Crown, should suffer him to be deprived of so noble a part of his Pater●…al 〈◊〉, without any recompense, This his pretention was ma●…e t●…e gr●…ater by the same Kings giving of Burgundy and the Low-Countries in Portion with Isabel Clara Eugenia, his eldest Daughter, married at this time to Albertus, Archduke of Austria; for though the Duke 〈◊〉 from the Crown of Spain, in Portion with his Wi●…e, in Pensions assigned over afterwards to his Children, and in other Donatives, little less than 200000 ducats of yearly Rent; yet holding the disproportion to be too great which was made between his Wi●…e and he▪ Sister, he thought there ought some amends to be made him, at least by the reason of that equal hand which the Father ought to bear to his Daughters: Failing whereof he was much troubled; and could the l●…ss bear with his aforesaid Loss. The King, his Father in law, died a little before his journey into France; and a little before Katherine, Wife to the Duke, and Daughter to the King: So as by the death of the one the knot was slackened which fastened him to the Kingdoms of Spain; so the Court of Spain, and the Government thereof being much a●…ered after the other was deceased, those evil seeds began to get root, which not long after produced fruits of often distastes, which exasperated the minds of both parties, and did at last totally alienate the Duke's devotion from the Court of Spain: For Philip the second, as wise a King as Spain ever had, relying upon himself in the Government of so many Kingdoms, satisfied the Grandees of the Court with honourable usage, not making use of them in public Affairs, except of some ●…ew, in whom he found the capacity of understanding annexed to their greatness of birth: for other things he chose men more excellent for worth, then eminent for title or dignity; assisting in the public Government with incredible diligence, and sustaining the weight of so great an Empire himself, which past humane judgement; for in him alone did Majesty and regal Authority shine forth: His Commands and Resolves were punctu●…lly observed by the Natives, and greatly reverenc●…d by Fo●…reigners; being by them acknowledged to proceed from the award and absolute will of so wise and so great a King: Hence it was that the Duke himself, not being able to avoid them, was enforced patiently to give way thereunto, though they were ofttimes not answerable to his ends. His Son King Philip the third succeeded him, a good and pious Prince; but one who could not entirely inherit his Father's infinite wisdom, neither by reason of his years, (not exceeding the age of twenty three;) nor of his experience: Therefore the condition of times being changed together with the Prince; great men grew to be of more Authority with the King in the Administration of State Affairs; which was more largely, and more indifferently shared out unto them by him, then by Philip the second. Amongst these, Don Francisco Scandoval, and Roxas, Duke of Lerma, were highest in favour with the King; upon whose liking all important Resolutions, as also the distribution of Offices, the Government of Provinces; and the Crown Revenues, did depend; r●…ther as upon a Moderator, than Court-Minister: The eyes of all men we●…e therefore, with much applause, fixed upon him as upon the chief manager of so great a Monarchy; Who being of a good and pleasing disposition, and for his understanding sufficiently capable of so great Employment, sat long at the Helm of Government in so great an Empire, not only with Loyalty to the King, but with general satisfaction: It is true, that being grown very jealous of his own Grandezza, he diligently studied the preservation thereof; which finding that he might the more easily do in times of peace, he hated all novelty, and neglected no means whereby the Affairs of the Crown might be quietly proceeded in, both at home and abroad: Nor was it hard for him to do it, the public interests of the Kingdom concurring thereunto in many respects; as also the people's desire, and the minds of the great ones; who being rich and happy, loved rather to enjoy the public and their private fortune in peace and quietness, then to increase it by uncertain and dangerous war: But the Affairs of Italy, and particularly those of Lombardy, did depend, almost absolutely, upon the Authority and Arbitrement of Don Pierd d' Azevedo Henriques, Count of Fuentes, a man of high employment and great worth; who being sent by the new King to be Governor of Milan, governed that State long with extraordinary Authority: And being good both at peace and war, and generally held to be of a military spirit; seeming more inclined to Arms then quiet; he, without altering the public peace, held up the King's Affairs at so high a pitch, and brought them unto such reputation in Italy, as they were never formerly done by any Governor. The government of Affairs being in this posture, the Duke, though the new King, forgetting former distastes, had made one of his Sons Grand Prior of Castil●…; and another Son of his the like of Crat●…; the latter worth 30000 ducats a year, the other of 100000 ducats, did continually aspire, out of his accustomed pretences and desires, to the augmentation of his Fortune; which was impossible to be afforded him, either without lessening the King's Revenue, or without disturbance to the public peace, to which the Government of the Crown was then so much inclined: And therefore whilst beyond all expectation he found all access to further greatness blocked up under the new King; he had some colourable pretence to vent his anger, which by reason of the King his Father in law's Majesty, he had kept long concealed; for not being of like employment and Authority in the Resolutions o●… that Court, as he had been formerly, he began to complain thereof with less respect, thinking that it proceeded rather from the State-Ministers being ill-minded towards him, then from the King himself. Hereunto was added, that it being necessary to make the Duke of Lerma chief in Court, as the Arbritrator of the King's Resolutions; and in Italy, Fuentes, Governor of Milan, for the relation and executing of things resolved upon; and not finding himself satisfied with their proceedings, or pleased in his ends, which did totally differ from their ends and intentions; and finding sometimes, at least seeming to find a certain ambition in them, and in other Court-Ministers, which doth usually accompany eminent power, and the Princes immoderate favour, whereby he thought they meant to keep him under, he could by no means bear with it: He openly exclaimed against them, as if making use of the King's name and Authority for the establishment of their own greatness, they would arrogate unto themselves the more Authority over him, who was a free Prince, and Cousin to the King; Hereupon anger and rancour broke forth between the Duke and the King's Ministers of State, especially between him, and Scandoval, and Fuentes; so as tokens of ardent indignation appearing in the Duke, and the like in them, for the practices he had held with Henry, to the prejudice of that Court, and of the universal peace, they at last seemed as if they were not able to pay the Pensions which appertained to him; as if the exasperating him were the only cure for that wound, for which gentler applications would be too disproportionate. Their hatred grew the greater, when the Duke demanding his Pensions of his Father in law, and after his death, of his Cousin, he resolved to send his eldest Son, Prince Philip Emanuel, with two other Sons of his, into Spain, that they might be brought up in the King's Court; upon whom (the King not having as yet any Sons) the succe●…on of so many Kingdoms might probably fall: The Duke being come with this intent to the Sea side, and having agreed upon the time of their Embarking, and upon other things concerning thei●… Voyage in Oneglia, with Prince Doria the King's Lord Admiral; wherein they were to be conducted by Don Carlo Doria, Duke of Tursi, and Son to the Admiral, it so fell out, as Don Carlo de●…arting unexpectedly from Villa Franca, whether he was come with the King's Galleys to Embark those Princes, he left both their Father and them much astonished at his unexpected departure: wherefore the Duke credibly believing that a resolution of such importance proceeded not from Don Carlo, but rather from the Court Ministe●…s of State, and particularly from the Duke of Lerma, who for his own interest would be loath to see the King's Nephews so near their Uncle; he therefore, and for that the King did not appear afterwards to resent it, thought himself therein very much injured; and yet being resolved that his Children should pursue their intended journey, he sent them to the Court; where they were graciously received by their Uncle, and were by his command treated with all the demonstrations of Honour, and with the Title of Infants of Spain; a name which is given to the younger Children of that King: But on the other side, the Statesmen, and great ones of the Kingdom, fearing that it might much prejudice their own greatness, and their Administration of public a●…fairs, that Authority should be added to those that were so nearly allied to the King; they did not only keep them at distance from the public Negotiations of the Kingdom, but from any privacy with the King; and not being able to suffer their so much preeminency, they seldom visited them, or discoursed with them, rendering the Grandezza of their condition almost irksome to them through solitariness: They were honoured only with Titles and exterior demonstrations; but were not otherwise in any favour or Authority at Court. The eldest Prince died not long after, who upon the like occasions had great disputes with the Duke of Lerma; and the rest returned into Italy, if not displeased with the King, at least but badly satisfied wi●…h the Court, as not finding that countenance and welcome as they thought became their condition: These and the like accidents, though out of private occasions, and proceeding rather from the State-Officers, then from the King, wounded the Duke to the very soul, who was much exasperated by former proceedings; and if he had met with any occasion, he would peradventure have been willing to have vented his disdain; but neither the times, nor the condition of his own affairs, corresponding with his desire of resentment, he was forced to clo●…e his passions, and to expect a more opportune time; whilst thus fought with by inward ha●…red, such occasions at last happened, when he least expected them, as brought those opportunities home unto him; than which if he had sought after them, he could not have met with greater. William dalle March, Duke of juliers and Cleves, died about this time; in whose death all his whole Family failing, many several Germane Princes pretended to the Succession of those States: Amongst the rest Leopold, one of the Archduke's of Austria, and the Princes of Brandenburge and Newburg; which latter two joining against the Archduke, possessed themselves of all that appertained to those Dukedoms, except juliers, which fell into his power. Leopold's Cau●…e was not adhered unto only by the House of Austria, and by the King of Spain; but by all the Catholic German Princes; who thinking it pernicious for the Catholic Religion, that those States should fall into the hands of Heretic Princes, contracted a League in the behalf of the Archduke; and chose the Duke of Bavaria for their Captain-General: The two 〈◊〉 finding themselves too weak against such a League, had recourse to the King of France; whose Kingdom after so many calamities of preceding wars, having now enjoyed peace for many years; and consequently flourishing more in Arms, people, and riches, than it was ever known to be before; himsel●… being obeyed by all the Orders of this Kingdom, and reverenced by all the Princes of Christendom; and not thinking it became him that the Crown of Spain and House of Austria should grow to a greater height, took upon him the protection of those Princes; and with caution to the Catholic Religion of those Inhabitants he promised to assist themin the possession of the controverted States; in whose cause the Protestant Princes of Germany did also adhere: And the King of France being made their Head; they prepared openly to oppose the Archduke: the King perce●…ving that from hence great combustions were likely to arise, applied his mind to much greater designs. Betaking himself therefore not only to make stout preparations of Arms throughout his whole Kingdom, but also to negotiate new Leagues and Unions with For●…eigners, he solicited many of the Italian Princes, to whom he thought the neighbourhood of the Spaniards was either suspicious or troublesome; promising them great Rewards, and increase of Dominions, if by joining their Forces with him they would take up Arms in Italy against the King of Spain's Dominions: The chief of these were the Venetians and the Duke of Savoy; the former, in respect of the great opinion which was held not only of their forces and wealth, but of their Counsel and Wisdom: The other, for the Neighbourhood of his Dominions, and for the vivacity of his military Spirit, naturally inclined to new Enterprises; as also out of the distastes and bad satisfaction which he had often received from the Spanish State-Ministers▪ Count Fuentes, who though he was very old, and upon the confines of death, was yet alive, and much feared and reverenced; and the Affairs of Spain flourished much (as hath been said) under his Government. The 〈◊〉, notwithstanding, either professing to abhor turbulence and novelty; or fearing to provoke the Spaniards, refusing the first great offers made to them by the King of France, would have no hand in a business of such moment, which was like to work great Revolutions in the world, not without danger to their own Affairs: The Duke, who on the contrary, though strangely scandalised at the Court of Spain, would not let slip such an occasion willingly, and was therefore willing to listen to the King's great offers; whereof one was, to marry the King's eldest Daughter to Prince Victorio; yet calling to mind the long and bitter wars which the Kings of France had made upon his Father and Grandfather, by whom they were beaten almost out of all their Dominions: And on the contrary, his recovery, and being kept in long possession of them by the favour and adherence of the Crown of Spain; the annual Revenues which he received from thence, which would upon any the least occasion be taken from him; to boot with the troubles and wars which he was to undergo by incensing the Spaniards; in all these respects he began to doubt, lest to pass from the one adherence to the other, would be too dangerous for him, and for his Children, who were, by so straight interests, and by so near alliance joined to the King of Spain: wherefore not totally excluding, but keeping the Treaty on foot with the French, he thought to make use of this occasion as of the means, whereby retaining his former friendship with the King of Spain; but upon better conditions, he might get a greater esteem put upon himself and his affairs: Or totally foregoing Union with Spain, which he thought would be now reduced to subjection and slavery, endeavour to link himself close with France; and by the ●…avour and assistance thereof arrive at that Grandezza and Augmentation of State, which having long looked for in vain from the Crown of Spain, he could never attain unto: He therefore demanded one of the Daughters of Spain for Wife to his Son, together with a Portion in Land, which might serve in recompense for his ancient pretences; and other annual Revenues and honourable places for his other Children; to the end that they might live in Port and Splendour sutatable to the Nephews of so great a King: And to remove the obstacles and difficulties which he might meet with in these desires, he thought it necessary to win the Duke of Lerma, and to interest him in these his demands; for when he should have got him, he hoped he should succeed the more easily in all the rest. Laying aside therefore all former contentions and emulations, ●…e loaded him (as it is said) with hopes and mighty promises, which depending absolutely upon his own will, might bring unusual greatness and splendour upon his Family and descendants, whe●…eby to make so powerful a Minister of State give way unto, and facilita●…e whatsoever he should demand of the King for his Sons: And at the same time, keeping on the Treaty of the new League, and his Son's Marriage, in Paris, he hoped that each of these Crowns would grow to such jealousy by reason of this double Negotiation; as that, the one not to lose him, and the other to gain him, they might both of them vie who should give fairer conditions for this Marriage, when it should be hotly negotiated at the same time in both these Courts: Choosing the●…efore for Agents, in these his so great designs, Count Verrua, a Counsellor who was in great favour with him, and Monsieur jacob, he sent them both at the same time, the former into Spain, the latter into France, where both of them negotiated their Commissions. The Duke of Lerma greedily embracing this occasion in the Court of Spain, that by assisting to make this Ma●…ch he might aggrandise his own Family; so the Treaty of Marriage between Prince Victorio and the King's Daughter, seemed to proceed on fairly: For though the King would not Treat of his eldest Daughter, whom he had destined to a much greater Marriage; yet not being averse to part with his youngest Daughter, this Match, though not totally ag●…eed upon, yet was it likely to be speedily concluded; And Don Phileberto, the Duke's second Son, was destined to be made Admiral at Sea; and the Duke's third Son, the Cardinal, was to be furnished with the ch●…ef Church-livings which should be vacant in that Kingdom, to a large proportion. In pursuit of which Negotiation, there were two Galleys already provided by the Duke in Italy, to bring the Prince Victorio into Spain, together with two of his Sisters, that they might be brought up there with the Queen; yet many were not fully of an opinion, that this would really succeed: As if the Duke had juggled in this Marriage with▪ Spain, or that he had done it out of cunning to accelerate the Negotiations in France, which were carried on with hopes of prosperous success, by jacob: For the King, having drawn England, and the States of Holland, into the new League, and giving out that he would ●…ut the Princes of Brandenburge and Newburg, into full possession of the Dukedoms pretended unto by them, had already prepared a powerful Army; with which, and with the Forces of the Colleagues, it was thought that he really intended war against Flanders, and those parts of the Low-Countries which were under the King of Spain. And at the same time he put a Fleet in order at Marselles, with intention to assault Genoa and Milan; and offered the Duke of Savoy an Army of 20000 Foot, and 3000 Horse, to be paid by him the King; to the end that the Duke might enter into the 〈◊〉 of Milan with 12000 Foot, and 2000 Horse of his own; which State he propounded to the Duke of Savoy; as a surplus of Portion in respect of the future Marriage. These practices, were they either true, or but reported, did no good to the Treaties of Spain, which seemed to be as good as already concluded: for the King of Spain, growing incensed thereat, did not incline any more to the Marriage of his Daughter; and the Duke of Lerma, who had cordially listened to Verrua's proposals, finding that he was not well looked upon by the Court where the practices held between him and Verrua were known; to show himself averse to the Duke's interests and intelligence, who was grown odious to the Court for the same respects, did all he could to clear himself thereof: And the whole Court, out of the same reasons, being at the same time scandalised with the Duke of Savoy; he, thinking that he could promise himself no good from that Crown, and despairing to make any progress in that Court, quite foregoing any thought of further pursuing his Affairs there, and betaking himself to the Kingdom of France, he endeavoured to join in League, and to make Alliance with that King. Hence it was, (that we may return to where we gave over) that the Duke of Savoy, to the end that he might have greater adherences in Italy, as also that he might interest other Princes in his ends and designs; married forthwith two of his Daughters (wherein King Henry had a hand) the eldest to Don Francisco, than Prince of Mantua; and the other to Alphonso, Prince of Modena; which was not done without much jealousy, that the Dukes, their Fathers, did privately partake in the same ends and designs: And at this very time another Marriage coming strangely to light, which was very privately treated of in Rome for the Prince of 〈◊〉, the Pope's Nephew, with a natural Daughter of King Henry; it made people very jealous of the Pope's Intention: This suspicion reached also to many of the Lords of Rome, which by many A●…guments drawn from their endeavours and inclinations, seemed to follow King Henry's party. King Henry was then in greater Fortune, Authority, and Grandezza, then peradventure any of the preceding Kings of France had for a long time been; he was admired by all Christendom; wherefore part of Italy being full of expectation, other part full of fear, of these so great preparations, Italy was partly inclined unto, and did tremble at the name and reputation of the French Forces: But to the end that the Differences touching Montferrat might not disturb so great hopes as were promised by this Conjunction; the Duke of Savoy thought it not good to look too narrowly into them then, though they fell into consideration in the conclusion of the Marriage with the Prince of Mantua; and therefore he thought it bett●… to hasten the conclusion of that Marriage, leaving those differences undecided. On the contrary; the King of Spain, finding whether the confederacy or Affinity of the Italian Princes did at that time tend, and endeavouring to disturb it, I ●…oured, though in vain, that the same Marriages might be crossed; but King Henry's so unexpected death, having either dissipated the ends, or allayed the jealousies of that so great Unon; and the Duke being afterwards pacified, and joined with the King of Spain; and the Kingdom of France foregoing the Match with the Duke, as having, after the King's death, entertained new Negotiations of a double Marriage with Spain, whereby Lewis, the new King of France was to marry the King of Spain's eldest Daughter, and King Lewis his Sister, (she who in her Father's time was intended for Prince Victorio, was (also to marry the Prince of Spain; to the conclusion of which Marriages there was no le●…t at that time, but the tender years of those that were to be married; Therefore the King and Court of Spain confiding much more in this new Conjunction, than they had formerly disinherited the Union of the Italian Princes, and their Intelligence with the French, did at the same time endeavour that the Marriage might be concluded between the Cardinal and the Dowager Duchess; a thing which made very much for the preservation of peace in Italy, and for the new Union which was agreed on with the King of France. On the contrary, the Duke of Savoy's intentions seemed to differ according to the condition of times, from what they were when he married his Daughter to the Prince of Mantua; for failing of the Grandezza which he hoped for if King Henry had lived, by his death, and by the straight Union of the two Crowns, he did not listen to the new Marriage of his Daughter; for that thereby his designs of enlarging his Principality by some other means, and the leaving it greater to his posterity, than he had received it from his Ancestors, would be disturbed: He saw Montferrat, a great State, and very convenient for him, as lying almost in the bosom of Piedmont, furnished but with few forces, and lesse●… Garrisons, far from the City of Mantua, was now almost vacant, between the uncertain Succession of the offspring which was to come, and his Niece's questionableness therein: He knew how many Reasons he himself had to pretend thereunto; how much the Dukes, his Predecessors, had laboured to get it; and having not only had it in his thoughts whilst his Son in law was alive, but given manifest signs of his desire thereof, he thought the occasion was now very ripe, and the time fit, to execute his secret designs of making himself easily Master thereof, if, when he should have got his Daughter and his Niece into his possession, he might honest his ends by the Title of Succession of the Male Issue which he hoped for by his Daughter, or at least by that of his Niece, who was already in being: and when by showing those of Montferrat their true Lord and Master, he might either cunningly bring them to accept of him for the Protector of their State, and young Duke, or force them by arms to obey him: Nor were there some wanting who encouraged him in these designs by fair hopes and promises of the people's rising. Guido de Conti di St George was then in the Court at Turin, the chief of the Nobility of Montferrat, rich in Inheritances and personal Estate, and powerful in friends and adherents: This man had not many years ago a Cardinal to his Uncle, of very much esteem; and who, as it was commonly believed, would have been Pope, had he not been kept from it (as was thought) by the contrary endeavours of Duke Vincent; who, it may be, was jealous to see a subject of his so highly exalted; or resenting the displeasure he had received from him, whilst being le●…t Legate by Pope Clement the Eighth in Ferrara, which was but newly regained to the Church, he entered with Sword in hand into the State of Mantua, touching the difference of Confines; where he did much prejudice to the Towns neighbouring upon the State of Ferrara: and though the Count's Predecessors had formerly been raised to great Authority and Honour, from but mean fortune, by the extraordinary favour of Duke William, Father to Duke Vincent; yet the memory of former good turns being of less force with the Count, than the prejudice and injury which he had newly received, he was but badly inclined to the House of Gonzaga: And therefore not thinking himself looked upon by the Duke according to his quality, and that his ways were narrowly pried into, he had almost given over his Country, and was retired into Piedmont, where he was in no little Authority and favour with the Duke; by whom he was highly graced with the Order of the Annuntiata, and other employments and dignities; he being as much alienated in mind from his Prince, as in person from his Country, out of revenge, and out of hopes of farther preferment, professed he had much Intelligence with the Inhabitants of Montferrat; and promised much to the Duke in their behalf. The recourse and inclination which the Citizens of Cassalle, and formerly to Emanuel Philibertus, Father to the present Duke of Savoy; when William, Duke of Mantua, usurping upon their pretended liberties, got absolute dominion over them; and their being still but ill satisfied therewith, gave more of credit to these his promises: And as the business seemed in these respects to be easy enough of itself to be effected, so neither did the Duke want other reasons which would secure him from meeting with any impediments from elsewhere; for though Montferrat, and the Dukedom of Mantua had formerly been under the protection of Spain, wherefore the Dukes of Savoy not taking themselves to the way of Arms, had only civilly made trial of that of Reason;) yet this protection seemed to 〈◊〉 in the person of the Cardinal; for that he having in the Court of Room, where he was chosen Protector of France by the Queen his Aunt, exercised that Charge not only with extraordinary affection and inclination to the French, but sometimes much distasted the Spanish Agents: He seemed upon occasions to make less account of the favour and grace of that King and Nation; and though being by his Brother's death near possessing the States, he thought it neither reaso●…able nor safe for him to abet the Cardinal Protector of France; but necessary to preserve the friendship and countenance under which his Ancestors had for so many years happily enjoyed the principality; wherefore he had immediate recourse to the King of Spain for the favour of his wont protection; he could not as yet obtain his desire, for the King deferred and protracted the expedition of this affair, not without much jealousy in the Cardinal and in all his Court; wherefore the Duke, who was not ignorant of these difficulties, thought he might probably hope, that that King and Nation, either out of anger to the Cardinal, or for the safety of the State of Milan, for which it did not make that Montferrat (especially in respect of the Citadel of Cassalle) should fall into the hands of a Prince in whom the Crown did not confide; and who having discovered himself to adhere to France, was likely to incline more thereunto in the future troubles, then unto its adversary: and though, for the aforesaid reasons, the King had doubtlessly mo●…e cause to suspect the very person of Duke Charles Emanuel; yet (as the desire of obtaining ones ends makes the means of obtaining it appear more likely and easy) he peradventure persuaded himself, that many other things would cause that King, and that Court, not to oppose his intention; the Alliance which he and Duke Francis his Sons had with him, the design which amidst these troubles the King's party might peradventure have of securing themselves of Cassalle; the desire which it was probable the King and his Officers might have of giving him satisfaction, so to avoid giving him occasion of disordering Italy again: and because it made not for the King's advantage to satisfy him by the lessening his own Dominions, he thought that out of all, or out of some of the aforesaid Reasons, the King passing by his ancient, and now doubtful protection of Montferrat, aught, at least, not to hinder him from possessing himself of that State whereunto he had long pretended: Hereunto was added the straight and ancient friendship between the Duke and the new Governor of Milan; to whom, as to a chief Minister of State, the charge of acquainting the Court with the condition of the Affairs of Italy, doth belong: So that as the Authority and rigidness of Count Fuentes had continually hindered the Duke in compassing his ends and enterprises; so this man's easiness, and the great friendship which he professed to have for the Duke considered, it was thought they would make him more aptto attempt novelties; since he might assist the Duke's affairs sundry ways, at least till such time as the Duke having possessed himself of a good part of Montferrat, the King might be necessitated (it being the lesser evil) to suffer him to keep it. Don john, of the most noble Family of Mendosa, Marquis of Inoioso, did then govern the State of Milan, Count Fuentes being dead a little before; He was newly raised to so great a Government, from a lesser condition, by the extraordinary favour of the Duke of Lerma, whose Creature he was: The Duke of Savoy had given him, many years before, the Marquesite of St Iermain●…, in acknowledgement and reward for the service which he had forme●…ly done him in the Wars against the French; and therefore being made Governor of Milan some Months before, he in his passage entered into Asti, where he was received with great civilities by the Duke, and much private discourse passed between them. In these very Ruptures, Count Guido, who had deserved very well of the Crown of Spain, and was a great Confident to the whole Spanish Nation; for having fought on the King's behalf in the wars of Flanders, past several times secretly between Turin and Milan, and had had private discourse with the Governor of Inoioso; wherefore, and for the news which was given out in Italy of great gifts that he had received from the Duke, he was much suspected in the troubles which ensued after between these Princes: and as out of the aforesaid Reasons the Duke thought the Court of Spain might favour him in this Enterprise; so he imagined upon better grounds, that he had no reason to doubt the French: For he had found, two years before, by his own experience, how much that Queen did de●…est war in the Kingdom during the minority of her Son; and though her Nephew the Cardinal's danger should make her take a contrary resolution, it was to be believed that those Forces and those Succours would rather have been prejudicial then of any help to the Adversary, as those which would infallibly have made the Spaniards join in favour with the Duke, against the Cardinal, as against one who did trouble Italy; and who, with little of reputation or safety to the King's Dominions, did call in Foreign Nations, a thing which was much abhorred by the Spaniards in this Province: As for the Princes of Italy, he thought them much less able to disturb this Enterprise; since not any one of them, whilst the King was savourable unto him, could succour Montferrat, which was far distant from all their Dominions, and every where surrou●…ed by the State of Milan, Piedmont, and by the River of Genoa: He was likewise encouraged by many things wherein he knew he did far exceed the Cardinal; the Authority he had won by being esteemed a Prince of great Courage, Saga●…ity, exceeding diligent, and very dexterous at all great Affairs: And moreover, by his long experience, very well acquainted with the affairs of the world, and well versed in State-Affairs, by reason of his Intelligence held with many Christian Princes: That he was by his natural disposition, by his long experience in war, so much exercised in Military Affairs, as that he was not to be equalled therein by any Prince of those times: The opinion which was held of his Vivacity and warlike Spirit, practised both in good and bad Fortune, which made him capable of any whatsoever weighty employment; that he was, for State and natural ●…orces; a Prince powerful enough in Italy; and that by reason of his confining upon many warlike nations he might easily come by many Soldiers, which he might feed in the fertile soil of Piedmont: wherefore thinking that all difficulties were to yield to his will and courage; he imagined that Cardi●… Ferdinando, being as yet but a young man, newly settled in his Principality, wanting many of those things wherein he knew himself did so much abound, not being able to contend with him upon such disadvantages, would either yield unto him, or atleast come to some composition, as jovan Giacomo, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, had formerly done with his Progenitor Ama●…. Having considered all these things, and being of a great Spirit, and full of extraordinary confidence; and incited by an ardent desire of enlarging the limits of his Dominions (a thing which over-sways all other humane affections) being moreover inflamed with indignation for the injury which he afterwards pretended was done him; they appeared greater, and more secure to him, than peradventure they would prove; they therefore prevailed more with him then the consideration of any difficulties which he was likely to meet with in this his resolution; which either not dreaming of, or not caring for, he thought it necessary, as it becomes all great Spirits to do, to make use of the present condition of times; thinking (as he was wont to say) that they would be as favourable unto him, as they had been the contrary to his Grandfather, when by the Decree of the Emperor Charles the fifth, he was excluded the possession of Montferrat: Therefore neither wholly refusing, nor yet wholly consenting to his Daughter's Marriage, he demanded that she should first come into Piedmont, and bring her Daughter with her; and that his pretensions to Montferrat should first be decided, under pretence that he would have no cause of contention left behind him and Cardinal Ferdinando, when he should be become his Son in law. It was not yet three Months since Duke Francis his death; and therefore, though it was not certain whether the Dowager Duchess was with child, or no, yet the thought thereof growing daily less, and the Cardinal being with some resentment incited thereunto by the Duke her Father, he at last consented that she should return to Piedmont: And he began to take upon him the Government of the State in his own name, without any consideration of the Child that might be born, and took upon him the Title of Duke of Mantua, not foregoing that of Cardinal. The endeavours nor hopes of the future Marriage, were, notwithstanding, quite given over when the Dowager Duchess departed: wherefore when she was ready to take her leave, she entreated the new Duke, even with tears in her eyes, that he would give her leave to carry her Daughter (at least) to Modena, that she might be brought up there with her Sister Isabel, where she did rather choose to live, then to return, without her Daughter, home to her Father: Upon the occasion of her departure, Prince Victorio was again returned from Turin to Mantua, and Princess Isabel herself from Modena, who joining in their fervent entreaties with the Dowager Duchess, they endeavoured to make Duke Ferdinando grant her request: The young Prince could not gain say such Intercessors, though he had formerly refused many other endeavours to the same purpose: Being therefore overcome by the intreat●…es of these Princes, or wrought upon by the tears and affectionate speeches of the Mother, he condescended to a request of so great Importance; but upon condition, that the Duke of Modena should return back his Niece whensoever he or the Emperor should desire; and that in case her Mother should return to Turin, the Match unconcluded, the Dukes of Savoy and of Modena should be obliged to send her back to Mantua. This Agreement being yielded unto upon Prince Victorio's Paroll, if it were not the chief cause, and original of the troubles which did afterwards ensue, was a great occasion of their commencement; but the Duke of Modena foreseeing how much trouble and difficulty he might incur if he should meddle in this affair; and how hard it would be for him to keep the condition stipulated without offending some of the parties; and perchance also the Emperor or the King, if they should demand the young Lady, and being unwilling to enter into Oaths or Cautions, required of him by the Duke of Mantua, absolutely refused to rece●…ve her: Wherefore the Dowager Duchess and the young Prince, failing in this their hope, returned to Piedmont without the young Lady. When they were come to Milan, the Governor desiring their satisfaction, did of himself mediate with the Duke of Mantua, that the Niece might be left with him upon the same conditions; which not being granted him, he desired that the Duke of Modena would oblige himself to stand to covenanted Conditions; which having at last, but not without the Duke of Savoys urgent pressing, obtained, Don Diego di Leva was suddenly dispatched away from Milan to Mantua, to see the first Agreement executed; but the Duke of Mantua's mind was for many respects already altered; for no small commotion was raised in his Court; nor were there small complaints made of him for this his so easy consenting to trust his Niece with others; and the great desire the Governor had to have her by any whatsoever means out of his hands, made him look more narrowly into the importance of the business: It was also said by many, That when she should be come to Milan many would swear Loyalty to her. Hereunto was added Cesar's command touching the retention of his Niece, which peradventure he had forgot when he promised to part with her: And that which bore most weight with it was, He thought himself free from his promise, which being made when the Duke of Modena tied himself to Conditions in the disposing of her, the Duke having already dissented, all Obligations seemed to be dissolved, which without a new Agreement could not be in their full former vigour, by the sole consent of the said Modena. Being therefore become more wary out of the aforesaid respects, he would not ag●…in commit the same fault whereof he thought he was as happily acquitted as he easily had at first run into, by his good nature, and (as he himself said afterwards) through an excess of love: wherefore the Bishop of Diocesarea, who was in his Court, being sent to Milan, the Duke was not so strict in satisfying those Princes and the Governor, as that the Bishop, who was a great Confident of the Duchess, should appease her anger for this his new denial, by keeping the Treaty of Marriage on foot: But the Reasons alleged by the Bishop were not admitted of by the Prince; for pretending that whensoever the Duke of Modena had accepted of the demanded Conditions the Promise should, without all question, have been observed to them, he complained freely thereof in a Letter sent back by the same Bishop; and going with his Sister from Milan, he went to Vercelly, where they were much expected by the Duke their Father. The Duke of Savoy thought himself much injured, that his Daughter, contrary to his will, had been so long detained; that his Niece was denied him, wherein, he said, the word passed to his Son was broken; and hereupon he took occasion, under pretence of just resentment, to assault, and make himself Master of Montferrat. Whilst the Duke of Savoy was wholly intent upon this, the Bishop returned with Authority from Duke Ferdinando to conclude the Marriage, whereof the Governor had the first time given him no small hopes; and with Commission also to satisfy Prince Victorio by word of mouth, touching the complaints contained in his Letter: Wherefore being sent by the Governor to Vercell●…, the Duke of Savoy, who would not listen to the two things concerning which the Bishop was sent, began to press his pretensions to Montferrat hard upon him, and the assignation of his Grandchild, touching which he had no Commission to say any thing: There were at this time in Piedmont between three and four thousand Soldiers listed, part of those that were raised at the time of King Henry's death; and were not disbanded, though the King was pacified with the Duke; and though they had been often demanded by the Queen of France, to free those of Genoa from the apprehensions they had of them, or to secure the peace of the Kingdom from the scandals that might thereby arise: Yet the Duke, appearing willing to dismiss them, feigning sometimes to do so, by sending some of their Companies out of his State, he concealed the rest as much as he might, distributing them into several parts of Piedmont: At last when the Duke his Son in law was dead, he had filled up their numbers, professing openly that he would make use of them against those of Be●…ne, in recovery of some Castles which they had taken from his Ancestors; but his Son in law being dead, and growing warm in his inde●…vours for his Grandchild, and in his pretensions, he intended to make use of them in the enterprise of Montferrat. Montferrat being divided into two several bodies, may for the clearer understanding thereof, be distinguished into two parts; the upper on this side Tanaro, and the lower on the other side of Tanaro: The latter, which lies more Southwardly, is between the River of Savona, and the Territories of Asti and Alessandria; there is in it two Cities, Acq●…; and Alba; and two Forts, San Damiano, and Ponsone: But the upper part of Montferrat, which is much greater than the lower, beg●…ns just where the River Sesia falls into the Po, and extending itself towards the Alps, between the Territories of Vercelli and Asti, doth inte●… itself, or rather loseth itself in Piedmont, and coming within six miles' o●… Turin, draws nearer the foot of the Alps: the P●…e●…uns ●…uns along the length of this part; there are no strong Holds in it but Cassalle, the Metropolis and Frontier of the whole State towards Milan; and Trino, which confines upon Vercelli, Montcalvo, and Asti; for what remains, it is not divided from Piedmont, either by Rivers or Mountains, or secured by any Fort: The Boundeurs of particular places do distinguish the Jurisdiction of the two Princes. This State was not any way prepared for so sudden an assault; for the Duke of Mantua's Officers, and all the Inhabitants, being comforted in expectation of the Marriage which was in Treaty, thought themselves to be in secure peace, and looked for nothing less than to be assaulted; and so much the less, for that to boot with Montferrat, having been always in the King's protection, whereby they thought they should not be subject to novelties; Duke Ferdinando was also assured by the Governor of Milan, that the Duke of Savoy would not move without his knowledge; and that, howsoever, he would be ready to assist him: and under colour of not giving the Savoyard further occasion of Arming, the Governor had exhorted the Mantuan to cashier many of the Montferrat Militia, and to Quarter them elsewhere, who were Mustered in that State since his Brother's death; when efore the Duke of Savoy making use of this occasion, resolved to invade Montferrat by night in several parts, on the Twenty second of April; and having ordered the Count de Verrua, and Captain Alessandro Guerrino, to move at the appointed time; the latter from Ch●…arasco, whereof he was Governor, to fall upon Alba; and the other from Asti, to possess himself of Montcalvo: He himself, accompanied by the Princes, Victorio and Thomaso, his eldest and his youngest Sons, by Count Guido St George, and other Lords of Piedmont, parted from Vercelli with 600 Foot, some Troops of Horse; and Carirages of Ammunition, and marched that very night towards Trino; whither be●…ng come a little before day break, he sent the Commendator della M●…a with some Soldiers to fasten a Petarde; after whom he sent 300 Provincials, commanded by Captain Rovigliasco; and keeping a little behind with the rest of his men, he waited till when the Petard should have played he might enter together with them: The mean while he sent some to take a Castle near the Po, called Gabbiano, which yielded without making any resistance. The Portcullies of Trino was beaten in two by the Pe●…ard; but Motta advancing further to force the Gate with another Petard, which was prepared for that purpose, whilst meeting with some hindrance, some little delay was made; the day began to clear up; and these within getting upon the Walls, slew the Petardier, and hurt some others by Musket shot, amongst which the Commandator della Motta; the Barons of Hermansa, and Tornone: Wherefore the Duke, failing in his first design of surprising that Town, betook himself to play upon the walls with Artillery which he had caused to be brought from Vercelli; and to keep off succour he cut a Trench cross the way which leads from Cassalle, placing some Horse in Garrison there, and some Soldiers to guard the way which leads to Palazz●…lo, 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉, places near to Montferrat; The Militia of which places, hearing of the Duke's coming, marched to get into Trino; but were beaten back by the Commandator della Manta: The number of the Duke's men multiplied this mean while by the coming in of more; and the Battery being begun by Cannon, and being by approaches advanced to certain Kills, from whence they might commodiously play upon the Walls, and then give an Assault; those of the Town, the third day af●…er the first assault, surrendered the Town of their own accord, their Lives, Goods, and Privileges, being preserved: The rewards promised him by the Duke of Savoy, and Intelligence held with Count Guido, were of mo●…e force with the Captain of that Place, than the Loyalty which he owed to his Prince. This Count writ to his friends, that these Arms were taken up for the preservation of that State on the behalf of the Princess Mary, to whom he said it did of right belong; for which he was afterwards banished, and branded, with other aceustomed punishments, as guilty of high Treason: The same night the City of Alba was assaulted and taken by Guerrini; who having fallen upon the Walls on sundry sides▪ by break of day, with 600. Foot, and a Troop of Horse, threw down the Gate towards Tanaro with a Petard; by which the Soldiers entering, and scaling the Walls in other parts, they made themselves; Masters thereof without much opposition, before the Citizens could put themselves in order to defend the Walls; amongst which the Cavalier della Motta, the chief man of the City, was slain, together with some others: and Silvio Via, Captain of Horse, who kept the Castle for Duke Ferdinand, being abandoned, was quickly forced to surrender it: The City was this mean while miserably sacked by the Duke's Soldiers; yet women were kept unviolated, and sacred things un-injured, otherwise then was done in other parts of Montferrat: yet they proceeded severely with the Bishop of that place; for being violently dragged from the sacred Altar, where he was upon his knees, he was ill beaten, and had a Ring plucked off which he wore upon his finger; and being led Prisoner in shameful manner through the City, he was forced to purchase his liberty with his moneys; which when he had disbursed, he had notwithstanding a Guard put upon him in his own Palace, and at last forced to forego the City, and to keep in Nivello, a place belonging to the Empire: It was thought that the Duke of Savoy held Intelligence here also; for whom the Prince did suspect were Imprisoned afterwards. Alba being taken and sacked, all the Towns and Villages thereabouts came into Guerrini, for ●…ear of being plundered, and of having their Country laid waste; Diano, a neighbouring Castle, and of some consideration, yielded unto him within three days; but the assault which was intended to be given that very night to Montcalvo, was deferred till the next night; for the Soldiers who were deputed thereunto did a little delay their coming to Asti; from whence Count Verrua parting the next night with a good number both of Foot and Horse, he sent the Cavalier Redortiers before to fasten a Petard: Some Companies of Montferrians were already gotten into that Town; and yet the Town being very weak, and abandoned by the Garrison, it was taken at the first Assault, and also sacked; but greater provisions being requisite for taking the Castle, which was strongly situated, Verrua returned to Asti; from whence he sent more men and Artillery, and began diligently to oppugn it. The mean while the Duke published a Manifesto in Print, wherein relating what had passed between him and Duke Ferdinando in relation to the Dowager Duchess his Daughter, the Princess his Grandchild, and his pretensions to Montferrat; he complained that Duke Ferdinando had not kept his word to the Prince Victorio; and replied unto the Reasons alleged to the contrary; and by a short Narrative of his right to Montferrat, endeavoured to justify what he had done: He therefore supplicated the Pope, the Emperor, the Catholic King, and all the Princes of Christendom, that they would approve of this his taking up of Arms, in just resentment of the injuries done him by the Duke of Mantua, and for the recovery of what ●…ad been so unjustly taken from his Ancestors, and so long possessed by his Adversaries, so much to his prejudice; concluding that he would not refu●…e to listen unto, and to accept of such Propositions as should be offered unto him for the accommodation of these differences, if they were accompanied with reason and conveniency. And to make men conceive the better of this Enterprise, and make himself the more formidable▪ he gave out that he held Intelligence with the King of England, and with the States of Holland; from whom he expected great succour by Sea. The End of the first Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK II. The Contents. THE Wars of Montferrat is continued to be related; as also the Provisions and Negotiations made by the Duke of Mantua and other Princes. The Surrender of the Castle of Montcalvo: The oppugning of Nizza della Paglia: Prince Victorio's going to Spain: Orders sent from that Court to Italy, touching the protection of Montferrat, and the Restitution of the Towns that were taken. In execution whereof Nizza is freed, and the other Towns restored to the Duke of Mantua. The War of Garfagnana, between the Duke of Modena and the Commonwealth of Lucca; which being accommodated by peace, the business of Montferrat is reassumed, and divers Negotiations pass between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua; which whilst they are in Treaty, Spain's final Resolution comes touching the quiet of Italy, and the security of Montferrat: Prince Victorio returns to Italy badly satisfied with the King and Court of Spain. WHen the Princes of Italy had news of these Commotions, and heard of what had happened in Montferrat, they were not a little astonished; For foreseeing the mischiefs that were threatened Italy thereby, no man could imagine how the Duke had begun that War, to the so great prejudice of the public Peace, and to the so great danger of the Common Affairs: Being much perplexed, they argued, out of circumstances, and by probabilities, whether it were done merely out of the Dukes own deliberation, or by participation had, and Intelligence held with the Court of Spain. It was hard for any to persuade themselves, that that King should consent to the oppression of a State, the protection where of he had ever sincerely processed; especially since it was impossible this should happen without causing commotions in Italy, and without making way for Foreign Nations to enter; things totally repugnant to those sound Foundations whereupon the safety of his Dominions, and the power of his Authority was so happily built: But it did no less repugn the total Affairs of his Crown, that the Duke of Savoy should add so rich, and so well peopled a Dukedom to his Dominions, it being so near, and lying so opportunely for the State of Milan, left his Power being thereby doubled, he mig●… have a mind to novelties, and that afterwards aiming at greater matters, he might bend his thoughts to the prejudice of the Public Peace; or at least, if he should keep quiet, he would be less pliable, and depend less upon the Authority of that Crown. The Duke's natural Genius made this opinion appear more probable; it being hard for him to con●…ine himself within the boundeurs of his own Fortune; wherefore he had been hardly detained formerly from showing the bad satisfaction which was discovered to be in him, and contrary to the ends of that Crown, and to his last straight Intelligence held with King Henry of France; which being accompanied by Arms, and by the conjuncture of Times, had made it appear how much disdain, and the desire of greater Affair, had prevailed over him; wherefore all augmentation of Power or Authority was to be apprehended in him. Yet notwithstanding (as men are naturally easy to believe those things which they fear most) there were but very few who did not firmly believe the contrary; as not believing that the Duke would have begun such a business upon his own bottom, whereby he would have drawn France upon his back, and have irritated Italy: They therefore concluded, it was impossible he should have put himself and his own Affairs into so manifest trouble, unless he had been backed by that King. This opinion was the more confirmed by the flow proceedings of the Spaniards to extinguish this fire which the Duke had kindled; and this, in process of time, did so much increase this opinion, as the many evident demonstrations which the King did by his actions manifest (the which, the more evident they were, the more were they interpreted to a sinister sense) were not sufficient to remove it: The more every one did believe this, the more were they puzzled in finding out the ends which could make that King and his State Ministers put on such a resolution: And as the supposing of this proved afterwards vain; so of necessity must they be but r●…ve concerning their imagined ends. Many believed that they were permitted this enterprise, to the end that they might by terror of Arms get that young Lady, which they could not do by Authority or inde●…vours: Others reasoning more subtly, suspected that they might willingly foment dissension between these Princes, out of hopes that the Duke of Mantua, not being able of himself to defend that State, should (as he had often formerly endeavoured) change it upon disadvantageous terms; the greater part whereof he should have divided with the Duke of Savoy, out of a desire to make himself master of the Castle of Casalle. Those who discoursed more moderately, thought, that the King's State Ministers were willing to see the Duke of Mantua reduced to these straits, to necessitate him to have recourse to their King, to the end that being either favoured or disfavoured by him therein, it might be known how much the adherence of that Crown did redound to the advantage of the Princes of Italy. Those of Italy being agitated by these thoughts, and doubtful what the sequel would prove, they were not less anxious for fear of the future mischief, then uncertain what remedies to prepare which might be adequate to the eminent danger. The mean while the Duke's forces caused great commotion and fear in Montferrat, where like ●…under the blow was felt, before the lightning was seen. That State was then unprovided of Arms, Men, or Ammunition, with a powerful Enemy within the bowels thereof; who had already made himself master of two of her chief Towns, and was ready to take the third; and who pillaged many Towns and Villages, abandoned by their Inhabitants, who yielding to the Enemy, ran readily to swear ●…ealty unto him. The Governor, and Mantuan Officers, surprised at so unexpected an accident, were astonished, thinking no less of their own weakness to defend themselves, then on the Duke's readiness to offend them, they much disinherited the chief Montferratins, whom they knew to be compared with by Count Guido against their Prince. They likewise disinherited the Governor of Milan, by reason of his dearness with the Duke of Savoy; out of the ordinary ambition of Agents, to a●…vantage their Master's condition, by any whatsoever way: and much more, finding how little his actions did answer to his preceding promises; when either to appease them, or to bereave them of necessary provision upon such like occasions, he assured them, that the Duke of Savoy would not move, or if he did, that he would oppose him in defence of Montferrat. Being uncertain therefore what to do, all things were full of terror, tumult, and confusion, which was made the greater by the miserable Country people, and by the inhabitants of weaker Towns, either assaulted, or exposed to be assaulted by the Enemy; who therefore to shun the calamities of War, and the excessive cruelty of the Duke's Soldiers, ran half naked, with their Wives, and Children, into Casalle and the neighbouring parts of Milan, filling some with compassion, and some with grea●…●…errour. Carlo de Rossi, one of Parma, did then govern Montferrat, who had immediately dispatched away Manfrin●… 〈◊〉, a Gentleman of Milan, an experienced Commander in the Wars of Hungary, and Lieutenant-General of that part of Montferrat, to beyond Tanaro; and sent divers other Captains to other places, providing where he thought it most necessary to do so. And yet seeing the Enemy strong in the State, and therefore considering the present mischief, before the future evil; he resolved, though in vain, to have recourse for help to the Governor of Milan; and being resolved to relieve Trino, he endeavoured to send in 2000 foot thither, who might enter in privately by night, before it should be surrendered. But as they were passing over certain waters, (being people taken up here and there, and unexperienced) they were so astonished at the hea●…ing of Gun-shot, as they shamefully turned back, and left the Powder and Ammunition which they brought to relieve the place, in the Enemy's hands. In this so great and sudden perturbation, the unexpected coming of Charles Gonsaga, Duke of Nevers from France, was of no small moment; who going at that time upon other occasions to Rome, came with two Galleys to Savona; where hearing of the Duke of Savoy's March, of the taking of Alba, and that divers other places were besieged, left his journey, and went immediately to Casalle: It is not to be expressed with what joy and consolation he was there received by people of all ages and conditions. His Father Lodowick was son to Frederick Gonsaga, by Margaret Paleologa: but his elder ●…rother George, succeeding by birthright in the State, he went to France, where he served that Crown long, and married the daughter of the Duke of Nevers, one of the Peers of France. Who inheriting that State, together with other Territories, and the honour of Peer of France, conveyed them all over to this Charles. Who being in●…icht with so many Possessions, so great Allies, and Titles of Honour, he is numbered amongst the chiefest Lords of that Kingdom. The people did the e●…ore rejoice infinitely, seeing a Prince come into their relief, who was considerable for his quality, for his known valour, and for the confidence they had in him, by reason of his relation to that State, and to the Lord thereof: but chiefly for the extraordinary affection he showed, to employ his life in their service; and comforted them with unquestioned succour which he assured them they should soon receive from France. Duke Ferdinando, hearing the unexpected news of the taking of his Towns, and not being able in so short a time to do much, he betook himself for help to his Friends, and to the Authority and favour of the chiefest Christian Princes; particularly to France; from whence, both in respect of the Queen, and of that Nation to which he had been so kind, he had as much reason to expect succour, as he thought he might distrust assistance from Spain. But having received Letters in the very instant of these ruptures, from Spain, of the so long desired protection of that Crown; though the Duke of Savoys unexpected onset, and the Spanish Agents proceedings, made him somewhat jealous thereof; yet considering how far distant assistance from France was, how ha●…d to get, and in several respects how uncertain, he inde●…vour'd by Letters, and by express Messengers sent to Milan, to make the Governor thereof secure the eminent danger of that State, according as he had promised to do. And to the end he might prepare for his defence, no less by Reason, then by Arms, and the favour of his Friends; he also published a Manifesto in answer to that made by the Duke of Savoy; wherein amongst other things he complained, that when he had an Ambassador in that Duke's Court to treat of new alliances with him, he had assaulted his State unexpectedly by night, contrary to the Laws of God and Nations; and that having surprised his principal Towns, he had committed Rapine, Plunder, and all kinds of cruelty against all sorts of people; no●… pardoning the chastity of Virgins, nor sacred ornaments, dedicated to the Worship of God; and that he had also exercised his savageness upon the lives of poor Priests. Then reassuming the treaties held with Prince Victorio, at his parting from Mantua; he showed that he was absolved from his word gainsaying the reasons alleged by the Duke of Savoy touching his pretences to Montferrat, by the Authority of the Emperor Charles the fifth's Decree; he added, he had notwithstanding been ready to do that by the way of friendship, which had been awarded him by competent Judges; But that the Duke of Savoy, contrary to all reason, and contrary to the Institutions of his Ancestors, who had treated of these differences in a civil manner with the Emperors, had by ●…orce of Arms been his own 〈◊〉: That therefore he was not against the Popes, the Emperors, and all Christian Princes, being against him, if they should approve of his adversaries actions as just; but that, on the contrary, he did earnestly pray and supplica●…e the said Princes, that seeing him so unjustly assaulted in his own Dominions, they would appear in his favour against those Arms which had been taken up so scandalously, and to the disturbance of the Common peace and quiet, to deprive him of that State which had been so law●…ully poss●…st by him and his predecessors: And not seeing the Governor o●… ●…illain any ways concerned in so great a novelty; nor ●…ving been able to work upon him by Letters or Embassies, he resolved to go himself in person to Milan. But this, as all his other endeavours, proved vain; for the Governor, though he had been enjoined the protection of Montferrat in his general Instructions; yet he ●…xcused the slowness of his proceedings, pretending that he would not give an oc●…sion o●… War between the King and Duke, by taking up Arms, without particular order from the Court. And yet that the Duke of Mantua might not depart without having obtained any thing of him, he gave way that Don Her●…le Gonza, and the Count Di san Second●… should go with the●… 〈◊〉 ' Arms from Milan to the defence of Montferrat▪ and that all the Soldiers which should be sent thither from Mantua, might pass through the State of Milan. Moreover, to raise jealousy in the Duke of Savoys Dominions, he sent some Companie●… of Spanish Foot to the Confines of Vercelles, but with express command not to go further. And having given order for the raising of 4000 Sw●…ffers, he deputed Lodovico Gambaloita, and jeronimo Rho, Camp-masters, to raise two Regiments of 3000 Foot ap●…ece in Lombardy; which being done but slowly, for want of money, they were no proportionate ●…emedy for the present evil; for Montferrat was likely to be left in prey to the Enemy, unless it were speedily and powerfully succoured. Duke Ferdinando returned therefore from Milan, ill satisfied; and by thi●… rigidness arguing but little of good that was intended him from Spain, and therefore despairing of help from thence, he forbore not to express it. The mean while he sent his brother Vincenzo into Montferrat with 500 Horse and 1000 Foot; and having sent notice to France of his condition, he expected succour from thence; but for all this his cause was stuck unto by the Italian Princes; for the Venetians, and the great Duke of Toscany, weighing the importance of this business, and the consequences which might succeed thereupon, declared themselves on the behalf of the Duke of Mantua; the State of Venice resolved to pay a certain sum of money for the maintaining of the Citadel of Cassalle; and both they and the great Duke gave themselves diligently to raise Soldiers for the relief of Montferrat; lest the Duke of Savoy holding intelligence with the King of Spain might share therein with him; or if there were no intelligence between them, that by molesting Duke Ferdinando, the King might necessita●…e him, when he should be abandoned by his friends, to throw himself into the arms of-the said King, and by exchange for somewhat of less value, surrender Montferrat unto him, which he could not by any other means keep from his adversary; and so the condition of Italy might be impaired by such a change. A consideration which many thought might as well have kept the Duke of Savoy from such novelty; because it would be more inconvenient for him, then for any other, that Montferrat, which was as it were in the bowels of Piedmont, and so very near Turin, should be possessed by the Spaniards, who by building Forts in fitting places, might keep him in perpetual subjection. This Counsel was not therefore generally approved of, whose wisdom every one desired might at this time have been greater, and that it might have prevailed over his desire of possessing himself of Montferrat, or over his resentment of the injury he conceived he had received; and that temporising, according to the example of his Predecessors, he might have wai●…ed for other opportunities and occasions, whereby he might have experimented his Title, or his Fortune, without endangering the quiet of Italy, more to his own conveniency, and with less danger to others. But the news of these commotions▪ being heard in France, though they caused much trouble there, yet the Queen being resolute not to occasion any alteration in her Kingdom by taking up Arms, after many consultations, held it best to betake herself to those means by which not many years before she had composed the Duke of Savoys affairs. She therefore resolved to assist her Nephew in a civil way: especially since in regard of the double alliance between her children, and those of the King of Spain, from the conclusion whereof a strict union was expected, and a firmer friendship than had been formerly hoped for between those two Crowns: she had just reason to be confident her mediation and endeavours would not prove vain in that Court. But on the other side, for the Kingdoms greater honour, and the more safety of her Nephew's affairs, she gave out that she would assist him by Arms; and made some preparations, more in show then reality; which being afterwards heard upon the Confines of Savoy, caused some jealousy in the Duke; and it may be the news of their coming was not without some good to Italy. This mean while, the Duke of Savoy, seeing his Counsels favoured by success, much more than he had reason to hope for; little apprehending the far-off Forces of France, and being confident that the Spaniard would not trouble him nearer hand; especially since Prince Victorio was returned to Piedmont, not without satisfaction from Milan; whence he had sent thither, to let the Governor know, how well it became the King, in point of honour, to resent the injury that was done him in the persons of his children; Therefore growing daily bolder, and spreading his sails broader to the prosperous winds of Fortune, he advanced farther in the conquest of Montferrat; not punishing those who withstood him, more with Fi●…e and Sword, than those with extraordina●…y Contributions who had willingly submitted; insomuch as in a short time he made himself master of almost all the upper Montferrat. Where the Soldiers trampling upon all things both sacred and profane, made the Inhabitants, without any distinction of age or sex undergo all the evils and adversities which the licentiousness, av●…rice, and libidinousness of War could occasion: So as the Duke's name became shortly no less odious, then formidable; though to prevent scandal, and inconvenience, and to acquit himself of so g●…eat excesses, he had caused some of his most insolent Soldiers to be severely punished. And being encouraged and grown proud by success, and not thinking that any of the Italian Princes could oppose him in this enterprise, though they did not approve thereof, he recalled his Ambassador from Venice, and dismissed the Venetian Ambassador that was resident with him, as the Ambassador of a Prince that was his Enemy: Not complaining so much that the Commonwealth had declared itself to adhere to his adversary, as of the manner how; because no endeavours had preceded the Senate's Declaration, as seemed fitting to have been done to a Prince that was a friend: And understanding at the same time that Innocenzo de Massimi, Bishop of Bertinoro, and Vice-Legat of Ferrara, who was sent unto him upon the present Occurrences, with the Title of Extraordinary Nuntio, had endeavoured somewhat, with the Governor of Milan, tending to the favour of Duke Ferdinando; he forbo●…e giving him Audience for some days, making use of his conceived anger as of a pretence wherefore not to listen to his proposals, and consequently not to slacken the War by any Treaty of Peace: But not knowing how, civilly to avoid the coming of Francisco Gonzaga, Prince of Castiglione, who was come to Piedmont from the Emperor, though he was unwillingly come to Treat with him, as equally suspecting the person sent, and the sender, and detesting the occasion of his coming, yet he resolved to give him Audience in Moncalleri. The Prince had order from Cesar to threaten him with an Imperial Bando, or an Edict of the Emperor against him, unless he should instantly restore the places he had taken, and forbear further offending Montferrat with Arms, which was a State held in fee-Farm from the Empire; but the Prince not thinking it a seasonable time to exasperate the Duke, mitigating his Embassy, and turning the Threat into Exhortations, persuaded him to pursue his pretensions by Law, and not by Arms. It was sore for the Duke to interrupt this so fortunate way which he was in, and to withdraw when he was almost possessed of Victory: He therefore bethought himself to take occasion by this present stop, of justifying his Cause, and not refraining his proceedings, to propose such Articles, as not being likely to be accepted by his Adversary, might necessi●…ate him to declare a difference in the King of Spain, and might consequently win himself more favour from that Crown. His Answer was, That he was ready to desist from the Enterprise; and referring the whole difference to Cesar and the King, that he would deposit the Towns of Montferrat into their hands, which was no more than to put them absolutely into the hands of the King, and of his State-Ministers, of whom Ferdinando was jealous, for the aforesaid Reasons, which jealousy was increased in him by this his Adversaries so great confidence: For Cesar having no Forces in Italy would not in likelihood make any use of the trust imposed in him, but by way of colour: And yet the Prince of Castiglione, who was not diffident of the Court of Spain, as the Duke was, was not displeased with the proposal, especially as the present condition of affairs stood: He therefore went for Mantua, believing certainly to persuade the Duke thereunto; but he found himself absolutely averse; were it either out of the aforesaid Reasons, or for that Cesar had by Letters exhorted him not to admit of any middle way, without being first fully possessed of all things, or that he began to be of better hopes, finding that he was favoured by the Venetians and great Duke, and that he began to find the King of France well inclined towards him. In this Interim Montcalvo was surrendered to Count Guido, who had pla●…d upon it with Artillery, and made many assaults upon it; in so much as those within finding themselves void of all defence, did at the first Article to surrender, if they were not relieved within three days: And the Governor of Cassalle having in vain desired but only one thousand Foot from the Governor of Milan to put thereinto; it would without all doubt have fallen into the Duke's hands within the time prefixed, had not the Cavalier Ottavio Valperga d'Conti di Rivara, who came out of Pontestura with 500 of his men, got safe into the Castle; where leaving men and Ammunition, he went out again the next night, and passing through the Enemy, with more prejudice to them then to his own men, he returned to f●…om whence he went the day before: This Relief did for a while delay, but did not totally hinder the Surrender; for Count Guido shut up all the avenues to the Castle by a continued Trench; and making some Mines underneath the Bulwarks, and beating down the Parapets, he brought the Enemy to utmost despair; who not being able to keep any longer upon the Walls, and seeing no hopes of succour, surrende●…ed fifteen days after the beginning of the Siege. Montcalvo being taken, there did not any thing remain in the Duke of Mantua's obed●…ence in the upper Montferrat, but Cassalle and Pontestura, and what the Garrisons of those places could defend. Pontestura was not strong of itself; but standing upon the Po, and very fit for the Enterprise of Cassalle, it had been somewhat fortified at the beginning of these Commotions, and furnished with a reasonable Garrison; which Garrison the Duke of Savoy (intending peradventure to advance Cassalle) summoned upon pain of life to surrender within a short time. Prince Vicenzo was at this time in Cassalle with his Mantuans, and the Duke of Nevers was there also; but fearing lest they should leave the City unprovided, or distrusting the valour of their men, if in their going to succour Pontestura, they should light upon the Duke's men, who were encouraged by such success, they would not send to assist it, as was necessary they should have done; but thought it better to secure Cassalle, which was the chief place of the whole State, and not to hazard those men which were the prime forces that the Duke of Mantua could assemble at that time: But on the other side, the loss being too great which would be had if Pontestura should not be succoured, they got leave of the Governor of Milan, that some Companies of Spanish Foot should en●…er thereinto with the King's Colours, in reverence whereunto the Duke ●…orbore the Siege: And thinking that to attempt Cassalle would be a weighty business, and too great for his Forces; especially since he had disposed of the most of his men in the Garrisons of the Towns which he had already taken: Therefore altering his resolution he turned to the lower Montferrat, where the Country about Acqui had not as yet been touched by his Forces: There was but two Towns therein which could dispute the whole Dominion thereof with him, Nice and San Damiano; for the City of Acqui was not able to make any long resistance; and the other Castle of Ponzone, which lay towards the Sea, served rather to guard the Pas●…, then to defend the Country: And as for San Damiano, though it was strongly situated, and munited with Artillery, and an extraordinary Garrison, yet being divided from Montferrat, and environed by the Territories of Montferrat, it was not sufficient of its self to hinder his advancing. The Duke was therefore content to annoy it with only a few Soldiers and some Pieces of Artillery, not doubting but that when he should have possessed himself of the other parts thereabouts, it would fall into his hands: He therefore went with all his Forces to the expugning of Nice, as that which being placed upon the Frontiers of his Dominions, hindered him from making himself Master of the parts about Acqui, and of all the neighbouring Country, This is a Town great enough, situated in a Plain, abounding in Victuals, and capable of a great Garrison: The figure thereof is like a broken Pyramid, by the side whereof a small River, called Nizza, runs on one side, and on the other side the River Belbo, somewhat greater, which serve her for a great Ditch; and these waters, mingling together a little forwarder, they finish the imperfect Pyramid of the said Town: The Walls are very old and weak, and as those of the ancient form, for the most part without Flanks or Bulwarks; only on the point which looks towards Alessandria there is a Castle with some Towers, but much ruinated by time; The Basis which looks towards Piedmont is of a large extent; and though it hath neither Rampires nor Flanks, yet is it munited with a large deep Ditch: Hither, as to a place upon the Frontiers, and very fitting for the capaciousness and safety thereof, were come the best Militia, with many Commanders, and persons of good esteem in the neighbouring parts; who, (the Townsmen not numbered) amounted to the number of 2000 Foot, and 200 Horse, under the Command of Lieutenant Castiglione; who having fortified the Town in fitting places, and enlarged the Walls with Plat-forms, cleansed the Ditches, and repaired the Towers, had, with much industry, made it tenable. Into this place was likewise entered Antoniotto and Carlo, Brothers to Rovere; the one Commissary of the Militia, and the other of the State's Munition, together with many Captains and Officers of good condition, and well affected to their Prince. Count Guido was deputed by the Duke to this Enterprise; who drawing near Nizza with 2000 Foot, 400 Horse, and three Pieces of Artillery, did immediately repulse 500 Foot, and 200 Horse, who being come out against him were not able to endure the sight of the Enemy, but retreated basely, and in disorder to within the Town; wherefore the Count being Master of the field quartered himself between the Covent of the Gapuchins, and the Wall of the Town which looks towards Piedmont; and though he expected more men and Artillery, yet having tried in vain how they were minded that were within the Town, he began to batter, and making several Troops of Dragoons go out, he endeavoured to keep the De●…endants from standing upon the Wall; and to face them that they might not keep him from quartering there; But their Artillery was of so small bore, and the Enemy's Walls were made so strong by Plat-forms, as all battery proved in vain, as also all Skirmishes, by reason▪ of the number of the Defendants, who repulsed the enemy's Horse by showers of Musquet-shot from the Walls and most eminent places; the which they might the more easily do, for that it being then a very wet season, the Duke's men could not well keep abroad to fight, nor make their necessary approaches by Trenches; for to boot that it was impossible for them to keep their Matches lighted, or their Powder dry, they could no sooner dig a Ditch in that ground, which was naturally moist, but it was presently filled up by springs and rain-water, and the ground became so slippery and dirty, as neither man nor Horse could keep their feet: with which difficulties Count Guido, having for many days wrestled in vain, and the rain continuing still to fall abundantly, he was advised by many of his men to send his Horse to possess themselves of some neighbouring place, and go with his Foot to San Marzano, and wait till the weather should prove fairer, and till the rest of their expected men, their Ammunition and greater Guns, might come unto them, which were now kept back by the floods of waters; that then they might reassume the Enterprise more commodiously, and with better preparations: But the Count, who valued his Soldier's trouble and inconvenience less than the loss of reputation, did not approve of this; wherefore resolving, notwithstanding all difficulties, to continue what he had begun, he played upon the Towers and most eminent houses, by continual battery, to beat off the defenders, and keep his men from being so easily injured from thence, as they were. Not many days after, some more Soldiers being come unto him, and the rain beginning somewhat to cease, he made some Troops of Horse pass over La Nizza, that they might possess themselves of a certain Covent, from whence they might easily hinder the succour which was said would be sent from Inoisa, a Town of Montferrat; but Castiglione and the other Commanders, who were always ready to undergo all trouble and danger, having notice of the precise hour of the coming of the succour, sent out divers Companies several ways, who skirmishing with the Enemy in sundry places, kept them play till the succour of Victuals and Ammunition was conveyed into the Town. The Count resolving afterwards to oppugn the opposite part of the Town, sent some Horse to discover the place. Whereof Castiglione being aware, though he field the trees round about, and placed Soldiers in several passes to keep the Enemy off, yet could he not hinder him from making of himself master of the Field there also; for his men no sooner saw the enemy, then basely foregoing their Stations, they withdrew to within the Walls; so as the Banks and Baracadoes being there finished, they were at continual skirmishes: Nor did they forbear making works on the other side, and approaches, and playing continually upon the Wall, and the inward buildings with the greater Artillery, which was come at last, and wherewith they threw down the Monastery of Nuns; and the ruins of the walls and neighbouring houses falling into the ditches, those without might have made an assault, had not the courage and readiness of the defendants supplied all wants; who coming out into the ditch, and facing the Enemy, did daily fight them; and speedily mending the breaches which the Enemy had made, stood in good order upon the wall, and kept the Enemy off; wherefore the Count caused a Cannon to be brought to a neighbouring hill, wherewith he scoured all that tract of wall, and kept the Soldiers from standing there; and playing upon the wall in another place with other three pieces of Cannon, he endeavoured to make way for an assault, which peradventure might have succeeded, had not Castiglione secured the wall from the battery, by raising some Rampires. Insomuch as though the Enemy was ready to fall into the Ditch, having been very diligent in bringing on their Trenches, and made their Scaling-Ladders ready, thinking to give an assault, yet the breadth of the ditch, and the numbers, and valour of those that defended it, kept them from falling on. Whilst Nice was thus no less gallantly oppugned by Count Guido, then manfully defended by Castiglione, the Duke of Savoy came from Turin to Chirasco, and having taken order there for the raising of more men, and for the sending them to before Nice, he came to Alba, the more to encourage the enterprise by the nearness of his person. On the other part, Prince Vicenzo, and the Duke of Nevers came to Acqui, and endeavoured to raise Soldiers, thinking to relieve Nice, and to free it from the danger it was in, by the daily access of new men to Count Guido; and yet they could hope for but few Soldiers from thence, since almost the whole upper Montferrat was brought under the Duke of Savoy; and the Militia of the County of Acqui, and of the neighbouring parts, were (as hath been said) brought for the most part into Nice: If these, who were the flower of the Country, durst not look the Enemy in the face, what trust could they put upon the rest without, who doubtlessly were but the scum, when they were to be brought to the sight of the Trencbes, and Cannon, as necessarily they must be. Four hundred French were at this time come by Sea, amongst which were many Gentlemen, and people of good account, who were friends and adherents to Nevers, who at the first hearing of these rumours, came from France to assist him; and being backed by Galleys belonging to the Kingdom, came in the Seas of Genoa in small Barks, to find him out, rather as Travellers than Soldiers; for though the State of Genoa had, with an intention of keeping neutral, inclined at the beginning of these Commotions not to give passage to 2000 Tuscans, which the Great Duke had destined for the assistance of Mantua; yet being much troubled lest Montferrat should change its Lord, at last winked at any one that should pass privately through her Territories in assistance thereof: But these people, who came from France in haste, not being very well provided, proved not so advantageous as the condition of the time required, save only that they gave some reputation to the Affairs of Montferrat, and that witnessing the readiness of that Nation, and the zeal thereof towards the Duke of Mantua, it made the News which was divulged in Italy, of the great preparations of that Kingdom, be believed. And yet the necessary delay which the French succour required, making their hopes of the relief of Nice but small, doubtlessly when the Duke of Savoy should have got it, he would have been Master of all this part of Montferrat, which was all reduced to underneath the Duke of Savoy's obedience, save Cassalle, and Pontestura: And consequently all men being full of fears and jealousies, they murmured greatly against the Governor of Milan, that he should so long suffer so great a violence; that he should so little value the King's reputation; he was held to be the Pie●…ra d●… 〈◊〉, the S●… of offence, or stumbling block; to be the original mover and first fautorer of so violent and detestable an enterprise; for how durst the Duke else have dared to attempt a State which was taken into the protection of so great a King? How else durst he despise the Majesty of that Crown, and the so near and powerful Forces of the State of Milan? Nay, they murmured against the King himself, and the Spanish Nation, as if they had openly conspired with the Duke of Savoy, against the Duke of Mantua, in a nick of time when the King of France was not able, by reason of his Minority, to oppose their designs: Wherefore all Italy was in a rage; and seeing the harmony of concord out of tune, and the common safety and public quiet disordered, began to distrust the King, and that Nation, whose ambition and desire of rule was not bounded with Montferrat: And as the private men did not forbear expressing their sense and back bitings in Libels, clapped up in divers public places, even in the City of Milan; so the Potentates of Italy began to waver in their friendship and inclination to that Crown, and bethought themselves of new remedies, whereby to provide against those dangers which they thought the safety of the common Affairs might be subject unto by so great a novelty. But in this fluctuation of minds and accidents Orders came from Spain, which causing much joy, showed how vain their murmurings and bad opinions were of that King and Nation: The News of these so great Commotions was come to that Court, both from Italy and France; and though they fell upon many considerations, yet the Justice and Equity of the Cause prevailing before all other respects with that King and Counsel, as likewise the Peace of Italy, and the not permitting that any other Princes should grow greater by the oppression of another; (principal foundations whereupon having always wisely balanced the Affairs of Italy, they had also the better secured their own) it was with extraordinary readiness resolved in that Court, according to the great and urgent importunities of the Pope, and Princes of Italy, and according to the Queen of France her desire; that the Duke of Mantua should immediately be put into the full possession of whole Montferrat. In conformity whereunto, it being known that Prince Victorio was come to Barcelona, being sent by his Father to draw the King and that Court to favour his Cause, he was immediately commanded to tarry in Montferrat, not far from Barcelona, and not being admitted to see the King, to tarry there till restitution of whole Montferrat should be made by the Duke his Father. Which action was of much satisfaction to all Italians, and showed how much the King and Court of Spain were unconcerned in these commotions. On the contrary, it was cause of infinite distaste to the Duke of Savoy, he thinking peradventure that the King of Spain being not content to favour his adversary in his sentence; but that out of an ambition of purchasing the name of a just and uncorrupted Prince, he would not stick to suppress him, even in his own son, in whom he had placed his final hope; and whatsoever he was to expect from that Court, which had made him covet that the world might know he was more in favour with that King, than the other Italian Princes. These Orders being come, the Governor was ready to obey them; but his Orders being very slowly proceeded in, the Swissers not being as yet arrived, nor Rho's nor Gambaloita's Regiment yet filled, and Nice being sorely beset both by day, and night, the Town began to be out of hope of holding out long; for the relief thereof it was therefore necessary at the present to make use of almost the whole ordinary Garrison of the State of Milan: Wherefore Don Antonio di Leva Prince of Ascoli, one of the Grandees of Spain, who being at that time in the State of Milan, was chosen by the King to be Campmaster General, was sent thither with six Companies of Light-Horse, (whereof Don Sanchio de Selina, Lieutenant of the Cavalry of the State, was Captain) with 3000 Spanish Foot, commanded by the Camp-Masters Luigi di Cordova, and Giovan Bravo di Laguna, and some few Italians assembled together by Lodovico Gambaloita, which did not in all make 4000 Foot, and 600 Horse, who joining at I●…cisa, a Town in Montferrat, with Prince Vincenso and the Duke of Nevers, who had with them 600 other Horse, and about 2000 Foot, amongst which were French, th●…y marched in company towards Nice. But the Duke seeing that his designs were withstood on one side by Caesar's command, and on the other side by the King of Spain's Forces, and finding also that Italy was against him, and the French much irritated; and consequently knowing that it was impossible for him to withstand so many Potentates who were joined together against him in the behalf of the Duke of Mantua, whom he peradventure had hoped to have suppressed, and undoubtedly to have vanquished at the first push, making virtue of necessity, resolved to yield to the condition of times, and to give way unto the Kings will, whose Forces having never formerly withstood, he had not yet a mind to oppose, nor learned to be contumacious: For having endeavoured, and peradventure not in vain, to make a little delay of the succouring of Nice, rather that he might say he had been Master thereof, then with intention of keeping it; at last, seeing the Prince of Ascoli near at hand, and Castiglione resolute to defend it, he sent the Count of Ver●…a into the Camp, with Orders to Count Guide to remove his men from thence, having notwithstanding given notice thereof before to the said Prince; to the end that seeming to do it willingly, merely out of the reverence and observance which he bore to the King, his resolution might not be attributed to necessity, but as in acknowledgement of the favours he had received. Thus the King's Forces and those of the Duke of Mantua drawing jointly near Nice, Count Guido began to march off; and before he had been gone a mile, seeing Prince Ascoli appear with his Army in order, he, to the end that he might march off with more reputation, made his men halt, and f●…g the King's Squadrons, and ordering his men as if ●…e were ready to receive battle, if provoked; for he exceeded them in number of men, and in Artillery, though not in his Soldier's valour, having but few paid men with him, and all the rest 〈◊〉 gathered together out of the Shops at Asti and Vercelli: But Commissary Berna●…o Barbo, a Gentleman of Millai●…, stepping out with some Spanish Commanders, he parlyed with the Counts di Verrua and di St George, who did advance to this purpose; and it was agreed upon between them, that if the Duke of Savoy's men would march off, the King's Forces should not meddle with them. Thus Count Guido marched with his men towards Piedmont, without giving or receiving molestation. Though Nice were freed▪ yet Arms between those of Piedmont and of Montferrat were not laid down; for the Duke of Savoy's men did not only diligently keep what they had gotten, but proceeded to take in other places: And on the other side, those of Montferrat being encouraged by the relief of Nice, and by the King of Spain's appearing for their Prince, being also exasperated by the bitter injuries received from the Piedmontesans, and assisted by those of Mantua and France, drove out the Duke of Savoy's Garrisons, and endeavoured to return under the Dominion of the House of Gonsaga, and of their Natural lord 〈◊〉 Rivara went with some few men from Pontestura to recover the Castle of Gabbiano; but Count Guido coming in on one side with a greater number of Soldiers from Montcalvo, and many Horse and Foot on the other side from Trino, he retreated to Pontestura, not doing any thing. Monteggio which is seated on a little hill, rose, and betook itself to defence; but being assaulted on three parts by the Colonels Tassino and Permen●…to, and a woman fight valiantly amongst the Country people, it was retaken. Montemagno, Vignale, and Casorso, which were likewise risen and fortified by Trenches, were again brought under by Count 〈◊〉 who was come from Montcalvo. The Castle of Vesema was by the Captai●… thereof basely surrendered to the Piedmontesans. 〈◊〉, a place ●…er Trino and Casalle, being also risen, and which trusting to i●… plashy situation, denied to pay tribute, was taken, sacked, and b●…t by the Comm●…ndator della Manta, Cassano, San Stefano, and some other places in the Valleys of Tinello, and Belbo, were possessed by the Duke's men. L'Alcare, a place within few miles of Savona, was recovered by those of Mantua, and after regained by those of Piedmont. The like happened in other places of less moment; and the Mantuan Soldiers being gone to before Canelli, and not being able to take it, turned upo●… Moas●…, Alice, and Vesema, Towns in Montferrat, and drove out the Piedmontesans: and passing afterwards to 〈◊〉, a Town in Pie●…ont, they sacked it. Some Horse-Companies of Savoy being a●…aulied at unawares in Grana, by three Companies of Mantuan Horse, led on by the Marquis Alphonso Gaerrier●…, 〈◊〉 assisted by the Countrypeople, were routed and put to fl●…ght, some of them were slain, and their Ensigns and Baggage lost. But the Duke of Nevers, egged on by some of his men, who were unwilling to return into France, without having given some proof of their valour, went with them, and with 50 of the Duke of Mantua's Soldiers, to surprise C●…teniglia by night; but being discovered, he wheeled about to a neighbouring place called C●…lli; whither not being able to come before the Sun was up, after a fierce assault he was repulsed, and had some of his men slain; and returning back by the Hills, lost two small pieces of Ordnance, which being sent with a small Guard by the way of the Valley, were taken by the Piedmontesans. In this interim 4000 Swissers were come to the State of Milan; and Don john di Castro had brought 1000 Spaniards from Naples; and the Camp-masters Gambaloita, and Rho, had filled up their Regiments, so as the Governor had 12000 Foot and 2500 Horse, ready to send into the Field. There were likewise 13000 Foot, and 500 Horse come to Mantua, through Garfagnana, and Modenese; a gallant and powerful aid, sent by Cosmo the second, great Duke of Tuscany, under his brother Prince Francisco, and governed by excellent Commanders; who were likewise accompanied by many of the Tuscan and Roman Nobility; and although the Duke of Modena favouring the Duke of Savoy, by reason of alliance, denied them passage through his Territories, which he was ready upon his Confines to make good with Arms; yet receiving notice from the Governor of Milan, that it was for the King's service that those men were to pass, he was contented not to hinder them; and yet the Duke of Savoy went from his word, and deferring, day after day, to restore what he had gotten, seemed rather inclined to the contrary; for he daily reinforced all the Garrisons of the Towns which he was by word obliged to restore; he took more men into pay; he held intelligence in the Court of France, with those Princes who he thought would be desirous of novelties; and therefore more likely to join with him in his cause; either by reason of the ancient emulation which they bore to the Duke of Nevers, or being discontented with the present Government; and finally, keeping his men still in Arms against the Montferrians, he intended nothing but preparation for War; wherefore the Italians who were jealous of any the least delay, began again to waver. The proceedings of the Spanish Agents increased their suspicions, who dealing very gently with the Duke of Savoy, and carrying themselves contrary to the conceived expectation of the King of Spain's orders, were not ready answerable to the commands they had received; and therefore it was feared, that by their being armed, they aimed more at the oppression, than protection of Montferrat. For they did no ways impede the Dukes Forces; which (as hath been said) overran Montferrat without any respect. And the Prince of Ascoli (who was afterwards boldly impeached to have held private intelligence with the Duke of Savoy) having spent four days in going with his Army from Alessandria to Nice, which was but 12 miles, seemed in effect to have consented to that delay, which in resolute terms he had dénied to do in presence of his Captains, to the Marquis of Neviglie, who was sent to Alessandria to stop him. And after those of Piedmont were gone from before Nice, he under pretence that they might return when he should be gone, left a Garrison in the Town with the King's Colours, which seemed rather to have possessed themselves thereof, then to have freed it. The Governor of Millain's self, after having mustered the Army, to the end that all things might be fully understood by him, and by the King, instead of forcing the Duke of Savoy to obey the King's orders, began to abhor Nevers his French men, nor would he suffer the Tuscan succours to pass into the State of Milan; and turning to the Mantuan Officers, told them it stood not with the King's honour, that their Prince should make use of other assistance than his. The Duke of Mantua thought it somewhat sore, to bereave himself of their aid who were so readily come from so far of to assist him, and to put himself absolutely into their hands which before he had so much disinherited: especially since thereby he might have highly offended the Queen of France, and have alienated that Nation from him, a strong curb (as all men thought) to the avarice of the Spanish Ministers, and to the small inclination which they had to him. But since it becomes a man sometimes, in urgent, and great extremities, to submit to another's discretion. Duke Ferdinando finding the French promises and aid to be far off, and uncertain; that the Pope was free of nothing but good will; that he could make but little use of the Tuscan succour without the Governors good will, who by denying them passage did not only make them of no uses to him upon the present occasion, but a continual excessive charge; that the Venetian aid were but weak, and that they were not only, as the Tuscans, to depend upon the Governors good will, but uncertain, and not very safe. For the fear being once removed, that the Spaniards should possess themselves of Montferrat, it made for the interest of that Commonwealth, that the Duke of Savoy should make himself master thereof; to the end that by weakening a neighbouring Prince, a Potentate might be raised in Lombardy, of almost equal Forces to the State of Milan; whom by reason of the far distance of their Confines, he had not only no reason not to fear, but might be confident, he might by powerful diversions be a security to him, if at any time he should be assaulted, or troubled by the Spanish Forces. On the contrary, he saw that the Spaniards, (of whom he was assured by the Queen of France) were interested in this present Insurrection, for ends contrary to those of the Venetians. Having therefore cast up all things, he knew that he, and his affairs were so far engaged, as he must of necessity satisfy those in whose power it lay either speedily to suppress him, or to raise him up: wherefore he resolved at the last, much to the dissatisfaction of the Duke of Nevers, to adhere unto them. Which resolution, though it was not well approved of by the Italian Princes, who thought it contrary to the safety of his Affairs; yet it proved afterwards, by the event, good. For the Governor not being able any longer to delay the execution of the King's Commission, and fearing the coming of the French, which was much more spoken of by all men than was true; and moreover being desirous to satisfy all the world; and so many Princes as had conceived ill impressions of him, he compelled the Duke of Savoy to make restitution, without any further delay. On the other behalf, the Duke of Savoy, fearing to be taken between the Armies of France, which he understood were stirring upon the Confines, and the Governors' Forces, which were ready to compel him; and having resolved by obedience to overcome the King and Court of Spain, presupposing that this his so great and ready liberality would be recompensed by as great a ●…avour, he at last gave way to the King's will▪ whereunto nothing did so much induce him (as by way of comp●…t he afterwards protested) as the Governors' word given unto him in the King's name, that his Grandchild should within a few days be 〈◊〉 unto him: that he would obtain pardon for the Rebels, and recompense for the losses and expenses of the War: and that finally, his pretences to Montferrat should be decided within a short time. And because the Duke, for his honour sake, hated to deliver over what he had taken, directly into the hands of his adversary, the business was thus carried; that he should deliver it all into the hands of the Princes of Castiglion●… and Ascoll, as State-Ministers, the one of them of the Emperor, and the other of the King of Spain, to be disposed o●… to him that had most right thereunto: that the said Princes should then immediately assign them over to the Duke of Mantua, as to him to whom by the Laws they ought to be restored, he having been bere●… thereof. Thus did neither the Duke of Savoy prejudice his own interest, by referring his cause to Justice, nor the Duke of Mantua, who was suddenly repossessed of what was his, suffer any damage or delay, and the King's Ordinances were obeyed, being altered only in appearance, not in substance. The aforesaid Princes went each with an equal portion of men to Trino, where the Gate was thrown open unto them; by which, whilst they and their people entered, the Duke's Garrison went out by another Gate; after whom, the King's men went out at the same Gate; who being but then entered, and making no abode there, left the Town in free possession to Prince Vicenzo, who was entered with those of Mantua, immediately after the King's men▪ The like was done three days after by Alba, and Montcalvo, and the other Towns of Montferrat, and the Spanish Garrison was likewise taken out of Nice; as also the Siege from before San Damiano, which held still for Duke Ferdinando. Who within three months after the first assault was merely by the King's Authority, almost without unsheathing a sword, entirely put into possession of that State, which he had almost totally lost. The Italians were not a little pleased at this restitution, wherein the King showed such celerity and constancy; and as it is usual with men, when they find themselves freed from what they had long feared, to run headlong into the contrary affection; so these being long possessed with jealousies and fears, it cannot be expressed how much they admired the King's goodness, and magnanimity. Who preferring the justice and honesty of the Cause before all other respects, would not yield that the assaulted Prince should be injured. And it appearing to every one, that he had showed himself in this action rather to win the good will of those who are possessed of States, then injuriously to become master of the States which they possess, it was evidently seen and witnessed, that his intention was not to thirst after other men's possessions, as the more powerful Princes often do; but rather that he did abhor the unjustly possessing himself thereof, and the Tyrannous oppression of petty Princes. Jealousies being therefore turned into much confidence, all men rejoiced to see examples of moderation in so great a King, which are so rare and singular in these times. These unexpected successes made it be generally believed that the Duke of Savoy, being abandoned by all, would have totally given over the begun enterprise. But affections deeply rooted in men's minds are hardly plucked out. He thought that his so much readiness, and reverence, his so great, and rare example of observance and devotion to the King; (whereby he had much confirmed the Authority and reputation of that Crown both in Italy, and elsewhere) might make him deserve to be protected by his Majesty, at least for the advantage of his pretensions: which (as he said) he was promised by the Governor, should soon be composed in a friendly manner. Nor did he confide a little in his Son's intercession, a Prince of much expectation, well beloved by the King, and by that Nation, which as much as the Disputes between his Father and his Uncle would permit him, he seemed to be very ambitious of: and to whom, to boot with his near relation in blood to the King, the expectation of his paternal inheritance might purchase much favour; which being by succession to fall upon him, he could not believe that that Court would let slip so opportune an occasion of making the young Prince always well-affected to that Crown. Moreover, having been in outward appearance very severely dealt with, he thought that the King, tempering his past rigour, would favour him the more in future essentialities. Wherefore the Duke, in hope of some good success by his Son's Negotiation, withdrew his Forces to within his own Confines, and was quiet and peaceful; and seeming to confide much in the King, professed to depend totally upon his Majesty, as the sole protector of this business. In this interim, the war in Lombardy, which seemed either to be wholly at an end, or suspended by a tacit Truce, broke on't in great fervency between the Duke of Modena, and Commonwealth of Lucca in Garfagnana,: which War, the less considerable the smallness of the affair was (which was but about a few handful of Confines) of more moment did the fervour and great preparations, wherewith it appeared to be made, make men think it to be of some moment: as also the many Nobles which flocked thither from both sides; for the Princes, Alphonso and Luigi, the Duke's first and second Sons, had militated therein: It was occasioned at first by some Reprisals of Oxen and flocks of Sheep; from whence they came to Confiscations and Banishment, and at last to Arms: For the Lucchesi out of apprehension of the great assistance which was sent from Tuscany to Mantua, having assembled together almost the whole Militia of their State, which amounted to 16000 fight men for the defence of their Country; the danger and fear of their affairs ceasing, bethought themselves to make use of them by insesting other men's Territories; they sent the Mass of their men to prejudice the Duke of Modenas Country, which they burned, and rigorously destroyed at unawares, meeting with no resistance; for the Inhabitants being busy in husbanding their Farms, as in secure peace, were dispersed abroad in the Country: And not herewithal contented, they took some small open Towns belonging to the jurisdiction of the said Duke: Then making Mount Perpoli the Seat of War, they fortified it in all convenient places, and quartered above 10000 fight men there. The Duke of Modena being no less scandalised that his Country should be burnt and destroyed by the Lucchesi, sent as many men as he could raise in his own Country, which ●…amounted to as many as the enemy were, under the Command of Count Hippolito Bentivoglio; at the sight whereof the Lucchesi, who before ran over the Country, and laid it waste, betook themselves to the fortified places: Wherefore the Modenesi having erected other Bulwarks, and munited other Passes, they also fortified their Towns of most importance; particularly Castelnuovo, the Metropolis, and residence of the Governor of Grafagnana under the Duke; and Mulessana, a place not far from Castelnuovo; in which places, lying near Mount Perpoli, Prince Alphonso kept with 100 Horse and 1000 Foot, to face and suppress the Lucchesi that were fortified in the Mountains. Divers skirmishes past this mean while, both here and in other parts thereabouts, with various fortune; wherein there happened nothing remarkable, save the great obstinacy and fervency where with they fought on both sides: For the Lucchesi, pretending to be several ways injured by the frequent molestations which they received from the Modenesi upon their Confines, thought to provide so by war, as that the Duke's men should for the future keep themselves within their own Precincts: And the Duke's men holding themselves to be no less injured than did the Lucchesi, who had entered their Duke's Confines in hostile manner for sleight occasions, which, as they said, might have been decided by the Civil Law, were mightily incensed, and desired by all means to show how much they resented the injuries done them; but the Mountainous Country, which would not suffer them to draw out their men, and make trial of their Forces, hindered their desire of revenge: And the Lucchesi, contented with the resentment they had made, kept, for the most part, in their strong holds, and fortified Towns, not coming out but upon advantageous terms, nor affording the enemy much occasion to prejudice them: True it is, that 400 Lucchesi having at the sight of Prince Luigi abandoned a certain Station, whereby the Modenesi might freely march to before Gallicano, they were so bold as to make that attempt; especially since that Enterprise made much for the final end of the War: For Gallicano is a large Town, and of great importance; not only as being the Magazine of Victuals and Ammunition for the war, but for that if it should be gotten, the Lucchesi would be as it were besieged in Monte Perpoli, and almost in the power of the Enemy, as not being to be succoured. There was a strong Garrison in Gallicano; which, by reason of the loss of the abandoned Station, was forthwith reinforced; so as coming forth against the Prince, who drew near it, they fought a while without any advantage on either side; but 400 Foot coming in to assist the Lucchesi, the Modenesi were forced to give way, till such time as being succoured by more men, they forced the Lucchesi back into Gallicano; and making themselves masters that very night of a Fort called i'll Pian de Termini, which served as a Cavalier to the place, they did not only keep the Defendants from coming upon the walls, and going through the Streets, but hindered also the carrying of Victuals from thence to Monte Perpoli: wherefore to free themselves from this inconvenience, the Lucchesi built another Fort in a higher place than that which was taken by the Prince; from whence the Modenesi being infested, the Prince resolved to beat them from it: He went thither early in the morning with good store of men, amongst which were many of the Nobility, and began to give a hot assault, which being sustained with no less servor, the fight continued four hours; the eminency of the situation, which was secured by Trenches and Rampires, making for the advantage of the Lucchesi, from whence they much endamaged the Assailants by Musket sho●… who not being able to resist any longer, they began to run; not were their Commanders, and many Gentlemen, who with their Swords in hand would have stayed them, nor the danger nor example of their Prince, who fight valiantly amongst the●… foremost encouraged them to persevere in the Enterprise, able to stop them. Many of the Modenesi fell in this assault, amongst which some Personages of esteem, by what was argued by the spoils which were taken from their dead bodies by the Lucchesi; but this ostentation lasted but a while; for this loss was soon recompensed by the taking of Monte Fegatese, a great Town of the Lucchesis, which was burned and put to fire and Sword by the Duke's men; who, the Garrison running away, entered the Town, and there got good store of booty, especially of cattle, which were brought thither by their owners, for greater safety: Then the Modenesi, seeing how little amends they had made for the loss which they received at the beginning of the war; and how h●…rd it was to wage war with men who were fortified in high places, they fell upon the Country, which they laid waste, barking the Trees, and cutting down the Vineyards; in imitation whereof the Lucchesi, w●…o after the first commotion had foreborn ransacking, did yet worse, leaving nothing unruined which had escaped their first fury. The Prince leaving men enough in Pian de Termini, from the Enterprise of Gallicano, which appeared every day to grow more difficult, went with the rest of his men to take in Castiglione, a great Town, and the chief in those parts; whither it was hard to bring relief, because it was environed by the Duke's Forces. This place was from the beginning furnished with a great Garrison; and hearing that the Modenesi came afterwards down from the Alps, Cavalier Casare Boconvisi was sent from Lucca with 200 select Foot, beside; many Citizens, who of their own accord went along with them; so as these being joined to the test, made up the number of 1200 Soldiers, besides the Townsmen, who were of able bodies, and ready to defend themselves: wherefore the Modenesi carried the greatest force of war against this place; and began to play upon the Castle gate with thirteen pieces of Cannon, which within a few days they threw down, together with a Tower, and a great part of the wall, and had made the way ready for an assault: But having behind them some of the Lucchesi's Sconces fortified, they 〈◊〉 going on for fear of being annoyed from thence; they therefore continued to batter the Houses from the nearest and most convenient places, not without much danger and prejudice to the Defendants; who though they were not safe neither in their houses, nor in the streets, yet were they not wanting to shelter themselves the best they could with Trenches and Plat-forms, raised in fitting places, and with deep Ditches dug behind the Rampires. This mean time Treaties of Agreement were not omitted, which were from the beginning of the war mediated by the Governor of Milan, at the request of the Lucchesi; who having to this purpose sent Count Baldassar Biglia to Modena, and Scaramucchia Visconte to Lucca, could not as yet effect it: But considering afterwards how much the loss of Castiglione would redound to the dishonour of his King, who had taken upon him the protection of that Commonwealth, he ordered Count Biglia to go into the Town, to set up the King's Standard, and to say that he kept the Town in the King's name; which being suddenly done, the Battery ceased, and afterwards all other offences, by the intercession of the Governor; so as the treaty of agreement being re-assumed, it was at last concluded upon these conditions. That the Confines should remain bounded as they had formerly been, upon the same occasion, by Count Fuentes; and that the place of this new difference not being comprehended, it should be left to be agreed upon by some deputed to the same purpose: That the Lucchesi should quit all the Towns and places which they had taken in Modena, and should demolish whatsoever they had erected upon their own grounds; that the Duke of Modena should do the like; who giving his word that he would not molest the Lucchesi, who were the first that should disarm, he should likewise disarm afterwards, and dismiss all his men: That the Commonwealth of Lucca should keep no more than their usual Garrisons within their walled Towns, and a Gentleman which the Governor would send thither to keep them in the King's name, who was to restore them to the Signiory, when all had laid down Arms. The affairs of Garafagnana, wherein the whole summer had been spent, being thus composed, those of Montferrat grew to be troubled again, and to decline from the good way they were in. The Duke of Savoy kept still in Arms, and as it were ready to fall upon Montferrat again, hoping by his Forces to make his adversary more pliable to his pretensions: The Duke of Mantua was therefore forced to keep many strong Garrisons in Casalle, and in other places of most concernment. Commerce was not only wholly interdicted between those of Montferrat and Piedmont, but private men proceeded to continual reprisals, and the Magistrates to the confiscation of such goods as those of the contrary party possessed in their Territories. The Governor was not permitted to disarm, whilst the occasions lasted which forced him to take up Arms: Montferrat was therefore in continual motion and suspension, being neither in perfect peace, nor open war; and because this redounded to the great trouble and charge of the Millanese, and to the prejudice of the King's honour, who had openly professed to protect Montferrat, many counselled the Governor to send the Army into Piedmont, and to keep it there till such time as the Duke, to free himself from the trouble of quartering, should resolve to dismiss his Foreign Forces. The Governor seemed at first willing to follow this advice; and to this purpose sent first Don Sanchio di Luna, Keeper of the Citadel of Milan, and then Don Franceso Padiglia General of the Artillery into Piedmont, to demand Quarter of the Duke for the King's Army, who bringing back answer in general terms, and words relishing more of civility and ceremony, then of substance, or positive, by which it was conceived the Duke was inclined to the contrary; the Governor, dismissing the Swissers, and sending the Spanish Horse and Foot to their usual Quarters, by a sudden and contrary resolution, sent Prince Ascoli with the rest of the Soldiery to quarter in Montferrat. Who choosing Villanova for his quarters, within four miles of Casalle, distributed his men in several parts of that State; where he kept them all the next Winter, to the excessive damage of those people, exhausted already by their former sufferings, and by the late War. This new, and unexpected resolution of the Governors, renewed the first jealousies: and the Italians conceiving that the King did not proceed so sincerely as they imagined, began to suspect him more than before▪ and therefore mistrusting the Spaniards, they began to fear that the restitution of the Towns in Montferrat was but a counterfeit show, to lull them asleep, and to keep the French Forces from falling furiously into Italy. All men did firmly believe, that the Spaniards detaining their ancient grudge against the Duke of Mantua, and keeping secret intelligence with Piedmont, did suffer them to keep armed, that so they might have occasion to oppress that State, under the honourable title of protecting it, or atleast, to the end that the Duke of Mantua, wearied out with length of negotiation, and Court irresolutions, consumed by so long quartering, and agitated by continual fear of their Enemies, and of their Protectors Forces, might be brought to desperate conditions; and so they might make themselves masters of that State, without any noise, without fight, and without disturbing the peace of Italy. These diffidences were increased by the new, and strange comportments of the King's Officers, and Spanish Commanders in Montferrat, who believing perhaps that their King's intention was such, did confirm the general opinion with undoubted speeches; and as if they were to change condition of Government, they solicited the Montferrians, who were weary of so many troubles, to desire the Spanish Government that they might be rid of their vexations. And adding actions to their words, they suffered their Soldiers to be licentious, arrogating much authority to themselves, to the diminution of that Duke, whose Officers, as being unarmed, were fain to wink at divers things, to avoid greater mischief; wherefore they became of less esteem amongst the King's Soldiers and Commanders, who now seemed to be chief masters. All men were likewise scandalised at the daily coming of munition for War from Milan to Piedmont; and which was yet worse, that Prince Ascold should give them safe conduct thorough Montferrat; he, and the Governor defending their doing so, partly under pretence of friendship between the King and Duke, which was not as yet broken; partly esteeming any provision the Duke could make against what the King ordained touching the affairs of Montferrat, ridiculous; as if it were impossible the Duke should ever dare to gainsay it. But men's minds were chiefly troubled at the coming of Don Alphonso Piemontello, General of the Horse in the State of Milan, to Mantua, to demand the young Princess in the King's name. With him went not only the chief Officers, and Commanders in War, to frighten that Prince, and to make him part the more easily with his Niece; but as if the business were already taken for granted, and that they went rather to receive then to demand the young Lady, many Coaches were sent along with Pie●…ntello, to bring her and her train to Milan, no man doubted but that this action of the Kings was a strong argument that he was rather minded to alter, then to compose the present Affairs; For that child was then thought the chiefest means to work novelty. And besides, that the demanding of her when Montferrat was encumbered with the Spanish Army was a demand which argued violence, and seemed therefore contrary to that good inclination which the King had always professed; so much solemnity, and such preparations, made the Embassy seem rather a protestation, or tacit threatening in case of denial, than a simple Negotiation. When Pimontello came to Mantua, he found the young child sick; and the Duke not being able to expose her to that journey without evident danger, he made use thereof to deny the sending of her, and not so only, but he also fenced himself by the Emperor's Rescript; whereby he was prohibited to deliver her up to any one; and yet seeming in general words to be ready to pleasure the King, he added that in the interim he would send into Spain to treat of this Affair; such a business was not of so easy digestion, or so soon to be granted; it being opposed in that Court by the Duke of Savoy's great importunity, accompanied with the fresh remembrance of his ready restoring the Towns he had taken; by the entreaty, and pretensions of the Dowager Mother, Nephew to the King; by the presence of Prince Victorio; and by the King's word passed to the Duke, by the Governor of Milan. The Duke of Mantua being therefore to make use of some one who might be more then usually wise and industrious to handle a business of such importance, he trusted the managing thereof to Monsigneur Scipio Pasquale di Cosenza a Prelate much esteemed and favoured by him. Who being sent extraordinary Ambassador to the King, acquainted him and his State-ministers with the merits of the Duke's cause: desiring that it might not only be taken notice of by his Majesty, as by a just Prince, by the way of the known Law of equity; but that it might be protected, defended, and favoured by him, as by a Protector. He added, that to deposit the young Lady, especially after the Duke of Savoy had taken up Arms, would be an acknowledgement that that Commotion had been just and lawful; as also all the other violences and hostilities committed against Montferrat: which besides that it did repugn his Majesty's most holy deliberations, and just Demonstrations; the Duke of Mantua could not with honour adhere thereunto; since it would always appear unto the world, that he had condescended thereunto, contrary to all Reason, for fear of being again assaulted. He then showed what the Duke's intentions were; he did not conceal what the inconveniences were which might be the result thereof; he made it be known how much men were scandalised, how much Caesar's Decrees, and the very Laws of Nature were contradicted, if that young Lady should by his Majesty's command be forced to go out of her paternal Country where she was born, out of the Dominions where she was nourished, and separated from their sight and company who were so near allied to her in blood. He wished it might be considered, how much it would redouned to his Duke's dis-reputation, if his Majesty persisting in his demand should make the world see how little he did confide in his faith and integrity; that it was impossible that he who had been so ready and so zealous in protecting his Duke's Dominions, would now so highly injure him in his honour. These, and other Reasons alleged by the Ambassador were much seconded by the Queen of France, her pretensions: who solicited from Mantua, made a third in this Affair; desiring that the young Lady's education might be allotted to her, as to one nearer of kin to her then the King was, in case the Duke of Mantua should not be trusted with her. Whereupon the King, were it either that he approved of the Reasons alleged, or to avoid giving dissatisfaction to the Queen, dissisted further pursuing his demand. Many will have it that the King required this at first, more out of his own genius, and tender affection to his Nephews the Princes of Savoy, then by any advice of his Counselors, or out of any sinister intention to the Duke of Mantua, and that it not being intrinsically approved of by any one, no not by the Duke of Lerma, from whom he was seldom wont to differ in opinion, it had not its just perfection; it being known, that at the same time when Pimentello was sent to Mantua, the answer which that Duke was to make was suggested to him by the Governor of Milan, and the manner which he was to observe upon this occurrency, to the end that he might retain his Nephew. And doubtlessly, the Governor did this by order from the Spanish Ministers of State, who were desirous to moderate the King's desires by delays. Many were much troubled to think what the truth of this might be, the business being spun out at length, and what the issue thereof would be, not being known. During these doubtful proceedings, the Duke of Mantua fell sick; and there being but little hopes of his recovery, it was feared by the Italians, that his unseasonable death in these turbulent times might hasten the Spaniards secret designs; for he not having any issue, and his brother not being likely to have any, his Dominions would fall upon the Duke of Nevers, the next of kin to the house of Gonsaga; who being born in France, was, for his great adherences, and many possessions which he had there, esteemed to be more French, than Italian. Nor was there any that did doubt, but that the Spaniards would rather suffer any other condition, then that a Frenchman should possess so great a State in Italy. Wherefore all men's minds were possessed with fear and confusion, foreseeing what troubles, and revolutions would ensue upon the Duke's death: which seemed to be confirmed by bad Auguries, and prodigies. For in the same year of 1613, on the 11 of October, there arose a terrible tempest at Sea, the like to which was never seen, which beginning at Provence, and running along with much terror, to the uttermost parts of the Kingdom of Naples, did so agitate the Ligustick and Tuscan seas, as entering even into the Havens, which were otherwise very safe, it sunk almost all the ships therein, to the great prejudice of the Merchants, and to the terror of all lookers on; the same tempest penetrated into Lombardy, where it threw down houses, rend up trees by the roots, and did such mischief as had never been before, so as many (as it of●…en falls out when men are astonished with amazement) beg●…n to hold these accidents prodigious, as so many signs wherewith the heavens did threaten much greater calamity to come; to these Prodigies were added the troubles of France, which having been quiet till then under the Queen's regency, was not a little disturbed. For the Princes of the Kingdom were not able to suffer that Concino Concini, and his wife, both of them being Florentines, and the Queen's great favourites, should be preferred before them in Authority, and in the conduct of public Affairs. They were likewise much troubled at the King's Marriage with the Infanta of Spain, fearing lest such an union might tend to the diminution of that Authority which they by all means endeavoured to arrogate unto themselves in that Kingdom. And the opposition of France being held to be a great curb to the Spanish Forces in Italy, therefore that Nation being divided within itself, and troubled with civil Wars, Italy remained at the Spaniards discretion; whose ends and designs not being to be withstood by any other Forces, there was no means left of keeping their King from attempting any whatsoever novelty, whereby to increase their King's Empire to the universal prejudice. The Duke of Mantua's self, whose loss was then chiefliest concerned, seemed more to abandon his own cause then any other▪ for not being content to have incensed France against him, and distasted the Princes of Italy, by his usage of the Duke of Nevers French; he seemed to throw himself too much into the King of Spain's hands, and to depend to much upon the Spanish State-Ministers. And this course not being commonly approved of then, though it proved to be very good afterwards, he seemed little to mind the eminent danger of his own Affairs. The more for that conferring the Bishopric of Casalle upon Monsigneur Pasquale, a natural Subject of the Kings, he had also made Don Alphonso d' Avalos Governor over all Montferrat, who though he was an Italian born, and a kin to him, yet being originally come from Spain, and professing to be more a Spaniard then an Italian, being also held to be such a one by the King and his State-Ministers; the Duke seemed to have but poorly provided for the so turbulent condition of his Affairs, by these two Elections, at which the Queen and State of Venice were much the more incensed: who publicly seeming to favour the Duke desired to curb the Forces and power of his Protector as much as they could; and yet the Queen being careful of her Niece: Affairs, she sent the Marquis di Coure into Italy, a Lord of much authority and reputation, and one who had with much grandezza discharged the office of several chief Embassies. She sent him with title of Ambassador in extraordinary for the Occurences of Italy; to the end that treating as well with the two Dukes, as with the Governor of Milan, and Commonwealth of Venice, he might compose Affairs in a peaceable manner. But when he came to Piedmont, he could not see the Duke; who not desirous to treat with any in this business, but the King, and Court of Spain, from whence he expected much favour, he went a little before the Ambassador came thither, to Nice in Provence, to quiet some commotions which were raised in those parts. So as the Ambassador passing to Milan, and then to Mantua, and from thence to Venice, kept in Italy till the beginning of the next year, which was 1614 This year produced, at last, effects which showed the good intention of the King: and did once more free the Italians of the fears which they had conceived by the last years successes. For the King having on one side often comforted the Duke of Savoy, and on the other side, pressed much upon the Duke of Mantua, not without some sharpness, to the end that each of them willingly laying aside somewhat of rigour, they might come to agreement: and finding much backwardness in both these Princes, at last, that he might not be failing to his protection of Mantua, he resolved to declare himself so, as no man should have occasion afterwards to doubt his will, nor to be troubled at the uncertainty of his inclination. He dispatched away Prince Victorio, to whom he made the instrument be given, which contained his final resolution. Which not being conformable, but rather totally repugnant to his, and to his Father's mind, the Prince refused to accept: so as being offended with the Court, and as angry as he durst be with the King, he went by Sea into Italy. The Instrument ordained that the Duke of Savoy should totally lay down Arms, that he should give it under his hand, that he would innovate nothing to the prejudice of the Duke of Mantua 's Dominions; that he should remit all his pretences to Montferrat, to the Emperor, as to the Supreme judge: that he should marry his daughter to the Duke of Mantua, and that upon this marriage all Rebels should be pardoned; and there should be no more discourse of any damage that had been done by the late War. To this was added, that if the Duke should refuse to consent to the aforesaid things, the King would be necessitated to employ the Forces of his Kingdom in the protection of Montferrat, and to obviate the troubles which might ensue in Italy. The Duke of Savoy was highly offended at this, seeing himself not only wholly fallen from the high hopes which he had conceived, and hoped to obtain from that Court by his Sons means, of getting part of Montferrat; but also from that reputation which he had thought to have won, by being so nearly allied unto the King; whilst instead of being maintained by his Majesty of Spain, in a business of such concernment, he was dealt with all as rigorously, as if he had been a stranger, without any regard had to his honour, or to tde King's word, which (as he said) was plighted to him. Nor was he less distasted to see himself excluded from his pretensions in the young Lady; wherein thinking that the justification of his commotion did consist in being the original cause thereof, he was no less grieved thereat in point of honour, then in point of interest, seeing the ends marred whereunto he aspired, peradventure by the Maiden's means. And as Pimentello's journey to Mantua had put him in hopes of obtaining her, so failing therein, he thought himself scorned and deluded, and led on with vain hopes, which he did not a little rescent; the great obsequiousness which he had showed to the King's Authority by his being so ready to restore, and witnessed so many other several ways, did embitter his resentments; as also the severity used to his two Sons at Court; the one whereof (as hath been said) was to his so much mortification detained for above a month in Montferrat; and the other, which was Prince Philoberto, Lord high Admiral at Sea, and who usually resided with the King, being without any occasion sent at the same time that his brother came to Court, to reside, and consequently almost confined, at Porto St. Maria, the very utmost Precincts of Spain; to the end that (as the Duke complained afterwards) he might fall sick in that ill air; and that being deprived of the contentment of seeing his brother, he might not then join in the treaty of the common affairs. All which things as he had already past over which much patience, hoping to be at last dealt with the more advantageously; so seeing the same method to be held till the last, he could the worse digest it. And therefore joining these, and many other severe passages together, he could not endure that the world should know how little esteem was had of him, and how little both he and his Sons could promise themselves, from their alliance with the King. Being thus much disturbed, he, together with his Son, who was come from Spain to Niece, went to Turin: Where speaking with the Ambassador Coure, who was upon his return for France, it was believed, that b●…g scandalised with the King of Spain, he would have made any agreement with the Duke of Mantua by the French Ambassadors means, only that the King of France might have the honour thereof, and not the King of Spain; and that to that purpose the Pope's Nuntio should go from Turin to Mantua; by which means the settlement would soon have been had; had not the Governor of Milan, foreseeing how dishonourable it would have been to the King of Spain that the differences between the Italian Princes should be adjusted by other means than his, very seasonably opposed it, and wrought so that the Duke of Mantua should not accept of any of the proposed Treaties. And the same instrument being sent from Spain to the Governor, which the Prince had refused, he (being ordered to do so by the King) sent it to the Duke of Savoy, to the end that he might assent thereunto: The Duke answered, That for his part he was ready to disarm, if the King would do so to; he demanded that the terms and manner of this Action should be punctually agreed upon: He made some difficulty in passing his word that he would not injure Montferrat; saying, That since he had foregone all his Holds in that State only to satisfy the King, all men might be sure, that out of the same respect he would not molest it any more. He did not consent to remit the differences to be decided by Cesar, out of diffidence perhaps of him; but said, notwithstanding he would refer it to such friends of both sides, who being chosen by the Emperor, might decide it: Lastly, He complained that the King should compel him to marry his Daughter contrary to her own will; but refused not to do it when the common differences should be decided. This last Point was moderated by the King, who explained himself that he had propounded the Marriage as a thing which might be acceptable to them both, and good for the common quiet, and their reciprocal friendship; but not that they should be forced thereunto contrary to their inclinations: In all the rest he persisted, and particularly in the first, of disarming; wherein abhorring all conditions or reciprocalness, the King's pleasure was, That if not as Superior to the Duke in Empire, yet as incomparably greater in power and extent of Dominion, which made him profess himself to be Arbitrator of Italy, and the Moderator of differences between her Princes, he should absolutely lay down Arms: And yet, that if the difference of Montferrat should be accorded, all the rest might likewise cease; the Governor, not having Force enough at his command to compel the Duke to disarm, according to the King's appointment; he tried a new form of composure between the two Dukes; each of which having at his desire sent three Deputies to Milan, to find out some means of adjusting differences; divers proposals were made, but all of them so discrepant, and so far differing from their opinions, as after many days the business of that confer●…nce was found to prove vain; and at this time Forces being come to the 〈◊〉 of Milan from Naples, Germany, and from the Swissers; and the same directions coming again from Spain, that the Decree should be put in execution, as much at least as concerned the three first Articles; the Deputies of Savoy were given to understand, that the business not being to be spun out any longer, it was in vain to pursue that begun Negotiation, and that therefore the King's Decree must, without any delay, be executed. The Duke thought himself too imperiously dealt with; and not willing to give way thereunto, either in respect of his own honour, or out of anger to the King, to show himself any whit more obsequious then at first, he betook himself to make yet further provision for war; and being desirous to take the honourable pretence of protecting Montferrat from the Spaniards, as also to appease the French, and reconcile the Italians, he published an Order, wherein allowing Commerce between his Subjects and those of Montferrat, he commanded that none should injure them in their goods nor persons. Montferrat remained therefore for the space of fourteen Months after the first assault, free from troubles of War, wherewith she had been so much molested; and from the inconveniency of Quartering, wherewith she had been much afflicted. The End of the second Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK III. The Contents. THe Duke of Savoy is angry that the King should force him to lay down Arms, and to Disband his men; which refusing to do, he is assaulted by a Spanish Army, led on by the Duke of Milan; who being entered by the Vercellese into the Confines of Piedmont, and understanding that the Duke was gone to before Novara, returns immediately to the State of Milan to drive him from thence: Being returned, he begins to build the Fort Scandovalle, not far from Vercelles. The Duke retreating to Vercelles, desires succour from the French, Venetians, and other Princes; many whereof Treat of agreement by their Ambassadors sent into Piedmont: The war continues the mean while with the Duke; in pursuit whereof many accidents happening, they come at last to a day of Battle near the City: Wherein the Spanish Army being Victors, it goes before that City whither the Duke was with-drawn with his men; about which the Governor having employed much time to little purpose; At last peace is concluded by the means of Prince's Ministers. THe Wars of Piedmont succeed those of Montferrat, wherein the Duke of Savoy sees those Forces turned against him, which he formerly hoped to have been assisted by against Montferrat: Wherein the King's good intention contests against the Duke's anger; the latter being occasioned through hatred and ill will, which the Duke desired to vent against the Spanish State Ministers, and which he had conceived upon several occasions; and the other through a singular example to Puissant Princes, in showing them how much they are bound to defend and maintain those whom they have taken into their protection. The present war proceeded from the precedent, as it is often seen in humane bodies, that one malady draws on another: The King's Title was the protection of Montferrat, and together with the peace of Italy, the quiet and safety of the States which he therein possesseth: The Duke's pretence, the exempting Kingly Command, the preservation of the Independency and Sovereignty of Principality, and his necessary defence against the Spanish Forces; upon which he endeavoured to lay all that odium which he found to lie commonly upon himself, as being the first Author of the troubles, accusing the Spaniards of ambition and covetousness to possess his State. Indeed none of right judgements could believe that the King, who h●…d but a little before showed himself to be so magnanimous and sincere a Protector of the Duke of Mantua; which Duke had formerly, upon all occasions, showed himself to be no very good friend to him, should now, without any just Title or apparent colour, become a violent usurper of another man's States, to whom he was straight allied by Kindred; especially in a time when the others great observance of the King, and confidence in him, so notably witnessed to the world, was sufficient not only to cancel the memory of all past offences; but to make him merit the favour and particular protection of that Crown; according as the Duke himself had so abundantly professed before: And yet though the King was in all men's opinions no ways liable to any such suspicion; yet there were those who discoursed variously upon the Kings Command given to the Duke, according as men are variously inclined in their judgements. No man thought it lawful for a Prince, how much Superior soever in State or Forces, to command another, who was no subject of his, to disarm, or to prohibit him doing what he thought best in his own Dukedom: That otherwise the Dominions and Supreme power of Princes would be confounded, if under this or that pretence, how just or reasonable soever it may appear, such authority should be granted more to one then to another: That the Kings of Spain had, when they lifted, sent great Armies into Italy, not without great jealousy to the Italian Princes, who were unequal to them for Forces or Dominion: Therefore that was not to be blamed in others, which they had so often permitted unto themselves, especially since the Duke of Savoy's Forces were neither such, nor so great, as to give just occasion of jealousy either to the King, or to any Italian Potentate: And that he having already, to please the King, readily restored all that he had taken, it was to be imagined that he would innovate nothing in the future, as he had already openly declared he would not do: And that if either the quiet or security of his own Dominions, or his Clients (as the King alleged) should oblige him so to do, it would be sufficient in such a case, to be ready armed for what occasion soever should happen; But that it was not lawful to invade another's Territories by way of anticipation, out of vain suspicions: That this pretence, and this Command was not only without reason, but new, and without example; it not having ever been heard or read of that the like had been done amongst free Princes, exempt from any subjection. On the other side, the protection of Montferrat was pleaded, which could not be perfectly made good whilst it was not defended, as well against the future eminent danger, as from the present injury and prejudice: That it is a no less trouble to oppress a State with forces, then to ruin it with perpetual fear of neighbouring Arms: That therefore the Title of War was no less just and honest which was made out of probable fear of being offended, then to remove injuries received, or to revenge them: That the Duke had given just occasion of suspicion some years before; that he would have endeavoured to disturb Italy with his own and foreign Arms; and that the King after reconciliation had accused him for being still in Arms, contrary to Article; That hence he had the convenience to fall upon Montferrat: That things continuing in the same posture, and the Duke keeping himself armed without any probable occasion, and holding still Intelligence with the French, his ends and intentions were much the more to be suspected; and that by what appeared, he was but ill satisfied with the King for his no ways pleasing resolves upon the present occasion: So as he could not consent thereunto without great danger of more novelties; That it was lawful for any one to do what he listed at home, wherein none could justly hinder him; but that notwithstanding all men should so live and govern themselves, as that their neighbours might quietly maintain what was theirs without any cause of jealousy: That the King had temporised long before he proceeded to any such Command, using gentle and respectful terms towards the Duke; whereat the very Princes of Italy, who grew jealous of the King's patience, appeared to be openly grieved: And that though the King had often taken up Arms, yet never without necessary and evident occasion; which ceasing, he had forthwith laid them down, without injury to any one, and without invading one foot of ground belonging to any neighbouring Prince: That the Duke ought to have imitated the King in this example rather than in the former; since without any war made against him, he had of himself taken up Arms: And therefore as the passing a man's word not to offend is accepted, where there is necessity of keeping armed; so it is of no weight where that consideration ceasing, it is necessary to come to execution; which any man may endeavour to do by Arms, when no other means hath proved profitable; for to keep still in Arms upon the Confines, is a thing too prejudicial to the Prince and people, full of suspicion, and moreover subject to the like dangers and inconveniencies which are sought to be prevented by keeping in Arms: But the Duke's offer to disarm jointly with the Governor, as it answered the major part of the opposite reasons, so did it draw the present question to a nearer point; for the same respects of public peace, reciprocal security, and satisfaction, being in such a case equally to be pleaded on all sides, it was only to be considered, whether the parity of reason which agrees amongst equals, disagree amongst unequals: In which ambiguity the Duke was compelled to accommodate himself to the condition of times, and to give way to the will of the more powerful, or by defending the liberty and Sovereignry of his State, show by arms what is often seen to happen, That Fortune, Valour, and the variety of Humane actions, can equal the disequallity of Forces and States. Many, notwithstanding, who approved of the Cause, dissallowed of the King's Resolution; thinking that doubtlessly it had been more expedient, and better done, not to irritate the Duke still more, whose mind was already sufficiently ulcerated for former distastes, by his appearing now to favour his adversary so much; nor to press him more, and necessitate him by new Commands to the utmost necessity; nay, even to desperation; which forced him to resent the action by throwing off all observance and respect that he might have allowed him the satisfaction of being somewhat better armed then usual, and to have dissembled this fervency (as had been done some years before) which because the precedent and present passages had showed, and would show not to be profitable; and the continual expense whereof made it daily more prejudicial, it was to be believed that after having somewhat taken fire again, it would have quenched of itself; whereas on the contrary, by blowing the coal, instead of quenching it, they endangered the making it flame higher, and prove more perilous: But the respect of the King's Honour and regal Majesty prevailed with the King's Council, which being well rooted in the continued peace of Italy, and in the observance born unto him, even until this present, by the Italian Princes, and now more confirmed by the Duke's last Obsequies and reverend carriage, had so possessed the Spanish State-Ministers, as promising themselves much more than they ought to have done, they did undoubtedly believe that the Duke would not do otherwise upon this occasion than he had done formerly, and lately in the business of Montferrat; and that howsoever, any the least appearance of war would be sufficient to suppress any Commotion whatsoever, and make him desist; especially when both France and Italy, being offended with him for his having assaulted Montferrat, did concur in making him look well about him, and incited the King to make war upon him upon that account. Many lay the fault of these alterations, in a great part, upon the Duke of Lerma's ancient emulation and private ambition; who being desireous to take from the Duke's pretensions, and to abate the edge of his genius, easily forgot and laid aside the useful consideration of what importance his conjunction would be, and the good correspondency of the House of Savoy with the Crown of Spain; of the preservation whe●…eof the preceding Kings had been very careful, and studied the continuance thereof: Howsoever, that Court having resolved that the Duke should give no more occasion of new scandals, but that he should lay down Arms, and suffer others to live in peace, the Governor of Milan received order to prepare a sufficient Army to assault him in his own Dominions if he should resist the King's resolutions; but to the end that what was resolved of might be done more justifiably, and with less disturbance to the French and to the Italian Princes, it was given out, that those Arms were not raised to suppress the Duke, and that the King's intention was not to bereave him of any part of his Territories, but only to possess himself of some places in Piedmont, with ●…ention of restoring them presently after he should have humbled himself, and yielded to the King's demands; They hoped that by carrying the business thus moderately, without disturbing the Affairs of Italy, and with less jealousy to the Potentates thereof, they might preserve the authority of the King's Orders and peace, with advantage and honour to the Crown. But the Duke was otherwise minded; who being exceedingly exasperated at the little account which was made of his interests in that Court, was ashamed of the obedience that he had showed thereunto: Being therefore resolved not to be frighted at the Spanish Threats and preparations, he prepared solicitously to defend himself; Nor did he altogether despair to do it; for though he knew himself very unable to make defence, yet he could not believe that the French and Venetians, and Princes of Italy, would ever suffer him to be suppressed, to their own so great inconvenience and prejudice: Being moreover overborn by his immoderate anger and implacable hatred to the Spaniards, he in almost a despairing manner, minded more his revenge then the preservation of his own affairs: And as men grow most fierce when they expect the worst of evils; so he aspiring at greater matters, and promising himself more than he could hope for, undertook to hold Intelligence with foreign Princes, who emulated the Spanish greatness, by whose favour and assistance he exceedingly hoped to stir up all Europe against the Spanish Grandezza: He did persist the rather herein, by reason of the Kings and his Ministers of State's inclination to preserve Italy in peace; as also by reason of Orders come from that Court to the Statesmen of Italy, that they should embrace all occasions to suppress the present uproar with the Duke, and that he would reserve himself for the last remedy, to break the peace with him, in case he should grow contumacious; So as thinking, that come what would come, it might be in his power to keep himself unprejudiced by war, if he would accept of what now he refused, he thought it would be more glorious for him to submit to the Kings commands rather enforced, then of freewill; and after he had tried the fortune of war rather than before he had looked the enemy in the face: Yet the Duke's distastes were not at first such, nor so desperate, but that some way of accommodation might have been found, had not a Letter written by the Duke of Lerma to the Governor of Milan, which was divulged by him, made the malady uncurable: Directions were therein given, That the Duke should precisely disarm, and that in case he should not obey, That he the Governor should enter Piedmont with all his forces, and make him know it behoved him to obey the King's pleasure, whose Ministers (for so it was added) were ill satisfied with so many difficulties and such resistance: He concluded, That it was firmly believed, that when the Duke should know this resolution, he would not forbear observing the King's Orders. This Letter, like a spark of fire in well-prepared materials, made the combustions, which afterwards ensued, the greater; the Duke being touched to the quick, and thinking that Lerma in this Letter showed no respect unto him, but that he was therein treated as a subject, did so detest it, as being much disturbed in mind, and little less than mad, all his endeavours were to use the greatest demonstrations of resentment, and of disrespect to the Authority of Spain, that he could devise: Neither did he himself conceal the reason of such combustions; for he was wont to say openly, that word Obey, had made him take up Arms. Thus words are oftentimes of more force than deeds, and outward demonstrations offend more than realities: The Breach began from a protestation which the Duke caused to be made to the Governor, when he saw that there was no means of composition left; wherein, going over the war of Montferrat from the very beginning thereof till the restitution of the places he had taken, he said, That he was induced to make that Kestitution out of hopes that his Niece should have been delivered up into his hands, according to the promise made him (as he said) by the Governor, in the King's name; and that all Rebels should be pardoned, and losses by war; and under promise also of a quick and friendly composure of the differences touching the State which he had restored; He complained that he saw nothing made good which was promised, notwithstanding the many importunities made in the Court of Spain, even by the Prince his Son, after having been detained there for almost a whole year, the Month being therein computed, wherein he was detained in Montferrat, to his so great mortification. He added, That as for the Instrument presented to the said Prince in Court, it was neither answerable to what was promised him, nor to his just demands; so as he could not in honour accept it: Then he proceeded to relate, How that after the said Instrument was presented unto him at Turin from the Governor, he at the Governors' desire had begun to treat of accommodating differences, and how that after many debates he was told, that there was no more composition to be thought of, but to do what the King had ordered: And finally, ripping open what had been said and replied in that business, he concluded that the Governor had not only not made good any of his promises, but had hindered the composure of differences, which was by himself begun to no other end hat to keep him the Duke in hand, that the mean while he might have time to prepare for the war which was already plotted against Piedmont: Wherefore he made his protestation that he would make all necessary and fitting preparations to defend himself: That he would give notice to the King, and to all Princes, particularly to those of Italy, how ill affected the Governor was to him and to his family, which was so devoted to the Crown of Spain; in the service whereof both he and his Predecessors had so often hazarded their lives and fortunes. At this time Prince Philoberto the Duke of Savoy's second son, and Lord High Admiral of Spain, coming with the Spanish Galleys into Italy, brought 2000 Spaniards, who being landed near Genoa, and bend for Milan, he steered towards Naples and Sicily, where the rendezvouz for the King's Galleys was appointed, as those also of other Princes, to oppose the Ottoman Fleet, which being put from Constantinople, it was held for certain that it came to prejudice the King's Territories, to revenge the loss of 8 Galleys taken the preceding Autumn by Don Pietro di Girona, Duke of Ossona, a Grandee of Spain, and Viceroy of Naples, with the Sailors and Shipping of that Kingdom led by Octavio of Arragon, who lighting upon them at unawares in the Levant Seas, easily made himself Master of them, and brought them in triumph into Sicily. With these and other people brought from several parts into the State of Milan, the Governor had an Army in the field of 1600 Horse and 20000 Foot, 4000 whereof who were Swissers, not being, by reason of the ancient League, to fight against the Duke, they were put into several Garrisons in the State of Milan; and the rest marching towards the Confines of Piedmont, the Governor came forth of Milan, on the 20th of August, with the Standard general, and went to Candia, a Town in the Novarese; near to the Duke's Dominions. Here whilst he was mustering his men, and expected other provisions for War, he gave order to Don Lewis Gaetano, who was Ambassador for the King with the Duke, that he should make his last trial to bring him to condescend to the Kings will; and that if he should make any difficulty upon the manner of disarming, he should promise him that the Governor would pass his word unto him in the King's name that he would neither injure him, nor the Pope, nor the Emperor; and that in case of denial, he should protest, as he in the sight of God and man did protest, that all the wrongs that should be done by War, and the effusion of Christian blood, should be caused for his not having accepted that which had been with so much reason demanded of him; and that then taking his leave, and according to the Law of Nations, demanding a safe conduct, he should come to within the State of Milan. For the better justification of the War, the Prince of Castiglione went to Turin, to do the like in the Emperor's name the Duke's Sovereign Lord. But all this did no good; for the Duke professing that he was much afraid he should be assaulted in his own Dominions by the Governors' neighbouring Army, as soon as he should have laid down Arms: and that therefore thinking, or seeming to think, that all caution came short of the danger, and that his utmost safety was therein concerned, he could not admit of any offer which was not consonant to his safety and dignity; and therefore alleging that the Pope would not accept of his word with an obligation to make it be kept, and the Emperor had not Forces in Italy sufficient to over see the observing of it, tacitly reproaching the Governor for being faulty in his first word, and that therefore he had no reason to confide the ein: He therefore concluded that they should jointly disarm, offering to be himself the first who should dismiss some of his men; and protesting that he would not have taken up Arms, had it not been for the Governors' threats, accompanied with so great a strength to suppress him; and that therefore he was now ready to defend himself to the last: In sign whereof, drawing off his Collar of the Golden Fleece, he gave it to the Ambassador Gaetano, who refusing to accept it, he sent it after him to his house, that he might send it to the King; and though these and many other actions were clear evidences that the Duke's will was totally alienated from the King, and that he would stand upon resistance; yet could they not dis-deceive many Italians, nor the Governor, and Spanish Ministers in general, nor m●…ke them alter their opinion; for thinking that being so inferior a Prince, and so unable to resist the Forces of the Grown, he would not dare to stand the trial of the threatened War, they were of opinion, that having showed all the demonstrations of courage even to the ve●…y last, he would, at the appearance of the Spanish Arms and Standards, yield, just as he had done the year be●…ore, before Nice; and therefore ra●…her out of certainty than confidence, and thinking that it would much detract from the Majesty and reputation of the King's Affairs, if they should by fortifying themselves seem to doubt that the Duke would assault any of the Towns in the State of Milan, they did not care to furnish even the Frontiers towards Piedmont, though they abounded in Swissers; nor did they fear to be assaulted on any other side. Wherefore the Venetians approving as then of the King's resolutions, did nor at all seem to favour the Duke; but rather persevering in their former distastes, they appeared wholly averse to his ends and interests. The Governor resolving to go with his Army to before Vercelles, past his men over into Montferrat by a bridge built upon the River Sesia, near to Villata; and being come to Villa nova, he went on the 7th of September with his Troops in good order towards Vercelles, nine miles distant from Villa nova. La Motta, the first Town in Piedmont yielded forthwith unto him, and afterwards Carenzana; where, distributing his Soldiers in those places, he quartered that night: But the Duke thinking diversion to be a better way of defence than opposition; and having what Horse, what Foot, little less than 10000 in Vercelles, of which 5000 French, he resolved to march into the State of Milan. Having therefore made a bridge of boats over the same Sesia which divides his Dominion from the State of Milan, and choosing out 6000 foot, and 1000 horse, he went with them and with two field-pieces into the Territory of Novara: From hence he sent 1500 foot, and 3●…0 horse, Commanded by Calusio, son to the Count of Verrua, along the River towards the Bridge della Villata, with order to burn it, thereby to bereave the enemy's Army of the Victuals and Ammunition which thereby were brought to them from the State of Milan. He went with the rest straight towards Novara; whither being come about Sunrising, he advanced with Count Guido and some horse, and appeared upon an eminent Hill near the City: There were not above 500 men in the Garrison, yet the Novaresi, betaking themselves presently to Arms, fired a piece of Cannon upon them: But the Duke, though he saw the Novaresi astonished at his coming, and the City wholly unprovided of defence, so as probably he might have hoped to take the Town, he notwithstanding retreated, and advanced no further, were it either out of the respect which he still bore unto the King (as he afterwards freely declared) or as others would have it, out of fear of being probably assaulted by the Spanish Army, which coming upon him nigh●… at ●…nd, and finding him engaged in that enterprise with but a few Forces, might easily have suppressed him. The King's Commanders, nay, the whole Camp, when they heard that the Duke was gone to Novara, knew how rare an occasion this would be. Don Alfonso Pimentello General of the Cavalry, and Don john Vives, the King's Ambassador to the State of Genoa, who was then in the Camp, and Cavalier Melzi, an ancient Captain, and very good at Counsel, propounded, That foording immediately over the Sesia, by the advantage of their Cavalry, or by their Wagons, accommodated like to a Bridge, and leaving a reasonable baggage with the Garrison in Carenzana, or sending it into Montferrat, they should go and cut off the Duke's way in his return; for, said they, one of two things must needs happen, that either the Duke being beleaguered in an Enemy's Country, and having no victuals, must yield within twenty four hours; or that fight upon great disadvantage, he must needs be a loser, not without manifest danger to his own person; for he would certainly be taken Prisoner by the Horse, which were dispersed every where about the Country. This Proposition being approved of by the whole Council would assuredly have been followed, had not it been opposed by Prince Ascoli; who alleging the depth of the water, the danger of foording over the Rivers, and the doubt lest the Duke falling upon them in their passage might much prejudice them, turned the Governor from this resolution: He added moreover, That it was neither the King's mind, nor the intention of the war, that the Duke should be suppressed, but only that he should be infested till such time as he should lay down Arms, and prepare to obey the Kings other directions. He therefore concluded, that it was by no means fitting to adventure the reputation of the King's Forces, which would sufficiently decline upon any the sleightest encounter; and that since the safety of Novara might be cautiously provided for, safe and secure resolutions ought to be preferred before such as were dangerous and uncertain. The difficulty of foording over so small a River, nor the danger of the Duke's coming upon them, could not alter the Governor from his first opinion; for the waters were not then very deep; and the Duke being gone that very night for Novara, he could not, no not though he had flown, have hindered their passage. Yet one man's Authority prevailing over the universal opinion of the Council, an opportunity was lost of overcoming, and of putting an end to the war the very day that it was begun: It was notwithstanding ordered, according to the opinion of the Prince himself, that the Army should return the same way it had come; that it should go to the Bridge of Villata; and that repassing over the Sesia there, it should go to relieve Novara; but with express command to Don Alfonso Pimentello, who led the Van, not to fight upon any whatsoever occasion. The Van had not well passed over the Bridge, when the burning of certain little Cottages was seen from afar off, and the noise of fight heard; wherefore 200 Horse were sent towards that part, to discover what the matter was, who light upon the Marquis Calusio, who was sent, as hath been said, by the Duke, to burn the Bridge, and lay the Country waste; and in a skirmish with 200 Horse, which were sent by Pimentello, he was forsaken by his Cavalry, which at the first charge were routed, and fled, many of them, together with Calusio himself, being taken Prisoners, and many slain; some of the Foot, when they saw the Horse run, threw away their Arms, ran away, and were cut in pieces; the greater part of them keeping close together, and retreating in good order, made use of the moorish situation, and of the banks, through which the Enemies not being able to follow them, they had opportunity to make head in fitting and advantageous places, and to face Lodovico Guasco, one of the Captains of the 200 Horse, who with his Company of Curassiers followed them by oblique ways, and was still upon their flanks; and after having assaulted them more than once, many of his men being slain, and having his own horse slain under him, he suffered them at last to get safe into Vercelles; and though their number was lessened, yet they won more preys, than their horse, which fled at the very first onset, without making any resistance. This was the first encounter of the War of Piedmont, and the first action that happened therein. The Spanish Army went to quarter at Candia, a mile beyond Villata, instead of going to Palestra, a little higher upon the river whither, they might better have gone: for being near the way which leads from Novara to Vercelles, it had been a more convenient place to have hindered the Duke's return. And this would have proved the better, for that the Duke parted that very night from Novara, and returned to the Confines of Piedmont, and quartered there that night, with his men very weary and tired with their march the preceding day and night. Here the Governor had notwithstanding another occasion of worsting him, had he been as mindful to embrace it, as fortune was favourable in presenting it. For there was neither river, nor other obstacle between him and the Duke, so as he might commodiously and upon advantage have assaulted him, there not being above a mile between the places where they were quartered. The next day the Duke fired Palestra early in the morning, to revenge the burning of Caranzana the night before by the Dutch, and went for Vercelles without being molested; nothing being done to impede him in his return. Thus having freed his own State from the Enemy's Army, the very day that it entered thereinto, and revenged the injury he had received, in the same manner as was done to him, he returned to Vercelles; where he stayed, observing the Enemies proceedings. The Governor being returned to the State of Milan began presently to build a Fort, which he raised from the very foundation, in the Territories of Novara, a little distant from the Sesia, and not much more than a mile from Vercelles; which in honour of the Duke of Lerma, he called the Fort of Sandoval. He gave out, that he built it to no other end, but to secure Novara, in case that when the Governor should enter again into Piedmont, it should be re-assaulted by the Duke, as in such case he threatened he would do. But the Fabric being great, and capable of many men, flanked by five Bulwarks, and near upon a mile in compass, it was not without good ground judged to be a building not begun for the occurrences of the present War, but of long continuance, and to fortify the State of Milan on that side at all times from foreign Armies. For this same thing was almost resolved upon many years before in Spain, though it was not proceeded in, to shun giving of jealousies to the Italian Princes, and to the Duke, who was then a friend to the Crown. But now there being a manifest breach, it was thought, as indeed it was true, that the King's Officers made use of this occasion, to put their former resolution in practice. In this interim Prince Philoberto returned from Naples with the Galleys wherein were between five and six thousand foot, part Spaniards, and part Neapolitans, who being unbarked in the waters of Genua, where he left also most of the Galleys, he went with some few into Spain, being honoured, and attended, not only as Admiral, but as the King's Nephew: but in reality being environed by Spanish Officers, who were appointed to wait upon him by the Duke of Lerma, he appeared rather to be kept as an Hostage, his Navigation was to no great purpose; for the Turkish Fleet, which was much less than it was said to be, after having appeared within sight of Sicily, before the Prince his coming, retreated to Navarino, a Haven in Morea. True it is, that Don Diego Pimentello who was sent with two good Galleys very well appointed, to discover them, had the luck to take two of the enemy's Galleys; which being well man'd came also to discover the Christian Fleet; and lighting upon them about Navarino, he stoutly assaulted them, and in a short space made himself master of them, a Victory which was the more remarkable for that it happened almost in view of the enemy's Fleet, which was not above 20 miles distant from where the fight was made. But it is not to be expressed how all men were amazed, and confounded with wonder in Lombardy, and generally throughout Italy, who expected mighty things from the Governors going into Piedmont; when they saw him return so soon without doing any thing; and as the resolution of returning would have made some amends, and have repaired the reputation of the King's Forces, wherein they suffered very much; if following the enemy, they had vigorously reentered Piedmont at their heels; so the keeping with the whole Army, for above two months, about the Fort which was erecting, did necessarily detract from their honour; and so much the more, for that mighty things being looked for from them, no mean successes would have satisfied expectation. On the other side, the Duke making less account of the discomforture given to his men, then of the enemies going out of Piedmont, thought the least harm that befell the enemy, a great comfort to his own affairs. And therefore thinking that at the very beginning of the War he had made the world see that the Spanish Forces were not invincible, he hoped that the Italians being awakened thereby, as by a warlike trumpet, would the sooner join with him, both in Forces, and in intelligence against strangers. Therefore not being upon this occasion wanting to himself, but making his cause the common cause, he was well pleased, that divers writings, and composures should be thrown abroad in Italy, but especially in his own Dominions; wherein styling him the head, and author of the recovery of their ancient Liberty, the Italian Potentates were exhorted to throw off the foreign yoke, by which they had been so long oppressed. And still continuing with more fervency the endeavours long before begun in France, and Germany, with the Princes who did emulate the Spanish Grandezza, with the King of England, and with the States of Holland, he strove to make them join with him, that so they might unanimously oppose that power which did overshadow a great part of Europe. But believing particularly, that the Venetians, the great harm which would ensue unto them by his suppresion being considered, would not give him over in so great a danger; he therefore having composed the differences which had been between them and him, touching the War of Montferrat, by the intercession of the Ambassadors of France and England, then resident in Venice; he resolved to send jacomo Pissina with title of Ambassador to Venice, to exhort them upon this occasion to embrace his cause with their Forces, and the defence of the common safety, and liberty; who being brought into the College, may be supposed to have spoken to this effect; It is most certain, Serene Prince, and wise fathers, that diffidence hath always been the ruin and undoing of friendship; as on the contrary, affiance and trust hath always been held the straightest bond to keep Princes perpetually colleagued in friendship to one and the same end. The distrust that the Duke my Master, joining with the Spaniards, conspired against the common sa●…ety, when upon just occasion he took up arms against Montferrat, made you readily embrace the Duke of Mantua's cause, which was then held to be the common cause. Out of this Reason, the Duke my Master, as best knowing his own intentions, which he by open manifestoes published to the world, thought this Commonwealth more inclined to favour his adversary then him. And that therefore constriving his intentions to be otherwise then they have been since known to be, by reciprocal diffidence the ancient friendship so long preserved between him and this Commonwe●…lth hath on the sudden been turned to enmity. Now, since all men may assertain themselves, by what hath happened at Novara and Vercelli, that the Duke's intention never was, nor can ever in the future be, different from the common end of the Princes of Italy, and particularly from that of this most glorious Commonwealth; which is, manfully to make good, and constantly to maintain the common safety, dignity, and liberty, against the common enemies; he therefore hath reason to hope, that past distastes being turned to as much confidence, the former good correspondency will be redoubled; and that in so just and honest a cause, in so useful and necessary a War, he may presume to be favoured by the Venetian Forces. For if you did resolve to patronise the Duke of Mantua against a Prince so straight joined in interest and good will with this Commonwealth, only out of fear that he might assault Montferrat, with an intention to annex it to the Spaniards; how much more ought you now prepare to defend the Duke of Savoy, whilst he is assaulted by the ambitious Spaniard, for the preservation of the public dignity, by those Forces, whe●…eby under a colour of preserving peace in Italy, and which they are the first that do disturb, they endeavour to possess themselves of Piedmont, so lawfully enjoyed by him, and by his predecessors; the Spaniards, as all men may see, would be believed to be the Arbitrators, the Patrons of Italy, the Supreme Moderator of her Potentates; they therefore think it reasonable, that all Italian Princes, as if they we e●…so many of their Subjects, should obey every the least beck of that King, nay of any of his Ministers. And terming the slavery of Italy, peace, the obedience thereof security: and on the contrary, the freedom thereof, contumacy; and its generosity, turbulence of spirit; they by these artifices strive to make themselves gracious, and others odious to the people. And now having begun to exercise this their superiority, to the no less general prejudice, then to the universal loss of reputation, upon the weakest, they will arrogate the like over the greatest. They of late commanded the Duke of Modena and the Lucchesi, to lay down arms, and were immediately obeyed, without any reply. They now endeavour the like with the Duke of Savoy: whom, after having secured Montferrat from all Hostility, they command to lay down Arms, and to disband his Soldiers: and because he keeps 2000 Soldiers more than usual in his Dominions, they threaten him. Was there ever known so unjust, and so imperious a command? with what reason does that King and that Nation, who, as all men know, are but as of yesterday in Italy, give Laws to the Dukes of Savoy, who held the Sceptre of Piedmont 400 years, before he was master of one foot of Land in Italy? will there none then dare to show their faces, and gainsay such insolent commands? shall the generosity of the Italian name be so totally extinct, as that all Italy shall obey those whom they have formerly commanded? who sees not that by these beginnings they aim at the reducing of the power and liberty of the Princes of Italy into a Precarious power, into a Precarious liberty, depending upon every nod of theirs? but why talk I of a Precarious power, of a Precarious liberty, these beginnings tend manifestly to the reducing of the Duke of Savoy into miserable slavery, and to the subjugating of Piedmont: nor ceasing here, to the making themselves absolute Lords of Italy: the Monarchy whereof having long fancied unto themselves in Idea, they now begin to try how it may succeed, by the suppression of the Duke my Master, and by counterfeiting with the other Italian Potentates. And cloaking this their ambitious and avaricious thirst with the fair pretence of public peace, they are no less intent upon the usurping of other men's Dominions, than were the Persians of old; who aspiring at the oppression of Greece, demanded a little water, and some few clods of earth, for no other end, but that upon denial they might have some colourable pretence to make War upon them, and tyrannically to subjugate them. If then the safety, and dignity of all Italy be endanger to be ruined, by the abasing of my Master, by the suppression of Piedmont, will this Commonwealth, contrary to her custom, contrary to the constitutions and examples of her Predecessors, stand idle spectators of other men's miseries? careless lookers upon the common danger and calamity? shall she sleep, and be drowned in a dull Lethargy, which confesseth that she continually watcheth over, and stands sentinel to the common liberty? the Romans did of old make War, and sent forth powerful Armies against Philip King of Macedon, and Antiochus King of Asia; not out of any desire of acquisition, or of enlarging their Empire, not out of any hatred to those Kings, nor to revenge any injuries received from them; but only to free the Grecians from the tyranny of those Princes: but out of Roman generosity, which could not suffer that those people, who had been anciently born, and who had long lived freed, and masters of themselves, should be subjected by barbarous Kings. And yet Greece was a Nation far distant from Rome, much differing from the Romans in Laws, Customs, Language, and Religion; so as the Romans needed not to have cared much for their Country nor Condition, nor been much moved at their misery, and will you; who represent that ancient and august Commonwealth, to the life, in Wisdom, Actions, and much more in generosity of Mind, refuse to assist in the freeing, not of a Province, or foreign Nation, but of this, which was anciently the Paincess of Provinces, which is your Mother, your Country, the seat of your Empire, and of the Majesty of your Commonwealth? from whose dignity, safety and freedom, you reap so much splendour, and security? but, why make I use of so remote examples, when there are not wanting those which are fresher and more suitable to the times and present occurrences? it is not much above 400 years since Italy, and particularly all that which lies between the Apennine, and the Alps, being oppressed by the Dutch Empire, many of the Cities of Lombardy took courage to shake off the yoke of that fierce Nation: so as joining in League, wherein your Ancestors, having manfully for many years made War with Germany, which had her foot upon their necks, the peace of Constance did ensue, by which nothing remained to the Germans, but the bare name of Supreme Empire, and the Italians repossessed themselves of their so much desired liberty. Shall not that than which made so many people, dispersed in so many Cities, oppressed by so severe a yoke, able to venture for, and to achieve liber●…y, be sufficient now to associate some few, and free Chieftains? will it not be able to infuse courage into free, great, and powerful Princes? and ascertain them that the same thing, begun with more prosperous presage shall have a more fortunate end? shall peradventure the doubt of success make you hesitate, whose forefathers d●…d manfully withstand the Forces of so many Princes joined together against them? shall the Commonwealth of Venice be afraid of Spain, which being without either King or Government, drowned in luxury, and riches, and divided into so many parts, and Regions, as that the vastness of its Empire doth counterpoise, or injure itself? should it fear to resist that power, against which the Hollanders, who were then but a weak people, did rebel, and of Subjects have made themselves freemen, of slaves Lords? nothing can appear really difficult to generously minded men. The Duke of Savoy hath no sooner sacrificed his State, and Life, in so laudable an enterprise, but immed●…tely the French, despising their King's commands, are come in to his aid, and will very suddenly appear in greater numbers. Nor will he want assistance from Holland, and England; as also from many of the Germane Princes, who favour my Master, and are tacitly confederated with him, if for no other end, at least to abate so great a surquedry, and so odious a pride: and shall not that which works upon foreigners, prevail with this Commonwealth, which to boot with the same Reasons, is incited so to do by the safety of her friends, by the protection which she professeth to take of the oppressed, and (which imports most) by the imminent danger of her own liberty? but if pe●…adventure so great and important occasions should contrary to the expectation of all men, be so little considered by her, as in so urgen●… a necessity she should not defend the common interest, think, I beseech you, what opinion will be had of her wisdom? what esteem will be put upon her generosity, and grandezza? what will the other Italian Princes say, who being anxious for the common interest, what the end of the War of Piedmont will prove, depend upon your Authority, knowing that the safety of their Dominions and fortune depends upon your Counsels and Resolves; Who doubts that our Princes shall no sooner know your inclination, shall no sooner see the Ven●…tian Colours displayed; and that the people who are subject to the Spaniards shall no sooner see your arms glister, but that those wearied with their pride, and these vexed with their unsupportable tyranny, will move, and will expose themselves, their children, and all that is dear unto them, to enjoy that dignity, that golden liberty, whereunto these Skies, and this Country doth invite them. Make use then of this so fair, so rare, and so opportune an occasion, wherein all Italy, all Europe is concerned; which being embraced by the Duke my Master, gives assured signs of happy success. Mark, I beseech you, how he, accompanied but with a handful of men, hath quickly cooled their threats, hath at the first push turned their intentions of oppugning Piedmont into care of fortifying themselves in the State of Milan. One small Victory, one brush given them, will throw them down headlong from that height from whence they with such arrogancy pretend to prescribe Laws to Italy, will alienate their friends from them, will put heart into their Subjects, and make them see upon how weak foundations this their vast Monarchy is built. And they losing their courage, wherewith in their prosperity they are so puffed up, will yield to us the glory of so gallant an action; whereby, to boot with our natural liberty, we shall purchase perpetual and immortal praise to our posterity. These words were as attentively listened unto as efficaciously spoken by the Ambassador; who being dismi●…d with general words, the business was propounded in the Consiglio de Peg●…di; where a Senator stood up, worthy, for the acuteness of his wit, and for his affection to his Country, of all those Honours which his no riper years did debar him of, who spoke thus. If our opinions had been demanded by the Duke of Savoy when things not being come to an open breach between him and the King of Spain, he had no need of our assistance, as now being demanded when the breach is begun, our Counsels may seem superfluous and unseasonable; I think our Answer ought to have been such, as if being observed by him, it might totally have eased him of the necessity and occasion of making this demand: Therefore since we were not acquainted with it at the first, we must now consider advisedly, not what had then been expedient for us to advise, but what we are now to resolve upon, not only for our own honour and safety, but for the like of all Italy, touching our abandoning or adhering to the Duke of Savoy, assaulted by the King of Spain: For I believe you are all of opinion, That according to the Rules of civil Government, Princes; who betake themselves, sometimes more out of necessity than choice, to side with such Interests whereinto others have run either out of hatred or some other disturbances, aught to endeavour that greater inconveniencies may not ensue. I believe that the ambition and desire of Government is common to all men; but that the Spaniards do more abound in this than others, cannot be denied; and that that Nation which is not satisfied with great possessions which she enjoys both in Europe, and in so many other parts of the world, doth still desire the agrandizing thereof by the suppressing of others, is not to be doubted: And though hitherto (thanks to the peace of Italy, and to the great care which is had, that they govern not such States as are not subject to them) they have not obtained their ends; yet in my opinion he thinks amiss who believes, that if occasion were offered, they would cease from thirsting after other men's possessions: For the Citations sent from Milan against many Princes of Italy, when Count Fuentes was Governor, and which though they do not declaredly concern our Commonwealth, do at least tacitly threaten her, are not as yet totally extinct, though they be laid aside for the present: And if we may argue from smaller things to greater, with what cunning, not to say Authority, have they gotten Finale, Monaco, Pi●…mbino, Corregio, and many other Towns in Lunigiana, under their Dominion? wherein, in my opinion, it is not so much to be considered how much for the present the summa totalis is concerned in those Towns, as the consequences which they draw after them; and that from thence we ought to measure their Intentions and ends, which do not aim only at the getting of those little Castles, but at much greater designs. Monaco and Finale curb and command the River of Genua; Piombino the State of Tuscany; how much subjection do the midway Towns of Luneggiana enforce upon both these States? the same may be said of Correggio, in respect of the States confining thereupon. Porto Longone, fortified by them by so many Fabrics, almost in the face of Italy, how clearly doth it show the ambition they have, with safety to themselves, to bridle this Province; and who doubts, but that as much as the liberty of any of our Princes is lessened, so much the Spanish power is augmented, even to our prejudice? Nor is our Commonwealth kept harmless from their ambition. How much doth the Pope's being set on against us, by so many favours, Covenants, and preparations for war in time of interdiction, show that that King and Nation have no good intentions towards us? the continual molestations of the Uscocchis, fomented by them against us; Our League with the Garrisons which they by so many Plots endeavour to oppose; The Fort Fuentes, built in the jaws of the Valtoline, to the perpetual yoke of that Nation, and to the apparent shame of our League; who sees not how much they redound to the suppression of our honour, and of our Affairs? They now endeavour to erect new Forts against the Duke of Savoy; and because he will neither acknowledge nor obey his Commands, they assault his Dominions; whether with an intention to bereave him of them, or no, I will not at this time either affirm or deny; although it may be justly suspected, if not fully asserted, by the many preparations and great demonstrations made by that Nation, and probably feared by their wont ends; but howsoever, I consider that it doth not become the interests nor dignity of our Commonwealth, to permit that that Prince should basely submit to such Commands, nor that we by abandoning him give possession to that Nation of so absolutely commanding and compelling the Italian Princes to obey her; for men's thoughts in●…arge themselves by degrees; and the greater the things be which they attain, the greater do the ends which they propose to themselves grow; and when they have gotten one thing, they think they have gotten nothing, which makes them pretend to more advantageous and higher things: And in State-affairs, he who condescends in reputation, and at the first, must resolve to yield afterwards to all things: Wherefore, questionless, when they shall have forced the Duke to what they now demand, they will afterwards compel him to greater matters, which will prove a pernicious precedent to other Princes, and to us ourselves, when occasion shall serve: And it is to be believed, that in such a case no man will care for what shot shall befall us, as justly deserving the same punishment which we have suffered others to undergo: But suppose that the Duke's Forces and friends shall prove inferior to the greatness of his Spirit, or that finding himself forsaken by others, he either willingly yield to the Command or power of the stronger: or that disarm he, or disarm he not, he shall howsoever be suppressed; Who sees not what the common danger will be? Who sees not a fair way made to that Monarchy which that Nation fancies unto herself? Who sees not Italy fallen into miserable slavery, and into as deplorable a condition as ever she was in since the declination of the Roman Empire? It being then the part of wise Princes, timely to foresee, and to provide early against dangers which are not far off, I should think it very necessary that this Commonwealth, though otherwise desirous to preserve peace, should in some sort or other undertake the Duke's defence; Lest whilst we shall stand idly looking upon other men's evils, it befall not us as it befell our forefather's, when the Kingdom of Naplos, being assaulted by Charles the Eighth, the State of that Prince was possessed and overcome before sought withal; who whilst he is in safety, and master of the Walls and Gates of Italy, may give entrance unto strangers, and keep our Liberty, and the like of all the Princes of Italy, safe both in war and peace. Many, and particularly those of the younger sort, praised this Opinion which was fortified with so many Reasons; but another Senator, no less venerable for age then for wisdom, and for his long experience in places of Magistracy, and Embassies happily discharged by him, stood up and spoke thus. I have always been of opinion, most worthy Senators, That he who will advise wisely of weighty Affairs, ought not so much to consider the quality or state of present things, as to consider intentively, and diligently to examine things that are passed: Therefore if we will conder Italy's condition in former times, I mean, when the Spaniards did not domineer here, and shall compare them, without passion or envy, with the present times: I believe that all men will join in opinion with me, that certainly the present times are to be preferred before the former. We have seen, (not to speak of more remote times) we have seen, I say, or may conceive by History, in what condition Italy was, when the French, or Kings of Arragon, were Lords of Naples; when the State of Milan was subject either to the Visconti, Sforzeschi, or to the French: To what bitter wars was Italy subject, and more particularly our Commonwealth? The Aragonn●… had no sooner made themselves masters of the Kingdom of Naples, and so became Italian Princes, but they began sometimes to trouble Tuscany, la Marca sometimes, and sometimes the Church's Territories, and the Gen●…esses; and turning all things topsy turvy, they forbear not through ambition to extend their Empire beyond the Confines of that Kingdom. The Visconti of Milan did yet worse; and the Sforza's succeeding the Visconti as well in the State as in the lust of Government, kept themselves not within the Confines of Milan and Genua, And so troublesome was Lodovico Sforza to our forefather's, as being forced to join in League with Lewis the Twelfth, King of France, they resolved to drive him out of his Dukedom, to the end that Italy being freed of that firebrand, they might afterwards so quiet the Nation, and by that means secure it from the Kings of Naples, as they might no longer fear their own safety; and that the King of France being brought by their forces into Italy, and made master of Milan, might be the chief Protector of their State: What the success of those hopes did afterwards prove, I think is sufficiently known to all men; and how the King of France rewarded that good turn with bitter wars, cruel calamities and persecutions; For if ever our Commonwealth was near being utterly exterminated after the war of Chioggia, it was then, when that King, to recover Cremona, and Gieradada, which by Articles of agreement did belong to us, did incite the Arms of Christian Princes against us: and making him their head against our Progenitors, in that great league of cambray, stuck not to assault them with all his Forces; and had been the chiefest cause of our ruin, if such a tempest had not been stoutly withstood, and prudently repaired by our forefathers. Not long after neither we, nor the other Potentates of Italy, being able to endure foreign Dominion in Italy, we jointly endeavoured to repossess the Sforza's in the State of Milan; which our forefathers did, though not without Wars, and infinite troubles: for they did not think that either the peace, or liberty of Italy, could be secure, as long as the Spaniards, being masters of the Kingdom of Naples, as they then were, should likewise succeed in the State of Milan▪ as the Sforza's being afterwards extinct, it was necessary they should do. This is the condition of the affairs of Italy, which I term passed: Let us now come to her present condition; and comparing it with the past, let us Judge which of the two conditions be to be chosen, whether that, when the Visconti, the Sforza's, and the French who counterpoised the King of Arragon in the Kingdom of Naples, or this, wherein the Spaniards being masters of both these St●…tes, are with the moderation of Empire, a counterpoise unto themselves. I verily believe there is none that will prefer those times before these, neither in respect of the peace and happiness which we and the other Princes of Italy enjoy, nor of the security and quiet wherein we at the present do possess our States. By means whereof if Italy do not begin to recover the Empire of the world, yet doth she flourish in all those Arts and riches which can result from a continued secure peace. Let us now give for granted, that the Spaniards are naturally ambitious, coveting what belongs to others; let us allege Monaco, Finale, and four other poor Villages, by the masters whereof they were for the most part brought in; put what esteem you please upon the Citations of Fuentes, and of the disturbances occasioned by four Pirates which molest our Gulf; and let us compare these, or other more trivial businesses, and this desire which the Spaniards seem to have of Government, to the like as well of Native Princes, as Foreigners, who have born sway in Italy: Let us oppose the Actions of those, to the remonstrances of these; the Citations of these, to the wars made by those with Italian Princes, and with our Commonwealth; and certainly he must be very stupid who will not wonder at the comparison: But unless I be deceived, I see no probable ground, nor any conclusive reason of this their so immense ambition, and covetousness of dispossessing other men, when I consider the conveniencies of great Acquisitions which their Kings have forborn to make, and how civil and liberal they have been to the Princes of Italy; this may be witnessed by the States of Florence, and of Sienna, won by their Arms, and yielded to the Medici; by Corcica taken from the French, and restored to the Commonwealth of Genua; by the free gift of the County of Asti to the Duke of Savoy, and by the recovery of almost all Piedmont to the same Duke; by the restitution of Modena to the Estensi, and of Piacenza to the Farnesis; by the free foregoing of the State of Milan to Francisco Sforza; by the adjudging of Montferrat to the Gonzagis, almost 100 years after the Paleologi were extinct, and now freed from the hands of the Duke of Savoy, and so faithfully restored to the Duke of Mantua: If we be not satisfied with these cle●…r and evident Examples, I cannot see what misguiding error it is which doth encumber us, and makes us argue them to be so covetous of thirsting after what belongs to others. I forbear mentioning that all our Princes have for so many years been undisturbed by this their so great power; nay, how upon all occasions they have been succoured by them; and we, if truth may prevail, and if the remembrance of benefits received make not the Benefactor odious, as we have no just occasion to complain of their nighbourhood, so may we not justly forget the benefits received from the Crown, both when Ferdinando the Catholic sent Consalv●… the great to assist us when assaulted by the Turks; and when Philip the second concurred in the sacred League, chiefly in our defence against the Ottoman Empire, wherein he was at double expense, in a great preparation of Ships, and Galleys, and in an infinite number of fight men: Wherefore, as I am not informed by what is past, that the happiness of Italy consists in being governed wholly by her natural Princes; so since we manifestly perceive that the times, nor our minds, are not framed for the introducing of that which we account at present the most happy condition; it will be great wisdom, not out of a desire of novelty, to break the thread of things which have been hitherto happily spun: For what remains, that the Spaniards would secure their own Sta●…es by building new Forts, that they endeavour to disturb our Vessels; though we may think it unkindly done, yet we have no just reason to take it ill at their hands; since they therein do nothing but what other Princes do, and what we ourselves have thought fit to do in Friuli, and elsewhere: Nor hath the Duke of Savoy reason to complain of those Commands (as he calls them) which are laid upon him by the Spaniards, whilst it tends to the freeing of Italy from being continually troubled with her forces, and her neighbours from suspicion of novelty; otherwise I see not why the King should not be suffered to secure his own Dominions, except we will suffer the Duke to keep other men's possessions in continual expense and anxiety, and inhibit others, after having tried all fair ways to free themselves from it by force; as is allowed of by natural and civil reason, even amongst private men. Let us remember, I beseech you, how much we were troubled at the unexpected assault of Montferrat; how much all Italy was molested thereat; how much we ourselves did endeavour the comfort of the assaulted State, and the acquitting it from so sore and sudden troubles, both by assisting the Duke of Mantua, and by having recourse to the King of Spain: And let us argue from hence, if the aforesaid alleged may not suffice, what just reason, what fair colour we have to oppose the intention of the Spanish forces, procured, as I may say, by ourselves, for the peace and safety of present affairs: What jealousies would there be had of our word and constancy, if we should endeavour to oppose the King in a war wherein he hath interessed himself at our desires; and against a Prince, who being so nearly related to him both in blood and concernments, aught to be convinced, though he had those sinister intentions against us and other Princes, as are supposed to the contrary: You all know what great offers we did refuse made to us by the King of France if we would join with him against the Spanish Empire, when not m●…ny years ago, having a great Army on foot, and being confederate with manypowerful Princes, he prepared to make war against that Empire: We refused Cremona, Giaradada, and all the Coast of the Kingdom of Naples, which lies upon our Sea, because we desired rather to be esteemed peaceful preservers of our own affairs, then unquiet disturbers of other men's; because we thought it not safe to change the certainty of our present condition for specious future hopes, though great ones, nor to go out of a happy calm, and enter into a troublesome tempestuous sea of novelties. And shall the Duke of Savoy make us do that which the King of France, a King of such power and authority, environed with so great Forces, and adherences, could not persuade us to? if we sha●…l upon so slight terms become the Duke's followers in his unquietness; i●… we shall adhere to his will, partake of his quarrels, and undertake under pretence of the honour and liberty of Italy, to revenge his private quarrels with the Spanish Court, having been so jealous but a little before of his confederacy therewith; if we shall suffer ourselves for any conceits of his, to be enveloped in a War against a powerful King and Nation, whose Forces I know not how those who think them so formidable in time of peace, should think them so unconsiderable in times of War, as that to free themselves from jealousies which they fancy unto themselves in time of peace, they dare irritate them: since we have no reason at the present to be jealous of the Spaniards neighbourhood, and since we may probably fear it may prove prejudicial, if provoked; me thinks, we should conclude it were not good to innovate, or alter the peaceful condition of the present times; and that we should lay aside those conceits of Italy's liberty, which are so fair in appe●…rance, but in realty very uncertain and dangerous; and which, as cates which are most esteemed, are not meats to cure a sick person, but poison to kill him; so peradventure may they extinguish those vital spirits of liberty which we now enjoy. And this, in my opinion, is the likelier to fall out, for that they cannot be put in execution without much difficulty, by reason of the many contests they will meet withal in the bringing about, by reason of the present condition of times, and through the disagreeing of our Princes, who as formerly, so now, not being able to suffer that one should exceed another, would be the first to recall those foreign Nations in, which they now exclaim so much against. Nor hath the Duke of Savoy, who seems now so zealous for the common liberty, and to abhor so much the Spanish Empire, been always of that opinion. So as it will be hard for us to secure ourselves, but that when he shall be satisfied in his pretensions to Montferrat, he may afterwards, to the prejudice of the common liberty, re enter into the former privacy, and good intelligence with the King: For these Reasons, most excellent Senators, I conclude, that minding the safe Counsels of Peace, we may not in wrap ourselves in a dangerous War, and in the troubles which may result from a contrary resolution. These reasons did not please such, who detesting the Spanish greatness were much troubled to hear it so asserted; and yet though the Senate were not desirous that the Duke should be suppressed, lest the Spanish Grandezza might be thereby more increased, which being already swollen too high, they rather desired to see abased; yet the reputation of the Spanish Forces prevailing with them, and preferring their own safety and quiet before that of others, they considered not as then the contrary reasons, and pitched upon this last opinion; so as looking to be advised by more certain events, and not thinking the affairs as yet sufficiently in order, nor ripe enough for them to declare themselves, they held it not good to display their Sails to that wind which began to breathe from Piedmont: True it is, that for the Duke's better satisfaction, they sent Rainero Zeno into Piedmont with title of Ambassador Extraordinary, in lieu of the ordinary Ambassador, who when the business should be reconciled, was to be sent back; to the end that carrying on the business with more authority, the Duke's business might not seem to be totally abandoned by the Commonwealth: And there wanted not those who argued by the success, that they did not only foment the Duke by private advice and promises, but assisted him underhand with supplies. The Duke obtained not a much differing resolution from the Court of France, where he expected better things from the neighbouring dangers, from the vivacity of that Nation, and from the King's minority; for the Queen being assured by the King of Spain, that he would forbear all hostility in Italy, whensoever the Duke would consent to what was demanded, she was therewith satisfied, and endeavoured to make the Duke yield to the King's pleasure, in regard of the interest of her Nephew the Duke of Mantua, in whose behalf this new War was begun: Not listening therefore to any of the Duke's desires or complaints, she under severe penalties prohibited all her Subjects to take pay of him; and yet she also, for the honour of her Kingdom, and to give satisfaction to the Princes and Chief Lords of her Count, sen Charles' o' Anghienes Marquis of Rambolliette to Piedmont, Ambassador, to exhort the Duke to peace, with express commission, that if he should forbear to lay down Arms, fearing that he might be oppressed afterwards by the Spanish Forces, he should give him all such assurances as he himself could desire, and offer him the protection of that Crown, and the Forces of the whole Kingdom: Such was the public resolution of that Court which was then governed by the Queen, who was much inclined to preserve friendship with the Crown of Spain, for the Interest of her own authority and greatness, and for the quiet and safety also of her Sons affairs, which would be less subject to troubles and perturbation, by keeping peace, and good correspondency with his neighbours. That Court continued in the same mind for some years; though the King being come to the age of 14, and, according to the orders of the Kingdom, out of gardianship, took upon him the administration of affairs, and consequently the Queen's regency ceased. For depending wholly upon his Mother's authority, and advice, the change of Government was for a while insensible, the name of Governor being only altered. The new Kings first action was to ratify the Marriages contracted with Spain; and seeming to be desirous to keep fair correspondency therewith, the Duke of Savoy had small hopes of and good from France. And though he seemed abandoned of all help from thence, the Marshal de Dignieres, Governor of Dolphenye, sent good store of men continually unto him underhand. it not being known whether the Queen did wink thereat, or no; who hearing that many did murmur that the Duke in so urgent a necessity and danger should be abandoned, to the great diminution of the King's authority, and of the Kingdom's interest, did underhand give way that the King's resolution should be countervened; And therefore besides those that were sent by the Dignieres, many others falling down from the Alps, a good number of that Nation were in a short time found to be in Piedmont. By which the Duke being comforted, a●… also by the promises of other Princes; and being encouraged by the good beginning of the War (as it is usually seen that erterprises which at first appear fearful, grow by degrees less dreadful) he began to confide more in himself; and looking for greater successes, he was content to be entreated to do that which he bade much reason to desire. So as the words nor persuasions of the French Ambassador prevailed but a little with him; nor yet those of Monsieur Giulio Savelli, who was likewise sent extraordinary Ambassador upon the same occasion to Piedmont by the Pope. For the Duke persisting in not composing the affairs of Mantua, without having some part of Montferrat given him, and denying to lay down arms, unless the Governor should do so likewise; he refused also to refer the differences to be decided by the Emperor, being jealous of him; but he consented to refer it to the King of France, and to the King of England, to which he knew neither the King of Spain, nor Duke of Mantua would agree. It seemed therefore very hard to reconcile them; and the less, for that the Duke of Savoy growing bold by the Spanish Armies going out of Piedmont, and by their lazy entertaining themselves about the building of the new Fort, not caring much to pursue the War: he thought he was the more secured from any new assaults. Wherefore sending daily Troops of horse out of Vercelles, which foording over the very River of the Sesia in sight of the enemy's Army, which the Governor in the Duke's absence durst not pass thorough with a numerous and gallant Army, they dared to insult over the Soldiers which were busied about the Fort, without either fear or respect, though but by a snatch and away. And the Governor being wholly intent about building the Fort, did not only not care to suppress their insolence, but would not follow the advice of many of the Commanders, who thinking it bootless and dishonourable to busy the whole Army about building a Fort, which stood in the Kings own ground, advised to send part thereof in the interim to prejudice Piedmont, where the Duke being employed about the guarding and defending of Vercelles, it was probable they might make some good progress. But the Duke's affairs, which seemed to be secure from any hostile act, or at least were not troubled with any, ran unexpectedly great hazard at home. For the French and Swissers which were under the Duke's pay, mutinying upon a small occasion, put the City of Vercelles, in defence whereof they were then employed, in great danger, and confusion: nor was the danger of a greater sedition small, nor the Duke's labour less in appeasing it; but being at last quieted, the French, as who were suspected of novelty and alteration, were distributed into several quarters about the City. The Duke's resistance being this mean while known in Spain, and what had happened in Italy, contrary to that Courts expectation, the King and Council were not a little incensed, they thought the King's honour and authority to be highly offended; therefore minding resentment more than the appeasing of rumours, they thought it necessary to alter their first orders, and to take a more severe course in making the Duke acknowledge the Kings Grandezza, which by his entering into the State of Milan in hostile manner, he seemed to value but a little. They therefore commanded the Governor and their other Officers in Italy, that they should proceed no longer against the Duke with such respect as formerly, but with all bitterness and severity. To which end they gave out orders, and made extraordinary provisions. The Ambassador Vives was returned from the Camp to Genoa, who having sent some scouts to Nizza di Provensa, and to Villa Franca, brought back word, that the Castle of Nice, though otherwise very strong, had only a Garrison of 150 Soldiers in it, and but little Ammunition; That the City was safe on the one side from being injured by the Castle; That the Citizens were but ill satisfied with the Prince; That the Passes in Piedmont, which were situated on steep Cliffs, might be unexpectedly taken by a few Soldiers, and be by them defended; which being taken, that the Castle and City could not be relieved, and therefore might be easily mastered by any who should go thither with convenient Forces: They also said, that the Castle of Villa Franca, a spacious and safe harbour, was but weakly walled, guarded only by 50 Soldiers, and subject to be played upon on several sides, that howsoever, Cape San Sespiro, a place commodious to land in, and very near Villa Franca, might easily be surprised and fortified, as not being provided either of Guards or Fortifications; he therefore proposed either of these two enterprises, as feasible, to the King; the rather, for that he being Master of the Sea, had the whole River of Genoa, together with the Haven of Monaco, for his friends; so as if either of these two enterprises should be taken in hand, at the same time that the Land-Army should enter Piedmont, it might be probably hoped that landing between six and eight thousand men in those parts, they might easily be effected; or if they should meet therein with any greater difficulties, it would howsoever be very advantageous to make the attempt, by reason of the great diversion it would be to the affairs of Piedmont, The Court was pleased with this proposal, and it was presently ordered to be put in hand; so as necessary provision and materials were furnished from Genua, by the said Vives: and the people which were come from Naples, and those which were shortly expected from Sicily, were deputed for that service: but because contrary winds caused much delay, the Duke had notice of the Enemy's design, and fortified Cape San Sespiro, reinforced the Garrison of Nice, and of his other Maritime Towns; therefore the Governor, either that he might not irritate the French, when they should see the places confining upon Prevence assaulted, and to which they have ancient pretences, or finding the difficulties, and that they were prevented by the Duke, forwent these their first intentions, and fell to besiege Oneglia, a Town belonging to the Duke, 40 miles distant from Nice, towards Genua; wherefore Prince Philibertus being gone for Spain, though the Galleys which were expected with men from Spain; were not yet come, yet Don Alvero Bassano, Marquis of Sancta Croce, Captain of the Neapolitan Galleys, went thither with his Galleys, and with those that keep usually in the Haven at Genua, commanded by Don Andrea Doria; in them there were six Ne●…politan Companies, under Vespatiano Macedonico, and eight Spanish, under Pietro Sermiento, Campmaster. Oneglia is a Town di 500 fuochis, upon the sea shore, having on the east side craggy hills; on the west it is watered as it were with a little river, beyond which stand some hills, which entering into the sea make the Premontory, commonly called Cape St. Lazero, her jurisdiction towards the sea lies near the mountain and the river; it extends much further on the land side, having the command of three very fruitful 〈◊〉 peopled by 60 Villages: besides which there are other two, Maro, and Perla; which belong likewise unto the Duke. The place itself, never having seen the face of an Enemy, is not any ways fortified, unless with a Castle built after the ancient manner, and by a Bulwark towards the sea, which serves rather to keep out Pirates, then to fortify the Town. But the Duke's Commanders and Soldiers being entered thereinto, they made divers Fortifications there; they drew a trench along the river on the West side, and a bank of sand along the shore; for it was defended on the north side by a Country of friends, and on the east by craggy hills. Count Lodevico della Moretta, Marques di Dogliano, commanded there in chief; who had with him many Captains, and Soldiers, as well of the neighbouring Valleys, as sent by directions and order from Piedmont. Sancta Croce landed his men on the 19 of November, by permission from the Commonwealth, beyond Cape St. Lazero: and though his leave to land was upon condition that he should not make any they in her Territories; yet making no account thereof, St. Crece quartered himself on this side the river, and planting his battery there he begun to command the Campagnia, and to remove all impedments. The next night he sent some of his men beyond the river, who after a stour dispute having gained the further bank, made themselves masters of many ways which led unto the walls: and at the same time bringing two pieces of Artillery upon the Piazza of St. Moro, to begin the battery from thence, they beat back above 500 Soldiers from the Trenches and Rampires which they had made thereabouts, with loss of only eight assailants, and some that were wounded. But being there infested by others, who were fortified in some other houses which stood a little higher, and by certain Mortar-pieces, which were placed on the Duke's Palace, he turned his Artillery thither-ward, beat down the houses, and boldly assaulting them, he repulsed the defendants who were 300 in number, and pursued them to the Covent of St Augustini, whither they retreated in great disorder. The Covent was immediately environed with Trenches, which was very opportunely seated for defence of the Town, and was played upon all that night, 400 of the Garrison, who were there, defending themselves very valiantly. This mean while the Galleys lay not idle, but landing men came upon Oneglia, cleared the Campagnia with their Artillery, and beat down the tops of the houses, though that they that were within endeavoured to keep them off with the Artillery of the Castle, and of the Bastion, which was on the sea side. And landing a great Cannon between the river and Cape St. Lazere, they therewithal slew many upon the Trenches. Those who were within defended themselves manfully, but their Ammunition grew low, as was conceived by their so seldom shooting; and a Falluca loaded with Muniton which was sent from Villa Franca was intercepted by the Galleys, so as they grew daily more and more to despair of succour. For Count Guido, who fell down from Piedmont to this purpose with 200 Horse, and 500 Foot, being necessarily to pass thorough the Territories of Genua, was denied passage. It was therefore thought the Town would be soon surrendered; and those within had already obtained Truce for three hours, by means of a Capuchin Friar, seeming as if they would yield up the Town, but with intention that they might fortify themselves the better; for the Rampire's being finished a little before the time of Truce expired, they let fly a piece of Artillery into the Camp, and gave a furious volley of Musket shot from the Monastery. On the other side, those without reinforced their batteries on many parts, but did no great good thereby, the defendants making valiant resistance, and killing many of the assailants. This mean while the six Galleys came from Sicily, and brought with them eight Colours of Spanish Foot, of the usual Garrison of that Island, commanded by Don Diego Piementello. Which whilst they were landed beyond Cape St. Lazero, the remainder of the former Foot who were quartered on this side, in the Commonwealths Territories, were sent over the water into the parts about Oneglia, and by means of a Capuchin Fria, a Truce for three days was again endeavoured, upon condition that if in the interim they should not be relieved, the Town should be surrendered; but this was not yielded to by Sancta Croce. Whereupon many of the Towns men fearing to be sacked, or to be put to some miserable ruin, went over into the State of Genua; and 200 of the Country people who were set to guard a certain Ditch near the Gate, forsook it, and fled away by night. Wherefore the Spaniards advancing even to the Church St Martino, without any withstanding, made themselves masters of all the parts that were about Oneglia on the land side; and had they not been hindered by great rain, and by the river which swells very high in those parts, they would certainly have ended their work then. But the waters being fallen, those within drew two pieces of Cannon just over against the Gate of the Town, and by means of the Capuchin who had past several times before between them and the enemy, they desired, and obtained leave, to march out with their Colours flying, Drums beating, with their Arms and Baggage, and with a safe conduct. Whereupon the Marquis Degliano publicly complaining that the place was lost by the accommodation, and Munition which was afforded by the Commonwealth to the King's Commanders, and by giving way to the intercepting of the succour which was sent by the Duke, went out the fifth day after the landing of the first men, and with him went out twelve Colours, besides many Townsmen, and others of the neighbouring Villages, who swearing loyalty to the Spanish Commanders, tarried in the Country. But Count Guido, who was kept, as hath been said, from relieving Oneglias, went into the Marquisate of Zuccherello, an Imperial Feudatory which lying between the Duke's Territories, and those of the Commonwealth, serves as a Gate whereby to enter Piedmont. And carrying Count Odo Rovero along with him, withdrew all that jurisdiction, except Castello Veccohio, which was the Marquis his place of residence, and who was then absent, into his power. Where though there was neither Ammunition, Artillery, nor Soldiers; yet the enemy not being able to bring their Artillery thither without much labour; and 500 of the Subjects of the Commonwealth being at that instant come into Castle Vecchio, to whom the Emperor had committed the protection of the Marquisate, some resistance was made for some days: yea with the death of some of the oppugners: but afterwards their Ammunition and succour failing them, they yielded the Castle upon Articles. But all things were not quiet in the Valley of Oneglia, by reason of the Castle of Maro; whither the Duke's Captains, at their marching out of Oneglia, sent 300 Foot under Cavalier Broglia, who having fortified it, and furnished it well with Munition, it was thought it would be hard to take, for it was seated between craggy Rocks and cliffs; and from hence he infested the Towns in the Valley of Oneglia with often salleys, and forced them to pay great contributions; for after having sworn fealty to the King, he esteemed them Enemies, and Rebels to the Duke. After the taking of Oneglia, Sancta Croce was gone to Naples, and returned from thence; and had brought with him in his Galleys 3000 Neapolitans, under the Campmaster Thomaso Carassiol●…, and many other provisions for the enterprise of Villa Franca, which the Spanish Commanders were still bend upon. But the Governor had always been against it, and by a Secretary which he had lately dispatched away into Spain, had propounded many difficulties to the King's Counsel, whereby he had not a precise order to desist from it. It was therefore resolved that they should go to the taking in of Maro, to the which 3000 Foot, part Neapolitans and part Spaniards, with three pieces of Cannon, and 2000 other Foot of the Valley of Oneglia, were sent, commanded by jovan jeronimo Doria, a very valiant Commander. Doria began the battery immediately; and having quickly beaten down part of the Wall, he ordered an assault to be given the second night, not only where the wall was broken down, but also on two other sides, to the end that he might divide the defendants. And that all this might be done at one and the same time, the firing of a Cannon was the sign of falling on. But some of the assailants having missed their way, and others been too slow in coming to the place appointed, only the Spaniards, who were to assault the Town where the Wall was beaten down, fell on, entered the Town, and maintained fight a long whil●…, till such time as great stones being thrown down upon them, and beams from the tops of the highest houses, and out of windows, they were forced to retreat, with loss of two of their men, and 35 who had their heads broke; amongst which Emanuel di Luna, their Captain. The battery continued afterward two days, on two several parts; when Doria finding businesses reduced to that pass of coming to an assault again, he gave order for it, as before, on three several parts; which being valiantly performed in all the parts, and the defendants playing their parts valiantly, Broglia, who had taken some rest by reason of the pains he had taken the preceding night, came from the Castle to assist his men; but as he was either retiring into the Castle, or as he was carrying succour to another place where he heard a new tumult, he was run thorough with a Pike by a Spaniard, by whose death the defendants being dismayed, they retreared all into the Castle, which they surrendered not long after, upon permission to march out with their Arms and Baggage. Whilst the King's Forces were thus busied in the Maritime parts, the building of the Fort Sandoval went on; and the Nuntio Savelli, and the French Ambassador, laboured, though in vain, to compose Affairs. The difficulty lay on the Governors' behalf, who, according to the King's Orders, would have the Duke to lay down Arms; which the Duke denied to do, fearing, as he alleged, the Spanish Forces, if he should do so. But the Nuntio, and the Ambassador, finding that fear to be in effect vain, and that the Duke's backwardness did not depend thereon, but rather upon a desire of having some part of Montferrat allotted him by agreement, without which they saw him resolute not to lay down Arms, they framed some Capitulations, wherein giving him some satisfaction in that behalf, they obliged him to disarm upon the Governors bare word, in the name of the King of France, and upon the promise of the said Governor, that he also would soon after disband all his men. The Duke was not hereat displeased; but foregoing his former obdurancy, out of hopes of soon obtaining part of Montferrat, he did not insist so much as he had done upon the form of disarming, and was persuaded to accept of the proposal. Yet were it either that the Articles were cunningly contrived, that the Duke giving free consent to the Article of disarming, wherein the difficulty lay, his fair pretence of providing for his own safety might be taken way; or that the Governor thought the Articles repugnant to three points of the King's Decree, the Governor refused to accept of them, so as the business was not perfected; the rather, for that the Governor boasting that he would chastise the Duke for his having entered the King's Dominions in a hostile manner, said he could not consent to any agreement, unless the Duke should humble himself to the King, and ask his pardon, for having offended him, by entering his Territories in hostile manner; and therefore although the midst of November was over before the Fort was finished, and the weather consequently grown very sharp; and though the Army, which was much lessened by mortality, and by the running away of many, aught to have been brought into winter Quarters, yet the Governor, being thereunto solicited by many of his Captains, and much pressed by many of the Officers of the Court, who by their Letters desired very much to see the Duke's contumacy severely punished by some signal action, resolved to go to before Asti; for he despaired of getting Vercelles, the Duke being there in person with the greatest part of his men. This proposal had been several times pressed, even from the very first beginning of the war, by Rodorigo Oroseo, Marquis of Mortara, and Governor of Allessandria; who being a Soldier, and desirous to signalise himself, promised the Governor that he would easily take it, if he would give him 4000 Foot, and 500 Horse; but the Governor not giving way thereunto, he grew more fervent therein, when he saw the Duke busied in building the Fort, hoping that he might get it the more easily, for that the Duke keeping at Vercelles by reason of the neighbourhood of his Enemies, could not divert him, nor send any considerable Forces to relieve it. Now the times being altered, and what was more to be considered, the form and design of the enterprise being varied, the Governor would of himself attempt it with all his Forces; and therefore leaving a sufficient Garrison in Sandoval, and having sent away the Artillery before by the Tannaro, he attempted to come before it with 1200 Horse, 3000 Dutch Foot, and 4000 Foot more of several Nations: But the Duke as soon as he saw Vercelles free from the Enemy's neighbourhood, leaving his youngest Son Prince Thomaso there, with a reasonable Garrison, went with the rest of his men to the defence of Asti, passing over the Po by a Bridge, which he quickly threw over between Crescentino and Verrua; and whilst the Nuntio and the Ambassador entertained the Governor with divers promises, that they would bring the Duke to disarm, thereby making him lose much time; the Duke minded the more the fortifying of the walls, and of other fitting places, for the defence of that City. The Governors' heat was somewhet cooled by the Duke's coming to Asti, and much more by the French, which he knew fell down into Piedmont; wherefore he ordered jovan Bravo, who had already taken up his Quarters at Quarto, a Village near the City, to retreat back into Annone; and the season growing then to be very sharp and cold, he was much confused, and found no less difficulty in this Enterprise than in that of Vercelles: He saw himself so far advanced as he could not with honour retreat; to winter his Army about the City was very incommodious and dangerous; to return once more b●…ck to the State of Milan did too much repugn the protestations and threats which he had given out; he could not therefore do it without much blame, and loss of Honour, and without being subject to many severe reprehensions from the Court; therefore calling a Counsel of War, he asked his Field-Officers advice concerning the manner, and possibility of quartering that Winter in the Duke's Country. Several were the opinions; many were against, many for quartering there: the former alleged the bitterness of the season, the weakness, and far distance between the places wherein they were to distribute their Army, the Duke's being present there; who being in a great City, and capable of receiving all his men, might sally out and suppress, one by one, all the places wherein their men should be quartered, before, being so far from one another, they could join time enough in the common defence. They therefore concluded, it was better to amend the first resolution, of coming before Asti, then by persevering in the error be subject to the danger and mischief which might result thereupon. The others pleaded, and chiefly Morara, the chief promoter of the enterprise, the conveniences of the Quarters by reason of the vicinity of the State of Milan, and of Montferrat, from whence provisions might be conveniently brought; and also the safety thereof, in the Towns of that Country capable to quarter the whole Army, which being fortified by Trenches would be able to withstand sudden assaults, till such time as succour might be brought from the neighbouring places. They mentioned many good effects which might result therefrom; first, the preservation of the honour of the King's Forces, which otherwise would be totally lost; that the State of Milan would be that Winter eased from the charge of quartering; and on the contrary, the enemy's Country troubled therewith: which would be thereby kept from assaulting the King's Towns, as they formerly had done, and publicly threatened to do again; that it was probably to be hoped that time might afford occasions of making themselves masters of the City that very Winter; if the Duke not being able, (as he was not likely to be) to keep his men long together without moneys, they should chance to mutiny, or any other unthought of accident should fall out. And as for the bitterness of the season, they said it was not now to be taken into consideration, the Army being already in the enemy's Country; and since it differed not much from that when they went from the Novarese. In this ambiguity of opinions the Governor sent some Commanders to discover the Country beyong the Tanaro; and then going with part of his men by a Bridge, which he threw over at Roccad' Arazzo, he ordered Mortara to possess himself with Bravoes Brigado of a Town called Zam, up the River overagainst the City, which being easily taken, he went against 1000 men which he saw passing in boats over the Tanaro. But they being quickly repassed, and joined with the rest of the Duke's men, they began to skirmish with Muskets on both side the banks, not without the prejudice and death of some of both the parties, amongst which two Spanish Captains, who were shot with a Cannon-bullet from the opposite bank, where the Duke himself appeared in a red Coat, encouraging his Soldiers, giving fire to the Artille●…y with his own hands. The Commanders being returned made their relations according to their several opinions. Mortara said the Army might be commodiously quartered there; but Don Francisco Padiglia, General of the Artillery, Don Sanchio Selina, and Barnabo Barbo, Commissary-general, who were sent to the same purpose by the Governor, were of a contrary opinion. And the Governor being sorry that he had come thither, desired nothing more than a fair occasion to retreat, which he was offered by the Nuntio, and French Ambassador by proposal of new Capitulations, conformable enough to the King's decree, and already accepted of, and subscribed by the Duke: But the Governor persisting still that there was no way left to execute the King's decree, unless the Duke did first ask the King pardon for the injury he had done after the decree, all were scandalised at so proud a pretention; and the French Ambassador told him freely, that it was not an action fit for a free Prince, to ask pardon; nor was it ever demanded from the said Duke, when, not many years before, a pacification was made between him and the King of France, though unprovoked, he had not only assaulted the King's Territories, but taken some of them; and that the Capitulation was conformable to the King of Spain's mind, and such as the Governor ought not to refuse. At this very time the Ambassador Vives, being sent for by the Governor, was returned to the Camp, who before he came from Genoa was present at a consultation had between Sancta Croce, Don Piedro di Sieva, Captain of the Sicilian Band, Don Carlo Doria, and the Camp-masters Don Diego Pimontello, and Don Piedro Sarmiento; The result whereof was, that it was absolutely necessary for maintaining the dignity of the Crown, and the authority of his Majesty's Arms, to quarter that Winter in Piedmont; wherewith he acquainted the Governor, who was already more inclined to depart, then to tarry; he persuaded him likewise by many Reasons to tarry there, at least till such time as having made some notable resentment, which might tend to the punishment of the Duke, Peace might be concluded upon honourable terms. And because the Duke seemed to be much perplexed, lest (as he professed) by the exclusion of Peace, some new breach might ensue between the two Crowns, Vives endeavoured to free him from any such suspicion, showing him, that by new orders had from the Court, by which, without listening to any treaty of peace, he was absolutely commanded to keep the War on foot; the Governor had good occasion to excuse himself to the Ambassadors, and to delay the accepting of the Capitulations which were proposed, till new orders might come from the King; and that the mean while by continuing the War orderly and boldly, some honourable action might be luckily light upon, which might make way for the King to enter into a treaty of peace with honour and reputation. And he added, that otherwise the Duke must needs pass unpunished for the injuries done unto the King, if the Governor should either immediately accept of the Articles of p●…ace, or coming out of Piedmont without doing any thing, might suffer those same Princes to apply themselves to the King for accepting of the same Capitulations. For in such a case, the King not being able to refuse them, because they contain the three points propounded by his Majesty, he should be constrained to agree with the Duke, without taking that revenge, or making that resentment, which he intended to do. Moreover, he said it would be very dangerous that the Duke, seeing him and his Army retreated, might again assault the State of Milan, and infest it with often inroads. These and many other Reasons urged, by Vives, could not work upon the Governor, who was desirous every day more than other to return to Milan. Wherefore the business being propounded in Counsel, after a long discussion, two things were at last resolved upon; the one, not to accept the Capitulations of peace; the other, that they would go out of Piedmont. For the first, they alleged the precise orders from the King; for the second, the common custom, of bringing their Camps to their Winter quarters in October, and in May into the field. And because the Governor had told the Nuntio, and the Ambassador, that it was necessary to send those Capitulations first into Spain, they desired a Truce in the interim for forty days: which it was again disputed whether or no it stood with the reputation of the retreat, to give way thereunto. And it was concluded in the negative, because it was contrary to the King's orders; therefore the Governor sent the Capitulations into Spain, and having tacitly afforded a longer Truce than they had expressly refused to do, he returned with his Army into the State of Milan, after having stayed only six days in the Duke's Dominions. So this second entrance of the Spanish Army into Piedmont, which was publicly protested to be made to chastise the Duke, had no better success, nor won no greater reputation than did the first. Nay, at the same time that the Governor stood consulting before Asti, Prince Thomaso went by night out of Vercelles with a body of Foot and Horse, and on the sudden assaulted Candia, a Town belonging to the King; and beating down the Gate with a Petard, he put it to fire and sword: and having stayed there all night, he returned safe the next morning to Vercelles, receiving no offence from the Garrisou of Sandoval, which was not far from thence. An action, which though the Duke protested to proceed without any order from him, and before his son had notice of the Capitulation subscribed by him, yet it was commonly thought that to revenge himself for this second assault, and to free his State once more by diversion, he had commanded his son to do it. The Governor being returned, he made the Duke be by public Proclamation declared to have forfeited the Dom nion of the City and Country of Asti, and of the like of Santia, by his hostile acts committed against the State of Milan; pretending that those Towns held in Fee of the said State, and the Bills thereof were published at the beat of Drum, and fastened in some parts of that Country confining upon the State of Milan. Against which Proclamation the Duke made another Edict be published, wherein denying absolutely that he held those Towns in Fee from the Chamber of Milan, and that therefore they could not be proceeded against by way of confiseation, he contradicted the Proclamation, terming it foolish and ridiculous, and commanded his Subjects to keep their wont loyalty and obedience to him. He afterwards possessed himself of some other Imperial Fee-towns in the Langhe; and amongst those some that held of the Chamber of Milan; the Governor not taking any notice the●…eof, unless it were that fearing the Duke might draw nearer the sea, he sent Don Lewis di Cordia, Don Piedro Sarmiento, Don jeronymo Pimontello and Thomaso Caracciolo to quarter in those parts with their Brigadoes; and some Companies of jovan Piedro Zerbelloves' Brigade; and afterwards being advised thereunto by Sancta Croce, and Don Carlo Poria, who were come into Allessandria, he orde●…ed Don Piedro Sarmiento, to 〈◊〉 himself of Montbaldne, Dente, Roccaverano, and Cortemiglia; by which places the Spaniards became masters of all that Country, which lying between the River of Genoa, and the lower Montferrat, is called Le Langhe. Montbaldone and Dente came in immediately to Sarmieneo, who going with his Artillery to Roccaverano, it is not known for what cause; and therefore not without wonder to all men, he had new orders to supersede; wherefore retiring back, the Duke sent 100 Foot to re enforce the Garrison of Cortemiglia, he afterwards took Bozalasco, Gorzegno, Manoxino, and other Towns thereabouts; this was the success of the Wars of Piedmont, in the year 1614: at the end whereof the Governor went to Milan, to take order for greater provisions for War the next year; and two Millions of Ducats being come to the Haven of Genoa, part whereof was for the Army in Flanders, part for that in Lombardy, the Gabels upon Merchandise, and other things, was increased to above a third part in Milan; The sum whereof being turned into annual revenue, and a good part thereof sold to particular persons, brought great store of moneys into the Exchequer, which were afterwards assigned for the War, which was noised would be great the next year. Levies of men were ordered to be made in Germany, Switzerland, in the Kingdom of Naples, and in Lombardy; and not herewith all content, the King desired the Genoeses, the great Duke of Tuscany, the Duke of Urbino, Duke of Parma, and the Commonwealth of Lucca, to send such men to the State of Milan, as either for their own concernments, or by the condition of obligation they were bound to do; and he did this not so much out of necessity, as for the honour of the undertaking, and to show how much the Princes of Italy did adhere to the King's party, yea even against an Italian Prince. The Princes of Italy were not well pleased to see him proceed with such a bulk of War against the Duke; for though the defence and protection of Montferrat, and the preservation of public peace, had at first rendered the title and cause of the Spanish Forces less odious; yet since the end was now altered, and that revenge was endeavoured, which made them apprehend worse things, they began in respect of the common interest, to abhor the proceeding; and yet Urbino, Parma, and Lucca, preferring the King's Authority before any other respect, yielded easily to the King's request. The great Duke made some difficulty, alleging that being obliged to send 4000 Foot and 400 Horse, for the State of Sienna, which he held in Fee from the Crown of Spain, to defend the State of Milan; he was not now bound to do it, when as the State making an offensive and not a defensive War, his obligation and tenure thereof was enlarged, the example being of great consequence, and of greater prejudice: but reply being made, that that which assaulteth must of necessity also be defended, his excuse was not accepted of; chiefly since (as it was said) he who held so great a State in Fee from the King ought not to stand so precisely upon the words of his obligation. It was therefore agreed, that 2000 Foot should effectually be sent, which should serve to defend the State, and not to offend the Duke, and some supplies of money were sent; the Genueses case was otherwise, who not being requi●…ed to administer relief out of any obligation, but only by way of fiendship and correspondency, and for the great Interest which they had in the Crown of Spain, excused themselves upon the necessity they had to guard their Confines towards Piedmont, and to keep the Sea and River open for the passage of the people which came to the State of Milan; which Reasons gave satisfaction. The Duke was not this mean while idle; for being much encouraged by the past successes, and having, after he saw the Governor once more gone out of Piedmont, quartered his men in several parts of the State, he was wholly bend upon descending himself, and not upon agreement. He solicited the promised assistance of the Transalpine Princes, and guessing at what was to come, by what was past, he grew so confident, that as he was wont to say, his own person was sufficient for half the Spanish preparations: Yet the fear of the future war grew daily greater, and was confirmed by the knowledge, that though the King had declared it did not become a free Prince to ask pardon of another Prince upon the making of peace; and that therefore he never expected any such thing from the Duke; yet with an intention of resenting what the Duke had done in his Dominions, he had openly refused to accept of the last Capitulation subscribed by the Duke: But this fear was much more increased by the retaining a Post, who coming from Spain was taken Prisoner as he passed in a little Bark from Antibo to Finale, and was sent to Turin with the Kings and Counsels Letters? the which being opened and Printed, the Duke caused to be divulged throughout Italy, together with other Writings, wherein he justified his own actions, tending (as he said) only to the defence of his own State, which is so natural for all men to do, and to the preservation of peace: To obtain the which, he added, he had not refused any submission which became a free Prince: And because the King's Lettess, and those of his Counsel, contained bitter complaints of what had happened, and sharp reprehensions of the Governors' actions; and breathing forth nothing but fire and threats, charged him with having troubled him with grievous war: The Duke, taking his rise from their apprehensions, filled the Papers with grievous Revile of the Spanish Nation, blaming the Spaniards without any respect, That under the fair pretence of peace, they aimed only at the usurpation of his State; and that therefore the King, refusing the just Capitulations subscribed by him the Duke, did incite all the Princes of Italy against him, drawing forth all the usual Garrisons of the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, pardoning the most heinous offenders, as if he did proceed with all his Forces and Authority, against an enemy to Christendom: Nor did the following actions delay the confirmation of the fear of the future war; for hardly was the tacit Truce occasioned by the sharpness of the season, ceased, when Arms were taken up with greater fervour about the end of March, 1615. Cordona's Spaniards, who were quartered in the Langhe, were the first that moved; who through intelligence held with those of Roccaurano, who were weary of the French Garrison, entered the Town by night through a hole made in the walls, and slew some of the French, the rest whereof retired into the Castle, and made themselves Masters of the Town, and the next day of the Castle, which could not he relieved, the Passes and Avenues thereunto being anticipately possessed: The Duke being awakened, as one out of a deep sleep, by the loss of Roccaurano, who had been quiet enough in Turin, began to doubt Cortemiglia, whither he presently sent some Regiments of Piedmontesans, and 800 Swissers; and coming from thence to Cherasco, he furnished all his men in those parts with Ammunition and Artillery: But the Spaniards perceiving by Letters which were intercepted that Count Guido went to the recovery of Roccaurano, and that to that end the Count was come with some men to Castine; Mortara, Governor of Alessandria, being sent to for succour by Cordova, who was anxious of the mustering of men made by the Duke not far from his own and his companions quarters, sent him 1000 Foot, advising him to assemble together all the Soldiers which were quartered in those parts, lest being asunder they might be the more easily oppressed by the Duke: And giving notice of every the least particular to the Governor, and having after much pressing obtained means, money, and munition from him, whereby to come into the field, he went from Alessandria with 600 Soldiers, five Troops of Horse, and two field-pieces; and having given order to jeronymo Pimontello, and to jeronymo Gamboloita, to go with a thousand Soldiers which yet remained with them from Tortona to Castine, he himself directed his course also thitherward: Here he thought to muster a body of 5000 Foot, and 600 Horse, all commanded men, and most of them Spaniards; and confided so much in their valour, as persuading that the Duke's men would not be able to make head against him, he promised himself secure victory at the first encounter: Bistagno, a Town of above a hundred and more Families, belonging to Montferrat, lies between Cassine and Cortemiglia; and being upon the rode-way which comes from the Sea, it is of no small moment for the safety of the usual passage of people, who coming from the Ligustick Sea, pass into the State of Milan: Hither came Mortara, lest the place might be prepossessed by the Duke; and with him came Pimontello and Gamboloita, with the men of Tortora; and not long after Cordova, who had left his Brigade in Spain; and by order from the Governor, Don Sanchio Selina likewise, and Caracciolo, to assist and advise Mortara; whose too great fervour made the Governor apprehend some inconvenience. Gamboloita was sent with his men, and some few Horse, to defend Monastero, a place two miles beyond Bistagno, for the safeguard of Cordova's men, who were to come from Spigno to Bistagno; but the Duke thought he had assuredly caught Mortara, and the other Captains, in a noose, when he saw them come thither with so few men: Wherefore placing the hope of so happy success in speed, he came out of Cherasco, and throwing a Bridge suddenly over the Tenaro, he passed over to Neviglie, and came that way to Castino, and so to Cortemiglia; where leaving the Swissers, and a great Garrison under the Commendatore della Motta, he parted on the 16th of April, being holy Thursday, towards Bistagno, with 1200 Horse, and about 7000 Foot; and thinking to get thither early in the morning, and to have taken the enemy at unawares, he marched apace all that night; but being held play by the Garrison of Vezema, as he passed over the Bridge at Bormia, which is near the Castle; and having lost some time the n●…xt morning in sacking and burning Cassinasco, a little Village which h●…d the boldness to resist him, he marred his design; for Mortara, having notice of the Kings coming, whilst he was at Dinner, sent Cordova presently away towards his Brigade, he sent to his men who were quartered in the neighbouring parts, to come to Bistagno, and getting immediately on horseback with Selina and Caracciolo, and followed with a Troop of Horse with Musqueteers en Crupe, he went towards the Hill which leads to Cassinisco, to encounter the enemy; but having advanced courageously, and placed some of his Musqueteers to defend the Passes, he returned back immediately to take order for the defence of Bistagno; where his men stood in battle array, ready to receive the enemy; but being astonished at the great number of men which they saw come down the Hill with the Duke, they suddenly retired to within the walls of the Town; and having flanked the Gate with earth, they put themselves orderly in a defensive posture; and Skirmished all that day and the next night, seeking to keep the enemy aloof off, lest coming near they might throw down the wall with Spades and Pick axes: The mean time Salino, Pimontello, Caracciolo, and chiefly Mortara's self, though he was then troubled with the Gout, sometimes on horseback, sometimes carried in a Chair, went comforting, (providing for what was needful) and encouraging the Soldiers; in whose assistance the Towns-folk, yea, even the women, laboured with much affection and zeal, though the Duke had sent Letters before his arrival to the Consuls and Officers of that Communality; wherein he professed his only aim was to secure his own State, and to drive the Spaniards from thence, promising safety both of life and livelihoods; but failing in his hopes of taking Bistagno by surprisal, he be took himself to force, and because he wanted great Guns, which were left behind by reason of the speed of their march, he began to block up the Avenues, so to hinder relief. He first repulsed Gamboloita, who marching with his men from Monastero would have gotten into Bistagno; and not long after the same Gamboloita joining with those who came with Cordua from Spigno to relieve Mortara, they were both of them set upon by the Duke's men, led on by Cavalier Boglia, and Monsieur di Polimia, as they descended the Mountain beyond Bormia; and after a Skirmish of three hours, they were forced to retreat towards the top of the Mountain, and to desist from the enterprise, having won more praise for their daring, then for Military discipline, and left about 200 fight men behind them. The news of the danger Bistagno was in being divulged round about, and afterwards throughout all Italy, turned the eyes and minds of all men upon the Duke; not only for the danger those Commanders, who were the chiefest of all the Spanish Army, were in of being made prisoners, and the destruction of the men that were there, but because upon the taking of that little Town the scattering of all those other men who were quartered in the Langhe, did depend; who being Ve●…eran Soldiers, and most of them Spaniards, were thought to be the sinews of that Militia, and the foundation of the Empire of th●…t Nation in Italy: Moreover the Duke by his taking of Bistagne, would have been master of all the Langhe, and would not only have been a great hindrance to the succours which were expected from beyond Sea; but by assaulting Finale, or the River of Genoa, he would have freed his own State for that year from the war wherewith it was threatened, and would have forced the Governor to have made either his own Country, or that of the friends and Confederates of the Crown, the Seat of war: He was therefore admired and exalted, even to the Stars, for his Courage, Counsel, and Conduct; for that when he seemed to be placed in an abyss of ruin, having such great forces ordained against him, and being so sorely threatened, he rose up more courageously, and with greater vigour; and had reduced the affairs of so potent an enemy into so difficult and dangerous a condition, and particularly those of Mortara; who presuming more than any other Spanish Commander whatsoever, hath several times vaunted, and particularly in a Letter which he writ at his parting from Alessandria to Don Carlo Doria, at Genoa; that he was gone to take the Duke Prisoner: But fortune, which doth usually disturb well-weighed designs, looked not with a favourable aspect upon this the Duke's enterprise; for the greater Guns tarrying behind by reason of the Duke's speedy march towards Bistagno, and his being hindered by the cragginess of the ways, and the deepness thereof, he lost his design; so as not being able to do any thing of moment with only two small pieces, especially by reason of the sacks full of earth and straw which the Defendants hung out upon ropes, Mortara had leisure to hold him play till succour came; which the Duke fearing, and yet being resolved to do his utmost, he came to the wall with Spade and Pick-Ax, to throw it down; and attempted in the dark of night to make a furious assault; he at the same time made the Pyoneers approach, and put for the ultimate trial of his and the enemy's fortune; but the Defendants being encouraged, by seeing how little effect the Duke's Artillery did, resisted stoutly here also; For having notice of the Duke's intention, they were very vigilant in making defence; and did so clear the darkness with Faggots and Granades, which they threw into the Ditch, as they might see to hit those that approached the walls; and so rendered this the Dukes endeavour vain, as they had done the rest. This mean while the Governor of Milan hearing at Pavia what danger Mortara was in, though there was no good intelligence held between them, because Mortara was wont to detract from his actions, and as if he understood the mystery of the Militia better than the Governor, pretended to teach him how to fight; and because his much importunity had made the Governor give way to this his going out; yet howsoever, preferring the public good, and the King's Service, before any private enmity, he resolved speedily to relieve him and the other Commanders who were in the like danger: He therefore marched with between four and five thousand Foot, and some Troops of Horse which he had near at hand; and having sent strict Orders to all Cap●…ains and Camp-masters to follow him with their men, he marched with incredible speed towards Bistagno; and being come within three miles of it on the second day in Easter-week, he lay all that night in Terzo: The Duke the next morning after, which was the fourth day after his arrival, hearing of the coming of so strong a succour, began to dis-lodge, and leaving 2500 Foot, and the Horse on the Plain, he sent the rest of his men with the Artillery towards the Hill. The Horse and Foot which were left on the plain followed afterwards by the same way; leaving much Ammunition in their Quarters, Arms and many sick Soldiers, who were unfit to march, besides 1000 which were slain in the assaults and actions. He departed unmolested, for Mortara being more afraid than was needful would not suffer his men to go out; and the Governor did not follow him; but coming into Bistagno almost at the same instant that the Duke removed away, and having heard Mass, advised with his Counsel what was to be done upon the present occasion: some of the Captains alleged the disturbance by rain, the narrowness of the ways, and the difficult passes, which were fit for Ambuscadoes; and wherein they not being able to make use of all their men, the enemy might with a few men resist a much greater number; others alleged the weariness of their own Soldiers, and some hours being passed before the Consultation; wherefore they thought the Enemy was so far advanced, as it was impossible to overtake them, it was resolved, the Governor himself being of the same opinion, that they should not follow the flying Enemy; a resolution whereby the glory due unto him for so speedy and seasonable a succour; whereupon the welfare of so many well deserving Commanders did depend, was turned to as much shame and dishonour; for he was not only much blamed for letting slip so rare an occasion of victory, but was worse spoke of, the manner and circumstances of the present action being considered: some spoke against the way he took by Acqui, being the further about, and worse than that of Nice; which was both the n●…erer, and would also have been a hindrance to the Duke in his retreat; others added, that to make the Duke's retreat the more easy, he had forbidden Don Alphonso d' Avalos to advance, who was Governor of Montferrat: and who marching from Cassalle with 3000 Montferrian Foot and 300 Horse, had sent some of his men to the Castle Palafea, which being a place upon the way was very opportune to have detained the Duke, and hindered his retreat; so as when the Spaniards should have been come upon him, and he consequently taken in the midst, he must of necessity have been defeated; Others argued some secret Intelligence held between them, by the Governors lying all night in Terzo, so near the Enemy, when the besieged were in so great danger; Nor were there those wanting, who said they had seen Messengers pass and repass between the two Camps, and thereby, as also by other counter-signs argued that the Duke's retreat was secured to him. Howsoever, it is most certain the Duke must have received a great blow, had he been quickly pursued, without so much counsel, and such affected delays; for his men were in very bad condition, by reason of their sufferings, and the hunger they had undergone before Bistagno; and fearing to be assaulted, threw away their Arms, and fled in disorder; and on the contrary, the Duke had that very morning within three miles' space, 14000 Foot, and 1500 Horse (those of the Langhe being comprehended) men, who in respect of the Enemy, were fresh, and who had rested most part of that night; For Cordova, Gamboloita, and other Commanders appeared immediately from the Langhe, with all the people of those parts; as also jovan Bravo, Carlo Spinelli, and jovan Pietro Serbelloni, appeared that very morning from the State of Milan, with their Brigades, to boot with those of the Country. Bistagno being freed, the Governor without looking further after the Duke, who was gotten but ill-favouredly with his men into Canelli, tarried divers days in Allessandria, waiting for Men, Ammunition, and Artillery, which he had sent for from several parts of the State of Milan, for the enterprise of Asti, which he gave out he would take in hand. The Duke, when he had brought his men into Canelli, sent them by degrees into Asti, whether he also sent victuals and Ammunition, for the defence of that City, against which he saw the Governor bent all his Forces; who parting from Allessandria about the fifth of May, tarried six days in Felizzano; and going from thence to Annone, the last Town upon the Confines of Milan, he went with his Army towards Asti: He had with him between 16 and 18000 Italian Foot, 4000 Spaniards, about 2000 Horse, the Gens d' Arms being therein comprehended; to boot with 6000 other Foot, and 500 Horse, which he had left under Cavagliero Melzi in Sandoval, not so much to guard that Fort, as to keep Vercelles in jealousy; so as the Duke being forced to keep it well Garrisoned, was the less able to defend Asti: He had also 7000 other Foot, which he shortly expected from Tuscanye, Urbine, and Lucca, by Sea; and those of Parma were already come unto the Camp. At his going from Annone towards Asti he divided his Foot into four equal Squadrons, which being led on by four Troops of Dragoons, the Cavalry divided into two Squadrons winged the left side towards the Tannaro, the more inward whereof was led on by Don Alfonso Pimontello, General thereof; and the outward by his Lieutenant Don Sanchio Selina; after these came the Gens d' Arms, conducted by their General the Marquis of Este; the Baggage came after the Squadrons, and the Artillery, part whereof was also placed on the left hand of the Squadrons. The City of Asti stands in a plain, at the foot of some hills, upon the top whereof stands the Castle, joined to the City, of an ancient shape, as are also the rest of the Walls of the City, which therefore have not those Flanks nor Rampires which are used in modern Fortifications. On the South side the Tannaro runs, two Musket shot distant from the walls; the little hills which run in a large compass towards the North, bending from thence towards the East, terminate in Annone, from whence, like a half Amphitheaer, they encompass all that plain, between the Rivolea Versa, and the hills of Tannato, for some four miles' space, and somewhat further, between Annone and Asti. But the Duke not at all affrighted at the approach of so great an Army, would, though weaker in Forces, face them; and hating to keep enclosed within walls would march into the field against them. He had with him about some 15000 Foot, and 1500 Horse, most of them Foreigners, and chiefly French, who were come thither, notwithstanding their King's severe Edicts to the contrary; for the Princes of that Kingdom being desirous of new perturbations and ruptures between the two Kings, and it may be, that their King might be the Arbitrator of Peace and War in Italy, sent many men thither, thinking, that look how many more of their Nation should be in the Duke's service, both Peace and War should the more depend upon their Kings Being come near Versa, and having taken up his Quarters upon the inward bank of the River, where was no commodious foording, save in two places, he sent Monsieur de Roason, with 200 Lorraine Horse, beyond the River, that he might get into some houses belonging to an Inn called Corce Bianca; the first bickering fell out here, between these men, and Alphonso Balesteros, Commissary General of the King's Horse, who was sent before with 400 Dragoons to discover the enemy: This Skirmish, by the concourse of people on both sides, grew almost to a Battle; the Duke having sent his Van to relieve his men, and the Governor some Troops of Curassiers, with the Burgonian Forces, led on by the Baton Batteville, who was also followed by Alfonso Pimontello, with his Horse Troop; so as the fray increasing, both sides fought valiantly; in which fight it happened, that the Lorrainers who were on the Duke's side, being clothed and weaponed like to the Kings Burgonians, did so mingle with the Burgonians, as passing unknown thorough the midst of them, they advanced even to within sight of the Spanish Camp. The Governor advancing towards them bore headed, thinking they were his men who fled, began, much to his danger, to reprehend them, and to bid them return and fight valiantly; but they for fear of death in case they should be known, seeming as if they would return to the Skirmish, retreated dexterously to their own men, leaving their Captain Prisoner, together with Cavalier San Rainero, and some others. There died in this Skirmish an Ensign-Bearer of the Dukes, with some others of both sides; Balesteros was sorely wounded, and Baron Batteville slightly, who, together with his Burgonians, behaved themselves gallantly both here, and during this whole Campagnia, and were of great aid to the Enterprise: Don Alfonso Pimentello's Horse fell over and over with him, not without great danger of death. The Skirmish being over, (for the Duke's men retreated to beyond the River,) the Governor advanced even to Versa, and took up his Quarters there in the face of the Duke's Army; but he sent jovan Bravo, with his Brigade, and some pieces of Artillery, to Quarter upon the little Hills, for his own more safety, and for the prejudice of the Enemy: But the Duke having munited all the bank of Versa on his side with a long Trench, which reached from the little Hills to the Tannaro, sent also 2000 Foot to possess themselves of the Hill which was opposite to that where Bravo was Quartered; and being mightily well sheltered on all sides, and fortified, nor being to be assaulted there without apparent danger to the Assailants, they began to skirmish from the Hills, and from the opposite Trenches, with Muskets and Bumbards; but more out of force and fury than out of any well taken advice, or any great effect. This Skirmish continued two or three days without any advantage on either side; so as the Spaniards thinking it a shame that the Duke with so unequal Forces durst confront them, and keep himself equal to their Army so long, they resolved to advance by the Hillocks, intending to fight him both on the back and flanks, in his own Quarters, and to beat up his Quarters: The Enterprise was committed to the Prince of Ascoli, who whilst he foreslowed the execution thereof, meeting with some impediments, he afforded the Duke, (who had notice of all proceedings) leisure to possess himself of other stations, fitter to hinder, or at least to make the Enemy's progress more difficult in that part: And because it was necessary for the Prince to go by way of anticipation to the oppugning of Castiglione, a little Castle, situated upon a little Hill, which being of some consequence was furnished with a reasonable Garrison, the Duke, for the better security thereof, chose out about a thousand of his best Musketeers, and sent them under the command of Captain Odone Rovero of Asti, and Monsieur d' Arlo, a French man, men of great courage and experience, to possess themselves of, and to fortify a certain Hill which stood between the Castle and Bravoes Quarters; but the Prince going with 4000 Foot, two Troops of Light Horse, and some Artillery, to take in the Hill, after a long dispute, wherein Arlo, Rovero, and many of the Duke's chiefest Soldiers were slain, got it at last by stout fight, for all that the Duke sent a great relief unto them by Count Guido; from whence turning immediately to the expugning of Castiglione, whether the Soldiers who escaped from the defence of the Hill fled, he likewise easily took it; for the Governor, to the end that he by division might the more easily obtain the Hill, having at the same time sent Don Alonso Pimontello to fall upon the Trenches towards the Tannaro, which were defended by Prince Thomaso; the Duke, thinking that he had sufficiently provided for the defence of the Hillocks, by those that he had sent thither under Rovero and Arlo, went with the body of his Army to assist his Son; so as not being able time enough to relieve Castiglione, the Garrison of that Castle astonished at Prince Ascoli's great valour, and through the fearful relations ' which were made by the Soldiers who were fled thither, basely surrendered it, when the battery was scarcely begun: 500 Soldiers marched out, who were graciously sent by the Prince to the Duke, not without the murmurs of the Spanish Army, who by this acquisition remained absolute Masters of the Colline. The Duke not being able to keep any longer upon the banks of the River, those stations being lost, quitted his Quarters, and retired quietly, unmolested, to the City; for the Governor, keeping the Army back, contrary to the opinion of many of the Captains, expressly forbade Pimentello to advance, who already moved with the Cavalry to fall upon his Rear, being satisfied with taking the Hills, and with having made the Duke forsake his Trenches, he passed with his Army beyond Versa, where he tarried three days to fortify la Croce Bianca, and some other places thereabouts. This mean while those of Tuscany, Urbane, and Lucca came to the Camp, and the Tuscans were sent to Sandoval, that, according to agreement with the great Duke, they might be employed only in defence of the State of Milan, and the rest tarried in the Camp. With the addition of these, and of other Soldiers who came to the Camp, the Army was increased to the number of 30000 Foot, and 3200 Horse, 400 whereof were sent to St. Damiano, a Town in Montferrat, which stands on the back of Asti, to keep back the victuals and munition which came from Piedmont. The Captains of the Army consulted how they should assault the Duke, and expugn the City; and it was resolved to attempt it by the Hills near unto it, as from a higher and more convenient place, whereby they promised themselves the shorter and more easy success; for that, contrary to the opinion of all men, they were neither garrisoned by the Duke, nor fortified by Trenches, though the slow Proceedings of the Enemy's Army had afforded him sufficient conveniency to do it, and the present occasion did necessarily require it: Therefore the Governor, leaving Zerbellone with his Brigade to guard the Fortifications made about Versa, marched with his Army in three distinct battaglions towards the Hills; Don Piedro Sarmiento led on the first, which was the Van, composed of four brigades of Foot, two Spanish, two Neapolitans; whereof the one was that commanded by Sarmiento, the other by Don jeronimo Pimontello; the one under Thomaso Carecciolo, and the other under Carlo Spinelli: After this went the second battaglion, led on by Giovan Bravo, wherein was his own Brigade, and the other two of Cordova and Gambaloita, with some Troops of Horse, according as the situation would permit: Between the one, and the other of these were some Artillery brought, and some carriages of Ammunition; in the rear the two Brigades of jeronimo Rho, and of Cavalier Peccio followed, with those of Urbane, Parma, and Lucca; the first commanded by Count Horatio Carpegna, the second by Don Francisco Farnese, and the last by Francisco Cenami: The Horse sheltered, as formerly, the left wing of the Foot; the baggage came last, and a numerous Train of Artillery, with the wont Guard. In this order did the Army march early in the morning in a thick mist which would neither suffer them to discern the Hills, nor the Sentinels which were placed there to discover them. The Duke having notice at last by his Scouts of the Enemy's March, and finding that they went towards the Hills, he, though too late, was aware of the importance of that station; wherefore issuing immediately with all his men out of the City, he went to pre-possess himself thereof; which by reason of their nearness having easily done, since he had not more s●…asonably fortified them, he endeavoured at least to arm them, and furnish them so with Soldiers, as the Enemy should not be Masters of them without much prejudice and effusion of blood. He therefore, having a mind to give battle, placed six or seven thousand French on the least Hill, and on that which was farthest off; and talking to them on foot, he encouraged them to fight, proposing unto them the advantage of the situation, the valour of their Nation, their hatred to the Spaniards, the glory and great rewards of Victory; and they being come for the most part, rather to pillage then to fight, it is said, that pointing with his hand unto the Enemy's Troops, he should say to them, give you me those Ranks disordered, and I will give you the State of Milan, and all Italy in prey to your valour and worth: For all the Arms, all the Forces that the Spaniards can put together, being assembled in this Camp, with what other people, with what other Armies can they oppose you? with what Arms, with what Commanders can they bereave you of the reward and fruit of Victory? Then seeming as if he were called away elsewhere, he excused himself for not tarrying longer with them: But seeming as if he did totally confide in their worth, he told them that his presence was more requisite elsewhere; then going from them, he disposed 5000 Swissers on the Hill called Certosa, where he also placed five pieces of Artillery, with which scouring the Plain, he also light upon the Enemy's Squadrons, and made way for the Horse, partly on the side of the Foot, partly in the Valley between the two Hills. The Governor was advanced, verily believing that the Duke would not stir out of the City; and seeing him, beyond all expectation, encamped upon the Hills, and prepared for fight, he gave order for giving battle, being thereunto much egged on by the entreaties of his men, and by the fervency of the whole Camp, who desired nothing else. This order being published, Sarmiento's battaglion, which was the Van, marched towards the Hills, and through the Soldier's fervour; a little more speedily than they ought to have done: And as he passed along having discovered some French quartered underneath the skirts of the Hills, some Neapolitans were sent to drive them from thence. Here the fight begun; for Onofrio Muti, a Roman Gentleman and Commiss●…ry General of the Duke's Horse, came in to the relief of the French with a great Squadron of Horse, which, as if they had abandoned the Duke's party, passed over to amongst the Enemy, crying Viva la Spagna, Viva la Spagna; whereby they did so deceive the Neapolitans, as coming close up to them, without receiving any harm, and being by them friendly received, they immediately drew forth their Swords, and wounded some, slew other some, till such time as being relieved by Gambaloita, who seeing what was done from the second Squadron, advanced with his men, and forced the Enemy's Horse to retreat: And at the same time the Neapolitans, and the rest of the first Squadron, clomb up by those straight paths against the thund●…r of Cannon and hail of Musket-shot, and fight as they came up the Hill, they at last got to the Plain, where being backed by two pieces of Artillery, which were conveniently placed, they pressed so home upon the French, as beginning first to wave, and afterwards shamefully to turn their backs, they fled into Asti: The Duke, though in vain, sent Monsieur Limogione Lieutenant to Prince Thomaso to assist them, that he might set upon and oppose the Enemy with his Horse; and he himself turning to the Swissers on the other Hill, on whom all his hopes lay, began to encourage them to make that station good; showing them, That the first Hill was lost, not through the valour or number of the Enemy, but by the cowardice of the French; that they might make amends for the shame, and repair the loss: Wherefore they had an excellent occasion to show how much the Swissers did exceed the French in valour, and to boast that it was the Swissers that had preserved his reputation and the state of the House of Savoy: He therefo●…e wished them to make head, and face the Enemy, not only by keeping them from that station, but by beating them also from the other which the French had so basely abandoned: That he himself would hazard his life amongst them, to whose valour and worth he had trusted his honour, State, and reputation; that he was therefore ready to keep with them, and run the same fortune, and fight valiantly with a pike in his hand, either die there, or bear away a plenary and glorious victory from the Enemy: That therefore they should fight as valiantly for the defence of that station, as they would do for the very walls of Turin; and let the world know that the Swissers had not lost the ancient gallantry of their Forefathers, whereby they had won so many, and so famous Victories, with so much glory, wherein he did not in vain confide, nor yet so many other Princes, preferring the Swissers worth, in the defence of things of greatest importance, before that of all other Nations. But all these words were spoke in vain; for Giovan Bravo, who followed Sarmiento, having this mean while wheeled about with the second Squadron on the side of the first Hill, and got upon the second, and together with him Gamboloita, and Don Alphonso Pimontello, Limogione could do not only not do any thing of moment; but the Swissers seeing themselves set on, on so many sides, turned their backs more basely than the French had done, without or fight, or showing their face to the adversary; and though the Duke and Prince Thomas●… endeavoured to make head with some Squadrons of Horse, and to detain the Swissers; which not being able to do, they themselves withstood the coming on of the Enemy, as much as might be; yet his men running faster and faster away, and the Enemy coming faster and faster on, they were forced to yield, and to leave five piece of Cannon in the Enemy's hands; two of which being thrown into a ditch towards the City, were by night recovered by the same Swissers. This was that which happened on the Hills of Asti, on the 21th of May, wherein though Sarmiento's Squadron fought more than any of the others, and particularly Spinelloes and Caracciolo's Neapolitans, to whom therefore the praise of the Victory was little less then wholly due; yet because their too great fervour and fury wherewith they charged the Enemy was a hindrance to their companions, and to the Kings other Squadrons, who proceeded in a more orderly, and Mili●…ary manner, so as they could not come time enough to the fight; therefore these coming up after the French were routed, their action was not so advantageous as it would have been, if they had made a joint assault; for then doub●…lesly the Duke's men would have been totally beaten. The number of the slain (as is usual) is diversely related; yet was it less than was to have been expected from such a conflict; and no wonder, since they minded flying more than fight. The Neapolitans received some loss, being deceived by the Duke's Horse, who were they only that may be said to have laid about them, and to have made some resistance, whereas the King's Horse did little or nothing; nor were there many taken prisoners; of the Spaniards the only man of account that was taken, was Don Francesca di Silua, brother to the Duke of Pastran●…, who going out a picchering alone, out of his ranks, and entering with too much youthful spirit amongst the Enemy, was wounded, and died not many days after a prisoner in Turin. Those of quality who fell on the Duke's side, were Monsieur di Crepagna, Sergeant Major-General, and six other Captains; on the King's side, six Captains and some other under-Officers: Great was the reputation which the King's Forces won by these successes, who were brought very low by the former; and very much the suppression of the Duke's party, whose affairs were hereby thought to be reduced to so low an ebb, as the news of the loss of the Battle b●…ing brought to Turin, and the Duke's writings, and things of greatest consequence being sent thither, men betook themselves to such courses, as in times of greatest extremity is usual; they carried the Jewels and best of the Courthoushold-stuff into the Castle; and as if the Enemy had been before the Walls, the people fell to fortify them, to furnish them with Sentinels, and Corpse de guard; and the women clothed in sackcloth, went bare foot in procession to the Churches, and sacred places of the City; and yet little was the advantage that was got by the Victory: For contrary to the common custom of War, the King's affairs did from thence begin to decline in power, and reputation; and on the contrary, those of the Duke grew daily better and more glorious; for the conquering Army, which ought to have run with fervour to the ruin of the City, which was full of men affrighted, and confused through excessive fear, and which was not likely to have held out long before so victorious an Army, as was generally confessed by all men, did not only forbe●…r doing so, but kept idle upon the Hills that they had won, and as if they had been infatuated with stupidity, busying themselves only in making Trenches, and in fortifying their Quarters, to defend themselves from the Enemy which they had beaten; who after some days were passed began the Battery, but so cold, so leisurely, so uncertain a one, that the Bullets of the Artillery either did not hit at all, or with very little damage, though the Walls which they played upon, were exceeding weak with age. Wherefore the Duke, who was also entered the Town in fear and astonishment, and saw things in so desperate a condition, by reason of his own Soldier's confusion, prepared rather to abandon, then to defend it, taking courage at the so slow proceeding of the Enemy, began to hope he might be able to defend it; the which that he might do with the more honour and show of valour, he lodged his men between the Walls and the Trenches, over against those of the Enemy; and he did not only play upon the Enemy's Camp from the Castle, and from the Bulwarks, and Platforms built without in convenient places; but sallying often out of the Trenches with store of Musketeers, even to the Enemy's Banks and Works, he molested them continually both by day and night; and particularly on that part, where, as being most exposed to assaults, Giovan Bravo, and Lodovico Gamboloita stood to make defence, who consequently underwent the burden of all that enterprise. The City was plentiful in Victuals and Ammunition, which were daily brought to the Duke, notwithstanding the 400 Horse which were sent to St. Damiano; and the nearness of the same City afforded him convenience not only to quarter his men commodiously, and under covert, but also to refresh them; for dividing his Soldiers between the Guards of the Walls and the Trenches, and some succeeding other some in labour, and in rest, they recreated themselves, and getting more strength by their rest and recreation, they fell with more vigour to their labour again, and made the longer resistance: and though they were not over-well paid, yet did they serve in that War with much affection and industry, and were encouraged not so much by the Duke's presence and authority, as by his civil comportment, which won up●…n the Soldiers, whom he accompanied in all their labours and dangers; To this was added, that he being naturally liberal to the Soldiers, they knew he failed them not in their pay through avarice, but impossibility: so as every one esteeming the cause his own, they laboured in the enterprise as for their own honour, incited by their hatred to the Spaniards, and by their desire of cancelling the fault which they had committed in the Battle; and they fought the more fervently, for that they saw the Enemy's Army grow the less courageous; Which not being only molested by continual labour (as hath been said) but afflicted with infinite wants and inconveniences, and exposed to a thousand hardships in the Campagnia, wasted and consumed miserably away, as ice beaten on by the Sun; for abounding in Victuals, and in all other refreshments, which was brought them from the States of Milan and Montferrat, they grew unruly and ill-governed, from whence infinite disorders did result: they were quartered upon those barren Hills, and without water, the scarcity whereof was very great, which they wanted not only for their refreshment, and to keep them clean, but even to drink: for having none but what was brought on the backs of beasts from the Tanaro, and Versa, there was not sufficient for the Men and Horses to drink: especially the neighbouring Cisterns of Certosa being immediately dried up by reason of the great concourse of people; and a little rivulet which ran near their Quarters, through the small care they had of keeping cleansed from the immundities of the Army, became so foul and loathsome, as it was of no service: So as the Soldiers were not only scorched up through heat, but fell sick through sluttishness. Moreover, there being no habitations there, 〈◊〉 save in the Covent of the Certosa, the Soldiers for the most part lay without Tents or Shrouds, naked upon the earth; so as they were burnt by day, by the Sunbeams which were at that time very hot, and by night distempered by the blasting Evening-dew, and cold Air. In many places you might have seen the Soldiers sitting on the ground under the shadow of a bough, fixed in the earth, thinking it a great refreshment to shelter their heads a little from the scorching heat of the Sun: they took little care in burying the dead; so as the air grew noisome through the stink of dead bodies, sickness, and other pollutions. The Soldiers not being able therefore to bear with so much labour in War, and inconveniences of body, fell many of them daily sick, who not being fitted with opportune remedy, and the contagion still increasing, the Camp within a few days became rather like an Hospital of sick-men, then Military Quarters: It behoved therefore to send for the Germans who were in the Garrison at Sandoval, to supply the scarcity of people in the Camp, wherein there were not enough able to supply the Guards, and other usual Military Duties; the rather for that the Governor having made a Trench to be digged towards the west, by which way Victuals and Ammunion were brought into the City from Piedmont; the Duke being aware of it, caused another Trench to be made over against it, wherewith he sheltered the way, and on the head thereof made a Fort be built, from whence the opposite Trench being furiously played upon by the Artillery, the quarters about la Certosa were exposed to assaults: it being therefore necessary, for remedy, to build another Fort opposite to it, Thomaso Caracciola was deputed to have the custody the●…eof, with his Brigade of Neapolitans; and these not being sufficient, for many of them diminished, the Dutch who were come but a little before from Sandoval, were sent thither. The Governor continuing thus, many days, to oppose the Enemy's Army which lay before the City, and seeming neither willing, nor resolute to assault it; the Soldiers being oppressed with so much labour and inconvenience could not be kept from murmuring, not complaining so much of the effect, as of the manner of the Governors suffering them, who were willing to fight the Enemy, to be so basely consumed by sufferings; and that undergoing a thousand deaths hourly, and running manifest ruin and destruction, he would not suffer them to die honourably by assaulting the City and the Duke's Quarters; nor so much as send the Horse which lay there idle, to divert the enemy from making defence, or to pillage and overrun Piedmont, and to keep back the provisions which were daily brought into Asti: Every one therefore spoke ill of him, detracting from his Honour and Reputation, saying, as they were wont, that he held private intelligence with the Duke, and had no good intentions to the King's Affairs: Now that the true ground of these Detractions, as also of what was alleged in his defence, (for it was variously argued) may be known, it will be necessary, that leaving the Spanish Army in their difficulties and troubles, wherein it continued till the end of the war, and till the peace was concluded; that looking a little backwards, we make some particular inquiry. The Governor being naturally inclined to proceed with maturity and safety in all his actions, and therefore professing that he managed the war not with any military violence, but with Spanish slowness and caution seemed in all his resolutions to have for his chief end, not to hazard the present condition of affairs; and that therefore, as a dangerous Rock to the King's affairs, he abhorred nothing more than to make either the Italians or French jealous that the King would make himself master of Asti, and of Piedmont; lest such 〈◊〉 might move too brisk humours, and might perturb the very foundation of the peace of Italy, which was far from the intention of the King or his Council to do: These his ends and thoughts, which he from the beginning, for the justification of the business did not conceal, made him af●…erwards so circumspect and reserved, as well in the prosecution of the war, as in all his other actions, as the Duke growing bold thereupon, and fearing the reputation of his forces the less, did with more courage continue the war; and the Ambassadors who managed the p●…ace made use thereof as of a bridle, or spur, to bring him to what they would. The Prince of Ascoli seemed, though with more settled thoughts, to be of the same opinion; to whom the Duke did much adhere, as to both of them did some of the Commanders, who being gratified by the Governors failed not to side with him in all Consul●…ations depending; though Mortara declared against them, but in vain; who according to his custom being averse to the Gove●…nours proceedings, and not at all ab●…sh'd at what had happened at Bistagno, was for the setting aside of all such respects, as pernicious to the final end of the affairs, and for the making war manfully: To him did the most of the Captains in their hearts incline, and openly the whole Army; who were scandalised at the Governors so great circumspection; the Governor and the Prince were much nourished in this disposition by the Negotiation of peace, which was hotly trea●…ed of in Spain, France, and Italy; For the King of France having sent Monsieur de Silleri with a stately Embassy to carry his Presents to his new Spouse, and beginning to grow jealous of the Governors so great preparations against Piedmont, had given him Commission to treat efficaciously with the King of Spain, touching the manner of composing the Duke's Affairs; from which composition, after the said Dukes hostile actions, the King and Court of Spain seemed to be much averse; That King and Court were loath to yield to the King of France his desires, thinking them too much mis-becoming Kingly dignity, nor suiting with such threats and preparations: They were yet more troubled for the examples sake; thinking that to agree with the Duke, without some preceding just resentment, and due revenge for the hostility, and little respect shown, would be too great a detriment to the Authority and Reputation of the Crown. The Duke's necessity in defending himself pleaded for the other side; which being permitted for a free Prince to do, did not only mitigate the name of the offence, but the offence itself; As also the continual desire of preserving Italy in peace, which contrary to all expectation was now disturbed by the effusion of so much Christian blood, to the so great prejudice of the people, and not without danger of France her being interessed therein: The respect of Kindred likewise between the King and Duke; so as the King being resolved that the resentment should not only be finally forborn, but all satisfaction for the pre●…ended interest, by reason of the intercession of his Son in law, his conjunction of blood, and the peace and quiet of Christendom; it was agreed that the Duke being always understood to observe the said three Points which were proposed from the beginning of the war, he should be freed from the molestations of war: But to the end that all things should be proceeded in with the dignity and reputation of the King; and that the Duke should not be minded to be pertinacious, as he seemed to be, and to refuse the offer; it was agreed upon, That the King of France should by his Ambassador intimate war to the Duke, if he should refuse to accept of the aforesaid three things; and that on the contrary, if the Duke should accept thereof, and that this acceptation should be brought in writing by the French Ambassador to the Governor, it might be as an express Command from the King, that forbearing all hostility in Piedmont, the Army should immediately retreat: That things being thus composed, without the meddling of any of the King's Officers, or their Articling any thing with the Duke, it should be interpreted in Spain as a form of composition suiting with the King's greatness and Majesty; the Duke's bare and ready acceptance serving for a full amends and satisfaction for what was passed: That the Governor was made acquainted with this Agreement by the Ambassador Rambollietto, when he was in Felizano; and that fearing the danger that might ensue unto the Duke by so gallant an Army, he should exhort him to desist, to the end that the peace which was almost concluded, might meet with no disturbance: He gave him, together with this advice, a Letter from Don Inego de Cardevas, Ambassador for the King at Paris, wherein he gave him notice, That the King of France had given order to Ramboglietto to denounce war in his name to the Duke, if he should not accept of these three Points: And it not being to be believed that the Duke would gainsay the pleasure of these two Kings; who, as if they were both one, proceeded with joint Counsels; the●…efore the Governor, since the occasion of fight did not deserve that for it the King's Affairs should be longer disturbed, did prefer safe peace before long and dangerous war; and thought itsuffic●…ent to show war unto the Duke, rather than to make war upon him; and that it would suffice to come to some honourable action with him, rather to make an honourable peace, then to damnify him: In token whereof he moved but slowly from Felizzano to Annone, and did likewise proceed but slowly for six days about Versa; as al●… in beating up the Duke's Quarters, in consulting of the whole ca●…riage of war, and of the manner of expugning Asti; hoping, peradventure, that the apprehension of the neighbouring Army, the Ambassadors interceding, and the fear of having war intimated to him in the King of France his name, might prepare him for conditions of peace; so all things might be with much honour appeased, without any danger or hazard to the King's Affairs; That this might, peradventure, also be the cause that when he had got the Victory, he was contented with the Duke's retreat, and proceeded no further: And that thinking that he being superior in forces, and victorious, he might willingly listen to the urgent and efficacious protestations of the French Ambassador, who acquainted him that the King did not intend he should proceed with loose Reins to oppress the Duke, assuring him also that the Duke being overcome in battle could not but accept of the conditions of Peace; as the Ambassador, mingling hopes and promises day by day with his protestations, assured him it would succeed. This is that which is pleaded in the discharge and defence of the Governor, b●…sides many other Orders given, which are unknown, which were secretly sent to the Governor from the Duke of Lerma, according to which it behoved him to govern himself; for it was then tacitly murmured amongst many, which increased afterwards in fame and opinion, and was constantly and universally believed; That the Duke of Lerma, to whose severity the reason of these Commotions was chiefly attributed, seeing how much contrary to his expectation, and contrary to the King's affairs, they increased; and fearing lest the disturbance of peace, and the Duke's alienation, might at long running ruin his own inte●…ests, did straight charge the Governor, that setting side all other respects, he should wholly mind composition and reconciliation with the Duke, and that he was precisely commanded to sl●…cken the carrying on of the war: But these things wer●… neither then nor afterwards so certainly manifest, as that they were able to quench the pregnant suspicions which were formerly had of him: Therefore the contrary opinion of those did generally prevail; who a●…guing either out of self-emulation; or out of a sinister impression of his actions, said; That none of the King's Orders could be so precise or limited, especially the far distance being considered, but that they were to be varied according to the variation of affairs; nor that the Governors' hands ought to be so bound up, as that he might not make use of his forces according as time and occasion should require: Nor that any Negotiation of peace should with any reason so much impede the heat of war, as that the progress of the latter should be lost or slackened, in respect of not disturbing the uncertain conclusion of the former; They made no account of the apprehension of future evils, as being vain and not consonant to these times; for the Governor having a well-experienced Army on foot, commanded by the best Commanders of these times, and provided with all things fitting for war; which received greater force and reputation by the assistance of divers I●…alian Princes; things were so well asscertained, as he might be confident of not only ma●…ntaining Italy in her wont fidelity and inclination to the King, but to keep foreigners from moving, and to suppress such as had moved: And howsoever, what sinister action, said they, could ever happen, which would not be less than the prejudice which would result from the disbanding of that Army, which being kept on foot, was able to repair all inconveniencies; and which being disbanded did inf●…llibly draw after it all those mischiefs, nay, greater than those which were so much feared; therefore, said they, it behoved the Commander in chief to know the condition of his own forces, to make use of them to his best advantage, by straightening and assaulting the enemy, and by keeping him so molested, as that he might desire, covet, nay, account it a great favour, to obtain a secure peace; which assuredly is always most advantageous to those who are most against it: That all Commanders and Generals had always governed themselves so, and that by so doing they had reaped great advantage, honourable conditions, and much reputation to their Prince's affairs; but that to keep idle within Works, to sit quietly under Pavilions, and to expect that the enemy should be inclined to peace; to suffer themselves to be wheeled about by words, to feed themselves with vain promises of interessed Sta●…e-Ministers, and to show small inclination to war, and a great d●…sire of peace; was nothing else but to increase the adversaries confidence, to make him the prouder and more bold, to alienate him from Articles of peace, to make him backward and harder to consent to that which he finds to be so much endeavoured by his Adversary. These and the like things were spoken of throughout Italy, in the very Camp. at all assemblies of men, who not knowing the final ends of Princes and Commanders, and of the Reasons which make them operate, or which keeps them from doing so; and less knowing what would have happened if they had done according to their intentions and discourses, do often arrogate unto themselves to the prejudice of other men's reputations, the censuring of humane actions, even as if the heart of him that governs, or future events, were apparent to the●…r eye; And confining the duty of a Writer to the bare narration of what passeth, will not permit of his judgement in the truest and most equitable ratiocination, to him who shall be pleased and satisfied with his pains: it is most certain that the Governor, in the general opinion of men, made himself suspected of having at the first, instead of extinguishing, disloyally nourished that fire, the suppression whereof if he had more endeavoured, he would have shut up the mouth of detraction, and have be●…ter justified his loyalty to his King, and together with his own reputation wherein he suffered very much, have preserved the King's honour, which beginning from the first to bow did afterwards decline without any stop, as the future success will show. But that we may return to where we left; whilst the Army wasted, as hath been said, the endeavours of peace were not given over by the Agents of Princes: the French Ambassador did Negotiate it, together with Pier Francisco Costa, Bishop of Savoy, and Nutio resident with the Duke, who succeeded Savelli, he having for some particular indispositions of his own, obtained leave to return to Rome: and together with them the same Zeno for the Commonwealth of Venice; with whom (but apart from the Nuntio) St Dudley Carleton did intervene, who was come from Venice, were he had been Ambassador in ordinary, and was come a little before into Piedmont with the title of Ambassador extraordinary from the King of England: which King, adhering privately to the Duke's affairs, at the same time that he Negotiated the peace as a friend to both, had taken order for the disbursing of a hundred thousand Ducats to the Duke, at Lions, and also, seeming as if it were done by the Peers of the Kingdom, but in effect by his own command, sent him some Ships, as it was said, fraughted with Foot. Count john of Nassau was also daily expected to come with men by land from Holland; and it was heard that succours came from Germany, to assist the said Duke, which were sent him from the Protestant Princes of that Nation, who did not a little foment the Wars of Piedmont; Nor did the Venetians foment them less than they, though secretly; who from the beginning being anxious at the proceedings of the Spanish Army, and fearing that the Duke might be oppressed, began to assist him underhand with moneys, and advice: and afterwards see●…g his affairs proceed prosperously, they being desirous to abate the Spanish grandezza, were not wanting in sustaining him, and shoaring him up, to the end that he might resist him who thought to suppress him. So all these Princes being thought privately to blow this fire, it was imagined that their Ambassadors, who Negotiated the business; did not proceed therein with sincerity, unless it were the Pope's Nuntio; for both their manner of treating, and form of conclusion, was sufficiently different from that reality which in appearance they did profess: and contrary to the great confidence, and good correspondency between the Kings of Spain and France: the French Ambassador having the ●…ppointment made at Madrid in one hand, and in the othe●… the intimation of War, being consequently able to compel the Duke by the latter, and to force the Governor by the other: so as he was the chief Arbitrator of all that Negotiation, the rather for that the French Soldiers and Captains, who fought on the Duke's behalf, depending upon his command, he might at his pleasure make them forego their Arms, and bereave the Duke of the greatest part of his Forces; and though by orders from his King he was to be careful of the reputation of the Spanish Crown, and to give satisfaction thereunto; and as a good servant to so great a King ought not to suffer the peace to be concluded otherwise, for the example which it would be to all greater Kings; and being trusted by the Barons of France, was chosen by the Queen to be employed for this end at the Court of Spain; yet the Authority and common desire of the Princes of that Kingdom; wherein they differed from the King in point of keeping friendship with the Crown of Spain, prevailing more with him: as also peradventure the French humour, naturally averse to the name of Spaniard, he made less account of the King's command: which was the chief cause of all the inconveniences which befell the Spanish Army. For doubtlessly things would have gone otherwise, if he had punctually observed his King's directions immediately after the Victory upon the Hills: but whilst under pretence of not exasperating the Duke, he proceeded sometimes too favourably with him, and sometimes approving of his jealousies, he feared that by intimating War unto him Piedmont might be made a prey to the Victorious Army, much to the King's prejudice; and that therefore he temporiseth with the Duke, wherein he is fautored by the English and Venetian Ambassadors: the Duke knowing what was done, fenced himself on one side with subterfuge●…, and delays, and on the other side assaulted the Enemy's Trenches, and faced him: and on the contrary, the Spanish Army (as hath been said) mouldered away; and the weaker they grew in Forces and Men, the Duke had the less mind to come to an agreement; and consequently standing harder upon the advantage of Articles, propounded delays, and greater difficulties; and hoping to get the better at the last, had a greater desire to fight; and venting his conceived hatred against the Spaniards, aspired at glory, by the total Victory of so invincible an Army; and the Ambassadors, who would spin the thread of the Negotiation, a●… they were resolved to do, held the Governors in hand with efficacious promises of peace; the conclusion whereof being from day to day deferred, and they the mean while delighting to see the miseries of the Spanish Army, they delayed so long, as finding it at last reduced to so great weakness, as that it was not able to fall upon any enterprise, they began to treat of new conditions; which together with the three particulars of Madrid, contained many other things of satisfaction to the Duke. Thus was the Capitulations of peace made, upon the beneath written terms and agreement. That the Duke should disarm effectually within one month; and retaining only four Companies of Swissers for the safety of his States, together with as many of his Subjects as he would, should cashe●…r all the rest of his men, that he should not offend the Duke of Mantua's Dominions, and that his pretensions should be discused in the Emperor's Courts of Justice. On the contrary, the French Ambassador promised that the Rebels of Montferrat should be pardoned, and be fully restored to their Goods, Honours and Offices: that he should be protected by France, in case he should be molested by the Spaniard, contrary to what was agreed upon; to which purpose, express command was given in the King's name to Martial Diguere, Governor of Dolpheny, and to the other Governors of Provinces confining upon the Duke's Territories, that immediately, without expecting any orders from the King, they should succour the Duke, in case the Conventions should not be agreed upon: that the Swissers and Walloons should be restored to free Commerce in the State of Milan: that the places taken by either side should be restored: that all the French should be generally pardoned, who had served in the present War, contrary to the King's command: that the King of Spain should not demand pass●…ge for six month's space of the Duke, for any men: That the Duke should have three months allowed him, to give notice to his friends, that they were to abstain from any hostility against the King; during which time the Duke repairing any damage which should be done, nothing of Hostility which should happen should prejudice t●…e peace; and herewith the removal of the Spanish Army was agreed, upon in form following. That the French Ambassador should desire the Duke to draw a thousand Foot out of Asti; at whose marching out he would write to the Governor, and cause him to quit his quarters and to retreat to Croce Bianca, and to Quarto: Which being done, t●…e same Ambassador was to entreat the Duke to remove the rest of the Soldiers out of the City: and the French Ambassador promised, that on the same day that that should be done, the Spanish Army should march out of Piedmont; and that then the Duke should immediately dis●…rm, but with this promise from the Ambassador, that after such effectual laying down of Arms, the Governor should so dispose of the King's Army, as neither the Duke, nor any other Prince of Italy, should thereby have any cause of jealousy; and that the King of France should ratify the agreement within twenty days. All these Articles and Conventions were reciprocal between the Duke and the French Ambassador, who bound himself in his King's name; which King took upon himself the whole business, and obliged himself to see whatsoever on his side, or by the Spanish Agents, abundantly executed; For what remained, there was no mention of any submission to be made by the Duke; only in the preamble, amongst the Reasons which moved him to peace, he alleged the desire he had to witness to the world the obsequence, and particular devotion which he had always professed to bear unto the King. These Articles were subscr●…bed by the Ambassadors of France, England and Venice, expressly ob●…iging their Princes to defend the Duke, if all that was promised were not made good to him, as long as he should observe what he ●…ad promised. When these Capitulations were ingross'd or drawn up; The Duke, who he ring that the German and Holland succours were at hand, thought that he should now get absolute victory over the enemy, who we●…e reduced to great extremity, and were not able to keep longer in their quarters by reason of the excessive heats, refused to underwit the Articles: But the French Ambassador, forced by express command from the King, did at last let him know that ●…e came to intimate war unto ●…im; and the Duke shunning his sight, he made the King's Order, and the necessity of putting it in exe●…ution, known to Prince Victorio, and commanded the French Sould●…ers and Commanders, under pain of grievous punishment, in the King's name, that they should immediately forego the Duke's service and return to France, whither he would follow them the next day; which certainly he would have done, if the Nuntio had not opportunely interposed his Authority; who going several times between him and the Duke, and earnestly entreating them not to let the almost concluded peace be disturbed, obtained that the Ambassador should tarry and give leave to the Duke to bethink himself better, and to reflect upon the danger and necessity of his affairs, which would grow to a bad condition, if the French, who were the chief sinews of his Army, should mutiny as they seemed to be already inclined to do; or foregoing his pay, should be enforced suddenly, and in so ill a crisis of time, to abandon him; Wherefore ●…aging at the Ambassador, he not without much indignation, was at last brought to subscribe the Articles of peace; but upon condition that the Instrument should be kept in the Nuntios hands, to be by him assigned over to the Ambassador when he should receive another from him, wherein the Governor of Milan should sufficiently bind himself in his King's name, to observe what the French Ambassadors had promised on the King's behalf: the Duke being desirous that it should be rather covenanted with him on the King of Spain's behalf, for that he knew he for his reputation sake abhorred to do it: He was also satisfied herein, though contrary to the capitulations of Madrid, and to the intentions of the two Kings, yielded unto by the Ambassador of France, and by the other Ambassadors, who were desirous that Peace might be concluded the most that might be to his advantage and honour; and therefore the Ambassador of France having written to the Governor, (who was now reduced to a state rather of giving then of receiving conditions of peace) and having obtained sufficient assurance from him under his hand, the business was at last totally agreed. Whilst these things were a concluding, or were rather held to be totally concluded; the Duke not being yet satisfied with venting, nor with resenting himself, went out of the City by night with a great number of his valiantest Soldiers and Capta●…ns, and assaulted the enemy's Trenches: He hoped to find them unprovided, by reason of their great sufferings, and negligent out of their hopes of the near conclusion of peace, which made him desire to make great slaughter, and notably to resent his conceived injuries; but he failed in his design; for the Governor having notice thereof, reinforced the Trenches with Garrisons, and gave the chief care thereof to Gamboloita and Bravo; who managed the business so well, as they forced the Duke to retreat, with the like prejudice which he had plotted against the Enemies. The Duke lost in that affault by night above 200 of his best and valiantest Soldiers, besides many Commanders, and persons of note; and had the Governor (as some of his men thought) sent a good body of men out of the Trenches, who might have fallen upon the Assailants on the Flank, not any of the Duke's men might have escaped scot-free; and the Duke himself, who was affirmed by many to be there pre●…ent, would have run ●…anger of his person; Wherefore the Governor was for this action also much blamed, ill spoken of, and detested by the whole Camp. The next morning, which was june the 23d, and the 34 day after the Bat●…l, upon the Hills, peace was proclaimed, and was the very selfsame day put in execution, for as much as was then requisite; wherein the Governor was fain to pass by two things also: which though small in themselves, yet of no small consideration in point of honour: the one, that the Duke's Soldiers, who went to throw down the abandoned Trenches, should kill 200 of the Enemy's Soldiers who were found sick there, the Spanish Army being in a manner present, who were not all of them gone from their quarters; the other, that the Governor deferring his removal for that day, in respect of the scarcity of Carriages, as also of the multitude of sick persons, and of many other impediments, the French Ambassador not admitting of any excuse, nor giving way to any one hours' delay, forced him to dislodge immediately, protesting, and that resolutely, that otherwise he would make the Soldiers return who were gone out of the City, and that revoking the command to the contrary, he would permit the French to tarry and continue in the Duke's service. Thus merely through their fault who governed the King's Forces, not only the enterprise of Asti, but those others that proceeded had but bad success; and not conformable to the greatness of preparation, to the threats and imagined resentments, Thus the Governor rather enforced, then willingly, and rather as conquered, than conqueror, went out of Piedmont, sufficiently diminished both in Forces and Reputation, who was entered thereinto but forty days before with a flourishing and gallant Army, and glorious and triumphant for the Victory he had obtained. The End of the third Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK IU. The Contents. THe King being but badly satisfied with the peace of Asti, makes Don Pietro di Toledo Governor of Milan; Between whom and the Duke new differences arise touching the execution of the Articles of peace. The Venetians by reason of the Slavonians, who molest their Navigation in the Gulf, make war in Friuli against the Archduke, and in Istria against the Emperor; and possessing themselves of many Towns in Friuli, come before Gradisca; from whence they depart not many days after by reason of Treaties of Agreement which were introduced. The Duke of Savoy, complaining still of the not observance of peace, fears to be again assaulted by the Governor, and therefore prepares for war again: He joins underhand with the Venetians, and calls Digueres, Marshal of France, into Piedmont; but is quickly and unexpectedly assaulted in Savoy by the Duke de Nemours, who is fomented with moneys and promises from the Governor of Milan. The King of France, to provide against the commencing uproars in Lombardy, sends Monsieur di Bettuve thither; and the Pope Monsignore Lodovisio, Archbishop of Bologna. Preparations for a new war are renewed in the State of Milan, and in Piedmont, which is again begun between the Duke and the Governor, who draws near the Confines of Piedmont with an Army. Force's were more appeased by the Articles of Asti than men's minds; and none having met with such satisfaction as was by them expected, they were not generally held a sufficient tye for the uniting of wills, nor a secure foundation for the performing what was agreed upon: As for the Duke, though he might have been contented to have made his party good against the Kings so formidable Army, and to have defended himself beyond expectation, made his agreement upon equal 〈◊〉, and that the peace was for his sake subscribed by so great Po●…entates; yet he thou●…ht it too ●…ard for him to be at last i●…forced to receive those Laws, w●…ich to keep from being imposed 〈◊〉 him, he had exposed himself to so much danger and trouble: It further troubled him, that his men being by these Articles reduced to a set number, he was left like a body without Arms, and as it were, like a Lion without Teeth o●…●…aws, to be laughed at by t●…e Spaniards, with whom ●…e was sure ●…e could never have any secure peace, nor sincere intelligence, as long as they should remember his past offences: So as the past Commotions not having produced effects wholly answerable to his high hopes; the vivacity of his Genius, and pride of his undaunted Spirit being considered, it was more probable that his having escaped unprejudiced out of so great a tempest would incite him to novel●…ies, and not keep him from putting himself again into new dangers. On the other side; though the King by this peace had o●…tained the ch●…ef intent of the war, yet the Duke not being so humbled as at the beginning of the war they firmly believed he should be, the Court of Spain thought the King was not lightly wounded in his honour, and more than untouched in that veneration and respect which the I aliens had wont to bear him. The Spaniards were therefore generally much unsatisfied, that the fruit of so many threats, and of so great preparations, should end in a peace so little advantageous for the King, and purchased by the Governor with so little reputation, and with reciprocal promises and obligations, and wherein there were not terms befitting the Majesty of that Crown, nor suiting with the Authority and Grandezza thereof: They were yet more troubled that the French, who were formerly laboured to be kept from having any thing to do with the affairs of Italy, should upon this occasion prove to have not only maintained an Italian Prince who had made insurrection against the King's Authority, but had taken upon them to be the mediators of peace, exercising that arbitrament in the managing and concluding thereof, which the Spanish Nation pretended did in Italy belong only to their King: They were likewise vexed to consider that one sole protestation, one bare intimation of the French Ambassador, whose King had no footing in Italy, should be of more consideration to make the Duke accept of conditions of peace, than the authority and forces of their King, bend with such fervency against Piedmont; and as they did inwardly, but ill resent the Duke's total alienation, so could they hardly well digest that such a separation should be confirmed by a tacit League, contract d before their eyes between the Duke and the Princes who had subscribed the Peace; amongst the which, that the Venetians did not particularly keep from obliging themselves against the King, was a thing which had not yet been practised by any Prince of Italy, where the Spaniards had so deeply fixed their roots: So as thinking that t●…e King suffered too much thereby in his Dignity and Reputa●…ion, they were very much unsatisfied both with the war so unsuccessfully begun, and with the Peace concluded against their Dignity and Pre●…entions: And throwing all the fault publicly upon the Governor, and privately upon the Duke of Lerma; the name of the Governor as the executor of such scandal, and of the Duke of Lerma as the Author thereof, was detested both in Spain and Italy; Nor was it thought by any one that the King would ever ratify the Articles of that Peace: All which considerations, though they were of power enough with the King and his Council, and made them very much doubt what to do; chi●…fly since they were done by a State-Minister contrary to Orders given him, and beyond the appointment made in his Court with the French Ambassador; yet, whether it were that the Duke of Lerma's authority prevailed, that he desired no uproars, or the being much pressed by the Pope, and by the King of France, or peradventure through the consideration of that Council, that all the a●…oresaid respects were not to be compared to the good of peace, and to the safety of the States of Italy, from whence the Authority and Dignity of the Crown take mo●…e force and vigour, then from the events of war: It was a●… last resolved, that setting aside all other considerations, peace should be accepted of as it was concluded: Wherefore the King delayed not sending the Ratification thereof to the King of France, who ●…ad likewise ratified within the prefixed time by a particula●… Decree; but being not a little offended with the Governor, (the Duke of Lerma not being able to sway against the general sense of the Court, nor keep himself from the punishment which was ready to fall upon him and the Governor) Don Piedro di Toledo was chosen to succeed him in his place; and he was sent for into Spain; and in demonstration of greater dissatisfaction Don Piedro to go with all possible speed for Italy. Don Piedro had always, and upon all occasions, been very free in resolving upon public affairs, and very zealous for the public good, and not depending upon any one's authority, showed very singular 〈◊〉 in what belonged to the public Dignity: Wherefore he had won a general opinion, that neither any respect of the Duke of Lerma, nor any private Interests, which (setting aside those of the King) had much furthered the Duke's affairs, should be able to remove him from this resolution: He was therefore thought both by the King and Council to be one who would suit well with the present condition of affairs, and such a one who might easily reduce the affairs of the Crown in Italy to their former condition and reputation: But things being brought to that pass, as they could not be repaired either without great maturity of counsel, or without extraordinary valour in War, this choice proved not a convenient remedy for the malady; for when Inoiosa, in conformity to the agreed upon Articles, laid down Arms, and afterwards offered himself to be the first who should restore what was gotten in the preceding War, it was not agreed upon in express words, that the King was to lay down Arms, but it was only said, that the Governor should so dispose of the King's Armies, as neither for state, nor time, the Duke, or any other Prince should have reason to be jealous thereof; nor, though the Duke had commanded upon pain of great punishments all foreign Soldiers to depart his Dominions, did they really depart; for many French, under the name of Savo●…ards, and many Walloons, under the name of Swissers, by reason of the conformity in their apparel and speech, kept concealedly there, whereof it was held t●…e Duke was not ●…acitely ignorant: Many also (if all were true which was pretended against the Duke) were sent by him into some parts of Piedmont, far from the Commerce of Foreigners, and unfrequented by them; so as the diligence of those that were sent by Inoiosa into Piedmont to certify the effectual performance of the Treaty of peace proved but vain: And many of the French Commanders kept publicly in Turin, some by reason of sickness, some for their own affairs, and others under colour of being the Duke's particular servants. And yet Inoiosa being desirous that the peace made by him might be perfected, and to le●…ve it as little as he could in the power of his successor, when he heard w●…at relation his Spies brought back, he without any more ado dismissed his Swissers, and the Regiments of the Italian Princes, and reforming the Spanish Companies and Lombard's, which were much diminished, he cashiered likewise many Captains and Officers, and ●…educed his men to a much lesser number; and not to come short of the Duke in his forwardness of restoring such places as were taken, he gave order to the Governor of Oneglia that he should be ready upon the first notice given to quit the Town; who therefore began to send away some Artillery and Ammunition. But the face of affairs altered at the coming of his Successor, whereof as soon as Inoiosa had notice, he went from Milan, and not tarrying to see his successor, he went with two Galleys into Spain, richer in moneys which he had gotten in his Government, and by the War, then in any glory he had gotten in the last actions: whereof to excuse himself he gave out that he carried with him particular orders which he had received from Spain, (meaning those of the Duke of Lerma) and the opinions of many of the Council of War in Milan, according to which he professed he had governed himself upon all occurrences. When he came to Spain, he was by order from the King confined in Alcala; where his cause being tried by Justice, and the Judges who were deputed by the King to examine his actions not agreeing in their sentence, he at last, after some month's space, was admitted to see the King, and was acquitted of all imputations. It was thought by many, that the Duke of Lerma's favour stood him in much stead, who besmeared himself sufficiently in procuring his liberty, for the doubt conceived, lest by his depression, who was a creature of his, his own reputation might be concerned; especially for that he doubted lest many of his rivals might use all their endeavours to have him condemned, rather out of a desire to lessen his the Duke's authority and grandezza, then to see the guilty person punished for his misdemeanours: but though his Grandezza, till now untouched, did also in these affairs surpass his corrivals; yet envy increasing upon these occasions, and the gate to murmur being opened, he began from this time to decline, and fell afterwards totally. T●…e first thing the new Governor did, was to revoke the Reforma●…ion made by his predecessor in the Spanish, and Lombarde Companie●…; under no other colour, but for that the less worthy Captains and Officers were detained, and the more deserving and experienced were cashiered; fo●… what remained, though he in words professed the observance of the treaty of peace, yet there appeared many signs which showed he was otherwise minded; for being naturally zealous of the King's dignity, he, even with injurious words detested the actions of his predecessor; of whom having received ill impressions, he in his actions and countenance appeared every day to be more and more offended, and broke often out into spiteful speeches against the Duke, even to the telling him he would in a short time reduce him to nothing: and that he was very certain that the King's affairs, especially for what concerned him the Duke, should be otherwise handled under his Government then they had been. It was also observed that as he sailed above the City of Nice, when he passed from Antibo to Finale, he showed no friendly intention, not resaluting that Fort with shot according to custom: being moreover visited by the said Duke by way of Embassy, as Ital●…an Princes are wont to visit new Governors, he did not answer with equal civility, till delay had made it unseasonable; and being offered by the Duke to have all places restored, as soon as he should have laid down Arms; he answered that the Duke ought first to do all that he was obliged by agreement to do, before he should pretend to the observance of any thing agreed upon. He moreover rejected Claudio Marini, who in the King of France his name desired him to disarm; telling him, that he was no legitimate person for that King: so as the Duke and all Italy were not a little doubtful of his intentions; which for what he afterwards manifested, was not to break the peace at first, nor yet to keep his Army idle; for he was by the King forbid to do either of these; but, were it either for the greater preservation of Dignity in disarming he would seem to do it of his own good will, and not as being bound so to do, or at the request of any other, or that he had really any such injunction from Spain, or that he was moved thereunto for t●…e honour of his King, or out of private glory, he delayed the execution of the agreement; not without hope, as appeared afterwards, so to better the King's conditions. It was notwithstanding believed that he had a mind to bring the Duke to lay aside the Articles of Asti, and to humble himself of his own accord unto the King, into whose hands if he would totally put himself he should be rece●…ved into like favour as formerly, and treated with more advantageous satisfaction; wherein if he should have prevailed, he should, much to his glory, have abolished those abominable conditions; and also have wrought the Duke●… so much desired humiliation, and his reuniting to the Crown; a thing as much desired for the quiet and safe●…y of Italy, after t●…e breach, as it was little valued before; and that which D●…n Piedro seemed most of all to desire; if the Duke should agr●…e upon any ot●…er terms, or by any other means, then by the Articles of Asti, t●…e the French men's plots, and those of the other enviers of the Spanish greatness, would be canceled; and the King of France his arbitrement, which the French boasted they had introduced in the affai●…s of Italy, and excluded that of Spain, would ●…ave proved vain: being probably moved thereunto, out of these ends, he began to propound m●…ny difficulties touching the Duke's demands, more relating to t●…e King's dignity, then to the peace of present affairs: pre●…ending that it was not expressed in the now Capitulations of peace that the King should disarm; that the Swissers were dismissed, and the Auxiliary Forces of t●…e Italian Princes; and that the remainder we●…e so much lessened by running away, and by death, as there were scarcely enough left for the Garrisons of the State of Milan, which was not limited by the Capitulations. And finally, that the Duke had not fully disarmed, who was to observe ●…ll the other Articles anticipately: but the commotions begun at the same time in other parts of Italy, between the Emperor, and the Archduke of Grats, in one part, and by the Venetians in another, afforded him more reason of justifying his designs; For the King's Agent, holding for certain that the Commonwealth had made War upon those Princes, out of a desire to bereave the house of Austria of many Towns which it possesseth in Friuli, and of the Havens of Istria and Dalmatia, they thought themselves bound to maintain them, not only for that the Arckduke was brother to their Queen, and of the King's family, but for that by their possession of those Havens they did for ever shut up the entrance from any Germane succours, which upon occasion might be sent into the Kingdom of Naples. Wherefore, because whilst there was War in Italy, it neither became the dign●…ty, nor the safety of the King's affairs, that they his Ministers should be unarmed, idly expecting the event of those differences wherein the King was so much concerned: the Governor adding this no less just (as he termed it) then necessary reason to the rest, and therewithal refusing the Duke's demands, alleged that such accidents had happened as forced him to keep more strongly armed; nor that there could be any pretence made, but that the King might lawfully re-arm upon new occasions, though he had been bound by those Capitulations to disarm. By the in●…erposition of these dissiculties, together with his rigorous and threa●…ing proceedings with the Duke, he hoped that by making the Duke despair of reaping his pretended fruit by those Capitulations, whereby he might boast that he had once been able to make the King lay down Arms, he might easily make him bethink himself of new resolutions: This the Governors hope was likewise confirmed by the occ●…sions and present conjuncture of times, which seemed to make very much for him. At this very nick of time was the consignation of the Ro●…al married Couple made by the two Kings, with a glorious and splendid attendance upon the Confines of their adjoining Kingdoms; and therefore their Union being established by such pledges, he thought that the King of France, and the Queen Regen●…, by whom, and according to whose pleasure, the Kingdom was then Governed, that they might gratify the King and Court of Spain, towards whom the Queen seemed to be very well inclined, would no longer stand so much upon the alteration or observation of the Treaty of Asti; especially since ●…e knew it had happened partly by siniste●… in●…entions, partly by the negligence of the State-Ministers in Italy, beyond the chief appointment made in Spain with that King, by the Commendator Sillery, and beyond their intentions who pretended nothing from the King of Spain, but the Duke's safety; but still joined with the same King's Dignity, whose Authority they had not the l●…ast drift to diminish; nay, if they had been otherwise minded, it would not have been easy to have made good the Duke's Affairs, since France was then in greater combustions than ever, and fuller of new broils, and intestine discords, raised by the Prince of Conde, the nearest Prince of the Blood, next to the la●…e King Henry's line, and by many other Princes and Barons of the Kingdom; who being much unsatisfied with the King's Match, and with the so strong union between those two Crowns, since they saw they could no longer hinder it, made head under pretence of reforming the Government, with great Forces, and attendance of the Nobles, against the King, as he returned with his Wife and Mother to Paris; so as the necessity which their Majesties had of keeping united to the Crown of Spain, that they might thereby the better fence themselves against the Civil Insurrections of the Kingdom, being added to their own good will, made them the less able to mind the Affairs of Piedmont. Moreover the Duke of Savoy, being but badly satisfied with the King and Queen of France, by reason of their denial to assist him upon the late occasion, and by their intimating War unto him, just then when by the diminution of the Spanish Army before Asti●…e ●…e thought himself sure of Victory: Conde, and the other Princes that were tacitly united, thought him a fitting means to disturb, together with them, that union of the two Crowns which was contrary to his ends, which he had already endeavoured, and had disbursed moneys largely to such as having a hand in the business might trouble those Marriages; so as being still able to do so, their Majesties had little reason to look upon his Affairs with a favourable eye: The Governor therefore thinking he might lay a good groundwork for his designs, in ordering that King, and the Affairs of that Court, ●…e doubted not but that his Reasons for not disarming, effectually represented in that Court by Don Hectore Pignatello, Duke di Montelione, Ambassador for the Catholic King at Paris, and a great Confident of Don Pietro's, by reason of the near alliance that was between t●…em, might be accepted of as lawful; and consequently the opposition of that Crown being taken away, he was sure that the Duke, being destitute of such a leaning stock, and his Forces being consequently lessened, might be put upon great necessities, and that submitting himself to the King's pleasure, he would agree to any thing, without talking any longer of Asti, or of the Capitulations made there. The Duke then understanding at last, that the Governor desired one might be sent unto him, with whom he might treat touching the Common occurrences, gave order to Count john Battista Soleri, who upon other occasions was destined Ambassador to Venice, that pssiang by Milan he should hear what should be said unto him about that business; and he sent the Senator Lodovico Zoello along with the said Count, to the end that the Count passing on to Venice, Zoello might bring him the Compendium of the business: These being gone to Milan, the Governor propounded Propositions to them, not only very satisfactory for the Duke, but made also many promises of advancing the Duke ●…nd his Sons to great pre●…erment, if, passing by the nicety of the Capitulations, he would humble himself to the King; and on the contrary, strange doub●…s ad difficulties touching the execution and interpre●…ation of the said Capitulations, if the Duke should tenaciously stick thereunto; they were therefore desired to exhort the Duke to write unto the King in conformity to what he had proposed; but the Duke being frustrated of any Spanish hopes would not give way to the Governors' allurements, esteeming them so many baits to make him fall unworthily from that Glory which through so much trouble and danger he had achieved; to the end that throwing himself dishonourably into the King's Arms, and indiscreetly estranging himself from the friendship and protection of those Princes who had subscribed the Peace, he might the more easily be brought into his former condition by the King's Ministers of State, with little hope that the same Princes should resent his injuries another time, if upon this occasion he should so slightly have foregone their favour and Authority: Resolving therefore to undergo whatsoever misfortune, rather than to do what he would not consent unto whilst he had the Enemy's Army upon his hands, he absolutely denied to forego the Capitulations, or to make any submission; but pretending that the King was bound by the Articles to disarm, he said it was the Ambassadors intentions who made them that he should do so, though, for his Majesty's greater honour it was expressed with more circumspection; and notwithstanding, being desirous that he might not thereby receive any prejudice in compassing his chief end, which was, that that Army might be disarmed, he was content to write a Letter, wherein not saying any thing which was not worthy of himself, as a free and independent Prince, and without parting from the Capitulations at Asti, he with great respect excused himself for what had happened; and laying the fault upon the late Governor, he added, that by this means he hoped he should keep himself in his Majesty's former favour, desiring him to preserve him therein in the same degree which he and his children out of so many relations pretend unto: This he sent to the Governor by Zoello, with a flying Seal, with order that he should deliver it him when he should engage himself by express word, that he would dismiss himself within a certain prefixed time: But this Letter was neither received by the Governor, nor sent into Spain; for it did not please him, who desired it might have been written more humbly, and so as that it might have prejudicated the Capitulations; or else thinking that the Duke by that Letter might get a promise of effectual disarming, he did not think the prize equivalent to the demand, nor the bargain answer●…ble to the condition of the present times; therefore showing the Duke the necessity he had to keep his men in Arms, by reason of the war in Friuli, and offering to restore the places that were taken, and giving him his word in the King's Name that he would not offend him, he kept from disarming: He added also, that the Duke of Mantua would not listen to the pardoning of Rebels; and, as if the King of France had done more than he had power to do, in promising that without his consent, he seemed to be prejudiced in the rights of his Principality; so as having sent the Marquis Don john Gonzaga into Spain, he obtained that that point might be left to his free will, that King professing, that he though himself not bound by the Articles of that Peace to pardon 〈◊〉; and that he would not, nor could not justly keep the Duke o●… Mantua from 〈◊〉 Jurisdiction in that State which he had obliged himself to protect: And therefore the Duke of Mantua, being therein encouraged by the new Governor, to whom he was near allied; and being moreover desirous that the Duke of Savoy might reap no good by this peace, he did not only constantly deny the pardoning of Rebels, which he wa●… much pressed to do by the King of France, but selling t●…e remainder of Count Guido's goods, and confiscating those of the rest who he pretended to be Rebels, he also put some of his Subjects to death, for having served the contrary party in that War. But the Duke of Savoy, who could not be satisfied neither by the King's word, nor by the restitution of places taken, which the Governor offered him, without the effectual difarming of the King's Army; seeing that no good was yet got by the peace of Asti, but some vain promises, by which he had suffered himself to be persuaded to lay down Arms, and to consent to other of the King's demands; having now lost all hopes of obtaining his intent of the Governor, as if he had run the danger of being again assaulted by the Spanish Army, and being enforced to send some Soldiers and Ammunition to the Confines of Piedmont, that he might thereby move the Princes who were bound to observe the Capitulations; to which betaking himself, he did not a little exclaim against the not observance of what was agreed upon under their Authority, and replying to the Governors' oppositions and difficulties, he complained that all this proceeded only from his not submitting himself unworthily to the King, and by renouncing the Articles covenanted, from not ●…erding himself from their union, and from his not undervaluing their Authority and Dignity, who were the Arbitrators and Moderators thereof; and putting all men in mind, but particularly the French, how prejudicial it would be to their King, and to the honour of France, that the Regal Name and Authority should be cancelled from the Conventions of peace, he endeavoured by all means to make them to get them to be maintained and made good, promising that for his part he would refuse no pains, would not forbear for any expense, would not be afraid for any loss or danger, but would adventure his own person, his sons, and his State, and whatsoever he held dear in this world; that the glory of that King and Nation, in having preserved his State unto him, and in the Kings having interposed himself as an arbitrator in compounding the affairs of Italy, should not be turned into as much shame and dishonour, ●…hy not being able to maintain them; but though he could promise himself but little from the King of England, by reason of the far distance of his Country, or of the King of France, for the aforesaid reasons, yet had he a new occasion to hope well in the favour of the Venetians, who, being entered (as hath been said) into a new War with the House of Austria, were necessitated for their own Interests to assist him, so to secure themselves from the Spanish Forces, whilst they were entertained by him the Duke, and diverted from their Dominions confining upon the State of Milan. And since this War began just at that time, and had much connexion with that of Piedmont, and because it happened in Italy, it is proper to our present History, and it will be necessary, that taking it from its original, it be described by us equally with that of Piedmont, and distinctly related. The Venetian for some hundreds of years since pretend to the Sovereignty of the Adriatic Sea, now called the Gulf of Venice, and have long maintained it more by the authority of a powerful Fleet, then by any ground of ancient concession or just title; by virtue whereof inhibiting many neighbouring people the freedom of Navigation, they do not suffer them to transport their Merchandise freely through that Sea into foreign parts, nor that any such be brought from foreign parts to their Havens and Shore: And as it makes much for the advantage and grandezza of that Commonwealth, that the Inhabitants of the Gulf, and Foreigners who sail through it do not only put in at Venice, and pay a great tribute to the Commonwealth, and that the said Inhabitants provide themselves with things necessary from that City; so on the contrary, it redounds to the prejudice of the same people, not to be able to make use of their own Sea without paying Taxes, nor carry that wherein their Country abounds through it to other parts, nor furnish themselves with necessaries from elsewhere; for the Venetians are wont to send forth some Galleys to guard that Gulf, and do not only seize on such Vessels as sail for other parts, contrary to their Inhibition, but confiscate the Merchandise, and strangely molest the Masters and Passengers. The neighbouring people and Princes did always gainsay these pretensions, complaining that the use of the Sea, which by the Law of Nations was free to all men, was interdicted them by this Commonwealth; and how that she used more respect to those that were more powerful: But those of Trieste did always repugn, and those of ancient Liburnia were more contumacious than they, who are now called Sclavonians, who, as being members of the Kingdom of Hungary, are under the Archduke of Austria, and they have always questioned it, and debated it with the Venetians, not without the tacit knowledge of their Princes, who being busied in more weighty Wars with the Turks, and not-being able either by forces, or by endeavours to alter the Commonwealth, thought it at last to be their only remedy for that sore, to bring into those parts some of the people of Croatia, who were commonly called afterwards Uscocchi, Croates or Cravates, a fierce and courageous people, and who valued not life; who being there as a thorn in the eyes of the Commonwealth, might to the best of their power make good the liberty of Navigation upon those Seas to t●…e Archdukes Subjects. To these, instead of stipend, Piracy was at first permitted, but only against the Turks, as common Enemies, and F●…es to their Prince; abusing which permission against the Venetians Vessels, or being willing to treat them alike (for the Venetians persecuted them) they afforded the Commonwealth reason of complaint; which not prevailing, they resented the injury so far, as they resolved to extermine that whole Nation; professing that so to do, was not only necessary for freeing the Gulf from Pirates, but also, as they alleged, to provide that the Turk being irritated by the Uscocchi's or Croa●…es's injuries might not send powerful Fleets into the Gulf, not only to the danger of their Dominions, but to those of other Princes which they possess upon those Seas: Thus making their own cause common to all, the Commonwealth began of herself alone to provide against it; and endeavouring more to remove the effect, than the cause of the malady, they went against them, and began to prosecute them as Pirates and public Robbers; who being already much increased in number (for many driven thither by the barrenness of their Country, and alured by the profit of pillage, and many banished vagabond Italians, and particularly such as were Subjects to the Venetians, flock thither as to lawful prey of great gain) and growing much more powerful by their numbers, and more cruel by reason of the losses they had suffered by being persecuted by the Commonwealth, they were very cruel in their Piracy throughout that whole Sea, and in all the neighbouring Havens and Islands; and coming sometimes even to within a few miles of Venice herself, they took Vessels even almost in her sight; insomuch as they grew so terrible to Navigators, and so dreadful through their cruelty, as the Commonwealth, without the Archdukes trouble or expense, began to make trial of those sufferings which she had formerly endeavoured to make the neighbouring people undergo; and as they could hardly suppress their insultings with the Venetian greater Vessels, the yareness and multitude of Boats wherewith they scoured up and down in several parts being considered; as also the vicinity of their friend's Country, whither they fled when chased by the Venetian Vessels, and the condition of the Sclavonian seas and shores, which being full of Rocks and narrow Channels made by the many little Islands and Flats, are scarcely navigable for greater Vessels; so did the agreements and stipulations often made between the Commonwealth and the Archduke stand them but in little stead; for though the one promised to keep in the Cravates; and the other to leave the sea open and free, neither party being willing to prejudice the main of their pretensions; they inserted some clause or other in the close of each convention, whereby leaving the controverted point touching the liberty of the Gulf undecided; ne●…ther the difference between those Princes was composed, nor yet were the promises made, and agreed upon between them kept; the point of freedom of Navigation put off to another time, and the permission of free Commerce at sea, as it had been formerly had, being incompatible: which incompatibility occasioned the one the mean while to pretend unto, and the other to prohibit the freebooting of the Uscocchis or Cravates: they being long accustomed to pillage, and urged by poverty, and necessity to live from hand to mouth, which they were not able to do but by rapine, the Covenants agreed upon must needs be broken, and the Gulf must necessarily remain subject to the former molestations. The Commonwealth finding no more ready nor opportune remedy, began to pretend, that to extirpate the evil, as they said, by the roots, that whole Nation should be removed from the Maritime parts. But this meeting with many difficulties, at last in the year 1612. an agreement was come unto, almost of the same contents, and with the same clause of reservation as before, between the Emperor Mathias, to whom the places inhabited by the Croats belonged, and the Archduke Ferdinando, to whom the Emperor his Cousin-german gave the Government thereof, he being the next neighbour Prince to that Country, on the one pa●…t, and the Commonwealth on the other; which that it did not long continue, ●…s it ought to have done, the Venetians according to their custom, upon the Uscocchis or Cravates ravenousness, and upon the Archdukes dissimulation, and that of their Officers, who were well enough pleased to see the Commonwealth continually molested on that side. But they complain more particularly that a Galley of theirs being taken by the Uscocchis or Croates, after that agreement, whilst it lay in one of the Havens of Sclavonia, it was carried to Segna, a Town belonging to the Emperor, and that the Galley-slaves being there set at liberty all the rest were slain, and barbarous cruelty was used upon the de●…d Corpse of Veniero the Master of the Galley; the Archduke not resenting so abominable an excess committed not against private men or Vessels; but against the public Barks and Officers. The Austriant, on the other side, laying fault upon the prohibition of Navigation continually pretended to by the Venetians, and stiffly maintained contrary to the Capitulations, gave their Reasons for the fact which they had committed, and which they did not deny: affirming that some differences being known between people that were under the Turks, and under the Venetians upon the Confines of Dalmatia, the Commonwealth did resolve not to meddle therein openly, but thought it better to make use of the Uscocchis or Cravates, naturally enemies to the Turks; and that privately furnishing them with moneys, they egged them on underhand against the Turks, not so much within land, as upon the sea shore. But when not only the complaint of this fact came to the Court at Constantinople, but also the Commonwealths underhand dealing therein; the Commonwealth could find no better means to free herself thereof, then by coming to some sudden severe demonstration; and that therefore some of the Croats Barks being gone by the Commissary of Dalmatia's express licence to sack Popono and T●…bigna, Towns belonging to the Turks, as they returned home with their prey, they were unexpectedly fallen upon by some of the Venetian Soldiery in the Island of Liesina where they had touched in their passage, after they had eaten friendly with them in company, that leaving there great part of their prey, and 200 of their men slam in the scuffle, the rest escaped away by flight, and returned home, who did so move the kindred and friends of those that were slain, and generally the whole Nation, as hasting to their Barks, they went to resent the injury: and that lighting by chance upon that Galley, they took her, and there vented the●…r rage; and that yet there were Commissaries sent to Segna, to see justice done; but that understanding the truth of the fact, and no body appearing on the Commonwealths behalf to make complaint, they proceeded no further: but howsoever the matter went, the breach was occasioned upon this occasion; For the Commonwealth being more mindful of revenge then of complaining, as if all their Articles and Law had been violated, they began presently to forbid Commerce by Navigation to all the Archdukes Subjects; and placing many armed Boats in the Gulf of Trieste, and in other convenient place●…, they did so handle those people as they could not only not Traffic, but neither Fish, nor carry the fruit of their possessions home in their domestic Barks: and moreover, Antonio Chi●…rano, Captain of the Gulf, entered into Laurona, and Lorenzo Veniero General of Dalmatia into N●…w, Towns inhabited by the Uscocchis, where they miserably ruined them, sinking many Barks loaded with Victuals in the former, and recovering the Artillery of the Venetian Galley which was lately taken, in the other: at the same time, by way of Intelligence they assaulted the Fort of Carlobago; but meeting with greater resistance, they were repulsed with the loss of 200 Soldiers, and their Captain: the People and Officers on both sides being hereby more incensed, they began interchangeably to disturb each others Confines, rather by tacit permission, then by express order from their Princes, who shunned coming to an open breach; making inroads, firing Houses, and destroying the Countries; and some towards the Law began to publish defamatory Edicts, and to lash one another reciprocally: and afterwards the fury increasing, the Venetians entered into Istria with 1500 foot, and some Horse; and having in vain attempted the Castle of St Servolo, they sacked and burnt the Towns of Cernotis and Cervicale. And the Commissary of Istria sacked Berbenito, Berce, St Theodorico, and once mo●…e Cernotis and Cervicale, with 1500 Foot and some Horse, not meeting with any resistance. And not long after they assaulted the Confines of Trieste with 4000 Foot and 200 Horse, with a Galley and many Barks, they destroyed the Salt-pits, put the neighbouring Country to fire and sword; intending to do more mischief, had it not been for Volfango Frangipani, Count of Terzacco, General of Croatia, who coming by order from the Archduke with the Militia of those Confines, to defend the Country, and with the Cavalry of Carlistot, which came in unto him, assaulted the 〈◊〉; against whom there came also out 400 Triestians commanded by Benedetto Pettazzo, and by Daniel Francol, so as there happened a fierce skirmish, wherein the Venetians were routed, and put to flight, with the death of above 600 of them, and of their General Mario Gallo da Ossimo: and the Commissary, and rest who were in the scuffle, had much ado to save themselves, by getting into the Galley, under the shelter of the Artillery which was shot from thence. After which Victory, the Vice-general, suffering some of the Soldiers, and of the Uscocchis, to overrun Istria, where they did much mischief, he himself with some of his men entered the Territory of Montfalcone, and destroyed all things by fire and rapine: but the Commonwealth, whom the successes of Piedmont had peradventure made apprehend the Spanish Forces less, in respect whereof they had for born to come to an open breach with the Archdukes, and had therefore still formerly been contented to suffer and to temporize, resolved now to do so no longer, but to show their resentment by open war. A resolution which though as it was publicly said, the gravest and wisest Senators were far from; who foreseeing the consequences, would not have willingly seen the Commonwealth imbroil herself in that war; yet the heat of the younger sort prevailing, which was fomented by one more ancient Senator, who to win favour from the meaner Citizens adhered to the more general Vote; the greater opinion overcame the better, as it sometimes happens amongst multitudes; and though the Towns and places, from whence the Uscocchis came to pillage, belonged (as hath been said) to the Emperor, and above a hundred miles from Friuli, yet because they were governed by the Archduke Ferdinando, and that the said Ferdinando was bound for the behaviour of the Uscocchis, the Venetians complained that he winked at their Piracy, or atleast did not inhibit them, nor punish them for it; and would not only assault, and make war upon that Country from whence their prejudice came, but also upon that part of Friuli which belonged unto the Archduke: thinking that the only way to provide a salve for this sore, was to molest the patrimonial Territories of that Prince. They therefore ordered Pompeo Giustiniano to go into friul with six companies of paid Foot, which were destined for Candia; and he carried thither also many other Soldiers, most of them of the meaner sort of those parts; and making the rendezvouz at Palma and Udine, he commanded them to go against the Archdukes Country: Francisco Erizzo governed Palma, and the Militia of that Province, but Giustiniano was to govern the war. Having assembled together about 1200 Horse, and some seven or eight thousand Foot, he at unawares entered Friuli, and possessing himself at the very first of many of the open Towns, he also took and fortified Medea, Meriano, Chiopris, Romanso, Cormonso, and Vilesso, the chiefest Towns belonging to the Archduke, and distributed his men therein: At the same time the Territory of Monfalcone took up Arms, and the Commonwealth's Soldiers took Sagra, one of the Archdukes Castles on the other side of the River, over against Gradisca, and munited it, to defend the Country from the troubles it might receive from Gradisca. The War being thus begun against the Archduke, and footing being got in the Archdukes Country, the Captains in the Camp, and the Senators in Venice, began to aspire unto greater things. The two chief Towns, and of most consideration, were Goritia and Gradisea; the former, which is as it were the Metropolis of the Archdukes Country on this side of the Mountains, is situated beyond LIsonzo, at the foot of the Alps, which was by the Ancients called Giulie, very strongly situated, and defended by a Castle hard to become at: The other lies lower towards Palma and Udine, upon the right hand of the Lisonzo; which washing the walls thereof on the East side, serves it for a Rampire, and it is secured on the other three sides by large and deep ditches; The passage over the River made against the expugning of the former, as also the danger that the Soldiery being too far entered into the enemy's Country they might be molested, and peradventure much prejudiced, if Gradisca should remain behind them on their backs in the enemy's hands; and the expugning of the other was withstood by her Fort, and by her being easily relieved by the succour which might easily be conv●…yed to her every day by the neighbouring River from Goritia, espec●…ally the Archdukes men being encamped, as they were, on the left shore. Between these two lay the third less difficult en●…erprise of Lucino, a great Town on this side of Lisonzo, in the midst between Goritia and Gradisca, near the stone-Bridge which leads to Goritia; neither so strong, nor so easily to be succoured as Gradisca, as lying somewhat farther from the River, and not so far within the Archdukes Country, as Goritia. Commissary Erizzo resolved therefore to attempt it, and sent Giustiniano thither with some men, who took it, and sacked it, meeting with no resistance, and quit it the same day, as not thinking it a safe place to ●…arry in; but nothing was so great a hindrance to the Venetians, nor did so much detain their resolutions, as the want of experience, discipline and valour, in their men; the greater part whereof being unorderly, who being by force taken by the Magistrates from their houses and employments, kept the Campagnia unwillingly, and did unwillingly serve in those exercises whereunto they were not bred up nor accustomed, nor led unto by their genius: So as their Captains not being able to rely upon them, they were not only kept from attempting new enterprises, but from bringing them into the field, or employing them in any Action. The whole Archduke's Country being therefore by reason of these Commotions up in arms, and Adamo, Baron of Trautmistorfe, being sent from Germany into Friuly, who was General of Croatia, and Captain of the Emperor's Guard, and who though but young, yet of tried valour, was made the chief in this war by the Archduke, with Title of Captain-General: He had also brought along with him between two and three thousand Veteran Soldiers, long trained up in the wars in Hungary; and Garisonizing such places as were fittest to hinder the enemy's progress, he oftentimes scoured the Campagnia, assaulting to some purpose the Venetians Stations, and men, who not being able to stand before the Dutch, were sometimes shrewdly beaten: Therefore the Commonwealth's Commanders were forced to keep themselves within their Works till they were furnished with better Soldiers; True it is, that Daniel Francol, coming out of Gradisca with some few Horse, was taken in an Ambush that was laid for him, and with some 30 of his men was slain by some Troops of the Albanesses; and Ferdinando Scotto, who had the custody of the County of Monfalcone routed some of the Archdukes forces who were come to plunder and infest that Country, and made them retreat into Goritia: But the Commonwealth, which entered into this war with more fervour than preparation, began to meet with many great difficulties; for having in all former times made use of paid-men in their Militia, as being more useful and less suspicious to that Government, they had made less esteem of their natural subjects; and according to the condition of those ages, when the Militia of Italy served any Prince under famous Commanders, she, as being richer, and abounding more in moneys then any other Prince, had better conveniency of furnishing herself with the valiantest Sould●…ers, and most experienced Commanders; by whose means and valour she made notable achievements, and signal progress on Terra ferma; augmenting her State, and bringing it to that Grandezza which now she enjoys: But now the condition of times being changed, the Italian Militia being reduced under the command of their natural Princes, and Foreigners depending in a great part upon the King of Spain and House of Austria, the Commonwealth found herself to be at the same time deprived of her natural forces, and totally unfurnished of Foreigners: Wherefore endeavouring to get Soldiers and Commanders, she found not so much difficulty in getting them from amongst Italian Princes, from the Swissers and Grisons, as to get passage for those that came to serve her out of France and the Low-Countries; the former not being willing to disfurnish themselves of their best Soldiers in so turbulent times; and the others being loath to deprive themselves of the Commerce of the State of Milan, so necessary for thei●… maintenance; and none of them being greatly desirous to offend the House of Austria, upon which they in divers respects have antien●… dependence; and no●… to incense the King of Spain, who they knew would favour the House of Austria: Nor could she hope for any assistance from ●…omama, or 〈◊〉 Ancona, from whence the Venetians had wont to be furnished with so many Foot and Commander●… as did supply their ordinary Garrisons, as well in their Forts in the Levant, and in Dalmatia, a●… on T●…ra forma; for the Pope professing to be outwardly a Neu●…er in all these Occurrences, but being in effect very much unsatisfied with the Venetian●…, by reason of the great disgusts between him and them in the beginning of his Popedom, he was more fevere than any other Prince, in prohibiting his subjects to assist them: Wherefore the Duke of ●…arma, were it either in respect of the Pope's Orders, of whom he held in ●…ee, or out of the near interests and intelligence which he held with the Crown of Spain, being offend●…d with his Son Don Ottavi●…, whom he loved dearly, though he was illegitimate, condemned him to perpetual imprisonment for his forwardness to serve the Venetians. The Duke of Modena showed little less anger against his second Son Luigi, whom he banished for going to serve the Venetians against the Dominions which were under the 〈◊〉 Empire whereof he was a Feudatory: And the Duke of Urbi●…, who had formerly received great pay from the Commonwealth for being their Captain General upon occasion of war, as his Ancestors had been; having of late years found some difference in getting his stipend, the Commonwealth growing weaty of that continual charge, now that they believed well in the peace of Italy; had some years be●…ore sided with the Crown of Spain, from whence he received better and readier day; so as they could not build upon him in their present ●…ed. In this great difficulty; and straits of men and money, the Commonwealth was forced to call in her Feudatoris, and all other her subjects who were in service under any other Princes, and to pardon all their Banditti, though for whatsoever he●…nous offence; but that which seemed more uneasy, and of greater importance, these Provisions being very scarce, and far short of the present occasions, they placed the Tra●…ed-Bands of their Country in their Garrisons in Terra forma towards the S●…ate of Milan; and drew out the best Soldiers f●…om thence, to make use of them in the Camp; to the no little wonder of all that knew, that that Commonwealth which was formerly wont to be careful in Arming their Confine upon the State of Milan whensoever they ●…ard the least news of Arms in that State; and to recruit those very Garrisons with Foreigners, and to provide so well for t●…at part of their 〈◊〉, as 〈◊〉 it had been undoubtedly to be assaulted; should now (〈◊〉 ●…ey knew there was an Army on foot in the State of Milan, and t●…at 〈◊〉 Spa●…ards threatened ●…o interest themselves in that war on the Arc●…dukes behalf) unfurnish that Frontier of their best Soldiers, and should trust t●…e defence of those places of such importance; in the hands of their Country Mil●…a or Trained-Bands, which were unexperienced in war. Next (all this not being sufficient to serve their needs) they betook themselves to Albania, Morea, and to Braccio di Maino, seeking to get from thence, at great rates, as many men as possibly they could: And for their last refuge, these not sufficing, they were at a very great charge in taking a Regiment of 4000 Hollanders into pay, who were to be brought by shipping to Venice; which provisions being courageously ordered, and executed with no less expense, and even to the end of that war constantly, and by general consent increased; though they witnessed the unanimity of their minds, and the readiness of that Government to uphold the public dignity and enterprises resolved upon by public Authority; yet so great a scarcity of Soldiers did not only prejudice the conceived reputation of the Venetian power, being so necessitated at the beginning of the war to borrow money of Foreigners; and not finding much that way, to engage herself to her own Citizens, in little more than one year, for above a Million of moneys, did not a little lessen the opinion which was commonly held of their public Treasure, which was held to be the richest of all Italian Princes; though to preserve their credit they gave out that they would rather spare the public moneys, even at the greatest need, and at the present take up at interest from private men, then by wasting it when they might make use of other men's moneys, be forced afterwards to depend upon the will of others; which though it was not then believed, was afterwards proved to be true by the event; For the Commonwealth having had many occasions of vast expenses in this war, yet she, contrary to the opinion of all men, found means to supply all the necessities which came upon her, with the public moneys; wherein she was never found to withdraw from not only what was necessary, but from what was useful or fitting for any whatsoever difficulties, or want of ready moneys; and it was affirmed by those who were well experienced in their affairs, that the Commonwealth upon this occasion spent above 14 Millions of Ducats: True it is, that their Taxes and Impositions were very great throughout the whole State, which grew thereby much indebted; and that all that not sufficing the whirepool of war, they ran her in debt afterwards for more than eight Millions. These were the preparations for the war of Friuli; but not being able otherwise to provide against the danger of the Spanish forces upon the confines of Milan, they did it by making a 〈◊〉 League with the Duke of Savoy; who standing more in need of money then of men; to boot with many provisions which they furnished them withal, they lent him great sums of money; to the end that persisting still in his pretention of not laying down Arms, he might enforce the Governor to disarm; or that if he would not disarm, they might keep him so employed, as he should not be well able to assault the●…r Confines: They also caused moneys to be paid to the Marquis of Castiglione in France, to bring him in to assist the Duke in Piedmont with 4000 Foot, and 4●…0 Horse; though because the execution of the Treaty at Asti was not totally off the hooks, it was noised abroad that Castiglions' French men were raised to assist the Venetians, not the Duke of Savoy: And though these provisions, by reason of delay, could not ease the present need of the Camp; for it was said that powerful aids were preparing in Germany by the German Princes, to assist the Archduke; yet the Commonwealth's Army being somewhat increased, the Senate, that it might not lie idle, but that it might attempt somewhat worthy of the Forces and honour of Venice, ordered it to go and expugn Gradisca. This place was governed by Count Richard Strasoldo, and by him fortified; and though Captain john Peirino, a Walloon, was entered thereinto with 300 Curassiers and Dragoons; as soon as the enemy drew near it, General Trautmistorft entered by the River with about 1200 Musqueteers; and having encouraged the Soldiers and Citizens with promises of daily succour, he left Peirino there, in whose valour he did much confide; and went out himself with the Curassiers that he had brought with him, to make use of them in the Campagnia, and to employ them where it was necessary elsewhere. The Commonwealth's Commanders went to the taking in of Gradisca, more out of obedience to the Senate, then that they thought themselves able to take it with so weak forces; and having first possessed themselves of a Castle near Fara, they afterwards drew near Gradisca, and began to draw a Line; but finding the earth to be sandy, so as it was impossible for them to entrench themselves, or to make Rampie●…s; and wanting both men and other provisions, they quitted the enterprise, Pietro Barbarico, consenting thereunto, who succeeded Erizzo, with Title of Commissary; but being returned to Cormonzo, they were forced to reassume the business by express Command from the Sen●…te; who were desirous by all means to have that place taken: And therefore bringing much earth thither in Carts, they sat down before it; and having raised some Banks they planted the Battery on four sides with 24 p●…eces Cannon, and endeavoured by their approaches to get into the Ditch; a Raveline was built in defence of the Gate which looked towards the Camp; this the besiegers thought necessary to take befo●…e they should come to the assault; wherefore they endeavoured to make a Mine underneath it: To effect the which they sent many Pyoneers thither, who whilst they endeavoured to perfect the work with their Spaces and Pick-axes, (for they met with Quarries of stone) the defendants were not idle, but shot continually into the Camp, whereby they did much mischief; ran to and fro, and made diligent reparations wheresoever it was necessary; and seeing the enemy draw ●…ear with their Trenches, they resolved to fall upon them by night within their own works: Issuing therefore out a little before day, and finding the Soldiers lie disorderly asleep in the Ditches, and without any military discipline, they assaulted them, put them into great disorder, and returned to Gradisca loaded with prey, having lost but six of their men: The Venetians Army was more endamaged by the bad success of a Scalado, ●…nd by an ●…ssault given to the Raveline after the●…●…ad given fi●…e to the Mine; For there being but few in the Camp who durst go first on upon the enterprise, and mount the Rampire's first, those e●… that did so, who were for the most part Corsicks, though they be●…aved thems●…lves egregiously, yet they lost their lives; not so much by any stout resistance which they met with, as by their companions shameful flight; who be●…ng terrified at the very first Volley of the enemy's Musket, some of them ran away, and returned into the Camp, some threw themselves upon the ground; nor was it possible for the Soldiers to make them rally for any threats, or blows which they could give them; and such was the consternation of their mind, as many chose rather to die basely by the hands of their own Sergeants and Captains, whilst they endeavoured to make them advance, then to hazard the uncertain danger of an honourable death; nay it was said that many of them died out of mere fear: It was impossible to renew the assault; for none of the Soldiers durst advance; and the first ranks or files were so shunned, as whereas in other places upon occasion of bicker or assaults, they are much endeavoured by the valiantest Soldiers, and not obtained without much favour, none could be hired to do so here. This mean while the great Duke of Tuscany, and the Duke of Mantua, out of their alliance to the Archduke, and of the trust which the Commonwealth imposed in them, had begun some Treaty of Peace, not without the Emperor's consent; who being desirous to see these differences composed in a friendly manner, was not displeased with the interposing of these Princes: But the Governor of Milan having received express Orders from Spain to assist the Archduke, sent Don Sanchio di Luna, Keeper of the Citadel of Milan, with many Soldiers and Artillery to the Confines of Bergamo and Crema; wherefore the Commonwealth fearing what might ensue thereupon, admitted the Governor into the Treaty of Peace, who having to this purpose sent Don Andrea Manriques to Venice, demanded in the King's Name that they should desist from oppugning Gradisca; and they finding daily more difficulty in the Enterprise, by reason of the continual succour which could not be kept from thence, willingly honested the occasion of the necessity they saw they were in, of either desisting with little honour, or of continuing the Enterprise with little hopes, and less advantage, by the present colour of complying with the King's desires: So the Army rise from before Gradisca on the 26th day after they had sat down before it, and retreated to their former Quarters of Cormors, Meriana, and Medea. The endeavours of agreement were afterwards re-assumed, and divers proposals made, not only in Venice by the Pope's Nuntio and the Agents of other Ministers, but also in the Emperor's Court between Cardinal Clesell, Caesar's chief Agent, and Giorgio justiniano's the Venetian Ambassador, but all to no purpose; for all agreeing in the principal point of providing for the business of the Uscocchis, they disagreed in the manner how. The Archduke, who thought himself unjustly assaulted by the Venetians, would not listen to any thing before he was first put into possession of all that had been taken from him: The Commonwealth on the contrary would not give way to any restitution till the Uscocchis were driven out of the Gulf, wherein they insisted upon more than they had done at first, demanding not only the expulsion of their Chieftains alone, as they had done at the beginning of the War, but (that they might dig up the mischief by the roots, as they termed it) the total extirpating of that Nation, and of the other banished men who were joined with them; and they persisted so much thereupon, as they did not only refuse the resigning of the Towns which they had taken, as was proposed by the Pope, together with a suspension of Arms till such time as the business of the Croates should be agreed upon to their satisfaction; but neither would they accept of the Governor of Millain's word, given them in the King's name, and the security offered them by the Pope, that they should be satisfied in that point, as soon as what had been taken should be restored; and the provision therein was such, as not only the Chieftains, but those that were expelled the Commonwealth should be driven out. The Venetians alleged for their obdurancy herein, that the Commonwealth had been several times fed with such words and promises to no purpose; which being but badly performed afterwards, they seemed to have just occasion to persist stiffly in keeping what they had got, as a pledge or pawn at least of the total extirpation of the Pirates, by them pretended unto: which demands the Austrians thought very unreasonable, who argued by this their so great tenacity that they aimed more at being masters of what belonged to others, then at the purging their Gulf of Pirates. The war continued therefore in Friuli, with greater forces, and preparations, but with but small progress made by the Venetians: much succour came to the Archduke from Germany, part at his own charges, part at the Emperors; and several valiant and well experienced Commanders were sent him from other Princes: as Count d' Ampierre, the Commandatore Coloredo, the Baron of Lelile, and Colonel Standardi, amongst others there came 4000 Foot and 500 Horse, all select men raised at the King of Spain's cost, and sent into Friuli under the command of Don Baldasser Marradas, Don Inigo di G●…evara, Count d' Egnate, and Ambassador for that King in the Emperor's Court, a very accura●…e Lord, and vigilant in public affairs; and to whom the King committed all the charge and provision of succour which he contributed to the Archdukes service. General Trautmistorft not thinking it now any longer time only to make excursions, but to keep the Field and face the Enemy, passed over Lisonso with his Army, took up his quarters under Luciniso, intending to fall upon the Venetians quarters; whose valour he so little valued, as he cared not to fortify himself: The Venetian Commanders had notice of the weakness of his Works, and of the Enemy's negligence in fortifying themselves: and thinking it a fit occasion to prevent being offended, they resolved to assault them unexpectedly by night. The Venetians Camp was no less reinforced than the Archdukes, with Soldiers raised in Terra ferma, Sclavonia, Albania and Greece: and having altered their Officers, they had made a new form of Government: in stead of Barbarico, three Commissaries were sent to the Camp from Venice: Antonio Pri●…i, Procurator of St Mark, I●…van Battista Foscarini and Francisco Erizzo; the first had the title of Commissary-general, the other of plain Commissari●…s. These were the only three that voted, and all things were resolved upon by the Votes of two: the Council of War being therefore first called, and consulted with, wherein was Don L●…igi d●… Esta, General of the great Cavalry, Francisco Martin●…go de Conti di Malpaga, General of the Light-horse, Ferrante de Rossi, General of the Arti●…ery, Pompeo justiniano's Camp mast, and Camillo Trivisano Commissary of the Albanesse Horse, called Stradi●…tta: these assisted the three Commissaries with their advice, and gave their opinions, but had no Votes: the execution of what was resolved upon belonged to justiniano's, as Campmaster, which he ordered under the Commissary-General, guided the Directions, and directed the intended Enterprises. The enemy being then to be assaulted within his Quarters, according to the resolution already taken, justiniano's disposed of the Army into several Squadrons; the first assault fell to Trivigiano's share with his Albanesse, and to Horatio Baglioni with his Brigade and some Corsicans; the former on the westside where the Hills ended; and the others on the southside towards the Campagnia. Trivigiano took some works far from the enemy's Quarters, killed the defendants, and past no further; but Baglione at the same time, which was daybreak, forcing the first Port of the Rampires, and having seized on the Court, found a stiff dispute at the second; for the Austrians, awakened at the noise, ran in to the defence; and had not some Corsicks come to relieve him, he had undoubtedly been slain, as many of his men were: A gre●…t onset was also made on the other side; which though it appeared to be prosperous at first, yet the assailants were forced to give back; the same befalling them as did those that made the assault at the Raveline before Gradisca, who fought more valiantly, and received more harm from their friends who were upon their backs, then from the●…r enemies who were before them; for the former being timorous and fearful, stood crouching, and many of them lay grovelling on the ground, who firing their Muskets low slew the best of their own men. The Venetian being returned without having done any good effect to Mariano, had no be●…ter success in the assault which they resolved afterwards to give to the Fort Stella, built by the Austrians on the other side the River in form of a Cavalier, against those of Sagra and Fogliano, held by the Venetians; for Pietro di Vasques, a Spaniard who was Captain there, foreknowing the enemy's resolution, put his men quietly in a defensive posture, and repulssed them, with the death of above a hundred of the assailants: The loss which the enemy received was increased by a great mortality in the Venetian Camp, which beginning with their horses, came afterwards to their men; for the stench of the dead horses being intolerable, the air grew so infected as it begot dangerous diseases; whereby the Camp was reduced to so small a number, a●… if they had been then assaulted by the enemy, it would assuredly have been totally defeated: A danger whereat the Common wealth's Commanders were much troubled, the courage and gallantry of the enemy especially being considered, and the little esteem which the Austrians made of their men: But they were afterward somewhat inhea●…ed by the taking of two places situated on two several ways which lead from Germany; and therefore of great consequence, Ponteba and Chiavaretto. Ponteba is cut through in the midst by the River Fella, which falls into the Tagliamento; the ne●…her part the●…eof belongs to the Venetians, and is called Ponteba Venetiana; the other part to the Dutch, and is called Austriaca: The Soldiers which guard Austriaca passing over the River had taken Ponteba Venetiana; which when the Camp heard, 2000 Foo●… of the Country were pre●…ently dipatched away thither, under Commissary Fosclarini, Francisco Martinengo, led on by Count Nicolo Gualdo of Vicenza, Governor of Udine, by Captain Antonio Manzano, and by Captain Daniele Antonini, of the same City, who when they had past the River drove the Dutch out of Austriaca; and did not only recover the booty which they had taken, but moreover, took much Merchandise which they found in Austriaca; and entering further in, burned Malborgeto and Trivese, two neighbouring Towns: nor had the other Commissary Erizzo less fortunate success, who advancing towards Chiavaretto, together with Trivigiano and his Stradiotti, and a good strength of Foot led on by jovanni M●…rtinengo, took it, to the no little praise of Trivigiano, to whom almost the whole honour thereof is due, he being the first that came thither, and the first that did manfully assault it. The taking of Chiavaretto was succeeded by the like of Luciniso, the Austrians having abandoned it, who going to recover Chiavaretto, repast over the Lisonzo: which when the Venetians knew, they marched immediately thither; and possessing themselves easily of the Town, which was but weakly guarded, they in a short time made themselves masters of the Castle, situated upon the top of a Hill: where after three days stout resistance, the defendants were forced to yield for want of water. The like did those of a certain Fort called lafoy Trinita, built by the Austrians, a little higher: to these happy successes was added the taking of Fara, a small Castle between Luciniso and Gradisca, which being played upon by the Cannon, yielded upon Articles; and Baglione, a valiant Colonel, was sorely wounded before it. Thus did the affairs of the Venetians alter in Friuli: but they were not idle the mean while in Istria and Dalmatia; for Marcho Loredano, Commissary in those parts, and Benedetto da Leze, Commissary of Horse, as they scoured the Country, met with several encounters, wherein having the better, they took many prisoners, and slew many: and some Galleys going to Antignana, after having played upon it long, they took it upon Articles; and a●…erwards scouring along the Coast of Pessino, they put it to fire and sword; and jovanni jacomo Zane, Commissary of Dalmatia, went to before Segna; but for want of provision durst not attempt it; but turning to Mosconizza, after having played upon it two days, took it: Berses upon the bank of the River, and the Fort of Sirissa, over against the Island Pago, through the Garrisons discord, fell also into the Venetians hands. But not long after the Austrians being become masters of the field in those parts, by the multitude of men that came in to assist them, they ran all over with much terror, burning and ruinating all the Country, and the Venetians Subjects: the affairs of which States began sore to go less in reputation, all men's eyes being bend upon Lombardy, where the war grew hotter between the Governor of Milan and the Duke. The Duke (as hath been said) was entered into private confederacy with the Venetians: in whose name publicly, but privately for the service of the Duke of Savoy, a Regiment of 4000 Foot was raised in France by the Marquis of Castiglione, besides many others who flocked in threves into Piedmont: The Duke had also made his complaints in that Court, of the difficulties interposed by the Gove●…nour in the performance of the Treaty: and though the Reasons wherewith he strove to imprint in that Nation, the necessity which they had for the King's honour to make the Articles be observed, prevailed but little with the King and Queen, who were not to be removed from their friendship with Spain; yet having made great impression in the Prince of Conde, and in the other Colleagues, they afforded them more occasion efficaciously to demand the Reformation which they pretended unto, of the Kingdom: openly complaining that the Queen Mother by reason of her secret intelligence held with the Court of Spain; and the chief Officers and State-Ministers of the Kingdom, for the great advantage they got in that Court, and that they might not withstand the Queen's authority, did wink at, and did not value the Kingdom's sa●…ety, nor the honour of the King, who by reason of his years, was incapable of knowing how much the sustaining of Piedmont concerned the safety of that Court. Wherefore these having sent Monsieur d' Orfe to Piedmont, to the end that his assisting the Duke in the name of the Confederates, he might encourage him, and give him reputation; they also made open demonstration in France that they would savour the Duke's affairs by all the means they might. But in effect their whole ends tended to bring about their own interests, whereunto the union of the two Crowns being contrary, they found no better means to break it then by pressing the affairs of Piedmont; and that the King of Spain being busied in Italy might be less able to assist their King; and yet the King and Queen, were it either to take away this occasion of complaint from the Princes, or that they had a real value for the observance of the Treaty, the execution whereof they never had forborn to endeavour, though in a moderate manner, as becomes Princes really united, they always found the Court of Spain ve●…y ready to allow of the Duke's disarming, as legitimate, and forward to order the Governor, that disbanding his Army he might readily, and without difficulty or delay observe the residue of the Treaty: not so much for that the peace of Italy was there desired, as for that the Duke of Lerma, who was interested in Inoioso's defence, and thinking that according to the custom of Courts, he was bound to make good his actions, would that all exceptions being laid aside, the peace of Asti should by all means be executed, and made good. But were it either that those orders were not over precise, or were peradventure so expressed, as that they left a power in the Governor to do therein according to the condition of the present times and occurrences: or that the Duke thought he could not execute them, in consideration of the new accidents, and preparations for war, as well on the Duke's behalf, as on the Venetians: or else, as some would have it, that he had so involved himself in the thought thereof, or had engaged himself so deeply, that the Duke should by his means be brought to humble himself to the King, and that the Capitulations of Asti should be canceled, as that he thought he could not in honour do less, he did not much care to see them performed; many were of opinion that as the aforesaid orders proceeded not from the Kings nor his Councils mind, but from the Duke of Lerma's mere will, whose excessive authority, grown odious to the Grandees of Spain, began to decline (as hath been said) a●…er the success of Piedmont, so were they not punctually observed, nor much valued by Don Pietro; for he thinking that the Grandezza and Majesty of the Crown lay now upon his Shoulders, which he thought had not been very carefully sustained by the Duke of Lerma, out of private respects; was not well pleased that Lerma preferring his own affairs before those of others, unless it were In●…iosa's, whom he detested should abandon the public cause: which he professing himself to be very zealous of, was ready to repair; wherefore not openly gainsaying the King's commands, but execusing himself upon the Venetians new occasions, upon the Duke's new commotions, and upon the strange pretensions of the French, he did as it were by force draw the Court to incline to his opinion. Hereunto was added, that he not being able to per suade himself but that the past disorders had been occasioned through his predecessors fault, and tacit Collusion, he took it for granted, that when the Duke should see himself assaulted by a powerful Army, commanded by himself, who proceeded really, and would assault Piedmont with all the true rules, and rigour of war, should out of excessive fear, yield, and humble himself unto the King: he therefore being big with vast conceits, promised by Letters written to the Court, that he would bring him under, without almost once unsheathing his sword, and without breaking the peace of Italy, by his demonstrations only, and by his preparations: and that undoubtedly he would repair the public dignity, and that he would easily reduce affairs into their former condition. Which hopes being greedily conceived, and believed that he should be able to make that Court slacken their former orders, and permit more freedom to him in conducting the public affairs, according to his own mind, and according as times and occasions should serve: but howsoever affairs went there (for the more intimate occasions of this new commotion appeared too observe and too repugnant within themselves, and peradventure were no less unknown to the Officers through whose hands they passed, then to the people who only minded the effects) it is certain, that the Duke either took, or the Governor gave him occasion of reassuming those Arms: which being naturally given to war, he had unwillingly laid down; from the wresting of the meaning of the Capitulations of Asti, from the dispute about their execution, and from the rigorous p●…etentions about the point of honour between the Duke and the Governor. Wherefore the Governor seeing him busy in preparing for a new war, and being himself no less desirous to set it on fire, t●…en the Duke thinking undoubtedly to bring him lower, and to subdue his Forces, he began to prepare an Army not inferior to that of the preceding year: he took order for men in Germany, in Burgony, in Switzerland, and in the Kingdom of Naples; he disbursed moneys to fill up the Brigades of Lombardy, and to raise new Foot in the State of Milan: so rather as it were out of sport, and out of a feigned show, than out of any deliberate will, war was again begun by him who was able to have quenched the fire thereof: which afterwards breaking forth in earnest, and contrary to his opinion who caused it, was the occasion of much prejudice, and ruin to the people of Lombardy. And as the first war was not improperly termed the Duke of Lerma's war, so this upon better grounds was called Don Pietro di Tolledo's war. The troubles of France were at this time reduced to such terms, as the King being near the Prince's Forces with a powerful Army, the business had like to have been decided by a Battle. But the King and Queen choosing rather, even upon disadvantageous terms, to forbear shedding of civil blood, and to secure affairs, then to get the Victory by the ruin and destruction of the Kingdom, and by the common danger, were not against According many things by way of Negotiation, even contrary to their wills and authority: Whereof two were the ●…iefest; the first, that the principal State-ministers should be removed from their Offices; in whose places others of the confiding Princes should be put; the other, that the King should swear to make the Treaty of Asti be observed. Wherefore the King understanding what order the King of Spain had given to the Governor, commanded Lodovico Mangia●…te, who was his Ageat in Turin, to go to Milan, and solicit the execution of that Treaty. Who being come to Milan, and having spoken with the Governor, desiring him in the King's name that he would become more pliable, and prosecute the begun execution of that Capitulation with all sincerity, received this answer; that the King's Army was much lessened by the dismission of the Swissers, and of those of Tuscany, Urbane, Parma and Lucca, and by the death and running away of the Lombardy Regiments: that the King was not obliged to disarm by the Articles of Asti, and less upon new occasions to reassume Arms; that notwithstanding he the Governor had, for the entire observance of the Capitulations, offered the Duke reciprocal restitution of what had been taken; which the Duke had refused: and that not relying upon the words of two so good, and so great Kings, who offered to secure him from the Forces of the State of Milan; he contrary to the said Capitulations, had detained most of his men in Piedmont, and therefore given new reason of jealousies: and that notwithstanding, he the Governor offered again the proposal of restitution, and promised not to offend him, if the Duke would resolve to observe the Capitulations entirely: and that if he should refuse to do this, he the Agent might witness this to the King, to the end that he might be fully satisfied of the new preparations made by the Duke, and of what he should hereafter do; and that he might plainly see, that he the Governor would proceed with such authority and reputation as became his King, without obviating the peace. The Governor gave this answer in writing to the Agent, and made the same be given to the King by the Duke of Montelion in Paris, who writ him word back, that the King had approved thereof. But the Prince of Conde, & the other confederates seemed to understand it otherwise, whose authority by this new and advantageous agreement was then very great, and got ground upon the King, who by reason of his tender years was not yet constant in his Counsels and Resolutio●…s. They therefore agreed to send an Ambassador into Italy, and made choice of Philippo di Bettune, a nimble-witted Gentleman, and well experienced in the affairs of Italy, where he had been Ambassador many years with the Pope from the King: his Commission was to find out the Governor, and press him to the perfect performance of the Treaty. This mean while all things inclined daily to a manifest breach in Lombardy; for new seeds of troubles being already sown, the Duke armed strongly, and so did the Governor; the Duke threa●…ned to reassume the war in Montferrat by reason of the Duke of Mantua's backwardness to pardon the Rebels: the Governor would quarter his men in that State, not only to defend it from the Duke, but also that he might be the readie●… to offend Piedmont; and to the end, t●…at the Duke of Savoy fearing to be assaulted nearer hand, and as it were at his own doors, might lay aside his thought of assaulting others. But the Duke of Mantua refusing to receive foreign Soldiers into Montferrat, the Princes of Italy stormed thereat, and chiefly the Duke of Savoy, who from a ●…ore assailant, being become a jealous Protector of that State, did not only exclaim against it, for his own interest, but, to raise suspicions of the Governor, and of the Spanish Court, and to make them be ill thought of by the Italians; and renewing the ancient jealousies, he gave out, that under colour of defending and protecting Montferrat, the Governor did fully intend to usurp it; and the Queen Mother exclaiming much against it in the Court of Spain, the King of Spain commanded absolutely that it should be forborn. At this time the Duke of Savoy increased in reputation, it being given out that the French Ambassador came in favour to him, who, as it was said, was sent from the Prince of Conde, and from the confederates, who managed the affairs of that Court as they listed, and seemed to adhere sufficiently to his cause; not was the tacit League between him the Duke, and the Commonwealth of Venice, of less consideration; which being formerly kept secret, grew now to be manifest. The King of England, and many other Protestant Princes of Cermany, who seemed to ●…avour him, confirmed him in his belief, that being upheld by so many, and so potent Princes, he might withstand the violence which was thr●…atned him; and this opinion was increased in many men by the coming of Ambassadors at this time to Turin from the King of England, and from some Germane Princes: but (that which did out do all other appearings and seem) Marshal de Deguieres' coming into Piedmont made all men wonder, he having been long held to be one of the best Commanders in France, and one who took the Duke's affairs very much to heart, and more an enemy to Spain then any other Frenchman: this man, though he came in a peaceful posture, and unarmed, as it were to be a superintendent over the French Embassadour's Negotiations, and privately to inform himself whether things were in that dangerous condition as the Duke related them to be: yet the good correspondency which was held between him and the Duke, and his continual assisting him; his being nominated in the Capitulations of Asti, to see all things performed; and much more the great desire which he and the other Frenchmen seemed to have of maintaining and backing the Duke upon this occasion, so to lessen the Authority of the Spaniard in Italy; made it appear manifestly, that if the Governor should persist resolute in not disarming he would call the French Soldiery into Piedmont, who were said to be ready at his beck upon the Confines of Italy, and prepared for Piedmont. His coming therefore did not only much countenance the Duke, but all the Ambassadors future Negotiation: and the Duke being very vigilant, and ready witted, and accustomed to consort the disposition of his genius with outward demonstrations, made much use of this present occasion in b●…asting of his own Forces, and of the assistance which was promised him, and which he hoped for: wherefore receiving the Marshal with excessive, and unusual honour, and with singular magnificence, and keeping close at very private Counsel with him, ●…e seemed to repose much confidence in him, not pretermitting any term of honour and liberality to make to himself propitious, particularly such, who being intimate with the Marshal might further most his ends and his desires: but these so many demonstrations did more prejudice then further the conclusion of the agreement; for the Spanish Ministers of State being very much troubled at the King of France and King of England's interposing themselves in the affairs of Italy, did very much dislike, nor could they tolerate the Capitulation agreed upon in France, wherein the King swore unto the Prince of Conde, and the other confederates, that he would cause the Articles of Asti to be performed; and the Ambassadors and Marshals coming to see them executed, and the new preparations which were said to be made in France; for Italy being hereunto added, they thought that the French did arrogate that authority to them in Italy by rigour and threats, which the occasion and conjuncture of times, and much easiness of the preceding Governor of Milan had procured unto their King; and that the Venetians and other Princes, did by declaring themselves to adhere unto the Duke, pretend to have an eye unto their Crowns authority: so as if the power and dignity thereof were therein too much concerned, they thought themselves the more bound to resist what so great a union of wills did threaten, for that the danger was greater, that if they should give way, it might be esteemed they did it out of fear of the French Forces. A respect which if it penetrated deep into any one, it must needs make a deeper impression in the Governor; as in him who being come into Italy, wholly inflamed with exalted thoughts, who had put himself in a posture of restoring his King's authority to its former condition, would have been too much failing to himself, and to the opinion which he had generally won, if he had gone less in any thing, than what he had at first so openly professed; and it would have been basely done by him, it seeing his affairs grow worse and worse, he had not endeavoured by all possible means to sustain them: and if he had not been the more solicitous in providing for war, by how much his enemies bravadoes were the greater. Therefore to boot with the moneys which he had already disbursed for raising of men; that it might be seen he durst she●… his face, and to make them jealous who did almost already openly threa●…en him, he sent some Forces to the Venetians Confines, and to the Confines of Piedmont; and as if he would assault the Sta●…e of Venice (for the effects of their League with the Duke appea●…ed daily more and more) he gave order for a Bridge to be made over the Adda. Whereat though the Commonwealth were much troubled, yet having a great scarcity of men at that time, the Senators not being able to do more were forced to commit the defence of that part of the State to the people of the Country. Whilst the Governor was thus busied in making preparations every where, the Ambassador, after having stayed some days at Turin, came to Milan; the substance of whose Embassy was, That the King had, by reason of the accidents which hindered the laying down of Arms, used many endeavours to the Duke, and given him his word to secure him from the extraordinary Militia of the State of Milan; but that the Duke not being therewithal satisfied, the King, out of his great desire to public peace, and by the obligation which was upon him by the Articles of Asti●…, did desire him that he would prosecute the disarming which was begun by his Predecessors; to the end that the restitutions of the Towns might be come to; and the execution of other things appointed by the peace: To this proposal, which was given in in writing, the Governor replied in a long discourse given also in in writing; wherein by a methodical Narration of all things that had occurred from the beginning of the war of Montferrat, to the peace made at Asti; he inferred, That the King had done all things for the protection and security of that State, to which he was much solicited by the Queen of France; That the King was not bound by the Treaty of peace to dismiss, no not so much as one man; and that the Duke had only at the beginning given satisfaction in this point, but that he had afterwards openly countervened it by the many novelties attempted against Montferrat, by his new Levies of men, and by his League lately concluded with the Venetians against the House of Austria: So as the King was in all acceptations free from the Articles of peace; That the Duke refused the security offered him by the words of two so great Kings, not out of any doubt or distrust, but in favour to the Venetians; and that therefore the King of France was no longer bound by the Capitulations to favour the Duke's hidden ends: He concluded with offering readily to observe the rest of the Articles, if the Duke would observe them punctually on his behalf; and with passing his word again in the King's name, not to wrong him; But as for laying down Arms, he confessed freely it was impossble to do it by reason of the Venetians new Commotions; And finally, he entered his Protestation, That if the Duke should refuse this, and should withdraw from reciprocal restitution; the King should remain free from any whatsoever obligation, since he had abundantly satisfied him by the abovesaid offer. This was the substance of the Answer given to the French Ambassador, who at his going from Milan was earnestly desired, That as a good servant to his King, who was by affinity so nearly joined to the Crown of Spain, he would use the best means he could to appease the Duke; and disposing him to make good the Treaty, keep him from favouring the Venetians, whose ends were only to usurp the Archduke's States, who was a just Prince; and this the rather, for that the Duke might be sure he would thereby irritate the King of Spain, towards whom he had reason to proceed with all manner of respect; and that therefore taking the word of both the Kings, he should not provoke the anger of the whole House of Austria against him, wherewith he the Duke was so much interessed both by alliance, and in so many other respects: The Ambassador promised he would do so; and having therewith obtained a Suspension of Arms for the whole month of August, which was then began, he went to Turin; where he was present at a Diet in Moncallieri, between the Duke, the Marshal, and the Venetian Ambassador, who was admitted thereinto under pre●…ence of making him acquainted with every thing; but in effect, because that Commonwealth which is naturally of herself sparing in spending, having till now b●…en more liberal in words and promises, then in deeds, the Duke and the rest of that Cabal, thought it now a very fitting time to make use of her troubles and danger to make hercontribute a great sum of money which they pretended to from her; and therefore the Governors Answer and offers being heard, the Duke began to listen to the proposals, seeming to be thereunto inclined rather for want of moneys, whereof he and his State were much exhausted, then out of any desire or inclination to abandon the common Cause: The French Ambassador, under colour of being a peacemaker, assisted him in his drift; and the Marshal more than he; who being to be the head of the French succour, was to share deeply in the Venetians money; and therefore concluding that it was impossible for Piedmont to sustain so great a war as was threatened her, otherwise then by the Sword of France, and Purse of Venice; he minded the Duke that he could build but little upon the former if he should fail of the other; But the Commonwealth, which saw affairs were so far proceeded in, as it was impossible to come to any atonement; especially the fiery nature of both parties being considered; little valued the threats which were made under the colour of necessity; and knowing whether these counsels, and this sudden inclination to peace tended, did not at all fear being left alone to bear the burden of the war; and so much the less, for that the Duke was already enveloped in many difficulties, and was already by his demonstrations so far engaged in war, as it was impossible, at least very hard, for him to draw back his hand: Wherefore she seemed as cunningly to be inclined to a composure of affairs, which she was as much desired to do as the Duke was by the Archduke, and by the other Princes; and it was in her power to obtain it upon very honourable terms: wherefore the Duke, hoping that the Negotiation about peace would be a perfect antidote against the Venetians Tenacity, gave order that the Treaty should be had in Rome with the Pope; who for this and for other affairs sent Alessandro Lodovisio, Archbishop of Bollognia, into Lombardy, under the Title of Nuntio in extraordinary, that by his Authority he might stop the Governors' forces; who growing every day hotter against the Duke, was gone from Milan to Pavia, to hasten on the war the more; which whilst he threatens openly on this side to Piedmont, yet he plotted it privately on that side where it might be worse for the Duke, as least suspected by him. The Duke of Nemours; a French Prince, of the Duke of Savoy's blood, and the nearest to the Ducal Line next after the children of this present Duke; upon whom, that Line sailing, the States of Savoy and Piedmont were to divolve, was for some years passed not well satisfied with the Duke, upon occasion of some private Picque; wherefore he had not succoured him at all upon occasion of the last troubles of Piedmont; but seeing new Commotions now about to arise from the Capitulations of Asti, he laid aside all past enmity and rancour, and offered to serve him in that war freely of his own accord with 4000 Foot, and 500 Horse: The Duke accepted the offer, and moneys were disbursed unto him in point of pay; and he was expected with his men in Piedmont according to his promise: But his ancient hatred and desire of revenge prevailing over his new Reconcilia●…ion; or his ambition and desire of Reign over his conjunction in blood and his obligations, he closed with the Governor of Milan, who gave him both men and moneys; promising to assault Savoy with the same men wherewith he was to have fallen into Piedmont; which when taken, he offered to acknowledge it as held in perpetual Fee from the Crown of Spain. The Governor listened to this offer, that he might weaken the Duke's Forces by diversion; and therefore sending money to Nemours, 〈◊〉 ordered Monsieur di Disse to pass into Savoy in assistance of this enterprise with 6000 Foot, and 400 Horse, which were raised by his directions in Burgony: And Nemours promised moreover that divert Princes and great Lords of France, who were his friends and adherents, would likewise come thither upon this occasion: Nor was it to be doubted but that the Duke being thus assaulted would have been mightily troubled; he not having forces sufficient for two sore war●… made upon him at one and the same time; in Savoy by Nemours, and in Piedmont by the Governor: But a Letter written from the Governor into Spain freed him from this so near and so important danger; wherein the complotting of this business was entirely contained, which were it by chance, or by the craft of some of the Governors' servants, came to the Duke's hands, and afforded him opportunity to prevent what was plotted against him: Wherefore sending Prince Victorio away in all haste to those parts; he also gave order to Monsieur di Lanz, Governor of Savoy, to secure himself as speedily as might be of Nissi and Remigli, places which lying upon the Frontier of Savoy towards Burgony, served as a gate to let in, or to keep out, the Governors' men who were to enter by those parts under Diffe. This Order being readily executed by Lanz rendered Nemours his business vain; for he, seeming as if he were coming with his men into Piedmont, but indeed turning upon those Towns, was repulssed by the Duke's men: wherefore forced to retire more inward towards Chiaromonte and Cleramonte, his men out of mere necessity of livelihood and maintenance, fell to sack the neighbouring Villages: whilst Nemours kept idle in those parts, expecting that the forces of Burgony should have come and have joined with him; but it was in vain to expect that; for Nissi and Remigli holding for the Duke, and the Governors of Lions, Dolpheny, and the Duchy of Burgony, discovering themselves forthwith to be for the Duke; and soon after all the Princes of France, moved thereunto out of consideration of the great prejudice which might thereby ensue unto the Kingdom, if the Spanish Forces entering into Savoy should more environ the Confines of France, Disse could not get to join with Nemours: And Albertus, Archduke of Austria, who, as Lord of Flaunders, and of the Low Countries, governed the County of Burgony; though he made use, for the most part, of the King of Spain's Armies and Militia, and of the Spanish Officers, in the Government of those Provinces, yet would he not by any means be brought to assist or consent unto that Enterprise, were it either that he was unwilling to disturb the Peace between his men and the States of France, or for that that enterp●…e not being either commanded or approved of by the King, but only framed by the State Officers in Italy, he did more value the near interest of blood which he and the Infanta Arch-dutchess his wife, and Daughter to the King, (whose Dowry those States were) ●…ad with the Duke of Savoy, and with his children, born of a Sister of his Wives, than he did the Governor of Millain's designs; nay, giving severe Orders to his Officers in Burgony, that they should not countenance Nemours in any sort, nor receive his men, he was abandoned by all at the fairest of his play: So the violence of that storm began suddenly to pass over, which, whilst it hovered in the Air, did much alter the Duke's Affairs, which continued troubled for many months; but for all this he did not give over the defence of Piedmont, where having Garrisonned the Towns of Asti and Vercelles, and made Count Guido Governor of the forme●…, and the Marquis of Clausio, who had escaped some few months before from the Castle of Milan, where he was kept close prisoner, Governor of the other; he caused a Bridge to be made over the Po, between Verr●…a and Crescentino, to the end that the Counties of Asti and Vercelles being thereby joined, they might more easily relieve one another in case they should be assaulted; and having sent the remainder of the pay to Castiglione, and the other Commanders who raised men for him, he stayed expecting him: The Governor did the like in Pavia, but with more fervency; where breathing forth nothing but fire and sword, and being impatient of any the least delay, he hasted provisions, that he might go into the field; and giving out that he would be all August with his Army upon the Confines of Piedmont, ●…he made his Artillery be Embarked upon the Po, took Order for many Pioners and Bridges, and disbursed moneys in Montferrat and Milan for the raising of new Regiments; and laying all the Civil Government of the State upon Don Sanchio di Lu●…a, Keeper of the Ci●…adel of Milan, he was wholly intent in providing for War, promising marvellous things unto himself from so great prep●…rations; and the Nuntio being come to Pavia about the midst of August, he gave him Audience bo●…ted and spurred, in which posture he used then to go thorough the City, that it might be seen he was in a readiness to march; and the Nuntio desiring a short suspension of Arms, he would not grant it, saying, That he was come too late: But all things were not so ready for going to the field as the Governor could have desired; for neither were the Swissers come from their own homes, nor were the Dutch come into the State of Milan; and many draught-horses for the Artillery, and many Arms which were expected from Germany for the use of the Army, were not yet come: Execution therefore not answering resolution, and businesses not proceeding on so fast as was expected; nay, new difficulties arising every day, the Governor began to slacken that vigour of mind wherewith till now he had with some violence been transported; and beginning to know the difference between saying and doing, he found also that the bad success of the last War was not wholly through his Predecessors fault: His courage was also cooled by the bad success of the business of Savoy, which was the chief groundwork of his designs; wherein, to boot with having spent above 300000 Ducats, he had also consumed the Marquis of Disse his whole Regiment of Burgonians, which had caused no less diversion to him than to the Duke: He was not a little scandalised neither, that the enterprise should be thought to have miscarried through the wickedness of his men, corrupted by the Duke's moneys; for his chief Secretary was imprisoned as guilty of having made the Letter written unto the King come unto the Duke of Savoy's hands; and though nothing could be proved against him, he was rigidly tormented: He was likewise detained by continual remembrances from the Court, that he should rather break off, than embrace any new occasions of new ruptures; finding those Ministers of State more inclined to preserve that Authority and Greatness which they received privately, and the Crown publicly, from the tranquillity of peace, then to advance it by perturbation of affairs: chiefly when he called to mind that the Duke being desperate, and extraordinarily exasperated, not caring into wha●… danger he ran, seemed to desire nothing but tumults, and alteration of affairs, which was contrary to the Crowns interest in Italy. Of which opinion some of the State-ministers of the State of Milan seemed also to be; those chiefly who out of a particular friendship to the Marquis Inoiosa, and for good turns received from him, thought it suited more with his reputation, that either the peace made by him should be perfected, or else the new war prove unfortunate. And as, for the aforesaid respect, moneys were not provided in Spain, so some State-ministers of the State of Milan, not going along with the Governor in his opinions and ends, but opposing as much as they might such provisions, and resolutions as were to be made, caused diffidence in him in his Counsels, and impediments in the execution of what was resolved upon: wherefore he who was almost surrounded with Competitors, consulting in things of weightiest importance only with Vives, who was then his Confident, communicated nothing to the rest save sleight and ordinary affairs; whereat they thinking themselves injured did the more willingly thwart his Counsels and Resolutions. The Ambassador Bettune returned about the end of August from Turin, who professing that he had used all his best endeavours to make the Duke bear all due respect to the King, and to the house of Austria, brought with him in the King's name a middle way for composure of the present differences. Which was, that the Treaty of Asti should be made good, with the reciprocal restitution of all places taken away; that it might be lawful for them both to keep armed, with reciprocal word of not offending each other till such time as it should be fully accorded within a certain prefixed time, in which interim the whole Treaty might be fully performed; and that the Governor should abstain from injuring the Venetians, whilst the King should endeavour the composure of those differences by his Ambassadors, sent to the Emperor, to the Archduke, and to the Venetians. These Proposals were debated in full Council; where it fell into consideration, 〈◊〉 if (the Duke and the Venetians being agreed) the King's Forces should go against one of them, and the other should assault the State of Milan, whether the war might be dive●…ted from the assaulted Dominions; and that the Governor not having a sufficient Army for two offensive wars; whether it were better to accept of t●…e Proposal only so far as regarded the affairs of Piedmont, and turn with the Army against the Venetians, so to divert them from the war of Friuli; or whether, if the said Proposals should not be allowed of, they should assault Piedmont: it was said for the first part, that the war against the Venetians was the chief cause of retaining, and afterwards of increasing the present Army, that it might seem sufficient for the King's honour to seem to lay down Arms, as the Duke had done, instead of effectually doing so; and the King of France having by the Duke's word, secured those of Spain, that Montferrat should not be assaulted, whether the King (especially when the Duke should have passed his word again, not to innovate any thing to the prejudice of the State of Milan) might dissemble and keep still in Arms, so to keep from making war upon him, which would not be so easily decided, because he was daily succoured by men from France: that therefore it was more expedient, to secure affairs with the Duke, to assault the Venetians Towns, to bereave them of all defence, and so to assist the Archduke by diversion. But they were much troubled left the Duke, when he should see the King's Forces go against the Venetians, might think himself free, and might assault the State of Milan, according to the Articles of Confede●…acy; and this the rather, for that the Marshal being at the same time gone for France, with speech that he was to return suddenly armed, the Duke was gone to Creseentino, where having built a Bridge (a●… hath been said) over the Po, he did not only prepare for defence, but drawing near the Confines of Milan did fortify at la Motta: where having also thrown a Bridge over the Sefia, a River which divides his State from that of Milan, he gave evident signs that he would be the first who would pass over with his Army, which begun already to be numerous. To remove these doubts, the Ambassador was demanded, whether his word past, of not offending, would serve, if the King's Forces should march to the prejudice of the Venetians; and he answering, that he had had no speech thereof with the Duke, the other opinion prevailed, that war should be made upon Piedmont, though Don Giovan Vives, who was got into great power with the Governor, and was commonly thought either the Author, or great Fautorer of the renewed war, seeing the Court of Spain averse from war, and for the aforesaid Reasons, the Governor weary, or grown cooler therein; or peradventure to keep the fault from being imputed to him, if any inconvenience should happen by the war, which the Duke was advised against, giving his opinion openly in writing, exhorted the Governor to accept of the Ambassadors offer for what concerned peace with the Duke, and that setting in the Frontiers of Piedmont 7000 Swissers, and 10000 other Soldiers, did exhort him to assault the Venetians State with the remainder of his Army, which was 13000 Foot and 2000 Horse, molesting it, till such time as they should restore to the Archduke what they had taken from him in that war. But this advise being neither accepted by the Duke, nor allowed of by the rest, nor yet the Ambassadors new Proposals, this answer was given the Ambassador: That his Propositions were not answer able to the Capitulations at Asti, nor if they were, was there any Reaso●… to yield thereunto, the many things which the Duke had to object against them being understood: that the King of France, who was interessed in these affairs, only for what concerned him in that Capitulation, was not allowed to make any new Proposals: that in respect of the new alliance, and good correspondenc●… which was contracted b●…tween him and the King of Spain, he should rather oppose the●… int●…rpose himself in the so many commotions made by the Duke, to the house of Austria▪ and to the King's Dominions, tending to the prejudice of the public peace: and this so much the rather, as that the same Proposals would not be a fitting remedy for the present evils; for by keeping in Arms the people wer●… excessively prejudiced, Princes were p●…t to infini●… expense, and n●…w unlooked for Tumults were endangered, from whenc●… blo●…dy Wars might afterwards 〈◊〉: that it was superfluous to restore that anticipately, which differences not being afterwards agreed, was necessary to be retaken. And in fine, the Governor complained that the Ambassador, after having a month's space allowed him to treat of atonement, should propound n●… terms, and new delays, when he should have brought the Duke's ultimate resolu●…ons touching ●…is accepting or not accepting of the 〈◊〉 which was offered him: though afterwards laying the fault upon the Duke, he added, that this was one of that Princes usual pieces of cunning, that he might the bett●…r prepare himself for the defence, and that letting the season for the Field pass over, the King's Forces might become unuseful to offend. This answer was followed with extraordinary orders, and diligence in putting the resolution which was put on in execution; for the Ambassador not ceasing to give them hopes, and almost assurances that the Duke should promise not to move, no not though they went against the Venetians, he did not obtain his chief end, which was to keep them from providing for war; for the Governor sent Orders to 〈◊〉 that were already upon the Venetian Confines, and to the rest of the Soldiery that was in the State, that they should speedily march into the Novarese, whither he said he would send the Artillery and Ammunition the next day. But whilst he laboured both in body and mind about making these preparations, he fell into an Ague; whereof before he was wholly free, he made himself be carried upon a Bed, on the third of September, to Candia, where he told the Nuntio, and the Ambassador, both which he had dismissed, he would wait the Duke's final resolution: he stayed some days there, paying out moneys to the Soldiery which came unto him from several parts: and making a Bridge over at lafoy Villata, he intended to pass over there with his Army, into Montferrat, and from thence to where the Duke should be, or whither he should like best. He had here in a short time a flourishing Army, not only in respect of the number and valour of the Soldiers and Commanders, but for Artillery, Ammu●…tion, and all things else necessary: there were therein 20000 Foot, made up of several Nations; to wit, 4000 Spaniards, divided into five Regiments and led on by the Camp-masters, Don jovanni, Don Lewis, and Don ●…onsallo di Cordua, Don joronymo Pimontello, and Don john Brav●…: 9000 Lombard's, in five Regiments, the one consisting wholly of Muske●…eers, led on by Prior Sforza, the others, by Lodovico Gambaloita, jeronymo Rho, Giovanni Pietro Serbollone, and Giovan Battista Pecchio; all of them likewise Camp-masters: 3000 Neapolitans, led on by the Camp-masters Carlo-Spinelli, Carlo di Sanguine, and Thomaso Carracciola: 13000 Dutch in two Regiments, the one Trentinians, led on by Count Guadentio Madruzzi; the other Hollanders under, Luigi Solz: to boot with 6000 Swissers, who as being Confederates with the Duke, were to tar●…y in the State of Milan: the Horse, wherein the Gens Arms were comprehended, came to 3000 under their General Don Alphonso Pimontello; they were for the most part new men, and untrained; and therefore though superior in number, yet much inferior in worth to those of the Duke, who keeping still at la Motta, with no contemptible forces, had with him, as fame gave out (wherewith he used to keep up the reputation of his own forces;) 25000 Foot and 2500 ch●…ice Horse; but in effect, between 1500 and 2000 Horse, which were held to be the flower and sinews of his Army: between 8 and 9 thousand French; as many Savoiards, Swissers, Walloons, Piedmonteses and Provencials. And though the differences of Savoy were not yet composed, and that he knew he was to be faced with a more implacable Enemy; yet egged on by the fiercenss of his spirit; and fed with hopes that neither the French, nor Venetians would suffer him to perish; and perhaps arguing the Governors future actions from his former, did not wholly distrust, but that after the first onset the war would not continue in the same fervour as it seemed to begin, he seemed little to fear the Enemy's threats: so as instead of sending back the Ambassador with the acceptation of the conditions of peace, he made his Horse go to Langosco, a Town within the State of Milan, and sent Soldiers to take Villa Franca, and to burn Murano, and other places in Montferrat, upon pretence that provision, passage and quarter was there given to the Enemy; and sending some Shallops down the Sesia, loaded with Powder, and artificial fire, so ordered as that it should play when it came to the Bridge made by the Governor, and break it; whilst he being not far off intended, when the Bridge should be broken, to fall with his Horse upon the Garrison, which were upon the head of that Bridge towards Montferrat, and cut them in pieces: but the Shallops being kept back, the design failed: so as the Duke's Horse appearing on the River bank, there happened a small skirmish betwe●…n them and the King's men, wherein but little harm was done▪ Thus the second War of Piedmont began from the drawing near of two Armies: which was not occasioned through any differences, or Statepretentions, not for any fresh injuries done or received, nor by any new commands to the Duke that he should lay down Arms; but if the truth were known; it proceeded on the Duke's side, from his ancient rancour, and from his desire thereby contracted, of venting himself in any whatsoever manner, in abating the Spanish Grandezza; and on the Governors' behalf; from the bad success of the late War, from the Capitulations concluded with small satisfaction before Asti, and from a desire to abolish them, and therewithal▪ the prejudice of the la●…e actions; and to establish the King's affairs in Italy in their former condition and honour. But if we shall mark the outside of things, this war had no other title, unless it were, that the Duke pretending the Governor should dismiss his Army, he not doing it, did contrary to the same Capitulation reassume Arms, and joining in League with the Venetians would not abandon his Confederates (by whom he was so little assisted in the former war of Piedmont, and by whom he was so apparently wronged in that of Montferrat) nor disarm upon the security of both the King's words, nor yet promise not to molest the King's Dominions. These wars, and the ends and motives of these Princes, was variously discoursed of: some praised the Duke for his faith, valour and free spirit; and cried him up even to the Stars, as if he had been a new Marcellus, who had taught that the Spaniards power, which was held unconquerable, might be resisted: he was therefore esteemed a seasonable defender of the Venetian Commonwealth, and the generous Protector of the Liberty of Italy; and the Governor of Milan was detested, as one that studied novelties, and was no way zealous of the public peace: others who attributed the Duke's resolution to an over contentious mind, to an immoderate hatred conceived against the Spaniards, and to a too excessive desire of suppressing the authority of that Crown, imputed unto him an unquiet spirit, and that he was a greater friend to turmoils, then to quiet: because, to the prejudice of peace, and of the security of Italy, he had let in foreigners into the bowels thereof, to the people's so great loss, to the so great effusion of blood, and to the so apparent danger not only of himself, but to the contaminating of that little of sound or wholesome which was yet left in Italy. But they wondered not at the Duke, by reason of his warlike humour: the wisdom of the Venetian Senate was the more common subject of men's discourse; why they who were so professed friends to peace; (a thing so good for their Commonwealth, by means whereof they had so long continued to be thought rich and powerful, and for which the safety and grandezza of Italy seemed to be upheld by them;) why they (I say) should suffer themselves to be engaged in war with the Archduke, for unnecessary and trivial things: in which war, to boot that they might be sure the Germane Princes and King of Spain would interest themselves, they should, to the prejudice of their reputation, make known the utmost bounds of their Forces; which proving short of what they were generally thought to be, and not being such as that they were able at one and the same time to contest against the Archdukes and King of Spain's Forces, they should be enforced to run the same fortune with the Duke of Savoy, and in a business of such weight and concernment depend upon his award and inclination, who if he should continue to disagree with the King might secure their affairs, and by agreeing might make them run great danger; many could therefore have desired that they had either been more circumspect in their resentment, or that after their first resentment they had used their wont moderation in their Counsels; whereby their ends, hatreds and desires being tempered, they might have given way to the fair conditions which were presently offered them; if for no other end, at least not to justify the complaints which were made against the Commonwealth, as if she had moved in this, not to free the Gulf of Freebooters, but out of a desire of possessing herself of the Archdukes Dominions; and much more, to obviate the trouble and dangers which might result to her, to the Duke, and to all Italy by such commotions and troubles. The end of the fourth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK V. The Contents. THe Duke unexpectedly assaults the Spanish Army which was entered his State; and being beaten retreats to Assigliano; From whence finding that the enemy went to possess themselves of Creseentino, he departs, and speedily preventing them, defends it. The Spanish Army take Santya, and San Germano: The Duke endeavouring to keep back their Victuals was forced to come to a Battle, where he was again worsted. The Pope's Nuntio and the French. Ambassador hold the Governors' forces in hand by introducing new Treaties of Peace; In the interim the Marquis of Mortara entering le Langhe takes many of the Duke's Castles; and Don Sanchio di Luna takes Gattinara: Winter coming on, the Governor fired Santya; and leaving a Garrison in St. Germano sends the rest of his Army into their Quarters, and retires into the State of Milan. The Duke, the Prince his Son being come to him from Savoy, and the Marshal Diguieres from France, with new men, takes the Principality of Messerano, and makes himself master of San Damiano, Alba, and Monreggio, Towns in Montferrat: Wherefore Mortara firing Canelli, abandons the Langhe. The Marshal being sent for back by the King, returns with his men to France. The Venetians whilst they are busying themselves to little purpose in Friuli, are molested at Sea by the Spanish Fleet, sent by the Viceroy of Naples into the Gulf; which not being able to draw the Venetian Fleet to fight, take three Galleys richly fraught. THe Governor being come to the Confines of Piedmont, rather out of a grounded opinion of compounding affairs, then with any resolution to fight: And seeing that the French Ambassador did not return back to him, and signs in the Duke absolute contrary to his expectation, began to fail in the chief foundation of his designs, and consequently to apprehend the difficulties to be greater and of more importance now 〈◊〉 ●…e was ne●…r at hand, than they could appear to be wh●…n he was 〈◊〉 off: He ●…aw that enemy appear against him whom he thought would assuredly have been quelled at the first brandishing of his Sword; and that not being at all astonished at Nemours his wheeling about, nor at the approach of such an Army, he appeared with well adjusted forces; and that ra●…her like a●… Assailant than on●… assaulted he would run any fortune rather than to abandon his Confederates, or part the least from his first resolutions: he was troubled to see so many French appea●… already on his behalf; those who were wrought upon by the Venetian gold, by the desire of prey and of novelties, and those also who were driven on by Conde's authority, almost the sole Arbitrator of France, were likely to come thither: So as being troubled that the present war should be the beginning o●… another with that Nation which was naturally a Rival to the ●…ame of Spain, he feared he might hazard not only the safety of the States, but even the honour of that Crown for which he had been so hot in taking up Arms: He was confounded at the disagreement in opinion of his men; he suspected those who desiring him to be more cautious and circumspect, proposed dangers and difficulties: He thought those rash, who encouraging him unto the war, promised him assured victory; and having neither art nor experience in the administration of war joined to his natural judgement, he was altogether perplexed and irresolute in betaking himself to what was best for him to do, and in choosing the best of many proposals made by his Commanders: The so great number of those of various Nations who fought under his Banners added to his anxiety; especially the Dutch, more numerous and fierce than the rest, and consequently the harder to be governed according to the military Government: That in proportion, the number of the Spaniards being but few, upon whom the safety of the Empire leaning, it tottered; the dissatisfaction of those of Milan, who to boot with their former grievances, were already weary of the present war, and attenuated by the former: And being environed on all sides by Foreigners, his thoughts were perplexed, not only with the uncertainty of Battle, with the dissolving of his Army, and with the casualties of war; but with the uncertain Loyalty of his Officers, the mutinying of Soldiers, the rebellion of subjects, the people's inclinations, the favour of the Princes of Italy depending upon the success of things, the hatred of those of the Nation to the dominion of Foreigners; and finally, whatsoever may happen to the prejudice of security in great commotions by the variety of fortune. Diving deep into such considerations, and considering truly how much the placing the quiet and safety of affairs upon the uncertainty of a Die was a business which fell very short of all that greatness which the Duke pre●…ended unto; he began by practice to know how wise and salutiferous their counsels had always been who had thought the peace of Italy to be the surest foundation of the Spanish Empire: He therefore began to call to mind the Instructions and Orders which he had continually had from the Court; which as being contrary to his then fervour, he valued but a little; and as if it had been in his power yet to put on new resolves, he weighed the condition of affairs now when it was time to fight, as he had formerly examined them when it was time to make peace, with fiery thoughts bend upon war: So as having paid the Soldiers, and made up his Musters; wavering, and not knowing what to do, to the great admiration of all men, and to the great dislike of the field-Officers and Army; he was like Cesar upon the Banks of Rubicon, not being able to resolve of removing from his Quarters for fear of worse commotions; yet at last his Soldier's persuasions prevailed, and particularly Vives his Reasons, upon whose Authority he much relied; so as he resolved to pass over the Sesia, and to go against the Duke: And Ferdinando Mesia Gomes, Sergeant-Major of the Army, was a great occasion thereof; who seeing the Governor so perplexed and unresolved, said roundly unto him, I will uphold, it though I were as sure to die for it as those who go to Preach the Catholic faith in England, if this Army do not this day pass the River, the honour of the Spanish Nation will be here lost with perpetual infamy; They therefore passed over into Montferrat by the Bridge at la Villata, on the 14th of September, 1616. that they might from thence enter Piedmont the more commodiously, but otherwise resolved then before; for whereas before La Mortara was to have entered by the way of Asti with 6000 Foot, and 500 Horse; and with the Foot Militia, and Alessandrian and Tortonesse Horse; and Don Alphonso d' Avolos, Governor of Montferrat, with 3000 Foot, and 300 Montferrat Horse jointly with him; and Don Pedro with the rest of the Army by the way of Vercelli, presuming that the Duke, constrained to divide his Forces, would be the weaker, and unable to stand against him in the field; now, his mind be●…ng altered, he went with all his joint forces against the enemy: And therefore being passed over the Bridge he intended to quarter his Army between la Motta and Villa Nova, to the end, that at the same time when the Van, where●…n were the best Soldiers and most experienced Commanders in the Army should assault the Duke, who was entrenched at la Motta; the Rear should possess themselves of Villa Nova, and drive out the French Horse which were Quartered there; But the Duke prevented this design; for lying in Ambush in a field of very high corn that was on the left hand of the way as you go from Villa Nova to la Motta, he assaulted some forerunners and Musqueteers of the Van, as they passed over a little wooden Bridge which crosseth the way; which happening unexpectedly and on the sudden, caused some confusion in the Spanish Army; wherefore many of the Commanders advanced with part of their men; amongst which were Gamboloita, Bravo, Prior Sforza, and the Prince of Ascoli, who showed much valour upon this occasion: By the coming in of these the Skirmish increased, and held equal on both sides for the space of four hours; for besides that the Cavalry was come in to assist the Duke from Villa Nova, the situation proved likewise advantageous for him; the Spaniards not being able by reason of the narrowness thereof, to make use of all their Force. But at last the Assailants being much prejudiced by four pieces of Artillery placed upon a little rise, they were forced to give back, leaving four Troops of Horse and two Bands of Musketeers on their backs to make good the retreat, which was notwithstanding not done without some disorder. There fell in this first conflict between four and five hundred of the Duke's Foot, about sixty Horse, besides many that we●…e wounded; of the King's side about fifty, and as many wounded; amongst which Almarante delle Canary, Son to the Prince of Ascoli, and Lodovico Gambaloita, who having received a sleight wound in the head with a Musket, before it was well cured died of other disorders, to the general grief and damage, being held by the King's Commanders to be of an approved valour, and good at Counsel. Many thought that if the Duke had suffered the Van to pass, and had given upon the Battle in the midst, which was weaker and more impeded, he had occasioned more loss and disorder; and on the other side, that if the Governor had sent a Squadron beyond the Rivulet which was on the right hand, and assaulted the Duke on the Flank, he had not only hindered his retreat, but totally d●…feated him. But humane wisdom does not always foresee what is best; and in actions of War confusion, danger, and too much forwardness, blind the Understanding, and disturb Reason. The Governor lay all that night with the Army in the place where the Battle was given, and the Duke in the Trenches of la Motta, which he abandoned the next day, and causing Villa nova to be burnt, and the Country thereabouts, as well his own as that of Montferrat, he retreated with his Horse, which was come from Villa nova, into Assigliano, nearer Vercelles, in great haste, for fear of being assaulted, to his disadvantage, in the Fields of Carenzana; but his fear was vain; for the Governor growing more wary by the last unexpected assault, and fearing lest he might be drawn into those dangers into which the Duke did not much care to precipitate himself, thought it became him to be the more circumspect, by how much he found his Adversary to be the more adventurous; so forbearing to pursue him, and possessing himself of la Motta, and Carenzana, and, after some Cannon shot, of Stroppiana, he tarried there some days, being detained by the rain; and on the contrary, the Duke being encouraged by the Governors' circumspection, sent his Horse into a plain, between a certain wood and Stroppiana, to the end that insulting there he might encourage his men, who were not a little dismayed; and giving manifest signs of undauntedness and valour, might redeem the loss of repu●…ation in the last Skirmish and 〈◊〉: Nor did his resolution prove unlucky; for though when it was given out in the Spanish Army, that the Duke came on with the gross of his Army, the Battaglions were set in order, and the Horse were ready to sally out upon him, yet the whole matter being quickly known, the Prince of Ascoli with Spanish caution ordered, that every one should return to their own Quarters; and some Bands of Muske●…eers were recalled, who were placed upon a bank at Mortara, from whence they might commodiously defend their own Horse, and offend those of the Enemy; so as the Duke not meeting with any opposition, marched up even to underneath the Enemy's Rampires. The King's Commanders finding afterwa●…ds how hard it was to f●…ll upon the Duke in his Quarters at Assigliano, by reason of the new Fortifications which were made there, and by reason of the waters, and consequently how difficult it would be to get Vercelles, as they had resolved, without beating up those his quarters, went towards St. Germano and Crescentino, to the end that by taking the first, they might keep back the Duke's Victuals and Succour; and by taking the other, they might remove all impediments which might keep the Army from drawing near Turin by the way of Montferrat. Crescentino stands upon the left bank of Po, in the midst of the upper Montferrat, over against Verrua, a Town which though seated upon the opposite bank belongs notwithstanding to the Duke; so as the River which comes from the Territories of Turin, and enters immediately into Montferrat, running all along the length thereof, would be Navigable from the State of Milan to that City, were not the Navigation hindered by its being enclosed between Verrua and Crescentino, as between two hedges; so as Victual nor Ammunition could not be brought to the Spanish Army, if it were to enter into Piedmont by Montferrat, unless they should be first masters of one of these two places; They making much for the conveniency and inconveniency of the Armies advancing, the Governor resolved to make himself master of them: he therefore marched from Stroppiana, going a little above Costanza, but in so little good order, as certainly if the Duke had known it, and would have hazarded, he might undoubtedly have cut the Rear in pieces, which marched at a good distance from the Body of the Army: but the great advantage in Forces which makes Commanders sometimes careless, suffers their errors sometimes also to go unpunished: they might easily have gone in one days march from Costanza to Crescentino; and the Governor might doubtlessly have gotten into it, and made himself master thereof, it being but weakly garrisoned, if he had marched directly on. The Duke knew the danger, and apprehending it, thought it necessary to be prevented: but the resolution was far more easily taken, then executed: for he who will go from Assigliano and Ruisecco (whither the Duke coasting along the Spanish Army was come) will get into Crescentino, must either pass by the Enemy's Army, or else must go far about, and as it were by a bow, on the upper side. The Governor then who marched in a direct line, must either come before Crescentino before the Duke, or incountering him in his march, must fight him upon great advantage: the reins moreover were at this time very great; and many gullets of water which crossed the way by which the Duke was necessarily to march, being swollen by the rain, were almost not to be passed over, especially by the Foot; but necessity made that possible which seemed impossible; and Fortune, which is often a friend to courageous resolutions, did miraculously favour the Duke's aff●…irs in this so difficult a case; for having sent his Baggage and other encumbrances to Vercelli, whither he feigned to retreat, he suddenly went at the first watch of the night from Ruisecco, and being covered by the darkness, and by the rain which poured down, he marched till day with incredible speed; and having passed over all the gullets of water, being therein assisted by his Horse, he got at last a little after day break to Crescentino, weary ●…nd ill accommodated, and much lessened in his numbers, by the tediousness of the march: but not being at all hindered by the Governor; who instead of going strait on by the way of Desana, went (being advised so to do by the Prince o●… Ascoli) by Trin●…, much the longer way, only that he might have better quarters for his Army that night. So as not going by a line, as he ought to have done, but marching in a semicircle, contrary to where the Duke went, he lost not only the opportunity of getting into Crescentino, but of a signal Victory: when the Van went early the next morning from Trino, it might see the Duke's Rear two miles before entering into Crescentino; and having no order to fight, did not ass●…ult it. This action of the Dukes was really very gallant and singular; whether you consider the boldness of the resolution, or the diligence of the execution, or the happy success thereof; but chi●…fly, if you consider the importance of the enterprise, or the great alteration of aff●…irs which would have happened if Crescentino had been lost. The Governor having lost this design went towards Livorno and Bianza, two Towns of the Canavese, not above two miles distant one from another: in which march some of the Cavalier della Manta's Horse me●…ting with some of the Governors' men, they took Don Francisco, son to the Ambassador Vives, prisoner, whose Horse, as he advanced somewhat before the rest, fell, and he himself was sorely wounded in the neck; and some carriage of the chief Commanders fell also into the Duke's hands. The Duke suspected that the Governor would go from Bianza & Livorno, to Chivasso a great Town in Piedmont, upon the back of Crescentino; wherefore he caused a great Trench to be m●…de upon the outermost bank of Dora, near to Saluggio, and placed 1000 of the Country Musketeers to defend it; and fearing also lest the Towns of Montferrat might prejudice his affairs by giving receptacle to the Enemy's A●…my, he took R●…dazzano and Verolengo before their eyes, Towns of Montferrat near the Po, together with almost all the Canavese; and gave order to the Cardinal, his son, to go from Turin, and take Vulpiano, a place not far from that City; and those of Lauriano and of St Sebastian killing his Keeper of the Castle, he put them both to fire and sword: thinking that if those people were not made an example, the others would not forbear to do the like upon any sleight occasion. Thus miserable Montferrat being exposed to the Duke's injuries, was in the midst of the Enemies and of the Protectors Forces, affor●…ing quarter to the latter out of good will, and to the former out of fear: nor durst the people thereof for fear of severe punishment, which was duly executed upon them, move or anger the Duke, who by rigour had made the way as open to him there, as through his own S●…ate: the reins continued still, and the season was very bad for the F●…eld; so as the Governor could not only not attempt any of the enterprises suspected by the Duke, but being by the rigidness of the weather to lie idle some days in Livorno and Bianza, began to want Victuals. He resolved therefore to go to St. Germano, and from thence to Inurea, weak Towns, but capacious, and of fruitful Territories; conceiving that the Duke would either go, or not go, from Crescentino; if he should go, he would be in manifest danger of being routed, his men being much lessened▪ and so the Governor proving victorious, might have free way to advance without any opposition, and attempt whatsoever enterprise; if he should not go out, he might easily take those two Towns; which when he should have done, the whole Country on this side the Dora even to Vercelli would be at his disposal; where he might not only quarter his Army commodiously all the succeeding Winter; but the City of Vercelli, as being cut off from Piedmont, and excluded from any succour, would without any danger or effusion of blood fall that Winter into his hands. The design would have been more easily effected, then discoursed, if continuing the same begun execution he he had persevered in the same mind; or if the Governor making use of the occasion, and of the good success of Victory which he got afterwards, had prosecuted it with the like vigour; for the Army being gone from Livorno and Bianzo, and in his passage taken Santia, a Town that is now open, and of no moment, but formerly famous for having resisted the Spanish Army, when it was fortified: and leaving 4000 Dutch there in Garrison, rather to free himself from the fear of their numerousness, than out of any need of keeping it garrisoned, the Governor went with his Camp to St. Germano; where the Garrison having withstood the battery a while, yielded on the third day: and the Duke having burnt Bianza, for that having dared to resist him, one of his best Commanders was slain before it, he went to Vinarie, a place which stands on the way as you go from Trino to St. Germano, from whence he hindered the Enemy from Victuals, without abandoning Crescentino, or bereaving himself of that refuge, and hoping that his men would be constant in defending St. Germano; he hoped to make the Governor rise from before it for famine; wherefore to encourage the defendants, and let them know that he was come, he tarried there and fired his Cannon, but all in vain; for at the same time that he came to the Vinarie, St Germano surrendered; where at the Duke was so gr●…eved, as he put the Governor thereof to death, because he had yielded the Town to the Enemy, having promised to hold it out much longer. And yet the Governor keeping three days in St. Germano had such sca●…city of Victuals, as even his chief Commanders were fain to feed upon dead horse flesh; for the Duke keeping his station kept the Enemy from Provision; and the Governor who detested fight resolved not to move from thence. But at last, enforced by famine, or for shame to see himself as it were besieged, he left Antonio Mastrillo, Caracciolo's Serjeant-major, in St. Germano with 500 Foot, and marched towards the Duke: Castelmerlino stands between Crescentino and le Vinarie, a very little towards which the Army marched, out of a double end; that they might without disturbance receive Victuals there from Trino, and to keep the Duke from Victuals, who being excluded Crescentino, by the loss of that place, would be brought into the same straits whereinto he had a little before brought the Enemy: and therefore moved by his disadvantage he marched to give battle: to avoid the which, when the Duke saw the Enemy coming, he marched towards the Abbey of Lucidio, thinking to get beforehand into Crescentino: but he could not march so fast but that the Spanish Van fell upon his Rear; notwithstanding which skirmish the Duke marched on, till being overtaken by the night he was forced to lodge that night in the said Abbey; and the Governor in some small Cottages not far off, where the Soldiers being famished for want of Victuals at St. Germano, suffered also very much by cold that night. The next day the Duke not being able to march so early as he intended, by reason of some hindrances, and not having with him above ten or twelve thousand Foot, and about 1200 Horse, he pursued his way in this manner: the Artillery and Ammunition was placed in the Van, the Baggage in the middle; on the left hand, where there was more field-room, the Horse; on the right hand, where it was more woody, the French Foot Regiments; led on by Chricchy and Orfe; the Rear, led on by Count Guido, was mixed of Italians, Piedmontans, and Savoiards, and it had in it the best Soldiers, and most experienced Commanders of the whole Army; and the Country through which they marched being full of bushes, Count Guido placed Musketeers in some of them, to the end that they might keep the Enemy from hindering them in their march; if these Musk●…teers should be assaulted, they were to retreat to oth●…r bushes which were on their backs; and thus to continue the fight that they might hold the Enemy play as long as possibly they might. When the Governor knew what way the Duke marched, he resolved to pursue him; and sending part of his Cavalry before with 1800 Foot en Croupe to assault him on the Rear, he himself followed after with the rest of the Army: those who marched before had much ado to drive the defendants out of the bushes; yet overcoming them at the last, they got up to the Rear; for the Duke's Van being come to some narrow p●…ssages, kept the rest of the Army from advancing, so as he could not get to Crescentino without disturbance, as he hoped to have done. The Rear being assaulted made their part good against the Enemy; and defending themselves honourably for a while, did not only resist them with advantage, but repulsed them: the Battaglions of the Spanish Army were this me●…n while advanced, led on by Gironymo Pimontello, and Gironymo Rho, who though they saw that their men who were beaten back by the Duke's Rear could hardly keep the field, yet having no precise order, and the Governor being two miles behind, they proceeded to fight bu●… slowly: when Don Alphonso Pimontello, the Ambassador Vives, and Cavalier Melzi coming in, and not being able to endure that their men should be beaten for want of help, they encouraged the Captains of the Battaglions to fall on, without expecting any other orders, assuring them that the Governor would approve thereo●…: by whose words and authority being inheartned, the Battaglions charged furiously, and routed the Duke's Rear, who not able to withstand so fierce a shock, gave back; and at the same time Count Sults, not expecting any orders, assaulted the French Regiments with his Dutch furiously on the Flank; whose fear the Duke foreseeing, he was come himself unto them, earnestly exhorting them to stand fast, to keep their ranks, and encouraging them to fight: but words prevailed not where valour was wanting: Cricchi's Regiment made some resistance; but Castiglions' Regiment which was led on by Orfe, not daring to look the Enemy in the face, much less to stand the fierce and close assault of the Dutch, threw away their Arms shamefully before they came to blows, and ran: and if instead of pursuing them the Dutch had fallen on upon the main body of the Battle, the Duke's Army had not been only discomfited that day, but wholly routed. This success had the Battle of Lucedio, which lasted for the space of five hours; wherein there fell not above 100 of the King's men, and about as many were wounded: Of the Duke's party there was above 400 slain, and above 1000 sorely hurt; amongst which 15 Captains, and one French Colonel: The Governors' men took eleven Foot Colours, and three Horse Ensigns; and many of those who fled were miserably slain by the Country people of Montferrat: So as though there were not many that died by the Sword in the Conflict, there were but few that kept with their Colours, or who retreated with the Duke into Crescentino; whither the Duke being gotten, he was very diligent in assembling them together who were dispersed abroad, and had abandoned him: Nor did his ill fortune cease here; for the Marquis of Mortara entering the Langhe with 2000 Dutch, with Cavalier Pecchios' Brigade, and with the Alessandrian and Tortonesse Horse and Foot, took Canelli, Cortemiglia, Calosso, and other neighbouring places; there being none to withstand him in the field, nor to defend those places: And not long after Don Sanchio di Luna took Gattinara, and other neighbouring places, with the men of Milan, and blocked up the passage to Vercelli on that side; which City, being environed by the Territories of Montferrat and Milan, and being straightened by the Garrisons of the new Fort of Sandovalle, Trino, St. Germano, and Gattinara, was as it were besieged. A Galley was also parted from Genoa toward Monaco, with moneys for Monsieur di Boglio, a Lord of many Castles between the Confines of Nice and Provence, who having always formerly adhered to the Dukes of Savoy, began upon some new distastes to waver in his former friendship; and having at present entertained new intelligence with the Governor, promised to infest the Duke's Territories on that side; who, the affairs of Savoy not being yet composed, had his Dominions molested on five sides, himself being absolutely routed in the field, and having lost most of his men: And that these so sad accidents might be accompanied with very sad circumstances; the Prince of Conde, who was the only prop and stay of the Duke's affairs, was some few days before, by order fromthe King, accused to be guilty of high Treason, and imprisoned in Paris; so as the Government of that Court being altered, wherein the Duke did confide; and the Princes of the Kingdom, who were his friends, being alienated from the King, they raised men to provide for their own affairs; and filling France with civil wars they could not only not succour the Duke in this his so great distress; but many of them who were come from France desired leave to be gone, being drawn either by their own interests, or for that they hoped for better entertainment there. The common opinion was, That the Duke being thus prosecuted by Fortune would not be able to bear it, and less able to withst●…nd so great a violence; and that therefore being dejected in mind, and out of hope of ever making head again, he would lay down Arms, and endeavour some kind of peace: And yet, though over-laid, not overcome with such an accumulation of evils, and so great adversity; he, with a courageous mind, was not daunted nor dismayed amidst so m●…ny misfortunes: For relying upon the Forts of Vercelli, Asti, and Nice, the chief Keys of h●…s Dukedom, he little valued what Mortara, Luna, or Boglio could do against his lesser Holds, which being lost by war would be recove●…ed by peace: So as he began forthwith to make new Rampires and Bulwarks about Crescentino; But on the other side, holding it necessary to allay that fortune by industry, and by cunning to lull those Forces asleep which he could not possibly then withstand, he procured Monsieur Lodovisio, (who of an Archbishop was then made Cardinal, and continued in the same Nuntiature) and the French Ambassador, should go to the Governor and treat of peace: He sent along with these some discreet Gentlemen and Officers, as follower's of the Ambassador, to the end that they might pry into the enemy's ways, and into the Commanders intentions; And also that making the Rout to seem greater by their speeches, they might cunningly make it be believed that the war was at an end; and that the Duke not being able to resist any longer was reduced to such a condition, as he could no longer refuse any conditions of peace; which he knew the Governor would embrace more willingly than war: But there needed not so much cunning; for Don Pietro di Toledo, who was already weary of war, and heard nothing but the noise of Drums and Trumpets, and was therefore desirous of repose, wanted not those who either for that they thought it made for the King's service, or (as it was afterwards laid to their charge at Court) out of secret intelligence held with the Duke, advised the Governor to use his victory moderately, telling him, That the French were overcome, and the Duke so weakened, as he could no longer hold up his head; so as he must be forced to consent to any whatsoever conditions: That therefore he ought to proceed very warily in hazarding the affairs of the Crown in Italy; if by unseasonable prosecuting the war he should once more draw the French over, and make a change in the minds of the Princes of Italy; who though they might be content to see the Duke receive a blow, yet not being able to see him totally ruined, it was to be believed they would easily resent it: That as the Duke's suppression increased, the envy, hatred, and jealousies of other Princes would increase; That therefore it was a wise advice, To be content with an indifferent Victory, and not to lose what was already gotten, out of a desire of getting more: That he had been sufficiently victorious in so short a time, sufficiently triumphant; and that now there remained no more for him to do, then answerably to the King's mind, to secure peace upon such conditions as might be tolerable to the Duke. The Prince of Ascoli was t●…e chief, nay, only Author of this; a fatal Counsellor, that the Duke being reduced to great extremities might have opportunity to raise himself up again. This Prince being till then much suspected by the Governor, for the power and straight intelligence he had formerly had with Inoiosa, by these his flattering speeches got into great power with the Governor; and his counsel was afterwards the more credited by the Cardin●…ls and Ambassadors coming to the Camp, and by the speec●…es spread abroad in the Army by the Duke's Spies: Wherefore the Governor being tickled to hear himself styled Triumphant and Conqueror, would no longer listen to Vives his counsel, nor that of others, who weighing the state of affairs better, and the Duke's condition, thought it necessary to pursue the victory, and not to afford the Enemy time to breathe: they told him that a good war was the best way to come by a good peace; but all this was to no purpose. The Cardinal and the Ambassador came to Don Piedro at Tricerro, and desired him that he would let them know his intention touching the composing of the present affairs. Don Piedro, in a haughty manner, like a Conqueror, answered, that they were to discover what the Duke was minded to do, and then to acquaint him with it: they therefore returned to Crescentino, and from thence to Chivasso, whither the Duke having found the Governors' inclination to an agreement was come: under pretence of well considering the state of affairs, he spun out the Treaty at length, to the end that he might the mean while find where that storm would fall, and that he might have the longer time to discover the proceedings of such Princes as were his friends, in whom the remainder of his hopes lay; for about this time Monsieur de Verdon was come to him from France, being sent by the King and Queen of France, to acquaint him with the Prince of Conde's imprisonment; and perhaps to keep him their friend, in this so great commotion of the Kingdom, and to promise the favour and assistance of the Crown of France. In Savoy things were in a way to composition; for Nemours being abandoned by all assistance, and shut up with his men by Prince Victorio in barren Rocks, where they had not whereof to live, and being also restrained by France and Burgony, was forced to yield-to the composition which Monsieur le Grand, Governor of Burgony, did then interpose himself on the King's behalf, wherein he was accompanied by Monsieur di Lazai, Privy Counsellor to the King: and those commotions being appeased, the Prince was infallibly expected with many Soldiers. Marshal Deguieres was also expected with a great attendance both of Foot and Horse, who was very diligently preparing for his journey; and Boglio being become a Client of the Crown of France, which ●…ad newly taken him into its protection, had refused moneys from Spain, or to hold intelligence with the Spaniards: Mortara who was entered the Langhe with much fervour, having placed almost all his Soldiers in Garrisons in the places which he had taken; and not being able to keep the Militia of the Country any longer together, was grown cooler; so as betaking himself to pillage the fields, and neighbouring Towns, he minded more enriching himself, then making war; and the Venetians, whose affairs declined in Friuli, fearing that when the Duke should be quite overthrown, their turns would be next, began to be more openhanded, and to disburse moneys more freely for the recruting of his Army; and did moreover oblige themselves to pay unto him a certain sum of money during the war, which as they say, was 8000 crowns a month. The Duke being hereby encouraged began to reassume his former State, and to stand with the Governor, not only upon what was necessary, but even upon punctilioes of honour; wherefore after having kept the Cardinal and the Ambassador some days with him, and not being willing neither that any overtures should proceed from him, suffered them to return to the Governor, who was then in Trino, to whom, not by way of any order from the Duke, but as it were of themselves, they told him in substance, though in good and handsome terms; That if he would go with his Army out of Piedmont, they thought by what they might learn by the speech they had had with the Duke, that being desirous of peace he would cashier all the French, save such as were his own domestics; always provided, that both the Kings would pass their words to him, that he should be kept undempnified both in life and State; that he would be the first that should restore what had been taken, if he might be secured that the like should be immediately done to him, and that the Governor would dismiss all the Dutch, Swissers, and some Troops of Horse: And in the last place, in their Prince's name, they demanded his paroll for the Venetians security, whilst the King by his Ambassadors should treat of composing differences with the Archduke. Conditions, which, to say the truth, were sufficiently advantageous for the Articles of Asti, and such, as had the Duke been victorious, he could not well have demanded better; yet the Governor answered moderately enough: That the King did not alter his mind by success, who did not aspire after the Duke's Dominions, but only by War to secure peace in Italy; and therefore offering to restore immediately what had been taken, when the Duke should have done the like, he demanded that the two Dukes should set down their differences in writing, and refer the decision thereof to the Emperor, passing their words reciprocally not to offend one another: That the Duke should disarm totally; in point whereof he offered to stand to what they should say in the names of the Pope and of the King of France. This being observed, he promised to free the Duke's State, and to retreat with his Army into the State of Milan: He denied that the King was bound by the Articles of Asti to lay down Arms, and therefore denying absolutely to enter into the like obligation, he added, that when Italy should be in peace, the King, who aid abound in his own natural Militia, would need no Foreigners. He consented to pass his paroll for the Duke's indemnity, but not for the Venetians, in whose affairs, as not being comprehended within the Articles of Asti, he said, the King of France was not to intermeddle; and that therefore this was no place to treat thereof, nor had he any Commission to do so. It was hard in effect for the Duke, whilst the Enemy was armed in his own Dominions, to lay down those Arms which he had with such resentment re-assumed, as not able to endure that the Governor should keep armed in the State of Milan: And on the other side, it might seem strange, that the Governor who was entered Piedmont with intention to make the Duke lay down Arms, should suffer himself to be treated as if he had been overcome, by leaving the Duke in Arms, and going cut of Piedmont just when he was possessed of Victory: And therefore both of them standing pertinaciously not to consent to what was proposed by each other, it was thought to be impossible to perfect the business; it was requisite therefore to cut this knot in two with the Sword, which seemed to be so hard to untie by Negotiation. But the Governor, who abounded then in Forces, wanted will; and the Duke who wanted Forces was very willing; and the Cardinal and Ambassador keeping the Treaty on Foot, and giving continual hopes that they would return with more moderate proposals, suffered not the Negotiation to be broken off. The Duke this mean while fearing the Enemy's Forces every day less than other, and his hopes of approaching aid increasing, and being sufficiently assured of the Governors no great inclination to fight, and of the desire he had to return to Milan; and being encouraged by the many disorders which he knew was in the Enemy's Army, would not go a jot less from his first demands; but sharpening his wits about the interpretation of the Articles of Asti, he pretended that the Venetians were therein comprehended, at least under that head, where it was provided that the King's Forces should not cause jealousy in the Italian Princes; he therefore demanded that the King should be bound to secure them. This mean while two months passed on without any action, though the weather, which had been very bad till the battle of Lucedio, turned to be extraordinarily fair, and therefore very fit for the field; in which time had not the Negotiation of peace, or the Governors' backwardness, fomented by the advice of others, slackened and almost taken the edge from off the King's Forces, they would certainly have made important progress, and the Duke might peradventure have consented to such conditions as he could not be brought unto by the Cardinal nor Ambassador: In which time the Spanish Army being no less wearied in mind through idleness, then in body by labour and hardship, did diminish very much, many of them daily dying, many running away; for the Country round about was desolate, and not able to feed them, and the horse were fain to go daily ten miles for forage, and after so many mile returning were very much weakened: The Heads of the Army disagreed in opinion, and were not only unsatisfied one with another, but all of them were much displeased with the Governor, whose authority grew to be as little valued by the Commanders as by the common Soldiers; so as all Military Discipline being given over, all obedience lost, and all respect, all was full of disorder and confusion: To this was added the want of moneys; for the Army having been at vast expense, none came from Spain where the War was abomina●…ed; nor were those of the Sta●…e of Milan, who were already exhausted, able to furnish sufficient for the daily present need; and Don Piedro himself expected nothing more than that the season, contrary to the natural course of Winter, should alter, and becoming less cold, might afford him a fair pretence to retreat. On the other side, the Duke's affairs increased in reputation; he received plenty of money from the Venetians, and abounded in men; for Prince Victorio having at last composed the affairs of Savoy had brought about 5000 Foot into Piedmont, and 600 Horse; some whereof were his own, some belonging to Nemours; and Marshal Deguieres was either already come thither, or being come out of Dolpheny, was ready to come; and all the whole people of Piedmont (a singular example of the Subjects duty to their natural Prince) flocking diligently thither, were most ready to succour him; so as the Duke raised like another Auteus from his mother Earth, was grown more vigorous then at first; and being superior to the Governor in Horse, was Master of the Field. At last Don Piedro, who was better pleased with peace, though upon bad conditions, then to continue in the danger, trouble, and expense of War, seeing the Duke's obdurancy, and thinking he should have done enough, if in the conclusion of the Peace he should have excluded the power of France, had at last, though too la●…e and in vain, recourse to the Cardinal; to whom he professed he was ready to compose businesses with the Duke by his means, in any whatsoever manner, yea even with passing his word for the Venetians security; and therefore desired him that he would return to the Duke, and bring back with him the final conclusion of Peace: A thing which being afterwards known did not a little incense the King, and the whole Court of France. Wherefore the Ambassador, by particular order from the King, demanded that the Governor should send an Ambassador in extraordinary to Paris; where the King's aim was, that the whole business of Peace might be carried on by his own proper interest. But the Duke, under pretence that he would not alter a tittle of the Articles of Asti without the consent of the Princes who did intervene therein, excused himself; and so the Treaty of Peace broke totally off, to the small liking of the Cardinal and Ambassador, who seeming little pleased with the Governor, gave over the Treaty, and returned, the one to Turin, and the other to the Charter-house at Pavia: And the cold coming on, and the earth wholly covered with snow, the Governor resolved to return to the State of Milan, having notwithstanding fortified St. Germano, and left Thomaso Caracciola there with his Brigade, and distributed part of the Army into Trino, Pontestura, and other Towns of Montferrat, not without the Duke of Mantua's consent, who being then come to Casalle could not refuse it: He moreover gave order to the Dutch at Santia, that they should abandon that Town, and burn it, to the end that the Enemy might not possess himself of it. He returned afterwards about the beginning of Winter with the rest of his Army into the State of Milan, and with his Horse, which did not amount to 700, worthy to be commended rather for his good inclination to keep up the honour and grandezza of his King, than for any happy success, which he himself marred by his so many irresolutions; it being most certain, that not being able to behave himself as victorious, he afterwards allowed the Duke field-room enough to treat with him as Conqueror: Being retreated he quartered the rest of his Army in the Towns of Lomellina, and he himself went to Vicenza, near the Po, where reassuming his warlike mind, when it was now no longer time to do it, he thought the Spring was too long a coming on, which he much desired, that he might once more (as he publicly professed) re-assault Piedmont more vigorously, and with greater resolution: But he forbore not this mean while to straighten Vercelli, hoping that by the falling thereof into his hands this Winter, it might open the way unto him the next Spring to greater and more important Erterprises which he had designed. The Prince of Messerano was Master of a small State beyond the Sesia, between Vercelli and Gattinara, even almost in the Duke of Savoys mouth, and as the neighbourhood of greater Princes is always, if not troublesome, at least suspected by those who are lesser; the Prince of Messerano out of both these respects was not well satisfied with the Duke: Being therefore to free himself from the Duke's continual molestations, and to keep from worse, he treated with the Governor to put himself into the King of Spain's protection, and upon certain conditions to receive a Spanish Garrison; which conditions, together with the desired protection, being easily granted him, by reason of the great opportunity which was thereby had of approaching nearer, and of straightening Vercelli more; therefore the agreement being made, the Prince was presently required to receive in the Garrison: But he proceeding cautiously, would not admit of them till such time as the King of Spain had allowed the conditions; and whilst expedition from Spain was foreslowed, the Duke got a hint of the business; so thinking prevention to be the only remedy against so eminent a danger, he sent Prince Victorio in the Christmas holidays with 5000 Foot and 1000 Horse, to secure himself of the Principality. The Town of Messerano yielded presently to the Prince Victorio; for the Princess of the place, her husband being absent, fearing lest the Town might be burnt, and she and her seven children slain, surrendered the Town upon certain conditions. He went then to Gattinara, and having played upon it with his Artillery in vain, he was forced to quit the Enterprise, either out of sickness which befell himself, or for that he heard the Governor was gone from Valenza to Romagnano intending to relieve it. Being returned to Messerano, and forced to tarry there a while by reason of his sickness, he sent a French Captain with a great many both Horse and Foot to attempt Creppacuore, a place of the same Principality; whither the Princess was fled, and had received in a Spanish Garrison of 1000 Foot under the Sergeant Francisco Bernardine Vertua; from whence the French being after a sleight assault beaten back, they retreated to certain Cottages not far off; where whilst they thought themselves secure, they were unexpectedly surprised by Don Alphonso Pimontello; who falling upon them courageously with some Foot and Horse in those Cottages, routed them, and slew 200 of them, and took 200 more prisoners, together with their Captain: The Prince being recovered resolved to make the same attempt of Creppacruore with a greater force and with more men sent unto him by his Father; the taking whereof (it being environed with steep Clif●…s and high Rocks) proved very difficult by reason of the inconvenience of bringing Cannon thither; and yet he went with 8000 Foot, and 400 Horse, and taking the places round about it, and particularly such from whence it might be relieved, he began to skirmish with them that were within from a Hill, which being very near and very high, commanded the Town; and the Cannon coming the next day he began the Battery; and having made a sufficient breach he fell to an assault, which he did with such violence, as those within abandoned the Town without making much resistance, and retreated to the Castle; which being presently played upon by four pieces of Cannon came to composition: But some differences arising touching the performance of Articles, the Battery was again begun more furiously than before and from a more fitting place; Prince Victorio being not a little incensed, who thought himself mocked by the Captains cavilling; the Battery continuing some days still more bitterly, the defendants not trusting to their forces, yielded up the Castle on condition the Princess and her children's lives should be saved, and that the Garrison should be permitted to march out only with their Arms, but without bullet, powder or match; which whilst all was faithfully performed, two Barrels of powder fell unfortunately on fire, and burned many of those that had surrendered, and many who for fear threw themselves over the wall, could not escape their fate; the rest who escaped the misfortune, went to the State of Milan, being convoyed by four Troops of Horse, according to the Articles of surrender; where Verrua being condemned to die, suffered for having defended the Town no better. The Governor knowing by experience that his men might long make good the Town, had sent Don Sanchio di Luna with succour to Creppacuore, who finding the passes well fortified, and not being able to come to Creppacuore, the surrender whereof he heard not of, without worsting them, he began to entrench himself within Musket shot of Prince Victorio's Fortifications; and whilst he was discovering the Sconces there happened a sleight Skirmish, which afterwards increased by the coming in of men of both parties, wherein, whilst Don Sanchio fought valiantly, advancing with a Pike in his hand, he was shot with two Musket bullets, and fell down dead immediately; and Carlo di Sanguine, Campmaster to a Brigado of Neapolitans, was taken Prisoner, together with a Nephew of his, one Captain being sla●…n, and another taken prisoner, the King's men retreated to within the Rampires, and afterwards hearing the Town was surrendered, retreated to the rest of his men: But the Marshal Deguieres being at last come to Piedmont, with about 8000, (what Foot, what Horse,) amongst which were many of the Gens d' Arms des Ordonnances of the Kingdom, who carried the Kings own Ensigns; the Duke increasing in power and reputation, since it appeared that the King of France adhered unto him with displayed Banners, was not idle; being become superior in Horse, he overran the Country, and, without meeting with any opposition, was Master of the Field; hearing of the taking of Messarano and Creppacuore, he being desirous to do somewhat remarkable, fell into the lower Montferrat, where there was no opposition save what was made by Mortara in the Langhe, who had hardly men enough to Garrison the places he had taken: The Duke therefore commanded Count Guido to go with all his men from Asti to San Damiano, where he, and the two Princes, Victorio and Thomaso, and the Marshal Deguieres met, with a great train of Horse, Foot, and Artillery; and having presently possessed themselves of the hills, and placed 24 Bombards in several convenient places, they began a furious battery on four sides of the Town, wherein there were no Soldiers, save such as were of the common people of Montferrat, under Captain Andrea Prand●…, who was slain by the fall of a house which was beaten down: The Soldiers being left without a Commander, whilst they ran with more courage than order to defend the place which was assaulted, left the rest of the Town unprovided of defence; which disorder the Captains of the French Horse perceiving, they commanded their men to light immediately off horse back, and to mount the walls where they were left unguarded, wherein succeeding, with little labour and less loss they took the Town, which they afterwards miserably plundered, and used cruelty upon the Defendants, who, a little before the Enemy entered, had either agreed, or were ready to agree upon surrender of the Town on Articles to Count Guido, who assaulted the Town on the other side. San Damiano being taken, the Duke gave order that the Walls should be slighted, to the end that if they should come to restitution, the State should be bereft of that Fort, which was as a thorn in his eyes. The Governors of Montferrat and Allessandrio were this mean while come to Alba with 8000 Foot and 700 Horse, intending to relieve San Damiano; but hearing that it was surrendered, and apprehending that the Duke might fall upon Alba next (which being weakly walled, and but badly furnished with Ammunition and Victuals, they thought it was not tenable, and therefore went from it;) and leaving jeronymo Rho there with his Brigade, and 500 Montferrians, those of Alessandria returned home, and the others to Cassalle: and not long after they were gone, jeronymo Rho, by order from the Duke of Milan, who was loath to hazard the King's Forces and honour in the defence of that Town, went with his men to Felizzano, having dismantled the Castle of Neviglie in his passage, to the end the Enemy might not take it: in whose place 400 Dutch of Soltz his Regiment were sent thither, and 500 Foot from Casalle, much too small a Garrison for the circuit of the Walls. The Duke seeing it abandoned had his eye presently upon it, thinking to take it; and making himself first master of many places in that Country, drew near it: Count Alerame St. Georgio, Governor of Alba, was very diligent in repairing the Walls of that City, where they were weakest, and in most danger, and in making all necessary provisions for defence; and finding afterwards, that the Duke being gone with some Forces from Barbaresco, to discover the situation of that City, and the new Works which he had made; he sent some Soldiers to possess themselves of a certain high pass, which stood upon the way whereby the Duke was to go; which they did, and as soon as they saw the Duke's men come to discover, they skirmished stoutly with them; and the skirmish lasted a long while, with variety of fortune and prejudice on both sides; after which the Duke returned to Barbaresco, and sent Count Guido to take in Alba, with the French Foot, and Cavagliere Guirini with those of Piedmont, each of them having with them eight pieces of Artillery, and 800 Horse, who coming before the Town, raised Batteries on two sides, and began to play upon the Walls: those who were within were not wanting in making defence, they diligently repaired the Walls wheresoever they were beaten down; and made out many bold sallies, not without some advantage; and assaulted the Enemy's Works: but at last, their Powder being wasted, many of their best Soldiers being slain in skirmishing, and in defending the Walls, they began also to want Victuals; and seeing no hopes of succour (for Don Pietro being inferior to the Duke in Horse would not only not expose his men to the danger or being lost, but had long before sent for them back that did defend it) they were forced to surrender, leaving the City upon honourable conditions in Count Guido's hands, who received it in the Duke's name, the twelfth day after the Siege: at the same time Mortara, not thinking himself able to resist the Duke's Forces; hav●…ng first barbarously burnt Canelli, abandoned all the other Castles which he had t●…en in the Langhe, where he had committed infinite extortions. The Governor thinking it too unworthy a thing to suffer the Duke to overrun the Country thus victoriously, and that he should so plainly abandon it, and should suffer the chief Towns of Montferrat to be taken, and plundered, which State he had so often professed to protect, and for the occasion whereof he had been so much troubled, and had chiefly begun the war; he endeavoured to provide against it by some means or other: he assembled all the men he could in Alessandria, which amounting to about 14000 fight men, he sent them to Felizzano; and the Duke fearing Asti entered thereinto with his men: but finding that the Governor had soon distributed his men in Alessandrino and Tortonese, he with his Soldiers, and with the French Horse, suddenly assaulted Montiglio, a great Town in Montferrat; and having made way enough for an assault with his Artillery, the Townsmen finding themselves not able to resist him, and fearing the Town might be plundered, they surrendered it upon Articles. But the French having heard a certain whisper at their entering into the Town (as the Duke's Captains pleaded in their excuse) the Town, contrary to Articles, was miserably plundered, and put to the sword. Thus Montferrat was exposed to troubles occasioned by her friends, who without defending her laid her waste; and was likewise exposed to be injured by the Enemy, who without any compassion ruined her: in which vicissi●…ude of affairs, it was no little wonder to consider that the French who fought not many years before in the behalf of Mantua, against the Duke of Savoy, should now under the King of France his Colours, and with the Gens d'ordonnance of that Kingdom, joined to those of Savoy, t●…ke the Duke of Mantua's Territories, who was a Friend and Cousin to their King, without any preceding injury done; and on the contrary, that the Spaniards formerly so much suspected to bear ill will to the same Duke of Mantua, had not only made his State be readily restored unto him; but to the end that he might the more securely enjoy it, had with so much expense put the world into a hurly-burly, and against a Prince so nearly allied to their King. Thus doth fortune often alter the State of affairs, and humane interests and affections often more than she: but as for the King of France, though he, and all that Nation which had professed to maintain the Duke of Mantua against the Duke of Savoy, yea even against the King of Spain, when by the sinister means of his Sta●…e-ministers, who joined with the Duke of Savoy, they were ill satisfied with the Duke of Mantua, because he would not give way to the King's demands, in pardoning the Rebels; and because valuing their friendship and authority less he had so wholly betaken himself to the protection of the Crown of Spain: yet the Kingdom being for the most part governed according to the will and pleasure of the Queen Mother, near allied to the Duke of Mantua, and who held intelligence with the Court of Spain; and consequently was more inclined to favour him, then careful of the other Duke's affairs, or of the observing the Treaty: the King therefore, who by reason of his years, depended wholly upon her will, did not only patiently bear with the Duke of Mantua's stubbornness, and that he should accommoda●…e himself according to the condition of times, and his own affairs; but to favour him, and not to oppose his Father in Laws intentions at the same time in Italy, had expressly forbidden the Marshal to go into Italy; and being gone, recalled him upon severe Edicts: and finding him afterwards contumacious, and hearing the Spanish Agents, and those of Mantua make grievous complaints, he sent to put him out of the Government of Dolpheny: and as for the Marshal, though he pleaded for his so great disobedience, his being bound by the Articles of Asti●…o ●…o assist Piedmont without any orders to that purpose; also his zeal to the King's honour, which he said the Governor endeavoured to prejudice, by altering the Treaty of Peace; yet the common opinion was, that the Duke's fair speeches, and extraordinary favours, he being naturally apt to win the love of all men, the Venetian Gold, Military Courage which was yet very powerful with him, and the desire of abating the spanish honour in Italy, were of power to work upon him; and therefore being come he stuck no●… to favour the Duke, yea though against Montferrat; either for that not knowing whither to turn himself better, his coming might not be thought to have been altogether vain; or for the aforesaid respects, to show some resentment against the Duke of Mantua: so as he made himself be felt, and kept the Spanish Forces short and low whilst he was in Italy: yet Thomaso Caracciola, Captain of the Garrison of St. Germano, did at this time somewhat sustain the reputation of the Spanish Forces; for the Duke being desirous to get that place, sent the Princes Victorio and Thomaso thither, who resolving not to fall upon that place, because they saw it was provided with a good Garrison, and with an excellent Commander, and well fortified with Trenches, took up their quarters in the●… neighbouring ruins of Santia, whereby keeping back succour and provisions, and by disturbing the way, they endeavoured: to besiege the Town, as it were, at a large distance, expecting some fit occasion to effect their desires: but this enterprise turned much to the Duke's prejudice; for Caracciola being well prepared for de●…ence, made many sailies out of the Town, and did so molest the Enemy, as by little and little he brought most of them to their end: moreover, he straightened Vercelles yet more, by taking sometimes the Victuals which were sent thither. True it is, that Clausio did sometimes cry quittance with him; for he being ready upon warning, and having learned that a Convoy of Victuals and Ammunition went with a Guard of 150 Foot, and 50 Horse commanded by Gerardo Gambacorta, Captain of Caracciola's B●…igade, from Tricerto to St. Germano; he sent 1000 Foot and 400 Horse from Vercelli under Colonel Meziers, who lighting upon them in the midway at Montei, fought them, and Clausio's Horse chased those of the Convoy: though Gambacorta disposing of the Carriages in manner of Trenches, resisted for two hours' space: yet being overpowered by number, most of his men were cut in pieces, Gambacorta's self sorely wounded, and taken prisoner, and the Convoy remained absolutely in Clausio's hands. Thus the war in Piedmont varied, from the beginning of September, till the beginning of the next Spring, in the year 1617. before which time the Marshal fearing to lose his Government of Dolpheny, and apprehending much more the anger of the Court, returned to France, and freed the Governor from the fear of the Forces of that Nation, which was so main a help to the Duke's affairs; which though they suffered not a little by the King of France his precise and punctual command; yet new, and unexpected accidents happened soon in Paris, which made the Duke hope for greater favour. The King of France was much molested by troubles and sedition raised in his Kingdom by Princes, who being distasted at Conde's imprisonment, and displeased with the Authority and Government of the Queen Mothe●…, went from the Court; where●…ore upon his own inclination (for increasing in years, he now began to the condition of the State, and of his own affairs) or instigated, as it was more commonly ●…eld, by Monsieur de Luines who was native of Avignone, and a great favourite of his, caused Concino the Florentine, Marquess d' Anchre, to be suddenly slain, he who being got into great authority by the Queen's extreme favours, made her become so odious to all the Princes, and afterwards he removed the Queen from him; and sending her to Bloys, had recalled all the Princes and Officers of the Kingdom, who being herewith very well s●…tisfied went speedily to Court, and were very ready to obey him: the Mother being removed from her Son, she being much inclined to the Spaniards, and the Princes who were friends to the Duke being taken to the Court instead of her, the Duke had much reason to hope for better things, both from the King, and from the Forces of the Kingdom; wherefore he began to care the less for the Governor, who having gotten new men, and disposed of them in several places, threatened to enter Piedmont the next Spring. But the Venetians were not idle this mean while in Friuli: when the Austrian Army had abandoned Luciniso, and was gone from thence to Lizonso; they were masters of the Field, from Luciniso downward, and had taken all the Archdukes ●…owns, save Gradisca: which being the harder to be taken by reason of the new Fortifications, the Venetian Army gave over the thought of taking it by force, and betook themselves to the Country which lies above Luciniso, to the end that succeeding therein, they might draw near Goritia: and because the Enemy's Army might be an impediment to this, which lay beyond the River, over against Luciniso, and sent Forces often to scour the Country on this side, and to carry away much prey; as did likewise the Garrison of Gradisca; they therefore did all they could to prevent this mischief by building Forts, and making Trenches on their side the bank; they then applied themselves to St. Martino in Crusca, a strong Town amongst the Mounta●…ns, somewhat distant from Lisonzo: to which purpose Pompeo justiniano went to Vipulciano which stands upon the road to St. Martino, and took it: but afterwards, better considering how hard it would be to take St. Martino, which might be as well succoured from Goritia, as Gradisca, by the old Stone-bridge which was not far off, changing the●…r minds, and deferring it till another time, they resolved to make themselves first masters of the Bridge, that they might not only cut off relief f●…om St. Martino, but open the way thereby to Goritia, as Alviano formerly had done. The Bridge was defended by a great Tower, at the head thereof, bu●…lt after the ancient manner, and flanked with new Fortifications: which the Venetians being desirous, as it was necessary, to take, they resolved to build a Fort on some elevated place on this side the River, from whence they might play upon the Tower, and the Bridge: and justiniano's being gone with some other Captains into those parts, to discover the rises thereabouts, carried with him a good strength of men; between whom and the Archdukes men, who were come to defend the Bridge, a skirmish began on both sides of the banks; which though it were to little purpose, yet the Venetians were prejudiced thereby, who left their Campmaster justiniano's there, being shot through the reins with a Musket-bullet, and was carried to Luciniso where within a few hours he died. Count Martinengo succeeded in his place, but not being able to discharge it by reason of his great age, Don john de Medici, Bastard Son to Cosmo the first, great Duke of Tuscany, was chosen with the Title of Governor General; he was an old Commander, and had discharged places of chiefest employment in the wars of Flanders and Hungary, wherefore his Authority was great. The Venetians forbore not, though justiniano's was dead, to prosecute the build●…ng of the Fort, as they had intended; wherefore they sent Martinengo with some forces to get footing in a little Hill which justiniano had made choice of to build the Fort upon; which the enemy being aware of they sent Captain Fur, a French man, to prepossess it; between whom and Martinengo there happened a fierce Skirmish; to the which fresh succour coming in from the other side, the Venetians were forced to give back, and to leave the Hill in the Austrians possession; who presently built a Fort upon it, which from the multitude of Chessnut Trees that were there they called the Fort of the wood, or of Chessnuts: And the Venetians built another Fort on a higher Hill, from whence, with two Cannons and a Culverin they broke down the B●…idge; wherefore the Austrians, that they might not lose the conve●…ency of the River, threw another Bridge over a little higher upon an Angle of the River, which was sheltered from the Venetians Fort. The sickness began now to rage again in the Venetian Camp, whereof Martinengo 〈◊〉 desperately sick, and the new Governor Medici not being yet come to the Camp, the war grew worse with the Vene●…ans; and the Austrians assuming courage from Iustiniano's death, Martinengoes sickness, and Medici's absence, forded over the River 〈◊〉 then before, and came even to underneath Mariano, prejudicing the Venetians very much: Count d' Ampier went out of Gradisca with two Troops of Horse, and fell by night upon Garuggio, a Town within two miles of Palma, where he utterly routed a company of Curassiers who were quartered there: And Don Baldassar Marradas, in emulation of him, went out also by night out of the same Town and assaulted the quarters of Chiopris, and did much prejudice them; and not many days after the Garrison of Gradisca, led on by Strasoldo Governor of the Town, came by night to Ceruiggiano, a River not far from Palma, took and fired some neighbouring Towns, and especially the chiefest, which takes its name from the River, and is called Ceruiggiano; which if it had been fortified by the Austrians, as it was by them abandoned, Palma would have been excluded from maritime commerce with V●…nice: Wherefore the Venetians, finding the danger, fell immediately to fortify it, and put therein a gallant Garrison. At last General Medici came to the Camp, who presently fell to order such things as he found out of order: And afterwards being very desirous to do some thing which might be worthy of his name, and of the expectation which was had of him, was much vexed to find that things were not prepared for his designs. He found out daily more and more the corruption of Military discipline, which was fomented by the avarice of some of the Venet an Captains and Gentlemen, Officers of the Commonwealth, who being more intent to enrich themselves then to fight, gave too much licence to the Soldiers, contrary to military rules: He was yet more distasted, for that being by the Commonwealth's Letters Patents to be superior over all except the Commissary General, he found at first the execution thereof in the Camp difficult: Amidst which difficulties the enemy sent Monsieur de la Foglia, a French Captain, with a Troop of Horse beyond the River against some light-Horse which guarded a ce●…tain Trench upon the Bank of Lisonzo; and both sides being succoured, the Skirmish grew almost to be a Battle; wherein Trautmistorft passing over the River, and Trivigiano coming with many men from Luciniso, the business was manfully disputed; but the Venet ans light-Horse not being able to resist the solid order of the Dutch Horse, whilst they would have retreated did so confound themselves with their Curassiers which were on their backs, the one and the other of them were charged and chased quite thorough their own Foot which were come in to their succour; who were therefore wholly disordered by their own Horse, and slain by those of the enemy. In this scuffle many Corsicks were slain, and Se●…geant Major Raffa●…le, Son to the dead justiniano's, was taken prisoner; and Giovan Dominico da Ornano, a very valiant Corsic Commander: Nor was this the worst; for the Venetians who retreated, not thinking themselves safe in the Trenches of Luciniso, were minded to get into the Castle which was above, had not some Commanders stoutly withstood them, who keeping their own men several ways from running, and particularly by shutting the Gates upon them, hindered their flight, encouraged them, and making them stand, preserved those Quarters and Luciniso, which otherwise had been abandoned, and left in the power of the enemy; who fearing the Artillery of Luciniso, repast back over the River, and went to their wont quarters, having lost but few of their men, though their General and Matradas were slightly wounded; and Foglia, who advanced too ●…ar, slain: Though Trivigiano showed great courage upon this occasion, yet did he deserve to be reprehended by the Commissary and by Medici, for having engaged himself and so many others in that action of his own will, and without their knowledge. The sickness still increased in the Camp, which made the Soldiers still run faster away, and especially those of the Country; and the best Soldiery were yet more consumed by Skirmishes: Wherefore the scarcity of men 〈◊〉, the Commissary and Medici endeavoured, by all the means they could, to persuade the Swissers and Grisons that were in the Camp to fight against the Archduke; which they, being prohibited to do by the League which they have with the House of Austria, had not as yet done; having only served as Garrisons to defend such Towns as were possessed by the Commonwealth: which having at last obtained, it increased their numbers for a while, they being 1500 in number; but it made their scarcity of men greater soon after; for the Grisons Country being for this respect prohibited more strictly from having any commerce with the State of Milan; the chief Rulers amongst the Grisons, that they might have that Decree revoked, recalled all those of their Nation home who were in service for the Commonwealth; and forbade passage through their State to all Foreigners who went to serve the Venetians: By this increase Medici hoped to surprise St. Martino in Crusca, especially knowing how few there were there in Garrison: He therefore departed about midnight in very good order from Vipulciano, where he had mustered those who he intended for that enterprise, and got before day near the Castle; but a certain whisper arising amongst his men, and a small light being discovered in the Castle, the Soldiers fell into so horrible dread and confusion as they immediately ran away shamefully without being pursued; which Medici, lighting off horseback, seeking to obv●…ate even by exposal of his own person, he was thrice thrown down, and almost trod under foo●…: At this time Antonio Lando came to the Camp, who succeeded Priuli in the place of Commissary-general; who seeing that the whole success of the war consisted in taking Goritia, and that this was not to be done without passing over Lizonso; he first built some Forts, and made some Trenches about Gradisca, to hinder excursions, and then bethought himself how he might pass over the River: And both he and Medici holding it impossible to pass over between Goritia and Gradisca, by reason of the enemy's opposition; they learned that there was a certain Bridge over the Channel of Ronzina which was but weakly guarded; and though it were very hard to get thither, they being to pass through the enemy's Country, and yet harder to fall down by the Ronzina into Goritia; yet thinking they should have done much if they should pass the River, they would put it to a trial: Which that they might the better effect, they resolved to assault the enemy in six other places, to the end that being assaulted in so many other places at once, they might not be able to keep them from passing over the Bridge at Ronzina; which design though it were very well laid, and for the most part well executed, yet had they not good success therein, except at St Floriano, which was taken by Count Nicholo Gualdo by a Petard; and which being upon their backs, and not far from the Fort of the wood, whereat the Commonwealth's Commanders aimed, it was presently fortified and furnished with a strong Garrison. Lando and Medici being beaten from this enterprise, and despairing to be able to work their end, which was to pass over the River, they hoped to effect it by another un-thought of way: The passage over the River was not interdicted underneath Gradisca; for the Territories of Monfalcone lying on this side the Bank, the Venetians were masters of it as well by ancient right as having newly won it by the Sword; but the passage though it was easy in this part, was to little purpose; for he who will p●…ss f●…om the County of Monfalcone to Goritia must pass over the Mountains anciently called Giapedi, and now deal Carso, which beginning from Lisonzo more below Luciniso, and running in a continual Line even to the Sea, do wholly divide these two Counties: Mountains which are horridly rough and craggy, and not esteemed passable by an Army; at the bottom whereof, towards Goritia, runs the Vipao, a River which falls into the Lisonzo, over against the River Fara; which though it be lesser than Lisonzo, yet though del Carso should be passed over, they must meet with the same difficulties, and be opposed by the enemy who were encamped not far from thence; so as these difficulties being thought not to be overcome, it was always held desperate to attempt Goritia by this way; But it being found by some conjectures at this time, that the Mountains were not so rough and craggy as they were imagined, Marquis Oratio d●…l Monte was sent to make the discovery; who having made all necessary diligence brought word back that there were some places by which they might bring their Artillery, and avoid the other difficulties. The Commissary and Medici being overjyoed at so good news, out of hopes of good success, resolved by all means to pass over the River beneath Gradisca; and passing from thence over the Carso to go to the besieging of ●…oritia: But necessary preparations for the effecting it were not answerable to their hopes and desires; the scarcity of Soldiers still increased, partly by death, partly by running away; and particularly those of the Country, who were never in the Camp but upon the pay-days; many of the Grisons, hearing the command of their Superiors, were already gone, and many were cashiered for having been too insolent, and having caused sedition in the Camp: The Hollanders delayed their coming still, and a Regiment of 4000 French which the Duke du maine should have brought to Friuli at the Commonwealth's cost, were kept back either by reason of the new troubles in France, or by the Grisons Decrees: To this was added, that being to go beyond the River to attempt an uncertain enterprise, (which the newer it was, was the more difficult and dangerous) they could not abandon the Country on this side the River which had cost them so much pains to get, and so much money to fortify: So as to divide those few that were in the Camp, was to hazard the loss of what was certain, to go, with much danger to themselves, to get what was uncertain: The hopes of new supplies were but few, by reason of the times, which brought the Commonwealth into great straits; for the Duke of Savoys Rout at the Abbey of Lucedio happened but a little before, which made them not only disburse good store of money to recruit him, but also to provide experienced Soldiers and Commanders upon their Confines towards the State of Milan, lest they might be probably assaulted on that fide: So as the Venetian Army was fain to delay the enterprise of Carso, and to expect the coming of the Hollanders, which was thought could not be long: This new enterprise met also with much difficulty by the coming of new supplies from Germany into Friuli, whereby the Austrian Camp was increased; and there was a speech of others that would shortly come: The Commonwealth's troubles were also infinitely multiplied by the new-taken resolution of Pietro di Girona, Duke of Ossuna, and Viceroy of Naples; who, either seconding the King's intention had declared himself to side with the Archduke; or out of his particular hatred to the Venetians, had rigged up Galleys and Gallioons in the Haven at Naples, giving out that he would send them into the Adr●…atick Sea, not only to assist the Archduke by diversion, but to hinder the Commonwealth in the possession which they pretend unto of the said Sea, and to trouble their Maritine Traffic: And though the same courage of mind appeared to be amongst those Conscript Fathers amidst so many troubles and adversities, wherewith persisting in their first generous resolution of maintaining the public honour and of freeing the Gulf from Pirates, they prepared to resist this new tempest; and therefore forbore not to provide abundantly for all necessaries in all requisite parts; yet naturally considering the little good they were likely to get by the war, and the prejudice which might thereby result both to the Commonwealth, and to private men; and moreover foreseeing the eminent dangers threatened to their Commonwealth by the State of Milan, and by the Kingdom of Naples; they grew somewhat less obdurate, and desired that the formerly broken Treaty of agreement might be reassumed: But it was no less hard for them to find the means how, then to compass their end with satisfaction; for all the Princes being weary with the last Negotiations, by reason of the Commonwealth's backwardness to restore what had been taken, not any of them cared to intermeddle therein: And they could get nothing from the Pope (who they thought would not be inwardly displeased here●…t) but words and generalities; nor could they confide much in the King of France, by reason of the vast troubles of that Kingdom: They therefore thought it the less evil to have recourse to the Court of Spain, which they had formerly so much suspected; and which by the Declaration made by the King in the behalf of the Archduke, and by the men who were paid by him in this war against the Venetians, was little less than their declared enemy; But by reason of many things formerly done by the Commonwealth, which were ill taken by the King and Court of Spain, and which made them desireous to lessen the Commonwealth's good opinion of herself; they oftentimes refused the pressures made by Pietro Gritti, Resident in that Court for the Commonwealth, who desired in the Commonwealth's name that some composition might be come unto; But the King and Duke of Lerma having been always against having war in Italy, and more particularly now out of many respects; the Duke, embracing the present occasion, began to close with the proposals made by Gritti in the Commonwealth's behalf, and very affectionately desired the effecting of them: But the Duke of Oss●…na forbore not for all this to pursue his enterprise; for he abominated the Venetians more than any other Spaniard did; and had therefore put seven Gallioons in good order for fight, and furnished them with all warlike Ammunition; which (to begin the war which he intended against the Venetians) he sent into the Gulf, under the Command of Francisco Riviera, native of Granada; who from a private condition had by his own worth, and by the Viceroy's favour, raised himself to no small greatness. The Commonwealth forthwith armed out two Galliass, and seven Gallioons, and gave the charge thereof to Lorenzo Veniero; and to these they added 18 lesser Galleys, which they were wont to keep to guard the Gulf and the Seas of the Levant: They set justo Antonio Belegno, Commissary over the Gulf, to be chief over all these; who whilst he was on his way towards Ragusa, where he understood the Neapolitan Galleys were; Riviera advanced with five of his Vessels within sight of the Isl●…nd Liesena; and drawing near the City began to play upon the Fort with some of his Cannon, and upon some Houses which were not far from it: and not seeing any one appear he retreated upon the coming on of night toward Calamotta and Sabioncella, Towns of Ragusa; where joining with the other Vessels, he took a Ship which went from Ragusa to Venice: He stayed some days thereabouts; and hearing that Bellegno was coming on with very advantageous forces, he steered unpursued towards Puglia, and came safe from thence to Brindisi: It was the common opinion of all men, that Bellegno might have fought him if he had pleased; and that upon sleight pretences, tarrying sometimes in one place, sometimes in another, he had delayed time, and permitted him to return; It is not known, notwithstanding, whether he did this of himself, or by his limited instructions; for though the Commonwealth seemed to be very much displeased with his proceedings, and therefore removing him from that charge, placed Veniero, Captain of the Galleoons, in his room; who in Consultations had appeared to be more forward and courageous; yet because they gave him other employments and dignities not long after; it was thought that this resentment was one of the Venetians wont pieces of cunning; who laying the weakness of their Commissions to the fault of their Officers, do at the same time, without hazarding their own forces, cover the public diffidence, and maintain the reputation of their Militia; nor do their Officers hold themselves thereby insured, who being contented with the tacit applause of the wisest Citizens, and with the tacit praise which is given them for having discreetly carried on the public fortune, do so love their Country, as they care not for having the fault laid upon them which otherwise would redound to the public bad success; being sure that when the wonder is over they shall be largely rewarded with other honours and dignities. The Crabates growing bold upon the nearness of the Neapol●…an Galleoons, and by the free commerce which was allowed them in the Kingdom of Naples, flock from home in great numbers; and scouring the Gulf with much terror, took much pillage, and took many Vessels even upon the City shores; and afterwards carrying their prey into Puglia and L'Abruzzi, sold them safely; and whither they safely fled when chased by the Venetian Vessels; In so much as the greater Traffic of Galleoons, and the lesser commerce was in a short space brought to a bad condition in Venice. Veniero being afterwards gone with two Galleasses and seven Galleoons to Brindisi, he endeavoured to draw out Riviera, who lay there with his Galleys, to Battle; who not having rowing Vessels, and the wind being contrary to his coming out, did not refuse Veniero's Challenge, but put it off till a fitter time: whereupon Veniero w●…nt to Corf●…, and afterwards getting into the Gulf entered the Channel of Corsola, and from thence to Liesina; and being content with this generous offer, appeared no more upon those shores: The Fleets afterwards increased; for the Viceroy providing new Galleoons, both in Naples and in Sicily; and assembling the King's Galleys together, p●…epared others at his own cost, that he might send them altogether to prejudice the Venetians; and growing daily more angry and more incensed, he threatened to assault the very Town of Venice with his whole Fleet; and adding all possible demonstrations to his speeches, he gave out that he would go himself in person to Brindisi, the more to encourage and hasten such preparations: Wherefore the Commonwealth growing fearful, armed more Galleoons, and put more Galleys and Galleasses to Sea; and ordered also that all the Galleys which sail upon those Seas, and upon the Levant Seas, should join in opposing the Spanish Fleet: But the Commonwealth which abounded in Ships, in Galleasses, and in all other warlike preparations, was in a great want both of men for their Oars and for fight; for those people, and those parts who were formerly trained up in the Militia, and therefore good at Sea affairs, from whence the Venetian greatness had its rise and increase; being now accustomed to Domestic employments, and not having seen an enemy for many years, were grown embased by idleness: nor were they better provided of Commanders; for the Gentry being given to such Arts as peace produceth, had not of late years valued the Militia, except what was Maritime. The Commonwealth being therefore upon these terms, and fearing the Viceroy's threats and preparations, whose Fleet they knew did much exceed theirs both in stout Soldiers and experienced Commanders, had much ado to provide for necessary defence, whe●…ein they were to coin much money, and to be at excessive expense: Wherefore falling immediately to raise moneys by many Taxes and Impositions, and also assembling all the Tradesmen of the City, who were picked out by lot according to public Orders, a certain number of them were commanded to serve either for themselves or for others in the Fleet. Thus having furnished a good many Rowers out of the dregs of the people, and Clowns of the neighbouring Villages, they furnished the Fleet also with many Troops of the Land-Militia, who being found to be unfit for Land-Service, little good could be expected from them in Sea affairs: And because the Senate were afraid of Veniero the Governor of the Fleet's animosity, they left him his first charge over the Galleoons, but made jovan jacomo Zane, a grave and discreet person, chief of all the maritime affairs, with title of Commissary, but with authority of Captain General; who putting to Sea many days after with those Vessels which were in a readiness at Venice, went to Liesina, where the general rendezvouz was for all those Vessels which were to serve in that Fleet; to the end that from thence, as from the Centre of the Gulf, he might discover what ways the Enemy steered, and oppose them and their designs; part whereof appea●…ed upon that very Island before he got thither: This part of the Viceroy's Fleet was led on by Don Pietro di Leva under the Viceroy's Ensigns, consisting of 12 Galleoons and 23 Galleys; and being come near the Haven, he se●…t two of them to challenge the Venetian Fleet to fight, which lay there under the command of the same Bellegno, to whom the Senate's Orders and Commissions were not yet come: And though he came not short of the Enemy in vessels, the Galleasses especially being considered, yet durst not Bellegno come out of the Haven and encounter them; but fortifying himself there, and placing the G●…lleasses in the mouth of the Haven, which being shut up by a great Rock is very narrow, he suffered them to be shot at by the Spanish Vessels, which assaulted them even almost underneath the Fort; and after-many shot on both sides, the Spanish Commanders seeing their danger, if they should proceed on any further, and dispute the business upon so many 〈◊〉, and that they could by no means draw the Enemy out into the open Sea, they retreated without any harm safe to Brindisi; where a new supply of Ships and excellently well-armed Galleys being come, new and more urgent Commissions came also from the Viceroy; who being angry that they had not fought, sent express Orders for the setting up of the Standards Royal, and that they should re-enter the Gulf, and that assaulting and fight the Enemy's Fleet in any whatsoever manner, they should proceed on against the very City of Venice: which when it was known did much trouble the whole City; those Fathers therefore, according to their accustomed wisdom, being desirous to provide for dangers afar off, as if they were at hand; not confiding in their own Fleet, nor in their preparations by Sea, not in the impenetrable situation of those Washeses; but as if those natural defences were weak obstacles for the doubtful condition of the Commonwealth, they used all such diligence, as greater they could not have used if the En●…my had been at hand: they fortified their out shores with Banks and Trenches, built Bulwarks upon the mouths of the Washeses; and all this appearing to come short of the danger, they put Weapons into the people's hands, made Corpse de guard in every Par●…sh, and raised Troops of Soldiers in every one of them, placing two Citizens over each of them, one of the Gentry, another of the Commonalty; and that these provisions against foreign disorders might occasion no disorder at home, a Magistracy of three of the gravest and most eminent Gentlemen was chosen, to keep them all within their duties; whom they endued with all supreme power, and trusted th●…m with the care of providing that the Commonwealth in the midst of all these Ruptures might be preserved from receiving any damage; and not satisfied with so many provisions within the City and without, t●…ey f●…rbare not to have recourse to the Turks for aid: for having bribed (as it was said) the chief Officers of that Court, and the most favoured Sultana's of the Seraglio, they obtained a command from the Grand Signeior, directed to the General of the Sea, that he should go into the Gulf, and be serviceable to the Commonwealths General upon all occasion●…: though detained afterwards by the odium that would have been conceived against them for that action, or by the danger of bringing the Fleet of so formidable an Empire into the Gulf, they made it come to Navarino, and made use of it only to the end that the V●…ceroy, ●…earing the Kingdom of Naples, might recall the Fleet from offending others to defend himself. This mean while Don Pietro di Leva, being recruited with more Forces, went with the Standard Royal from Brindisi, carrying with him 33 Galleys and 19 Galleoons, well armed with old Soldiers, and moreover took along with him from the Coast of Puglia about 4000 fight men; he drew near Liesina with a resolution to fight, if he should find the Enemy's Fleet there: he found all joined together under Zane, the new Commissary, who coming out of the Haven, a●… the appearing of the Enemy with all his Vessels, which were 40 Galleys, 40 Long-boats, six Galleasses and 15 Galleoons, all which, especially the Galle●…sses and Galleoons were very well munited with Artillery; especially the Galleoon Balbi otherwise called St. Marco; a Vessel vastly grea●…, which for the multitude of Guns which she carried was fit, as those who were skilful in that Profession said, to stand the assault of a whole Fleet. The Venetian Galleys were very well provided of Rowers, yet but badly furnished with fighting-men; for of 22000 persons which were in the Fleet, there were hardly 3000 who were fit to manage Arms; being come within sight one of the other, and the King's Fleet having given sign of Battle by shooting of a Cannon, and having loosened the Cables wherewith the Galleoons were fastened to the Galleys, the wind, which till then had been good for them, changed immediately; and turning exceeding ●…air for the Venetian Fleet began to blow with a strong gale against the Spaniards; and the Galleoons being fallen off from the Galleys, sailing some here, some there, were immediately dispersed; whereupon the Spanish Commanders, and all the Soldiery, though by the same wind they might have tacked about, and have escaped so great a danger, yet courage prevailing over fear, they still kept their Forecastle towards the Venetian Fleet: yet being astonished at this their enemies so great advantage, they were much troubled, and almost brought to despair of safety: fearing to be suffocated with the smoke of their own, and of the Enemy's Cannon; and to be drowned and stifled, without being able to fight, at the very first shock: but the nearer they came the more they saw themselves free from that danger; for Zane after a while withdrew into the Haven, and lost the opportunity of an assured and full Victory; to Veniero's great vexation, who being fallen a l●…ttle off with his Galleoons, that he might with a better wind fall upon the Enemy, expected that Zane should advance, or give the sign of Battle; to which purpose he had sent a Longboat to him: but seeing him withdraw into the Haven he followed the General, and put into the same Haven with his Galleoons, leaving a great Tartana behind him, which fell into the Enemy's hands. The Spanish Fleet being driven by the wind went upwards towards Zara, and stayed that night not far from Liesina: the next day being forced by the wind to coast a long beyond Dalmatia, it light by chance upon ten Galleys, and two great Venetian Barks; whereof two, which are called Maone, and the two Barks were fraught with ve●…y rich Merchandise: the Spaniards presently pursued them, for at first sight of the Enemy they fled; seven of the yarest of them, by the advantage of night, recovered Zara from whence they were come; the two which were loaded with Merchandise, and the Barks, and another Vessel fell into Leva's power, but no men in them, for they had all escaped to land, but the Vessels were loaded with Merchandise, and Moneys, to the worth of above a Million of Ducats. Captain Antonio Chiurano was greatly to blame in this, who not valuing the Enemy, and trusting more than became him to do in the Commonwealths Fleet, was not only negligent, as if he had sailed in secure peace, but thinking himself derided by a Fisherman, who told him how near the Enemy was, caused him to be put in prison; and not long after some Barks were taken, loaded with M●…rchandize, and Victuals for the Army, which being retreated to Liesina, and not daring to stir from thence suffered the Enemy to rove ●…reely over all those Seas. It was commonly said that Commissary Zane, when Consultation was held by the Captains and Officers, whether or no they should make use of the present occasion, and taking the advantage of the wind, fall upon the Enemy; that after he had by his Authority and Reasons contradicted their opinion, he at last drew an express command out of his bosom from the Senate, whereby he was absolutely forbidden to give Battle, no not upon any whatsoever advantage; and truly the Commonwealth having so powerful an Enemy so near at hand, who publicly threatened to assault the City; and the loss being beyond comparison greater which they should have received, if they had been beaten, than any advantage that could have redounded to them by Victory; and that being able of herself to maintain the Empire of the Sea against that Enemy, who they knew could not trouble them long; it suited well with their wisdom, to prefer wholesome and sa●…e resolutions before such as they were not certain should prove glorious; and that it became them not to hazard that Fleet upon the uncertainty of Battle, which being the only defence of that City, ready to be assaulted, and which being the greatest strength that they could then put together, was thought the only foundation of the Venetian Honour and Empire: which could not probably waver so long as that Navy was safe; so if that should be lost, would infallibly draw after it great mischief, and little less than the utmost danger of the Commonwealths safety: and the danger appeared so much the more probable, for that, doubtless, as if they should fight at a distance, the Venetian Fleet by the advantage of the●…r Guns would have much vexed that of Spain; so if they should come to close fight, the Venetians being badly provided of defendants, would have been easily worsted by the Spaniards: the want of Order and Military Discipline in the Venetian Fleet was also to be considered; for never a one of the Masters knew what their place was, nor what upon such an occasion he was to do; there was no distinction of Wings, nor Squadrons; but the whole Fleet was one great body, misshapen and confused; and therefore unable to move, and more troublesome to its self, then formidable to the Enemy: but it was no less considerable, that when contrary to the afore●…aid probable Reasons of the Venetians being worsted, they should have had the upper hand, the victory must needs have been got by much loss, and effusion of blood: in which case, if the Turkish Fleet should have come, and have found the Venetian Fleet weakened, and the Spanish beaten, might it not have come up even unto Venice; and without any contestation, or opposition, have done what the Spaniards threatened? it was therefore in this respect thought that it became not the Commonwealth, to expose her safety to the certain danger wherewith she was t●…reatned, upon whatsoever event, especially since not only t●…e Venetian Commonwealth, but whole Christendom would have b●…n much endangered by this conflict; for of the two Fleets, which being both joined together make but a proportionable Bulwark of Christendom, against the Maritime Forces of the Ottoman Empire, when one of them should have been discomfited, and the other weakened; Christendom would not have had Forces sufficient to withstand the Ottomans Fleet, if it should have come against it: and therefore many strengthening their Reason, and fixing their Thoughts higher, attributed that sudden and unexpected change of wind to a great miracle, and acknowledged it to proceed from God's Divine goodness; yet they proceeded in Venice (according to their usual custom) against Commissary Zane, as they had done against Bellegno, sending for him back to Venice, taking his place from him, and proceeding hotly by Process against him; and yet after some months he was acquitted by a great number of Vote●… in a full Council of the Pregati. But the success of the Fleet, and the loss of the Mahouns, caused great commotions in Venice; the rather for that false news being brought some few days before, of the conflicts, and of the vistory gotten by the Venetian Fleet, great Feasts and Triumphs were made by the Nobility, who believing that report could not contain themselves in rejoicing, and congratulations; and the Common People following the example of the Nobiliry fell into excesses, even such as were scandalous: they ran tumultuously in great numbers to the Spanish Ambassadors Palace; and mingling opprobrious speeches with their shouts and out-cries, they had almost fallen to injurious actions: and elsewhere they hung up the Portraiture of the Viceroy by the feet, and after many scornful and abusive speeches, set it on fire: but the truth being afterwards known, the Commonwealth was much afflicted, both in private, for the loss of the Mahouns, of so great value; and for the continual damage suffered by the Croates; and was much astonished and confused in the Public, for the loss of their ancient Reputation, and for fear lest the Spanish Fleet, according to the Viceroy's threats and commands, might draw near their Washeses, and assault their City. They knew not what courses to take, which might suffice to remove the imminent danger; but finding them all to be short, and unproportionable, they complained of the King of Spain; who being chosen by them to be a pacifier of the differences between them and the Archduke, instead of making peace, had proved so bitter an Enemy; suffering them to be under hand so injuriously dealt with by his Minister, without any respect had to the friendship which was publicly professed between them; and yet the King, who did not desire that the Treaty of Peace which was by him reassumed should be disturbed; preferring kindness before revenge (for they had injured him, by assisting the Duke of Savoy) and peace before whatsoever victory; as soon as he had given way to the Commonwealths desire, of interposing himself in the present differences; commanded the Viceroy (being much pressed so to do by the Commonwealth) to send for the Fleet back from the Gulf; and that his command might be the better observed, he sent Orders to Don Pietro di Lieva, to ret●…eat immediately with his Fleet without injuring the Commonwealth into the Tuscan Sea; and as good luck would have it for the Commonwealth, the King's Orders came to Don Pietro when he was not far from the Venetian Washeses, and when the Venetians, as finding themselves in greatest danger, did exclaim most against the King; wherefore Don Pietro (having had some inkling of the Turkish Fleet) that he might not be enclosed between two Fleets retreated; and leaving the Galleoons at Brindisi came, according to the King's command, into the Tuscan Sea; not without much grief to the Viceroy, who not having yet vented his anger would, contrary to the King's command, continue the War which was begun. Thus was Venice, when she least thought of it, freed from the very near danger of being assaulted; but she fared no better in the Wars of Friuli; for the Captains of the Army, that they might not lie idle whilst the Hollanders delayed their coming, attempted the Castle of Cestnuts, and a Town which was a great one, and near it, upon the banks of Lisonzo; hoping that when they should have taken those two places they might easily take the Tower upon the stone Bridge, and pass f●…om thence to the expugning of Goritia; which when they should have got, the Enemy's Army would neither have been able to have kept the Field, nor to defend Gradisca, nor to hold the rest of the Archdukes Country; so as whole Friuli falling into the Commonwealths hands, the Alps had been the bound●…ure of the Dutch Empire; a thing which peradventure she concealedly aimed at: General Medici parting therefore from Luciniso with many Soldiers sent part of them to take in the Fort, and coming with the rest to Piuma, he easily took it; and leaving people with sufficient provisions, and Orders to defend it, he returned to Luciniso: The others being gotten near the Fort began to straighten it on two sides, hoping verily to take it; for there being only eighty Foot in it, badly provided either with Victuals or wherewithal to fight, they by signs gave notice of their necessity to those of their side, wherein they could hardly be provided by the Austrians; for besides that the Venetians were numerous, and in Piuma, and about the Fort, and were able to increase their numbers, by reason of the neighbourhood of those who were in Luciniso, and in St Florini, Lisonz●… being swollen by continual rains, had broke the Bridge which the Austrians had built upon long-boats, and had carried the long boats along with it; and the rain continuing, it was impossible to pass over Lisonzo; it was therefore hard and dangerous to relieve that Fort, but more hard and dangerous to abandon it: yet at the last, the Austrian Commanders, of two evils choosing the less, resolved to adventure a few men, for the safety and preservation of all: they therefore planted two Batteries on their shore side against Piuma, to keep the Enemy from fortifying, and chose out 800 of the best Horse and Foot; who being commanded by the Baron Hermisteine, and by Captain Henrico Paradiso Navarro, and Captain Ferdinand●… Caratti, might pass over the Rive●… in a certain place, where they were sheltered from the sight of the Enemy, and from being offended by them; and to this purpose having no Long-boats, they took from the standing Pools and Rivers that were near at hand certain little Shallops made out of the whole timber which the Countrypeople call Zocchi, whereinto the Soldiers got; and holding by a long-rope which was thrown over the River, did by a few at a time get over to the other shore. The business being u●…dauntedly begun by Captain Caratti succeeded no less happily; except that the rope being broke by the swiftness of the Rive●…, two Zocchis, with the Soldiers that were in them, were drowned: at which disaster their companions being not at all dismayed, tied certain bundles together; and throwing them over the River, did by resting on them get without any prejudice to the other side: 200 of them went to relieve the Fort, and the rest to recover Piuma; the former, though assisted by the besieged, who sallied out of the Fort, could not advance; but the others, when they came near Piuma, infused such terror into the Venetians, as abandoning the Town without making any resistance, they betook themselves to their heels, and fled without stopping, till they came to Luciniso: whose example was immediately followed by those who were about the Fort, who seeing Piuma abandoned, forsook their Trenches also, and unpursued ran shamefully away: and though at first the Commanders, and afterwards Medici, who was come then from Luciniso, got them to return to their first stations, yet afterwards better considering the confusion, the Soldier's dismaiedness, and the undauntedness of the Enemy (who despising death, and presenting themselves fiercely before them after they had waded the River, which they had so courageously passed over, only to relieve the Fort, and who therefore were likely not to refuse any danger, so they might relieve it) they chose to shun the encounter, and to forgothe enterprise, with some loss of reputation, lest they might be driven away with loss and shame: the Sould●…ers retreated therefore in good order to Luciniso, and the Fort was freed by the Austrians singular valour: at last, the Hollanders appeared, 4300 in number, in two Regiments; led on by Count john Ernestus of Nassaw, Nephew to Count Maurice: 300 whereof were at her own charge sent by the Princess of Orange, under the same Count, and 1000 brought at his own expense by Colonel Georgio Sergi Wassenofen, who was nobly rewarded by the Venetians for so generous an action: these Soldiers were very well armed and clad, commanded by many Gentlemen of very good quality, and were therefore of great help to the Venetian Camp. Wassenofen, who was the first that came to Venice, was sent by Land to Friuli, and the Count coming soon after went by Sea to Montfalcone, and from thence to the Camp: as soon as Commissary Lando and General Medici saw the Hollanders, they immediately betook themselves to pass over the Carso: leaving the care of the Camp, and of all things on this side, to Commissary Nicolo Contareno, who succeeded Forscarini, with sufficient Forces to Guard the Country, and with excellent Orders to be put in execution in due time. They caused a Bridge to be privately cast over Cassoian●…, four miles below Gradisca, by which Lando, Medici, and Erizzo passed over into the Country of Montfalcone, with 5000 Foot, and about 800 Horse, which being joined to Nassaw's Hollanders, and to other Soldiers who were mustered there, were divided into four Squadrons, according to the ways by which they were to march: Commissary Lando, though he desired, and was resolved to be present at this passage, was notwithstanding persuaded by Medici and the rest, who to shun adventuring the public dignity in his person, forced him to tarry in Montfalcone, where he might be more serviceable in taking order, and in making provisions for the Enterprise: Erizzo was to be ready with a flying Squadron, to come in and assist where any need, or sudden accident should require: Cosimo di Marchesi del Monte, he who first discovered Carso, went by the first way, nearest the Sea, and furthest from Lisonzo, with 800 Foot; and being come to Dobredo, he presently took it, and for more security, began to fortify it: Oratio Balioni went by the next way with 1500 Foot, four small pieces, good store of Pioners, and Ammunition for War, Count Ferdinando Scotto going before him with some Horse-Troops to scour the Country, and to make discovery: he took St. Michele, which afterwards when Baglione came thither was diligently fortified: By the third way went Count Nassaw with the Hollanders, waited on by some Troops of Horse, and some pieces of Artillery, who coming to the Town called St. Martino in Carso, took it; then going to the Fort which is called delle Donne, at the third shot, he took it upon Articles; not long after he did the like to the Fort Imperial, a little lower, and nearer Lisonzo, which commands the River, and was therefore of great concern, in keeping succours from Gradisca. Only Giovan Martinengo, who led on the fourth Squadron, and to whose share it fell to bring on the Artillery, and to advance by the way which lay nearest the River, met with a rub; for being to take the Fort Stella, which was upon the way over against Gradisca and being come so near it; as he began to make Trenches for Battery, two companies of Swissers and Grisons, being afraid without any occasion, began to Mutiny; which Mutiny passing into those of other Nations, they began all to wheel about, and to run, Martinengo not being by any means able to stay them; and Commissary Erizzo coming in, he had much ado to persuade them to turn back, and carry off the Artillery which they had abandoned, and which, had they made the least delay, had fallen into the hands of those of the Fort. Martinengo retreated to Sagra, and sending the Artillery from thence to St. Michele, he fortified himself at St. Nichola Medici, not being bound to keep any one place, discharged the Office of a General, and ran sometimes to one place, sometimes to another, encouraging, providing for, and ordering all things which appertained to the March: the same night, to the end that the Austrians being assaulted in several places might have the less conveniency to oppose the passage of Carso; some of the Commonwealths Galleys drew near Dulcigno, a great Town belonging to the Archduke in the Gulf of Triesti, and playing upon it with their Artillery did it much harm: and on the other side of Lisonzo, Trivigiano coming from Luciniso, according to Medici his Orders, at midnight with a great many Horse, came to Lisonzo; and s●…eming as if he would pass over it, kept the Enemy busy that was lodged on the other side; and a little lower, near Fora, Francisco and Carlo Strasoldi, who had the same Orders, being come to the River side, and not seeing any appear against them, but finding by counter-signs that the Venetians had luckily overcome the Mountain, they boldly entered the River, which was somewhat more swollen then usual; and coming to sh●…ar on the other side, they were presently followed by many Horse, and particularly by two choice Troops, the one led on by Udine, the other by Cividal, the former belonging to Commissary Contereno's self, and the other to Giovan Bassadone, Lieutenant-general of Friuli, both of them ancient Senators; who notwithstanding having forded over the River, possessed themselves of the furthermost bank and ways, making themselves masters of them and of the enemy's Rampires: The Austrians were sufficiently astonished at this strange and unexpected passage, as well over the Mountains as over the River; and forgetting their former Generosity grew into great confusion; and doubtlessly, if the Venetian Commanders had proceeded on with the same fervour, they would freely without any opposition have gotten to the Walls of Goritia, being only three miles distant from the bottom of Carso; whereof, by reason of the great terror they were in, they might without much ado have made themselves masters. Horatio Baglione was aware of this so rare occasion; who with many reasons and reiterated persuasions exhorted Medici not to let it slip; but Medici being very cautious and circumspect would not be advised by him: And whilst he fore slowed the business upon the descent of Carso, to discover the Country, and to pry into the enemies proceedings; whilst busying himself in making of Trenches and Fortifications for the safety of his Quarters, he played the part rather of a Cunctator then of a Dictator, he let slip the occasion; for the Austrians arguing by this the enemies delay that they had but little mind to advance, reassumed their ●…ormer courage, and resolved to stand upon their defence; which resolution was ●…omented by Count d' Ampier●…, who was at this time come from Germany; and who by his ●…atural vivacity, by his Authority, and by t●…e assured succour which he told them was ready in Germany, and assured them would be very quickly in Italy, encouraged the Captains to resist, and manfully to oppose the enemy. Between the Carso and Vipao, a River which (as hath been said) runs at the bottom of the Mountain towards Goritia, is a Palace in form of a Castle, with a Wood walled about, (called i'll Pallagio, è Barco di Rubbia) situated just where Vipao falls into Lifonzo, and is therefore flanked on two sides by the same Rivers. Baglione, seeing it abandoned, would have made himsel●… master of it, for the doing so made much for the main business; but being forbidden by Medici, Colonel Standato entered it with 1000 Foot, and not long after Maradas with more men; and they fell forthwith to fortify it, and to surround it with platforms: Here ended the success of that passage; for the Austrians having fortified i'll Pallagio, flanked i'll Barco with Ravelines, and munited the Banks of Vipao with new Works; the Venetians found another Gradisca to besiege, and another Lisonzo to overcome, on the other side of Carso; about which they entertained themselves to little purpose till the Peace was concluded. Many Batteries, many Attempts, many Skirmishes, were made by both parties, with variety of Fortune; which since they made nothing for the main of the war, will be superfluous to relate, and p●…radventure irksome to read: The end of the business was, that the Venetians could never drive the Austrians thence, who had always the better, not only in defending i'll Barco and the River, but also in relieving Gradisca, which the Venetians could not, by any means they could use, obviate. General Trautmistorft died in the defence of i'll Barco, being shot, whilst too courageously, and contrary to the opinion of his own men, he stood upon a Raveline which ●…e himself had given order for; He was a Gentleman well born, of great courage, not d●…unted with any danger, very vigilant in all things belonging to war; but of a Genius more given to Skirmishes and petty actions, then to the main enterprises; and therefore deserved rather to be esteemed a good Soldier than an excellent Commander; for being always provided of excellent Soldiers, and having to do with a weak and undisciplined Army, and which was moreover continually macera●…ed with sickness, he could never totally overthrow them; So though he was always assailant, and had always more the better in private actions, yet he seemed to be always more for defence then offence: And the Venetians, who were continually losers, seemed in general to be victors; having always carried the war into the enemy's Country, without losing any thing they had gotten, and always advancing somewhat towards new Acquisitions: Many laid the fault of this, not upon the Comm●…nder, but upon the scarcity of his men, and of necessary provisions for war; others imputed it to his being too prodigal of his own life, and spacing of his Soldier's lives; others laid it to the secret orders of the Emperor's chief Officers, corrupted by the Venetian Gold: But howsoever, he being well esteemed of for his great valour both by the Emperor and Archduke, his death did very much trouble t●…em. On the Venetians side Baglione was slain, whilst he with 500 Foot opposed a great squadron of horse upon the Carso, as they were carrying relief to Fort Stella, that so they might put it into Gradisca; with him there died Virginio Orsino di Lamentana, and 500 Foot, who were almost all of them put to the Sword by the Austrians: There also died, but upon other occasions, Danielle Antonini, and Mark Antonio Mazzano, (both of them of Udine) Count Leonardo Gualdo, Francisco Maria Albertaccio, all of them being prime Commanders in the Venetian Army; to 〈◊〉 with many others of lesser note, Count Nassaw died t●…ere also, but of sickness; and his Brother Count Ernestus succeeded him: It is thought that in this war, what by the Sword, 〈◊〉 by sickness, there died of the Venetians above 30000; and not full 〈◊〉 4000 Austrians. Trautmistorf●… was succeeded in his charge by jovan Prainero, a gallant Commander, bred up in the Hungarian wars, who was lucky in the defence of i'll Barco, and in the relief of Gradisca; and Pietro Barbarigo, Procurator of St Mark, succeeded Commissary Lando, he who at the beginning of the war exercised the same place, though under the bare title of Commissary; and Lorenzo justiniano's succeeded Commissary Erizzo. The Venetians were much prejudiced in their proceedings by the continual 〈◊〉, wh●…ch fell contrary to the season of the year; for the Venet●…ans ●…ad passed over Carso in the beginning of june. T●…ese reins caused much sickness amongst the Soldiers; and Lisonzo being extraordinarily swollen broke the Venetians Bridge at Cassoiano; wherefore those of the Commonwealth could not conveniently communica●…e 〈◊〉, the Bridge being broken; nor could those of Carso be victualled by those of Friuli: They were likewise much prejudiced by the mutinying of the Hol●…anders, who were displeased with their Captains for k●…eping back a good part of their pay, which had been readily di●…burst by the Venetians; but certainly the fall out between Medici and Nassaw did most harm, who strove for superiority, and who should command, and who obey; Medici, by his Patents from the Commonwealth, being to command over all save the Commissary-general; and Nassaw being by his Letters Patents not to obey any save the Commissary-general; and the Commissaries not being able to compose the difference, jealousies, grudges, and dis●…astes grew amongst them, whereby the cause of the Commonwealth was much prejudiced; the Commonwealth not being only not well satisfied with Medici his service, but his loyalty and truth being suspected; if not publicly by the Senate, at least by the Nobles, who beginning to distrust him, did publicly, and generally de●…act from his reputation; as if by private intelligence held with the Archduke, whose Sister was Wife to the Great Duke of Tuscany, Nephew to Medici, he had not only let slip the opportunity of going to Goritia, by proceeding so slowly upon Carso; but as if having neglected the Commonwealths service in several things, he had suffered the Enemy to bring succour to Gradisca when it was in greatest necessity. The Governors of the Commonwealth do often fall upon such Rocks, especially when affairs go not well with them; and it is clear enough, that if the War ●…ad lasted, that he being weary of the Venetians ●…ealousies would either have left their service, or they for their own greater satisfaction would have tried-first the others fortune; and this was whispered to be privately treated on by the Senate, but that they did not proceed therein, by reason they saw the War was near at an end, and by reason of Medici his condition and alliance. Marco Antonio Canale was also given for a successor to Trivigiano, though Trivigiano had always showed himself indefatigable in labour, ready for danger, and would have won much glory in that War, had he not through the immortal malice he bore to the Spaniards, obscured it by a piece of cruelty committed by him upon a Spanish Knight, who being brought prisoner before him, while the Prisoner submissively bowed unto him he thrust a Dagger into his breast, and slew him. The affairs of the Commonwealth proceeded but slowly in Istria and Dalmatia; nothing of memorable succeeding ther●…in, save that Zimino, a place of some concern, was taken by General Antonio Barbaro, in which action he lost 200 Soldiers, and some Captains: for the rest, they spun it out till the conclusion of the peace, which was made not long after with much advantage to the Venetians, according to the custom of that Commonwealth; which though she be good at Counsel, comes short of other Princes in matter of the Militia; and therefore since she is not fortunate in War, makes peace upon more honourable terms, by Negotiation; but because the Siege and taking of Vercelles preceded that peace, it will be necessary, that returning to the affairs of Piedmont, we first relate the progress of that War, in the beginning of the Summer 1617. The End of the fifth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK VI. The Contents. THe Governor of Milan goes with his Army to before Vercelles, and besieging it on all sides, and the Town not being able to be relieved, after a long Siege he takes it upon Articles. The Capitulations of Peace, as well for what concerned Piedmont as Friuli, are treated of in the Court of Spain, and are concluded in the Court of France; as also at Madrid. The Duke of Savoy being assisted by the French, who came into Piedmont after the surrender of Vercelles, takes some Towns in Montferra●… and in Allessandria: And at last, in pursuance of the Capitulations stipulated in the Courts of France and Spain, the Peace is concluded in Pavia between the Governor of Milan and the French Ambassador. The Viceroy of Naples sends some Galleoons into the Gulf in defence of the Ragusiens, who were vexed by the Venetian Fleet; which Galleoons get the better, in fight, of the Venetians. A Conspiracy is discovered in Venice, and some rumours are spread abroad upon the Confines of Venice toward Milla●…n, between the Spanish Soldiers and those of the Commonwealth; which being appeased, a period is put to the War, and Italy is restored to her former Peace. THe Governor being recruited with new Forces, and being kindled with new desires of re entering Piedmont with his Army, aimed to give on the●…e where it might be to most purpose, and most mortal to the Enemy. The●…e were of new arrived in the State of Milan 4 Companies of Light-Horse, 16 of Gens d' Arms, commanded by Camillo Caracciola P●…ince of Avelino, and 600 Cur●…ssiers under Don Antonio Caraffa Duke of Matalona, in all 1800 Horse, which were sent him by the Duke of Ossuna; who being no less desirous to maintain the grandezza and honour of the King against the Venetians, then anxious for the affairs in Lombardy, had spared neither for cost, trouble, nor diligence, to keep up the Glory of the Spaniard, and the King's Authority, in its ancient splendour. Besides these there were expected 1000 Curassiers and 6000 Walloon Foot from Flanders, who came quickly: The command of the Horse was given to jovan jeronimo Doria; the Foot were divided into two Brigades, the one was commanded by Gulielmo Verdugo, the other by Gulielmo di Quen. The Lombard, Neapolitan, and Dutch Brigades, being recruited with new men, were almost gotten to their former number; so as those that were there already being computed with those who were shortly to come, the Army consisted of about 25000 Foot, and of 5500 Horse; a gallant Army, and fit for whatsoever Enterprise. A Council of the chief Commanders being therefore called, he asked their opinion touching the whole business, and touching carrying on the War against the Duke: The opinions were three; the first, that the Towns of Montferrat should be recovered, since the defence of that State was the principal end of the present War; and for that when they should be recovered, the Army, in case the Peace should not be concluded, which was closely negotiated, might easily go to the expugning of Turin; or if peace should be concluded, it would redound the more to the King's honour; for that the possession of what was taken being got by War, the Duke should not have the honour of restoring them: The second, whereof Mortara was Author, was, that Asti should again be attempted: The third, that they should go to the taking in of Verrua and Crescentino, with intention to keep succour from Vercelles, and to open a commodious way for entrance into Piedmont. The last not appearing so difficult as the taking of Asti, and more honourable then to keep so great an Army about the recovery of a few inconsiderable Castles, was approved of by the greatest part of the Council, and so resolved on. Don jeronimo Caraffa, Marquis of Montenegro, a man of great power, long versed in the Wars of Flanders, was thought to be the Author of this opinion; who being sent from Spain the Winter before to be assistant to Don Piedro di Toledo in Council, succeeded the Prince of Ascoli, who was sent for back to Court, and he commanded the whole Army by title of Campmaster General, though under the name of the Governor: So as it being noised that they went to Crescentino, the Soldiers and Captains were wholly bend thereupon; but the Governor who had resolved otherwise in private with Montenegro, feigning to go from Pontestura, where the Army than was, to Crescentino, and changing the Garrison of S. Germano in his passage, faced about, and sat down before Vercelles so unexpectedly, as four Troops of Horse which were gone out o●… Vercelles to discover the Enem●…es Proceedings, falling upon the body of the Army, were kept from re-entering into Vercelles, by a flying Squadron which were advanced by another way; so they returned 〈◊〉 and dispersed to the Duke; and some other which could not save themselves by running were some of them sla●…, some taken Prisoners. Marquis Clausio was Governor of this place, which was sufficiently well victualled, yet but ill provided of Soldiers, and worse of warlike Ammunition; for they had been much wasted in the business of Messerano and Creppacuore; wherefore the Governor knowing these their wants, thought the business would be short and easy, if by drawing suddenly and unexpectedly before it he could keep it from being relieved: To this end having resolved to place jovan jeralimo Doria with the Cavalry which was come from Flanders, which consisted wholly of choice and Veteran Soldiers, to guard the ways by which relief might be brought from Piedmont; he had sent to Milan, before he went from Pontestura, for provision of Arms; and calculating the time so as that these Horse might come to Milan at the same instant as the Army should approach Vercelles, he failed in his account, by reason of some delay made by some Officer of Milan in the delivery out of the Arms: So as the Duke, who at the first news of the Armies being gone to Vercelles was gone with all his Forces to the Ruins of Santia; had opportunity of sending 1500 Foot, and some Companies of Horse, into the Town; who finding the ways open got safe without any opposition into Vercelles: This succour came very opportunely; for together with them there entered also many Commanders and Captains; and amongst the rest Monsieur di Saufrone, the Duke's Engineer, who did singular service in all this Siege. This place was begirt on that side which looks towards Piedmont, where the greatest danger of assault lay, with a Wall which was platformed with a Ditch: It was impossible it should be infested on that side which lies toward Milan, there being but a very little space between the Wall and the neighbouring River Sesia, full of Roots and snags of Trees: When the Army was come within sight of the Town, finding that the Flemish Horse did still delay coming, and fearing that more succours would be brought in, he thought it requisite to straighten it the more; He commanded therefore that a long Trench should be begun; which beginning from Sesia, a good way above Vercelles, and taking a compass towards Piedmont, might not only encompass the whole Town with a greater circuit, but might also enclose all that space of ground wherein the Army was quartered, and should terminate in Sesia, a good way below the City; to the end that the Army might lie safe within that Trench, and be sheltered from the Duke's assaults, and might securely attend the siege; a work which by reason of the large compass, and continual rains, could not be perfected without much delay of time: The Horse which were in the Camp were most of them quartered beyond the Sesia, to the end that they might keep succour also from being brought by that side. The Town being thus be●…eagured on all sides, and the Artillery and other provisions being also come, they began their Trenches, and began their Batteries against the Walls and Fortifica●…ions thereupon erected, on the lower side of the Trenches; about which there was continual Skirmishing; for those within be●…ng increased in numbers, to boot with their shooting of Cannon and Musque●…s from the Walls, Ravelines, and other fortified places, 〈◊〉 of●…en out to ass●…ult the enemy, and to skirmish with him; though for the most part some wha●… to their loss: And those without advancing st●…ll with their appr●…aches and assaults, endeavoured to get underneath the defences; but being often beaten back, sometimes from one, sometimes from another Fortification, suddenly erected by Sanfrone, they were kept, as it were, at bay, and forced to return back, and quit the Stations which they had taken: So as the Siege, which otherwise would not have lasted long, was necessarily prolonged, and would have been so longer if those within had been better provided of Ammunition, or if the Duke had been so lucky in succouring the Town with Ammunition, as he had been with men; yet he was very diligent in endeavouring it; but the Governor took such good orders after the first relief was conveyed in, as that thereby, and by a strange accident that happened, he could not effect it: For the Duke chose out 500 of his best Horse, and amongst them 400 Curassiers, and sent them towards the besieged Town, with each of them a sack of Powder; to which he added 12 Load of the same Ammunition: These men thinking to force their passage on a sudden, and to get safely into Vercelles, failed in their design; for the Governor had already placed jeronimo Ro with 800 Horse, and 2000 Foo●…, to guard that passage, who lighting upon this Convoy, the Duke's 500 Horse found the encounter harder than they had imagined; and yet they repulsed the first 200 Horse that came against them; but Ro coming in afterwards, and the Baron Batteville, with many more men, a furious volley of Musket shot was let fly from the Trenches; and fire taking unfortunately at the same time in the Ammunition, it blew up with such violence, as the whole Troop we●…e miserably dissipated; many of them blown up into the Air, and many to shun the fire, threw themselves into the Sesia, where they were either drowned or shot, only 25 got safe into Vercelles; many being shrewdly scorched were taken prisoners, amongst which M nr di Limogione, the Prince Thomoso's Lieutenant; 450 Horse were slain in this disaster; hardly 50 escaped; other sixscore were also ill dealt withal a little after, in a bickering which happened in the midway which leads from St. Germano to Santia; for a Troop of Horse being sent from St Germano, commanded by Captain Pallestra a milanese, to disturb the Fortifications which were begun by the Duke's men, they met with another of the Duke's Troops which came from Santia; and at the first beginning of the Skirmish the Duke's men fled to underneath the Trenches of Santia; and those few who could recover the Trenches, being secured by the Musqueteers who kept the enemy off, got free from danger; but the greatest part of them were either slain in the encounter or in the retreat, or carried Prisoners into St. Germano by Pallestra: the Siege drawing on in length, the Duke sent 100 Sacks of Powder wrapped up in beasts Hides, to keep them from firing, with 100 Horse, by the way of Gattinara; but this, which was the third endeavoured succour, had no better success; for being discovered by the Marquis of Este, who guarded that Pass with the Gens d' Arms, most of them were slain, and many of them made Prisoners. The Army was not this mean while idle in besieging the City; against which they continued the Batteries, and laboured very much to beat down the outward Fortifications; which besides the multiplicity and variety of them, were so artificially ordered, as when they were gotten with much effusion of blood, they were either easily recovered, or not hardly abandoned; and sometimes, there being a Mine underneath them, they were fired, and so the Works were blown up with those that were on them into the Air; oftentimes when one Cavalier was taken, another was the same night erected by the enemy, which rendered the taking of the former the preceding day of no use to the possessors: Thus the defendants not being wanting to themselves as long as their Ammunition lasted, they did several ways with much vigilancy and industry annoy the enemy's Army, showing themselves in great order, and with much courage, very ready for all necessary actions, in defence of the Town against so stout and so fierce an oppugnation; nor in this their defence were the Heavens less propitious to them, sending down rain in great abundance for the fi●…st forty days, which were not only great impediments to their approaches and military actions, but did cause the neighbouring Rive●…s and Torrents to swell so high, as the Trentinians who were quartered very low, were forced for fear of the waters which overflowed the Banks, to draw backwards; and many disorders which happened in the Camp were causes of prolonging the enterprise, which was of itself so hard and difficult: But at last all difficulties being overcome by the pertinacity, valour and courage of the assailants, who removing all impediments w●…re so advanced in their approaches, as they had made way for an Assault; it was resolved to give one on the twelfth of july, by the whole power of the Camp; which coming in good order to the enemy▪ Rampires, and fight valiantly; the assailants advanced so far on three sides as they had sometimes hope to get the victory; but those within being no less valiant, the assault continued for the space of three hours, the assailants not being able to make any progress; many whereof were slain, not so much of the ordinary Soldiers, as of the Captain●… and of the better sort; of which Monsieur the Quen, the Walloon Campmaster, and Captain Stampa, and Don Alphonso Piemontello, succeeding Quen in his place, who was General of the Horse, whilst he fought valiantly with his Sword in his hand, and taught the Walloons by his own example to advance, was shot by a Musket in the Arm, whereof he died within a few days, to the great grief and sorrow of the whole Camp; he not being only very valiant, but extraordinarily civil and courteous: johanni Bravo was also sorely hurt by a Barrel of Powder which fell on fire not far from the place where he was valiantly fight: Night coming on, though they gave over the ass●…ult, ●…ey forbore not working with their Pick-axes and Gabbioons, t●… get ne●…r the Wall, and to remove all impediments which yet remained from without, that they might come to a second assault, wherein they placed much hope of victory, and of ending the enterprise gloriously; For those within being reduced even to the bottom of their Ammuni ion, and therefore making more use of stones then of Muskets, 〈◊〉 was impossible for them to resist any longer; but for all this, did neither they nor the Duke forego their hopes; for 400 of them 〈◊〉 out at mi●… day, under four French Captains, to assault the Trenches, and clog the A●…lery, who being discovered were repulsed with much loss by two Companies of Musquetiers; and the Duke, making his utmost attempt to furn●…sh the Town with what it 〈◊〉 by a greater power t●…en forme●…ly, came with all his men within six miles of the Camp; and dividing 3000 men into three Squadrons, who were commanded by Monsieur d'Orfe, he sent them with a good quantity of Powder towards the City. This succour being conveyed privately between Fort Sandoval, and a little Bulwark near the Sesia, was brought very near the City: but the Enemy's Horse falling upon the Van, it was presently defeated; the middle Squadron throwing away their Ammunition forded over the Sesia, and got to underneath: the Walls of the City, whereof many being pursued even to the Ditch, were many of them slain: the third Squadron got safe back to the Duke: In this action 120 were taken prisoners, of which Orfe his Serjeant-Major, Orfe's self having escaped luckily by flight. On the Governors' party, Don Luigi di Leva was slain, and Don Ottavio Gonzaga, the Baron Batteville and Lodovico Guasco were wounded: the first was found sorely wounded lying amongst the expiring bodies, and died not long after; the other two (though sorely wounded also) escaped death: many of the middle Squadron got into the City, but without their Ammunition; so as the Town was not at all relieved by this attempt. So as a second assault being suddenly given on several sides, and which the defendants not being able to resist, the assailan●…s appearing already with their Banne●…s upon the Walls, the assaulted helped themselves by a false rumour, crying give fire unto the Mine: which being heard and believed by the assailan●…s, who had been oft times strangely deluded, they immediatel●… turned their backs, and abandoning what they had taken, fled away headlong: which they did not without much loss; for being pursued by the Enemy by Musket-shot, whereof not any mist, and with stones, by such as wanted powder, they were smitten sorely; and doubtlessly, if they had given less belief to the Enemy's words, or had kept longer upon the station which they had taken, the business would h●…ve been this day dones for many of the defendants wanting powder, they were forced to use their Pikes and Swords; and two of the Spa●…ish Foot, who had undauntedly advanced, got as far in as to St. Andrews Church, where one of them fell, and the other being sorely wounded, escaped death, by Marquis Calusio his generosity, who admiring so much valour in an Enemy, commanded he should be no more mo●…ested. But in fine, many of the defendants being wounded in those assaults, amongst which Monsieur di Bless, a French Commander, their Ammunition being all spent, and despai●…ing either to be relieved, or able to resist any longer, they resolved to come to composi●…ion; which the French were occasion why Calusio, and all the Duke's Captains, except it were Sanfrone, consented unto: for they finding that the Town could not hold out much longer, thought they had done sufficiently enough in point of honour, and in obligation to the Duke, in whose service they thought themselves not bound obstinately to lose their lives, he not being their natural Prince, nor they fight for their Country: so Evangelista Tosti, a Perugian Captain, going out with the Governor and two Companies of Horse to Parley, he demanded four days Truce; which being positively denied, the agreement was finally made upon these conditions: That all the Ravelines, Halfmoons, Stations and Fortifications which were without the Wall should be delivered up the next day; that the next day after all the Soldiers should march both out of the City, and Citadel, with Drums beating, Trumpets sounding, Bullet in mouth, Match lighted, Colours flying, with all their Baggage, two pieces of Cannon, Mills, cattle, Victuals, and with every thing else that belonged unto them: That they should have sufficient carriages allowed them to carry away their goods, their wounded men, and all their Implements; besides many other Articles very favourable to those of Vercelles: upon which conditions Hostages being given on both sides, all things were performed with great fidelity, and satisfaction; there marched out 4109 Soldiers, part on foot, part on horse back, whereof 600 wounded, who were carried in Carts, and 300 stayed in Vercelles, not being able to be removed; they marched through the Enemy's ranks, being praised by all for their valour. The Marquis of Calusio and the Engineer Sanfrone were met by Don Piedro, and the chief of the Army, and honourably received by them, and were accompanied by them to the Rendezvouz of Arms, where they took their leaves; the Governor having in a grave and civil manner showed Calusio the great mischief of war, and the good which would redound by peace; and therefore to offer the Duke the restitution of Vercelles, if he would be quiet upon reasonable conditions; which that they might the better be concluded, he said he would be ready to speak by word of mouth with the Duke, in any place of safety. There died in this Siege, besides those that have been already named, Serbellone the Campmaster, the Count of Monte Castello, Brother to the Marquis of Soncino, Don Garzia Gomes General of the Artillery, jeronymo Mormillo, a Neapolitan, and Lieutenant to Montenegro. The Governor himself, as he was visiting the Trenches, was shot in a place where he wore a●…certain relic about his arm, but received no harm: Montenegro received a shot upon a Button of gold which he had on his Doublet, but was not hurt: the Siege continued from the 24th of May, till the 26th of july following. The Duke was not succoured by the French, as he hoped, and as it was commonly held he would ●…ave been; the Marshal Diguieres, though he had often promised it, nor any other of that Nation, appeared in Piedmont; whether they were st●…aitly commanded the contrary by the King (whose commands they had formerly but little valued) or whether corrupted by Spanish Gold, it is not known: it was known, that for the one or the other respect, there was p●…id at this time from the Court of Spain, to the Duke of Montelion, Emb●…ssadour for Spain, at Paris, 200000 Ducats; and also because the peace being hotly Negotiated at this time (whereof the French were ambitious to be the Arbitrators; who, it may be, thoug●…t the King of Spain would be hardly brought to consent thereunto, whilst ●…e had not the better of the War;) they intended to gratify him, by not opposing him in this enterprise; not so much in respect that the parity of ●…greement between the King and Duke would be a dishonourable example to all great Kings; as for that the King seeming to have ●…he better by the aching of Vercelles, and therefore satisfied in point of 〈◊〉, ●…e might the more confidently, and with more reputation conclude it by their King's means; and it was generally held, that if the Duke had been assisted but a little by the French, Vercelles had not been so easily taken; for the Duke coming one night with those few men he had, put the Spanish Camp into much fear and confusion, left by assaulting some one place he might make his way through the Enemy to the City: nor was the fear vain, nor danger small; for the besiegers being employed in defending so many places in the so long circuit of the Trench, and busied not so much in keeping the besieged in, as in keeping succour out, they might not peradventure have been able to resist the Duke, if he had furiously assaulted some one place with all his Forces close joined together; and so much the rather for that the Camp having suffered much hardship, they had lost not only many of their common Soldiers, but also many Officers: and half their Horse were dead for want of Fodder, and many horses were sick, so as they were reduced to so small a number, as oftentimes, of a whole company, not above six or eight entered the Guard; and it often happened that the Officers themselves were fain to serve for Guard, and to stand Sentinel all day long, having none to supply the place: the continual skirmishing about the Enemies Out Works consumed also many Foot; and the extreme hot weather, which came soon after, might easily have made the Enemy remove, had the Town held out a little longer: so as if any the least succour had come from France, the place might likely enough have been p●…eserved. The Duke therefore being grieved for the 〈◊〉 thereof, made the Governor Calusio and Tosti be presently imprisoned; the first, for having been negligent in making necessary provisions for the defence of the Town; and the other out of jealousy of some collusion with the Governor of Milan: but afterwards, when his anger was over, and that he found them faultless, he caused them to be set at liberty, and received them into former favour. Vercelles be●…ng taken, the Army being weary with hard duty, and much lessened by the running away, and by the death of many, was distributed into many places of the State of Milan, and of Montferrat; a good part thereof was sent with the Neapolitan Horse into the State Cremona, and Lodigiano: not so much for that the rest of the Country being much wasted and ruined, they might refresh themselves in that part which had been yet untouched, as to make the Venetians the more jealous, who were then troubled with the nearness of the Fle●…t at Sea, and with the War of Friuli; and very much fearing their Confines upon the State of Milan, which were but weakly munited, now that Vercelles was lost; They having received many brushes in those parts by the King's Soldiers (as shall be said in its due place) and would have received grea●…er, had not the general peace, which was then very hotly Negotia●…ed in the Court of Spain, been speedily concluded; for the Emperor and the Archduke having (at the pressures of the Venetian Ambassador, residing in that Court) sent Christoforo Chefnelier, Count of Franchenberg, thither, as their Ambassador, with sufficient Commission to Negotiate, and to conclude peace; and the Duke of Savoy, who after his acts of hostility against that Crown, ●…ad no Ambassador there, had made the s●…me Venetian Ambassador his Agent there; after many debates, and discussions, the Articles of Peace were pronounced by the King in form as followeth: That the Archduke, who was then newly chosen King of Bohemia, should put a Dutch Garrison into Segna; and that some of the Towns of Istria nearest to Segna, such as should be chosen by the Emperor, and Archduke, should be restored to the Archduke, that then two Commissaries should be chosen by the Emperor, and two by the Commonwealth of Venice, according to whose award all the adventitious and stipendiated Croates, who were wont to rove about before the beginning of this present war, should be dismis●…, but not those who had committed Piracy only in the time of war; nor those who lived quietly at home; that such as were banished by the Commonwealth should be driven out of the Archdukes Dominions, and that the Pirates Vessels should be burnt: which being done, that the Commonwealth should restore all the Towns which they had taken, as well in Friuli, as in Istria, and in other places: that all Fortifications and hostile acts should cease on both sides, for the space of two months, to commence from the beginning of the execution of the agreement: in which time that which should be agreed upon should be performed: which when it should be done, all Forces, as well by Sea as Land, should be withdrawn, and Traffic should be restored to the same condition it was before the war began: that Prisoners on all sides should be set at liberty, and that all those who had served the Archduke should generally be pardoned: that the Emperor, and Archduke, should promise for themselves, and for the King of Spain, that the Crabates or Croates who should be driven out, should not be re admitted again, and that the said Princes should not suffer the Seas to be infested for the time to come, according to the Articles of Vienna, in the year 1612. the tenor whereof was set down word for word in the said Capitulation: that the Venetian Ambassador should declare, that the Commonwealths pretensions herein were only for what concerned the expelling of the adventitious and stipendiary Crabates; and of the Banditi, who rove about the Seas, and commit Piracy; so as for the future Traffic might be safe, and free from Pirates; but not concerning those who live quietly with their Wives and Children; and for what concerned the liberty of Navigation, it was left according to the custom of former times. These Articles were very honourable and advantageous for the Venetians, who thereby got the principal point of their pretences, and of their diffe●…ences with the Archduke, which consisted chiefly not only in freeing the Gulf from being molested by the Crabates Piracy, but that the performance thereof should precede the restitution of the places which they had taken, they being for the greater honour of the Emperor, and the Archduke, first to restore only one Town in Istria to them: which favour was the more freely granted them in the Court of Spain, for that the King supposing that he was to determine these Differences, as being chosen Arbitrator by the Commonwealth of Venic●…, and accep●…ed as such by the Emperor and the Archduke having (that he might be the more modest in his Arbitrement) been more careful in satisfying the Commonwealth; thinking that by her freely remitting the differences to be decided by him, she had abundantly satisfied the off●…nces done by her to the Emperor and Archduke: but the Venetian Ambassador denied openly that he had ever treated that the King should be Arbitra●…or, but only Mediator of the differences; and t●…at he had no Authority to Negotiate otherwise: so as constan●…ly refusing to accept thereof, he said he would send the Articles of agreement to the Commonwealth, to the end that she if she did like them might approve thereof: the truth of this business is hard to be known, it having passed between the Venetian Ambassador and the Duke of Lerma: many believed that the Ambassador had not thus in●…arged himself in words, without Commission from the Commonwealth, for his so doing; to the end, that the King by intending to be Arbitrator of the differences, should not only incline to favour the Commonwealth in his sentence, but should also free the Commonwealth, and the Gulf, from being troubled by the Duke of Ossuna; it seeming to be improper, that he should compose differences as Arbitrator; and as an enemy make war upon those who had freely put the differences, and occasions of the war to his Arbitrement. On the other side, the Ambassador never having showed any special command from his Prince, for the absolute remitting it to the King, nor no such thing being ever demanded of him, it made much for the contrary: but howsoever it was, the Duke of Lerma being much offended with t●…e Ambassador who persisted still in the negative, and being much concerned, that so advant●…gious Articles for the house of Austria if they should not be received, and accepted, as pronounced by t●…e King, as by common Arbitrator) should be taken out of the King's power, without precedent submission of the Commonwealth; sent for the Ambassador to a meeting where all the Ambassadors of other Princes, ●…esident in that Court were, and did bitterly reprove him, main●…aining the contrary to what he affirmed to his face; and the King being also very much offended, professed he would trouble himself no more with it, but remitted the whole Negotiation freely over to the Pope; who when ●…e received the King's Letters, showed them to Abbot Alessandro Scaglia, brother to Marquis Calusio Ambassador Resident for the Duke at R●…me; exhorting him to write unto his Prince, that the business might be brought to a conclusion. The Duke not confiding in t●…e Pope, for that he found him much inclined to satisfy Spain, and for that he had permitted-passage to the Horse which came from Naples to Lombardy, and for other things which he had done in fav●…ur of tha●… Crown, made the business known to the Ambassadors of his Con●…ederate Friends and Princes; and then sent to Rome to have the pea●…e concluded, with express Commission to his Ambassador, not to consent to any accommodation, except the Articles of Asti were observed, and unless the Venetians were secured, as had been formerly endeavoured. The Pope finding the Duke had not referred the business to his free disposal, as the King had done, was scandalised, and would not meddle with it; so as it remained unperfected: but the same Capitul●…tions of Madrid being presented to the Senate at Venice, by the Pope's Nuntio, and by the French Ambassador, just at that time when that City quaked for apprehension of the nearness of the Navy at Se●…, which having taken the Mahouns, was feared would draw near their Washeses; and when Vercelles was lost, th●…y stood not much in approving of the same; not as the award of the King, who was aut●…orized by t●…em to judge thereof; but as propounded by him, as a friend, and a●… a mediator, in the common differences; and the Venetians did the more willingly accept of them, because they se●…med not on●…y advantageous for them in all things which they could have desi●…ed, save in the restitution of the Mah●…uns; but also for that they seemed like a propitious star, which in so great a fluctuation, promised to establish peace and t●…anquillity in the Commonwealth: they therefore forthwith dispatched away their commands to Ottaviano Buono, and to Vincenzo Guzzoni, the●…r Ambassadors in ordinary, and in extraordinary, at Paris, to stipulate and confirm the same Articles with the King: they also impowered the said Ambassadors to communicate the same to their Ambassador Gritti in Spain, that he might consent to the same Articles in that Court; the Commonwealth having chosen to prefer the King of France his Authority before that of the King of Spain, were it either in respect of the differences which had passed between her and the Ministers of that Crown; or that by giving the honour to the King of France, and taking it from the King of Spain, they thought they did not only deny the King of Spain the Arbitrement of the affairs of Italy, which he pretended unto; but that they did compound the business with more freedom and reputation, as if they thereby had made known to the world, that they had never been brought to receive the Laws of peace from the King of Spain, as that King had pretended; he by his great interests with the Archduke, by succouring whom, and by his servant the Duke of Ossuna's Hostility, seeming in effect to be a party, and an enemy: this Commission being come to Paris, the State-Ministers of that King were no less desirous to have the business concluded, then were the Venetian Ambassadors, in ambition that their King might seem to be the Arbitrator of differences in Italy; and the King alleging for his justification that he knew the King of Spain's good will, as also the danger which might ensue by the breaking out of new and greater differences and difficulties, if the agreement should be deferred; in the name of all the parties that were absent, for all which he engaged his word, confirmed and ratified the same Articles as they had been pronounced by the Catholic King; the Kings and Duke's Ambassadors consented thereunto, who were not in any sort acquainted with this peace before it was concluded; though the Duke, who to divert the war from the Territories of the Commonwealth had drawn it upon himself, would never, though never so much oppressed, come to any agreement, unless the Commonwealth were therein comprehended, or secured from the Spanish Forces. The little respect which was shown to the Catholic King increased the envy of this action, who being chosen Arbitrator by the Commonwealth, or according to thems●…lves, Mediator; and having furthered the Capitulations with so much satisfaction to her, though against so great Princes, and so nearly allied to him, and who were assaulted by the Commonwealth; she a●…erwards, not content to deny that Arbitrement which she seemed so fre●…ly to have granted him, or at least had signified her intention of granting it, had by applying herself to the King of France, made him the chief Author and Moderator of that peace, which she was to acknowledge howsoever, from the moderation and goodness of the King of Spain. But the peace seemed to be stipulated no less to the prejudice of the Commonwealth; for that the restitution of the Mahouns was not therein comprehended, which since there was no breach between them and the King of Spain, aught, as was pretended, to be restored, as not taken in fair War. The Spaniards, on the other side, pretending that the King's Declara●…ion to assist the Archduke was a permissive hostility, denied restitution; and the King refusing to decide this point, the Ambassadors were pacified with the King's promise that he would make them be restored, and so the Articles of peace went forward. But the Commonwealth, partly that they might stand upon the advantage of reputation, partly to shun the hatred and envy which she purchased by that peace, and also for the King of Spain's and Duke of Savoy's satisfaction, without whose knowledge the peace was concluded, feigned to be very ill satisfied therewith, and, according to her accustomed cunning, laid the fault wholly upon the Ambassadors, as if they had done it of their own heads without the Commonwealths knowledge: They therefore chose Seignieur Contarini in their place, and sent for them presently back to Venice, that they might give a severe account of that Action, pretending that they had exceeded their secret Orders and particular Instructions: They also complained hereof to all the Princes that we●…e their Friends, protesting that they would not stand to the Articles agreed upon in France. But whatsoever their secret Commissions were, first it is to be supposed, such prime Officers of the Commonwealth would not have transgressed so; and moreover it is most certain, that their public Orders and Instructions were general, and were sent after that the Senate had a Copy of the Articles published in the Court of Spain, after they had been debated in Venice, and after the Mahouns were lost: So as the Commonwealth could not only not acquit herself by these her exclamations, but did the more aggravate her fault, and made ●…er cause the more odious; as if not content with the small respect she had shown to the King of Spain, it had been lawful for her to treat the King of France so likewise; who not having meddled herein, save only at the Commonwealths request, and that he might do what would be very acceptable to her, she when she had got her desire and advantage thereby, would lay the fault upon the King which was her own: But this excess passed not unreseated; for the King stomaching this refusal gave order that the new Ambassador Contarini should be ce●…ain'd in Lions, and not suffered to go from thence till the peace should be accepted of in Venice, and till the other Ambassadors should be freed from all imputation, and should be fully restored to the enjoyment of all their dignities and places in the Commonwealth: And yet the Venetians persisting in this their pretention, a discourse in writing came forth not long after from Venice, by which the same Ambassadors said, that they were forced by the King to stipulate that peace; for (as they alleged in that manuscript) the King of Spain having referred the sole power of arbitrement of the differences in Italy to the King of France, the King of France desired to make use of and to exercise that power; and that having notice, that the Duke of Savoy and the French passing into Piedmont after the surrender of Vercelles had committed violence in Alessandria, where they had taken some of the King of Spain's Towns; the King of France began to doubt, that the King of Spain, when this should be known, should alter his mind, and by reason of these innovations should revoke the power of arbitrement which he had already granted: So as out of a desire to end these differences before this News should come to the Court of Spain, he threatened to abandon the Affairs of the Commonwealth and of the Duke, in case the peace should not be speedily concluded; and that he would join with t●…e King of Spain, to the prejudice both of the Venetians and Duke of Savoy; and that he did so far persist in this, as he would not permit them time to send an Express to Venice: So as, thinking it the lesser ev●…l, they chose to comply with the King's desires. Which Justifications, having neither substance nor solidity in them, did make the fault more apparent, and did much weaken the Commonwealths plea; for if the King of Spain had referred the arbitrement of peace to the King of France, why was not the Spanish Ambassador called to this action? why was not this expressed in the engrossing of that peace, in the Preface whereof the King of France used as little forceable arguments as he could to honest the prevention, that he might justify it to be his own action as much as might be; and what more fair and honourable Justification could ●…e produce for himself then this? how could the King of Spain transfer the arbitrement of the affairs of Dalmatia, Friuli, and Istria, to the King of France, since they belonged directly to the Emperor and to the Archduke? which falling principally in the terminat●…on of that peace, there was no reason why they should not only not be decided, but even not referred, without the knowledge of those Princes, and without the intervening of their Ambassadors; and t●…e alleged violences as little to be believed, if you either consider the King's Person; (it being too contrary to the Laws of all Nations, and wherein the Commonwealth's Ambassadors would hardly have met with the same measure at the Divano in Constantinople:) Or if you mind the rigorous discipline of the Venetian Commonwealth, which is a severe exacter of observance of public Orders and Commissions from their Ambassadors; it not being likely that the Senators of that Commonwealth should so easily be threa●…ened into so great a transgression; For who could fear that that King, without any fault of the Dukes or Commonwealths, (who were then absent, and knew not his Princely pleasure; and which is of more moment, contrary to his own interest,) should so threaten the Ambassadors only for a little refractoriness; every one being probably to believe that the King would have highly commended their wisdom and constancy in refusing to adhere unto him: As for the fear that the King of Spain should revoke the power of Arbitrement by reason of the new Commotions in Italy, the vanity of the Paper doth therein more appear; since it is most certain, that the new Rumours and Insultations against the Towns in Alexandria began on the third, and ended on the ninth of September; and that the peace was concluded in Paris on the sixth day of the same Month; How could the King of France in so short a time have notice of that Commotion? How could he so soon resolve what to do, not to lose the power o●… arbitrement granted him? how could ●…e 〈◊〉 with the Ambassadors, and afford them time to consult upon, delibera●…e, and stipulate the Peace? add to this the large Authority and Power which the Commonwealth gives unto her Ambassadors, which they being to confer, as they did, were they not permitted to make peace? And that if the peace agreed upon in Spain should not please the Commonwealth, that it should be stipulated in France. We may there●…ore probably conclude by that Paper, Writing, or Discourse, that the Commonwealth's Ambassadors were moved to that action rather out of any other respect then of that which was alleged: But let us return to our Story; The same Capitulations which were stipulated in France (as hath been said) were twenty days after accepted in Spain, and agreed unto by the Emperors and Archdukes Ambassadors in the names of their Princes; by the Duke of Lerma in the King of Spain's name, and by the Ambassador Gritti in the name of the Commonwealth; for the Court and King of Spain finding that the King of Fra●…ce●…ad ●…ad meddled in that peace, and that since he had made it he was engaged to see it observed and put in execution, they did not think good by distasting that action to add rumour to rumour, nor to make that war flame higher which they desired by all means to quench: To this may be added, that the Capitulations being dictated by the King of Spain's self, and consequently approved of by him as just and honourable, he could not now disapprove them. Thus the Commonwealth kept the Spanish Armies far from her Dominions by favou●… of the Duke of Savoys Forces, and got also that advantage in the Agreement by their cunning handling it, which was impossible for them to have done by their own Forces. The precise observance of the Articles of Asti were likewise agreed upon at the Court at Madrid, between the Duke of Lerma, in the King of Spain's name, and Ambassador Gritti, as Proctor for the Duke of Savoy; together with a promise to release all p●…isoners, and to restore all places taken as well before as after the Treaty; and the disputes between the Duke of Savoy and Duke of Mantua were also reciprocally suspended, t●…e Duke of Lerma engaging himself in the King's Name for the Duke of Mantua; and the same Venetian Ambassador for the Duke of Savoy; The negotiation of this T●…eaty, and form of composing the troubles of Piedmont, were therefore first particularly disgusted between the King of Spain and the Marquesses di Sense and the Gravesin, ex●…raordinary and ord●…nary Ambassadors in that Court for the King of France, in manner as followeth. That the King should give order to the Governor of Milan, that when he should be secu●…ed by writing from the King of France, by Ambassador Be●…tune, that the Duke of Savoy had promised and would perform the Articles of Asti in three Points; In laying down Arms; In passing his word that he would not injure the Duke of Mantua; And that he would refer his differences to be judged according to the Civil Law by the Emperor, the Governor should immediately desist from all Acts of Hostility, as was contained in the Articles of Asti: But for that affairs were altered since those Articles were made, the manner of withdrawing forces should be thus performed; That the Duke should withdraw 1000 Foot from Santia, or from any other place where his Army should be; That then the Governor should retreat as far backwards with his Army as Croce Bianca is distant from Asti; That then the Duke should retreat with all his men from the said Station; and the Governor should retreat with all his Army into the State of 〈◊〉: Which being done, that the Duke should effectually lay down Arms within one Month's space, as was agreed upon before Asti: That when that Month should be out, the Duke should restore not only the Towns of Montferrat, but all places that were held in fee-Farm, either of the Church, Emperor, or any other particular landlord; and were taken as well before as since the Pea●…e of Asti; And should set all Prisoners at liberty; which being done, the Governor should do the like; Who as soon as he should be assured by the King of France that the Duke had punctually observed all Articles, he should dispose of the King's Forces as was contained in the Articles of Asti; and should do whatsoever else remained for him to do; That he should pass his word to the King of France not to offend the Duke of Savoy, nor trouble his Dominions for any thing that had happened; all which Articles, as they were agreed upon in the preseuce, and at the intervening of Monsieur Antonio Caietano, the Pope's Nuntio in that Court; so it was ordered they should be performed in Italy, in the presence of Cardinal Lodovisio the Pope's Nuntio in Piedmont: And to boot with these things, to the end that nothing agreed upon in Spain should be added unto or altered, as had been done in the Peace made at Asti; it was also covenanted, That the King of France should give order to his Ambassador in Italy; That he should not press the Governor to promise any thing, either by word of mouth, or in writing, which was not contained in that Agreement: And on the other side, the French Ambassador engaging his King's word to the King of Spain for the Duke's performance of all things promised: He also promised, That in case the Duke should descent from what was agreed upon between them, or should put any difficulty in accepting or in performing them, his King should join his Forces with those of the King of Spain against the Duke, and force him to perform what was agreed upon. A Copy of this Agreement was signed by the King and by the French Ambassadors, and given to the same Ambassadors to be sent into France; And it was also Covenanted, That the King should also give another Copy of the same under his hand to the Duke di Montelion, the Spanish Ambassador in Paris, to be by him sent into I●…ly to the Governor of Milan, that he might be the more ca●…tious and efficatious in performing what was agreed upon. And whilst Agreements are happily negotiated and concluded in France and Spain, the same, but not with the same success, was done in Piedmont and in the State of Milan; For Don Pedro di Toledo being pu●…t up with the getting of Vercelles, though in the discourses which passed between him and the Marquis Calusio, the Cardinal Nuntio; and the Ambassador of France, who spoke with him in Vercelles, he seemed very desirous of peace, even so far as he offered to restore that City; and desired nothing of the Duke but that he would lay down Arms, and do what was agreed upon at Asti: The Duke, who held himself to be baffled by him before the beginning of this last war, touching the observance of the Treaty of Peace, professing to distrust him much; desired that the rise might be had by the surrender of Vercelles; saying, That till than he would not disarm, nor observe the rest of the Articles of Asti, lest by Sophistical interpretations he might again be caviled out of the restitution of so important a place; and so, though much to his disadvantage and greater charge, embroil Piedmont again. Having therefore refused to speak with the Governor, he kept still in Arms, being resolved not to lay t●…em down till Vercelles were restored: After t●…e surrender whereof, the Count of Oneria, General of the Horse in France; the Duke of Rean, Marshal Diguieres, Monsieur di Termes, Count Candalle, Count Scomberge, with many other Lords, were come to Piedmont with great store of Horse and Foot: And the Marquis of Baden, with the Prince of Hannault, were likewise come thither from Germany, accompanied with many Soldiers: And those of Berne, in recompense of the general renouncing made by the Duke of certain Towns pretended to by him, and possessed by them upon the Confines of Savoy; had at their own charge sent him 3000 Foot. The Duke finding himself to have, with these Recruits and with those that were come out of Vercelles, about 20000 Foot, and between 3 and 4000 Horse, was once more become Master of the Field: And on the contrary, the Governor having consumed many men, first in the besieging, and then in the Garrisoning of Vercelles, and having quartered the rest of his Army, which was much lessened, in several places far from the Confines of Piedmont, he was once more exposed to t●…e Duke's injuries; who after Vercelles was lost, was become more powerful than he; and who, being desirous to re gain, if not Vercelles, at least his Reputation for the loss thereof; and to revenge himself for the losses and affronts which he had received; had now opportunity to do it, not only by the increase of his own Forces, and by the Governors' negligence, but he had also many about him who incited him thereunto, though he needed no inciters; For the Commanders who were come from France being desirous of Novelties to allay the reputation of the Spanish forces, and to make the Duke an amends for the losses he had suffered by their so long delay; approved of his distrust as just and reasonable; and said They would never go out of I●…aly till they should see the Duke repossessed of Vercelles: The Pope's Nuntio, and the French Ambassador going to Allessandria to treat with the Gov●…rnour, desired him that he would either restore Vercelles, or deposit it into the Pope's hands, or into those of the King of France, or into the hands of some other Prince that he might confide in, whilst the Duke should really disarm, and should observe the whole remainder of the Treaty of Peace: But the Governors' distrust was no less; who thinking that the Duke had not the first time proceeded si●…cerely in point of disarming, thought he might justly doubt he would much less do it when Vercelles should be restored: So as he would not depend therein upon the wills of others; nor thought he that it suited with his own reputation, nor with the dignity of the King's Forces, not to reap any good by the so much labour and so much moneys spent in the taking of that City; and he likewise was loath to hazard it, lest when the Duke should have regained Vercelles, and being so well provided of Forces, he might aspire after greater things; but then considering how strong the Duke was grown by his new Recruits, and that other Soldiers were marching to side with him on this side the Mountains, he did not openly refuse to consent to the propounded propositions; but pretending sometime; to advise with his Council; sometimes that since there was question touching the alteration of the Articles of Asti, by which disarming was to precede ●…estitution, the Nuntio nor Ambassador had no power from their Princes to alter them; he was ambiguous in his answers, that he might delay the conclusion as much as he might; thinking by this ambiguity and irresolution to make the Duke suspend his intentions, as well as his Forces, which being collectitious and made up of many Nations, it was probable they would crumble away, especially since the Duke had not moneys any ways sufficient to pay them: Whereas, on the contrary, his men being refreshed, and lately increased in numbers, he hoped to have the better. Wherefore seeing the Duke so strong, he had already given order for making new Levies of men in several parts, and sent for a great part of his Army into Alessandria and the parts thereabouts. But the Duke, and the French more than he, finding by these tergiversations and windings about but small inclination in the Governor to part with Vercelles, they did distrust him the more; and therefore being unwilling to be ●…ed with vain hopes, or to wait till the Governors' Forces being augmented, he might treat of agreement upon advantage, and as having the upper hand might prescribe them Laws in the making of peace; being moreover desirous not to return to France without leaving some memory of their actions in Italy they instigated and encouraged the Duke, who was desirous of revenge, and to revenge himself for what he had lost, to assault some Towns in the State of Milan: Which opinion (as many thought) wrought upon the French Ambassador, upon whose Authority the Forces of that Nation and their Actions did depend; and this general opinion was grounded not only upon the eager inclination of so many Commanders of his Nation, who were continually by him, for leave to assault some of the King of Spain's Towns, but also upon his not being satisfied with the Proceedings he met with in Alessandria concerning composure of differences. Count Guido his re-admittance, which was constantly denied by the Duke of Mantua, was also no little hindrance to the businesses of Italy: The Duke being therefore resolved to make use of the present occasions, went from Asti upon the coming on of night with his two Sons, Victorio and Thomaso, upon pretence that the Governor by his recalling of his men from Alessandria threatened to assault that Town; and he carried along with him about 10000 Foot and 2000 Horse; the M●…rshalled on the Van, with whom was Monsieur di Termes; and upon break of day they came to Filizzano, a great Town belonging to the King, but open and without walls, where about 1500 Trentinians were quartered; who refusing upon any whatsoever condition to surrender the Town, Prince Victorio and Prince Thomaso came up with the main body of the Battle, and gave an assault, wherein it was bravely fought on both sides; the Assailants were thrice repulsed; but at last those within having no way to defend themselves but by setting their Carts and Carriages cross the way, they were overcome at the fourth assault, and all of them put to the Sword, together with many of the Town of all sexes and ages, some few whereof were taken Prisoners; and the Town, together with nine Colours of the Trentinians, and two Colours of the Townsmen, fell into the Duke's power. Refrancore was surrende●…ed to Count Guido by the Garrison, which were 100 Swissers, who, as being Confederates with the Duke, were sent home unprejudiced: Ribaldone also, and some other Towns beyond the Tannaro, being terrified at what had befallen Filizzano, surrendered; whereby Nizza, Acqui, and Bistagno, together with all the Langa, even to the Sea, being in a manner cut off from Alessandrino, were much endangered, lest the Duke should possess himself of them, to hinder the passage of those who were expected to come to the State of Milan from beyond Sea, and particularly 500 Spanish Foot, who were at that very time landed at Savona. But the Duke and the French, it is not known for what reason, leaving that Enterprise of greater consequence, advanced to Quattordici, where there were two Companies of Trentinians, who having leave to march out with a Cane in their hands, yielded the Town unto the Duke, who marched farther on to take Solleri and Corniento in the County of Alessandrino, not above six miles distant from the City. The Governor, who (as hath been said) was there, sent Lodovico Guasco, though he were not yet well cured of his wounds received before Vercelles, with 200 Horse to discover the Enemy, and, if it were possible, to withstand his violence; as also to back the Country people who retreated into the City; who coming near the Enemy had some sleight Skirmishes with them; but being assaulted by a body of Horse he was forced to fly, being charged to even underneath the Walls of the Town. This put the City into much terror and confusion, seeing the Enemy advance so courageously; whilst many of Castellazzo, Bosco, and of all the parts thereabouts, not thinking themselves safe in that City, sent their Wives and Goods into the Towns of Genoa: And the Alessandrians putting themselves in arms stood to defend the Walls, hourly looking to be assaulted by the Enemy; and truly, there not being in that City above 6000 Foot, and some Horse Companies, there being also but little victuals there●…n, nor in the parts thereabouts; and the honour of the Spanish Force●… lessening through ill Government, as also the people's inclination to them, who were weary of so troublesome a War, the State of Milan was much endangered. All the Forces of Montferrat were therefore sent for to defend that City, and were quartered thereabouts: Wherefore Giovan jeronimo Doria, their Commander, having immediately given order that they should all meet in Cuccaro, except those who were to guard the Towns of Montferrat, marched out himself with 2500 Foot, and 400 Horse, and not tarrying for others who were coming to him, resolved to put himself into Alessandria: But the Duke and the Marshal having notice thereof endeavoured to meet him upon the way, and to fall upon him with all their Forces, and defeat him. As they were in pursuit of him they understood he was passed on; so leaving their Foot behind them, they advanced with their Horse, and about evening got up unto him. Doria was not affrighted when he saw himself assaulted at a distance, nor lost he either courage or counsel; but fortifying himself upon a plain, near a little hill, which was fenced on the front by a great ditch, and by some lesser ditches on the sides, he placed the Foot there, and left the Horse without, that they might first receive the encounter, which if they could not sustain, that then they might withdraw themselves into the plain: The Horse resisted gallantly; but not being able to hold out against so great a number, they retreated in good order to the Foot, whereinto whilst the Duke and Marshal endeavoured to penetrate, they were so fiercely saluted by volleys of Musket-shot, which were so opportunely discharged, as though wheeling about on all sides, they strove to break in upon them, they could never do it; but after the death of many of the assailants, and the imprisonment of some, amongst which Monsieur di St Andres de Vius, a Gentleman of Provence, was one, the night coming on already apace, they retreated; and Doria came the same night to ●…u, and from thence, by the way of St Salvadore, to Allessandria, where he was received by the Governor with much honour and applause. The Governor was then, by reason of the diversity of his Officers opinions, very much confused, and unresolved what to do; some would have him go out with those men which he already had, and with others who were coming, and to encounter the Enemy in the field; others, that he should keep within the Walls, and defend the City; Doria was for his keeping in the City, telling him, that the French could not keep the field long, nor do any thing against any of the chief Towns, for that they were well munited; and that the Enemy not being able to keep together long for want of moneys, would quickly moulder away, and being reduced to a smaller number, would be assaulted upon better advantage, and overcome with less danger; and because they feared Valenza upon the Po, it not being very well Garrisonned, Doria took upon him the defence thereof, and entered thereinto with about a thousand Horse. The Duke despairing to do any good upon the City, whereinto many men were entered, and did still enter, set fire on Felizzano, and the places thereabouts, and went against Annone, a strong place, and which was guarded with about 2000 Foot, but ill provided of powder or ammunition: Those within came out against him, but were soon made to retreat back into the Town by Terms: The Cannon being afterwards mounted, they came to battery, and from thence to assault, which being luckily made on three sides, the defendants not being able to resist long for want of Ammunition, retreated tumultuously into the Castle; which not being better provided of Ammunition than was the Town, and much 〈◊〉 with victuals for so great a multitude; and being little, and incapable of so many men; whereas with a proportionable Garrison it might have defended itself, it became undefendible through the multitude of defendants, and was forced to treat of surrender the sooner, as not having wherewith to feed so many people; it was therefore agreed, That they should march forth with their Arms; and that they should be convoyed to the King's Territories; which Agreement being afterwards too sophistically interpreted by the Duke, they were sent to the County of Burgony, which was then under the King of Spain, that they might serve no more in this present War: they than went speedily by the Bridge which was cast over the Tannaro, to Arazzo, which was immediately abandoned by the Garrison consisting of 1500 Foot, who seeing the Bridge thrown over, and the Duke's men march over it, retired into Alessandria; but being pursued by Terms, and Monsieur della B●…rsce, they were assaulted on the Rear, where were 300 Swissers, who after no long dispute basely yielded, their lives, but not their Arms, being saved; in which in erim the rest of the Garrison, who marched on, without ever turning back upon the Enemy, or succouring their companions, had time to get safe into Alessandria: wherefore the Governor, who was ill counselled, and whose Forces were but weak, not thinking it safe to march out into the fields, and to expose his men, whereon the defence of the State of Milan did wholly and solely depend, to the uncertainty of Battle, stood looking on whilst his Country was burnt and destroyed, his Garrisons slain, and his Towns taken by that Enemy, whom (though once superior to him in Forces) he could not overcome, because he knew not how to use the Victory. But perhaps the Duke's destiny is to be raised up when he is at the lowest, and to be oppressed when he is at the greatest height; to the end that never keeping in the same condition, he should be a singular example to the world both of good and bad fortune. The Governor complained, and protested under his hand to Cardinal Lodovisio, that he was assaulted by the Duke, and by the French with the Forces and Ensigns of the Kingdom under public faith, for that the affairs of the war were already agreed between the two Kings, which had kept him from making provision of new men; and by Expresses sent speedily away to Paris he made the like complaints to the King of France, accusing his Ministers, that by assaulting the State of Milan with the Arms and Ensigns of France, they had broken the good understanding, and the Conventions of peace which were agreed upon between their Majesties of France and Spain: But on the other side, seeing so many French and Dutch in Piedmont, and fearing that they had higher aims, he did the more solicit, that the new levies might be made which were already appointed: and, as if the safety of the whole State of Milan had been therein concerned, he writ into Spain for speedy supplies of money; and demanded the succour from the Princes of Italy, which they were bound to send for the defence of the State of Milan; and to the Viceroy of Naples, that he would immediately send him the Soldiers which were in the Fleet, it being then returned from the Gulf; for it was not thought that the peace, though concluded, would be observed, by reason of the Duke's new resentments, wherein it was much doubted, that dissimulation might be used; though it was known, that the King of France had sent in all haste to the Court of Spain to excuse himself for what had happened, as being done contrary to his orders, and beyond all expectation, through the too great fervour and ardency of his Commanders, who were more inclined to novelty, then that their two Majesties should join together in Union: And if the Duke, when he was beaten and under batches, was so little pliable to Treaty▪ of peace, how much less was it likely that he would now con●…ent thereunto when he was on the upper hand▪ How was it to be believed, that ●…e and the other Commanders should abandon so ra●…e an occasion in the present conjuncture of times, and accompanied with so great good success? But the errors were already too much multiplied, which were committed either in undertaking, or in prosecuting the war: the ●…aking up of Arms for a mere punctilio of honour had produced too bitter fruits: the King and Court of Spain having been interessed in this war, contrary to their own will, by their Ministers in Italy; minding now more the safety and quiet of Italy, than the honesting of an advantageous peace, which was that for which the Italian Agents fought, did detest the continuance thereof beyond measure; and the King of France, not being able to mind the affairs of Italy, and not being desirous to lose the honour of having once again made peace in Italy, wished that it might be made by any whatsoever means; and therefore as the King of Spain accepting of the King of France his satisfactions had sent very precise Orders into Italy for the execution of what was agreed upon; so the King of France having upon the complaints made by the Governor sent a Messenger into Italy to reprehend the French Lords and Commanders sharply for what they had done, and to wish them upon pain of grievous punishment to desist, Italy was freed from the troubles of the late war, and from the fear and dread of that which was to ensue; which was likely to have been more cruel and bloody than the former. So as the Duke seeing himself, on the one side, at it were abandoned by the Venetians, and that the two Kings were desirous he should agree; and on the other side, that he had brought his affairs to such a pass, as that he might compound with satisfaction, gave way to what was established in France, and in Spain; the rather, for that he was fully secured by the King of France, that Vercelles should be restored, and that his State should be secured and defended. Thus than the here under-written Articles were made on the ninth of October in Paris, whither the Governor was gone, between the said Governor and the French Ambassador, with the Cardinal's assistance, and intervening. That the Duke should lay down Arms before the present month October should be ended, according to the peace of Asti: of which disarming the Ambassador promised the Governor should have notice given him by the King of F●…ance: that he should restore all places appertaining to the Duke of Mantua, to the Church, to the Empire, and to whatsoever particular person: this being done, that the Governor, to comply with the King of France his desire, should in the King his Master's name, restore immediately whatsoever had been taken during the war: that all prisoners should be set at liberty on both sides as soon as the Duke should have restored: that this being done, the Governor should dispose of his Army according to the Articles of Asti: upon these terms a period was put to the wars of Lombardy and Piedmont: and the Duke at last laid down Arms, rather for that he had less occasion to use them, then that his desire to use them was lessened. Rumours ceased not for all this on the Venetians behalf; they were freed from fear of the Spanish Fleet, which was gone by the King's command from the Gulf, and retreated into the Tyrrhene Sea; they perceived the weakness of the Spanish Counsels and Forces in Lombardy; that the Duke's Forces by the great recruits from France and Germany had got the upper hand: they argued by the dissimulation used in the Court of Spain, and by the insultings suffered in Alessandria, that the King and that Court were weary of war in Italy; and desirous to make peace upon any terms. They therefore being confident that they should meet with the same respect and the like; usage, notwithstanding the peace already made, will continue the Siege of Gradisca, which they saw was reduced to so great straits as it could not long hold out: howsoever, were it either for the reputation of their Forces, or out of a desire of getting that Town, they could not think of coming empty-handed out of this war, wherein they had been at so much pains and expense: and doubtlessly, if they had effected their intention, all things would have been again in great disorder, so loath would they have been to part with that they had gotten: but their Counsel proved not at all fortunate; for Archduke Leopold, who had still an eye to the conduct of that war, upon the Confines of Friuli, and the Spanish Ambassador Resident in Venice knowing how impossible it was to be relieved, nor having any other means whereby to provide for the preservation of that place, writ to the Governor of Milan, letting him know in what danger it was of being lost, unless, as the last remedy, he would molest the Confines of the Commonwealth on his side. The Governor therefore made many of the Forces who were quartered upon those Confines pass into the Counties of Bergomo and Crema, who took from the Venetians the Castle of Fara; and went afterwards to Romano, where though they were repulsed yet they overran the neighbouring Towns, plundering and carrying away great store of prey, to the very great prejudice of the people in those parts; for the Venetians were wholly unprovided there; wherefore fearing some worse thing if that commotion should increase, they sent for the Spanish Ambassador into the College; this Ambassador was Don Alphonso della Cuena, Marquis of Belmar, who at the King's request was afterwards made Cardinal: he having been always very attentive to the success of affairs in Venice had by his seasonable advice and instructions sent to Naples, Milan and Germany, been a good help to the carrying on of that war for the advantage of the King and Archduke, and consequently, had been prejudicial to the Venetians; who being therefore ill looked upon by them, and hated, as one who pried too narrowly into their intentions and actions, had not for many months of late negotiated with any one neither in private nor in public: being upon this occasion sent for to the College, after many complaints and alterations made by the Doge on the one side, for the Fleets having entered the Gulf in an hostile manner, and for the fresh assaults made by the Soldiers of Milan; and by the Ambassador on the other side, for the war made upon the house of Austria, for the continual helps and fomentations administered to the wars of Piedmont, and for the Siege continued before Gradisca, contrary to the Articles of peace already agreed upon, and accepted by them; the Venetians thought it good at last to be content, that if the Ambassador would promise that all hostile acts should cease in the parts towards Milan, they would suffer so much Victuals to be daily ca●…ried into Gradisca as should serve for their daily nourishment; and that this agreement should last, till such time as peace were put in execution: which though it were already done with reciprocal satisfaction on all sides by Land, yet were not the Venetians free from being injured and insulted over by Sea; for when the Spanish Fleet was gone from the Gulf, the Venetians began to fall foul upon the Ragusians, in resentment of their having given receptacle in their Havens to the Fleet which wronged he Subjects and Towns which were under the Commonwealth. The Ragusians had recourse to the Viceroy of Naples, who was commanded to protect them by the King of Spain, since they live under his protection: their recourse was not in vain, nor was the Viceroy slow in their revenge; who forbore not to vex that Commonwealth once more, which he did prosecute with so vehement hatred; wherefore since he could not have the Galleys in a readiness for this new attempt, he sent Rivera into the Adriatic Sea with 18 Patacks and Galleoons, very well versed in what belonged to warlike affairs, who coming on the 15th of Novemb. above Raggugia, ken the Venetian Fleet a far off, conducted by Veniero; which coming from forth the Haven of San Croce, within half a mile of Raggugia, came to assault him. The Venetian Fleet consisted of 19 Galleoons, 6 Galleasses, 32 small Galleys, and 15 large Albanese Vessels, which in all made up the number of 72 bottoms: a Fleet certainly advantageous for the greatness, or number of the Vessels, and for the store of Artillery, and much exceeding that of Rivera, but so bare of men, as the Soldiery came not to 2300, and the Mariners and Oar-men were not so many as were requisite: the Sea was that day very calm, and the air very still; so as the Viceroys Galleoons not being able to move, and the Venetians Fleet coming on leisurely, they came at last, about Sunset, to within two Canonshot of one another: here they stood looking one upon another, not doing any thing: the Venetian Fleet having put themselves into the form of a Halfmoon, began to discharge their great Guns, though at a distance, with intent, if not of offending, at least of scaring the Enemy, and of keeping him far off: this firing their Guns so far off, and at all adventures, wrought contrary effects to what the Commander imagined; for the Spaniard believing this to be a bravado of the Enemy, and that he detested coming to close fight, grew more confident, and placing his hopes of Victory in boarding endeavoured when the Sun was up to fall on: but the wind proving scarce, he was forced to temporize till about noon, when the wind beginning to blow more briskly, he courageously assaulted the Enemy's Fleet; and having past and repast several times amidst them with his Admiral, which was of a large bulk, excellently well munited, and very you're, and having prejudiced them much with his great Guns, and slain many of them with Musket-shot, he infused such terror into the Venetians, as throwing themselves behind the Banks and Waste-cloaths, and retiring to the safest parts of their Vessels, they did almost give over all defence, minding e●…ch m●…n his own safety, and to preserve themselves from death. General Veniero ran to and fro courageously amongst them, showing much undauntedness; he encouraged some, threatened others, and struck divers, to make them stand to their Arms and Fight: but so little was Military discipline observed, so great their terror and consternation of mind, as they gave no obedience to their General's ●…uthority, entreaties or commands: The wind grew at last to a great storm, in the beginning whereof Veniero doubting that his lesser Galleys would not be able to k●…ep at Sea, made the Soldiers that were in them pass into the Galle●…sses, and ordered the Galleys to retreat; endeavouring in vain to make the Captains of their Galleasses to fall upon the enemies Gall●…oons now that the defendants were doubled; and he himself getting into the Galleoon Balby, put his valour to its utmost trial, as also that of his Soldiers; but their courage and animosity not being answerable to his, and cowardice and fear of death reigning even there as well as elsewhere, his presence nor Authority was no more respected than it had b●…en formerly: At last, the coming on of night, the tempestuousness of Seas and wind, parted the Fray: The Venetian Vessels, without order or any command, retreated in disorder into several parts of Slavonia and Albania, being scattered, some here, some there, ●…orn and rend no less by the enemy's Cannon, then by the Storm at Sea; two of the smaller Galleys, with all the men that were in them, sunk at high Sea; three others running upon shore were split, but their men saved: And the Viceroy●… Galleoons, the enemy's Fleet being fled, and they consequently being left Masters at Sea, not caring to pursue them, went to Manfre●…onia in Puglia, and from thence to Brindi●…i, having lost only 8 fight men, and 30 wounded; but their Vessels were much rend by the Venetian Cannon, which was peradventure the cause why they did not pursue the enemy, and make themselves masters of the whole Fleet. The Commonwealth was not a little afflicted at the success of this Ba●…tel; they were so scandalised and incensed with the Captains and many of the Officers, as they put many of them out of their places, and imprisoned many of the Masters and Masters-Mates, who had been most guilty of Cowardice; particularly, the Captains of the Galleasses, because scorning their General's Command, they had not the courage to assault the enemy: And Veniero, for having showed so much courage and valour upon this occasion, was made Procurator of St Mark, an eminent Dignity in that Common wealth, and next to the Doge; but finding how little authority he had over his Captains, and that he was a more practical, experienced, and daring Commander, than became a wary Admiral of the Venetian Fleet to be; the Commonwealth's intrinsical intentions being that by no means (no not upon evident hopes of victory) he should hazard a Battle as he had done; they put another in his place; but fearing yet worse, other Ships and Vessels of war being come to them from Holland and England, with 3000 Dutch Foot, conducted by Count Levestein at the Commonwealth's charges; so as their Fleet was greater than before, wherein was 40 Galleys, 34 Galleoons, ●…6 Galleasses, and other smaller Vessels; they put the Soldiers that were come from Holland, and those that were come from before Gradisca, into them, and sent them out of their Washeses commanded by Pietro Barbarico, Procurator of St. Mark, who upon this occasion was made General at Sea: There hath not been in our times any Fleet of the Commonwealths like unto this, so powerful and so well furnished with fight men, which being for the most part Foreigners caused notwithstanding more fear than confidence in the Commonwealth, she being naturally cautious in all her actions, and extremely diffident of foreign forces, unless they be justly counterpoised by her own Country men; therefore not trusting them with so great a Fleet, but apprehending much that the Fleet might be utterly lost by any unthought of accident, by the sudden sedition or mutiny of the Soldiers, or secret intelligence between the Captains; they by a new and unheard of advice, took order that neither Powder nor Shot should be delivered out to the Soldiers: Thus did this Fleet scour over the Adriatic Sea, more out of pomp and ostentation, to show that Maritime Empire which she could but ill make good against much inferior enemies, than out of any present need; for the Viceroy's Galleoons were already by orders from the King withdrawn into the Tyrbene Sea: The Commonwealth did notwithstanding apprehend that storm nee at hand, and even with the very City of Venice, which they so much fea●…ed would fall upon their Fleet; for some foreign Soldiers remaining yet in the City, the Senate had either notice, or were jealous, that they had secretly plotted to burn the Arsenal, to Plunder the Mint-house, the Custom-house, and publick-Treasury; and to do yet more, if their design should prove fortunate. The Duke of Ossuna was said to be the chief Author of this Conspiracy; who having taken many Soldiers into his pay at Naples, and of several Nations, but the most of them French, had corrupted them by moneys and large promises, and had sent them, by a few at a time, to Venice, where they were willingly entertained by the Commonwealth, by reason of their great scarcity of Soldiers: This was given out to be the carriage of this business, though the public Transactions were very secretly suppressed by the Senator; and were it not for the punishment inflicted upon many, there appeared not any the least sign of such a Conspiracy, either before or after the execution of such wicked ones; nay, many circumstances were repugnant, if not to the truth, yet to the probable possibility of what was divulged: nay there were those who with rational arguments proved the vainness thereof. It was also observed that the Commonwealth, which was wont to exaggerate in all Prince's Courts against the Spaniards, and to make their Agents to be conceived violent and insiduous of what was other men's, said not a word upon this so great occasion, and past it over with miraculous silence, not only towards the Princes who were their friends, but rather to their resident Ambassadors; unless it were that not being able to dissemble the business with the latter, who were present at so strange an accident, they acquainted them with a certain Plot, but in very general terms, which was accompanied with much ambiguity: They spoke not one word thereof to the Spanish Ambassador, though he was firmly believed to have a hand in it; and who came the next day into the College boldly to demand, as he pretended, better provision for the safe●…y of his person against the popular insultings; but in effect to witness his innocency to the world by that his confident appearance: And it is most certain that the people would have hardly been kep●… from committing some insolences upon his person, if any thing of certain or of ambiguous had appeared against him: What ever the business was, many Foreigners, and particularly all the French Soldiers, were with much universal error led to the common Gaol, and many of them hung up by the heels afterwards, and many drowned; and upon the arriv●…l of Faluca sent from Venice to the Fleet, whilst it was upon the Island Corsola, by order from General Barbarico, one jacomo Pier, a French man by Nation, was put into a Sack and cast into the Sea: This man being a Pirate, and having gotten some same, was first entertained by the Duke of Ossuna for the service of the Fleet; and passing afterwards, without leave, over to the Venetians, was received with great honour and extraordinary pay. Captain Pettardiers, his companion, had somewhat a differing end; he was first Strapadoed, and then hung by the foot upon the mainmast; For the Duke of Ossuna's part, it was manifest, that being fled from his service to serve the Venetians, he gave public order for the disbursing of 4000 ducats to them out of the Venetian Banks, as a gracious reward for their service, and for the remainder of pay which was due to them; and that he had been thus liberal ●…o them, only for that it being known in Venice, they would be suspected by the Commonwealth. These accidents, were they either true or false, did notwithstanding no way prejudice the main business of the peace agreed upon: For the Venetians (as hath been said) had been very silent therein; being satisfied with the restitution of Fara in the Country of Bergamo, they were content to attribute all the disorder which had happened there to military disobedience, and not to the Governors' commands, as the Governor himself confessed it was: For what remained, they promised reparation for any damage done by the Commonwealth in this Commotion; which notwithstanding was never given; and but very small satisfaction was given to the Merchants for their Vessels which were taken in the Gulf; though the King of Spain writ very punctually concerning it to the Viceroy. The performance of the Peace of Asti was reserved for the last, and for the satisfaction of the Duk●… of Savoy, Count Gualdo's Restauration, to the which none being obliged by the Articles of Asti but the King of France, who engaged himself for it, it appeared impossible that the Duke of Mantua should ever be brought to consent thereunto; neither would, nor could the King of Spain in reason compel him thereunto; but as Protector of Montferrat, he was bound to defend it, as he had formerly promised to do, against all the delinquents of that State: Yet the King of France being much concerned in seeing the Duke of Savoy satisfied, by what he had undertaken by the Capitulations of Asti; and the Duke threatening new Commotions against Montferrat, which was not likely to have succeeded without the consent and assistance of the King of France, who was distasted at the Duke of Mantua's so great obdurancy; both the Kings having therefore acquainted the Duke of Mantua with the new inconveniencies which were likely to ensue, and also desired him by their Ambassadors, that he would pardon Count Guido; the Duke preferring Peace and the public good before his private revenge and anger, and being also moved by the example of both those Kings, who, as also their Fathers, (Princes of so great Authority) had pardoned more heinous Delinquents; resolved at last to pardon him, and to restore him to his former Estate and Honour; whereby the wished for end was put to the Wars of Piedmont and Montferrat; which certainly would have put Italy into her former peaceful condition (for there was nothing more desired by the Court of Spain then this) had not the Statists in Italy, by new and unthought of accidents, engaged her in new Wars against her Will and Genius. The End of the Sixth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. Book VII. The Contents. IN this seventh Book you have the condition of the affairs of Italy, after the appeasement of the War of Piedmont. The death of two Popes, as also the death of the King of Spain, and of the Emperor. The Insurrections in the Valtoline; the occasions of new rumours which arose from hence, in Italy, of new jealousies, and of new Leagues made by many Princes against the Crown of Spain. The Forts of the Valtoline deposited into the Pope's hands. The Prince of Wales his journey into Spain. The Prince of Urbin's death: and the approaching Escheat of that State: And lastly, the seeds of new troubles rising between the Genuese, and the Duke of Savoy, by reason of their having purchased the Fee farm of Zucca●…ello, whereat the Duke was displeased. Here are also touched, by way of passage, some accidents of War, which happened in Germany, Flanders, and in the East and West-Indies. THe present Peace of Italy, being procured by the unanimous consent of the two Kings, and by the Venetians so great cunning, was commonly thought would continue long; and that the affairs of this Province, agitated by so many, and so various p●…rturbations, would now be in quiet; for the two Crowns being taught by the last Occurrences, began to know what prejudice their reciprocal fomenting of each others Rebels and Enemies was to their Authority; and that being now joined in good intelligence, they should give the Law to all, and compel all lesser Potentates to reverence them, and to depend upon their pleasure, and they seemed to ●…e so cemented together by their mutual advantage and interest, as no fear was to be had of any future breach between them: wherefore though the Duke of Savoy was not fully satisfied with the Peace; yet having lost the leavingstock of France, and the being fomented by the Venetians, his discontentment was not to be feared, chiefly since finding palpably by the peace's being concluded: by the Venetians without his intervening or participation, that that Commonwealth had assisted him more for their own private ends, then for the good of the common cause, it had totally deprived him of placing any future hope in them; and if when he was joined with them, and upheld by the French, he had got no other good by so many wars, by such labours and dangers, than the bare venting of his anger, and some satisfaction that he had been the first of all the Italian Potentates that had dared to withstand the Spanish Forces, which were formerly held so formidable by all Italy; and mortal to whosoever should provoke them; what could he hope for, or pretend ●…nto without them? and yet the King of Spain fearing lest the Duke's dissatisfaction might occasion new troubles in Italy, and that the unconformity of his humour with that of his, the Kings, Agents in Italy, migh●… afford fuel for new fire; he sent for Don Pietro di Toledo back to Spain, and made Don Gomez Alvarez di Figuer●…a and Cordova, Duke of Feria, Governor of Milan, in his place: a Gentleman of a more benign, and temperate spirit, not by inclination any way averse to the Duke's affairs; as Don Pietro had appeared to be, and the King did not only show some dislikes of Don Pietro's comportments, but gave precise command to the new Governor to have a great care to keep peace in Italy, and to live neighbourly with her Potenta●…es, and more particularly that he should study by all possible means, how to sweeten the Duke of Savoy, and to regain his good will, which was much ali●…nated by the late acci●…ents; and not herewithal satisfied, he for the same respects removed Rodorig●… Orasca, Marquis of Mortara, from the Government of Alessandria, and had like to have done so to by Don john Vives, both of them being thought to be wellwishers to Novelty, and the Duke's enemies; and for that the latter was not very acceptable to the Commonwealth of Genoa. But his long experience in the affairs of Italy, wherein he had been long versed, and his not having any occasion to meddle directly in the Duke's affairs, kept him in his former place. Satisfaction was likewise endeavoured to be given to the Venetians (so great a desire was there, not to cause any more troubles in Italy) wherefore the Marquis of Belmar, Resident Ambassador in Venice, was at the earnest desire of that Commonwealth removed from thence, and sent to be Resident Ambassador in Flanders. The Vice●…oy of Naples had also precise orders sent him, to restore the Mahouns and the Merchandise which was taken in the Gulf; and not long after, at the pressure of the Neapolitans, another was sent to succeed Ossuna: and a certain difference arising between the Office●…s in Milan, and those of the Commonwealth, by reason of the usual passage of Soldiers, who going from the Territories of Milan to those of Cremona, touched upon some part of a controverted Territory, the King caused the business to be decided, with satisfaction to the Venetians: and the new Governor Feria, who was very desirous to preserve peace, and to pluck up all occasions by the roots which might occasion new Ruptures between the Dukes of Savoy, and Mantua, listened first to the Duke of Mantua, who being impatient to be still subject to be molested by the Duke of Savoy, and being also desirous of revenge, for the losses and injuries which he had suffered, endeavoured to give the Duke of Savoy a more powerful neighbour than himself; wherefor coming to Pavia, where he spoke with the new Governor, he offered to yield up Montferrat to the King of Spain, upon the receiving of another State, by way of change, which might be equivalent to Montferrat: a business which could not be effected, as well by reason of the inequality of the bargain, as for that it was of an odious consequence, and badly resented not only by the Duke of Savoy, but by the Venetians, and by the French; and which consequently would have afforded occasions of new jealousies, and commotion, instead of taking them away; wherefore foregoing the further pursuit thereof, he fell upon a more pleasing Negotiation, to compose the differences of Montferrat so as both the Dukes might be contented, and that wound might for ever be cured which was likely yet to cause so great Commotions in the now peaceful condition of Italy: but this endeavour proved vain, by reason of the too great difference of the two Prince's pretensions; so as though Feria treated thereof first with the Duke of Mantua in Pavia, and afterwards with Phileberto, Prince of Savoy, who was at this time come from Sicily to Piedmont, yet nothing was concluded: but those ends are seldom composed which are most earnestly endeavoured. This so great desire of peace, and satis●…action to the Princes of Italy, shown by the King, and Spanish Agents, now when the edge of their weapons was taken off by the late accidents, produced effects clean contrary to their intentions; for the Duke of Savoy, and the Venetians, finding thereby that the Court of Spain did forgo much of their high an ancient▪ pretensions, when they had met with a constant courageous resistance, grew the prouder; and thinking that they were sure of the King's good will, they laid aside all fear of future molestation, and much of their respect to the Authority, and Power of that Crown; and therefore holding back from what they saw the King did so intensively desire, they thought by their being prepared for action, to put a stand to the resolutions of that Court, and to make them do whatsoever they pleased, as if the King would grant any thing, and would not refuse any conditions which might be favourable to their pretensions; and this conceit was of such Force, as the Venetians, were i●… e●…ther in resentment of the injuries, and losses they had received, or out of new jealousies occasioned by the much provision for war brought by the Duke of Ossuna into Manfredonia, a Haven in Puglia, in the Adriatic Sea, were emboldened (as was conceived by the stout encounters which were there had) to cause that City to be entered in host●…le manner by the Turkish Fleet, sacked, and the Ammunition thereo●…, part taken away, part thrown away; nor did the other Princes of Italy, who for so many years before had been incumb●…ed by the Spaniards too great authority, disapprove of these comportments; thinking that the lower the Spaniards were brought, they should be the more excused by the Ministers of that Court, or at least treat with less pride and surquedry: so as though they in outward appearance; persevered in their won●…ed ●…espect and obsequy,) et they were inwardly glad to see their condition bettered, at the cost of others. But the French were much exalted in pride and pretensions; for having twice fomented the commotions in Italy by their Forces, and twice composed them by their Authority; so as they thought themselves to be become now absolute Arbit●…ators of the affairs of Italy, from which they had so many years before been excluded; therefore though they kept friendship, and good correspondency, punctually, with the Crown of Spain, and shunned all occasions of falling out with them, yet being no less studious than the Spaniards to increase their friendship with the Italian Princes, (which that they might continue, they endeavoured as much as they could to keep the Duke of Savoy and the Venetians united, nay to draw them to themselves, and to separate them totally from the Crown of Spain; the former having been the Bridge and Gate whereby their Forces entered Italy, and the latter a powerful Instrument to maintain their Authority: by whose means, and by their Authority in the Court of Rome, they hoped to turn and wind all things as they listed, and to make a strong counterpoise in the midst of Italy, where they possessed nothing, to the Spaniards who had so great possessions there:) to this purpose the King of France was pleased to give his eldest unmarri●…d Sister for Wife to the Prince of Piedmont; and chose the Cardin●…l of Piedmont, who was gone to reside at Rome, to be Protector of France, assigning over Annual Rents and Ecclesiastical Benefices to him, and turning all the Authority and Favour of the Crown upon him, to the end that he might live in the Court of Rome with no less splendour, than authority: which actions gave no little jealousy to the Court of Spain; as if the King of France did by these so strict conjunctions, and great favours, aspire to lay surer foundations for his own affairs in Italy, and to outdo the Spaniards. The accidents and conjuncture of times did also much augment the pre●…entions of the French and the Venetians; for the Truce being expired between the King of Spain and the Hollanders which was contracted for twelve years, in the year 1609 the King of Spain made war upon them, hoping to reduce them to their ancient obedience; and in Germany, the affairs of the Empire, and of the house of Austria, met with stout opposition, by reason of the great wars and troubles of that Province, begun in Bohemia; the Inhabitants, whereof rebelling against Archduke Ferdinando, who was chosen to be their King some few years before, went to a new Election, and chose the Prince Elector Palatine for their King. And therefore Archduke Ferdinando, who in the year 16●…9. succeeded Mathias in the Empire, declared the Bohemians, and the Palatine, to be Rebels, and made war upon them, to chastise the one's rebellion, and to allay the others Tyranny; and because the Catholic Princes of Germany, and the Duke of Saxony, joined in League, and adhered to the Emperor; and the Protestant Princes joined also in a League, which they called the Union, and adhered to the Palatine, opposing the others; the King of Spain was necessitated to assist the Emperor with all his Forces: to the end that the Cesarian and Austrian Authority beginning to to●…er in Germany, it might not draw after it the ruin of the States in Italy, and Flanders, which were so near conjoined to the safety and Grandezza of the house of Austria, and Crown of Spain: so as these two wars being risen up like two devouring whirlepools of men, and money, the King of Spain was the more obliged to endeavour peace in Italy, not to break with France, and to dissemble with the Italian Princes, who therefore (man's ambition being naturally vast) not being content with not being troubled, advanced ●…e more in their ends and pretensions. Amidst this disposition of humours, and accidents, the affa●…rs of Italy were likely to be quiet: for neither were the Forces of her Potentate; such as might encourage them to struggle with the Spaniard; and the Spaniards being far from desiring novelties, out of the aforesaid respects, would have been quiet, and have avoided any occasion of disgusting the Princes of Italy. But Italy could not long continue in this condition; for either the heavenly influence not favourable to the quiet of Italy, or the anger of God, not yet pacified with her sins, the Duke of Feria had such occasions administered him of securing the King of Spain's affairs, as they prevailing over whatsoever respect, or inclination to peace, he thought he should do much amiss not to embrace them; wherefore causing new jealousies and diffidences in the Italians, and affording matter of complaint and opposition to the rivals of that Crown, it seemed that instead of beg●…ting good blood, and nourishing Confidence (the Mother of Peace) between that Crown and the Princes of Italy, as he was wished to do by the King, he sowed fresh and fertile seeds of new wars, and of more important perturbations than those that were passed. A secret fire was hatched in a ●…ook of Italy, which breaking forth a●…wards had like ●…o have set all Italy on fire; just as what usually be●…alls great Cities, whose combustions begin sometimes not from Theatres, or Temples, but from poor Co●…ages. I will take my Narrative a little backwards, to the end that what succeeded af●…erwards may be better understood. The Inhabitants of ancient ●…tia, who are now called Gr●…sons, enjoyed their ancient liberty under the name of the three Unions, or Leagues, whereof the chiefest, and most numerous (from which the whole Country ●…akes its name) was called Griggia, the other two, Dirriture and Cadedio; and as part of them did long ago rebel against the house of Austria, and are for the most part Heretics, so they retain an implacable hatred against that house; and hating extremely the name of Spaniard, have always held France, and their confederacy contracted with that Crown for above a hundred years ago, to be the chief foundation of their security, and liberty; and being defended and protected by that Crown, they were observed by their neighbours, at least not disturbed in their quiet, and peaceful possessions: their Country which lies amongst L'ulpi Retiche, or Retian Alps, extends itself a little into Italy; for descending down the Mountains it 〈◊〉 some Valleys as the brinks thereof, amongst which lies the Valtoline, from whence, and by which the new wars, the great jealousies and commotions of Italy had their beginning. The Valtoline begins from the Alps which border upon Tirvolo, just where the River Adda takes her commencement, and running along the same river it ends in the lake of Como: so as the end thereof confines upon Tirvolo, which is under the house of Austria, so it joins in the Basis upon the State of Milan; it is coasted along on the one side by the Rhetian Mountain, and on the other-side by the Countries of Bressia and Bergamo: this Valley of the Grisons, as it severs the State of Milan from Germany and Austria, and joins the Venetians to the Grisons and Swissers, and by means thereof, to France, and all the Transalpine Countries; (if by any accident it should fall under the Spanish Dominion, upon the access of Germany to the State of Milan) it would serve as a Gate or Bridge, whereby to bring as many men as the King of Spain should please from Germany to the State of Milan, with less expense and difficulty; and also, if occasion should be, to convey the like from Italy into Germany, in succour of the Empire, and house of Austria: which is very convenient and necessary for the sa●…ety of the Spaniards, and Austrians, in Germany; for Germany being the principal help to defend the State of Milan; and the Kingdom of Naples: as upon Occurrences, the Spaniards have need to ask leave of the Swissers, for the passage of Germans into Italy, and do purchase it from them at great rates, and upon hard conditions (for they cannot possibly hope for it from the Grisons, by reason of their League with France, and their abhorring the name of a Spaniard) and the Sw●…ssers sometimes denying passage, they would much endanger the States, and Affairs of Spain in Italy; so the getting of the Valtoline would afford the Spaniards commodity of passing as many men, and other provisions, as they should have need o●…, by a shorter, safer, and less expensive way, through their own Countries of Germany into Italy. Moreover, the same Valtoline, whilst possessed by the Grisons, was like a Gate thrown open to the Venetians, and to the other Princes of Italy, whereby to receive succour from the Transalpine●… in defence of their affairs, if (as it was continually doubted) they should be molested by the Spaniards; and being possessed by the Spaniards, it would be a Bulwark, which blocking up that passage would exclude all other foreign succour; for the Austrian Territories environing all Italy on the outside from Rhetia to Dalmatia, and the State of Milan coming to those by the Valtoline, (which State of Milan reaches almost a●… ' Mare Ligustico) and the King of Spain possessing the Kingdom of Naples, and the Mediterranean, by means of a powerful Fleet; it will appear clearly that the State of Venice, and of all other Italians, except Piedmont, would be environed by the King of Spain's and Austr●…an Dominions, and little less than shut up, and imprisoned; within their Forces: so as the possessing of this Valley was of great consequence and moment, by reason of the union or disunion which it occasioned of the States, to the security or prejudice of the Affairs of all of them: It was no wonder then, if, as the Grecians and Trojans strove so much for fair Haelena, our Princes did the like for the Valtoline. The Venetians did very much desire a League with the Grisons for ten years, from the year 1603. and, afte●… many disputes and contestations, did ob●…ain it; to the end that by that confederacy the way might be open to them for Transalpine assistance as oft as they should have need thereof for their own defence; and when they had obtained it, they made public Feasts and rejoicings. But this confederacy did even then very much displease not only the King of France, the ancient Protector and Confederate of the Grisons, but also the Spanish Agents, and particularly Count Fuentes, than Governor of Milan: so as the Agents of both those Courts, by several means, and out of differing ends, endeavoured by all means to disturb it. The French having by the title of long confederacy, and protection gotten, great authority and preeminency to their King, amongst those people, (that they might govern them as they listed) abhorred tha●… the Venetians when they should have need of assistance either from the Grisons, or from any other Transalpine Nations, should be succoured by their King, he being Custos and Guardian of that Gate: so as in this respect the Grisons should be more necessitated to persevere in adherence and devotion to the French; and the Spaniards, who had long before aspired to draw this Nation to them by Leagues, and to join it by confederacy to the State of Milan, believed that their ends were totally interrupted by this new League; and not being well pleased with the grandezza of the Commonwealth of Venice, they liked not that it should be rendered more secure by this adherence, or that by having conveniency to bring foreigners into Italy, they might peradventure prove prejudicial afterwards to the Affairs of that Crown: Many therefore were the endeavours to disturb this new League and Union; by which the Grisons, who were divided within themselves in parties, and factions, never enjoyed any more that peace and concord which they had for many years formerly enjoyed. Count Fuentes, to curb them, and to fo●…ce them to forgo these new Conjunctions, and to join in Le●…gue with the State of Milan, as they were desired to do, built a Fort royal just where the River Adda falls into the Lake, and named it by his own name Fort Fuentes: which standing upon the Confines, and almost in the jaws of the Valtoline, did not only keep that Va●…ley in perpetual jealousy, knowing that by reason of the concern and consequence of its situation the Count aimed at it, but because being upon the Lake it might easily hinder that Nation from commerce with the State of Milan, and with Italy, by which so many Grison families live, and have their being. The Grisons, who were chiefly concerned therein, did not only exclaim against the building of this Fort, but the Venetians also and the French; and King Henry the Fourth, who was then alive, was not a little offended at it, as well for the interest of his Colleagues, as for fear lest the Valtoline being taken, the Spanish Authority should grow too great: but all this was in vain, for neither the Venetians nor other Italian Princes had any mind to fall out with the Crown of Spain, which was then at the height of her greatness and authority, so as they were necessitated to be quiet; and the King of France, were it either that he was not displeased that the Grisons should begin to taste the good of the Venetian League, or that he did not then much value it, would not break with Spain upon that occasion, which (as he was wont to say) did not principally belong to him; and the Swissers, who were the Grisons ancient Confederates, although they muttered somewhat, yet being corrupted in their Diets, partly by their home dissensions, partly by Spanish gold, did only pe●…swade the Grisons to accommodate themselves to the condition of the times, and to provide civilly for their affairs; wherefore the Venetians, seeing themselves left all alone, and that Count Fuentes was ready with a great Army, when the Grisons, who upon their account had entered into these troubles, demanded aid of them, did at last declare, that they thought it not fit that the peace of Italy should be disturbed upon such an occasion. Thus the Fort Fuentes kept unprejudiced by the Forces or threats of so many Princes. But the year 1613 being, together with the time of Confederacy, expired, the Venetians bethought themselves not only of renewing the League, but of establishing it for ever; and, as being a thing necessary to the very being of their State and Liberty, they laid out great store of moneys in that Nation, whereby they purchased so many Partakers, and so numerous a Faction, and so many Votes adhering to their party, as prevailing over the French and Spanish Faction, both which were too weak to oppose them, they united themselves by means of the Agents of both the Crowns; and those Agents joining in their endeavours and designs, which till then had been contrary to one another, laboured to exclude the Venetian Confederacy: Wherefore the French Ambassadors, who had formerly been held to be the chief Protectors of the Rhetian Liberty against the Spaniards, began to be much suspected; and this suspicion grew to be so great, as being turned into hatred, and not being any longer to be concealed, Monsieur Gueffier, than Resident Ambassador for France, was publicly dismissed; who fearing the open hatred and fury of that Nation, and shunning the popular Tumults and Insurrections which he knew were incited against him (and chiefly by the Preachers) he withdrew almost in a flying posture to amongst the Swissers: Wherewith the Grisons having immediately sent away to acquaint the King of France, and withal to complain of the reason which drove them thereunto, the King being either displeased at it, or not making such account of the Ambassadors which were sent unto him as he had wont, they thought themselves treated as Subjects; wherefore they inclined more than before to the renewing of their League with the Venetians. The Grisons therefore chased away the Bishop of Coira (who being a Prince of the sacred Empire, holds the first place in the Diets) and began to persecute the chief Fautors of both the Crowns with Imprisonments, Confiscations, Banishment, and with corporal punishments, as Enemies to the public Liberty; nor therewithal content, differing in their opinions, they leaned almost altogether in the Government of their affairs to their Preachers; who being Heretics preached nothing but the necessity for preservation of their State and Liberties, of uniting the people in one Religion; and that therefore they must extirpate the Catholics, and drive them totally out of their Houses and Country: Many there●…ore being forced by this persecution fled, some of them went to the State of Milan, some to the Swissers, endeavouring to recover their Country by force of Arms, out of which they were driven by rigour, by the injustice of the Judges, and by violent faction: Those that fled to the Swissers made the Ambassador Gueffier their Head-Commander, and the others the Duke of Feria, with whom Gueffier held secret Intelligence, that he might interest himself in their Cause, and help them with men and moneys (which were things they wanted) to return into their Countries. Feria furnished them with moneys, where with they raised a body of men, and entering into Coira they made themselves Masters of it; but their Adversaries being stronger than they, they were soon driven out, and together with them the French Ambassador: Yet they nor the Duke of Feria not being any whit dismayed, they tried their Fortunes once more with greater resolution and Forces; for Feria afforded them commodity of taking 500 Foot out of Tyrvolo, and moreover he assisted them by diversion, causing an Insurrection in the Valtoline; which being set on Foot between Radolfo Pianta, Head of the Grisons that were of the French Faction, and Cavalier Robustelli the chief of the Valtoline Faction, was much fomented by Feria, but with so much secrecy, as it was not known to any of the Prince's Agents that were in Milan. This Insurrection of the Valtolinians began the year 1620. The pretence was, that they being anciently Confederates with the Grisons, the Grisons being the stronger had turned their Confederacy into Command, and exercised too great Tyranny over them, not only over their persons and fortunes, but over their Consciences; and would therefore introduce the poison of Calvinism, and withdraw the people from their Forefathers Religion, which they had sucked in with their milk: For after they had driven out those that sided with the French, the Grisons (as hath been said) made their Preachers Arbitrators of their affairs; who began to prohibit Indulgences in the Valtoline, and to preach Calvinism, to possess themselves of Churches and Monasteries, and to make Colleges thereof, for the breeding up of youth in their Sect, to the end that they might totally root out the Catholic Religion: And that this might the more easily be effected, they put some of the chiefest and most religious of tha●… Valley to death. Having therefore by Feria's assistance shaken off the servitude suffered by the Grisons, they put all the Heretical Officers and Preachers to death that they could lay hands on: Afterwards, the better to maintain the begun Insurrection, they possessed themselves of the Passes whereby the Grisons might fall down upon them and vanquish them, and fell to munite them with men and Fortifications; wherein they were the more fortuna●…e, for that Count john Serbellone having by Orders from Feria assembled about 2500 Foot without the beating up of Drum, was entered into the Valtoline to assist them. But the Grisons preventing these designs fell speedily down with a great many men into the Valley of Chiavenna, and from thence environing the upper part of the Lake, they wound about into the Valtoline; where having taken and fortified some convenient places to keep out relief from the State of Milan, they went to Troana, a great Town in the Valtoline; and coming from thence to the B●…idge ca●…led Ganda, upon the Adda, they fortified it, and made themselves Masters of Sondrio. By which successes the Valtolinians 〈◊〉 the Grisons made more open recourse to the Duke of Feria for more powerful succour in this their so great danger: Feria was not dea●… to their 〈◊〉, nor backwards in subministring succour; for seeing the Proceedings of the Enemy, and fearing greater 〈◊〉, commanded Gil de l'Arena to ende●…vour the securing of the affairs of the Valtoline, who had fortified himself in Morbegno with those men who came in threeves into the Valtoline; which he having happily done, and recovered the bridge Ganda, with the death of the Garrison who opposed him, the Grisons forsook Sondrio, and retreated towards Chiavenna: But to the end that they might not enter another time by that way into the Valtoline, Feria ordered Don jeronimo Pimontello General of the Light-Horse of the State of Milan, (who by his directions was drawn near the Confines of the Valtoline with some Companies of Horse and Foot) to possess himself of the Shore of Chiavenna, which being situated upon the Head of the Lake, lies in the midway by which people pass conveniently from Chiavenna into the Valtoline: This Shore or Bank was well fortified by some of the Grisons, who resenting the Spaniards attempts in the Valtoline were fallen down into the State of Milan, and had given upon some of the nearest Towns thereof, and carried away some Pillage. Pimontello sent about 500 Soldiers in Barks to assault that Garrison, which consisted of 300 Foot; who landing not far from the Garrison went towards the bank, intending to assault it: But the Garrison being affrighted at their coming, abandoned that Station, and not staying to be assaulted, fled into Chiavenna; so as the bank fell without any disputing into Pimontello's hands, which he forth with fortified. By such like demonstrations as these the Duke of Feria had plainly declared, that he had sufficiently engaged not only the King of Spain's Forces, but his name in this Enterprise, being moved chiefly thereunto out of two reasons; The one, because he saw the Heretic Swissers and the Venetians had openly engaged themselves in the Grisons cause, and in recovery of the Valtoline, that Senate having sent money into those parts to raise two Brigadoes, the one Swissers, the other Grisons, wherewith to go to the recovery of the Valtoline: The other, because the King of France his Agents, by order from their King, who was offended with the Grisons, did not only consent unto, but had a hand in the Valtoline insurrection, and desired Feria to protect them: All this was endeavoured from France, to the end that the Grisons being molested on that part might have the more reason to have recourse to their King, and their King by that means might govern them as he listed, and causing them to abandon the Venetian Confederacy, might recover his ancient Authority with that Nation; wherefore Feria taking courage from the consent and intercession of the French, and pretence from the Venetians intermission to meddle in that Affair, thought it might be likely to succeed well, whereby such conveniencies and safety would redound to his King's Affairs: He notwithstanding cl●…aked his designs with the mantle of Religion, as if he would have it believed, that it was rather his zeal to the Catholic Faith, and to God's service, than the conveniencies and interest of State, and of his King, which had made him embrace a business of that importance; professing himself there●…ure to be a better Catholic than Politician, he sent Priests of holy and devout life into those parts, to preach the Word of God, and to convert souls to the Catholic Religion: He aggravated the wicked and detestable actions of the Calvinists, committed against those of the Valtoline, to force them to receive Calvin's Heretical Doctrine; and the danger of that disease being diffused abroad in the neighbouring parts of Italy and State of Milan, might infect all Italy with the contagion thereof: Nor herewithal content, he acquainted the Pope with the whole business, entreating him, and exhorting him by particular Letters, not only to approve of, but to concur in his actions, in so pious and Catholic a business: The pretence was very just, and the colours very lively and apparent to justify so great an action; nor could there be a fitter occasion to effect it: but the slavery of Italy, which lay hidden under these religious pretences, spoiled all the glory and good which adorned this action; and it being not probable that so many Princes, whose liberty was concerned in this business, would ever suffer that the Duke of Feria should ensnare their States and Liberties with such conceits as these, it might upon better grounds be supposed he would meet with very many difficulties in bringing them to perfection: so as peradventure it might have been a more opportune advice for the affairs of his King, and for the condition of the present times, not to have provoked the Italians with such and so great a novelty, who were already very much incensed with the Spanish command, who being become more jolly by reason of the successes in the late wars, were ready to hold up their heads, and to hazard the wholly laying aside all respect to the King of Spain's authority, and foregoing all fear of his Arms to turn the world upside down for the preservation of themselves and liberties, rather than to suffer themselves to be enslaved as they were likely to be by the novelties attempted, and so strongly endeavoured by Feria. Neither was it likely that the French who did now encourage Feria to this enterprise, would ever be content that he should reap full satisfaction therein; for they having no other end, then by vexing the Grisons to force them to have recourse unto their King for help, it was more certain, that they would endeavour by all means, that that Valley might not remain possessed by the Spaniards, lest the Spanish Grandezza might be the more increased, and the liberty of the Italian Princes might be by them oppressed, and lest that passage might be blocked up from those of their Nation by the Spaniards; and besides that the precise Orders and Instructions of the Court of Spain did repugn such novelties, the example of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, and of Philip the Second, might keep the Duke of Feria from such attempts: which Princes though they knew how fitting a thing it would be to be masters of the Valtoline, and would galdly have been so; yet thinking it to be a business which would be hard to compass, they were far from thinking of it; and the example of the commotions which happened in Count F●…entes time was more fresh, and of greater force, when by building only that Fort within the Confines of the State of Milan he was likely to have caused such wars in Italy; the French, and Venetians having engaged themselves merely for the preservation of the Valtoline, when the Spanish Forces were at the height of their reputation; what could he then pretend, or hope for, upon this present occasion, when the entire usurping of the Valtoline was in question, by the preservation whereof the liberty of Italy, and by the loss whereof her slavery, did evidently result? and yet Feria preferring the great good which would be gotten by joining Italy to Germany, before so many other respects, entered courageously upon the enterprise, and plunged himself daily more thereinto: thinking that the glory of this acquisition would be greater, by how much the respects were the greater which had kept the Emperor, and Philip the Second, from endeavouring it: he did not apprehend that any one could disturb him, or bereave him of what he should have gotten, when he should have joined Germany to Italy by the Valtoline; for having once secured the passage of the Dutch, neither could the Italians have known how to resent it, being bereft of foreign aid, nor could foreigners have easily assaulted the State of Milan, when it should be backed by the neighbouring Germane Forces: he was also the more encouraged (and his hopes were the more heightened by the troubles in France, the King being busied in besieging Montalban and Rochel, which were thought would prove a tedious business, and not to be effected: so as holding it for undoubted that neither the French, nor (without them) the Venetians, nor other Italian Princes would stir, he thought they would be content with it, as they had been with the building of Fort Fuentes; and that therefore he was not to abandon an occasion whereby he might signalise his Government beyond that of any of his Predecessors: who though they had always had their eye upon it, yet they never knew how to effect it. But the Grisons, who were not this mean while idle, having by the Venetians moneys assembled about 6000 Foot, tried once more to enter into the Valtoline, by the way of Chiavenna; and finding la Riva well fortified, they took a great compass along the Mountains, and fell down into the Country of Bormio, which lies in the utmost part of the Valtoline, where it joins to Tirvolo: jovan di Medici, Marquis of St. Angelo, was entered into this Town with 600 of those Italian Foot who came in Threves from the State of Milan, and had already begun a great Trench, by which he thought to have shut up the mouth of a Valley whereby they come from the uppermost part of the Grisons: but the Work not being yet finished, and consequently remaining subject to be offended by the Enemy, when coming upon their backs they should assault the defendants, being therefore set upon on that side which lay yet open, he forsook the T●…ench, and Bormio, and withdrew with his men into Tirano, a Town, which lies more inward, and almost in the midst of the Valley; and the Grisons entering Bormio without any resistance, sacked it, unworthily profaning the Churches, and converting sacred things, and what was consecrated to divine worship, not only to profane, but to sacrilegious, and scandalous uses: being encouraged by this good success they fell down upon Tyrano assuredly hoping to take it with as much ease, but they fared here otherwise; for the Duke of Feria hearing what had happened at Bormio, gave order to jovan jeronymo Pimontello, that leaving a sufficient Garrison in nella Riva, he should go with all the men he could gather up in those parts, into the Valtoline: who taking as he marched some piec●…s of Artillery from Fort Fuentes, and having gotten 14 foot Comp●…nies in those parts, came in four days march into Tyrano, where there were already 2000 Foot and 500 Horse commanded by jovan Bravo. The Grisons were not above four miles from Tyrano, when Pimontello came thither with his men; and being discovered, and with stood by some Troops of Horse they fought them and repulsed them, who being pursued by greater numbers, retired into Tyrano: but the Grisons keeping behind them with the whole body of their men, Pimentello and Bravo resolved to go forth aga●…n into the Field with 1000 Foot, part Spaniards, part Italians, and with 400 Horse; and sencing themselves with some woeful Walls, but breast high, which environ the Gardens by which that whole Country is distinguished, they stayed waiting the coming of the Enemy, who appeared upon the descent of a Hill, divided into three Squadrons; the first, which consisted of 2000 Bernese, and were led on by Colonel Nicol●… Muler, a valiant and well experienced Commander, advancing more furiously than the rest, was so sorely played upon by Musket-shot when he drew near the plain, as being openly exposed to the volleys of shot, he was but ill dealt with: being afterward come upon the plain he received more prejudice by the Horse which was commanded by Ottaviano, Governor of Gullara, who drawing near him by a certain covered way, gave furiously on upon the Foot, and made great slaughter, insomuch as Colonel Muler, together with five other of the best Captains being slain, and their ranks broken, after a furious fight, which lasted for some hours, they were routed; those few that fled were part of them killed by the Country people, part throwing themselves into the Adda were drowned: as for the other two Squadrons, the Rear escaped safe away: the other which went to recover Tyrano, after having made some resistance, fled, with the loss of their Baggage, which remained in the Enemy's hands: the King's men returned victorious into Tyrano; and the vanquished finding they were not pursued, rallied together and went, (being in number about 4000) to assault the Town; but Pim●…ntello having assembled the Foot together, and put them in order, made such resistance, as the Enemy being played upon by the Artillery, and endamaged by smaller shot, could do nothing of moment, nor ●…urst come to an assault, though the Walls were in some places weak, and ruinous; but retreated towards the Mountains which confine upon the State of Venice, from whence going to Bormio they returned home. The conflict endured five hours, with great courage on both sides, above 2000 of the Grisons were slain, those being comprehended who were drowned in the Adda; and of the Spaniards not above 50, amongst which Ottaviano the Governor (who was one of the first tha●… assaulted the first Squadron) and a Nephew of jovan Bravo: the spoil was great, amongst which they found much of what was taken from Bormio, and 32000 Ducats, destined for the Soldiers pay: after the Victory, they went to Bormio, which being abandoned by the Garrison made no resistance; where they built a gallant Fort royal, and munited the Town with a great Trench; by which, and by three little Forts erected along the Valley, the one at Tyrano, another at Morbegno, and the third at Sondrio, the King's men were masters of the Valtoline; and the new built Forts being kept by the people's consent, for Guard of the Country, and the liberty thereof, they began to settle a form of Religion, and Politic Liberty, to the end that those of the Valtoline being governed by themselves, might under the protection of Spain, whereinto they were by a particular Decree received, enjoy their Religion, and be secured in their liberty, which they had happily recovered. The Archduke Leopold, who keeping correspondency with the Duke of Feria, aimed at the recovery of the Towns of the third League, which were a●…iently rebelled from the house of Austria, did at the same time build a Fort, which he called San Maria, in the Valley of Mosero, in the Grisons jurisdiction, to the end that remaining just where the Valtoline joins to Tirv●…lo, the union on both sides might be the bet●…er secured. To these happy successes more happy Negotiations were added; for not long after, the Grisons being dejected, pur●…ly by the great blow which they received in the Valtoline, and partly confused for the repugnancy of opinions which was risen up amongst them, la Griggia, which is the chiefest of the three Leagues, sent Embass●…dours to Milan, and capi●…ulated with Feria touching the restitution of the Valtoline to its former condition, upon very favourable terms, for the inhabitants Religion and Liberty; and obliged itself, in name of the other two Leagues, in a perpetual League with the State of Milan: and (what was much desired by the Spanish Agents) to gra●…t fre●… passage for the King's men thorough their Towns: but this Capitulation took no effect, though many of the Commonalty of the second League concurred therein; for the third League contradi●…ting it, and particularly those of low Enge●…ina, the number of those who were against the Capitulation of Milan began to increase, and their faction grew stronger; the rather because they were much fomented by the Venetians, and French Ambassador, who adhered unto them. The Ambassador was the same 〈◊〉, who having held intelligence with Feria but a little before, had procured, and had had a hand in the insurrection of the Valtoline; but not being able to see it now ●…ain under the authority, and almost under the command of the Spaniard, and that ●…e himself had been the means and worker thereof, he was pieced again with the Grisons, and with contrary endeavours favoured the oppression of the Valtolinians to drive the Spaniards from amongst the Grisons to the recovery of the Valley which they had lost: they were thereunto also incited by their Preachers, who detesting the Capitulation of Milan, called in their public preachings, and in their private meeting, the Favourers thereof, Authors of scan●…al, Enemie●… to the public liberty, and Traitors to their Country: so as there proceeded great altercations between those who were against it; and the Duke of Feria having taken five Companies of Swissers into pay, in favour of those that sided with the Capitulation, he sent them into Rh●…tia; whereat the Country rise up in Arms, and the very 〈◊〉 of the Capitulation not adhering much to their former opinion, the Swissers were forced to retreat: so as this party having gotten the upperhand, they began to implead the chief Authors of the Milan Capitulation, as having betrayed the public liberty, by agreeing thereunto without the public consent of all. But new Orders being sent at this time from the Court of Spain, reduces the trouble to a more quiet Negotiation. The Princes of Italy were much moved at these proceedings of Feria, and resented them; and the Venetians, who (as hath been said) covered both their own, and the common liberty, and by disbursing out moneys largely unto the Grisons, had endeavoured that he might not compas●… his ends; had also by their Ambassador made great complaint thereof to the Court of Spain; accusing the Governor as a perturber of the public p●…ace, and as an insnarer of the liberty of Italy; as did also the new Pope, Gregory the 15th, who succeeded Paul the 5th, who died in the beginning of the year 1621.: this was Cardinal Lodovisio, Archbishop of Bullognia: he was commonly held to be not well affected to the Spaniard, by reason of the distastes between him and Don Piedro di Toledo, when being the Apostolic Nuntio in Lombardy and Piedmont he negotiated the composition of those wars; and therefore as one that detested the Spaniards, and loved not to see them increase in greatness and authority, it was thought he would not omit suppressing those ends upon this occasion, which did so much vex him, so to make himself famous by restoring Italy to her former security, and thereby make the beginning of his Popedom more acceptable. He wrote a Letter with his own hand to the King of Spain, complaining of, and much resenting the Governors' actions, as prejudicial to the common quiet, and satisfaction; and desiring him that he would not deny him this favour which he very earnestly desired of him, in this the beginning of his Popedom: he did also seriously admonish him, that for the good of the common peace, and for the safety of Italy, and of those States which ●…e the King did therein possess, he would put the affairs of the Valtoline into so joyful a condition as might give satisfaction to all men. The Letter either came not at all to the King's hands, or if it did, it was at his very last time of life; for he died after Paul the Fi●…th, about the end of March, the year 1621. a King who was more remarkable for his goodness and innocence of life, then for any thing else; for foregoing almost all business, and meddling but very little in the administration of affairs, he retained little of a King, more than the title and fortune: a thing which did much prejudice the authority and greatness of the Crown, which being gover●…'d by the interest of Favourites, for the space of 22 years, wherein he reigned, and chiefly in his latter time, he left it much fallen from that height of reputation wherein he had received it from his Father. He was succeeded by Philip the Fourth of that name, the eldest of three Sons that he left behind him, of about 16 years of age, who though he gave some greater show of a Royal inclination; by which it was hoped that he would interest himself more in public affairs than his Father had done, yet his young years, and the pastimes of youth not permitting him to partake of the troubles of public Government, the administration of affairs must necessarily fall into the former condition, which the Spaniard call di Privanza: or, of affairs being carried by Court Minion. The chief Ministers of Sta●…e were Don Bal●…esar di Zuniga, and Don Gaspar di Gusman, Count d' Olivares: but Z●…niga who being long versed in weightiest affairs, as well within as out of the Kingdom, and who was highly esteemed by all men, died not long after, to the general grief of all; so as the whole weight of Government leaned upon Olivares his Shoulders, who being made a Duke by the new King, and retaining still his former Title of Count, would be called Conde Duca. The Valtoline was that which the new King took first into his consideration; wherein the Pope, the Princes of Italy, and the King of France, had used their endeavours: The new King would satisfy the joint desires of so many Princes, and give a taste, in this the beginning of his Reign, of his being content with what was his own, not desiring to usurp upon other men's states, or upon the Liberty of the Italian Princes: But because the interest of Religion was concerned in this business; that he might show himself to be a no less pious and religious, then wise and moderate King, he agreed upon certain Articles with the French Ambassador; the substance whereof was, That the same Religion should be established in the Valtoline which was there used in the year 1617.; And that the State should be restored to the same condition that it was in before the Rebellion: That the Forts should be demolished, and all Garrisons removed from thence: That all the Valtolinians should be pardoned for their Rebellion: That the King of France, Swissers, and Vallesani, should become sureties to the Grisons for the observance of what was agreed upon: These Articles came from Madrid into Italy, soon after the Capitulation of Milan; and as they came unexpected by any, (for even those who did most desire it, could not expect nor hope for such facile proceedings from that Court, in so weighty a business, and of such importance to that Court) so the Duke of Feria, and all those who out of a desire to advance the Spanish Grandezza had co-opperated in this business, seeing their plots and designs wholly overthrown wherein they had taken so much pains, were totally astonished, not only for the prejudice which they thought would thereby redound to the State of Milan, and to the other affairs of the Crown of Spain; but for the loss of that ostentation, glory and merit, which Feria and the rest hoped to have reaped thereby: Yet not being able to withstand the Kings so precise Orders and Commands, they were forced to be content; and not knowing from whence this resolution should proceed, some laid the fault upon the new King's weakness; others upon the Orders and Commands of the late King; who, upon receiving the Pope's Letters a little before he died, charged his Son to desist from the enterprise of the Valtoline: Others argued, that the new King being too indulgently affectionate to his Wife, who was solicited by the French Ambassador, was desirous to please her at her earnest desire▪ in not coming to a breach with her Brother, the King of France, upon account of the Valtoline: There were not some wanting who affirmed that Don Piedro di Toledo, out of private emulation that his successor should so happily effect this business, which nor he nor so many others of his Predecessors could ever do, did oppose in the Supreme Council of State, to the end that Feria's actions might not be approved but rejected, as the original and undoubted cause of great scandal and troubles: Howsoever it was, by the effects men may easily comprehend either a Repentance in they Court of the thing capitulated for; or according to others (for there never wants sinister Interpreters) an End rather to quiet the minds of the Italians and French, much moved and incensed by t●…ese ease Capitulations, then to put the thing capitulated for in execution. Whilst this was negotiating in Spain, the Valtolini●…ns fa●…ing well in Italy by reason of the Victory at Tirano, and the Capitulations of Milan; and Feria exclaiming sufficiently in the Court, that by this resolution the King had lost so opportune and so important a purchase, the execution of the Articles was deferred; but the Valtolinians exclaimed more than Feria, as men who were sent thither on purpose by Feria: They mingled tears with their persuasions, and did infinitely desire the King, That he would not abandon them, nor force them to return under the ancient yoke of Tyrants; of Heretic Tyrants, who would rise up not only against their lives and fortunes, but even against their souls, crying down the Catholic Religion in the Valtoline: They desired him That he would inform himself fully what the condition of the Valtoline was formerly, and what it was now; as well in respect of their natural liberty as Religion; for by the perfect knowledge of these two Points the cheat would be discerned, by which his Majesty was persuaded to condescend to those Articles: And as for the first Point, they showed that the Valtolinians were naturally a free people, not Subjects nor Vassals to the Grisons, as his Majesty had been informed, but their Companions and Confederates, to whom neither they nor their forefather's had never sworn fealty, nor done homage, or showed any sign of subjection; though by reason of the diversity of Religions, their liberty, after having for many years governed the common Republic jointly, had been oppressed and suffocated by their more powerful Confederate: And the Tyranny was the more cruelly exercised against them, for that the Catholic Religion was constantly professed by the Valtolinians, and calvin's abhorred: Wherefore, said they, the Commotions of the Valtoline were not, nor could not, be esteemed Rebellion, but the defence and maintaining of the Catholic Religion, and the recovery of their natural Liberty, which was not only allowed of, but favoured and assiste●… by all Laws both humane and divine: That this was the reason why no Prince, how great or powerful soever, having neither jurisdiction nor command over them, could, without using violence, bring them under the command of others, and much less under the unjust Tyranny of the usurpers of their Liberty; from which by singular divine goodness, and by the so great hazard of their lives and fortunes, they had once withdrawn themselves: Nay, that all lawful and just Princes, the more great and powerful they were, were the more obliged by the Laws of Nations, and by God's Laws, to favour and take into their protection, the Liberties of oppressed people, and to turn all the forces of their Kingdoms to the destruction and beating down of Tyrants, who were a●…hor'd and persecuted by all Laws both divine and humane: And if the defence of the Valtolinians liberty was to be expected from any of the Princes of the present Age, it did undoubtedly belong more to his Majesty then to any other; who having taken the Valtolinians Religion and liberty into his protection before the Capitulation stipulated with the King of France, he could not without breach of his Royal Word, abandon them, nor make them to do an action so contrary to the protection his Majesty had taken of them, by forcing them to return to their former slavish condition; But that this did b●…long to him ●…lone, much more by reason of the hereditary profession of the House of Austria, of always being the safe shield and constant defence of the Catholic Religion, which was so annexed to the liberty of the Valtoline, as the ruin ●…f he latter did necessarily draw after it the ruin of the other; for who would doubt but if the Val●…oline should return again to underneath the slavery of the Grisons, the Catholic Religion would be there trodden under foot: Nor did that Article of the Convention, whereby it was agreed that Religion should be returned to the same condition as it was in the year 1617. make any thing for the preservation thereof; for his Majesty was abused in that Point as well as in the other of Religion, being falsely given to understand that the Roman Religion was that year unblemished and undefaced there; and that this cozenage was so much the greater, as the inconveniences and exorbitances which did thereby result were the greater, and that therefore the better provision was to be had for it: Saying that the demolitions and profanations of Churches; the usurpation of Church goods; the Martyrdoms and banishment of religious people; the Schools and Seminaries for the breeding up of youth in Calvinisme; the abolition of Images, prohibition of Indulgences, and many other impious and enormous abominations, were introduced in the Valtolme long before the year 1617. And on the contrary, that obedience to the Pope; the Introduction of the holy Office; the accepting of Bishops and Prelates of the holy Church; the accepting of the Council of Trent, and of the Gregorian Kalander; the publication of Indulgencies; the abolishing of Heretical Schools and Seminaries; the Restitution of demolished Churches; of the goods and persons of Church men; and finally the extirpation of Heretics and Her sies, were the fruits and products of Liberty, recovered the year 1620. Who sees not then (said they) that if that Article being to be put in execution, and that Religion be reduced to the state it was in the year 1617. That your Majesty being highly abused, doth command that all those abominations which were abolished in the year 1620. shall return in the Valtoline; and that, on the contrary, that all of Holy and Catholical, which was blessedly introduced there, together with liberty, be abolished. We cannot (said they) without blushing and confusion represent unto your Majesty that which your most Catholic mind cannot without horror hear, and know to be true: not only all sacred Canons and most holy Councils of the Catholic Church, do not only reprove such Conventions, but do punish the Authors, Fantors, and Introducers of all these abominable impieties, with severest excommunication: the Solemn Oath your Majesty took a little before your Coronation, to the high Almighty God, to the Princes and People of this so Catholic Crown, doth not admit of such Conventions. The Catholic Kings, your Predecessors, who have spent so much Gold, and blood of their best Vassals, for the maintenance of Divine Worship, and for the beating down of Heresy, who have not valued the loss of whole Provinces, for not admitting of any other than the Catholic Religion, do conjure your Majesty, the Inheritor not only of so many Kingdoms, but of so great Catholic zeal, not to allow of that Covention, to which, the world knows, had you not been abused, you would not have consented for all your Kingdoms. They finally concluded with exaggerating the iniquity, and inhuman cruelties of the Grisons, which they were sure would increase, together with their fierce hatred against the miserable inhabitants of the Valto●…ine, for their having taken up Arms, in defence of their natural liberty, and of the Holy Faith. The King was doubtlessly moved with these Reasons, which being afterwards divulged in the Court, the chief Lords and Officers thereof, and the people in general, finding the resulting inconveniences by this cous●…nage put upon the King, were much moved thereat, and did confess that nothing more contrary to the Faith, nor more prejudicial to Catholics, could be contracted amongst Heretic Princes; and storming thereat, knew not what to do, whereby with safety to the King's royal word and agreement, the Convention might be kept from being put in execution; and whilst they were busied thereabout, a new accident fell out which furnished them with a means: A Diet was resolved upon for the execution of this agreement amongst the Swissers, to be celebrated in Lucerna, one of the chief Catholic Cantons of that Nation: wherein (to boot with the Deputies of all the Cantons) Monsieur Scappi, Apostolic Nuntio with the Swissers, was to be present for the Pope, Monsieur Myron, and Monsieur Monholon, Ambassadors, in ordinary and extraordinary, for the King of France, and Gueffiere Resident in Rhetia, and Andriano Tomasini, Precedent of the Parliament of Burgony, for the King of Spain; and the Duke of Feria was commanded to observe Tomasini's Orders, for what should be resolved upon in that Diet touching the affairs of the Valtoline: the Deputies also of the Grisons appeared at this Diet, who presenting the Decree of general pardon granted to those of the Valtoline, demanded the demolishing of the Forts lately erected in the Valtoline, guarded at the present by Spanish Garrisons, and to be repossessed of that Valley, according to the agreement made at Madrid; offering themselves ready to observe whatsoever they were obliged unto by the said Capitulation: The Precedent of Burgony perused, and attentively considered the Decree; and finding it to be too full of cavils and snares for those of the Valtoline, exclaimed much against it, first in words, and then in writing; and as if a large Gate were thereby left open for revenge, he began to accuse it of fraud: the words and actions of the Grisons gave more credit to the Precedents Reasons, and Exclamations, who seemed so incensed against those of the Valtoline, as not being able to contain themselves, they stuck not to say, they hoped one day to wash their hands in their blood: the Precedent was followed by all the Catholic Cantons, which were Confederate with the Crown of Spain; and by him of Appenzel, which stands in the midst between the Catholic, and Heretic Cantons; and therefore expressly refusing to stand bound for the Grisons, as they were required to do by the Capitulation of Madrid, they made a Decree thereupon, which they called irrevocable: the other Cantons, either not being willing to appear of another opinion, or seeing that their obligation would not be satisfactory without the like of their companions, thought it not fit to be bound. Thus was the Convention of Madrid excluded, or as the Fr●…nch and Venetians complained, deluded by the cunning and secret carriage of the Duke of Feria, who, as they said, had wrought upon the Swissers by moneys: neither did the heat of opposition made by the Precedent of Burgony pass without suspect of some secret Commission from the Court of Spain, which might have altered her opinion touching the affairs of the Valtoline; and this suspicion increased the more, for that the Spanish Agents, after the Swissers refusal, began to pretend that the Convention of Madrid was no longer valid, but was to b●… understood as Null; as made upon condition that the Swissers and Vallesa●…i would be thereunto obliged: which condition being void, the Convention was void also: the business of Composition being therefore desperate, the Grisons being assisted by the French and Venetians, resolved to go once more armed to the Valtoline, and to endeavour the recovery thereof with greater Forces: which being presently done, they fared not better than they had done before: though many men were ready to assist them in the parts about Bressia, and Bergamo: they fell down with 13000 Foot into the Country of Bormio, with intention to assault the new Fort, wherein were 600 Foot under Ottavio Sforza, who being very well prepared for defence, the Grisons thought not good to assault them; but sent some Squadrons to the taking in of a little Fort not far off, wherein were about forty foot, who defended themselves egregiously, and slew and repulsed many of the assailants: hearing afterwards tha●… jovanni Bravo, who was sent with fresh men from Feria, approached, they went to meet him; and drawing out their Forces between Bormio and the little Fort, they stayed a while expecting him, intending to fight him; yet when they heard the Drums which were nigh at hand, they retreated into Bormio, and setting it on fi●…e went towards the Mountain's top, and from thence retired homewards; but being overtaken in their retreat by some Horse, which were sent by Bravo to fall upon their Rear, where they received some prejudice; and the●…r Commander Herman Pianta being amongst many others slain, all the rest were so terrified and confused, they began to seek their safety by a disorderly flight through the craggy Mounta●…ns, which though they were rugged and almost unaccessable, yet by the long practice and experience which they had therein, they overcame them; and being scattered they passed back over the Mountains, leaving in Bormio cruel signs of their rage against those of the Valtoline: wherefore by reason of this action, so contr●…ry to the Articles of Milan, the Duke of Feria waged open war against them; and agreeing with Archduke Leopold, whom Tirvolo and Alsatia did obey, that he should assault the Grisons on his side the Mountains, he entered himself in person into the Valtoline with 6000 Foot, and 500 Horse, thinking to oppose the Grisons new Forces: but when he was not well got to Morbegno, a Town which stands in the mouth of the Valtoline, and hearing there what had befallen Bormio, he turned upon Chiavenna, a Town of the Grisons, which is the head of another Valley, which runs along la Mera, a River which falling from the Alps runs into the Lake: there was therein a Garrison of about 500 Grisons, who trusting more to the open Fields then to their Walls, drew a long Trench on the outside of Chiavenna, from the foot of the Mountain, to Mera; whe●…ewith crossing the whole Plain above which lies on the left side of the River, they minded not much the lower side, it being narrow and moorish: thinking to make head there, they put themselves almost all in Garrison, and sent for a good strength of men to defend a certain place beyond the Trench: which being seated upon the skirts of the Mountain, Pitz commanded the way, and the Plain, The Governor sent a good Band of Carabines against those that defended this station, who forcing the defendants to abandon it, the defendants retreated to the Trench, where they showed neither courage nor valour; for finding that the Enemy's Horse had forded over la Mera, and was coming about upon their backs, fearing to be taken in the midst between t●…e Horse and the Foot, which drew near, they fled into Chiavenna; which finding they were not able to defend, it not being fortified, they abandoned it, and fled all towards the Mountains. The Gove●…nour having first possessed himself of the Trench, and then entering Chiavenna without any resistance, he sent a party of Horse after them, who entering the Valley where i'll Reno begins, and by Bregiglia, they burned and destroyed all about them, entering on the one side as far as Campolzino, and on the other, to Castagnena and Soio; and having recovered three pieces of Artillery, which with two others which they found in Chiavenna, and which were kept there in memory of their ancient Victory won by their ancestors, above a hundred years before in the State of Milan; the Governor sent part of the Foot to assist the Archduke, who was entered at the same time with 10000 Foot, commanded by Colonel Bal●…irone into the Diretture, the third League, and had taken the Vall●…ys of Enge●…na and Paroviz, which (as hath been said) belonging anciently to the house of Austria had rebelled, and joined to the other two Leagues; they afterwards by the assistance sent from the Governor took Maiafeld, a great Town and of importance, from whence going to C●…ira, the Metropolitan City of that Nation, they presently took it, where placing the Bishop in his ancient sea●…, who (as hath been said) was a little before driven from thence, they left a great Garrison; the Grisons, who were bereft of all aid and succour, not being able to give the least resistance against this their so great ruin: wherefore being beaten every wher●…, and having humbly begged leave, and ob●…ained it, to ●…end Ambassadors to Milan to treat of some agreement, ●…he Griggionan and Cadedion Leagues (for le Diretture, the third League, being as a member cut off, and under the Archduke, was not in a free condition to Capitulate) sent their Ambassadors thither: with them went also some Ambassadors from the Swisser●…, to assist their Friends, and Colleagues, at least with endeavours, which they were resolved not to do with Forces: being come to Milan, they desired a cessation of Arm●…, whilst some medium might be found out against so great uproars, and inconveniences. The Swissers were sent back with good words, and with general terms of the King's good intentions, who as also the Duke of Feria, was said not to have any other end in these Commotions, then to establish a long peace, with safety to the Catholic Faith: so they returned home within a few days, without entering into any particularities. The Grisons were treated withal otherwise; for they desiring to be restored to the ancient condition of the Valtoline, they were plainly told that this their demand was contrary both to Humane and Divine Laws; the latter not suffering Catholics to be under the Dominion of Heretics; and the former permitting those of the Valtoline, as those who were unjustly subjugated by the Grisons their comp●…nions, and unworthily oppressed in their liberties, to withdraw themselves, whensoever they could, from the yoke of Tyranny; wherefore being forced to submit unto the will of the more powerful, they came to new Conventions; Whereby liberty of Conscience was allowed through their whole Country; a perpetual confederacy was agreed upon between those two Leagues and Crown of Spain, with due respect had to their ancient Confederacy with the Crown of France: perpetual passage for the King of Spain's men through the Rhetian Alps; and absolute liberty to those of the Valtoline, with an obligation notwithstanding that they should pay yearly to the Grisons 25000 Ducats by way of Tribute; wherewith the Bishop of Coira, and the two Leagues, renounced all Authority, Empire, and jurisdiction, which they had formerly had in that Valley; and the Duke of Feria entered suretyship, in the King of Spain's name, for the yearly payment of the aforesaid sum by those of the Valtoline. The business between the Grisons and those of the Valtoline being thus happily composed, after some months some alterations happened, which were soon appeased; for those of the third League could not suffer subjection; they therefore plotted Insurrections against Archduke Leopold, by means whereof they endeavoured to regain their Liberty. The Commotion began amongst those of the Valley of Parentz, the boldest and fiercest people of that Nation; who being solicited by some of the Griggian League, who were ill satisfied with the last Capitulation at Milan, entered one Holiday into the Corpse de Guard, and finding Arms there, but no Soldiers, they being gone to Mass, they seized on them, and killing the Garrison, they armed their Compagnions' with long staves (for their Arms had been taken from them before by the Archdukes Officers) and increasing in numbers they went to Coira and to Maiafeldt, where fight the Archdukes men twice in open fields, both which times they were victorious, they forced the others to surrender up those two places to them; which being taken, all the Garrisons of all the rest of the Country flying away, they might easily have regained their former Liberty, had not new men been speedily sent them from the Archduke to quell them; who being led on by Count Sultz, and by the same Baldrone, beat those of the League twice, and did not only recover all those places, but forced those of the Diritture once more to submit to the Archdukes yoke: And a Diet being held not long after in Lindao, an Imperial Town in Suevia, wherein the Archdukes Deputies, and those of the thirteen Cantons met, it was declared, That the Diritture did of right belong to the House of Austria, and that therefore they should render obedience thereunto; and as being subject to the Austrian Empire they should obey the Archaukes' Commands; and that they could not pretend to any Liberty, but should be wholly distinguished, and be altogether, and for ever be understood to be, separated from the body of the Grisons Commonwealth; annulling all actions of Confederacy which they had made, as the third League, with other Princes, and particularly with the King of France. Which Declaration was afterwards approved of, and accepted by the Deputies of the said League, who swore Fealty, and did homage to the Archduke. Thus part of Rhetia beyond the alps resting in the Archdukes power, and the rest on this side the Alps, either depending upon, or being subjugated by the Spaniard, the affairs of the Crown of Spain in Italy, and those of the House of Austria in Germany were much bettered, by reason of the great happiness which was gotten by the Conquest of Rhetia, and the Union of the States of Italy to those of Germany; by which Union the one might commodiously succour the other; insomuch as the Valtoline, and the League with the Grisons, procured by so much industry by Count Fuentes and the other Governors, were of very little consideration, in comparison of this new purchase: For whereas the League, when it should be concluded, would have been uncertain and very expensive to the State of Milan, the Dominion over the Diritture, and the necessary dependency of the other two Leagues upon the House of Austria, did more undoubtedly secure the same ends without any expense: And whereas he who will enter into Tyrvolo by the Valtoline must necessarily pass over craggy mountains unfrequented, and in the Winter season hardly passable, entrance is much more commodiously had into the Rhetian Country by the Valley of Chiavenna, then by that of the Valtoline; and from hence a better, shorter, and safer way is had for Germany then by Tyrvolo, by which entrance is only ●…ad into the Valtoline: So as the King of Spain, without demanding passage from the Swissers, had the conveniency of receiving as many men as he would at any time from Germany into the State of Milan, and without troubling the Duke of Savoy, who might deny the reserved passage of Bressa, or, without being beholden to the French, who may hinder him, he might commodiously, and without any opposition, pass men from Rhetia into Alsatia, and from thence into the Palatinate upon the Rhesne, which was won but a little before to the House of Austria; and from the Palatinate into Flanders and the Low-countrieses. So the Spanish and Austrian Empire so much distracted being become united, and communicable within itself, became more firm, and less exposed to be injured by others; and the French and other Transalpiners, who envied such Grandezza, being by such a sound obstacle disjoined and segregated from Italy, could less easily hold intelligence with the I●…alian Princes, or administer hopes of assistance to them. Wherefore Feria seeing how much by the success of that Enterprise happily begun under his auspicious Government, and more happily ended, he had exce●…ded the hopes of his Predecessors, returned full of joy and glory to Milan, triumphing over the Grisons, with the Artillery recovered after a hundred years, which being adorned with Laurel were in manner of Triumph drawn before him. But look how much the condition of the Crown of Spain was better and more advantaged by so many good successes, so much the more did Jealousy increase amongst the Italian Princes, and the apprehension of their own Liberty and Command; and together with this jealousy, envy, and endeavours of opposition increased in those that envied the Spanish greatness; the latter not being able to see so great an advancement in authority, nor the others to see that little loophole (much to their grief) shut up, by which their liberty in the greatest and most urgent straits might breathe. And as some stood lookers on, and quiet observers of these events, the lesser expecting when the greater should move; so the Duke of Savoy, though the pre●…udice did not chiefly belong unto him, unless it were that the Spaniards needing now no longer any passage through Savoy should have less occasion to put an esteem upon him, yet, were it either that as an Italian Prince he was touched with the danger of others, or that he thought the too much Grandezza of the Spaniard might prove dangerous to his own affairs, or that he did desire by all means to cross the ends and designs of that Crown, he thought it no little diminution to his own Interests, that the Spaniards should not any more stand in much need of his Friendship: But the Venetians were chiefly mad hereat, whom the danger did more nearly concern, as those that saw that the Spaniards and Archduke by getting firm footing in the Grisons Country, and by the Forts erected in the Valtoline, had not only disturbed their ends, and bereft them of the good they hoped for by League with that Nation, but as it were imprisoned their liberty, and laid it at their feet: wherefore as if the total of their affairs, and their utmost ruin were in question, they resolved to remove every stone, to omit for no expense nor labour, and to refuse no danger, so they might provide against the prejudice and mischief of so great an alteration of affairs; and finding that the moneys they had disbursed amongst the Grisons and Swissers, the raising of men intended in those parts, their assisting of those people, that they might subsist, and not be oppressed by the Spaniard, had proved altogether vain, and that they of themselves were not able to undertake such a business; They resolved to move those Princes whose interests might be concerned in the ends and actions of the Spaniards, t●…rouze themselves up upon so great an occasion: they forbore not to exclaim against those actions, and to make it known in the Courts of all Princes, as well Italians as Foreigners, what the Spaniards ends were in entering upon this enterprise; and how under the vail of Religion they did undermine the Common Liberty, incited people to rebel, ma●…e themselves masters of other men's States, aimed at the reducing of Italy into slavery, to suffocate the Apostolic See, to give the Law to all Italian Princes, and after having put the yoke about their neck, make them dependent upon the Spanish Empire, and be at their beck: that this was a great step whereby to ascend and arrive at the absolute Monarchy of I●…aly, and of all Christendom, which they so earnestly thirsted after: that the interest of all men, the safety of the Empire, and the Common Liberty were herein treated of: that therefore with an unanimous consent they ought to withstand these beginnings, oppose the progress of these unions and concatenations of States, so prejudicial to all men; to the end that when all remedies should be too late, they might not in vain bewail those losses which would be the infallible result of their not having moved upon this occasion, that doubtlessly, if they would all resent themselves, and behave themselves generously in this affair, the Spaniards would be forced to yield to their unanimous will and consent, and desist from the enterprise which they had begun against the Common Safety and Liberty. These and the like Reasons alleged by the Venetians at the beginning of these Commotions in France, Rome, Italy, amongst the Swissers and Grisons, wrought not much effect, nor were of such moment as such an accident required: The Court of France not being well pleased with the Veneti●…n League, desired that the Grisons affairs might be perturbed, and that the Venetians might reap but bitter fruit of their Negotiations: the Pope who was full of years, and of indispositions, showed not such resentment as would have been necessary: the Swissers disagreed within themselves, and as the event showed afterwards, inclined more to favour the Spaniards Designs, than the Interest of the Common Cause; so as the Grisons being left alone in the Field, though set on, and fomented by the Venetians, were forced to succumb to the stronger. But Gregory having succeeded Paul in the Popedom (as hath been said) who seemed to resent the business more than his Predecessor had done, and the French finding what advantage had redounded to the Spaniards by the revolt of the Valtoline, and how much they had suffered thereby in their own authority, they began to be no less troubled thereat then the Venetians; and by title of Protection over the Grisons, the ancient Confederates of that Crown, to pretend that they might be restored to the entire possession of their liberty, and of the Valtoline. But many things opposed their desires: the League between the Venetians and that Nation confirmed contrary to the Authority of that Crown, by which and from which so many inconveniences did arise: the war which the King of France made against the Heretics of his own Country, to reduce them to his obedience, and to the obedience of the Catholic Church; and therefore taking from them those privileges which they had extorted in the former wars, he was intent with all his Forces to heal that wound which troubled his Kingdom; and besides that this war did keep him sufficiently busy, and kept him from foreign employment; the Title thereof also, like that which the Spaniards did pretend against the Grisons, would not permit that he, without manifest repugnancy, should favour those same Heretics out of his Kingdom, which he did with such fervency, and religious zeal, endeavour to extirpate at home. The peace also, and good correspondency between his Crown and the Crown of Spain did repugn it: which being very convenient for the common interest, it did not suit well with the King of France to discompose, especially his own Kingdom being in trouble; and by directly entering into war with the King of Spain to kindle new fires at home, upon the interests of others: the fresh example of his Father King Henry was also sufficient to keep him from such an enterprise, who when he was in greatest authority, and his Kingdom in complete peace, did not break with the King of Spain for building Fort Fuentes, which was so prejudicial to the interests of the same Grisons: nor would he meddle in those affairs, otherwise then by intercession: how much, might it be said then, did it become the present King, in the beginning of his Reign, the Forces of his Kingdom being divided, amidst so many Domestic troubles, to forgo his Father's example, and to engage himself in Foreign affairs, against a most powerful King; the event whereof being of such weight and importance might certainly be supposed would prove, if not altogether prejudicial, at least long and dangerous: to do this it was requisite to have a powerful Army, just as if he went to get the State of Milan, backed by the Germane Forces: Besides, moneys, the sinews of war, were wanting; and many other things necessary for such an expedition: on the other side, he was obliged by being bound to protect his Colleagues, and their States, which he could not with his honour see abused: but his Kingdom's interest did urge him much more the●…eunto, to the prejudice whereof so great a union of the Austr●…an Dominions did redound: nor had the example of his Father King Henry, alleged to the contrary, any thing at all to do in this case; nothing being then upon the stage but a Fort built by the Spaniards upon their own ground; whereas now, the usurpation of States was in question, the oppression of a Commonwealth, confederate with his Kingdom; the manifest danger of the Apostolic See, and of many other Italian Princes, Friends to the Crown; which he could not with wisdom nor honour suffer to fall under the Spaniards slavery: as for examples, that of the same Henry might serve; when not being able to suffer that the possession of Cleves and juliers should be disputed with the Germane Princes, nor that the Spaniards should increase their power and reputation by the oppression of those Princes, and by usurping those States, he took up Arms against the Crown of Spain, and against the house of Austria; and incited almost all Christendom against them; that these examples and respects were to be preferred before anger conceived against the Grisons for making League with the Venetians; if, contrary to custom, we ought in important resolutions to have any consideration at all upon private spleens, which were never known to be preferred, in well regulated Counsels, before wholesome deliberations. To these Reasons, which were of great force, were added the Venetians, and the Sovoiards instigations; who showing themselves ready to concur in the same war wished consideration might be had, that the authority of the French was at an end in Italy, if the King should not be permitted to enter by that way, or should suffer those parts to be fortified, by which they might enter with a few men into that Province, in defence of so many Friends and Clients of their Kingdom, for the good of the Apostolic See, and to curb the covetousness and ambition of the Spaniards, who when they should once become masters of what they had usurped, and have thereby joined the King of Spain's Forces with those of the Austrians in Germany, would grow unsupportable for their natural pride and arrogancy; and invincible by reason of their Command, Authority, and Power; insomuch as the Princes of Italy being deprived of the French aid, which was the only support of their liberty, would be forced wholly, and every where, to yield to the King of Spain's pleasure, and to reverence, and adore the name of Spaniard, as an earthly Deity, from whence they were to expect, and to acknowledge the life and safety of their affairs, or otherwise their utter ruin: how great a glory, how great an honour would it be to the now King, in the first beginning of his Reign, and (as it might be said) of his life, to win so much authority in Italy, not only by sustaining the Duke of Savoy against the Forces of the Spaniards, but by becoming Arbitrator of peace or war between that Duke and the Crown of Spain; wherefore then should he not only lose so great an acquisition, but by abandoning the Grisons, the ancient Confederates of his Kingdom, and by permitting all the Princes of Italy to fall under the slavery of the Spaniard, make the world see, that the King of France had neither courage, nor power to defend his Confederates, to strengthen so many Princes who expect from him only cure for so mortal a wound: to provide against so great prejudice which would redound to himself in his reputation: and to his Friends and Clients in their Safety, States and Liberties. These and the like Reasons very much pressed, and vehemently pursued in that Court, might peradventure work upon their wills, but could not remove the difficulties of the enterprise; for how was it possible for that King, who then lay panting before Montalban, a great Town in the midst of his Kingdom, when France was divided into several Factions, and the King's Treasure exhausted; to think of Foreign enterprises against the King of Spain, and house of Austria, who were already possessed of the Valtoline, and almost of the whole State of the Grisons: who joining in the Common Cause, the State of Milan would abound in Dutch, and by means of their Indian Gold they might turn his Kingdom up-side down, now when it was full of ill humours, the King and his Council did therefore what was most convenient for their present condition: which was, to proceed friendly with the Court of Spain, and to treat of composing the present Occurrences in a civil way. To this purpose Monsieur Bossompier was sent extraordinary Ambassador to the King of Spain; and finding there more likelihood of good success than he could have imagined, he thought the business happily ended: but the French finding afterwards that the effects were not answerable, but that the Spaniards sought by sophisticated interpretations to annihilate and overthrow all Conventions; and that having proceeded further in Rhetia, they had in part lacerated, in part subjugated the Liberty and Commonwealth of the Grisons, putting new and bitter conditions upon them, wholly contrary to what had been by common consent agreed upon at Madrid; they thought themselves doubly concerned in this business; for to the ancient Confederacy, and Protection of the Grisons, was added the Capitulation at Madrid, which the French could not, without a great affront to their King, suffer to be so trodden under foot: and by the easiness of satisfying their desires which they found in the Spanish Court, concerning this business, conceiving better of themselves, and worse of the Spaniards, they thought that when the King of Spain should see them in Arms ready to resent the injury, he would by no means expect their moving; nor that the affairs of Italy should be more discomposed then formerly for any such respect; therefore, not admitting that the Treaty at Madrid should be null and void, by reason of the Swiffers, they pretended it was to be observed: offering new warranties, or cautions, equal to the former, for the performing of what was agreed upon; and if otherwise, they threatened making Leagues, and to prepare for Italy; so as France was full of warlike preparations, giving out that it was to take that satisfaction by Arms, which they would not do by Negotiation; and to this purpose the Duke of Savoy (who spurred on this business) being gone to Avignon, whither the King of France was come in person from the neighbouring Camp before Montalban, the foundations of League were laid wherein the Venetian Ambassadors did intervene; which certainly would have been perfected, had not the Pope's Nuntio hindered it, by affirming that, for an undoubt●…d Truth, the King of Spain had referred the whole business of the Valtoline to be decided by the Pope: but all that the Nuntio had affirmed proving afterwards to be but words, the Treaty of the League was reassumed with greater fervency; for the King of France began to discern by the not observance of the Convention at Madrid, and by the novelt●…es committed against the Grison, by the Archduke, and Duke of Feria, that the Rebels of his Kingdom were secretly fomented with moneys by the Spanish Agents, to the end that being entertained with domestic wars, they should not be at leisure to think upon Foreign wars: which, were it true or false, being believed by the King to be contrary to the good correspondency which was then professed between the two Crowns, he was much incensed at it; wherefore speaking not long after with the Prince of Piedmont, who was come to Lions, he stipulated the League with him, in the Duke his Father's name, which was a little before in Treaty, against the States of Italy, appertaining to the Crown of Spain, for restoring the Grisons to the ancient possession of their State and Liberty, and to their possession of the Valtoline; and it being, divulged that the King was so servant in this business, as he would compose differences, yea even upon disadvantageous terms with the Heretics of his own Kingdom, rather than suffer such an affront to be done unto himself; and his Clients and Confederates to be so much injured; Italy grew greatly apprehensive of new troubles, which seemed also to be just then threatened, and foretold, by Celestial Prodigies and Impressions. In the year 1618., and in the month of November, there appeared a great Comet above Saturn, and according to the opinion of the most famous Mathematicians, very near the Stars of the eighth Sphere, whose angry head was like to the Star called Mars; and tail thereof, which was very long, and like a Squirrels tail, was extended or spread abroad 20 degrees, with two motions, the one retrograde, from the East to the West, wherewith it ran from the ninth of Scorpio, to the eighth of Virgo: the other from the South to the North, wherewith it ●…an 64 degrees, the head thereof terminating in that same Star which stands in the midst of the tail of Ursa Major, and the tail of it almost touching that misshapen Star which is hard by the tail of the Serpent. It was seen in Persia, in the Indies, and in japan, it ran through all the parts of the World, and continued till the end of December. A little before it appeared another impression was seen, which was like a Log of fire, but lasted but a very little while: Mathematicians Prognosticated several things hereby, and those who think the success of humane affairs depend upon Celestial influences, as upon second causes; for these apparitions preceding the Insurrection in the Valtoline, many attributed the wars which proceeded from thence, to the malign effects of those apparitions; and the present Occurrence, which grew daily hotter and hotter, to be a well prepared Materia, to receive the malignity of these influences: but these Prodigies, which are most commonly fallacious, caused not these new Ruptures to be so much apprehended, as did the continual practices which were had every where. Feria appeared very constant and resolute in keeping what was gotten; and to this purpose had used all his Reasons and Authority, with his friends in Spain, that the glory of his actions might not be disturbed by his rivals. On the contrary, the Venetians who were very fervent in this business, were resolved by all means possible to bring it to the end which they so much desired. The Duke of Savoy, desirous of new wars, thought every hour a year till he had begun war with the Spaniard, The Pope, not able to tolerate that the Capitulation at Madrid, wherein he had co-operated, should not take effect, was very ill satisfied, and gave manifest signs of his resentment: the King of France, egged on by so many Princes, who had recourse to him, as to the chief foundation of common resolutions, was ready to end this business by Arms, since he could not do it by Treaties. The King of Spain was doubly concerned in this business; for to the respect of Religion, which was the chief cause why he had meddled therein, was added the Decree of protecting the Valtoline, and the liberty thereof: nor could he with honour abandon the enterprise, though he should not value the other weighty interests of his Crown: on the other side, seeing so many jealousies, such ill satisfaction, so great a combination of Princes, who threatened much mischief to Italy, he began to reflect upon the prejudice which might redound, if new wars in Italy should be added to the wars of Germany and Flanders, which at this time were very hot; and how hard would it be, to make sufficient provisions in all parts; which if they should fail in any one place would necessarily draw on the ruin of all the rest. Labouring therefore amongst so many weighty and differing respects, but chiefly under the great apprehension of the immense troubles which might ensue unto Italy, as that which prevailed over all other more wholesome resolves, he chose the middle way, which was, to deposit the Forts of the Valioline into the Pope's hands, to the end that he might keep them with his own Captains and Soldiers, in the name of the Apostolic See, to dispose of them afterwards with satisfaction to Religion, and to both the Crowns; whereby Religion was not injured: for laying the care thereof upon the Pope, he himself was freed from further trouble therein; nor was the liberty of those of the Valtoline thereby prejudiced; for the Pope being to satisfy both the Crowns therein, it was not to be supposed that the Crown of Spain would ever be satisfied with any thing which might be contrary to their Liberty. Thus the war being removed from Italy, it seemed that the Crown of Spain had with one and the same resolution wisely provided for her own affairs, for the point of Religion, and for protecting the Valtoline: whereby she witnessed to the world, that nothing else but zeal to Religion, and the keeping Catholics from being oppressed by Heretics; and not any reason of State, or desire to usurp what belonged to others (as was said) had made the King interest himself in the present affairs: the deposition being accepted, the Pope sent his Brother Don Horatio, who was Duke of Fiano, and the Church's General, with 500 Horse, and 1500 Foot, into the Valtoline; to whom the Forts of the Valtoline of Chiavenna, and of la Riva, were immediately delivered up; and the Archduke took the Garrisons out of Coira, and out of the other places of that Country; and Duke Fiano leaving the Forces of the Church in the Valtoline under their Officers and Commanders, returned quickly to Rome. Thus the troubles which seemed to threaten Italy being pacified in the beginning of May, in the year of our Lord 1623., the Negotiation touching the Valtoline was transferred from the Court of Spain to that of Rome; and the end of so weighty a business, which was formerly expected from the Court of Spain, was now looked for from the Pope: but neither were the Venetians, nor those of the Valtoline, pleased with this depositure; for the latter complained very much, that he whom they had chosen to be Protector of their Liberty, after having received them into his Protection, had turned them over to the Pope; whom by reason of what he had done against them, they did not only distrust, but feared that he could not well defend them, by reason of the far distance of his Dominions, when they should be assaulted by the Grisons, or by any other Potentates: they said the King should rather have quite given over their Protection, then have put them under another's power; for by giving it over, he would have encouraged them, when they should be at their own command, either constantly to defend their Liberty, or to die in the defence, thereof: neither complained they less in the Court of Rome, whether having sent people of purpose, to Negotiate their interests, they forbore not to represent the justice of their cause to the Pope, to the Cardinals, and to the Ambassadors of Princes, not so much in point of Religion, as of Liberty: they exaggerated the Tyrannical, and unjust actions of the Grisons; their cruel orders to introduce Heresy amongst them: the Usurpation of their ancient and natural Liberty: they humbly beseeched that they would not suffer the people of Italy, who were by nature Freemen, and Catholics, to fall once more under the Tyrannical yoke of Transalpine Heretics; they showed the danger wherein their souls and lives should be, if they should fall again under their Dominion, from which they had withdrawn themselves, for the preservation of the Catholic faith; and from whom they could expect nothing but severe punishments in their lives, and detestable violence of Conscience. But the Venetians, who had laboured to get the Valtoline out of the Spaniards hands, were more vexed and in greater straits than before, now that they saw it fallen into the Pope's power; being no less troubled now to see the Pope made Arbitrator, than the Spaniards Masters thereof before: and this not so much out of the great interests which the Pope's use to have with the Crown of Spain; as for that the Venetians having of late begun to struggle with the See of Rome for the first place of Authority amongst the Princes of Italy: And arrogating more Authority than became them in Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and in conferring Benefices, they thought that if the Pope should keep the Key of that Gate for which they had striven so much, the Pope's Authority would be too great; and that they of Compettitors being become inferiors, must be forced to yield, and foregoing much of their high pretensions must depend absolutely upon the Pope's power: And as it is natural to all men to be more willingly under the power of Foreigners then of those of their own Nation; so they could not endure not only that they had not been able as yet to compass their desired ends, not to secure their own liberty and the common Liberty of Italy; but that instead thereof they had changed, or rather doubled their subjection, being compelled by the King of Spain to depend upon the Apostolic See: They were yet more troubled to find that the Pope, who was very straight joined unto them till the day of depositure, should now after he had got possession, begin to waver and to decline from the common Interests; For the Pope seeing the surety and liberty of the Apostolic See secured by this depositure, that the like of the Venetians and of the other Italian Princes did thereby depend upon him; and that the Spaniards and French were thereby also under his Arbitrament; If seemed that amongst several cogitations he had a mind to make use of the present occasion, to purchase and establish more Authority and Grandezza in the Church, and in his own Family: Wherefore beginning to listen more willingly to those of the Valtoline, he grew cool in his resolutions, and ambiguous in his Answers; and of a Partner being become Arbitrator of the common Cause, he seemed to have laid much of his fervency aside, and that he did not listen either to the Venetians or to the French, with that attention as he was wont to listen unto them, and to confer the secrets of his soul with them. The Spaniards were not displeased with these the Pope's deportments, who were well enough contented that if any but themselves should possess the Valtoline, it should be the Pope; and rejoicing that the world should be deceived in the imputation which they had formerly laid upon the Spaniards, of thirsting more after Dominion then after zeal to Religion, they used several pieces of cunning, that the Pope delaying his Resolves might keep possession the longer: Wherefore to boot with his fomenting the complaints of those of the Valtoline, of whom the King of Spain still professed himself Protector, making use of the conditions of the Depositure, he was not content with the propounded Propositions: And at last, to the end that this private advantage joined to the public might make greater impression in the Pope, they consented that his Nephew should marry with the only Daughter and Heir of Prince Venosa, a Neapolitan Lord, who had for her Portion 40000 ducats, annual Revenue of Inheritance, which she held in Fee in the Kingdom of Naples: Nor herewithal content, they propounded, That regard being had to the ancient Conventions of those of the Valtoline, a fourth League might be made of them, which being governed by their own Laws and Magistrates, might sit in the general Diets, and give their Vote with the other three in all public affairs appertaining to the Commonwealth: Or else, That it being made a Principality, it should be granted to some Prince who was a friend to them all, insinuating the Pope's Brother or Nephew. Proposals which he listened very willingly unto, as being much inclined to the exaltation of his kindred; but they were mightily abhorred by others, particularly by the Venetians, who grew as suspicious of the Pope after the Marriage, as they were confiding in him before, for the constancy which he professed in the common Cause: To this was added, That the Principality of the Valtoline being of itself but weak, and lying open towards the State of Milan, it would too necessarily depend upon the Spanish Authority; and if this were not satisfactory in any other person, the Venetians must needs abhor it in the Pope's Nephews, by reason of the Wife's Estate held in Fee; which being by the Marriage to fall unto the Lodovisian Family, and to be annexed to his person who should be Prince of the Valtoline; they were too pregnant proofs of the necessary dependence of that Principality upon the Crown of Spain: Neither could the French, though they stormed at the Pope's alteration, any ways resent it; the business being by the Covenants of the Depositure reduced from Forces to Treaty, wherein the French were to carry themselves cunningly, lest they might exasperate the Pope, and alienare him the more from their King's interests. The Treaty of Marriage which was near concluding between the Prince of England and the Infanta Maria, Sister to the King of Spain, did not a little trouble the French, and suppress their pretensions; which Treaty, being one of the most memorable and signal Negotiations of those times, and for that it was also of great concernment in the present Occurrences, it will not be unnecessary, nor will it swerve from our present Narration, to give you a short account of it. The King of Spain being deeply concerned in the Bohemian wars, did not only send men and moneys to the Emperor through the Valtoline before it was deposited, but commanded Marquis Spinola, his Captain General in Flanders and in the Low-Countries, to enter the Palatinate, and wage war there in the Emperor's name: In obedience whereunto Spinola, with incredible speed and prosperity, possessed almost the whole Palatinate; and suppressing the Forces of the numerous Army of the Protestant Princes, associated in assistance of the Palatinate, who durst not give him Battle, forced them at last to forsake the Palatinate upon the Rhine, and to receive Law from him: By which prosperous success the parts of the Palatinate and of the other Confederates being overcome, they were afterwards totally ruined by the Emperor's Army, and by that of the Catholic League in Germany; for these two Armies jointly entering Bohemia, and joining Battle with the Palatines Army before Prague, they routed it totally; and the Palatine having lost his new Kingdom, and all hopes of regaining it, he fled with his Wife, Daughter to the King of England, towards Holland, that he might go from thence to his Father in Law, and obtain favour from him, or at least moneys to recover his Paternal Estate, which was possessed and confiscated by the Emperor, for Rebellion and high Treason. The King of England could never be drawn to approve of his Son in Law's resolution of accepting the Crown offered him by the Bohemians; and professing that he could not with a just conscience assist him in that Cause which he thought to be unjust, and a pernicious example to all Princes, forbore sending aid or succour to him; which he did profess at first, and with miraculous constancy and faith made good unto the last; whereby he deserved very well of the Emperor, and of the House of Austria, who were so deeply concerned in those Revolts; But afterwards commiserating the exile of his Son in Law, Daughter, and grandchildren, and yet resolving not to assist their afflicted Country by Arms, nor by joining with the other Princes of Germany, who prepared to repair the Prince Palatine with new forces; he thought he should be able to do him better service by Negotiation; wherein he had placed no small hopes, by marrying his own and only Son to the Infanta of Spain, and by his having deserved so well of the House of Austria; And unusual means being to be used in unusual enterprises, he with a sudden and very secret resolution, sent his only Son to the Court of Spain, to desire in his own person the Infanta for his Wife; thinking that by the Authority of his Son's presence, and by his generous show of honouring that King, he should cut off all difficulties and hindrances which might obstruct a business of so high concernment: And that the Court of Spain being overcome by so magnanimous a favour, should not only consent unto the Marriage, but in savour thereunto restore the Palatinate, which the Prince intended to demand, and hoped to obtain amidst the Festivals and Jollities of the Royal Marriage. The Prince of England departing from England privately, passed with a very small attendance disguised through France, and came to Madrid before the knowledge of his departure, and of so strange a resolution, was arrived there: The King and the whole Court being astonished and confused at the arrival of such a Guest, knew not whether they were to be glad of the Princes coming, in respect of the great Honour they received thereby; or to be sorry for it, being necessitated to grant him whatsoever he should desire, though peradventure they were not thereunto well inclined: Yet being received with all the demonstrations of Honour, and with the greatest applause that might be, he found a first very good correspondency of good will in the King and in the whole Court, and already desire to please him in what concerned the Match; and for what concerned the Palatine, such demonstrations were used, as he had reason to conceive hopes that he should obtain his whole desire by that voyage. As for the Marriage, all difficulties giving way to the Authority and presence of the Prince, the point of Religion was the only Remora; wherein the King of Spain desiring much satisfaction, many debates were had about it: But at last, the English being desirous of a conclusion, consented to whatsoever the Spaniards did demand; so as the Marriage was held as good as concluded, and for such divulged: Very rich Presents passed between the Prince and his Mistress, as an earnest-penny of the future Marriage; and many signs of rejoicing, and of reciprocal affection and union, passed between the two Crowns; There rested only one scruple on the King of Spain's part, which delayed the Consummation, which growing daily greater became an invincible difficulty; and afterwards reversed the whole business, and did wholly defeat it: For the King of Spain, desirous to proceed cautiously in so weighty a business, and which was on his side irretractable, required security for the performance of what was agreed upon; And the King of England offering his Princely Word and Solemn Oath, (which was all that he could offer, or the other could pretend unto) the King of Spain was not therewithal contented; as not being willing by any means (in a business of so great concernment and importance) to depend upon another's will, subject to so many casualties and accidents of Variation, which might peradventure happen: And because the business of the Palatinate grew more difficult, the King of Spain keeping himself within the bounds of not promising any effectualy estitution, (which the Prince of Wales desired, and pretended that it was promised) affirming that he would use his Authority and best endeavours with the Emperor; (to whom, he said, the inte●…est of concession did chiefly belong, and upon whom the disposal of that State did absolutely depend;) men began therefore daily to suspect more and more, that the Court of Spain having been from the beginning intentionally and inwardly against the Match, they had only cunningly held on the Treaty; partly, out of their own ambition and Grandezza; partly, for the Honour of the Prince, whom they seemed to esteem very highly; but chiefly that they might gain time, and advance the mean while in the business of the Valtoline; Which the Prince percerving, he parted from that Court after he had been six Months there, without having made any conclusion; and embarking in a Fleet which was come from England to re-conduct him, he returned to his own Kingdom, carrying with him implacable hatred, grievous complaints, revenge and enmity, instead of friendship and a Wife. Here I, the Translator of this Book, must crave leave both of my Author and Reader, (which if it may not be granted me, I will presume to take) to insert a passage which then happened, and does relate to this Story; it being a full and perfect Vindication of a scandalous imputation laid by some black backbiting Dogs, nay foul-mouthed Curs, upon this then glorious Prince, my since blessed King, and now and for ever that undoubtedly happy Saint in Heaven, King Charles, late Monarch of Great Britain and Ireland; they being defirous to make the world believe, by their scurrilous speeches and writings, that this pious, conscientious, and religious King, was a Papist in his heart, and intended to introduce Popery into this Land: And truly, since it falls out so pat and so aptly here, I cannot forbear doing it, though I know it be unusual, and contrary to custom, for Translators to add any thing of their own; and this it was: I Who had the honour to be bred up with this hopeful Prince; and who account it my greatest happiness to have known him, and to have been known by him when he was King; having heard a street Report that this Infanta, his then Mistress, and since Wife to the King of Hungary, was turned Lutheran; according to the gracious freedom his Majesty was always used to afford me, I told him of it one day when he was at Dinner; upon the hearing whereof, His ever blessed Majesty was pleased to say; Harry, if this be true, I am confident I know who turned her; which I desiring to know who it might be, His Majesty answered, Padre Rohose: This Padre Rohose, said His Majesty, when I came to Spain, was Confessor to the Infanta; and in the absence of the King's Confessor, was also Confessor to the King; He was one (said His blessed Majesty) who gave very diligent attendance upon me when I came first to Spain, and for two or three Month's space never failed to wait upon me when I was at Dinner; insomuch as some acquaintance being grown between us, he one day moved me that a Disputation might be had in public between my Chaplains and some of the King of Spain's Priests in point of Religion; affirming that he knew it would be very pleasing to the Infanta; I answered, no, saying, I came not hither to turn, nor to be turned in my Religion by any public Argumentations; nor have I any such Commission from the King my Father; but rather a Command to the contrary; but if you, Padre Rohose, have any thing to object against the Religion which I profess, I will give you the hearing in private: Padre Rohose being glad that he had got thus much, began to object somewhat against the Religion professed in my Father's Dominions; at the beginning whereof, said the Prince, laying his hand upon the others Arm, No, Padre Rohose, this is not the way, this is to Dispute de non concessis; But let me give you an account of my Faith, and of the Tenants of my Religion first, and then if you have any thing to object, speak your mind freely: Padre Rohose being herewith content, (as surely he had good reason) the Prince began and made him a full and true relation of the Tenants of his Religion; which when he had done, Rohose replied, Sir, do you believe all this? Yes, said the Prince; And will your Highness give me leave, said Padre Rohose, to affirm this to others from your mouth? Yes, (said the Prince) do it boldly, for this is the Religion I was born in, and bred up in; the Religion which is professed in my Fathers three Kingdoms, and wherein, by the Grace of God, I am resolved to live and die: Why then (said Padre Rohose) for aught I know, Sir, you may be saved as well as I. My blessed King having told me this, I asked His Majesty whether Rohose did not object any thing against what His Majesty had said; Not at the present, replied His Majesty; but some few days after he took me aside, and began to allege some trivial things against what he had heard me say; to which (said the King) I gave him such an Answer, as I heard no further news of Padre Rohose for a good while; whereat marveling not a little, I wonder (said the Prince, one day, in public) why Padre Rohose hath not visited me of late; What is become of him? To which he was answered by a whisper in the ear, That the Priest Rohose was forbidden coming any more to the Prince his Court, left instead of his converting the Prince, the Prince should convert him. I could not omit mentioning this remarkable Passage here, since (as I said before) I had so pat an occasion to do it; and since it was to myself that His blessed Majesty was pleased to make this Relation upon the aforesaid occasion; And upon the Faith of a Christian, and Word of a Gentleman, this, is the full sense, and as near as I can remember, the very words His ever blessed Majesty was pleased to do me the honour as to tell me; which though they wrought nothing upon me, more than what I did formerly know, and did confidently believe; if they be not able to stop the mouths of those slanderous companions, and make them bite out those Tongues wherewith they have endeavoured to throw dirt upon the Memory of His Sacred Majesty; yet at least, his constant perseverance in the profession and witnessing his Faith at his unpresidented death, me thinks should make them do it. And now to pursue my Author again; These practices made the French grow cooler (as I have said) in the affairs touching the Valtoline; for doubting lest by this Marriage a straight League might be concluded between the Crowns of Spain and England; the Kingdom of France, being placed between them, grew apprehensive of it: And the intestine wars continuing in France against the Heretics, who were much favoured by the King and Kingdom of England; it behoved the Fench to be very circumspect in falling foul with the Crown of Spain, when it should be so closely annexed to the English, as it was likely to be by that Marriage: But new accidents did this mean while happen, which did much better the French affairs: The Pope, who was grown very inward with the Spaniards, died about the end of june, in the year 1623. who was succeeded by Maffeo, Cardinal Barbarino, a Florentine by Nation, who caused himself to be called Urbane; ●…one of a most pleasing wit, as well for his great Erudition in the more weighty Sciences; as in humane Learning: He was also well versed in the affairs of the world, and in State affairs; for having been accustomed to the most important employments of the Court of Rome, he had also been Nuntio, both ordinary and extraordinary, with the King of Franc●…, and whilst he was in that employment, was made Cardinal by Pope Paul the fifth; wherefore he was thought to be inclined to the French, and that he could not wish well to Spain; and yet he did so win upon the Spanish Faction by his wisdom, dexterity, wit, and can●…id com●…oitment, as the Votes of the Spanish Cardinals, and particularly Borgia's Vote, who was the head of them, wet to the making him Pope: He was created according to the new form prescribed by his Predecessors; who to the end that the Cardinals might give their Votes with the more freedom, did by a particular Bull ordain so secret a way for the giving of Suffrages, as it could not be discovered by any; which form, though as new and not formerly used, it kept the Conclave a little longer; yet it being then the Dog-days, and the Cardinals being much incommodated by their being kept so close, many of them fell sick, and some died; wherefore, forced by fear and danger, they joined in the election of Pope Urbane, who was endowed with all those parts and ornaments required in a great Prince, and in a powerful Pope. Having taken the Popedom upon him, great signs of constant resolution appeared in him, of a good affection to Christendom, and that he was not apt to siding: For to the great neutrality which he seemed to profess in public affairs, and in such as appertained to the Papal dignity, he added great severity in his private affairs, by refusing great offers which were immediately made him by the French Agents for the aggrandizing of his House; but on the other side, being very gracious to the Cardinals of Savoy, and to the French and Venetian Cardinals, with whom he held close consultations, he caused much distrust in the Spanish Cardinals and Agents, who therefore quickly showed little satisfaction in his choice, and were displeased with themselves for the favour they had done him: And truly the success of affairs under his Popedom, showed they did not much err in their judgement, nor in the diffidence which they conceived of him; for Pope Urbane, whether moved thereunto by his own Genius and inclination to the French, or out of a desire to restore the Pontifical dignity to its former vigour, and render it less exposed to the dependency of another's will, or that he nourished more generous and more exalted thoughts of the Liberty of Italy; he soon discovered himself no great favourer of the Spaniards, and very much a friend to those, who being desirous of the like liberty of Italy, strove to oppose the Spanish greatness: This jealousy was augmented by the knowledge of an important accident which happened in Avignon, in the Month of October this very year. The Kings of France, England, and Denmark, the Venetians, Duke of Savoy, and Hollanders; many of the Germane Princes; and, as some will have it, Bethlem Gaber, the Transylvanian Prince, sent their Ambassadors very secretly to that City; where coming unknown, and in the habit of Merchants, they made a League between them against the Emperor and the King of Spain, for the liberty of Italy, for the restitution of the Valtoline and of the Palatinate; The principal Articles whereof were; That the Hollanders, to boot with the war which they made in their own Country against the Spaniards, should send Fleets into America, and possess themselves of Brazil: That the King of England should assist the Hollanaers with a certain number of men in their Domestic wars, and should send a powerful Fleet to Spain, to assault those Rivers, and to intercept the Navy which useth to come thither from America: That the King of Denmark, together with the Protestant Princes of Germany, should raise a powerful Army, and wage war with the Emperor in Flanders for the Restitution of the Palatinate: And that Bethlem Gaber should molest the Emperor's Dominions towards Hungary; to the end that being assaulted on two sides, he might be the less able to make resistance: That the King of France should hinder the commerc●… between Spain and Italy with a powerful Fleet to be kept at Marselles; and should pass into Piedmout with an Army of 25000 Foot, and 4000 Horse; and that joining with the Duke of Savoy, who was to raise another Army of 12000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, he should assault the State of Milan; for the maintaining of which Army the Venetians should disburse 100000 ducats a Month to the Duke of Savoy: And that at the same time the King of France should fall into the Valtoline with another Army out of the Grisons Country; and when he should have possessed himself of it, he should fall down from thence into the State of Milan; and joining with the Venetians, who for those enterprises were to join a certain number of men to the French Army, he should assault the same State of Milan with the Common forces; and that they should assault the affairs of the Kingdom of Naples with a Fleet of Ships towards the Adriatic Sea. This League being made two months after the Pope; Election, in a City belonging to the Church, made the Spaniards suspect that it never would have been appointed without tacit intelligence held between the Pope and the French, who were thought the authors of it: because besides the restitution of the Valtoline, and the Palatinate, the restoring of the Apostolic See to all that did anciently belong unto her was agreed upon; wherein it seemed the Kingdom of Naples might be understood: and place was also left in the same League, for the Pope, and great Duke of Tuscany, who was also promised to have all the Havens of Tuscany restored unto him: but the French openly denying any such Conspiracy, and no wise man being to believe, that a Pope hardly wa●…m in his Chair should enter into so weighty Machinations, whereby the world was to be turned up-side down, and the Catholic Religion to be disturbed; the Spaniards, though this Union might seem to be true, by many successes which ensued, not having any certain proof which might clear these jealousies, thought it a ●…afer way to work upon the new Pope by dissimulation, then to alienate him further from them by complaints, and vain resentments; that which did most trouble the Pope, was, how to establish the Dukedom of Urbine in the Apostolic See, which was, as it were, devolved thereunto by the sudden death of the Prince, only Son to the old Duke, who a little before the Pope's Election was found dead in his Bed, having been very well the night before when he went into it: for he having no o●…er issue but a very young Daughter, and the Duke being so very old, as he was not likely to live long, much less to have any more Children; that Dukedom, when he should be dead, was to fall to the Apostolic See, whereof it was an ancient Fee 〈◊〉; and as this so great addition of State to the Church was odious to the confining Princes, the Venetians, and the great Duke, so neither did the Spaniards approve of it: wherefore they began to talk how they might continue that young infant in the Principality (whereof by the ●…enure of investing she was absolutely uncapable) by marrying her to a confiding Prince, and so, with satisfaction to all, keep that State from being united to the Church: the manifest claim of the Church did oppose these designs, against which nothing could be attempted without open violence, and without troubling the whole World. Neither did the P●…ety and Religion of the old Duke permit, that (to the prejudice of his soul and conscience,) he should leave his people whom he loved very well, involved, after his life, in fore wars: the difficulty of managing the business was likewise a rub, and the great contestation which would be found in effecting it; there not being any Prince to be found for this Marriage, with whom the other Princes would be content; so great an addition to the great Duke of Tuscany, Cousin german to the Infant's Mother, who was Daughter to Cosmo the Second, Father to Ferdinando the Second, now great Duke of Tuscony, on whom men's eyes were more fixed, for this business, then on any other, was equally suspicious to the Spaniards and Venetians, and to the other Princes of Italy: It made more for the interest of them all, to leave it in the Church, the common Mother, and Commonwealth; the Empire whereof is more moderate, by reason of the Sacerdotal profession, of the often change of Popes, and necessary vicissitude of Prelates which govern her: and wherein all Princes had more reason to confide, as being more interessed therein: whereas on the contrary, by joining that State to Tuscany, too great and powerful a Pincipality would be constituted in the very heart of Italy: which extending from the one Sea to the other, and dividing whole Italy, it would have born too great a sway in all general affairs; and dividing wholly the Kingdom of Naples from the State of Milan, it might have been too prejudicial to the interests of the Crown of Spain, in those troublesome times, which afterwards happened. To this, moreover, was added the tender years of the great Duke, who was under the Government of his Mother and Grandmother, that Archduchess of Austria, Sister to the present Emperor, and Daughter to the la●…e Duke of Lorrein, and therefore little able to enter upon new undertake, so much controverted, and of so high importance: to fix their thoughts upon any of the Pope's Nephews, as was then spoken of, would have been indeed more acceptable to all, for it would have hindered the connexion of States; a thing so prejudicial to that equality by which Italy is at the present maintained; nor would the Span●…ards have been against it, to shun so great an addition to the greatness of the Church, and to win the Pope's favour: but to boot that the Pope himself was not for it, it was a scandalous example, and subject to be revoked by the ensuing Popes, by the precise orders and institutions of the Church, confirmed by the reiterated Oaths of the Cardinals and Popes, by which the new Feofments of States which are devolved to the Apostolic See are forbidden; and the Infant's age did most of all oppose it, who was incapable of contracting Marriage: so as by reason of the continual variation of worldly affairs, no certain resolution could be taken in a business of such importance, whereby all Princes might be satisfied; and yet the Spanish Agents did abbet these endeavours: but of all oth●…rs Don Antonio di Toledo, Duke of Alva, and Viceroy of Naples, who was allied to the great Duke, was most zealous in the business for the great Duke; and the old Duke of Urbine, being aware that Monsieur Santorio, made by the new Pope Bishop of Urbine, and who was speedily sent to his Episcopal residence, began to be busy, and to interpose his Authority in some Affairs which appertained more to the State then to his Episcopal care, was not only much displeased with Santorio, but interpreting it, as if the Pope, anticipating the time of the lapse, had sent him as a Superintendent over the Affairs of the State, thought himself much injured: wherefore being angered, he sent the Child to the Court of Florence, and reinforced Tossone and the other principal places, with Garrisons, and seemed desirous to Marry his Grandchild to the great Duke. The Pope was certainly much troubled at these passages, being wholly bend to reunite this State to the Apostolic See; insomuch as waxing jealous he sent many men to the Confines of Tuscany and Urbine: but they produced contrary effects to what the Spaniards pretended; for they did the more unite the Pope to the King of France, who having no Territories in Italy would always be a great friend to the Church's pretences and greatness; which increasing, without any prejudice to his Crown, was prejudicial to the Grandezza of Spain, which was envied by France; and therefore the Pope, that he might the better fortify himself against the Spanish Machinations, and that he might be revenged of them who endeavoured to anger him, he showed himself very resolute in the affairs of the Valtoline; that when he had rid his hands thereof, he might with more diligence attend the affairs of Urbine; and because the Spaniards, when they deposited the Forts of the Valtoline, obliged themselves (to the end that the Church might be put to no prejudice nor expense) to pay such stipends as should be necessary for the Soldiers, that they might defend them; and the Spanish Agents having failed in their payments; the Pope, who was in teh mean while to take order for pay, said with much fre●…dom, that he would not forgo what was his own, for what (according to the Grammarians) was Appellative, nor would he squander away the moneys of the Apostolic Chamber, in defence of the Valtoline, which did appertain little or nothing to the Church; but spare them for the eminent danger of the State of Urbine: which speeches being accompanied with some other favourable Demonstrations to the French, did trouble the Spaniards, and made them very circumspect in the business of Urbino, lest the Pope, to make a greater conjunction with the King of France, might probably precipitate the business of the Valtoline; and yet being naturally very considerate, he had two Consultations about the business of the Valtoline, of the most conspicuous Theologists of the Court, and most exemplary for holiness of life; who having discused the business were of opinion that the Pope ought not to permit Catholics to return under the yoke of Heretics, out of the evident danger of their souls, which belonging to the Flock of our Saviour Christ; it became him, according to the Gospel, to defend them like a good Shepherd, from the Wolves, though with the hazard of his own life. Thus did the Affairs of the Valtoline alter, out of several respects, in that Court, just like the ebbing and flowing of the Sea; and the Pope not being resolved what to do in it, that he might hold them both in hand temporised, and delayed his resolution: but the French, who whilst Gregory lived were quiet, when they had a Pope who was their friend, began to rouse up, and to pretend that the Valtoline, the Forts being demolished, was to return under the Grisons command; nor did they admit of any exception, unless that for what concerned the safety of the Catholic Religion, the Pope should be the determiner: this they said was dictated by the first Capitulations at Madrid; and thus Reason, and the King of France his Obligation to Protect the Grifons, did require: they persisted the more in these pretensions, for that they saw their affairs were much altered; for in the Spanish Court, instead of alliance, enmity with the English was increased: the Spanish Army in Flanders, and all the Forces of those States, were busied before Breda, a very strong Town of the Hollanders, both for Situation, Fortification, and for its being triple fenced by water; the taking of it was held impossible, the Siege very long, and of uncertain success, the Hollanders having raised a strong Army to relieve it. The Affairs of that Court had had but bad success in the Indies, and in America; for Ormuz, a very strong Town, situated in the mouth of Persia, a principal place for Merchandise, and of great annual revenue, and of greater concernment for the command of the East-Indies, was taken by those Barbarians, they being assisted by English shipping: the Baja de toads santos, or All Saint's Bay, the chiefest staple Town of Brasile, being (perhaps in pursuance of the League of Avignon) assaulted by a Holland Fleet, was taken, and sacked; which having had booty th●…re to the value of above two Millions of Ducats, fortified themselves there, intending further progress: these were two mighty blows to the Crown of Spain, which did oblige that King to send a powerful Army, as he did, to recover them; and to boot that the event of these Affairs was uncertain, they required great store of shipping, multitudes of men and money: nor were the wars of Germany yet wholly at an end; for many Rebels of the Empire, and whose Forces seemed rather to increase then to lessen, did molest it in several places; for the King of Denmark, in conformity to the League at Avignon, came into the Field very strong, and had made himself head of the Protestant Princes, who took up Arms against the Emperor, to restore the Palatine to his Patrimonial State, and who made great progress in the lower Germany. On the contrary, the Affairs of France, which till now had been full of troubles and civil wars, seemed to be brought into a safe Harbour, and by several accidents to be in a better condition: the King of England, having broken the match with Spain, had concluded a Marriage between his Son, the Prince of Wales, and a Sister to the King of France, who was yet unmarried; and joining in League with him, promised great things against the interest of Spain, both by Sea and Land, answerable to the League of Avignon; and the tumults of France were either totally composed, or it was in the King's power to end them: which accidents concurring at the same time were able to incite any Prince to novelties, though never so much an enemy thereunto, much more the King of France, and French Nation, who were so far interessed and engaged in the business of the Valtoline; and therefore though after many Consultations had in Rome, between the Ambassadors of Spain and France, of themselves, and afterwards with the Pope, the Pope put forth at last some Articles touching the security in point of Religion amongst those of the Valtoline; whereunto the Ambassador did agree, and made others between themselves in their King's name, whereby the Valtoline, when the Forts should be demolished, was to return to be under the Grisons; but with some Articles, Conditions; and upon pain of Escheat, in case of swarving from the agreement, and particularly with leave for the King of Spain to pass men thorough it; yet the King of France, accepting only those that were propounded by the Pope, did absolutely refuse those that were agreed upon by the Ambassador; and being highly offended with the Commandator Sillery, who was his Ambassador, he sent Monsieur di Bittune to succeed him, and sent for Sillery back to France; and did not only deprive him of his favour, but removed his Brother, who was Lord Chancellor, and the Chancellor's Son, who was Secretary of State, together with other of their dependants, from their employments, being apprehensive (as was said) that they held some secret intelligence with the Court of Spain; and being incensed against the King of Spain, desired the Pope that he would either cause the Forts to be demolished, or else restore them to the King of Spain; to the end that he might make way to their demolishment, without offence to the Apostolic See: but the Articles of depositure withstood the demolishing, and the restitution was gainsaid, for fear of raising new wars between the two Kings: so as, look with how much more circumspection it became the Pope to proceed in his resolves, so much more did the fervency of the French increase; who not brooking any delay, and seeing things in a way for war, furthered the execution of the League, and the preparations for all things requisite for what was resolved on. But the Marriage (which was just at this time in hand) between Prince Phileberto of Savoy, and Princess Maria, Daughter to Francis late Duke of Mantua, did either totally hinder, or at least retard for the present the effects of so great a combination: by which Treaty the Duke of Savoy (who if he were not the head, was a principal member of this League,) was diverted from the common Counsels. The Spaniards had formerly endeavoured by several ways to stave him off from the other Confederates, showing plainly how much it would make for his advantage to withdraw the Valtoline from subjection to the Grisons, and make it dependant upon their King; for his Territories having no need of access by that way, he would be the only man on whom the Princes of Italy would fix their eyes, and whose friendship they would mainly endeavour, by reason of the need they should have thereof; and the two Crowns would be enforced to esteem him no less than they, since he would be the only man, who, when all other passages should be shut up, might keep out the French, and all other Foreigners, from coming into Italy, or who might bring them in. But hatred against the Spaniards, and a desire to oppose their ends, prevailing more with him, and conceiving great hopes from the League, he still continued therein: some Propositions being afterwards made concerning this aforesaid Marriage, of some resignation to be made by the Duke of Mantua, of Montferrat; at least after the death of the said Duke Ferdinand, and of his Brother Prince Vincenso, both which for several respects had small hopes of succession, the Duke of Savoy being exceedingly desirous of new pretensions to that State, easily fore went any other business; and the Spaniards, who out of many respects were interessed in these Negotiations, were not displeased that this might be effected, fearing lest the line of these two Princes failing, the Duke of Nivers, who was to succeed in those States, should draw the French into Italy; choosing, for the lesser evil, that since Montferrat was to fall to the house of Savoy, it might be given to the second Son, in whom they did much confide; and not to the eldest, who being to succeed in his Father's Dominions, his Principality would be too great: and the Duke not being able to forgo so great an occasion of increasing his Dominions, for the vain and uncertain hopes of the League, which did not much belong to him, was so much the more necessitated to forgo the League, and the Friendship of the French; for this Marriage would make the French his enemies, if the succession of Montferrat should devolve upon the Duke of Nivers, who that they might have a Prince in Italy, totally dependant upon their King, would protect and maintain his pretences: nor could the Duke of Savoy keep possession of that State from the French, without the Spaniards assistance. The Spania●…ds therefore being desirous to win him over, and to interest him in their own Affairs, were then very hot in pursuing that Marriage: knowing very well that if the Duke should be separated from the League, the plots of the Confederates would vanish, who being, as it were, same for what concerned Italy, without him they could not, at least not without difficulty, do any thing they had agreed upon: the design had taken handsomely, but a petty accident which happened in the River of Genoa withheld the effecting of it, and the Prince his ensuing death did totally overthrow it: where Liguria Confines upon Piedmont, stands the little Marquisate Zuccarello, whereof mention hath been formerly made: it was anciently granted in Fee by the Emperor to those of the house of Caretta; but by alteration of times, and accidents, being gotten by the Genoeses, and afterwards invested in those of Caretta, it was held and possessed for the space of 200 years by them, as Feudatories to the Commonwealth, upon the usual recognition of homage: the same accidents and revolutions of Italy had lately transported it from the Commonwealth to the Emperors, not without the Commonwealth's complaint, which yielding to the times that were but bad for her, was not well pleased to be after so many years' possession deprived of that Fee, which lay so near, and so conveniently, to their own State: but the Emperor's Authority rising up again in Italy, after some ages, the Genoeses were forced to be content, and to expect a better occasion of repossessing it; and therefore in the year 1576, they purchased an Annual R●…nt out of the said Fee, from Scipio deal Caretto, the Marquis and possessor thereof; and this Annual Rent was approved of by the Emperor, and ratified by a solemn Decree. Not long after the Marquis being impleaded by the Emperor, for a certain manslaughter, he sold that Marquisate to the Duke of Savoy, to the prejudice of the Cesar●…an Exchequer, and of the Covenant of Prelation, so to avoid confiscation; and the Emperor proceeding to Sentence of Death against the Marquis, and to confiscation of the Fee, took it from the Duke (●…o whom it was already assigned over by the Marquis) and held it for himself, and for the Imperial Chamber: the Duke being deprived of possession, laboured hard in the Court at Germany, sometimes in his own name, sometimes in the name of the Marquis, and of his Son, to have the lapse and confiscation revoked; but in vain, because of the opposition of the Cesarian Exchequer, and of the Commonwealth, which by re●…son of her ancient pretences, and much more by reason of her more modern ones, which she had got therein, was by the Emperor admitted to give a Vote in that Judgement. In fine, the claim of the Carettis being excluded, the Emperor, in the year 1624., set it to public sale by the C●…yer, for whosoever would give most; and divers offering moneys for it, it was adjudged to the Commonwealth, which offered most; whereat the Duke thought himself much injured, as supposing that no Chapmen would be found for it, so as the Fee remaining still unsold, he might obtain it the more easily from the Imperial Chamber: he thought that the Commonwealth, by buying it, had spoiled all his designs, and utterly defeated all his hopes of ever coming by it. He therefore writ to the Commonwealth, complaining of what had been done, and exhorting her to desist, for otherwise he would 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉: the Commonwealth had just occasion long before to complain upon this account of the Duke, since the question being of a Fee situated in Liguria; wherein the Duke had never either action or pretention, all reason would that, in point of good neighbourhood, he should have forborn it: but that the same neighbourhood allowed the Commonwealth to purchase it, as that which ●…ecame her better to do then any other, by reason of her confining thereupon, out of reason of State, for her ancient pretences thereunto, and for the new Article of Prelation: but being desirous of the public peace, and of keeping good correspondency with her neighbours, she chose to prosecute her pretensions by a civil way in the Emperor's Court; wherein having after much labour, and expense, obtained her end; (which she had done by no other way then by purchasing that at a high rate which she had much reason to pretend unto as her own,) she thought herself the much more injured person, seeing the Duke's appeals accompanied by such open threats: and that though she was resolved to keep what she had purchased, so as she might show her resentment in equal terms, yet thinking moderation did better become her dignity and gravity, she was more temperate in her answer; whereby endeavouring to possess the Duke fully of her justifiable actions, she was resolved to make good what she had done, notwithstanding all his threats. This constancy and freedom of the answer, the less it was expected, the more did it sting the Duke to the very soul, who was haughty of himself, but much more by reason of the present Occurrences, whereby thinking himself to be in high esteem with the greatest Potentates of Christendom, which strove who should most favour him, and draw him over to them, he thought himself formidable to the lesser: he could not thereforefore well endure that a Commonwealth of Gownsmen should so little value his threats; and so much the less, for that the Commonwealth added Military provisions to her answers, showing herself ready to make resistance, in case the Duke should second his words with deeds: they therefore gave present order for new leules of men, for taking Foot into pay, for sending for Captains and Commanders to serve them; and for her better justification, she together with the Duke's complaints, published the merits of the Cause, and the small justice he had to complain; the business being hereby brought upon the Stage, the Duke was the more bound to persist in his pretences, and howsoever to maintain them, if not for the interest which the having or not having the Fee of Zuccarello would be unto him, at least in respect of his reputation, wherein he thought he should suffer very much, if the world should have reason to attribute his desisting therein to the Commonwealths threats, and preparations: so as resolving to have the better of the business, he being full of inexhaustible invention, began to bethink himself how he might find out some plot, whereby his honour might not precipitate from that height which it was in: he began to invite, and to incite the Transalpine Nations against the City and State of Genoa, by giving out what immense riches, and vast prey, they might get from the wealthy Genoeses: from these fleight accidents, as from a little spark, great and dangerous flames for Italy arose, which had almost caused an universal combustion; for the greatest Monarches of Christendom had a hand in the kindling, and in the quenching thereof: and because for the knowledge of this, and of several weighty successes which did from thence result, it will be necessary to know the condition and state of the Commonwealth of Genoa, which was such as made many Christian Princes to appear upon this occasion, I will for the present leave the pursuit of this Narration, and will unfold somewhat briefly of the Commonwealth of Genoa; which though it may seem superfluous to the present Age, as being sufficiently known, will be both acceptable, and necessary, for the knowledge of Posterity. The End of the Seventh Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK VIII. The Contents. IN this Eighth Book you have the Description of the Commonwealth of Genoa; her Interest and good Correspondency with the Crown of Spain. The Diet held at Sula, wherein two attempts are resolved upon: the one against the Valtoline, the other against Genoa; for the execution whereof many preparations are made both in France and in Italy. The French fall down into the Valtoline, under the conduct of the Marquis of Coure; and driving the Church's Forces from the Forts which were deposited in the Pope's hands, they make themselves masters thereof: they likewise fall down into Piedmont, under the Digueres Grand Constable, and joining with the Duke of Savoy, and with his Forces, go to the Enterprise of Genoa; and proceed far in that State; the Pope sends his Nephew Legate into France. The Genoeses are reduced into a very dangerous condition by hostile Arms. THe Commonwealth of Genoa, which being governed by her own peculiar Laws and Magistrates, enjoys full and fortunate Liberty, possesseth the Kingdom of Corsica, together with all that Tract, which ex●…ending from Germany to the Haven of Monaco, is now commonly called the River of Genoa, and was anciently called Liguria; and extending her Confines beyond the Apennine, and the River Magra commands many Castles in Lombardy, and many in Tuscany, together with City of Serezzana: the City being great of her self, and capable of a numerous people, is one of the chiefest Cities of Italy; and for the opportunity of her situation, for her great Traffic, for the immense riches of her Citizens, is deservedly accounted a rich and noble Mart, the staple, and the noblest Excheque●…, or Treasury, of all Europe; she was in former Ages very famous for Sea-enterprises, by reason of the number of her powerful Fleets, and by reason of the famous Victories which she hath long ago had over the Sa●…asens, and since over the Venetians, Pisans, and Catalonians: a people who were also very powerful at Sea, who contending long with her for superiority at Sea were some of them suppressed, some totally defeated; and certainly she would have gotten the absolute Empire over the Mediterranean; had not her endeavours and Military Valour, exe●…cised with such glory and advancement of reputation against her enemies, b●…en turned, (through the ambition and blind unbridled desire of precedency in her own Citizens) to their own prejudice, and to the prejudice of their Country; for being divided into parties and factions, and cruelly rend by intestine contention and strife, she was forced to yield the Reins of Government, sometimes to the most powerful Citizen, sometimes to some Foreign Potentate; but the prosperous and unfortunate adventures of the ancient Commonwealth are already diversely written both in her own Annals, and in those of other Nations; and they being far from our purpose, I have not room to write them here: that which is sufficient to know concerning the main business, which we are now about to write, is, that since the Genoeses drove out the French, whereby they regained their ancient Liberty, and reduced their Commonwealth to the present form of Government, (which was in the eight and twentieth year of the Age next before this that we now are in) they have always kept strict and sincere union with the Crown of Spain; insomuch as not any Italian Potentate hath showed themselves more a Friend to the Spaniards than they: nor perhaps was there ever known a conjunction between Princes of so unequal power and greatness, which hath been preserved for the space of a hundred years, with mo●…e sincere faith, and more reciprocal advantage: the Havens, Seas, Passages, and all other conveniences of the S●…ate of Genoa, were always open to receive the Fleets, and to give passage or any other accommodation to those of that Crown: whereas they were always shut up to any who might bring prejudice to the Grandezza, Dignity and Security of the Spanish Dominions. The King of Spain is permitted to keep a Squadron of Galleys in the Haven at Genoa, for any sudden or urgent occasion that may arise: which makes very much for the good of the affairs of that Crown, by reason of the opportune situation of Genoa, which being seated between the Kingdoms of Spain, and of those o●… Naples and Sicily, and being also the Staple to the State of Milan, is very convenient for the uniting and preservation of States, and Provinces divided so far one from another. On the other side, the same friendship and good correspondency is a great security and help for the Sta●…e of Genoa, for the singular care which those Kings are forced to have of her preservation, not only by the tye of extraordinary Friendship, but out of private Interest, so as the Commonwealth may with good reason suppose all the Forces and Fleets of that Crown to be always ready to defend her, against whosoever shall plot any thing to the prejudice of her, or her Liberty: he gave the beginning to this so near conjunction, who being the first author of the Commonwealths Liberty, deserves to be by her styled the Father and Free▪ of his Country, and fellow Citizens. Prince Andrea Doria, the best Captain in Sea affair of any in his time, and reputed the best for Maritime Forces, and experience for Military Valour and happy success: wherein the compassion of his afflicted Country's misery prevailing more with him, than the great offers, and afterwards the anger of the King of France, forsaking not without great danger to his own Fortune, the French offers, and stipends, he went over to serve the Emperor Charles the Fifth, King of Spain; and hoping much in this new conjunction, he betook himself with incredible courage and generosity to so glorious an action: wherein being very fortunate, he proved not only an unexpected safety to his Country, which driving out the French, he restored to happy and miraculous liberty, but gave a great turn to all the affairs of Italy; for the fortune of the French, which had then the upper hand, and was almost victorious, began then to decline; and that of the Emperor which was then at an ebb, began to be raised up; for the French men's losing the State of Genoa, was immediately followed by their loss of the Kingdom of Naples, whereof they were almost fully possessed; and being by Dorias resolution robbed of all their best and greatest Maritime Forces, and by the revolution of the affairs of Genoa deprived of the opportunity of being succoured by Sea, they fell upon sad encounters; and not being able to hold out longer, were at last forced to abandon the enterprise to the Imperialists; who getting to within the walls of Naples, the French did not only badly defend the free possession of that Kingdom, but lost all hopes of ever regaining it. The King of France his enterpriprises in Lombardy and in Piedmont, had no better success both then and afterwards: Where the conveniency of the State of Genoa being afforded to the Emperor, and denied to the French, was of great moment for the Emperor's victory, and for the ruin of the French forces; insomuch as the French being utterly ruined, and the Emperor superior to all, and able to give the Law, he built up that grandezza of Fortune to himself, and posterity, which he enjoyed whilst he live●…, and which his descendants, the Kings of Spain, do at the present enjoy. Doria's name grew very glorious every where for such egregious actions; and his Authority was very great in the Commonwealth of Genoa for her regained Liberty; and his Power was no less great with the Emperor, who esteeming it not only a great happiness to have so famous a Commander under his pay, and of such valour and experience in Naval Affairs, but thinking him also a fit Instrument to make the City and State of Genoa side with him (a thing of great impor●…ance to his affairs) he studied still to keep him his Friend, by conferring great Rewards upon him, and unusual Honours: He therefore made him Lord High Admiral at Sea, and seldom dissented from his advice (which he valued very much) in Land Enterprises. And as Doria's power with the Emperor rendered the liberty of the Genoe●…es free from being disturbed by so great an Authority, as some of the free Cities of Italy were; so his authority with his Fellow-Citizens was sufficient to keep the Genoeses constant in their devotion to the Emperor; which was the more easily effected, for that the affairs of Italy being divided into two Factions, the one adhering to the French, the other to the Emperor, the prevalency of the latter was very opportune and necessary to the Commonwealth, to preserve her from the evident danger of being the more oppressed by the former, the French being the more incensed against the Genoeses for the great prejudice they had received by their revolution. Doria outlived the Emperor some few years, and continuing in the same Employments and Honours under Philip the Second, King of Spain, and Son to the Emperor, he was succeeded by john Andrea Doria, Heir not only to his Principality, States, and Maritime Fortune, but also to his Heroic Virtue and singular Piety towards his Country; who after having served the Crown of Spain in places of great Employment, and given good proof of his Valour and Counsel upon all occasions, and having kept great sway with his Fellow-Citizens, was of no less authority in the Court of Spain; in so much as he was preferred by Philip the Second in command at Sea before many Competitors and famous Captains of Illustrious Families, and discharged the Office of Lord High-Admiral with splendour and magnificence answerable to the authority: And as he was a great help, and very serviceable to the keeping of the same correspondency between the Crown of Spain and the Commonwealth; so was he a no little supporter of his Country's Liberty in the jealous and troublesome times which did sometimes happen; and as the former was honoured by the public Decree of the Commonwealth with the title of Father and Freer of his Country, so was he by the like Decree honoured with the title of Conservator of the Liberty thereof. After his death (for the chief Command at Sea was reserved for the Princes of the Blood Royal) his third Son Don Carlo Doria succeeded in the Government of those Galleys which the King of Spain keeps in Genoa (for his eldest son being by reason of his private indispositions unfit for Navigation; as also his second son Giannettino by reason of his Priesthood, he being at the present a Cardinal, Archbishop of Palermo, and Viceroy of Sicily.) Which Don Carlo, as also Cardinal Giannettino, treading in their Forefathers steps, proved very advantageous in the service of that Crown to their Country, and to themselves. At the same time almost that the supreme Command at Sea ceased in the Dorian Family, new and extraordinary worth arose in the Family of the Spinolas, a House of great Alliance and Wealth in the Commonwealth, whose worths fomented the same good correspondency. Marquis Ambrosio Spinola, and his Brother Frederick, both of them being young men and very rich, emulating as well the glory and splendour as the virtue and worth of the Dorii, and not knowing any more Illustrious Theatre than the Wars made by the Kings of Spain in the Low-Countries against the Hollanders, and the United Provinces, for the maintaining of Religion, and Regal Authority, they both of them offered to enter upon that warfare upon their own expense; the youngest to serve with a certain number of Galleys in the Flemish Ocean, and the eldest in Land-service with a great number of men. But Frederick being slain in a Naval Battle, almost in the beginning of the War, could not arrive at that height of Glory which the Marquis his Brother did in a few years; who being a great Commander of Armies almost before he was a Soldier, and far outdoing the expectation of men most exercised in Military Affairs, became in a short time the best Commander of this present age; and having the superintendency and absolute management of those Wars given him by the King of Spain, he did not only stop but suppress the Fortune of the Enemy, which like an impetuous Torrent was like to drown the King's Authority, and the Catholic Religion in those parts: Moreover he carried the Spanish Forces into Germany, where he did singular good service, took many entire Provinces, and was (as hath been elsewhere sa●…d) a great help to the affairs of Religion, and of the then tottering Empire: His counsel in civil matters was answerable to his Military Valour; for which being admired and reverenced by all Europe, he bore also a great sway in the important resolutions of the Court of Spain. Thus the Fleets at Sea, Armies at Land, the most considerable Employments of that Crown, having for the most part passed through the hands of the Genoeses for almost a whole Age, and these drawing over other of their Fellow-Subjects to the King's service, and using them in many useful and honourable Employments appertaining to their Governments, it necessarily followed, that so much confidence being put by the King in the chiefest Subjects of the Commonwealth, and such Honours and Employments conferred upon others united the whole Commonwealth of Genoa for ever firm to that Crown: Moreover, the Squadron of the King's Galleys which was kept in Genoa were generally commanded by Genoese Captains, and served with Officers and Mariners of the same Nation, who did not only maintain their houses and families by the King's pay, and by the great emoluments which they got by navigation, but did augment their own fortunes. This Squadron of Galleys were therefore a great good to the King, and to the Commonwealth; to the King, for that to boot with the conveniency of that Haven, which was so fitting for the King of Spain, and for his Dominions in Italy, it increased the number of his adherents in Genoa; for the Commonwealth, for besides the entertaining and employment of so many of her Captains and Citizens, and to boot with the advantage of Traffic and Treasure, it was of great use to train up her people in maritime skill, which Art could not well have been preserved amongst them, but upon this occasion; and those Galleys being commanded and managed by the Genoeses, the Commonwealth had conveniency to make use of them, as if they had been her own, upon any occasion of her own safety and defence, without any the least jealousy; for these being added to her own, made up almost a complete Fleet, able to oppose the assaults of any enemy; but chiefly for that this being one of the best Squadrons of Galleys the Crown of Spain had, and being in the power of the Genoeses, it must needs be a good pledge of the King's good will to the Commonwealth: The Comme●…ce also which the Genoese Mariners have usually in the Kingdoms of Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Sardinia, and the Traffic which is very great, in the State of Millian, and in Flanders doth employ great part of the meaner sort of the City and State of Genoa, who by natural inclination, and by reason of the barrenness of their Country, are given to Negotiation, both by Land and Sea: so as there are but very few, who for their own peculiar concernments, are not very desirous of the prosperity of that Crown. But the Contracts or Covenants of the richest and ablest Gentlemen of the Commonwealth doth interest the Genoese Nation with the Crown of Spain: the most famous and important contract, and of greater concernment for the affairs of Crown then any other which we read of, or have heard. The King, to keep and maintain his Armies in Flanders, Germany and Italy; and for maintenance of his Fleet in the Ocean, and in the Mediterranean, is forced to make many expeditions, and send provisions sometimes to one part, sometimes to another: the King's Exchequer had not always ready money; or, in case it had, moneys could not with safety and speed be conveyed into those parts where they were to be serviceable, but they must either be intercepted by the Enemy, or sunk at Sea, or come too late to where they were destined, which would cause the ruin of the King's Enterprises and Armies: The Genoese Merchants, by the great affluence of their riches, credit, and corespondency, which they held in all parts of Europe, did abundantly and beforehand supply what was necessary; so, as in humane bodies the soul, and natural heat, send forth and supply all the members with necessary nourishment; just so in the immense body of so great a Monarchy, the Pen of the Genoese, as the soul and vital spirit of the King of Spain's Treasure, serves the King to convey ready moneys happily, safely, and speedily, whithersoever it is needful, with reciprocal profit and conveniency; for the King by making his provisions in good time, and speedily, secures his Erterprises, wins honour to his Arms by victory, and defends his Dominions; and the Genoeses get vast gain by the employment of their moneys, whereby their private fortunes do exceed that of all other Nations; for which advance of moneys they are paid by the King in annual Revenues, out of the States and Kingdoms belonging to the Crown, as well in Spain as in Italy: therefore as this contract is necessary for the main affairs of that King, it oblige●… him to have a care of the Commonwealth; for without the preservation thereof, the contract is impossible to be made good; and so great a stock of moneys of the Genoeses being employed in the Kingdoms belonging to that Crown, serves the King as a pledge of their good will. These are the Ties, these are the Bonds of Friendship, and conjunction between the Crown of Spain and Commonwealth of Genoa; which being confirmed by process of time, and by so many trials, grow daily stronger, not only for the interests, which multiply continually, but for the trust and confidence which doth also multiply by the course of years: the Kings of Spain, for the space of almost one whole Age, have had trial of the good and sincere public correspondency, and of the acceptable, and faithful service of the priva●…e Genoe●…es: great were the conveniences and advantages which they thereby got both in public and private. On the other side, those Kings having always born much respect towards the Commonwealth, and having eve●… endeavoured the preservation of her Liberty, the Genoeses did so confide in their affection and good will towards them, as the neighbourhood and greatness of the King's Dominions, wherewith their are environed, and the powerful Forces of that Crown both by Land and Sea; (sufficient to bege●… diffidence in greater Potentates than the Commonwealth,) were not only no cause of fear nor terror to her, but they by long experience began to confide in them; and they served as a Bulwark and defence to the Commonwealth, against all hostile violence. No foot of the State of Genoa was ever seized on, no point of her jurisdiction injured, nor the least part of her liberty; and whereas the Commonwealth, when she began to adhere to this Crown, being then newly got out of Foreign subjection, was faint hearted, weak in Forces, rend with intestine discords, and both public and private fortunes were exhausted; by her regained liberty, and by this new contracted friendship, she did not only recover her former spirit and health, but reassuming her native colour, and being restored to her ancient splendour, appeared in public and in private as formerly; and whereas having been formerly molested, sometimes by one, some times by another Potentate, and troubled by intestine discord, she had much ado to preserve herself, but undergoing great storms was subject to many dangers; after the union and good correspondency with the Crown of Spain, she was brought into a safe Haven, secure from Domestic and Foreign tempests, she was respected by her neighbouring Princes, honoured by those that were further off, not molested by her rivals, nor offended by any; and if at any time she happened to be molested by any, she was protected and defended by all the Forces of the said Crown, as if she had been one of its Patrimonial Dominions. The Nobility of Genoa prospered no less in their private affairs, then in the public; some of them were honoured by that Crown with great Honours and Employments, others were favoured with Offices, Dignities, and great Rewards: the City herself was embellished with stately Edifices, which were not inferior for Ornament or Magnificence to those of ●…ny other private personages: private houses were strangely beautified: none were like to them for Plate, Jewels, nor Movables, neither in quality nor quantity, for the fortunes of private men, some amounted to the yearly rent of a hundred thousand Ducats, many to half as much, and very many to less, but still very considerable sums: by which riches and splendour the Commonwealth being become very powerful, she might justly be adjudged to be brought to a better condition, in all respects, than ever she had formerly been; for though in pa●… Ages, when she was wholly intent upon Maritime Affairs, she was become very glorious for famous Victories, made by her numerous powerful Fleets: yet the vivacity and refinedness of the Genoese spirits being become fierce by continual use of Arms, wanting Foreign Enemies, she could hardly keep from civil dissensions; the result whereof was the ruin of Military knowledge, and the common Country's destruction: the same vivacity and acuteness growing wanton by the continual peace of latter times, and being refined in civil Arts hath made them study public Government the more, and more desirous to preserve their Country and Liberty, as the Springhead of all their good, and as the only stay and foundation of their private fortunes; and being hereby become so happy both in public and in private, she had no reason at the present to envy the condition of former times: her Subjects were no less glorious than those of former times in Military Affairs, and for what concerns the Gown and Civil Affairs, undoubtedly, far beyond them: she had plenty of men, excellent for learning, and for all kind of Erudition, very wise for State-Government; and (which is seldom seen in so great affluence of private Riches and Authority) singular for Religion, Piety, and Charity towards their Country: so as though in point of greatness of State she may yield the upper hand to some of the modern Commonwealths, yet can she not be thought inferior for unanimity of mind, for a solid and well regulated Government, nor for the love of Liberty: The Legislators of ancient times, and those who in their Rules of Philosophy have left excellent Precepts of Policy, always thought private riches, and excessive power in private Citizens, to be the corrupters of men's minds; wherefore as if it were a Plague or pestiferous Venom in a well regulated Commonwealth, they did so abhor it, as Lycurgus, the wise composer of the Spartan Commonwealth, not being content with an equality of Land amongst the Citizens of his Commonwealth, he would not permit them the use of Silver or Gold. In process of time, the same Spartans' did of their own free will yield up the command of Maritime Fleets, which the Confederate Cities of Greece did maintain in common, to the Athenians, for fear lest their Citizens, being accustomed to so great a command, might become contumacious to the Orders of the County, and might some time or other have some Plots upon the public Liberty; therefore they provided against too great power and authority in their Citizens, by the Law of Ostracism; and how much did the Agrarian Law trouble the Commonwealth of Rome. It is too clear and manifest, how the Roman Liberty was at l●…st overthrown, first by the too extraordinary power of Marius and Sylla, and afterwards by the like of Caesar and Pompey: some of the modern Commonwealths, out of the same respects, give the command in chief of their Land Armies only to Foreigners, and the Supreme Government at Sea, which they cannot take from their Citizens, they confide it in them so allayed as they cannot exercise it within a hundred miles of the City: nor is it permitted to their Citizens to receive Pensions, or take employments or dignities from other Princes, nor yet to purchase esta●…es or fortunes in other Prince's Dominions, lest their dependency upon that Prince may prove prejudicial to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth of Genoa by a singular and happy example, which doth confound both the precepts of the ancient and the institutions of modern Commonwealths, doth not only sustain her 〈◊〉 by the grea●…ness of the private fortunes of her Citizens, but doth from thence take ●…orce, spirit and splendour; and by means of her Citizens great power recovers sometimes her lost liberty, sometimes preserves it, and becomes considerable to Foreign Nations, and to neighbouring Potentates. The Citizens of this Commonwealth treat with the greatest Monarches of Christendom; they get Revenues in Foreign Countries; they are admitted into administration of the King of Spain's▪ Treasure; they receive Pensions, Titles and Dignities from his Crown, they receive the chief Government of his Kingdoms and States, the prime jurisdiction over his Fleets at Sea, the absolute command over his Land Armies, they are admitted into, and chosen to be Counsellors of his Privy Council; and yet so many, and so great Dignities, Titles, Employments, Offices and Preeminences, do not at all prejudicated or weaken the Principality of their common Country, but do rather strengthen it: The occasion of so many miraculous effects may be attributed to the union and good Government of the Commonwealth: which keeping her Forts, Garrisons, and the whole groundworks of the State in her own hands, by the favour of her people; who are more inclined to live free then any others, and by the leaning-stock or support of her Nobility, (which being bound up, and united in one body, doth much exceed the grandezza of any one private Citizen, and is sufficient to suppress any whatsoever force, and to curb any intention which shall be contrary to the present Government), it may be attributed to the good opinion of the Kings of Spain, who being, on the one side, certain that they may have any thing of the Commonwealth, in the condition she now is in, which they can desire at her hands, always provided her liberty be preserved; and on the other side, apprehensive of the strange consequences which might result from the turn of Affairs, they have reason to abhor all novelty, or alteration of Government. But it may chiefly be attributed to the private Citizens ardent desire of liberty, who being taught by the calamities of former times, that the Principality of one alone is unsupportable to a people that are born free, and how dangerous it is for him who shall arrive thereat; and being made to know by their present happiness, how pleasant, useful and glorious a thing, l●…berty enjoyed in common is to all men, and how much it makes them be esteemed in the Courts of Foreign Princes; they love better to increa●…e and better themselves by the preservation, then by the ruin of the common liberty; and growing greater by their private fortunes, to restore that splendour multiplied to their Country which at first they rece●…ved from her; They are therefore able to make it known in Prince's Courts, where they live, how advantageous it is for their affairs, 〈◊〉 Genoa should live in liberty; and if at any time, by any strange acciden●…, they be put to struggle for the maintenance thereof, they by their greatness of spirit can show themselves so ze●…lous in that behalf, as by a generous refusal of the greatest Dignities, Preferments and Fortunes which they hold from the King, they are able to divert ill advised designs, and to free their Country from the sinister influences which the bad counsels of any Officer can threaten it withal. The interests then of the Crown of Spain, and of the Commonwealth, being thus fast linked together, those who env●…ed the Spanish greatness could not bear with such a parity of fortune, and endeavoured by all means possible to break it; sometimes openly endeavouring the common liberty of Italy, 〈◊〉 they strove to 〈◊〉 themselves, as a Prince of Italy: sometimes whispering jealousies and suspicions secretly between both parties: sometimes upbraiding the Genoeses with their having received dignities and riches from that Crown, as gilded ●…etters of their liberty, which under the shadow of friendship and equal confederacy, was the base and servile slavery of the Spanish Empire. King Henry the Fourth of France, whom the French after his death honoured with the Cognomen of Great, having bend his thoughts, in his latter years, upon quelling the Grandezza of the house of Austria, and of the Crown of Spain, fixed his eyes first upon the Commonwealth of Genoa, intending to make his first blow at her, as at one of the corner-stones of so great a Monarchy, with firm resolution to cut that knot in pieces with the sword, since he saw it impossible to be loosened otherwise: but this design falling by the sudden fatal death of the said King, the image thereof remained imprinted in his successors, who thinking that the State of Genoa was become more than Spanish by this undissolvable knot, and that it made too much against the common ends and designs, did not only abhor the name of a Genoese, but began to betake themselves against the Commonwealth: thinking that when she should be abased, the Spanish Empire should receive a shrewd blow; and that taking their rise so high, the success must needs be good; for they made their account, that when they should have possessed themselves of the State of Genoa, the State of Milan being shut up on that side, and being debarred from succour by Sea, would be the sooner taken by Land Armies, and that the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily being so far distant from Spain would hardly be kept: the breaking of the Contract, which would certainly be effected by the loss of the Sta●…e of Genoa, incited them as much as any ohter respect; and the Crown of Spain rema●…ing unable to make provisions for Armies, they held for certain that the chief sinews of the Spanish Empire being thus cut in pieces, the affairs of that Crown would give against such encounters as would make way for much further proceedings: they therefore resolved to bend all their endeavours, to plot any thing, and to use all force against the State of Genoa, as against that which did chiefly withstand the ends and interests of the common cause: no provision was had for this by the last League of Avignon: but the enmity which not long after arose between the Commonwealth and the Duke of Savoy, touching the Marquisate Zuccharello, much fomented these their machinations; which enmity daily increasing, a great combustion broke forth ●…rom a little spark. The Duke was not inclined at first to make war with the Genoeses upon this account, for though he was senfible enough of their resistance, and appeared to be already much in that resentment, yet the ●…reaty of Marriage between Prince Philoberto and the Princess of Mantua detained him, and forced him to swallow down any thing, out of a desire of getting more pretences to Montferrat by this Match, and to reunite himself to the Crown of Spain; for to break with the Genoeses did diametrically oppugn both these ends, wh●…ch his mind was then chiefly set upon; for there was no doubt, but the King of Spain would interest himself with the Genoeses: wherefore forbearing rigorous proceedings, and falling upon a more moderate way, he tried to get out of this trouble by some fair means; he endeavoured to get the Spanish Agents to delay the assigning over of Zuccharello for a while, upon agreement that he would plead the utmost of his pretences within a few days in the Cesarian Court; and that if he did not then obtain his intent, it should be lawful for the Commonwealth to enjoy this their new purchase without any disturbance. The Spanish Agents who were to manage this matrimony, and the reconciling of the Duke of Savoy, were desirous to please him, and that the Commonwealths delay should be granted him; lest the purchase of that little Castle might not only be a hindrance to that which was in Treaty, but might occasion new rumours, and noise of wars in Italy, to the prejudice of the public peace: wherefore means being used with the Commonwealth, to forbear, they also under hand delayed the assignation of Zuccharello; & some Propositions of accommodation were with the privity of the Cardinal of Savoy offered to the Ambassadors, who were then in the Court of Rome, to pay their wont obedience to the new Pope; by which the controverted Fee should be delivered to ne●…ther of the parties, but should be invested in some third person, who might be a friend to the other two; insinuating Don Carlo Barbarino, the Pope's Brother: but all was in vain, for the Commonwealth fearing that the Duke's power would at last prevail over what was right, and fearing that they might prejudice the King of Spain's reputation, if they should put over the business to the Arbitrement of any other Princes; or else thinking that to yield to any thing would seem that they were afraid of the Duke's threats, persevered constantly not to put that to the Arbitrement of another, which was undoubtedly theirs, and which they had lawfully purchased from the Imperial Chamber: so as being resolved to keep it just as they had bought it of the Emperor, they complained of the delay made by the Governor of Milan: but at last, all difficulties being ove●…come, and the Commonwealth being possessed of the Fee, the Duke was necessitated to think of resentment: where●…n he found himself much engaged both by the Letter which he had written, and by the Commonwealths refusal: the way for his resentment was made more free by Prince Phileberto's death, which happened at this time in Palermo, that City being visited with a sore Contagion: which did not only put an end to the Treaty of Marriage, but cut off all hope of ever piecing it up again; for though he left two brothers unmarried, yet since the same parts, nor circumstances, did not concur in them, it was impossible to continue it; neither of them being acceptable at the Spanish Court, they having openly declared themselves for the French party; and moreover, the Cardinal had appeared openly an enemy to the Duke of Mantua, almost upon all occasions. A petty accident did also more irritate the Duke, which had he not considered too much and published it to be one of the chief incitements to the war, would not deserve the reci●…al: some little boys of the meanest sort of the Genoese Plebeians seeing the Soldier's rendezvouz, which were daily made in the City, they also put on counterfeit and childish Arms, and ran up and down the City, meeting and exercising their Arms: it happened t●…at at a certain encounter, the one side took the Captain of the other side Prisoner, who was to represent the person of the Duke of Savoy, and led him about as in Triumph: which action though the Senate did not leave unpunished, yet being given out to be greater than it was, it came to the Duke's ears, who peradventure desirous to have better justifications for wh●…t he should do then his buying of Zuccharello made process like wise be made himself, but more according to what was reported than to what was true; it being said that the Duke's Image was cast into the fire and burnt: and sending this Process, form by himself, into the Courts of Rome, and of other Princes, he complained very much the●…eof, as of an action done by the privity of some Gentlemen of Genoa, in scorn and contempt of his person. There were besides this some ancient rancours remaining between the Commonwealth and Duke, touching a controversy about their Confines, and some Castles which they had been long at Law for; but more of late, for favours privately administered to the Duke of Mantua in the War of Montferrat; and afterwards more openly to the King of Spain, in the taking in of Oneglia and Mar●…; which hatreds and heart burnings the longe●… they were concealed broke forth afterwards into the greater flame, when the way was made open for them. The French therefore, and the other Confederates, made use of this occasion to keep the Duke constant to the League; to which purpose a Diet was held in ●…sa, a Town in Piedmont, at the foot of the Alps which divide Piedmont fro●… Dolpheny; wherein met the Duke of Savoy, Deguieres, who was a little before made Lord High-Constable of France, the Marquis of Cricc●…e, Claudio Marini, French Ambassador with the Duke, the Venetian Ambassador, and some other Ambassadors of the Confederate Princes: Here the Duke of Savoy, after having made grievous complaints against the Genoeses, for injuries which he pretended to have received from them, proposed it, as the better and more secure course, to turn their Common Arms against the State of Genoa, before they should fall upon the State of Milan, as was agreed on at the League of Avignon: He said the victory would be the more easy and certain by reason of the weakness of the chief City, and of the other Towns in that State, by reason that that Commonwealth was totally unprovided of foreign Forces, and that she could make but little use of her Natives, they being embased by long peace; that he himself had many friends, and many that would side with him, in that City, and in that State, who being desirous of innovations would be a great help to the Enterprise: He represented, that when that Common wealth should be subdued the Contract would be at an end, whence many inconveniences would result to the Crown of Spain, and, in particular, that the Siege of Breda, which was under the eyes of all the Confederates, upon the fail of moneys would undoubtedly be raised; but he chiefly endeavoured to inform them, that when the Valtoline should be taken, which was to be assaulted in the first place by their common Arms, though thereby the State of Milan would be kept from relie●…e by Germany, yet the way by Sea being open, it might be succoured from Spain, Naples, and Sicily; whereas when Genoa should be taken, and the River thereof, the State of Milan being blocked up on all sides, and debarred succour, would become an easy and secure prey to their common Forces. These reasons of the Duke's being the more efficacious, because the rest saw, that unless they would give way thereunto he would not join with them in their League, they did not only approve of his opinion, but contrary to what was agreed upon at Avignon, they promised to join their Forces with his, to the suppressing of Genoa; and that the Fleet of Marselles, and of England, which were destined to go against Spain, should assist the enterprise of Genoa, not only with Arms, but with abundance of Victuals, Ammunition and Men: they were said moreover, to divide the Commonwealth of Genoa thus amongst them, that the City of Genoa, and all her River as far as Savona, should belong to the King of France; that Savona, and the rest of the River till you come to Villa Franca, should fall to the Duke's share: that the number of the French should be between ten and twelve thousand Foot, and 1000 Horse, and on the Duke's side 15000 Foot, and 200 Horse, and sufficient provisions of Victuals, Ammunition and Artillery: the Venetian Ambassador did not join in this enterprise against Genoa; for that it not being comprehended in the League of Avignon, he said he could not consent to this new enterprise, without new Orders from his Commonwealth: but time being given him to write to Venice, a●…d to receive resolution from thence, he received Orders to conclude, in conformity to what was agreed upon by the French and by the Duke. This new League being made, or reform, in satisfaction to the Duke, they proceeded therein with as much privacy as was possible, left if it should be known, those against whom they were chiefly intended should take up Arms: the French professed openly that they would submit to the Pope's resolution for what concerned, the Valtoline, and that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should for bear innovating a●…y thing against the Ensign or Garrisons of the Church: they affirmed the same in the Court of S●…in, declaring further, that the King would attempt nothing to ●…he prejudice of ●…he peace; and reciprocal correspondency▪ and the Pop●… believing their words and promises made not any preparatio●… in these so great commotions: nor did the Spanish Court confide less in the promise of the Fre●…ch, than the Pope: the King of Spain having contracted a●…mighty debt, by reason of the late wars of the Val●…line, and of Italy, and being obliged to make great provisions of moneys and men for the present wars of Germany, Flanders and Brasile the winter season which drew on, being incommodious to prosecute wa●…s already begun, much more to commence new wars, added to this belief; for the meeting a●… ●…sa was upon St. Martin's day, and November was wholly ever, before the Confederates appeared to make any preparations; and none being able to believe, that the French Armies would pass the Mountains that Winter, it was thought that the meeting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 would make more noise, than deeds, or that it did serve but a●… threats to advance the Negotiators parties and conditions: but so great a●…action could not ●…be kept long concealed; for to b●… or with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉, which afforded sufficient reason of suspicion; the Marquis of 〈◊〉 going to the Swissers, and his so long stay amongst them, occasioned much jealousy; for though he seemed to go thither as 〈◊〉 Ambassador, to adjust old accounts between that Nation and the Crown of France; yet being always accompanied by the Embassado●… of Venice and Savoy, and by the chief of the Grisons who were dri●… from their own home●… and he being very busy in ●…aising men, and in making preparations for war, it was judged that he tarried there for more than the business of that Embassy. Many Posts were also observed to pass frequently between the Confederates, and that much business was in hand; the which the less they could be seen into, they gave the more occasion of distrust: no less shows appeared on the Venetians behalf, in whose Territories, but particularly in those of Bergamo and Bressia, great preparations were observed to be made of Soldiers, Victuals, Artillery and Ammunition. The people destined for the enterprise of Genoa fell down already from the Alps into Piedmont; and the Duke also levied many men in his State; and for the greater s●…crecy, he kept them in the dales of the Alps which were nearest Piedmont; and the Constable of Dolpheny made great levies of men, giving out publicly enough, that he would pass over the Mountains with them himself in person. The more solicitous the Confederates were in their proceedings and preparations, the State of Milan was the more remiss in theirs, which was at this time almost wholly unprovided and unarmed; for the King not being contented to have appeased the minds of the discontented Princes by depositing the Forts o●… the Valtoline; but the more to satisfy them, and to remove all jealousies from them of being infested, and consequently to take away all occasions of new troubles, he had ordered the Duke of Feria to send all the men he could into Flanders, and he to obey him had sent 6000 Foot, and 800 Horse thither, a few months before the Diet at Susa; and had moreover sent Cavalier Pecchio's Brigade to Winter in Sardignia: but Feria finding afterwards, that this his showing himself to be inclined to peace was not able to withhold the Counsels and Resolves of the League, but that it did rather hasten the execution thereof, he advertised the Court of Spain thereof, desiring orders and provisions to prepare against the ensuing storm. This advertisement, though confirmed from other parts, was not credited in that Court▪ but he and Don Sanchio de Monry, Marquis of Castagneda, who succeeded Vives in the Embassy at Genoa, having informed the King, by Letters, of the great danger wherewith the State of Genoa was threatened, and how ill they were provided to defend themselves; the King writ to the Commonwealth, offering her all his Forces both by Sea and Land for her defence: The Commonwealth, which besides what she ●…ad already done, proceeded to make great provisions, were it either that she bel●…eved too much in them, or that she would stand upon her honour with the Court of Spain, or that she thought it dangerous to bring the King's Auxiliary Forces into her Dominions, writ back, giving a large account of what provisions she had already made, and what she was to make, seeming as if she needed no succour: by which the Court of Spain argued, that the Agents in Italy did amplify the danger more than they had reason for. But Feria finding the danger to grow every day gre●…ter, and to draw nearer, and despairing of being able to make the Court take order for assistance, he thought he was bound to do it himself: he therefore recalled Pecchio's Brigade from Sardignia, he gave order for another to Count Giovan Serbellone, together with some Horse companies; he desired, and obtained a Brigade from the Duke of Parma, and another from the Duke of M●…dena, he could get no more from Naples save one only Brigade, and some Troops of Horse; for the Viceroy hearing of the English Fleet; would not unfurnish the Kingdom of many men; and casting it up that these men being numbered into the usual Garrison of the State, they would not amount to 16000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, he knew they would not be sufficient to defend the State, and to succour Genoa and the Valtoline, if (as it was feared) they should be assaulted all at once: he therefore betook himself to think upon Foreign Forces; and since he saw he could hope for none from Spain, by reason of the Courts great aversion thereunto; and for that the Fleet which was gone to recover Brasile had carried away 10000 men from those Kingdoms; and that Marquis Spinola, who was employed before Breda, did rather want then abound in men; and that for the aforesaid respects he could not ground much upon the Kingdom of Naples; he betook himself to Germany, where without expecting any order from the King, he gave out Commissions for making great levies of Germans. Besides, because he could not expect provisions of moneys from Spain, and that the State of Milan was so exhausted as it could not furnish him with any, he applied himself to the Genoeses: nor was his application in vain; for some of the richest Gentlemen of Genoa, and who did most study the interests of that Crown, seeing how much the welfare of the Commonwealth was concerned in the preservation of the State of Milan, furnished him immediately, upon his ●…are obligation, with between three and four hundred thousand Ducats, by which he was enabled to disburse the first payments, and to raise four Dutch Regiments, consisting of 4000 Foot apiece: he believed that the Confederates intended their first blow against the Valtoline, because he understood the preparations were in greatest readiness in those parts: all the provisions of the Counties of Bergamo and Brossia were brought into V●…lcomonica, which confines upon the Valtoline. The Marquis of Coure had already raised two Regiments of Swissers, and one of Vallesani, besides two others which were come to him, together with 600 Horse, from France, through the Country of Berne: much Victuals and Ammunition was sent him from the Country of Bress●… by the Rivers and Lakes of Helvetia; so as not being able to conceal that any longer which was apparent to all men's eyes, Feria sent often Messengers on purpose to advertise the Marquis of Bagni of every particular, he being the head of the ecclesiastics in the Valtoline; which Messengers being experienced in affairs of war, and known in Fortifications, might visit those Forts, and might see whether they wanted any thing or no, and who might offer Bagni Forces to reinforce his Garrisons, and to withstand the approaching assault: but Bagni still refused his offers, alleging that he had no orders from the Pope, to receive, nor to introduce any Garrisons of Foreign Princes into his Forts; and the Pope did refuse it as well as he, whom the Duke of Pastrana, Spanish Ambassador at Rome, did very much press thereunto in the name of the King, and of Feria; giving him a particular account of the danger the Valtoline was in of being assaulted by the Confederate Forces. The occasi●…n of this r●…fusal appeared plainly to be, because the Pope, as also the Court of Spain, trusting in the express and clear promises of the French that ●…ey would bear all respect to the Forts which were guarded by the ecclesiastics, and that the King's Forces would never commit any hostility against the Ensigns of the holy Church, did not apprehend the fears which were thought to be very remote, and idle; and therefore being unwilling to beget diffidence and distrust in either of the Kings, he added, that the succours which were offered were superfluous and dangerous, lest they might draw humours to that wound which they endeavoured to heal by succours; for he said it was probable that the French would take pretence to assault the Forts of the Valtoline from the entering of the Spanish succours thereinto, and would turn those Forces against them which they professed were intended elsewhere; and that they would assault them, not as deposited in the Pope's hands, but as assigned over by him, contrary to the agreement of the Deposition, to the Spaniards; so as esteeming the remedy a mischief, he thought the Articles of the Depositure, and the Majesty of the Pope's name, and Ensigns, to be a surer defence, and a fitter means to remove new occasions of war, than the Auxiliary Arms of that Crown: he therefore did so far persist in his constant refusal, as the many and pregnant evidences which were laid before him by the Spanish Agents, that the French preparations were intended against the Valtoline, were always by him repulsed as imaginary jealousies, vain rumours, and as sub●…le Spanish inventions. Thus did the Pope carry himself in these and in other Commotions, which not long after happened against the State of Genoa; for a great many Soldiers being already passed from France into Piedmont, where the Constable was already arrived, and the Duke of Savoy making also great preparations for war out of his immense hatred against the Genoeses, the Commonwealth had recourse to the Pope, that he would intercede with the Duke, and that he would assist them with some men in this so great, and so near at hand danger; but all these endeavours and applications were to no purpose; for the Pope constant to his resolution of Neutrality would not grant her any succour; only, to show himself desirous of her preservation, he proposed a League between him and the great Duke for the defence of the States in common: which Proposition the Genoeses took to be either a kind of honourable denial of their request, or an endeavouring to separate the Commonwealth from the Crown of Spain, to the prejudice of that conjunction which, if ever at any time, was now necessary for them, and from whence they might promise themselves more potent, certain and undoubted aid, then from any other Prince or Potentate; and thereby to draw her insensibly into a League with the contrary parties which were chiefly ill minded towards her; for there being but little correspondency then between the Pope and the King of Spain, and (on the contrary) much distrust, the Commonwealth could not join in League with o her Princes, and particularly with the Pope, without offending the King of Spain, and without injurying the good will, correspondency, and the weighty interests of the common affairs; nor could she, without danger to herself, separate herself from the union of that Crown which she had found to be so certain for the space of so many years, so advantageous, honourable and faithful; which Crown (were it only for the necessity of her own interests,) was forced to sustain her with all her power; so to cast herself into the arms of the Confederate Princes, who so vehemently conspired her ruin; and yet the Commonwealth, trying the Pope, as it were, with the like cunning, answered, that they would willingly accept of the Confederacy, if the King of Spain were therein comprehended: which the Pope not giving way unto (for it would be an apparent parting from his professed neutrality, and a drawing the enmity of the King of France, and of the other Confederates, upon him) the Commonwealth was therefore not to hope for any assistance from the Pope; for 1000 Foot being at the same time desired of him by the Commonwealth, and by the great Duke, who had but little need thereof, he granted them to the great Duke, and denied them to the Commonwealth, than whom none could have greater need thereof; and he denied them also those Corsicks which were granted to the Pope for the service of the Apostolic See, in the time of peace. But for all this the Genoeses wanted not Forces to sustain and defend themselves; for having always doubted that the clouds of Susa would discharge themselves in a great tempest upon them, they had not been sparing, nor negligent in making provisions against it: they sent into Germany for two levies of Dutch, the one of 2000, the other of 3000 Foot: they took order for 30 Companies, to consist of 200 Foot apiece to be raised by the richest and chiefest Gentlemen: they sent for 600 Foot from Corsica, they brought in the Prince of Bozolo, with 800 Foot, and 200 Horse; Prince Doria raised 400 more at his own particular charge; and finally, they had many Commanders, and other Citizens, who assisted the Commonwealth with men paid by themselves, and with ready moneys: these Forces being put together, and added to those of the preceding year, and being secured by the choice Militia of the State, they thought they needed not fear the Enemy's assaults; for though all the aforesaid preparations could not be in a readiness at the appearing of the Enemy, yet they would have a strength of between eight and ten thousand Foot and 200 Horse, in the State, all of them being paid; besides as many more of the ordinary Militia; and the State of Genoa being begirt by the Apennine toward Piedmont and Lombardy, the Enemy must either enter in a gross body, or by small numbers; if in a gross body, the strength of situation, the sterility of the Country, the difficulty in bringing Victuals, and other impediments, did secure them from the progress of the Enemy; it being impossible for great Armies to continue long in that enterprise without much Victuals; if in small numbers, the Army of the Commonwealth being assisted by the same difficulties, and being accommodated by the Country, would be sufficient for defence: to this was added, that howsoever the Enemy's Army entered the Mountains, they must needs leave the State of Milan on their backs; wherein though there was not very great Force; at the present, yet the few that were there, and the ordinary Militia of so great a State, was, doubtlessly, sufficient to shut up the passes, so as neither Victuals, nor provisions could be brought them; and having them behind, they might be enclosed between them and the Forces of Genoa, on their Front, which might occasion them many troubles and dangers, and be such a hindrance to them as they could not long continue in oppugning the City: but when the Forces should be augmented in that State, according to the orders that were given, and provisions that were ordered: the ruin of the Confederates Army did plainly appear, since it would be shut up between barren Mountains, and the Sea, without Victuals, Provisions, or hope of succour: they must therefore of necessity be very circumspect in their proceedings, in engaging themselves far within the Ligu●…ian Mountains, having considerable Forces on their Front, being not safe behind, and exposed to the assaults of a powerful Enemy: especially since the Commonwealth, besides ten Galleys of her own which she had then at Sea, being to receive all the King of Spain's Galleys for her defence, together with the succour of men, which were already preparing in Naples, and in Sicily, the Enemy could hardly be relieved by Sea; and yet the Duke of Savoy and the Constable, preferring vain and uncertain supposals before so solid and undeniable groundworks, doubted not to enter courageously upon the business; for making account that the English Fleet, and that of Marcelles, should appear strong and powerful in the Ligustick Sea at the same time that their Land Army should draw near the Sea, and that being to be much more in number and Forces, than the Galleys of Spain and Genoa, they thought they would not only be able to keep those Galleys from them, but supply their Army with abundance of Victuals and Ammunition which they should bring along with them; so as not only the danger of Famine, and the difficulty of bringing Victuals to the Land Army ceased, but the expense thereof: they thought themselves sufficiently safe from being disturbed by the Milan Forces, by the union and good correspondency which continued still between the two Crowns; the which they firmly believed their proceeding against Genoa would no way oppugn, since that State was not directly comprehended under the Territories of the Crown of Spain; nor could they persuade themselves that the Governor of Milan should move, for fear of being the author of the breach, or that he would commit any hostile act against that Army, in which together with the Ensigns Royal of France, which he saw therein displayed, the Lord high Constable of that Kingdom did wage war in person; and the State of Milan being then almost unarmed, and unprovided of any manner of warlike provision; having the French in the Valtoline, and upon the Confines of Como, and the Venetians armed upon the Cremonesian Confines, they thought their moving would be rather desired, then dreaded, on that part; since their Army in all warlike reason was to be superior, as they were much superior in numbers of fight men, and in valiant and experienced Commanders; for which cause it was likewise probable, that the Governor finding himself in such a multitude of business, with but a few men, and those ill ordered, he would not dare to meddle with a fresh, gallant and impetuous Army, led on by two of the most famous Commanders of the present Age. And to the end that new levies of Dutch might not pass into the State of Milan, the King of France held Treaties with the Swissers, that they should keep their Passes shut, till such time as the enterprise of Genoa should either be perfected, or brought near perfection; and of so great authority were the Confederates, especially the French, at that time, with that Nation, as all the Cantons, the Catholic Cantons being comprehended, which are united to the Crown of Spain, and confederate with the State of Milan, suffered the French to pass armed thorough their Country, and in order, contrary to their ancient customs and institutions, and which had never upon any occasion been violated, of not allowing passage to Foreigners, unless either unarmed, or few at once; and this for nothing else but out of their great desire of preserving their liberty: nor did it seem that so unaccustomed a thing did proceed from aught else but from their firm opinion, that the Confederates preparations would devour the State of Milan, which they saw was wholly unprovided of defence; so as if they adored the French as Victors, they durst not anger them. Thus the Duke and the Constable, taking it for granted that they were sure of the State of Milan by going to Genoa, and being abundantly provided of all things by the Fleets at Sea, they thought nothing could obviate their Victory, save the defence which would be made by the Genoeses, who they thought would be able to do very little, being straightened at Sea, and assaulted by Land: they confided not so much in the valour of their own men, as in the weakness of the Enemy, and of their Discipline: they, moreover, grounded their hopes of Victory upon the Duke of Savoys assuring the Constable, that for certain he held very much intelligence in that City, by means whereof, as soon as they should come before the Walls, confusion and disorder would fall out amongst the disagreeing Citizens, so as, undoubtedly, the Gates of the City would be thrown open, and they should be let in into the City; and when they should have taken Genoa, they supposed the State of Milan, being enclosed by their Forces, would soon submit to their discretion: upon such supposals, and such foundations, which their hope of Victory, and desire of revenge made appear easy unto them, (but which in reason were very uncertain, and which the success was likely to gainsay,) they resolved to commence the enterprise: they began first in the Valtoline, about the end of November; the Marquis of Coure who had 8000 Foot with him, and 600 Horse, all well in order, thought it no longer time to delay executing their designs: discovering himself therefore, of a peaceful Ambassador, to be become a Commander in Arms under the King of France, and the Confederate Princes, he passed from amongst the Swiffers into the Grisons Country, and suddenly took lo Staico, a chief and important pass, by which you come from Tirvolo into Rhetia; and having afterwards taken the City of Coira he went to the Consultations of the Diritture, who having driven out the Archdukes Officers had reassumed their liberty: having restored the Grisons to their former ancient condition, and driven the Bishop of Coira from his seat, he fell down with his men into the Valtoline, about the end of December, in the year 1624., and totally laying aside the Protestations and Declarations made a little before by himself, and by the other French Agents, that all due respects should be born to the Ensigns, and Garrisons of the holy Church, he fell upon the Forts of the Valtoline, which were guarded by the Forces of the Church: those of the Valtoline, when they saw the Enemy approach, applied themselves to the Governor of Milan, and to Bagni, desiring the first that he would send in some Spanish succour, and the other, that he would receive them; without which they saw it was impossible for them to defend themselves: whereupon the Governor, who had sent many men already into Comasco under joh. jeronymo Pimontello, to make head there, and to defend the State against any hostility, sent again to offer those succours to Bagni, who when he saw the danger so near, would not notwithstanding accept thereof, building, as he professed, upon Coure's word; for when he saw him pass armed from the Swissers to amongst the Grisons, he sent his Secretary unto him, to know his intention: answer was made, that by the orders he received from the King, he was to bear all respect to the Apostolic See, and that he would observe it: wherefore Bagni would not draw upon him the insulting French, by receiving succour from Milan, in which abuse he continued so long, at least seemed to continue, as when he afterwards desired those succours, it was too late to receive them; for the Count entering the Valtoline, by the Pass of Ploschiavo, did at the very first take Piattamala, a Castle defended by some few Forces of the Church, and by them forsaken at the very first appearance of the French. Then drawing near Tiranno, not above a mile distant from Piattamala, he threw a Bridge over the Adda, by which passing those men over he kept three days idle beyond the River, expecting that the Horse which were sent with 1500 Foot, a little lower, to take the place called Tiglie and Pontc di San Pietro, (by which way only succour might be brought from Milan) should have made themselves masters of those places: afterwards absolutely denying that he had given his word to Bagni not to prejudice him, he assaulted the Town of Tiranno on two sides, wherein Bagni was with 600 of his men; and whereinto Cavalier Robustelli was entered a little before with 800 of those of the Valtoline, people of the Train bands who were but little exercised in Arms. Coure had but one small piece of Artillery with him, which being levelled against that part of the Wall where the Valtolinians were, had hardly made one shot, when the Valtolinians were so terrified, as throwing down their Arms they abandoned the place; and Robustelli not being able to make them stand to their Arms, they retreated into the Castle, which was more defensible; whereinto Bagni being also retired, those of the Town, see●…ng themselves abandoned by their Chieftains, surrendered upon Articles, and incontinently the Venetians who were at la Veletta, which stood upon the Mountains that divide the Valcamonica from the Valtoline, fell down with their Artillery, Ammunition, and all things belonging to war; and placing their Battery against the Castle, Bagni articled to go with all his Soldiers out of the Valtoline, without entering into any of the Forts. Coure, when he had taken the Castle, went to Bornilo, accompanied by the Venetians, and by their Artillery; and having easily taken it turned backwards, and took the other Forts, and the Towns of Sondrio and Morbegno, towards the State of Milan; whereby the Valtoline was wholly in the possession of the French. Bagni, when he saw Coure so near, had sent to demand those succours from Feria which a little before he had refused, who gave order forthwith to Pimontello to send 1500 of his best Foot, and a Troop of Horse, under Count john Serbellone; and they being come to St. Pietro, at the same time that the Castle of Tiranno was surrendered, seeing it possessed by the French, who we●…e fortifying the opposite Bank, they passed no further on, but returned back to the State of Milan, Feria feared that the French would not be satisfied with getting the Valtoline; but that being backed by the Venetians, by whom they were continu●…lly furnished with Moneys, Munition, and continual recruits of men, they would assault the State of Milan; and that the Venetians would do the like, according to the Conventions of the League at Avignon to Crema, and Giaradadda, as soon as the French should have given the first assaults on their side, or at least, when having taken any Town they should have got footing; wherefore being troubled at the imminent danger, he found out a means whereby keeping the French from invading the State of Milan, the Venetians should also be forced to forbear. La Riva di Chiavenna, being taken at the first commotions from the Grisons, as it was a hindrance to keep them from entering the Valtoline, so it being now in the power of the ecclesiastics, he thought that if he should take it, it would be a mighty stop, to keep the Enemy from assaulting the State of Milan: he plotted with john Francisco Sacchetti, the Pope's Commissary-General in the Valtoline, who was then in Milan, to reinforce the Garrison of Riva with a thousand Foot, which (if he would give way thereunto,) he would send thither: Sacchetti consented, as either not knowing the importance of the place, or thinking it too hard to deny so small a matter in such a precipice of affairs: so as 1000 Foot entering, they reinforced that place both with Fortifications and Garrison: Lafoy Riva is nothing but an Inn, to which is joined a little Haven, where the Merchandise, which go and come from Germany into the State of Milan, do lade and unlade; it stands upon the top of the upper Lake, which, as being lesser, is called Agheto; and joins by a straight channel to the lower Lake, just as the head is joined to the breast of the body, by the neck: the situation of La Riva is very narrow between the Lake and the Mountains, which drawing near the waters in this place leaves a little margin which serves for a shore: a certain little Mountain stands over la Riva, over which many high Mountains stand. This place is of such consequence, as whosoever will pass from the Valtoline into the State of Milan with Armies and Artillery, must either go full upon Fort Fuentes, which is upon the left side of the Adda, where she falls into the Lake, or go about by the River of the Lake, and pass over to the shore opposite to the Fort, and go from thence into the State of Milan; and therefore, as Fort Fuentes is too hard an encounter for those that will fall down by that way, and assault that State, so to go about by the Rivers of the Lake is impossible, if la Riva which is in the midst thereof be fortified: the Governor got leave to have it in his hands, and to fortify it strongly, and munite it with men, to oppose it as a fence against the Torrent of the French Forces: nor was his Counsel therein bad; for Coure having possessed himself of the Valtoline, as he would go to the recovery of Chiavenna by the River of the Lake, and when he should have taken it, would have saln down with his Army into the State of Milan, he saw his design prevented by Feria's diligence: so as being forced to change his way, he turned back again by the same craggy Rhetian Mountains, by which he came into the Valtoline, and was necessitated to take a long and troublesome compass about, by the Vale of Chiavenna, but without any encumbrances or Artillery; which because he was not able to bring thorough those Mountains, he was fain to leave in the Valtoline. Chiavenna made some resistance, but not being able to hold out, yielded, as did the rest, to the French; and Coure finding that it would be impossible to pass by thence into the State of Milan without Artillery, knew he must necessarily first expugn la Riva: the which was the only deposited Fort that remained untaken; leaving therefore some of his men in Chiavenna, he returned with the rest into the Valtoline, by the same craggy Mountains by which he was come. The Duke of Feria, on the other side, commanded Serbellone, that to boot with the thousand Foot which were already entered, he should enter la Riva with 2000 more Foot, who being come thither made many Fortifications, as well upon the Plain of the Mountain, as upon the Passes towards Chiavenna, and towards the way that leads from the Valtoline; and moreover, that he might keep the Enemy from passing over with Barks into the opposite part of the Lake, he munited all the Passes which were on the other side of the River of the Lake and of the Channel, that were fit for landing, to the end, that Coure might not effect that by Water which he could never do by Land, as long as la Riva held out: so as that very Inn was able to put a stop unto the vast designs of the French, and the other Confederates, who when they should have taken it, thought to have done great matters in Italy: Thus lafoy Riva only excepted, all the Valtoline, together with the Counties of Bormio and Chiavenna, which by joint consent of both the Crowns were deposited into the Pope's hands, were taken by the French and Venetians, more by cunning and dissembling then by open force. The Duke of Feria, as he could not meddle in the defence before the taking of the Valtoline, without order from the Pope, so professing that the business did not belong unto his King after the depositure, would not go to the recovery thereof without new orders; but being content to keep la Riva, expected new directions from the Court; and the Court unwilling to come upon this occasion to a breach with France, had recourse to the Pope, laying all the burden of this affair upon him, and pretending the observance of agreement from him, desired him that he would endeavour the restoring of the Valtoline, and offered to assist him therein, if he from whose hands the Valtoline was taken would use his own name for the recovery thereof. The Pope, abhorring to break with France, no less than the King of Spain, and thinking that the Spaniards would lay all the burden upon his shoulders, examined this business otherwise: he considered how unworthy a thing it would be, for the Pontifical Office to become the Author and Promoter of Discord and Wars between two Kings, between whom, as Sons of the holy Church, he was bound to endeavour peace and union: he considered that the ambition of some of the Spanish Agents, contrary to the safety of the affairs of Italy, had given just occasion for the present commotions, wherein he neither out of right nor justice, nor State-interest, aught to favour them; that possibly the King of France might have no hand in Coure's actions, or that if he had, his aim might only be to suppress the Spanish ends, and to secure the common affairs of Italy: that therefore it was necessary first to spy into his intentions: that difficult and dangerous businesses were brought with more ease and safety into the Haven, by fair means, then by rigour and severity; and that it would not be wisely done to fall foul at first, whereby if the King should grow obstinate in the business, he would by all means make it good: that it was not the part of a Pope to give the King occasion to cast off his obsequiousness, and respect towards the Apostolic See: nor by making himself a party, to give him such reason of distrust, as if a breach should happen to fall out afterwards between the two Crowns, he should be made unfit to recompose it: that the Grandezza of the Apostolic See consisted in this, which if she should be a partaker, she would necessarily cast the balance on one side, and by standing Neuter she should keep them both her friends: so as by his Pontifical Authority, and by the credit he should get by his neutrality, he should be the better able to compose businesses: Being therefore desirous to proceed maturely in so weighty a business, he resolved first to use peaceful endeavours with the King, and to procure the restoring of the Valtoline, by civil means, and by Negotiation: but so much circumspection in such urgency of affairs was interpreted a lukewarmness, and coolness of Counsel; especially by such who are better pl●…ased with actions of resentment then with such as are considerate, and duly weighed; and much more by such who might reap advantage by the Pope's resentment; and therefore the Pope's circumspection made all men wonder, and afforded variety of discourse and interpretation, no less than did the fervency of the French, and their double-dealing upon the present occasions: On the one side, none could conceive so little respect from the French, to be used towards the Apostolic See; that so little account should be had of the reciprocal conventions touching the depositure, and of the Promises and Declarations made by them but a little before, in the face of the whole World, of not innovating any thing concerning the Valtoline: on the other side, it passed not without admiration, that the Pope, not making any the least account of so many Counsels, and so many Protestations, and offers made by the Spaniards, accompanied by the evidence of such preparations made by the French, and by the Venetians, would first wait for the blow, before he would hold up his hand to fence it; and that he did so slightly resent it, when the blow was given; and none being able to believe that he was really deceived, it was therefore argued, that he suffered himself to be deceived, by secret intelligence; and as suspicion when it is once entertained, draws unto it all the actions of those, who are already become suspected; so the Pope, who from the beginning of his being Pope was held to be sufficiently inclined to the French, it was thought, that partly to please that King in that wherein he was so much pressed in point of honour, partly not to incense the King of Spain by the express delivery up of the Forts; after his Declaration made in points appertaining to Religion, that he saw this practice which did indeed give some colour to this commotion, and did oblige the Pope to provide for it; and perhaps also, as some men thought, because he was not of opinion that the depositure of the Valtoline did suit with the interest of the Apostolic See, even when he was Cardinal, and much less now, when if the two Kings should fail the Soldiers which were in the Valtoline, the Pope must supply their defaults with the Church's moneys: that therefore he chose the middle way, and did permit the French to make themselves masters thereof by force, to the end, that afterwards he might dispose thereof with advantage, and reputation to that Crown; and so with greater safety, and satisfaction to the common affairs; and that therefore thinking this the best course he could take for the safety of Italy, over which he was very vigilant; and to suppress the unextinguishable fire of war which did hang upon the Gates thereof, he chose, as the l●…sser evil, to consent to the wills of the French, of the Venetians, and to the common sense of the Italian Princes: some setting aside such nice Considerations, said more freely, that the Pope was no l●…ss troubled than the Venetians, that the Spaniards under pretence of Religion should get footing in the Valtoline, thereby to trample upon the Liberty of Italy, and reduce the Apostolic See and so many Princes i●…to slavery; and that therefore abhorring their intentions, they were vexed at nothing more than to see themselves undone by such ambitious ends; so as not accepting the Spanish succours, he gave secret orders to Bagni, that he should suffer himself to be overcome by the French: many also discoursing yet more freely of the Pope's mind said, that the Pope not being content with excluding the Spaniards from the Valtoline, to have thereby deluded their ends, and secured the Common Liberty, did nourish yet greater designs in his bosom, and aspired to curb their immense power and ambition, so to reduce the affairs of Italy to within such a compass, as the Princes thereof being gotten free from the Spanish tutelage, might govern themselves as they listed, and dispose of themselves, and of their own business, without such respects to that Crown▪ and that therefore joining with the French, the Venetians, and Duke of Savoy, he did go along with them in the same common ends, which was, to pull down the Spanish greatness. This opinion was much strengthened by the great conformity of genius between him and Cardinal Magallotti, Brother to his Brother's Wife, who in his first conferring of promotions was by him made Cardinal, whose Counsel he did so highly esteem, and so much confide in, as he was wont to say, that if there were another World, it might be governed by his opinion; and though the Pope himself was of solid Counsel, and very capable of Public Government; and that he needed not to be advised by any one, and that his favours conferred upon Magallotti, and his having employed him much in public Affairs, might be attributed to his alliance, to his ancient Friendship, and to the desire which is usual in Princes, to exalt their Favourites; yet the most difficult affairs of the Papacy passing thorough Magallotti's hands, and all men esteeming him to be high in the Pope's favour, it was necessarily thought that he had a great stroke in all public resolutions; and therefore Magallotti being rather of a brisk and stirring spirit then given to mildness and moderation, and much more inclined to the French then to the Spaniards, made men think that the Pope's deliberations, passing thorough Magallotti's Forge, did partake more of that temper then of neut●…ality, which he did so publicly profess: whilst in these ruptures, having taken into consideration, how much the affairs of Religion would be endangered, and how much he ought therefore to have opposed himself even in Arms, against whosoever should bring wac into Italy, he was wont to say, that of a Judge, he would not make himself a party: that he would not break with either of the Crowns; that he would not exasperate the King of France, nor provoke him to any strange resolution, by which that Kingdom might separate itself from the Church, whereof there being some speech at that time in France, whereat the Pope was much troubled, would sometimes say, that he would not imitate another Florentine Pope, who by not knowing how to carry himself dexterously in point of neutrality, had given occasion to the disunion of Englaud: These were the opinions, these the discourses which were commonly had in Italy, and even in the Court of Rome, which being somewhat controverted, grew afterwards somewhat stronger, and got a little more field-room, in the troubles and dangers, which not long after befell the Genoeses: at the which being but very little moved, it was conceived that being herein also of intelligence with the other Confederates, he was not less displeased to see business proceed successfully against Genoa, then with those that had proceeded in the Valtoline. The Valtoline being taken, the Pope hearing the rumours which were spread abroad through Italy, and in the Court, of his intentions, and seeing that all men's eyes were bend upon him, he sent Bernardine Nari to Paris, who was his Chamberlain, and one that he loved very well, and who was acceptable to that King, as having been formerly a Page in that Court; to complain of Coure's actions, and showing himself to be thereat offended, he gave order for levying of men, and made some other preparations for war: which being unseasonable for what was past, proved also unuseful for what was to ensue; for what remained, he held very secret Consultations with the Cardinals, and Ambassadors of Savoy and Venice, so as he seemed to continue his former Friendship, and good Intelligence with them, and that those his preparations were in order to somewhat else, then for the recovery of the Valtoline, or for the defence of the present state of Italy against the perturbers of her peace. A little after the French entered, and took the Valtoline under the Marquess Coure, the Constable of France, falling into Piedmont with about 14000 Foot, amongst which were some Veterane Regiments, and with 1500 Horse; and joining with the Duke of Savoy, who had 14000 Foot and 2500 Horse, together with much Artillery and Cannon for Battery, they marched towards the State of Genoa, the Constable being accompanied by his Son in Law, Marquis Crickey, and the Duke by his Son the Prince; and were not only favoured by the Duke of Mantua, who gave them free passage thorough the lower Montferrat; but also by the season of the year, which though it were in February, 1625. yet contrary to the custom of that Country, and to the season itself, they were not hindered either by by ice or snow: there was no title nor reason on the behalf of France, for the war against Genoa, nor were there any Heralds sent from that Court, to demand or pretend unto any satisfaction for any offence done to that Crown by the Commonwealth, nor was there any to be alleged: nor did any of the French mention any end their King had in that enterprise, save only some that vaunted that they went to free Genoa from being oppressed (as they said) by the Spanish Tyranny: others, who were not so close, let it sometimes slip out of their mouths, that the King assisted the Duke of Savoy in resenting the injuries he received from the Genoeses, by reason of the interest of alliance which he had with his family: but when they were entered the State of Genoa, they minded the making themselves masters of the Towns which they took, and put Garrisons into them in the King's name, as belonging (as they affirmed) to the ancient Patrimony of France. The Duke and Constable intended at very first to besiege the City of Genoa, the Metropolitan of the whole State, which not doubting but that they should easily take, they thought they should find little difficulty in the rest of the enterprise: news came at the same time, that the Duke of Guise prepared a Fleet in Marcelles, who having declared himself an enemy, before any of the others, had taken 150000 Ducats, which being sent in small Vessels from Spain to Genoa, came into the Ports of Province, as into Friends Havens; and it was given out that both that, and the English Fleet, would quickly appear in the Seas of Genoa. The Commonwealth did not believe that the enemy would aim so high at the very first; but that bending their first violence against the Western Seas, and taking some important place, they would fix their footing there, and making it a Rendezvouz for Arms they would wait upon such occasions as time and condition of war would produce, and proceed further afterwards, and advance against the City; wherefore they had distributed the greatest part of their best and most experienced men into the Towns of Savona, Albenga, 〈◊〉 Mauritio and Ventimiglia: but receiving assured advertisement, that the enemy was resolved, the first thing they did, to fall upon the City of Genoa, they va●…ed their form of defence; and leaving Savona well Garrisoned, which is a chief place of the State, nearest the City, and nearest the enemy's Army, they recalled all the rest of their people which were distributed along the River, the greatest part whereof were presently sent to defend the Passes: there are two ways which lead to Genoa from the lower Montferrat, through which the Confederates Army past. The one by Rossiglione, which passing over the Apennine, goes to Voltri, a great Town upon the Sea, ten miles Westward from the City: the other by Gavio, which passing also over the fame Apennine, falls by the Valley of Poz Zevera, to St. Pier d' arena, two miles distant from the City towards the same side: the latter being the more ordinary way for Carriages is more large and open, and made more commodious, and plain, by Art, as far as the situation will permit; at the entrance into this way is Gavio, a Town indifferently great, but weak, unless it be for a Castle seated on high, and (though little) of no little consideration: it is hard to bring Cannon by either of these ways; and almost impossible by that of Rossiglione. The Commonwealth therefore resolving to quit the defence of Novia and of Occada, two great Towns, the first beyond Gavio, and the other beyond Rossiglione, fell to fortify Gavio, and put 2000 Foot therein, to defend it: she also caused some Trenches, and some Redoubts to be made beyond the straits of Rossiglione, for the better security of that Pass; for Garrison whereof were sent 2500 Foot, by which and by the strength of the situation, it appeared (by the relation of experienced Commanders who were sent thither) so secured as the Pass was thought almost invincible: looking therefore 〈◊〉 the enemy would be longer detained, they gave themselves, with much study and industry, to Munite the City; which though it be walled about with great Walls, and flanked with good Bulwa●…ks, yet being over-looked by Mountains which encompass it, they chose to fortify the top of those Mountains by a long continued Trench, which beginning from the head of the Lantern which shuts up the Haven Westward, should run upon the back of the Mountains; and bending towards the East, should descend into the Valley of Bisagno, and should terminate there almost upon the point of Carignano, which is the furthermost part of the City towards the East; and because the Commonwealth knew she wanted a Commander in Chief, who might be well experienced in war, to whom they might commit the weight thereof, they chose Giovan jeronymo Doria, Knight of St. jago, to be their Camp-master-general, of whom mention hath been formerly made: an ancient and experienced Commander, but whose great age did diminish that vigour in him, by which in his youth he had done much in the behalf of the Catholic Religion, and of the Crown of Spain, in the wars of France and of Flanders; and they made Don Carlo Doria, Duke of Turcis, chief General for the defence of the City. The Camp-master-general Doria being brought into the Senate to spea●… his opinion touching the total administration of the present war; shewe●… that the chief defence of the City consisted in keeping the Enemy as long as they could beyond the Apennine; for the City being situated much underneath the neighbouring Mountains, and it being to be conceived by the great Train of Artillery which the Duke brought along with him, that he meant to begin the Siege by Battery, there was grea●… danger of terror and confusion in the City, not being accustomed to such furious noise of the Cannon: so as not approving the former resolution of abandoning Novi and Ovada, he moved for their defence; for though they were not able of themselves to stand out, yet they would afford time and commodity to make their Trenches already begun upon the Mountains, and for the coming of succours from Naples, and from the State of Milan. 〈◊〉 The Commonwealth approved of this advice, and sent Georgio Centurion and Henrico de Franchi, two Senators, to defend Savona, with titles of Commissaries General, and ordered Doria to defend the State beyond the Apennine: furnishing them all with such men as they could spare without disfurnishing the City: Doria passing over the Apennine sent his Nephew George Doria, with some Forces to Novi, and he in his own person undertook to defend Ovada: the Enemy had not as yet appeared before any of these places, only a Trumpet came some days before to Ovada, to summon it to surrender; and the scarcity of Oxen and Horses, for the Train of Artillery, together with some other impediments, was such, as not sufficing to conduct them, they were forced to bring part of their Artillery some miles forwards, and to send the same Cattle back to bring on the rest: which occasioned much delay in their march; and the deep Mire, and Rivers which were swollen by the great fall of Rain, retarded them much more; and yet the Dorii, finding neither Victuals, Munition, Artillery, nor any manner of defence in either of these places; for the Inhabitants finding that the Commonwealth had abandoned them, had for the most part quitted those Towns, and carried away the Artillery and Munition along with them, which were impossible to be brought back, the Enemy not being many hours march off when the Dorii entered: jovan jeronymo was forced to abandon the enterprise, and to retire to within the Trenches of Rossiglione; which finding to be ill ordered, and not defensible, he writ unto the Senate, advising them to remove the people from thence, lest they might be lost; and it being impossible to go with the Army and Artillery that way to Genoa, he counselled that the whole defence should return to Gavio, by which the Enemy must of necessity march; and whither he would go with his men, as he did: going therefore to Ottaggio, a great Town upon the same way, five miles more inward than Gavio, he thought to send aid from thence to Gavio and Novi, which he held would assuredly be the first places which the Enemy would fall upon; and by thus keeping them from entering by that way, to keep the City from being assaulted, and from the misfortune of the imminent war. Doria was not well got out of Ovada, when the Van of the enemy's Army, which was advanced, not meeting with any obstacle, entered thereinto, and finding no resistance took it; and the Count of Overgnia, General of the French Horse, advancing by the way of Gavio, took Novi also upon surrender; and the Enemy's Army which came on, lay idle for some days, quartered in these two Towns, and in the adjacent parts; waiting for the rest of their men with the Artillery and Munition, which came on but slowly, by reason of the aforesaid difficulties, The Duke being quartered in Cremolino, a Town in Montferrat, near to Ovada, was busy in taking the Trenches which guarded that Town; and the Count d'Overnia, who was quartered in Novi, and in the Cottages thereabouts, had his eye upon the Town of Gavio, which was defended by Benedetto Spinola, who upon this occasion was made Commissary-General beyond the Apennine, a Soldier much employed in the wars of Flanders, in chief commands, for a long time; he had with him 1500 Foot, most of them Country people, and one Troop of Horse from the State of Milan: he having speedily fortified the place, withstood a fierce assault given by the General, who going to surprise it with almost all his men, but without Artillery, was forced to retire with the loss of many of his men, and some of the chiefest, and also to abandon some stations which he had taken before the assault. The Duke's men had no better success in an assault which they gave to the Trenches of Rossiglione; for the station was manfully defended by jacomo Spinola, the head of 500 Soldiers of the Militia of Bisagno, with no small loss of the assailants: so as the people of the Commonwealth, though for the greater part of the meaner sort, having gotten the better in these two assaults, and in some lesser attempts, began to take heart, and to think the face of the Enemy less formidable; and the Commonwealth herself, fearing before how her men would behave themselves, seeing things succeed better than they expected, and that the Enemy's Army lay still idle, doing nothing worthy the threats, and same which was given out; began to build more upon the difficulties the Enemy would meet with, then upon the strength of their situations, and of the valour of their own men: wherefore they would not (according to Doria's advice) abandon the Fortifications of Rossigllone, which they were told by others were not to be taken; and hoping every day for better success, they thought that the Enemy, being straightened in those parts, began to experience those difficulties, whereinto they had unadvisedly brought themselves; and this the rather, for that Don jeronymo Pimontello, General of the Horse of the State of Milan, being entered by order from the Governor into Torona, with 4000 Foot, and 1000 Horse, stood observing their ways, that he might fall upon them in the Rear, if they should pass further into the Mountains of Liguria: all this while the peace was not violated, nor was there any breach of a war conceived to be made between the two Crowns; though for the Duke of Guise his having seized on the 150000 Ducats, as hath been said, in Provence, the King of Spain, pretending an interest therein, had made a reprisal of all the French goods that were in Spain; and the French had done the like to those of Spain, that were in France; therefore the Duke and the Constable, professing to observe punctually friendship, and good correspondency with the States, and Subjects of the King of Spain, did not permit any act of hostility to their men; and if any accident should happen to the contrary, they proceeded to severe punishment against the Delinquents, as done without their order, thorough military licentiousness, and excused themselves; which was not only accepted by the Spanish Officers, but seeding the French with the same food, they assured them they should not be injured by their Forces: many invitations were made moreover to the Duke, and to the Constable, and reciprocal friendly Offices passed between them; and upon complaint made by the Constable that some loads of Meal were taken by the Subjects of the State, restitution was forthwith made; the Governor, who was unarmed, being unwilling to provoke an Army which was strong and powerful upon his Confines: but when he should have passed the Apennine, where the numbers of men would neither be an help, nor hindrance, it was certain he would not keep within the same bounds; for it being as impossible to keep Genoa without the assistance of the State of Milan, as to defend Genoa when that State should be lost, it was apparent the Spaniards would be forced to break with all the World rather than to lose Genoa; for these Reasons the Genoeses were reasonably well satisfied, especially since they saw none of the Enemy's Fleets appear: but the Duke being desirous to clear the Pass of Rossiglione, resolved to assault it with the gross of his Army on Holy-thursday, the twelfth day after Ovada was taken: the defendants, who had had the better upon other occasions, were affrighted to see so many men appear in good order; so as distrusting not to be able to defend themselves, they all basely forsook the Trenches before the Enemy came within Musket-shot, and retreated, unless it were a Company of the Corsicks, which being placed higher made honourable resistance: but afterwards fire taking in a Barrel of Powder, at the blowing up whereof 20 of them were burnt and slain, and seeing the places behind them abandoned, they likewise forsook their stations, and retreated to Rossiglione; and the Enemy following their blow, became masters of the Trenches, and soon after of Ros●…iglione also, which was likewise forsaken by the rest, who making it a Rendezvouz for Arms, for reinforcing those who defended the more inward Trenches, seeing that they all ran away, they likewise beg●…n to run: so as the place, together with the Victuals, Munition, Moneys to pay the Soldiers, and other provisions, fell (without any opposition) into the Duke's hands: they continued running away, till they came to the Sea; only two Companies of Soldiers stayed in Mansone, where there was a little Castle, very strong by reason of the narrowness of the Passage, fifteen miles distant from Rossiglione, towards the Sea; wherein there was two small pieces, and whither sufficient Victuals, Men and Munition were sent from Genoa: the Enemy entering Rossiglione passed on to Campo, a place only three miles more inward than Masone: here they halted, trying those of Masone with small Skirmishes, and Articles of agreement, who still defending themselves did manfully make good that Pass, and that Castle: all this while the new work of encompassing the Mountains with Trenches was hardly begun in Genoa: the Walls of the City were not at all fortified; and their Artillery, whereof they had great store, and very great ones, were yet in their Magazines, unmounted, as in time of peace, and lying one on the top of another, they had no experienced Cannoneers, little store of Match, and the meaner sort of people was beyond measure increased, by the concourse of women, and others fled thither from the neighbouring parts for refuge: the Soldiery, which for a whole year were there assembled at the great charges and industry both of the public and private, much diminished: those few that were left were sent to Garrison Gavi and Rossiglione; and many of the latter were dissipated through the terror of the preceding day: 200 Neapolitans, who at the earnest entreaty of janetto Spinola were by john jeronymo Pimontello sent to Tortona some days before what had happened at Rossiglione, as they passed a long, without thought of being assaulted, were cut in pieces by the French: wherefore, the City appeared to suspect Feria, as being abandoned in her so great danger: so as the unexpected news of Rossiglione being brought to Genoa, the City was in great terror and confusion; which increas●…d by the children, old men and women of Vettri, who flocking to Genoa, full of fear, and believing that the Soldiers of the Commonwealth, who fled from Rossiglione, and returned by the way of the Mountains towards the Sea, were the Enemy, affirmed that Masone was taken, and that the French did draw near; that therefore which befell Rome, the City of Mars, after the rout at Thrassimeno and Canna, and at Hannibal's approaching the Walls of Rome; and of later times, Paris, when the Army of the Duke of Burgony and of the other Confederates, in the War for the Common Good, was heard to arrive; and yet of later years, when she feared to be assaulted by Charles the Fifth's Army; that which befell the Venetians after the Rout at Giaradadda, befell the City of Genoa: a City bred up for almost a hundred years in peace; where there was not any that had ever heard the noise of an Enemy's Drum or Trumpet: some of the Gentlewomen went from the City, some of the weaker sort of people fled; others freed their houses of what they had of most value and worth, and sent them to Leghorn. The Senate amidst such a multitude of affairs and troubles, hearing the opinion which was had of the greatness and nearness of the danger, resolved forthwith to abandon Savona, Gavio, and all the other places of the State, and to withdraw all their Forces to defend the City of Genoa, upon whose safety and welfare, all their thought were set: therefore on Good-Friday, the very day that they heard this news, they sent all the Galleys that were in the Haven to Savona, with order to the Commissaries, that leaving the Citadel provided for, they should presently return with all the inhabitants to the City: Orders were likewise sent to Campmaster Doria in Ottaggio, to do the like with all the Garrisons thereabouts, and with those of Gavio: the first Order was obeyed, for on Easter Eve the Galleys returned from Savona, with the people and Commissaries, but not the other; for Doria being experienced in warfare, thinking it to be a rash resolution, wrote back, before he obeyed it, that the Enemy having brought so many and so great pieces of Artillery by the way of Rossiglione, there was no danger that they could possibly app●…oach the City without them; and that the people might run danger of being lost, if they should be brought away, the Enemy being so near; he therefore exhorted the Senate to make head against them in Gavio, which whilst it was maintained did obstruct, and being abandonded did make way for free passage to the City. The Senate approved Doria's advice; true it is that the Commonwealth building much, in this so great terror, upon his Counsel and Valour, and upon the like of Benedetto Spinola, who kept to defend Gavio, sent for them both to Genoa, that they might assist to defend the City; and Spin●…la, (who upon this occasion was made Camp-master-general) was by Doria's direction, succeeded in the defence of Gavio, by jovan Baitista Meazza, of Pavia, Captain of the Milan Horse who were there in Garrison: it was therefore ordered contrary, to the former resolution, that the Galleys should return the next morning with the people who were not yet landed, to defend Savona. Lodovico Guasco's coming to Genoa did also much encourage the Inhabitants, and appease the confusion they were in, who was sent by Feria with 2000 Foot, and 200 Horse to the relief of the City; and coming on the Easter Eve, when the confusion was so great, was received with great joy, not only for the Forces which he brought with him, but also for that thereby the jealousies which were had of Feria ceased, and they hoped for greater succour: so as now some hopes of preservation appeared; especially since they heard that the Enemy came on no further by the way of Rossiglione: they therefore knew that the City had conceived too excessive fear by the disaster of Rossiglione, and Proclamation was made, that upon pain of Death none should depart the City, or send away any Goods or Movables; and they began very diligently to make Trenches, to mount their Cannon, to dig Ditches, and to make other Fences for the City, all, both men and women, being very intent upon the preservation of the public safety and liberty: but on the other side, the Senate fearing that some new invasion might be made in the Western River, especially since they heard that at this very time the Pimonteses were gone to Sassello, a Town belonging to the Commonwealth, lying a little above Savona, and that they had taken it; and fearing that General Doria, by reason of his great years, would not be able to provide at the same time for the defence of the River when it should be assaulted, and of the parts beyond the Apennine whereby the the Army marched, they chose Tomaso Caracolla, who was then in Milan, for their Camp-master-general; and deputing him for defence of the State beyond the Apennine, they sent Doria to recover Sassello, and to defend the Western River. On Holy-Thursday, the Pope's Galleys, and those of the great Duke, appeared in the Haven at Genoa, which waf●…ed Cardinal Francisco Barbarini, the Pope's Nephew, to Marcelles, who was sent Legate à Latere to the King of France, upon the occasion of the Valtoline, and of these present occurrences: a provision which was thought by many to be very weak, and unseasonable to keep off this imminent storm; and therefore as it proved useless afterwards, so was it of very little hope now: the Legate being arrived would not come on shore, nor accept of any public or private invitations, many whereof were offered him, excusing himself upon his precise Commissions and Orders limited by the Pope: insomuch as there were some who interpreted this Embassy to be for some other more secret ends: being stayed there some time by contrary Winds he departed on Easter-day, early in the morning, towards Savona, where he tarried some days, expecting Monsieur Pamphillio, Auditor di Ruota, who going along with the Legate, was to remain N●…tio in ordinary in Spain, and was sent from Savona to the Duke, to get from him some cessation of Arms. The Duke seeming somewhat scandalised, that the Legate came not himself in person, gave Pamphillio but a cool welcome; and by reason of the Victory at Rossiglione, thinking that he had the City as good as in possession, he did not grant the demand, alleging for his refusal, that being but a Soldier of the King of France in that war, it was more than lay in his power: not long after what had happened at Rossiglione, the Duke and Constable turned their Forces by the other way of Gavio and Ottaggio: distrusting as, I conceive, to be able to advance by the way of Rossiglione. The Genoeses penetrating into the design by what Doria had said, and being somewhat freed from their first astonishment, thought it necessary to turn their defence that way, not only to oppose and weary the Enemy's Forces, but to get more time by delay for the coming of succour from the State of Milan, from the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, where they were raising; and though all agreed in this, yet they differed in their opinions touching the way of putting it in execution: some were for reinforcing the Garrison of Gavio, whither Doria (before he went from Ottaggio,) had sent 1500, who if Gavio should be lost, might entertain the Enemy, till more succour should come: others were of opinion, that all the Kings and Commonwealths Forces should march towards Ottaggio, or the neighbouring parts, and make use of the Mountains situationous: and that giving more encouragement to the defence of Gavio, they might force the Enemy to live more close, and with more trouble and unquietness. During these discourses, Thomaso Caracciolo, and the Baron Batteville came from Milan, who unwilling either to approve or disapprove, any of the aforesaid opinions, before they had gone in person to know the situation of the Country, and condition of the places, that so they might give their opinion the better upon what was propounded: it was forthwith resolved they should go into those parts, and take with them 1000 of Guasco's Soldiers; and that Guasco himself should go with them and be assistant to them in Counsel; and that Doria should go to Savona, and from thence to the recovery of Sassello, which was soon recovered. Camillo Cattaneo, Knight of Malta, came also to the City from Sicily; one that had been long versed in the wars of Flanders, who was presently sent with 2000 Foot to Masone, and finding it not capable of so great a Garrison, he was ordered to go to Ottaggio; so as between those who were there already, and those that were to come thither within a few hours, Caracciola had with him in Ottaggio about 5000 Foot, and 80 Horse; Caracciola, leaving Guasco behind him, to follow with the Foot, came to Ottaggio about the going to of night; and understanding immediately that the Duke, being then very strong both in Horse and Foot, was come to Caroxo, a little Village in the mid way, but nearer Ottaggio than Gavio, and not thinking that he would come to an assault so soon, he was not so diligent as was necessary, the enemy being so near with so great Forces, and himself so courageous; and the night being dark and rainy would not permit him to discover the condition of the situation, and circumstances of the Country: some few men were only sent to guard the Passes, and to reinforce some of the neighbouring Hills; and news coming to Genoa, that for certain the Duke would make himself master of Ottaggio, before he would attempt Gavio, as well for the Victuals which he was confident he should find there, as that the enemies being driven out of those quarters might be no hindrance to the taking of Gavio, they only stayed expecting the next days light, to give necessary orders, and make requisite provisions: only they argued that night, whether if the Duke should advance, they should do better to wait for him within the Town, or meet him in the Field: Camillo Cattaneo was for keeping within to defend the Town, and Caracciola, that they should go out: but supposing that the Duke could neither have Cannon, nor be prepared for an assault, they thought they should have time enough to do what should be best, so as it would be superfluous to talk thereof now, hoping that time, the proceeding of the Enemy, and the next days light, would counsel them what they had best do. Ottaggio is great and populous, situated at the foot of the Apennine towards Lombardy, upon the left hand of a rivulet, which falls from the Mountain, and runs along the Plain on which the Town stands, which is weak, and almost open; for the ancient walls are ruinated in many places: on the top of it there stands a little Castle, much decayed by time; and standing upon the high-w●…y which leads to Genoa, it was rich and populous through the Merchandise, and passage which went and came continually from Lombardy; and the Geno●…ses thinking that it might be made very tenable, by reason of the situation, if it should be fortified, they made many Trenches in several parts, as well to defend the way as the neighbouring Mountain: the chiefest were, one made to defend a little Bridge called Frasso, half a mile beyond the Town; the other, a long Trench, which extending from the foot of the Mountain to the rivulet, sheltered the Town and the whole Campagnia on the front; by these Works they thought they might be able long to withstand the oppugning of Ottaggio, and keep the Enemy from entering by that way, not considering on how many sides an Army may make its way. The Duke who expected the speedy arrival of his Artillery, resolved not to march that day, so as the Commonwealths Captains might have had better conveniency to provide for defence: but Monsieur Diego San Anna being sent by the Duke with some Forces about break of day to discover the way, and the first Fortications, took the Fortifications of Frasso, almost before he had discovered them, which were the first, and were basely abandoned at the first appearance of the Enemy; he sent forth with to acquaint the Duke with this his happy beginning; the Duke was in doubt whether he should keep behind, with all or with part of his men, or make them retire from the place he had taken; and whilst he knew not what to resolve upon, he might hear a Skirmish which had happened between his men, and 400 Foot which were sent from Ottaggio to recover the abandoned place; he was advertised of what was done, and was sent to for succour, for that his men were in great danger: so seeing himself engaged, contrary to the orders he had given, he commanded his men to advance, crying out aloud, and with much confidence, this is a day of Victory: going forth with all his men into the Field, and sending part of his people by the Hills beyond the water, who should seem as if they went to assault that Town on the back, he disposed his Cavalry a long the River, and kept the rest on this side, and went with a large Front to assault the Plain, and the Hills which stood over them. The Genoese Commanders betook themselves to defence with no less courage, though with worse order and fortune; for Caracciola's power prevailing, they marched into the Field; and whilst the 400 Foot which went to recover Frasso entertain the Duke, they ordered their men thus. The Plain which lies between Ottaggio and Frasso is divided; on the left side whereof, which is under the Hills, they disposed of the Foot, wherein were comprehended Guasco's men, who were come but very then, weary and wet: in the way that lies nearest the River they placed 80 Horse, divided into four small Squadrons; they sent some to reinforce those that were to defend the Hills, by which the Enemy might advance: the mean while, the Duke having not only defended and kept Frasso which St. Anna had taken, but repulsed the 400 Foot that went to recover it, he pursued them, though not without trouble and difficulty; for they retreated slowly, still resisting and fight; and continuing thus for some hours, the Duke came at last within sight of the Plain of Ottaggio, where he might see the Commonwealths Forces in order, and prepared for defence; and staying his march a while, that he might form his Squadrons, and give fitting orders, he sent to assault them on all sides, those who defended the Hills were the first that gave back, who being pursued by much a greater number, retreated towards the Plain; whither being come, they disordered their friends Files, who being justled by their friends, and assaulted by the Enemy which pursued their friends, they could not resist; and the 80 Horse which they had placed in another part, wheeling about, at the first appearance of the Enemy's Horse, without striking one stroke, the flight and confusion grew greater every where, than the fight: so every one endeavouring their safety by retiring towards the Town, the Field was forsaken; and Caracciola, who fought there manfully with a Pike in his hand, and Agostino Spinola, were taken Prisoners: great was the slaughter of the Genoeses, especially at a Portcullies which they found shut; for there being here a great press of those that pursued, and those that were pursued, and little or no resistance made, the Duke's men had opportunity to kill many: yet this slaughter was not without revenge for the Portcullies being beaten down, and the Duke's men entering the Town, were very hardly dealt withal, not only by Musket-shot from the windows, but by two Barrels of powder, to which fire being seasonably set, many of the Duke's Soldiers perished, amongst which many of the chiefest both for Birth and Valour: yet that first part of the Town was taken by the Duke; who without giving any time of respite fell upon the main Town, which was divided by a little rivulet from the Suburbs which were taken; where also the falling on was not only great, but also the resistance; and the oppugners received most prejudice, who remaining an open mark to the shot of the defendants, (for there were neither Trenches, nor covered approaches) they fought for the space of three hours: the defendants playing upon them from the Windows and tops of Houses: yet the oppugners increasing every moment, and a rumour being spread abroad amongst the defendants, that the Enemy was entered by another part of the Town, the Captains and other Officers, being surprised at so sudden a news, and not knowing what to do, they gave over making further defence, and fled to the Castle, hoping to get out from thence by the way of the Mountain, and go safe to Genoa: but they failed in their design; for seeing the skirts of the Mountains possessed by the Enemy, and having neither Powder in the Castle, to defend themselves, nor Victuals to maintain themselves, they had but little hope of safety. The Town, by their retreat, slackened their defence, and being at last either abandoned by the defendants, or overlaid by the assailants, whose numbers increased by continual recruits, and the Duke being there in person, it fell into the power of the Enemy; and soon after the Castle; wherein there being neither Victuals, nor any thing for defence, Guasco and the other Commanders who were shut up there, surrendered upon Articles: which being agreed upon by word of mouth, but not in writing, afforded occasion of wrangling; those within pretending that they were to have their liberty together with their lives; and the others, that their lives were only granted them; wherefore the Duke kept them all prisoners; and the more to justify his doing so, said that they had broken their Articles by setting fire to a Barrel of Powder, which slew many of both sides, and amongst the rest Monsieur di Flandes, one of the chief Officers of the Duke's Army, and one whom he esteemed very much for his valour: at the which unfortunate accident the Duke was so disgusted, for the loss of his men, and especially for that of Flandes, as he thereby pretended to detain them all, and to deprive the Commonwealth, in such an exigent of time, of their chief Commanders, attributing the accident to the Enemy's maliciousness. Thus all Articles were broken; and the Soldiers entering the Town presently sack it; wherein not only much ●…avenous cruelty was committed, but great impiety, to the great prejudice of those of Ottaggio, they being destined to suffer the first mischiefs of war which was begun against Zuccharello, 80 miles distant from thence: great was the prey that was here got; for this was the usual Market for Victuals which passed from Lombardy to Genoa; and the Ottaggians being naturally industrious, and given to Trade, were very rich in Moneys, Householdstuff and Corn: whereby the Duke's men, who had known the miseries of war, clothed themselves anew, and got great store of Moneys, Victuals, and of many other things: the Prisoners were very many, amongst which, nine of the prime Gentlemen of Genoa, besides many other Captains and Officers; seven Ensigns were there taken, and the Victory was great, for here did the chiefest of the Commonwealths Soldiers and Commanders fight; but yet it was not without the loss of a great many of the Duke's best Soldiers. Ottaggio being taken, the Duke took some Horse with him and road up the Apennine; where when he was come to the top, he looked advisedly upon the Valley of Pozzevera, which lay beneath, and upon the Sea which was near unto it: for the City which is environed with nearer Hills cannot be seen from thence; and devouring that prey with his looks, and desire of revenge, which he was never to get, he thought every hour a thousand years till he had got the City: not knowing, nor being able to imagine that God had prefixed that place where he now was for the boundure of his vast designs, and for the utmost limits of his Triumph. The Duke could not so fully enjoy this his Victory; for to boot with the loss of his best men, his joy was embittered by the news which he heard the next day, touching his Admiral Galley, which the very next day after the Battle was brought, with his chiefest Standard in her, captive into the Haven of Genoa: the Commonwealth had sent three Galleys some few days before into the Provencal Seas to annoy the Duke's Coasts, who hearing that the Duke's Admiral was at St. Honorato, a very small Island in that Sea, anciently called Lerino, not far from Nice, and disjoined from the Continent by a little Channel, they resolved to go in pursuit thereof: when they came near the Island, two of them kept without at Sea, and Galleazzo Giustiniano, who commanded the Genoese Admiral, entered between the Island and the Continent, and lighting upon the Duke's Galley, (which seeing what danger she was in retired) and strove to get into some Town of Provence, but was overtaken and forced to yield to the Genoese Admiral: but though the unhappy success at Ottaggio did not occasion so great terror and confusion in Genoa, as did the loss of Rossiglione but some few days before; (for she was the better accustomed to bear with such disasters:) yet the wifer sort knew, that this loss was much greater than that of Rossiglione, by reason of the defeat given to all their best men, and the imprisonment of sogallant and experienced a Commander, in whose worth and valour the Commonwealth reposed so much trust, together with the like of their Captains, and prime Gentlemen: they considered the danger they were in, that the Duke following his good fortune might present himself before their Walls with his whole Army, and that of the King of France: so as being inwardly afflicted with so great a loss, they knew not how to sustain so imminent a danger. The Senate calling a Counsel of many of their Captains and Counsellors, (whereinto was admitted the Marquels of Castagnedo, being the Spanish Ambassador, whose advice they much valued, as being one well experienced in the Wars of France;) and the Duke of Turcis; they were of differing opinions, as were also their Captains and Counsellors: some thought it a pernicious advice to consume their best men in the defence of a weak place, against so powerful an enemy; and thinking it a better course to make use of them for the defence of the City, whose danger could not be greater, nor nearer hand, they advised to abandon Gavio, and to withdraw the Garrison, to defend the chief City: others persevering in their former opinion, said, that the Enemy losing also many of their best men, which were the very sinews of their Forces, they became weaker, and consequently less able to expugn the City; and that succours being daily expected from Naples and Sicily, the City could run no danger: so as it might do well, though with the loss of the Garrison at Gavio, to entertain the enemy, and to gain time not only for the coming of the foresaid succours, but for the arrival of the Germans, who (they heard) were already entered the State of Milan. In this difference of opinions, they resolved to consult with the Duke of Feria, and to be governed by him: the Duke of Savoy, on the oath other side, grown proud with Victory, prepared to pass with all his men over the Apennine, and to come before the City Walls; and was very careful in preparing all things fitting for the enterprise: but the Constable kept him from this resolution; who being unwilling to leave Gavio behind his back, which was well fortified, and had a great Garrison in it, it being an inlet for succour, and a place of safety for the Enemy to retreat unto upon any occasion, gave order for the expugning thereof before they should advance further. The Duke thought it somewhat hard to foreslow the course of Victory; but not being able to do otherwise, he was forced to give way to the Constables will; without which he could not prosecute the intended enterprise: and because the Constable thought the loss too great which was received by the former assault given to place by the General of the Horse, and the loss greater which was received before Ottaggio, because they had proceeded in those actions according to the Military manner, he would therefore proceed orderly in the taking of Gavio, with Artillery, Approaches, and making of Trenches: Captain Meazza, Governor of the Garrison of that place, labouring how to defend it, and how to offend the Enemy by often sallies, conceived such hopes, as he writ to the Senate, that he would make good that place for the space of ten or twelve days; nor would he peradventure have failed to do it, had not one who had gotten privately into Gavio, given him some orders from Stefano Spinola, and from the Resident for the Commonwealth with Feria at Milan, whereby he was told that Feria thought it a better and safer way, to preserve their men, then to lose them together with the Town; the preservation whereof was desperate: that he should therefore give over the defence thereof, and provide the best he could for the safety of the Garrison. The Senate had writ to Meazza when they left the decision of the business to Feria, that he should observe such Orders as he should receive from Spinola from Milan; and they had written to Spinola that he should direct Meazza what to do touching the maintaining, or abandoning of Gavio, according as Feria should think fit: hereupon Meazza about midnight, without knowledge of the Townsmen, went away with the Garrison of 3000 Foot towards Serravalle, a Town lying towards the State of Milan, about some five miles of; but finding the ways bad, and therefore having spent much time in his march, he began to fear being surprised by the way, the next day: wherefore resolving to return back, he did so, with the like silence as he had come out that night; and upon Articles to march out with his men the next day, he yielded up the Town, but not the Castle, which was not at his disposal: this third accident did again afflict the City, which the day before the surrender had received Meazza's Letter, by which he assured them he would maintain the Town fourteen or twelve days at least: in which mean time the Genoeses believing that for certain, that relief would come from Naples and Sicily, they began to hope, that the succour would come before they should see the Enemy's Army: but now failing of that assurance, and not seeing the succour come, every one apprehended his own misfortune, and were astonished at the Enemy's success; and finding that they prospered in all their actions, they thought it impossible they should do otherwise in the enterprise of Genoa. This their affliction and astonishment was presently increased by the loss of the Castle, which happened not long after; for the Duke being desirous to remove all pretences and impediments that the Constable could allege, for not going to Genoa, speedily prepared the Battery, wherewith having for a while played upon the Walls and prejudiced them a little, the Captain of the Castle (though he were strongly situated, and well provided of all things, yet being) but young and unexperienced, he came to Parley, and obtained Truce for three days, with leave to send to Genoa, to advertise the Senate of his condition; but the Duke having made some Trenches during the Truc●…, and the Captain not having received any advertisement from the City during those three days (for the Duke had detained the Messenger) he also surrendered: so the Army, having no other obstacle to keep them from going to Genoa, unless it were the craggedness of the Mountain; the Duke egged on by ardent desire, and by the great hopes which so noble a concourse of Victories afforded him, he pressed the Constable very hard, that without giving further respite to the Enemy, he would give order for the advancing of the Army and Artillery, assuring him of undoubted Victory. We have already (said he) opened the gate, paved the way to the City: all obstacles and impediments are already removed; the Enemies are routed, their chief Commanders are our Prisoners; the City herself, before the Victory at Ottaggio, being full of terror and confusion, had (as we understand by some Prisoners) sent to Article with us, and to offer us great sums of Money: many of the chief of the Commonwealth do the like to redeem themselves from us, and our hands; from whence knowing their own weakness and being confounded with the presages of imminent ruin, they very well know they cannot possibly escape, what will they now do, after so many defeats, in the heels of one another? after having lost their best men? when they shall see themselves deprived of so many Chieftains and Officers? deprived of their General at the very first encounter, in whom they did so much confide? shall we think that they will hold out, at the very first appearance of our Ensigns, that they will wait for the noise of our Cannon? shall we believe that a City accustomed only to Traffic, and to give account how they have gotten so great riches as they have now within their Walls, and as they have distributed elsewhere, shall dare to make any resistance against our Forces, our Ensigns, our Fame? against the dread which the French Forces bear with them every where, and which are every where so feared and reverenced? let us go, for God's sake, before they by their flight rob us of such riches as are already ours: before that being fortified, and succoured by the Spaniards, they may dispute that Victory, which nothing but speed can, in all probability, assure us: what terror, what consternation hath the loss of their Trenches, the rout and defeat at Rossiglione, imprinted in our Enemies? how near was that City then to be abandoned; and shall we now, after the defeat of Ottaggio, after the loss of Gavio, when they are deprived of their best Soldiers, best Commanders, doubt that they will not undoubtedly be readier to run away, then to defend themselves? that they will not rather think of their own safety, then of making resistance? I pass by the many intelligences which we have with those Citizens; I mention not the discontents, and dissatisfactions which are in that City; which certainly will much facilitate our Victory. Let us go on then, great Constable! not to the oppugning, but to the expugning of this City, not to the Assault, but to the Conquest thereof; not to the Combat, but to the assured Victory, which is promised, and prepared for us, by so many Circumstances and Arguments: whereby the name of France, and the Empire of that Crown, which is already in the wane in Italy, shall be by us raised up again; and to our perpetual glory, be restored to her former splendour and dignity; and your Excellency by so signal an action shall crown your so many former praises, and gloriously concluding your Heroic Deeds, shall render your name more famous amongst the French, and other Nations, then that of any of those ancient Commanders which we remember or read of. The Duke's Authority was not so powerful with the Constable as it had been; and as fellowship in command is always full of emulation, and jealousy; the ends of Commanders not being always the same, it appeared by several signs, that neither were their wills the same: he therefore answered. If your Highness, His Majesty's Agents, and the other Confederates had, in some sort at least, corresponded to the Obligations of the League, and to the great offers made to me at Susa; surely such exhortations as these would be superfluous to me: nor should I, who have always incited others to glorious and gallant actions, need now such an Inciter; for the very Reasons, and the same Courage, which in obedience to his Majesty, and to serve so many Confederate Princes, moved me in my old Age, and in the midst of Winter, to pass over the Alps, would of themselves be sufficient to bring the Enterprise to an honourable end, which was resolved upon so good grounds, and begun with so great preparations, and greater cheerfulness: but in a business of such weight we must go to work with understanding, and casting up our accounts well, we must not golgroping in the dark amidst so many dangers; best we repent our rashness too late, and lest instead of advantage, which we pretend unto, and the glory which we hope for, we reap ruin, loss and dishonour: we go against a great City, well peopled, munited with strong Walls, and environed with many Fortifications, as we are informed: we go by uneasy ways, by a barren Country, by strong situations, by craggy Mountains, by Countries which have nothing left in them for the maintaining of an Army; where are our Victuals for nourishment? where cattle for Carriage? where Carriages for other Implements? does your Highness know how far the Provisions which you ought to make prove short? how far inferior to your obligation, and to what you did assure me they should be, first in Susa, and afterwards in Turin? I do not here Dispute whether it be out of will, out of negligence, or impossibility, that they have not yet appeared: whatsoever the reason be, it cannot be denied but that there is great want of them, and that the consequence thereof is great for what we have to do: the English Fleet, and that of Marcelles, which were the chief groundworks of our enterprise, have not only not yet appeared in the Seas of Genoa, but are not (for aught we can learn) come yet out of their Havens: the supply of men, which should be prepared in France, for the necessary recruit of our Army, which is weakened very much already, and very much lessened, we do not hear that they are yet sent, no not so much as in a readiness: nor is there any care had of us in that Court, more than if we had never come out of that Kingdom; and who can think but that a resolution wisely put on upon these groundworks must needs run to ruin, when these foundations fail? and yet your Highness, persisting in the same fervour, thinks it great shame not to pursue that which it would have been great weakness to have begun without these foundations, or to have resolved upon, and which it would be great rashness to pursue: whether of our two advices be the better, (if it were not convinced by common sense and reason) would be better comprehended if we would but duly consider what our condition was when we had past the Apennine: it being impossible, if we should have met with any indifferent resistance, to keep there idle, destitute of Victuals, and of all humane provision; and who can doubt but that any the least stop, any the sleightest hindrance to this your Highness his pretended Victory, will redound to our own total ruin and destruction? but why talk I of stops or hindrances? our only tarrying for the bringing on of our Artillery, and other Provisions, which cannot March as fast as our Army; the time only to distribute out Quarters; to make ourselves masters of their Sentinels or Sconces; to the disposing of our Artillery; (if we should meet with no other lets,) will be undoubtedly sufficient to ruin us, and to destroy our men, if we carry not Victuals along with us, sufficient for our maintenance the mean while; so as we shall have come thither, for nothing else but to make ourselves a ridiculous spectacle to the world, through our rashness, and indiscretion, whereof our very enemies, whilst sitting within their Walls, will be the first and nearest spectators: what will become of us then, think you, if the State of Milan, which we shall leave behind us, as a sure enemy, shall move? who can assure us that they will continue their hitherto feigned friendship with us, when we shall have passed the Mountains? what will the event be, if the great succours and aids which are preparing in Naples and Sicily shall come from thence this mean while? with what courage, with what Forces, can we at the same time mind the expugning of a City well walled, well provided and succoured, and resist the Forces of the State of Milan, which shall come upon us, whilst we are oppressed by so many troubles, straitened by so great necessities, shut up between the Mountains and the Sea, and deprived of any mortal succour? will your Highness confide in the weakness of Enemy, in the People's astonishment in, the disorders of the City, in the great intelligence which you confess you have there? let us suppose, that this being our condition, the City Gates should be thrown open to us, and that that should be the only way remaining for us, in this extremity, to get the Victory, or rather to save ourselves? will your Highness (persisting constantly in your opinion,) place, I will not say the happy event of the Enterprise, but the safety of ourselves, and of our reputations, upon so acrial, and so uncertain points? the battle at Ottaggio may make your Highness know that the enemies are not so full of baseness and cowardice, as your Highness believed them to be but a little before: the taking of that little Burrough which made nothing at all for our main affair, which wanted Artillery, and whose Walls were for the most part down, cost us the blood of our best men, as your Highness very well knows; and shall we think that they who have sold so little a Town at so dear a rate, will be ready to throw open their Gates, that they will so easily give themselves, their Wives, Children and Riches, in prey to us? let not, oh let not the too immoderate desire of Victory, the too great thirst after glory and revenge, make us too rash; and let us not be misled by vain intelligence with discontented people, wherein the total of our lives and reputations does depend; nor let us not place the groundwork of our Enterprise upon the people's confusion, and sudden fear; for I protest and declare, that we shall assuredly be deceived if we carry with us no other preparations, no other enforcements for Victory, and for our own escape: the intelligence, and plots of malcontents, may easily be discovered and hushed, they may be withheld by the coming of new succours, changed by the alteration of success, vanish through the difficulty of performance, or suppressed by the diligence of the Governor: a little time appeases hidden commotions, a small opposition curbs popular insurrections; and by what we hear of the union and good order of that City, we have more reason to fear, then to hope for Victory; and I who have some experience of the world's affairs, as I build somewhat upon such occasions, and accidents, when Forces are adequate to the Enterprise; so where I find them inferior, I have always thought them to be but baits to ruin, and to the destruction of those that lay the groundwork of their success thereupon. The Duke replied many things, whereby to draw the Constable over to his opinion; sometimes showing him that being so far advanced, they could not without much shame forbear prosecuting: sometimes endeavouring to free him from the fear of the State of Milan, by telling him in what straits of men and money the Duke of Feria was; sometimes that the French Forces had the better of it in the Valtoline, and were Conquerors on that side, who would at the same time fall there upon the State of Milan: sometimes mentioning the Venetians, who being ready to break into war upon the account of Cremona and Giaradadda, would reduce that Governor to a condition of rather needing succour, then of succouring: that therefore they were to make use of the reputation and heat of Victory, which doth oft time bring Enterprises to a happy end, though they be otherwise impossible, and desp●…rate, to the appearing of all humane reason: that all sinister events ought not to be thought upon, which may intervene in humane actions; since there are none so certain, nor so surely grounded, which may not be hindered by a thousand accidents; upon which he who would fix his eye too attentively, must not hope to do any thing; that many things were to be left to Fortune, which bearing a great sway in all humane actions, but particularly in those of War, doth commonly assist bold and courageous actions: that it could not be long ere the Fle●…ts would arrive, the necessity whereof he, out of many considerations, did not much value: But the Constable demanding, finally, provisions to maintain the Army for at least three months beyond the Apennine, before he would move from those quarters where he was; (and not long after these Disputes, news coming, that great succours were come to Genoa, from Naples and Sicily) the execution of this so great Enterprise was almost quite given over. The Duke being necessitated to steer on his course, resolved, to shun lying idle and loss of time, to turn part of his men towards the Western River, which by the Capitulations of Susa, were assigned over to him; and where he understood the Genoese had taken Oneglias from him, together with all the Valleys of that Country, and were entered into that of the neighbouring Prela: he gave the charge hereof to the Prince, who foregoing for then to attempt Savona, turned upon Pieve, the first Town of the Genoese, of the nearest to Piedmont, and the Marqui●…ate of Ceva; 2000 Piedmontese of the Trained-bands of Mondovi, and of the Marquisate of Ceva, were entered a little before into the River to defend Oneglia, not knowing that it was taken by the Genoese: these ●…aving past the Apennine at the place which is called Passo della Nava, by which the way lies to Pieve, (a Pass naturally very difficult, and unaccessible, and almost abandoned by those of the Commonwealth, came not time enough to defend it, nor to relieve Oneglia, which was already taken by the Genoese, but going to Prela, it was their good luck to relieve and free it; for there being none before it but an unexercised Mil●…ti, without an experienced Commander, with little or no Military Discipline, they gave over the Siege at the appearing of the Piedmonteses: so as returning with the same ease, and success, into Piedmont by the same P●…ss of Nava, and having acquainted the Prince with the weakness of the Guards at those Passes, and how easily they had relieved Prela, and how they had not met with any opposition in their return, th●…y encouraged him the more to the enterprise; where by the example of his Subj●…cts who were returned from those parts, he had reason to expect but small resistance: he therefore with hopes of good success, began it: nor failed he in his hopes, for finding the Passes, as he had been informed, but badly guarded, he fell down from thence to Pieve, a great Town at the foot of the Apennine towards the Sea; and the Market being usually there as great and populous, used by the Piedmonteses and Genoeses, but not weaker to be defended then that of Ottaggio, Campmaster Doria was entered thereinto, being sent thither from Genoa, when the danger of that side was known: he had only a thousand paid men given him by the Commonwealth; so as though he had refused to go thither with so small a number, yet to obey the Senate's Orders he went: but with protestation, that he went, to the manifest loss of himself, and of his men: so gathering together 1500 more of the common people of that Country, he came together with them into Pieve; and holding it was impossible to take that Town without Artillery, which he also thought was impossible to be brought thither, he gave all necessary Orders, and made all requisite provisions for defence: he fortified the Monasteries of St. Austin, and the Capuchins which were without the Town; and munited them with sufficient Garrisons: he did the like at a certain station which was called la Morte, all which places he thought untakeable without Artillery: so as thinking himself sa●…e within the Town with those Fortifications, he expected the coming of the Enemy. Doria was not deceived in his opinion; for the Prince appeared without any Artillery, and sitting down before St. Austin's Monastery, he met with great opposition, and for some days had little hope to take it; but Artillery arriving the fifth day, beyond the defendants expectation, all impediments were removed; for levelling them at the Monastery, and beating down the Steeple, it slew many of the defendants with the fall thereof, he infused such terror into the rest, who returned tumultuously into Pieve, leaving that station in the Prince's power: their example was immediately followed by the rest of the Guards, so as the Prince (being master of the Field,) sat down presently before the Town, which being by so unexpected a chance fuller of confusion than order, and the Walls not being fit for battery, the Captain began to Parley; and having the word of one of the Duke's Captains given him, that he might march out, he, not minding who it was that gave it, or what power he had to give it, was presently made Prisoner; and it being given out amongst them that were within, that for fear of troubling of the Treaty, they should put out their Matches, the Besiegers approached the Wall without resistance, and beating down the Gate with a Beam of Wood they entered the Town, and those within fled away by another little Gate that was towards the Sea: but they missed of their design, which was to escape, for that other Gate being presently possessed by the Prince's Soldiers, many of them throwing themselves down from the Walls, which were not very high in that part, were some of them slain by the Musketeers who were placed on the out side, and other some perished in their falling down: here was the greatest slaughter of the best men, to the number of 200; but those that kept within the Town met with more mercy; for the Town being taken whilst the surrender was in Treaty, the Prince provided for the people's safety; and the Soldiers falling to plunde●…, and their ava●…ice being greater than their cruelty, none were troubled but those that withstood plunder: many were taken Prisoners, amongst which, Campmaster Doria, and four other Gentlemen of Genoa, two others who were got into the Castle yielded not long after, upon promise of safety of life and liberty, which was readily observed. Thus was Pieus taken, Doria made Prisoner, and the people of the Commonwealth, who were destined to guard that part, were defeated: Lafoy Riviera, having lost its Garrison, and not hoping for relief, ●…ell into the Prince his power: all the Commonalty ran to receive him, and brought him the Keys: they ●…reed themselves, by moneys, from being sacked, and rendered obedience to the Prince, being ordered by the Commonwealth to do so; which minding only the defence of Genoa, suffered them to complain with the times, so to keep from being sacked, and from the violence of War: Whereupon Albenga, Alassio, Porto Mauritio, San Remo, and the City of Venti●…iglia, the chiefest Towns upon the River, together with Oneglia, fell (without any gainsaying) into the Prince's hands; as did also all the weaker places, unless it were Triora, which being seated upon the top of a Mountain, held out, and kept still manfully for the Commonwealth, and defended itself manfully against many attempts. The Castle of Ventimiglia held also for the Commonwealth, which resisted for some days after the Town was surrendered, till the Prince having caused some Artillery to be brought from Nice by Sea, began to batter it, and also to make a Mine; whereupon the Captain who was but little experienced in the Militia, a●… the end of eight days surrendered it: whereby the Prince became absolute master of the River, which extends itself for the space of 70 miles, from Finale to Monaco. The Duke, at the same time, notwithstanding the Constable's backwardness, persisting in going for Genoa, made many provisions in Gavio, which were sent from Piedmont: he brought Artillery to Ottaggi●…, he caused Scaling-Ladders to be made, ●…e assembled Pioners to plain the ways upon the Mountains; and having taken many Fee-farms, which held of the Empire beyond the Apennine, from several Gentlemen of Genoa, in the Valley of Serivia, he sent his natural Son, Don Felice, to take Savignone, another Fee of the Empire, a great Town, distant only six miles from the City, on the Noth side: by which way being able without any impediment to fall into the Valley of Bysagna●…, he made way to assault the City on that side which was thought the weakest. Don Felice succeeded therein happily, and without resistance; for the City being brought into great straits and anx●…ety, was wholly intent upon fortifying herself; and to keep off the danger which she saw drew (every day) nearer, she was very diligent in making ●…renches, in furnishing the Walls with Artillery, in digging Ditches, in making Plat-forms, and Stockcadoes, to fence the weakest places. Thus the Affairs of Genoa were thought to be brought to the last period: moreover, the City was at this time in great want of Moneys; for some Galleys being gone into Spain to fetch moneys durst not make the Voyage for fear of the Fleet at Marcelles: they therefore made use of the Plate of private persons, which being turned into money did in part supply the need, but the expense being excessive ●…ame far short of what was requisite: there we●…e not many men ready in the State of Milan to come into the Field, the Germans not being yet come: and some few that were already come were sent to descend la Riva, which was so necessary for the preservation of that State; and Don jeronymo Pimontello, not thinking himself safe in Tortona, thought it better to retreat with those few men he had into Alessandria: at which the Genoeses were not a little astonished, who by the fear he showed upon this occasion, were not well pleased to see him go further from the City, instead of drawing nearer to the relief thereof; and the like scarcity of money being there as was in Genoa, the Swissers, who were much in Arreer for former pay, seeing the great necessity of the Spanish Officers, and being set on by the Princes of the League, denied passage to the Germans who came to defend the States of Milan, and Genoa. The failing of the Genoeses credit ensued the want moneys; for their State being given for lost, throughout Italy, and all Europe, it was thought that the private Fortunes of those Citizens would perish with the public. The fear which was had in Genoa, of the English and French Fleets, was of no small consideration, and did much afflict the minds of all men; it being hourly feared that they would appear in those Seas, by reason of the continual news which they had of great preparations made both at Marcelles, and in England; and of moneys sent by the Duke, and his Son, when they were before Ventimiglia, to the Guisans, that they might put the Fleet in readiness, and appear as soon as might be in the River of Genoa: to which Fleets it was feared that 40 Frigates or men of War would join; which being come from forth of Holland, and it not being known whither they were bend, all men thought they were intended for the Enterprise of Genoa: great was the danger, lest taking Corsica, or some of those Havens, they might fortify it, and make it serve for a Bulwark against the State of Genoa; and there hinder the passage of shipping between Spain and the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily: the Genoeses were no less jealous of the Princes of Italy, who having room left them to be admitted into the League, it was not known how they stood affected to these present commo●…ions: it being feared that either apprehending to share in the ruin of Genoa, they should not dare to declare themselves, or run the same fortune for assisting them, or that out of a tacit abhorrence of the Spanish Empire, they might not be sorry to see an alteration in the State of Genoa, which was so nearly joined to the Spanish Grandezza; and that some out of a desire of bettering themselves in the ruin of that Commonwealth, might wish it; for a Rendezvous for Arms was made in the City of Pisa, and a great assembly of men, and preparations for War; and though it was said to be done under the colour of being ready upon all occasions to defend Tuscany, yet the Genoeses wanted not conjectures of danger to Serezzana and Serezzanello, belonging to the State of Genoa upon those Confines: which places the great Dukes of Tuscany, under pretence of the Florentine Commonwealth, have always had an eye upon, and (sometimes) some secret practices: it was certainly known that the great Duke did at this time treat with the Duke of Feria, that he would suffer him to possess himself of them, and of the Gulf of Spetie, and to keep them, and defend them against the Confede ate's Army, lest when they should have taken Genoa they should take them also; and that answer was made, that neither by the King of Spain, nor yet Feria's self, that any one-foot belonging to the State of Genoa should be possessed upon any whatsoever pretence. The Genoeses were therefore much distracted, being forced upon these urgent occasions to lessen their own necessary defences, so to provide for the defence of Corsica, and of the two other places, of such concernment; whether they notwithstanding sent people, and provision for the maintaining of them: though the danger from the Duke of Mantua, (who was thought to be privately very partial to the French) were not so great, yet the jealousy was no less, by his giving free passage to the Confederates Army through Montferrat; and more by the offers made afterward by him in secret to the Commonwealth, to join with them against the same Army which was already past; promising to fall upon them in the Rear with 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse; if they would give him money to raise them, and to maintain them in the field: which offers, as contrary to the ends and proceedings of that Prince, were not only not accepted, but (as not too much to be trusted in these times,) they were rejected. The Venetians foregoing that so noble study and endeavour publicly professed by them upon all occasions, of the lib●…rty of Italy, being now joined with Foreigners against the Genoeses, were held to be little less than open enemies to them: they had no old quarrel against the Commonwealth, nor any new occasion of enmity or resentment to incite them to so hostile a resolution: but after the ancient emulation for Empire at Sea, the two Commonwealths had always kept upon fair terms: the uniformity of their Government, and their being both of them Italian Potentates, might have been sufficient to interest them in the reciprocal maintaining of each other: only the common end and desire of the Confederates, to abate the greatness of the Austrians, and of the King of Spain, which was more suspicious to the Venetians then to any others, by reason of the neighbourhood of Germany, was sufficient to work upon that Senate at this time, and to make them (together with the rest) plot the ruin of Genoa: it was commonly said, that this business being handled in the Consiglio de Pregati, and it being argued what disorder and inconveniences would ensue to the common affairs by the ruin of Genoa, at that time particularly, when that Commonwealth was desired, in the Diet at Susa, to join with the rest in the War against Genoa; Rainero Zeno, a Senator of great sway and eloquence, should say, that the inconveniences were most apparent, but that the danger of their affairs, by reason of the great power of the Empire, and of the Crown of Spain, was such, so imminent, and so near their State, as all other respects and considerations whatsoever being laid aside, it ought in good Government of State to be preferred before all things else; and that since all disorders could not be prevented, they ought, in so weighty and important resolutions, too have an eye upon the greater, and wink at the lesser; just as wise Physicians do, who (to preserve their Patient's life) stick not sometimes at the amputation of a Leg or an Arm, which being preserved would be his death. And though the Venetian Forces, being far from the Confines of Genoa, were not much to be doubted: yet being near the Cremonese, and joined with the French in the Vatoline, they kept the State of Milan employed, and consequently were no little hindrance to the succours which might be brought from thence to the Genoeses; whose condition was now such in Venice, as the Merchants of Genoa durst not appear in public, they were so generally hated; and great was the rejoicing of the Venetian Nobility and Commonalty, when they heard of the good success of the Confederates Army against the State of Genoa; and no less triumph and rejoicing was made in the Court of Rome, where the Genoeses through sinister news, spread abroad of their misfortunes, had lost so much reputation, as they mocked, and publicly laughed at them, as if they had already been quite vanquished; and were it either by reason of the great joy which great alterations cause, or were it that the Officers of the Palace were for the most part Florentines, or such as depended upon Florentines, they were not displeased to see the liberty of others lost, though their own was therein concerned: a thing which made some men argue that the Pope was not overwell affected to the Commonwealth, and which did much detract from the fatherly zeal which he professed to bear her, and from the words which he was used to say, when he heard ill news of the Commonwealth, wherein he was wont to deplore the ruin of so Christian and Catholic a State: to this miserable and ruinous a condition the Affairs and Liberty of the State of Genoa seem to be reduced. The End of the Eighth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK IX. The Contents: BY relief of Moneys and Victuals sent from Spain, and Men from Naples, Genoa is comforted in the midst of her troubles; she is encouraged by the wants of the Enemy's Army, and through the disagreeing of their Commanders; and is at last wholly freed by Friends coming into the Field with a powerful Army. The Enemy's Army retreats from the Enterprise of Genoa, and attempts Savona; but being overtaken by Feria, retires to Piedmont. Feria takes the City of Acqui; he goes afterwards to Asti, and from thence to Verrua; where he stays long to little purpose, leaving many of his men behind him; and being forced to give over the Enterprise, returns with his Army much lessened, into the State of Milan: many actions happen at the same time in the besieging and defending of Riva di Chiavenna; wherein the Spaniards have still the better of the French; they drive the French at last out of the Valtoline, and raise the Siege of Riva. The English Fleet falling upon Spain, is repulsed; and having in vain endeavoured to take the Plate-Fleet which came from America, retires into England, torn by Tempests. A Discourse upon the quality and usual Navigation of the Plate-Fleet: the Apostolic Legate returns from France to Rome; and is sent from Rome to Spain; whither being come, he finds the Peace concluded between the two Crown●…; and the Affairs of I●…aly, and of the Valtoline, composed. The Pope, and all the Princes of the League are very much displeased with this Peace; as also all the Princes, and the Court of France. Some of them do therefore conspire against the King's person, In pursuance of the Peace, the Forts of the Valtoline are restored, and demolished. New occasions of disgust between the Genoese, and the Duke of Savoy. The Duke of Guise his Fleet goes from Marcelles, and comes to Leghorn; and returns from thence to Marcelles, without having done any thing. The Duke of Mantua dies; and long after, his Brother, who succeeded him in his Principality. The Genoese Factors, who were interessed with the Crown of Spain, are much prejudiced in their private fortunes, by reason of the alteration of Payments, and of other Decrees, made to their prejudice, by the King. BUt the troubles and dangers of Genoa, which were not much compassionated in Italy, met with more favour and benignity from the hands of God: whose anger, the Senators being desirous by all means possible to appease, public Processions and Vows were added to the private Prayers and Processions which were privately made in Churches, and in holy places; their Piety seemed to be presently seconded by God's goodness; for at the same time that the Doge, Senate and People, were pouring forth Prayers to Almighty God for public preserva●…ion, a Galley entered the Haven which brought in her a Million of Ducats from Spain: a favour the more singular, by how much more necessary for the present need; and which was acknowledged to proceed the more from Divine mercy, in that it came when least expected; for two days before the arrivaly of this Galley, news came from Corsica, that the same Galley being gone from Genoa 15 days befo●…e, fearing to be discovered by the Fleet that lay at Marcelles, had launched out into the Sea, and was driven by the wind upon that Island, where the Genoese thought her to be still detained by the same wind: the news was true, but the conjecture false; for the wind changed there, by favour whereof the Galley came seasonably to Barcelona; and receiving in the moneys, which lay ready there, returned with great speed and success, to Genoa: soon after some other Galleys appeared, which brought with them six Millions more from Spain; whereby the Commonwealth abounding in money was largely enabled to supply her urgent necessities; and the private men of Genoa, to whom those moneys belonged, having redeemed their credit, were able not only to furnish Feria with moneys, to hasten the Levies of the Dutch, and for other necessaries for marching into the Field against the Confederates Army: but also, moreover, to provide for the Armies in Flanders, according to their obligations with the Court of Spain. The Rivals of the Genoese grandezza were astonished, and not without reason, when they saw their Commonwealth, which they held to be in a perishing condition, not only able to subsist, and to maintain herself, but to administer help to Forre●…gn Armies, and make them move to their prej●…dice who had plotted her ruin: Nor were her enemies less amazed, whose whole thoughts were set upon her extirpation; so as instead of flocking to so rich and plentiful a prey, they began to fall from their hopes of success; just as befell Hannibal, who whilst he was with an Army before the walls of Rome, understood that some L●…gions were sent out by other Gates, to recruit the Spanish Armies, sent into that Province. They fell yet further from their hopes, when they heard that great succours of men were almost at the same time come to Genoa: For from Milan (to boot with those that were sent with Guasco) came the Cavalier Pecchio, after the loss of Gavio and Ottagio, with part of his own Brigad●…e, and part of those of Modena and Parma, which did amount in all to about 3000 Foot; and the Marquis della Croce came about this time to the City with 33 Galleys, wherein were 4000 Foot, all very good men, and whereof 2000 were Veterane Soldiers, trained up in the Wars of Flanders; and a little before 1500 Neapolitans were come thither in some Galleons: The Sicillian Galleys came also thither with 600 Spaniards, which were sent by janettino Doria, Vice roy of that Island, at his own expense, in defence of his Country: Marquis Bozzolo came thither also with his three brothers, 800 Foot, and 200 Horse, besides Infantry, which came daily from Naples; so as with these, and those which Guasco brought from the State of Milan, those that were sent from Lucca, and those which came (though somewhat late) from Germany, the Commonwealth was in a short time provided with about 15000 paid Foot, for defence of the State and City; besides many Commanders, and people of Quality, and experience, who were brought thither from several parts upon extraordinary pay: By means of these Forces, and of her own people, who were very vigilant in defending their Country and Liberty, and with the Militia of the State, the Affairs of the State were prettily well secur●…d, and almost brought into a condition of safety. The Pope's Galleys, and those of the Great Duke, came along with Sancta Croce, which returning from Marselles, whither they had carried ●…he Legate, and meeting with Sancta Croce, as he came from Naples to the relief of Genoa, turned back the same way, by Orders directed to the Captains from their Princes, which Order Sancta Croce brought with him: it was not thought strange that the Great Duke should issue out such Orders, who professed himself a friend to Spain, and to the house of Austria; the Pope's Concession came more unexpected, he being commonly held to be not only averse to the Spaniards, but to join in ends with their Rivals; and the French Ambassador Resident at Rome, did exclaim much against it; yet it was thought that the Pope to remove so great suspic●…ons which were had of him, had done it at the persuasions of the Duke of Pastrana, who pressed very much for it. The first thing that was consulted of in Genoa, was, touching the whole matter of defence; they all joined in opinion, That being now only to mind defence, their first care should be to defend the City, the Head of the State, and to ●…efend Savona, a principal Member thereof, and hold them play till either the Enemy's Army should grow less, which was said to moulder daily away, or till ●…he Duke of Feria might assault them in the Field, and drive them out of the Commonwealth's Territories. Seeing therefore that the loss of la Riviera, as long as Genoa and Savona should be preserved, did not at all concern the main business, they took not much care to defend it, that they might not disfurnish the City of a Garrison in a time of such danger, nor hazard her 〈◊〉 never so little, to be insulted over by the Enemy's Army, which being so near, when they should see those who were come in to her succour employed in defending la Riviera, might approach her Walls, and attempt an assault: howsoever, what should be lost would be easily recovered, if Genoa and Savona should be kept, by reason of the situation of la Riviera, which being naturally open and undefensible is soon taken by any that will endeavour it; and when the danger of the neighbouring Army should be over, it would be more easily recovered by the Commonwealth, then by any others, as well by reason of the people's inclination, (who by reason of the interests they have in the City, and by their continual necessity of providing things necessary from thence, would desire to return to their ancient obedience;) as also that the Commonwealth being master at Sea, it would be very hard for any who should hold the Town to defend it against a Fleet at Sea; and yet though so many succours, come suddenly, were sufficient to secure the present condition of affairs, yet were they not sufficient to free the Commonwealth wholly from the imminent danger of the neighbouring Army; and much less to free the Genoese from fear, who were troubled at the successful proceedings of the Enemy in Rossiglione, Ottaggio, Gavio and la Riviera del povente; and being still full of anxiety, could not be at quiet, whilst they were still subject to be molested by the Enemies Amry; and it being requisite to expect the total freedom of the Sta●…e of Milan, though it were hindered by many impediments, the Genoeses were still fearful, and full of troubles; for together with the want of people which the State was in, the Dutch not being yet arrived, the defence of la Riva (which was a great curb to the French and Venetians) not being to be abandoned, kept the Governor from thinking of relieving Genoa. Count jovanni Serbellone was there (as hath been said) well fortified on all sides; and to keep the Enemy the further off, he had extended his Fortifications on the left side, by which you come from the Valtoline, even to the Town of Campo, (a Town upon the River of the Lake) wherewith he encompassed that Town and la Nova, which did almost join upon la Riva. The Count being passed over (as hath been said) to the other side, into the Valtoline, with the greatest part of his men, was very intent upon f●…eeing himself of that hindrance which crossed his designs and proceedings: being therefore resolved to attempt the Town of Campo first, to keep it from being defended, he made lafoy Riva be assaulted on the opposite side, by those who he had left in Chiavenna, as he returned into the Valtoline: to the end that when he should assault Campo with his whole body he might the more easily take it: he missed of his intent, though his design succeeded; for those few defendants who remained to defend Campo, when la Riva was assaulted on Chiavenna's side, did so stoutly maintain the defence, as they got time to be succoured; for Count jovanni leaving Chiavenna well defended, came himself in person with many men to Campo, where the Siege was more fierce: so as the defendants increasing in number courage and valour, a strong conflict was begun; which being often reinforced by the French, Coure perceiving that his enterprise succeeded not so easily here, as in the Valtoline, against the Forts which were guarded by the ecclesiastics; and remembering that he had left 400 of his men before that assault, and that many others were wounded, he withdrew into his Quarters: ●…aving done but little harm to the defendants, whereof hardly 20 were slain; though they were played upon by the French Artillery, placed in fitting places. After this Count jovanni found that Campo, as being too far from la Riva, was dangerously defended; wherefore resolving to give it over, he made his Fortifications more inwards towards the Town of Nova; and the French, who could not take that Town by force, seeing it abandoned, went immediately thither, took it without any difficulty, and fortified it; and not satisfied with this, they would advance to the top of the little Hill, that they might go by that way to Chiavenna, and fight the Garrison that was there: but they failed of their intent by the gallant resistance which the defendants made, who opposing all their Forces, had always the better of them: wherefore Coure, who desired still to join with those that were at Chiavenna, and to make them come unto him, was forced to make them pass over hither, and come to Campo by a further way about, and over craggy Mountains: in which passage the French having, possessed themselves of the tops of the higher Mountains which over looked the little Hill of Riva, they threw down great stones into the Valley which lay under the little Hill, wherewith they did much annoy the Rampires, and the Defendants, who would not have been able to defend that so important station long, had not Count Giovan sent a good many Soldiers to the tops of those Mountains to drive them from thence; and herein he succeeded happily, for the French being unexpectedly assaulted; threw away their Arms, and begged their lives: but their prayers prevailed not; for being made prisoners, and tied back to back with ropes, they were tumbled down the same precipices, which was a most horrible spectacle. Coure for all these unfortunate accidents would not give over the Enterprise, but fell from assaults to Siege: those of la Riva received Victuals and Succours by two several passages, the one by the Lake, the other by Land: by the Lake, by Boats, which passed from the lower Lake into the lesser one; and by Land, by Conducts which were brought to the Territories confining upon Chiavenna, by the three Chapels of ease which lead to Riva. Coure possessed himself of these ways, and placing part of the Garrison of Chiavenna to defend them, he blocked up that passage; and having the coming of Victuals by Land, he endeavoured to do the like by water: he, by the help of experienced Artificers, and Mariners, brought from the Arsenal of Venice, built certain Boats and Brigantines; and putting them armed into the water, he made himself master of the little Lake, and of the Channel by which Boats came with Victuals and Ammunition to those of Riva: remedies were found for both these inconveniences; for Count jovanni scent men to Riva, who taking from the French the Fortifications which they had possessed themselves off, made the way open, and rendered that pass free for Provisions and Succour; and the Duke of Feria, having also sent for experienced Shipwrights and Mariners from Genoa, he also put other Barks and Brigantines into the River, which be●…ng well armed and man'd, and some pieces of Artillery being placed in fitting palces upon the side of the Lake, kept the way open as well by Water, as by Land, for Victuals and other Provisions, and forthwith freed lafoy Riva from being besieged: but Coure's men being this mean while much recruited by more men and moneys sent by the Venetians, who desired to see that Enterprise ended, to the end that when the French should fall upon the State of Milan, they might also assault it on their side; and new Regiments of Soldiers being come unto him from the Swissers and Grisons, Feria being very careful to defend that pass, sent 2000 of those Dutch thither who came fi●…st to the State of Milan: which happened very opportunely; for Coure being thus recruited would needs go to assault la Riva, and do his utmost to take it; and he found the Defendants also recruited, who marching into the Field encountered the Enemy in a little Plain, beyond Nova, and fought them; the Combat was very fierce and stoutly fought on all sides; and the French being often times recruited the Fight continued till night; upon the coming on whereof, the French were forced to retreat with the loss of many of their men; and could not only not come near Riva, but forsaking Campo, withdrew into their Quarters about Vico and Vercei, which were lower, and farther distant from Riva. These happy successes afforded the Duke of Feria breath, he thought himself so safe from assaults on that side, as he might have more leisure to think upon the affairs of Genoa, in the freeing whereof the Victory in all parts did depend: but the delay of the Dutch was a great hindrance to it, which did proceed not only from the endeavours to the contrary of the Confederates, and of the French, but also from the avarice of the Cantons who were to permit them to pass; who being Creditors to the Crown of Spain for pay, denied them passage till they were paid their Arraers; and the Governor being in great want of money, much time was required to get the moneys wherewith to satisfy them, before the coming of the Galleys from Spain to Genoa: nor would they grant them free passage when they were satisfied, as they had granted to the French, but with many limitations, which caused much delay; and the Governor being much solicited by the Genoeses, whom he could not please before the arrival of the Dutch, he made use of appearance, instead of effects; for making all things ready for marching, he went from Milan to Pavia, giving out that he would go to relieve Genoa; and here according to what was published, he was very diligent in making all requisite provisions for that succour, and for the people who came daily from Genoa: a show which was very seasonable, and which was thought did much detain the Enemies proceeding, who seeing him ready to march, could not without apparent danger to themselves, keep their Quarters, much less could they advance to their Enterprise; to the home and neighbouring provisions which secured the Genoeses, foreign and further distant accidents were added, which though far enough off, yet made much for their main business; Don Frederico di Toledo, who was gone with a powerful Fleet to recover Brafile, returned at this time victorious into Spain. and Marquis Spinola after nine month's Siege took Breda; in the defence and preservation whereof, not only the Hollanders did labour with all their Forces, but the Kings of France, England, Swethland; and Denmark: so as the Fleet which was returned from Brasile, was a strong defence to the Mediterranean, against the English and the Flemish Fleets, if entering the Mediterranean they should make for Genoa; so also the Flanders Army, being freed from besieging Breda, might commodiously and without any impediment go whither it listed, and keep France in j alousie, which was then rend and disturbed with home discords; and when the affairs of Genoa, wherein that Crown was so concerned, should require it, it was sufficient by molesting that Kingdom on that side, to divert France from offending the Genoeses; and the King of Spain, being quite of these two impediments, might employ grea●…er Forces in defence of the State of Genoa: to boot with these two Foreign accidents, whereby the conditions of the affairs of Genoa were bettered; three others which happened nearer hand, did much impair the affairs of the Confederates Army: the one was, that the Victuals and Provisions in the English Fleet were corrupted, then, when it was ready to put to Sea for Italy; so as it was foced to tarry some months to take in new Provisions: another, that the Heretics in France began again to tumultuate, and the King being necessitated to quench the fire which was kindled in his own house, could not furnish fuel to mantain combustion abroad: the third, that the Duke of Guise, who was to put with his Fleet from Marcelles, notwithstanding the 150000 Ducats taken from the Genoeses, and other moneys which the Duke of Savoy furnished him with upon this account, proceeded slowly in his preparations, and could not put to Sea, according to appointment: therefore the Duke of Savoy and the Constable failing in the chief groundworks of their Enterprise, and seeing the Enemy's preparations to increase both in Genoa, and in the State of Milan, they were forced to think more upon their own safeties, then upon the ruin of others. The inward discords of their own Army was also a great break-neck to their affairs; which keeping about Gavio, Ottaggio, and the neighbouring parts, uncertain, and not resolved what to do, began to want Victuals, the Country being barren, and those spent which were in the Army at its first appearing, and at the taking of Ottaggio; for they could not hope for any from the State of Milan, now that it was provided of Soldiers; and very little came from Piedmont, by reason of the length of the Journey, the difficulty of the Guides and Conducts, and by the hindrances they met with by the Montserrians, who being irritated, and angered at the ill usage they received from the Army, as it passed through their Country, declared themselves fierce Enemies; hindering their Conducts, killing the Conductors, and all such Soldiers, who to get rid of the sufferings of the Camp retired either into France or Piedmont. The trocb'es were no less which they received from the Pozzeveraschy: these are those that inhabit the Valleys and the 〈◊〉 of Pozzevera, a Torrent, which falling from the Apennine, and running for the space of ten miles through the Valley which lies beneath, falls into the Sea two miles Westward from Genoa: they are men for the most part given to Husbandry, but very fierce and strong, who having no well-ordered Militia, whereof they are altogether incapable, prove (on the contr●…ry) excellent at scattered Enterprises which require neither Discipline nor Order; and particularly in the defence of Passes, and of the neighbouring Mountains, by reason of their experience and practise in those Valleys, and by their being well versed in those craggy Mountains: these men appeared, divided into Troops, on all sides, taking all such of the Enemy's party prisoners, who fled from their Quarters for prey, or driven by any other necessity: which happening often times, did so terrify the Enemy, as none durst stir from the Camp, for fear of being slain, or taken prisoners: so as being in a manner besieged in their Camp, they were forced to keep in; and as by reason of this, and of famine, and other sufferings and sicknesses which began to increase amongst the Soldiery, and by the running away of many the Camp grew daily less; so by the disagreement of the Commanders their main enterprise grew still less prosperous: a manifest disagreement appe●…red between the Duke and Constable; which arising at the first out of sleight occasions and jealousies, did daily so increase, as did totally destroy the common resolves. The Constable came into Piedmont, inflamed with high desires, and almost as fervent as the Duke in the business of Genoa: being come near the Genoese Confines he cooled in his ardour, and seemed (as hath been said) to weigh the condition of the war with too much caution: so as being much perplexed, and unresolved in point of advancing, he proposed the enterprise of Alessandria to the Duke, as being by all the reasons of war, necessary to proceed that of Genoa, wherein he appeared to dev●…ate from his former resolutions, and desirous to busy himself in new wars, and greater troubles, against the State of Milan; which the Duke being hot in the enterprise, and in his resentment against the Genoese, did absolutely abhor: but the Constable making objections against advancing into the Ligurian Mountains, without having first made sure their retreat; which he said could not be done without taking some strong place, and capable to receive them; the Duke having removed so many difficulties, did by the happy success at Rossiglione, Ottaggio and Gavio, tacitly accuse the Constable of coolness and de●…ay; several were the debates and contestings between them touching who should be master of Gavio, and many other things, whereby they came little less than to an open breach: Yet the Duke, lest lesser respects might spoil their greater ends, was content that the Constable should put a Garrison into Gavio, till such time as the King, to whom they both writ, should decide the business; the King returned an Answer, but in favour of the Constable; at which the Duke was highly scandalised: but the Duke was most of all troubled, for that he did firmly believe the Constable was bribed by the Genoese Gold to delay the business; for to his jealousies which he had in this behalf, even since when he was in Asti, other conjectures were added which made his suspicion the more probable: one amongst the rest; that Stefano Spinola, who was one of the prisoners at Ottaggio, was sent by the Common wealth to try the Constable's mind, by the means of Claudio Marini, who was Ambassador from the King, with the Duke, and whose Wife was Spinola's Sister; and to bargain with him, upon the 〈◊〉 of a great sum of money, that he would forgo the Duke, and give over the business. This jealousy was occasioned by its being known, that the day before the taking of Ottaggio, Spinola had obtained by Marini's means, a safe conduct ●…rom the Constable to come to the Camp, and speak with his Brother in Law: nor wanted there secret advertisments sent craftily from Genoa to the Duke, whereby he was fully informed of these proceedings: he who was naturally suspicious, and prone to give ear unto such informations, and who made himself believe he had many adherents in Genoa, who did privately favour this his enterprise, began to believe that to be undoubtedly certain, whereof he had formerly had some deep impressions; especially since the Constable was known to be naturally covetous, the Duke began to impute this his so great change of will, and resolution, to manifest corruption; and to complain freely enough that he was cozened in this Enterprise; and the news which he affirmed he heard from Piedmont, of the continually passing of French Soldiers through those parts, who returned into France from the Camp, with the Constables Pass, increased these his complaints: from hence (were these relations and suspicions true or false) began reciprocal detractions; and little respect or intelligence was had between the Courts of these two great Commanders; and in this interim, the Supreme Magistrate of Genoa who was Superintendent in the Government of Affairs, was informed that about 500 Oxen were grazing in the Enemy's quarters, which served for the Train of Artillery; and he considering that without those it was impossible for the Enemy to approach the City, and give battery; gave order to the Pozzeveraschy, who by their success were become bold, and formidable to the Enemy, that they should use all means to scatter them; the Pozzeveraschy betook themselves courageously to the business which was hard enough otherwise to be effected: nor was their fortune inferior to their courage; for coming in the night season to the Enemy's quarters, they slew the Sentinels, and came to the Corpse de guard, and entering thereinto, slew many, and many of them endeavouring safety by flight abandoned the Oxen, giving the Pozzeveraschy means not only to disperse them, but to lead them alive through unusual ways, but which were well known to them into Pozzevera, and from thence to Genoa, to the great joy of the City, and no little praise unto themselves, entering as it were in triumph for having done so generous an action: whereupon the safety of not seeing the Enemy's Artillery planted against their Walls did much depend; so as being made unable to move, they could neither come to Genoa, nor return to Piedmont: they were therefore forced to expect carriage Horses from France, which were suddenly given order for; which preparations were afterwards employed in Italy, for other more necessary occasions of that war: this loss was succeeded by the like of Savignone, which was taken by the same Pozzeveraschy, and by other Mountainers of those parts; where Don Felice was said to be with 200 Foot, but ill provided of Victuals or Ammunition. The Pozzeveraschy went thither with 200 Foot which were sent them from Genoa, and being accompanied with many others of the neighbouring Villages, they sat down before the Castle, hoping rather to take it by keeping them from Victuals, then by assault; and they would have soon regained it, and have taken Don Felice prisoner, had not the Duke, apprehending his Son's danger, resolved to free him: he therefore chose 500 of his best Foot, and 50 Horse, and having overcome the asperity of the Mountains, he came so suddenly and unexpectedly upon the assailants, as quitting their stations, they afforded the Duke's men free access unto the Castle, and conveniency to take the Duke's Son and the whole Garrison out, and to return with them: yet this retreat was not without some trouble and loss unto the Duke; for the Pozzeveraschy keeping behind him in those rocky Mountains; slew some of his men, amongst which, Crotti, the Duke's chiefest Secretary. The Duke of Feria kept still in Pavia, idle and irresolute; for though a great many of the Dutch were already come; yet could he not march out for want of moneys to pay the Soldiers, and for want of other Provisions; and the fear of breaking with the Crown of France did so perplex him, as he knew not what to resolve upon; especially since he had received Orders from the Court, to be very cautious in what he should therein do. The Duke and Constable being aware of these delays and perplexities grew more encouraged to persevere in the Enterprise; and being sure that Feria would not second his threats with effects, they were daily less afriad to be assaulted in their quarters; and not having wholly given over their hopes of succour by Sea, and of being recruited from France by Land, they thought they might have more leisure to expect them. The Commonwealth, on the contrary, which had the Confederates Army still within their Dominions; and which was not yet out of fear of the Fleets by Sea, could not be free from apprehension of danger: wherefore being afflicted with their so long expectation of succour from Milan, they resolved to put it to a push; and sent jovan Vincenzo Imperiale, Son to jovan jacomo, to Pavia, who had been Doge a little before, to the end that by his Reasons, and by moneys, whereof he carried good store with him, he might facilitate the Governors coming into the Field: the resolution was very seasonable, and the expedition very acceptable; for l' Imperiale, being come unto the Governor removed all impediments by his present moneys, and won so much credit by the efficacy of his persuasions and counsels, as he was admitted into their most secret Consultations, where he wrought it so, as, the Governor laying aside all other respects, resolved to go to the delivery of Genoa: he therefore went with those of Pavia into Alessandria, and prepared to march into the Field, and to fall upon the Confederates with a powerful Army: the Dutch who were come, and who were to come into Italy, were 16000, divided into four Regiments: one under Baron Papenhaim, another under the Count di Solmes, the third under Count Sultz, and the last (which was not yet arrived,) under Charles Count Mansfield. Besides these, many Horse were come from Polonia and Croatia, to the number of between two and three thousand; to which the Neapolitan and Lombarde Horse being added they made up 5000: but because so many Foreigners in the body of an Army, went accompanied with danger of Sedition, Mutiny, and other greater mischiefs; the Governor who had but few home Forces to counterpoise the Foreigners, resolved to take out all the Spaniards and Italians who were in Garrison at la Riva, and send thither a greater number of Dutch in their places: he sent Papenhaim thither with his Regiment, consisting of about 6000 Dutch, to which he added 500 Italian Foot, and 500 Horse; and sent back for Count jovan Serbellone with all his Spaniards and Italians, and kept them in his Army: The Duke and Constable grew fearful when they saw so great a body of enemies so near; (for it was calculated that the Governor, leaving all his Towns well Garrisoned, was to march into the fields with above 20000 Foot, and 4000 Horse) and their hopes of the English Fleet, and of new supplies from France, being vanished, they began to see plainly that the business of Genoa grew daily more desperate; and that it became them better to think of retreating then of advancing any further. Leaving therefore Novi and Gavio well munited, and in the latter 19 of their greatest Cannon for Battery, which they could not possibly carry along with them for want of Oxen; and firing Ottaggio they resolved to return into Piedmont by the same way they were come, not having with them above 8000 Foot in very ill order, and 2500 Horse, and some small pieces of Ordnance: It is true they were met in the County of Niece by Prince Victorio, with part of the Garrisons that were left in the Town della Riviera: This was the issue of the ill undertaken Enterprise of Genoa, meted out rather by vast thoughts, and ardent desire of revenge, then by any civil or Military wisdom. When they departed, to the end that their Retreat might be the less dishonourable, they resolved to go to the taking in of Savona: The same, nay greater difficulties opposed this design, than had done that of Genoa; the same sterility of soil; the difficulty of the ways, unproper for the bringing of Artillery; the weakness and small number of those they brought, which were unfit for Battery, especially of such new Fortifications and strong Rampires as were made to defend the Town; the many Soldiers and Commanders which were gone thither from Genoa, (for Genoa being freed from danger, they turned all their thoughts and forces upon defending Savona) the smallness and weakness of their Army: whereas on the contrary, that of Milan was multiplied, and ready to march; so as if when their forces were entire and fresh, some of these respects kept her from proceeding against Genoa, whilst the Governor was unprovided, and whilst relief from Naples was not come to Genoa; what could they hope for in so great an alteration of Affairs? But the Duke thought it too great a scorn to be forced to return to Piedmont weakened in forces and Reputation, not having done any thing worthy his threats and preparations: He therefore for the honour of their joint forces, and for the performance of what they had agreed upon at Susa, propounded this advancing towards Savona to the Governor; who having been never to be moved in what concerned the enterprise of Genoa, suffered himself by the Duke's importunities and reproaches to be persuaded unto this. This Enterprise appeared to have two foundations; one, That they had discovered new and precise Orders sent from Spain to the Governor, whereby he was absolutely forbidden to come to a Battle; wherefore supposing that all the Forces in the State of Milan would stand idly looking on, they thought any enterprise feasable: The other, for that they had received new advertisement that the Fleet at Marcelles being come from out that Haven should appear in those Seas with Recruits of men, victuals and munition, at the same time that they should come to Savona; and that landing a great many men, they would keep between Savona and Genoa out of a double end; The one, to keep relief from Genoa; the other, that they might play upon the City with their great Guns from Sea, whilst it should be assaulted by the land Army; and so to facilitate the surrender of Savona: And to this purpose Prince Victorio had given the Duke of Guise 40000 Ducats, when having taken La Riviera he was in Ventimiglia: Upon these so sleight and weakly-laid foundations they would once more try their fortune: Thus leaving their Quarters they marched through Montferrat towards Acqui, whither they came within a few days without any disturbance; For the Genoeses being more desirous to preserve Savona then to fall upon them in the Rear, sent all their men thither: Nor could the Governor of Milan, who was come to Alessandria, fall upon them as they retreated, though he intended so to do: For being got on Horseback to that end, and being ready in Arms with his forces; as he was saluted according to the Military manner, by a Dutch Company, his Horse rose up on end at the noise of the Musket shot, and threw the Governor, who was somewhat corpulent, down, so as he was forced to keep his bed for some days. Thus their Retreat proved fortunate, though between two enemy's Armies; yet as the Rear was bringing up some small pieces of Artillery, with about 800 Horse, they had a bickering with some Troops of Horse which were quartered in Sesse, a Town of Alessandria, which is upon the way by which the Rear passed: The Encounter was gallant and stoutly fought; the Spanish Horse were fewer in number, but coming to blows had the better of the enemy, with little loss unto themselves; for the French Horse had only breastplates on, and the Spaniards were armed at all pieces; so as they slew and wounded the enemy without being hurt themselves: Being at last disintangled and got loose, they retreated commodiously. The Army being come to Acqui, and persevering in their intended march to Savona, they destined Acqui, though it were very weakly walled, for a Rendezvouz for their Arms, and for a safety on their backs: wherefore leaving 3000 of their best Soldiers there in Garrison, with all the Ammunition and provision they could bring from Gavio, they marched on with the rest, which were not above 8000, towards Savona. When they were come to Spigno, a Town which stands in the midway, they made Prince Victorio and Marshal Crickey, advance with part of their men to Cairo, which was defended by 250 Neopolitans; and playing upon it with some small Pieces of Artillery, they after having made two shot, took it upon Articles: But the Governor having recovered his ●…all, and finding that they marched on still towards Savona, held it now no longer time to stand idle, nor to suffer that Town to be taken whilst he and his Army looked on, which being of such importance to the State of Genoa, was also a great concernment to the Crown of Spain: Setting therefore all other respects aside, he went out of Alessandria with 22000 Foot, all very good men, and with 5000 able Horse, and marched towards Acqui; whether being come, he forthwith possessed himself of all the eminent parts thereabouts, and planted his Batteries; which caused such terror in the French, who saw how weak their Rampires were, and that the Citizens would not for the●…r sakes run the hazard of being sacked, parleyed presently; and agreeing to march out, the Soldiers only with their Swords and Daggers, and the Officers with their Horse and Baggage ', but upon obligation to return into France by the Country of the Vallesani, lest they might return to the Army: 2300 Foot marched out; many who through great weakness were not able to go staying behind: They found 17 Banners left there, 500 Barrels of powder, many Sacks of Victuals, many Cannon Bullets, Arms, and artificial Fireworks; and which was more remarkable, the Duke's Wardrobe, wherein were rich Liveries for Pages and Footmen, Saddles, Bridles, and other Furniture for Horses, all very richly wrought; and Movables to a great value, which the Duke had provided, thinking assuredly to enter in triumph into Genoa: So far had this Prince suffered himself to be transported by his aspiring imagination. The Duke and Constable, finding by the loss of Acqui (which they heard of in Spigno) the falsehood of the Report that the Spanish Forces would not move for fear of disturbing the union and friendship of the two Crowns, they were astonished, seeing in what danger they were of being assaulted by two enemy's Armies, being enclosed between them amidst those Cliffs: The Duke hearing the news, got immediately on Horseback, and leaving the care of all things wholly to the Constable, went with some few Gentlemen towards Piedmont. The Constable, seeing himself abandoned, termed the Duke's departure down right running away, and complained of his being left to manage the business himself alone; and speedily calling back the Marshal from Cairo, with whom came also Prince Victorio, they went altogether to Bistagno, where there being a Garrison, they were received without any withstanding: But being aware that the Governor did advance with part of his forces to fall upon them in that place, and that he had sent another part thereof to hinder their retreat and victuals, they resolved to get out of those straits, and to get into the open fields of Piedmont. The Retreat being thus resolved upon, the Constable and the Marshal, heading the Van, wherein were about 2000 Foot, and almost all the Horse, they parted early in the morning; and marching apace, they came without disturbance to Canelli: The Prince kept in the Rear, wherein were the b●…st men; and making the Artillery advance, he also retrea●…ed, leaving the place to the enemy; who ere he was well got out entered B●…stagnano, and pursued him without any intermission, so fast, as being got near unto him upon the going to of the day, in the Valley of Mun●…stero, they faced one another within Musket shot: Some small Skirmishes passed here, which the night parted, without much loss or advantage to either side: The mean time, the Prince being careful of the Artillery and other encumbrances (which he had much ado to get up the Mountains) made great diligence be made in the climbing up; and at the same time minced his own defence against the enemy, who were at his heels: But hearing that at last the Artillery was got to the Mountain's top, he also retreated thither without any trouble; for the enemy having no order to fight, nor to advance, retreated to Bistagno, and suffered them to retreat quietly into Canelli, where he was received by his Father, and by the Constable, with great applause, who had been in great anxiety for him. The Governor would have made use of the present occasion, and would have assaulted the Rear, and taken away all the Artillery and Baggage; But Don jeronimo Pimontello, Don Lewis di Cordua, and Don Francisco Padiglia, took him off from so seasonable a resolution; first by persuasions, then by protesting against it; who out of private emulation, envying (as it was thought by many) the glory of so happy an achievement, proposed unto him the precise Orders of the Court to the contrary; the danger and assured ruin which would ensue of things should not succeed well; which if they should do, the good thereof was not to be paralleled with the danger: For what more can we expect, said they, if we should get the Victory, but the routing of the Relics of a miserable Army, which being already consumed of themselves, cannot prejudice us: but say we should be worsted, what danger would thereby result to the King's affairs, both from the Venetians who are ready to make war in the Cremonese; from the French in the Valtoline, and from the Duke and Constable, if they shall have the better of the Conflict? Besides, that the Confederates party, who were now quite overthrown, if they should get heart again by any the least encounter, they would for certain become more fierce and fervent then ever. The Governor, who was better versed in State affairs then in what belonged to war, suffered himself to be persuaded by those who were better experienced in war then he, and so let slip a signal occasion of putting an undoubted end to all the present war with one little action: The like advice being given to the Marquis of San Croce in Savona made him keep from marching out of Savona, and from falling upon the enemy on the Rear in their retreat from Cairo and Spigno; it being certain that if San Croce and the Governor had known how to make use of the occasion by enclosing the enemy in those difficult places, they would undoubtedly have ruined them: And yet the remainders of this Army, ruined as it was, which the Spanish Commanders thought not worthy their destroying, did within a while after ruin the Governors entire Army; and not long after the Spaniards needed to be protected and defended against those weak remainders: Thus doth Fortune often vary the condition of humane affairs; and the loss of opportunity doth oft times carry victory to those who in all likelihood would have been overcome. The Genoeses being thus freed from fear of the enemy's Army; the first thing they did was to think of recovering what they had lost, and of what the enemy were yet masters: The first Town that returned to the obedience of Genoa, was Novi, wherein was a French Regiment under Monsieur della Grange; partly by means of the Pozzeveraschi; partly by the means of the Townsmen and other inhabitants of those parts, who being dispersed by the war went wandering up and down about the neighbouring Towns. About 300 whereof met at the Capuchins Covent, not far from that Town; part whereof entering by night, by a Vault under ground, into the Town; and being assisted by some of the Burghers who were acquainted with the Plot, first slew the Sentinels, and then forced the Gate della Valle, and let in their Companions by the Portal which they opened with their Axes; who going jointly to the Gate della Strada, where most of the French Garrison were, they put them to the Sword, and made themselves masters of the Gate: Then running about the Town, and putting it into an Alarm, they slew all the French they met with; and then going to the Castle, whither the greatest part of them were with their Governor retired, they begird it on all sides, threatening to kill them if they did not immediately surrender the Castle: The French being astonished at so sudden and unexpected an accident, yielded before the Sun rising upon discretion of the enemy: About 300 of them were slain in this conflict, amongst which the Governors' Son; a young youth, who contrary to his Father's Example, chose rather to fall manfully with his Sword in hand, then to purchase his life upon base conditions: The number of the Prisoners were twice as many; the chief whereof were the Governor Monsieur de la Grange, his Lieutenant, il Signior di Bellagrada, and his Brother, who was a Knight of Malta; Monsieur Bonneville; the Baron Lattè, nine Ensigne-bearers, and four Lieutenants. The recovery of Ovada, Rossiglione and Campo, succeeded that of Novi, which were abandoned by the enemy; who flying so to shun death, met with it, by being miserably slain and cut in pieces by the country people: The recovery of Gavio proved somewhat harder; wherein were about 1800 Soldiers under Monsieur di Sonsi. About this time the 2000 Dutch came to Genoa, commanded by Verrema, who, together with Monsieur Bozzoloes men, and some others were sent by the Commonwealth, under the Baron Batteville, to recover the Town. Being come to the Town they took up their Quarters, planted their Batteries, and fell to work; but first they tried the defendants, and began to treat with them upon surrender upon Articles: whereupon they quickly agreed; so as the Town remained in the power of the assailants, but not the Castle; they therefore planted their Batteries against the Castle, and played upon it for some days; and though by reason of the far distanc●… they could not prejudice it much by their shot, the defendants yielded it upon agreement to the Commonwealth's Commanders, who recovered it in less time, and with fewer men by much, than the Duke and Constable had taken it, with so powerful an Army. There were therein 19 great Pieces of Artillery, great store of Arms and Powder, of artificial fires, and other warlike preparation, which were left there by the enemy, and were taken by the Captains of the Commonwealth; 17 Colours were likewise therein taken, part belonging to the King of France, part to the Duke; which were all brought to Genoa in a kind of Triumph: All the people and Citizens ran with great joy to see it; who could not satisfy themselves with seeing those Tools brought captive to the City, which were but a little before destined to make them Captives. The Duke and Constable could not relieve these places, as they faithfully promised the Commanders whom they left to defend them when they went from thence; and as so noble a Train of Artillery left behind them obliged them to do, in regard of the Governors unexpected coming out against them, and of the necessity of their retiring from Canelli; from whence they afterwards recovered Asti, where they consulted rather how to defend what remained, then to keep what they had gotten. Feria was at this time come from Acqui to Rocca o' Arazzo, and from thence to Occimiano, a Town in Montferrat, four miles distant from Cassal; whither Don Gonzallo di Cordua, a Captain of good account came to him by order from the King, out of Flanders, to be assistant in Counsel to the Governor, and in the managing of the present war; wherein the Governor who was not over well experienced, and who had Captains and Counsellors about him, rather Rivals than Confidents; had need of a Counsellor and Moderator, who might not only be experienced, but faithful: And Don Gonzallo was allied unto the Governor, wherefore he had reason to confide in him. They consulted of all things in Occimiano; wherein the Consultors differed in their opinions; to attempt Asti or Vercelles, so to open their way into Piedmont, would be long and laboursome Enterprises, and the event uncertain; wherein, together with the ruin of their whole Army, their Honour was much hazarded, without any apparent sign of profit; for if peace should be made they must be necessitated to restore them: And it was already supposed for certain, that the King was not inclined to possess himself of any thing belonging to the Duke, with an intention to detain it: To what purpose would it be then to take so much pains, to shed so much blood, and spend so much money, in taking a place which was afterwards to be restored? It was therefore agreed that it would be better and ●…arer by making In roads into the open Towns of Piedmont, and by destroying and burning them; and so to afflict the Duke by those means, as that he might be quiet for the future; and that he might not afterwards think it lawful to disturb the peace of Italy upon any sleight occasion: Thus they thought that without danger of wasting their men, or hazarding their reputation upon the uncertain taking of a Town, they might safely enter Piedmont, and overcome it with a fresh and numerous Army, and with the Polack and Croat Cavalry, which were naturally good at In roads and the laying of Country's waste: For that the Confederates Army being weakened, and almost annihilated, would not dare to fight, nor appear against them in open field; which resolution being divulged infused such terror into Piedmont, as not only the Inhabitants of the weaker Towns, but even the very Citizens of Turin, not thinking themselves safe within those walls, nor under the shelter of that Citadel, they fled towards the Alps with all the best things they had; in so much as the Duke began to taste of that fright and fear in his own Territories, which he had a little before occasioned in Genoa: But this resolution, which undoubtedly was the safest, was out-voted by another; which was, to attempt the taking of some Towns in Piedmont first; and this, not so much out of good reason of war, and for securing their entry, which they resolved to do howsoever; as out of Ambition; thinking it not becoming the Grandezza and Reputation of so numerous an Army to do nothing but make In-rod●…s, and lay the Country waste; They were the more easily induced to give way to this, for that they thought they might secretly, and without much difficulty, effect their desires: Fixing their eyes therefore, according to wont, upon the Cities of Asti or Vercelles, or upon the Towns of Verrua or Crescentino, they kept still in Occimiano, a place almost equally distant from those four Towns; providing Bottoms to throw a Bridge over the Po at Pontestura; giving out that they would pass thereby over either to Vercelles or Crescentino; to the end that the Duke not being able for want of men, to furnish all those Towns at one and the same time, might by betaking himself to defend some one of them, afford them opportunity of turning upon that which should be worst provided; which thinking they might easily take, it might open the way for them to prosecute their resolution of prejudicing Piedmont. But this design, which by speedy execution might easily be effected, was hindered by the accustomed, and almost natural slow proceeding of the Spaniards; for though the throwing the Bridge over at Pontestuna made the Duke bethink himself of Crescentino; and that therefore he came with the rest of his men to the Banks of Po, leaving Prince Thomaso with only 2000 men in Asti. Feria went immediately towards Asti with his Army, out of a double intent; either to draw the Duke thither with all his men, and so leaving the rest of his Towns unprovided, and as it were abandoned, Feria might make use of the occasion, and turn upon some other of them, and take it easily; or else, if the Duke, not to leave his other Towns abandoned, should not come to defend Asti, he might possess himself of the ways about Asti; and keeping it from being relieved by the Duke, might easily make himself master of it: but being come to the Osteria della San Croce, where he kept idle for some days, and suffering his Horse to scour the Field only, without passing over lafoy Versa, he afforded the Duke opportunity to send the Marshal first thither with 3000 Foot, and to go afterwards thither himself with the rest: failing therefore in his design of taking this City unprovided, he fell to his other design, to go to some one of the other three Towns, which by reason of the necessity of defending Asti were abandoned. Verrua was that which was pitched upon, as being nearest, more commodious, of more profit and consequence; for by taking it he should so divide Crescentino, and all the County of Vercelli, from the County of Asti, as the one should not be able to assist the other: nor did he fear the taking of it, as well by reason of the littleness thereof, as also for that it was only guarded by 300 Country people: but the same slowness, and irresolution of the Spanish genius, ruin'd this design also, which required haste ●…n execution; for if the chief of the Army, without stirring from the quarters where they were, had entertained the Duke in the defence of Asti, and had at the same time sent a flying Squadron of Horse with Musketeers en croupe, they might easily have taken it at the very first, or at least have possessed themselves of the Passes thereabouts, and have blocked up all succour so, as it must soon fall into the possession of the Army which was to come soon after: but either not loving to divide their Forces, as being too contrary to that security which they so much studied, (so thinking that whatsoever diligence the Enemy could make, they could not keep that little Castle from them;) they will go thither with their united Army. Thus parting from the Banks of Versa, without having attempted any thing against the City of Asti, they went with all their Forces to Verrua. Prince Thomaso and the Marshal marched out with 800 Horse, part French, part Piedmontese, to fall upon the Rear; and seeing some Troops of the Dutch Cavalry, which marched under Colonel Lillo, far from the body of Horse, they assaulted them; and having the better of the business, they dispersed them, and wounded Lillo very sorely; and had utterly routed them, had not some other of their friends Horse come in to succour them; who charging the French and Piedmontese Horse, slew many of them, and amongst the rest two Captains, the Baron d' Hermanza, the Duke's Commissary-General of Horse: so as being repulsed, the Spanish Army might quietly pursue their March; and yet neither this, nor any other impediment which they met with, which retarded the proceeding of the Army, nor yet the Castle of Rubella, which being in the midway would not yield till it was battered, would have hindered the taking of Verrua much; the Army not finding it any way better provided with Garrison, or better fortified, than it was when they went from their first quarters to take it: so as they might have done the same thing which they might have done before Asti, with their flying Squadron; for though the Duke, when he was free of the danger of Asti, went with such of his men as were readiest into the Field, and coasting along by the Enemy, intended him no good; yet because the way by which he saw them march led both to Cheri and to Verrua, and that he knew not whither of the two they meant to go to; he was forced to suspend his resolution, and be ready to go whithersoever he should see them bend: moreover, when he saw them incline towards Verrua, he must if he would succour it, go to Crescentino, which was on the other side of the Po: and not being able to pass to the other side, but by the stone Bridge which was near Tarino, he was fain to take a large compass to pass his men over it, to Crescentino: so as the Governor had conveniency enough to have found that Town unprovided, and to have done what he pleased with it: but neither he nor Don Gonsallo, who then ordered and provided all things under the Governor, being able to make use of so happy an occasion, lost it by these and other negligences; and by the destruction of that flourishing Army, made that little Burrough, which was not otherwise considerable, famous to posterity; and with no little loss of honour, raised up the Dukes almost quite lost reputation. Verrua is a little Town, upon the right side of the Po, not of any consideration but for the seat thereof: it stands upon the top of a little Hill, stony and broken on all sides except on the South, wherein somewhat a gentler descent it sustains a little Suburbs, which cover almost all the descent of that Hill: on the North side the Po enlargeth itself, leaving ●…a little plain in the midst, full of Trees: it hath not any Fortification, except a little Castle upon the top of the Hill, from which if you take away an ancient Tower, it is more like an old ruin, than a Fortification: the Suburbs which lies upon the descent of the Hill is begirt with an old weak Wall; the Country about is full of Hills which environ the Hill whereon Verrua stands. The Governor encamped himself upon these little Hills on the East side, to the end that Montferrat being on his back, and the Po on his right hand, he might receive Provisions both by Land and Water: afterwards extending his quarters towards the West, instead of falling to assault the Town at his first arrival, and of presently possessing himself of so weak and ill guarded a Town, he (as if he were to besiege a great Town, in the face of a powerful Enemy-Army) began to fortify his Quarters with Trenches and other Works; and waiting for provisions, which were but slowly brought, he took no care to block up the Avenues; insomuch as soon as he saw the Enemy's Army bend towards Verrua, having sent the Marquis di San Rerano thither with his Regiment of a thousand Foot, there was not any one that moved either to stop him by the way, or to hinder his coming into the Town: which he did at full noon, and in sight of the Enemy by the Gate of the neighbouring Suburbs, near the Enemy's Quarters, with no little note of infamy to those that suffered it. The Duke whilst the Governor minded nothing but making of Baracadoes and Rampires, sent to the Marshal, who was left with Prince Thomaso to defend Asti, to come after him, and join with him in Crescentino, whither he speedily marched; and coming with his men first thither, whither the Marshal came also within some days after with 5000 French, he betook himself wholly to defence: being passed by the Po from Crescentino to Verrua, he found that the Enemy, having quitted the Banks of the River, and the Plain, minded nothing but fortifying himself upon the little Hill; and thinking that it made much for the defence of Verrua, to make himself master of the Plain before it, he presently passed over some of his men in boats, and quartered himself there without any gainsaying: being then advised by some of his Officers to defend Verrua on the upper side, and to abandon the Suburbs which was upon the hanging of the Hill, as that which being weakly walled was not tenable, nor was the main business much concerned therein; he contrary to their opinion undertook the defence thereof, thinking that any whatsoever opposition would either abate the edge of the Enemy's Forces, or else weary them, and occasion delay: which afterwards proved much for the defence of the Town: he therefore began to perfect a Raveline before the Suburbs, which was formerly begun by the Towns folk, which did partly cover, partly flank the Wall on the Front; and placing a sufficient Garrison, he Platformed the Wall itself, and afterwards cut thorough the very Suburbs with a threefold Trench, at equal distances: to the end that those who should assault the Raveline; and the front of the Suburbs, should not only be annoyed by those Trenches which arose as did the Suburbs; but that if the defendants should be repulsed at the first onset, they might have more advantageous places to retreat unto behind them; from whence reassuming the defence they might make head again, and driving the assailants from what they had first taken, might recover it with more ease: he likewise placed some Artillery in fit places of the highest Hills, which served not only to defend the Raveline and the Suburb, but to offend the Enemy who were encamped on the opposite Hills; and (which made the defence more safe) he threw a Bridge of boats over the Po between the Banks of Crescentino and the Plain before Verrua; by means whereof those who were quartered in Crescentino might communicate with those of the Plain, and those who were in Verrua; and the latter might be relieved and refreshed by the former, whereby the defence might be made more easy, and consequently might last the longer: nor herewithal content, for the greater security of the Bridge, and of the Garrison which lay in the Pla●…n, he erected a great Trench between the point of the Hill towards the East, and the Banks of Po which did shelter almost all the Plain and the Bridge. Things being thus ordered, the Governor who not making any opposition was this mean while preparing how to offend the Town, found the business harder than he at first imagined it to be; for to fall absolutely to assault the Town with all his Forces, as he was advised to do by many, though it might peradventure have proved the shorter, and more efficacious course, yet was it too severe, especially for him, there being so many Soldiers to make defence, and he being naturally averse to hazard himself; for the assailants being commanded by the Hills, by the Trenches which crossed through the Suburbs, and by the Batteries which were placed upon the Hills, they would not have been able to advance, nor without much danger have continued the assault; and when they should have made some advancement they would have found it very difficult to entrench themselves, and shelter themselves from the imminency of the situation; so as they would have been repulsed with much loss, and would have been forced at last to forsake their stations, which they had possessed themselves of with much labour and loss of blood: to drive the Enemy from the Banks of the River, though at first it would not have been very hard to have done, yet when the great Trench was made, it was thought impossible, by reason of the continual succour which might be had by the Bridge, and of their being played upon from the higher places: which was soon known in some attempts which they made, wherein the assailants were with no small loss repulsed: to deprive them of the use of the Bridge, which would have been the most advantageous and safest course, was not easy to be done; for being sheltered partly by the Hill, and partly by the great Trench, it could not have been easily beaten down by their Artillery; though two of the Boats were sunk, and the Bridge loosened by a Battery planted against it by Don Philippo, Son to the Marquis Spinola; for they being supplied by the diligence used in fastening of Boats together, and in substituting others in the places of those that were sunk, the wont conveniency of passage was soon provided for; and to the end that it might not be subject another time to the same chance, the Duke made it be drawn a little lower, where it was wholly sheltered from battery by the Wood in the Plain, which kept it from being seen: the like provision had, for another disaster which a few days after was occasioned by the fullness of the River, which driving a Mill broke the Bridge, and disordered the Boats, did seasonably repair the loss which was received: the least of evils, since all other ways was held impossible, and desperate, was to begin with expugning the Suburbs, which being won by little and little, would make way for them to get to the top of the Hill, where the Town and Castle stood: but here they would also have enough to do; it being to be opposed not only by the Raveline, and by other Fortifications made by the Duke, but by the very situation of the place; for the rising of the Hill whereon the Suburbs stand, being on both sides rocky, and hard to climb, it was unaccessible on any of those sides; they must therefore necessarily attaque it on the Front; which being very narrow, a small number of defendants, would be able to make it good against a much greater number of assailants; and hence it was that the Duke was not prejudiced by the scarcity of combatants, nor the Governor advantaged by numbers thereof; and notwithstanding the oppugners being confident that their labour and diligence would overcome all difficulties, thought they might prove greater than they expected; and because it was necessary at last to do something, they made some Trenches against the Front of the Suburbs, and making their approaches at the same time, they came to an assault; which being given by Don Lewis di Cordua, and by Count Sultz his Dutch, was stoutly withstood by those within; for though they were twice entered, they were twice beaten back: the third assault made the assailants masters of the Suburbs but they were forced to quit it that very night by the Marshal, who was sent by the Duke to recover it: he coming out of the Raveline, made himself master of some of the Enemy's Trenches and Approaches: this Raveline may be said to have been, for a while, the stumbling-block against which they oft times gave; and the business was brought to such a condition, as it being often times taken and recovered, at last, as being a place too prejudicial, and too much controverted, it was abandoned by both sides; and served for a while for nothing, but for a Stocado for the encounters, and for a Scene or Stage, on which these valiant Soldiers did alternately by death Triumph. The assailants finding themselves more prejudiced then advantaged by assaults, fell to play with their Cannon and Musket-shot, not upon the Rampires or Fortifications, but to beat down the Houses, and kill the Soldiers who defended the Trenches; and though the Houses which were but weak were at last thrown down; yet knowing that those ruins made nothing for the main business, they began to make Mines, hoping thereby to effect their work with less prejudice and loss of men: but neither did they succeed better therein, by reason of the extraordinary diligence and vigilancy of those within; who having very cunningly made countermines, sometimes made them play against the Enemy, and by disturbing the Enemies proceedings rendered them vain and unefficacious: the defendants becoming this mean while more hardy; and not being content to stand upon their def●…nce, made some sallies out upon the Enemy's Quarters; but fared not so well therein, as whilst they stood upon their defence; for they were much prejudiced thereby; and more particularly in a Camisado by night, made by 1500 French, led on by Monsieur di Vallentienes, who went to fall upon the Italians Trenches; which lying utmost towards the West were quartered farthest off: but the assault being valiantly sustained, and the assailants beaten back, Vallentienes remained prisoner there, and 400 of his men were slain upon the place; which causing the defendants to betake themselves to defence only, wherein they were advantaged by their Situation and Fortifications, they durst not sally out any more; but minding the motions of the Enemy, were content to keep them aloof off from their Ammunition: on the contrary, the assailants finding the business grow daily worse and worse began to doubt the effecting of it; finding how far the Duke's diligence, industry and wariness, accompanied with the strength of the situation, and the condition of his Quarters, did exceed the greatness of their Forces: Affairs were brought to that pass, as they were not now to think barely of the expugning of Verrua, unless they did first, or at the same time beat the Enemy from their Quarters at Crescentino; which was impossible to do without dividing their Army; and to boot, that this dividing of the Army was contrary to the Governors' genius, and to the mind of the chief Commanders of the Army, who desired to proceed warily, these Quarters were as hard to be taken, as was Verrua; having Crescentino, a strong place, on their backs, the River before them, and beyond the River the Quarters of Verrua, which was joined by the Bridge to those of Crescentino; on the right hand the Dora Baltea, with a Bridge of Boats, by which all Provisions and necessary Ammunitions were brought to the Camp from Piedmont; and this Bridge was at both ends very well munited with two small Forts; on the left hand, which was the place the Duke doubted most, because of the Bridge which the Governor still kept at Pontestura, it was sheltered by a long Trench flanked with Bulwarks, which beginning from Crescentino reached to the River's side: the banks also on Crescentino's side, as well above, as below the Quarters, were secured by several Corpse de guard. These difficulties which were thought not to be overcome being considered, doubtlessly the best course would have been to have quitted the Enterprise, chiefly at a time when the Army was not afflicted with sickness, which ensued afterwards, and when the Season was proper for them to betake themselves to some other Enterprise; for to persevere obstinately against so many difficulties was no better than to bury so gallant and powerful an Army before so igneble a Castle: But the first building of the bridge at Pontestura, where it was given out that they would go either to Crescentino or Verrua, the change of this afterwards to the Erterprises of Asti and Vercelles, their not persevering therein, but betaking themselves to that of Verrua, would not suffer them so much as to think of such a resolution. The Governor and other Commanders thought themselves too much obliged to persevere before Verrua, lest it might be conceived, that so flourishing and numerous an Army changing their Sails so oft should go wand'ring up and down here and there, as if they were not resolved what Enterprise to fall upon, nor mind to do any thing: To the fear of losing too much reputation, if in this condition of affairs they should rise from before Verrua, was added their expectation of more men which were shortly to come to the Camp. Four thousand Foot came very soon from Genoa of those who were under Guasco and Pecchio; new Levies of Foot were made in Naples; and Charles Count Mansfield was to come speedily into the State of Milan with his Regiment of 4000 Foot and 1000 Horse: And these recruits being added to the Army, enabling them to make two Camps, one whereof might fall upon the Quarters at Crescentino, and the other keep still before Verrua; it was held that the Duke being assaulted at one and the same time on two sides would be worsted at least in one, and the victory in one part did secure the victory on the other. They were yet more invited hereunto by the diversion which they expected from the maritime parts; for the Marquers of S ta Croce was to enter Piedmont with 8000 good Foot of the Kings and Gen●…ese; and to this purpose 500 Horse were appointed to him under Manfrine Castiglione, which together with 200 which the Commonwealth was to pay, were to be a safeguard to the Foot, whilst they should enter into the Plain of Mondovi: In which case the Duke must either be forced to abandon Verrua, and to relieve that other part which was wholly destitute of defence, or, that he might maintain Verrua, leave that other part to be preyed upon by the Enemy's Army: To which so e'er of these the Duke should betake himself, the Spaniards would assuredly have the victory, either on the one or on the other side, and peradventure on both; and the victory in either side would have satisfied the King's intention, which was not, quite to ruin the Duke, but to keep him under: Moreover, the Duke's Forces were not such, nor so many, as that they could of themselves make any long stay or resistance at Verrua; and the less, for that being deprived of almost all external helps, he had not so much as reason to hope for any, by reason of the continual troubles of France which totally cut him off from any. Out of these hopes, and out of these probabilities of succour, the Governor persevered in the Enterprise of Verrua, and the Duke kept constant, and undaunted in the defence of this little Burrough, against so great Forces, and so many preparations, and upon so many disadvantages; and he succeeded therein; for the Governor failed not only in his hopes and calculations, but the affairs of his Camp grew daily worse and worse: the sickness which was begun in the Camp did so increase, as not only many of the common Soldiers, but even the chief Officers were infected with it, and many of them died: three Camp-masters died, and all the rest fell generally sick; as many Sergeants, Officers, Commanders, and persons of Quality, who were near about the Governors own person; nay, he himself being infected with the Disease was carried to Pontestura for cure; leaving the charge of the Army with Don Gonzallo, rather in a posture to retreat, then to continue the Enterprise. This so sore sickness was not occasioned only by the influence of the intemperate air which was excessive hot this Summer, and which in those boggy and plashy parts became pestilential, but the great labour and hardships which the Soldiers endured, and chiefly the scarcity of victuals, of which those that were brought by the Po were often intercepted by the Duke's men, who scoured up and down on the opposite Shore, hindering Navigation, and sometimes seized on the boats which brought provision; and those that came by Montferrat were stopped by those of that Country; either out of the hatred they bore to the Spaniards, or, as some would have it, by private Orders from their Prince, who would never declare himself for the Spaniards, but hated them extremely, though the King of Spain had spent, and fought so much to protect him against the Duke, who would have suppressed him. Hence also arose great scarcity of Fodder for the Horses, which having wasted all that was near hand went far off to fetch it, not without great weariness and danger: the want of moneys added much to all these mischiefs, whereof very little or none came from Spain; and their former Provisions were already spent: Pay being therefore wanting, the Soldiers were brought to so miserable a condition, as not being able to provide for covering their nakedness, they could neither fence themselves from the excessive heat of Summer, nor from the cold of Winter which drew on: as one evil therefore draws on another, many mischievous accidents proceeded from hence in the administration of the War; straightness and difficulty in Ammunition, want of Military Discipline, contumacy and disobedience amongst the common Soldiers; the Officers who were half sick, and half amazed, not being able to make their Soldiers obey them, who were tattered, famished, and ill paid: supply came in very slowly and scarely; very few Soldiers, and far short of the need and expectation, came from Naples; and mansfield's Soldiers, who came late into the State of Milan, refused to go into the Field till they had received their Pay. San Croce's diversion, whereupon they did chiefly rely, proved also vain: he was to have entered Piedmont with those Forces which were in Savona; and with Manfrino his five Horse, by the way of Savona, such an expedition at that time and by that way would have produced three very good effects. First, entering the enemy's Country, which did abound in Victuals, wanting Forts and Ammuniiion, and which was bere●…t of all defence, he might have easily possessed himself of it, without any gainsaying; by this diversion if made in a seasonable time, have very much helped the business of Verrua; and lastly, the River of Genoa being by the interposition of this Army cut off from Piedmont, and (consequently) deprived of all hopes of succour, it would at the very appearance of the Galleys have been abandoned by the Garrisons of Piedmont: so as, of itself, it would have fallen to the Commonwealth. San Croce's genius, who was better versed in maritine affairs then in band service, and loved not to go far from the shore, opposed this resolution, which certainly would have been the most commodious and best for the common cause: it was opposed also by that which serves always for an excuse to any Commander, for either not beginning, or not prosecuting an enterprise, the scarcity of provisions; wherefore being resolved that the recovery of Riviera should precede his entrance into Piedmont, it was conceived that private emulation between him and the Duke of Feria bore greater sway with him, than any respect of the common Cause: wherefore not caring for the good success of the enterprise of Verrua, he was not displeased that his rival might reap but little honour thereby: parting therefore about the midst of july from Savona, accompanied by two Senators, jovan Battista Saluzzo, and Agostine Centurion, who were chosen Commissaries by the Commonwealth, at whose expense, and in whose name the whole business was carried on; and carrying with him 8000 Foot, and two Troops of Horse, they betook themselves to the recovery of la Riviera; the first in order was the City of Albenga, which being first assaulted came first into the power of the Commonwealth, though it were recruited but some days before both with Men and Victuals by the Galleys of Marcelles: the battery began from the Galleys, which by their Cannon beat down the Houses; for the City stood within Musket-shot of the Seashore: but that battery doing but little harm, the people were that mean while landed, and two great Cannons, which being levelled against the Gate and Wall which we●…e towards the Sea; after having played upon them a while, the defendants began to apprehend the assault, which they saw was preparing to be given: so as beginning to parley, they yielded within a few hours, upon Articles; that the Captains should march out with Arms and Baggage, and the Soldiers with their Swords, as also they were not to serve for that Summer against the King of Spain, nor the Commonwealth. Albenga being taken, all the Towns till you come to Porto Mauritio, Oneglia being therein comprehended, most of them being without Walls, and abandoned by the Duke's men, returned under the obedience of the Commonwealth: from hence they went to Porto Mauritio, a place strongly situated, munited with Artillery, having a good Garrison in it, and abundantly provided of Ammunition; it stands upon a great Rock, which being for the greatest part environed by the Sea, is as it were a Peninsula: their Men and Artillery being landed, they had no little labour to draw them up those craggy cliffs, for many necessary things were wanting for the train of Artillery, and the weather was then very hot. Thomaso Raggio, jovan Battista Adorno, and jacomo Moniglia, three of those Gentlemen who had raised and maintained seven Companies at their own expense, and had continually served the Commonwealth with them very affectionately, had the care thereof given them; who not only by their Authority, but by their example, brought them in a short time to fitting places: they raised three Batteries, two on the Flank, and one behind; and the Defendants ordered their defences very fittingly against these Batteries: by two days continual battery a breach was made, fitting for an assault; and the three forenamed Gentlemen were ready, with their Companies, to give an assault; when the Defendants, who had enriched themselves by booty taken at Ottaggio and Pieve, being loath to adventure what they had gotten, parleyed, and on the third day surrendered the place upon the same terms that Albenga had done: but the King's Soldiers missing the prey which they thought they should have had if they had taken the Town by assault, turned upon many of the neighbouring Towns, plundering and sacking them, to the great grief of the Commissaries, who could not bear with so great mischief done to the Subjects of the Commonwealth, or with such an affront to themselves; and finding that the King's Captains took no care to prevent such an inconvenience, Thomaso Raggio, a man of a great spirit, who upon all occasions had showed much zeal towards the affairs of the Commonwealth, offered to remedy this inconvenience by force of Arms; which offer being accepted of, he was sent with many Companies of Soldiers, to suppress this prejudice done unto the Country by the King's Soldiers; who hearing of his coming joined together in a body; and yet he had the good luck to make them soon retreat; and embarking themselves in the Galleys with San Croce, they went some of them to Savona, some to Genoa; for San Croce, by reason of the excessive ●…eat, and of the sickness amongst the Soldiers, would not continue the enterprise, which he might easily have prospered in; for after the surrender of Porto Mauritio, all the Towns as far as Ventimiglia being abandoned by the Duke's Garrisons, returned to the anti●…nt command of the Genoeses; so as when he should quickly and happily have dispatched this business, he might have facilitated the taking of Verrua by diversion: but that so much time might not be s●…ent in vain, the Commonwealth gave order that Pigna, a great Town belonging to the Duke, lying above Ventimiglia, should be gone against, where they understood that many of those who were gone out of Albenga, and the rest of the Towns which were recovered were got together; and it was feared, that (contrary to the Articles of surrender) they might be a great disturbance to the Enterprise of Ventimiglia, which upon the ceasing of the excessive heats, and the amendment of the Soldiers, was preparing for: This business was committed to the Baron Batteville; who coming thither with about 3000 Foot, and having long battered the Trenches which joined to the houses, and served for a wall or Rampire; at last the defendants fearing an assault yielded upon Articles; which being agreed upon and performed, they delivered up the Town to Batteville; in the delivery whereof the Ammunition fell on fire, which occasioned much mischief to many; amongst the rest to jovan Antonio Sauli, General of the Commonwealth's Artillery, Son to Lorenzo, who had been Doeg, he being therein burned to death: And at last the weather growing cooler, and the 3000 Dutch who were raised by Philippo Spinola, being arrived, they went with all their forces, about the midst of September, to the taking in of Ventimiglia; which was reduced with little labour: For the City bei●…g after some Cannot shot abandoned by the Garrison, who betook themselves to defend the Castle, fell into the Genoeses hands. The Castle being played upon on three sides, held out a little longer; but the assailants being gotten under the Counterscarp, and the defendants fearing to be undermined, which they saw they were begun to be; they after eight days Battery yielded upon Articles, That only the Officers should march out with their Swords, and all the rest without Arms: The little Marquisate of Zuccarello, the first beginning of so many evils, was yet in the enemy's possession: A 1000 Foot were sent thith●…r, to whom all the Towns were instantly surrendered, except Castle Vecchio; which was longer ere it was taken than it deserved tobe, for that it was requisite to bring Artillery to batter it, which by reason of the roughness of the way, and height of the situation, was not without much labour and expense of time effected; but at last, all difficulties being overcome, the Cannon being presented, and the Castle somewhat battered, it was also surrendered upon Capitulation, to jovan Ambrosio Casella, a Senator, and Commissary of the Commonwealth, who succeeded Centurion. Thus in the space of few Months the Commonwealth of Genoa, which was assaulted by powerful forces, and partly abandoned, partly fought against, partly plotted against in private by Italian Princes; being solely protected and defended by the King of Spain, kept not only unprejudiced from the fury and hostility of so many forces raised against her, and from so many Princes which conspired against her; but preserving her natural Liberty, did in a short time recover all that the enemy had taken from her; and entering the assailant Duke's State took some of his Towns, and endamaged him as much as he had done her; For to boot with the Towns of Oneglia and Pigna, which were taken at the same time that La Riviera was recovered; San Croce having regained Ventimiglia sent some Foo●… to Maro, a Town appertaining to the Duke, which lies above Oneglia; and without much difficulty took it, and all the Valley of Prelà: When Lafoy Riviera was recovered, the same forces of the King and Commonwealth, which entering Piedmont should have helped to raise the Siege of Verrua by diversion, as the Duke of Feria's Army had facilitated the recovery of La Riviera, by lying before Verrua, kept a good while, partly in Savona, partly in Albenga: and afterwards being come from Albenga to enter Piedmont, Sun Cr●…ce would first take the Town of Or●…a, one of the Duke's Towns which confined upon the Commonwealth; which though it were great, and well peopled, yet made not much for the main concernment of the war; and which for the badness of the ways by which the Artillery was to be brought, did much delay the entrance into Piedmont: The forces drew near that Town, but without Artillery, which was not yet come, but was speedily expected: And this Town standing in a Valley between two Mountains, through the which the Tannaro runs, which takes its rise from a little above, it was impossible for the Horse to quarter very near it; they therefore quartered two miles off, which was the cause why they could do but little service upon an occasion which happened not long after they were quartered: Don Carlo, the Duke of Savoy's natural Son, and the Marquis di San Trinità coming from Garrissio with about 2000 Foot, and 200 Horses, endeavoured to relieve Ormea; but falling upon the Neapolitan Quarters, under Don Antonio Tuffo their Camp master, though they charged home, yet two Troops of Horse coming in under Captain Sp●…ra, and other assistance with them from the neighbouring quarters, the Piedmontese were beaten back with great loss, which would yet have been worse if all the Horse had been there, which (by reason of their being quartered so far off) could not be present at that action: When the Artillery was come, they raised two Batteries, and having made a sufficient breach, an assault was given, which was stoutly fought on both sides; but the assailant getting the better at last, the Town was taken, with much ruin, and effusion of blood; and was afterwards sacked, to the great enriching of the Soldiery, who got as much booty there, as the Piedmontese did at Pieve: The Town being taken the Castle yielded the next day, and both of them were freely delivered up to the Senators, who were in the Camp; who receiving them in the Common wealth's name, placed 600 Foot in Garrison there, under Mark Antonio Brancaccio, who upon that occasion was chosen Campmaster to the Commonwealth. From hence they went to Garrissio, another great Town of Piedmont, wherein there was a good Garrison under Monfieur di Flescè; but the fierce assault and taking of Ormea, which happened with so great mortality, did not terrify the Townsmen of Garrissio only, but the Garrison also; who abandoned the Townsmen before the enemy appeared; wherefore they sent the Keys of the Gates to San Croce, in sign of surrender; yet the Castle held out nine days, which whilst it was played upon by the Artillery, and undermined, the Horse overran those parts even to Céva, plundering and much prejudicing the Campagnia: wherefore those of Bagnasco, being wise at the cost of others, sent also to surrender to San Croce; and the Castle of Garrissio, which was at last surrendered, was slighted by San Croce. I●… was now about the midst of November, when they went to Garrissio; and the season grew daily more obnoxious by reason of rain and cold; it was also given out about Garrissio and the Marquisate of Ceva, that there was an assembly of men, and that the Duke himself was speedily advancing with all his forces: It was true that the Prince of Piedmont was come into the field with a Body of Foot and Horse, to defend those parts; and that joining with his Brother Don Carlo, and the Marquis of San Trinità, he thought to oppose San Croce: But the news of the Duke's coming himself in person was the more confirmed in the Spanish Camp, by the news of the Governors withdrawing from before Verrua: wherefore San Croce was the more perplexed what to do; but this difficulty was eased by a Letter which (as it was said) came to him from the Governor; wherein he was advertised, that it being impossible for him the Governor to continue longer before Verrua, (which had caused him to rise from thence) it was superfluous for him to advance any further on that side: Fitting Orders being therefore given upon this advertisement, they resolved to return towards the Maritime parts; which being divulged through the Army, the greater part thereof believing the report of the Duke's coming, thought that the retreat was occasioned by the certain knowledge thereof: So as overcome with too much fear they retreated in very little order, almost in a flying posture; leaving part of the prey they had got at Garrissio behind them, and one great Piece of Cannon, which they could not bring over those rocky Mountains. This was the success of San Croce's entering Piedmont; and the Prince, when he was gone, went to before Felizzano, a Town belonging to the Marquisate of Finale, and subject to the King; but with no success; for San Croce having sent forces to defend that place, the Prince retreated also into Piedmont: At the same time or a little before these things happened, the Camp before Verrua not having by all their Assaults, Mines, and Batteries, been able to get above twenty two foot into the Suburbs, grew daily more afflicted with sickness and mortality; so as being reduced to a very small number, it was not only not longer able to continue that enterprise, but neither to retreat without danger of being lost; especially for that the ways so sunk by the fall of rain, and the dirt was so deep as the Foot could not march without much ado, nor the Artillery and other encumbrances be carried along: But this was seasonably helped by the coming of Mansfield with his Dutchmen, who were at last satisfied in point of pay; and these men being fresh proved very fit to back the Army in its Retreat: which being thus secured by the assistance of these new men, Don Gonzallo made the Artillery be removed from his Quarters, and be brought to the Rendezvouz for Arms. The Constable, who being recovered of a long sickness was returned from Turin to the Camp, seeing this, did not let slip the occasion of assaulting the enemy's Trenches, which wanted defence and Artillery, and were negligently looked unto by the Soldiers, who minded more their retreat then making defence: So as upon the change of the Guards which was made in the Duke's Trenches in the plain before Verrua, he assaulted them so furiously, as possessing himself of the foremost, he came almost to the Dutch Quarters; which he would likewise have taken if he had not been first stoutly resisted by Count Salma's Lieutenant (who was slain in the fight) and afterward by the Count di Solts, who did not only repulse the enemy from the assaulted Quarters, but made them forego the Trenches which they had already taken: The next night the Governor began to remove quietly, without the beat of Drum or sound of Trumpet; yet this stolen Retreat was not so silently performed, but that the Duke, who was aware thereof, early in the morning went after the Army, which marched but slowly: His men, though they were repulsed by Mansfield's Dutchmen, slew many of those who not being able to follow remained behind upon the way, besides two Spanish Captains, who resisted valiantly in the Rear: This Retreat was very seasonably made; for a Recruit of 6000 Foot was at last come from France into Piedmont, under Monsieur di Vigneles; who at the same time that the Army removed, came to the City of Inurea. The Governor was afraid that these forces being joined to those of the Duke and Constable, passing through the Vale of Sesia, and the Principality of Messerano, might go to prejudice the Territories of Novara; he therefore went with his Army, which was reduced to a very small number, to Novara; but the Winter coming on, and finding himself free from that danger, he returned to Milan. The Duke of Feria was not he alone who did partake of the misfortunes wherein the this-years Enterprises miscarried; for it was observed that some sinister influence of the Heavens opposed itself against the good success of the Armies, and Enterprises of this Year. The so flourishing Army of the Duke and Constable was unfortunately lost amidst the Mountains of Liguria, not having effected any thing worthy the greatness of their forces and designs: That of the Marquis di Conrè, backed by the Venetians, and maintained by their moneys and provisions, was likewise unfortunately lost in sitting down before an Inn, a woeful Harbour for Mules and Muleteers; at the taking whereof having more than once offered, he did not only return worsted, but being assaulted in his own Quarters he received much prejudice, and was dishonourably affronted; for Papenhaim (who succeeded Serbellone, as hath been said, in defending Riva) having been content to keep there loitering for a few days with his Dutchmen; finding at last that Coure despairing of doing any thing of moment was retired into the Valtoline; and that leaving Garrisons only in Vico, in Vercè, and in Sasso Corbe, he had distributed almost all his men in the Valtoline and in Chiavenna; and being impatient of so long idleness, he resolved to assault those Quarters, which being fortified only on the Lake, and on Riva's side, were not at all fortified behind, the height and ruggedness of the neighbouring Mountains being esteemed a safe defence. Papenhaim having therefore learned by certain men whom he had sent to discover those Mountains, that people might be brought to fall upon them by that way, he sent a thousand Foot by that way; and he, having armed his Barks and Brigandines, went to assault those Quarters by water at the same time that the thousand Foot should fall down by the way of the Mountain upon them. The event suited with the resolution; for the Defendants being set upon unexpectedly on the back fled towards the Valtoline, abandoning their Quarters and Fortifications, which were presently taken by Papenhaim, together with eleven pieces of Artillery, and much Victuals and Ammunition; nor there withal content, he pursued them into the Valtoline; and coming to the Fortifications of Troana and Morbegno, he thought to have assaulted them, whereof he writ to the Duke of Feria; who being with small hopes before Verrua, would not by any new enterprise hazard the defence of Riva, which was of such importance to the State of Milan: so as Papenhaim being master of all the Fortifications which the French had upon the lesser Lake, was consequently master of all the upper Lake. Thus ended this enterprise, no less unfortunately for the French, then did that of the Duke of Feria before Verrua, and that of the Constable and Duke of Savoy against the Genoeses: nothing else of moment happened this year, unless that the English Fleet, going from that Kingdom about the beginning of October with 93 Ships, wherein were about 10000 fight men, appeared in the beginning of November, in the Spanish Seas, and entering the Bay of Cadiz, landed some of their men in the Island, and five pieces of Artillery, intending to fortify themselves there, and wait for the Plate-Fleet, which was shortly to come from America. The Soldiers were three or four days busied about taking the Fort called Puntale; and having gotten it upon Articles, they endeavoured to make themselves masters of the Bridge, which joins the Island of Cadiz to the Continent: but being hindered partly by the rain that fell, partly by those who came to defend the Bridge, they could not effect their desire. Don Ferrante Girone, who was there in defence, after he had well fortified the City, issued out; and coming to blows with the Enemy, a sleight Skirmish ensued, with some prejudice to both sides: at last the English finding that they could do no great good neither there nor in any of the neighbouring parts, which were all well munited, they resolved to be gone; and making towards the West, the Spaniards were afraid (as they had learned by some Prisoners) that they were bend for Cape San Vincent, the utmost promontory of Spain toward the West, to intercept the Plate-Fleet; wherefore very much apprehending some adverse fortune, they sent out some Carvels into several parts, to find out the Plate-Fleet, and to advertise them how near the English were, and in what danger they were of them; and that therefore instead of coming to Cape San Vincent, they should enter into Corogna, the utmost Haven of Gallitia: one of these Carvels light upon the English Fleet, which hearing of the Orders sent to the Plate-Fleet by so many parts, steered its Course towares Corogna, supposing that the Plate-Fleet would undoubtedly light upon some of those Carvels, and would, according to their Orders, make towards that part: a wonderful accident happened, which because it exceeded all humane foresight and providence, may deservedly be called a miracle; not any of the Carvels met with the Plate-Fleet; so as the Orders which were sent to them falling into the hands of the English, was the occasion of turning the English out of their way; for the Plate-Fleet, which coming from out the Channel of Bauma, doth usually sail Northward till it come to the 45 degree of the elevation of the Pole, and then declining towards the East and South, comes into the Terzere and into Portugal, and to Coast a long the Cape San Vincent, not being able this year, by reason of the great Northerly winds, to enter between those Islands and the Continent, was forced to pass on the out side, and to run along Africa, even to the shores of Morocco, at the same time that the English Fleet lay before Cales: but when the English Fleet going from Cales went to find the Plate-Fleet out, the wind blowing very briskly from the South, it happened that as by the favour thereof the Plate-Fleet came successfully from the Morocco shores to Cales, so the English Fleet leaving Cales behind them, the more they thought to meet with the Plate-Fleet, the English being driven by the same winds towards Corogna, the further were they from it, and consequently left the entrance into the straits, and the Spanish Seas, free to the Plate-Fleet, whither it was bound. Now because often mention is made of the great Treasure and Riches which this Plate-Fleet brings every year to Spain, it will not be much from the purpose, to make here a particular Discourse thereof: lest the Narration of that which is now so well known, being not spoken of by us, may peradventure leave the like obscurity to posterity, as we find in the Holy Writ, touching the Land of Ophir, from whence we read that Gold was brought every third year to Solomon. The King of Spain, as he is King of Castille is Master of the great Kingdoms of America, which is now called the new World, and which being totally unknown to the Ancients was first discovered and found out by Christophoro Colomba, a Citizen of Genoa, in the year 1492. and as King of Portugal he possesseth many Towns, Havens and Maritime Provinces in Africa, Asia, and in the Indies, and more Eastern Islands; whereinto by long endeavours and dangerous Navigation he had penetrated a little before Colomba: from these Oriental and Occidental Regions infinite Riches and Treasures are yearly brought into Spain: but particularly from America, as more abounding then any other Region in the unexhaustible Mines of Silver: between the midst of March and beginning of April, eight great Ships fraught with Merchandise, and eight well-armed Galleoons, do usually go every year from the City of Sivil; which sailing towards America, steer their Course towards that Province which is commonly called Terra Firma: and putting to shore first at Carthagena, the chief Haven of that Province, eleven degrees distant from the Line towards the North, and 315 degrees in Longitude; do there unload part of their Merchandise, and pass forwards with the rest towards Porto Velo, the chiefest place for Trade, in that Isthmus; which dividing the uppermost Sea, which they call the North Sea, from the nethermore, which they call the South Sea, joins the two chief parts of America together, just as Africa is joined to Asia by the Isthmus of Egypt. Porto Velo is a place of receipt for all the Merchandise which go to and fro from Peru; and for all the Gold and Silver which is brought in great abundance from the unexhaustible Mines of the Potosi in Peru; and from the others of those parts; for as all that passes from Peru, and from those Provinces by the South Sea into the North Sea, to be conveyed into Spain, puts in at Panama, another noble Haven and place of Merchandise, on the opposite side of the Isthmus, which lies upon that Sea, and are carried cross the Isthmus upon the backs of certain creatures not unlike our Rams, to Porto Velo. so those which are destined for Peru, and those other Regions which lie towards the South, from Spain and the other American Provinces which lie Northward, are unloaded at Porto Velo, and are carried upon the same creatures to Palma, from whence they are sent in Ships destined for Peru, and those other Provinces: the same Ships when they have unladed the Spanish Merchandise in Porto Velo, are presently fraught with those which are come from Peru, and those other Provinces, except it be the Gold and Silver, which for the greater safety are for the most part put into Galleoons; which are very great and capacious Vessels, each of which carrying 36 pieces of great Cannon, and 300 select Mariners, may be said to be the Plate-Fleets Garrison: these being loaded with Gold and Silver depart in company with the Ships of Merchandise from Porto Velo, to Havanna, a Haven which for capacity, safety and Fortification, may be accounted the chiefest, not only in America, but peradventure, in the whole World; which being situated in the Island of Cuba, just under the Tropic of Cancer, turns towards the North, and is opposite to that part of America which is called Florida: whither when they are come, they find about 35 other Ships, which coming from Spain about the end of the preceding june, pass to San jovan di Lua, which is the landing place of Mexico, and of that Province near America, which is commonly called Nova Spagna; and having here unladed the Spanish Merchandise, and taken up those of Nova Spagna, they endeavour to be in Havanna at the time that the Galleoons and other Ships use to come thither; which is just about the beginning of September; to the end that, guarded by those Galleoons and other Ships, they may pursue their Voyage with more safety, and less danger of Pirates; to boot with these, other Ships of the neighbouring Kingdoms use to come thither at the same time: so as the whole Flotta, as they call it, amounts to between 60 and 70 Vessels; when they part from Havanna, they must by the Straight of Beama, a very dangerous Straight between the Island Beama and Florida, fall into the open and immense Ocean, whither when they are come, they give fire to all their Artillery, in sign of joy for that they have escaped so dangerous a passage; and calling a Council, they open a Packet which is brought from Spain, wherein there are Orders and Instructions from the King, how they are to steer their Course in their return; and in what height they are to keep from Climate to Climate: to the end, that their Enemies may not know what Course they steer, who oft times lie in wait to surprise them: these Ships which are called la Flotta d' America come usually into Spain in November; and entering the Gulf of Cales, go to Sivil by the great River of Guadalquivir; where the Merchandise and Treasure are brought to the King's Officers, and are by them delivered out, according to their several proportions. They bring with them commonly to the value of eleven Millions of Gold; whereof two Millions consist in Merchandise, the rest in Gold and Silver; the fourth part whereof is calculated to belong unto the King, the rest to particular Merchants: the Merchandizes are Cuchunel, Indigo, Campeggio or Campeche, a medecinable wood, Tebacco, and beasts hides tanned, to make shoe-soles withal, which they call Covey: of the Ships when they go from Spain, those which go first away with the Galleoons carry Silks and Woollen-cloth, Cloth of Gold, and other things of value: the rest, which are intended for Terra Firma, carry great quantities of Linen, Wine, Oil and Olives: in which things those Countries which stand in need thereof do abound; for the King, to keep those Provinces united, and dependant upon his Kingdoms of Spain, requires (upon rigorous and severe penalties) that two things be by them observed: the one, that neither Vines nor Olives be planted in America, though that soil be very capable thereof: the other, that the Exchequer-rents and Kings Revenues of those Previnces, may not upon any terms be sold to private men; and hence it is, that those Inhabitants being in a possibility of being besieged by Spain, forasmuch as belongs to Wine and Oil, they are necessitated to keep Commerce with Europe, and to tolerate the Sovereignty of a far distant King, to the end that they may be provided thereof; and not having elsewhere, where to employ their Riches, they must send them into Spain, to purchase annual revenues out of the forfeitures of those Kingdoms; which by a Spanish word drawn from the Latin, they call juri: whence it is that almost all the ready moneys of America being transported into Spain, raises the rates of the juri, and occasions plenty of ready money; and which is of greater importance, the same juri serves the King as a pledge and surety of their fidelity and vassalage: so as they can the less easily Rebel. Nor were the Portuguese less fortunate in their Maritime Enterprises; who some years before Colomba's Navigation, undertook by Maritime Art and Study, Navigations no less uncertain, dangerous, unusual, and (in man's opinion) not to be achieved; for the ancient Mathematicians and Cosmographers holding that the torried Zone was uninhabitable, thought that that part of Africa, which being washed by the Western Sea extends itself from the straits of Gibraltar towards the South, did enter into that Zone, and that therefore it was in vain to sail any further that way, or to coast along there, without evident danger of their healths who should come to the Precincts of the Zone: so as it was impossible to penetrate, by Navigation, from the Occidental African Ocean into the Oriental, which washeth Asia and India: but the Portugueses endeavouring to advance further, did first discover the great Promontory of Capo Verde, and the adjoining Islands which the ancients called Hesperides; and then advancing much further, when they had past the Equinoctial line, they arrived at the Kingdoms of Congo and Angola; then passing the Tropic of Capricorn, they at last compassed the enterprise which was before held so desperate; and discovered the furthermost Promontory of Africa, which they called Capo di buona Speranza, or the Cape of good Hope; and sailing from thence through the open Ocean towards the East, they coasted so far along Africa, which turned about thitherwards, as discovering the mouths of the Arabian and Pe●…sian Gulfs, they came at last to that of the great Indo: where laying the foundations of so great an Empire upon friendship made with some of those Barbarian Kings, by the sole Traffic of Spices, and other Levant Merchandiz, they began to interpose themselves in the Wars which they made one against another; adhering to some with their Arms, suppressing some others, insomuch as having gotten some Towns, partly by agreement, partly by force, and fortifying themselves very well therein, they laid some better groundworks of Empire in the midst of that Nation, which from nothing, or from very little, increased so fast as exceeds all their Neighbours, if not in greatness and union of State, at least in Worth, Maritime Forces and Civil Policy: which by (peradventure an unheard of example) proceeding from so far distant parts, curbs almost all the Kings and Potentates of those Regions; for being either Tributaries, adherents or Vassals of the Portuguese Empire, they either by force or by private interest, are become dependants upon the King of Portugal: nor have they kept their Navigations and Acquisitions only within the Confines of India; but as if one afforded materials for an other, they still advanced, till having gotten to the head of India, which they call Comorino, and hath on its Front the ancient Taprobana, they entered into the Gulf of Bengala, and from thence into the Molucca Islands (the fertile Mother of Spices) and to the great Kingdoms of China and japan; and so bold and fortunate have they been, as overcoming the Seas, and finding them navigable, they have gone about the whole World, and joining the East unto the West they have rendered the opinions of the Ancients fabulous and foolish, who denied that the World was round, the possibility of the Antipodes, the peopling of the Zone, and the conjunction of the Seas. The Kings of Portugal governed this Empire; and now the Kings of Castille, in succession to those of Portugal, by a Viceroy, to whom (retaining unto themselves all that is on this side of Capo dibuona Sperato anza) they give all Supreme Arbitrement, and disposal of all that belongs to them from the said Cape to the utmost part of the East: upon this Viceroy, who usually resides in Goa, all the Kings who are Vassals, Tributaries, Friends and Confederates, all the Government of Civil, Military and Maritime Affairs, doth depend: they keep possession of these Seas by four Fleets, distributed into fitting places and Havens: insomuch as none of those Kings or People may sail thereon, without leave and authority from the Viceroy, no not so much as upon occasion of Traffic or Merchandise. A singular thing, and which was never pretended to, nor put in execution by any Roman Emperor, or other King: the Kings of Spain reap many advantages by this Navigation; for to them belongs all the Spices which are carried away in Ships, to boot with many other Merchandizes and Jewels which are carried from the Indies to Portugal: by reason of this so great wealth, which comes every year to the King's hands, the Crown of Spain is held to be of the richest Monarchies that ever was known, or at lest which are at the present; and yet the Wars of Germany and Italy have so exhausted him, and brought him into such straits, as to boot with all the King's Revenues sold and engaged, Spain is now the poorest of any Kingdom in Europe, in point of Silver and Gold; in so much as brass money runs cur at through all the Kingdom of Castille, which they call Moneta del Veglione, instead of Gold or Silver, which occasioned disorders of great importance to that Crown. Now to return to where welefr, and to reassume the thread of our former History. The same English Fleet being deprived of all hope of prey, whilst it returned for England, ●…an great shipwreck by a cruel Tempest which arose, which driving many of the Ships on shore, & splitting them, the rest returned torn and rend, and in very bad order, without having done any good, home to England: so as this powerful League proved no less unfortunate at Sea, than it had done at Land: the Negotiations, Treaties, and conclusion of peace which succeeded afterwards, as shall hereafter be said, were more unfortunate, and less worthy so great preparations. Cardinal Barbarino returned about the end of February, in the year 1626., to Rome, from his French Embassy; who got nothing by it, but an acknowledgement that the King had aided the Duke of Savoy (who had been heinously offended by the Genoeses) not so much in respect of his alliance with the house of Savoy, as to keep the Spanish Forces employed in defending the State of Genoa, so as they might not oppose his men in the Valtoline; that it might be supposed that when the business of the Valtoline should be decided, to the satisfaction of all, and in conformity to the Articles of Madrid, he would forbear offending the Genoeses, whom he had neither reason, nor will, directly to injure. But the orderly disposing of the affairs of the Valtoline pretended unto by the King seemed to be such, as that they offered to restore all the Forts that were taken in the Valtoline, to the Pope, upon condition that they should be immediately demolished, and that being demolished the Valtolinians should return to their ancient obedience of their Lords and Masters the Grisons, the King's ancient Confederates: the Pope would not consent to such hard conditions, as repugnant to the Catholic Religion, and to the Pope's endeavours: so as the Legate departed from the Court, and returned towards Rome, little satisfied with the King, and less with Cardinal Richelieu; the Pope intending to send him upon the same Embassy to Spain found great resistance amongst the Spanish Agents, who thought they should suffer too much in their reputation, if the Embassy of Spain should seem to depend upon that of France; wherefore protesting that the King should not receive him, the Pope sent for his Nephew back to Rome, thinking to send him, as with a new and different Embassy, from thence into Spain: but neither were the Spanish Agents pleased with this, who liked not that in the same Negotiation the King of France should have the precedency given him before the King of Spain: after many debates this accommodation was found; that the Title of the Embassy should be from the Pope, relating to the Baptism of a Daughter of the Kings who was born about that time, and that the Negotiation of peace should come in the second place, as depending thereupon: but for all this new Embassy, the Pope forbore not to prepare for Arms, in case he could not effect peace by his Embassy; for thinking that he should not suffe●… a little by the world's opinion, in his own dignity, and in that of the See of Rome, by the usurpation of the Valtoline, which had been done with so little respect to his Men and Ensigns who defended it; and being moreover scandalised that his Embassy was not received with such esteem in the Court of France as became the Grandezza of the S●…e of Rome, and his deserts; he took it also ill, that the King of Spain did not readily restore what he had usurped, but did stand upon unreasonable, and impossible conditions: he therefore resolved to resent himself by force of Arms; and after having used friendly and benign endeavours to little purpose, he would show that animosity and resentment which the world had desired to find in him, from the beginning of these commotions; and would send men to recover the Valtoline, and the Forts thereof, which were possessed by the French: so as the Spaniards continuing their former offers, of assisting him with Men and Arms, he sent 6000 Foot into the State of Milan, commanded by Torquato Conti, Son to the Duke de Poli, to the end that joining with the Spanish Forces they might go to the recovery of the Valtoline: but the Duke of Savoy, and the other Confederates, prepared forces for the next season, as well as did the Pope; thinking to renew the war more fortunately, and with greater forces than they had done the year before; and news was likewise heard in Italy, of great preparations which were made in that Kingdom to the same purpose; wherefore the Commonwealth of Genoa, not willing to be found unprovided, let what would happen, willingly listened to Proposals made by the Marquis di San' Croce, and the Marquis di Castagneda, of making League with the Crown of Spain, in defence of their common Dominions; to which purpose an Army of 8000 Foot, and 500 Horse, should be by them jointly raised; two thirds of them to be maintained by the King, and the rest by the Commonwealth; and this Army was to be commanded by Francisco Qelio Brancacchio, with title of the chief Commander of the Commonwealth's Forces, which together with many Germans and Italians, entertained at her own charges, caused two Brigades to be likewise raised, the one by Philippo Spinola di Giulio; the other by H●…ctore Ravaschiero, Prince of Satriano, who raised them upon his own charges: but these and the Pope's preparations, as also those of the Confederates, proved vain, as did likewise the Embassy sent into Spain: private Negotiations of peace began at this time to be had between the two Crowns, which were happily concluded, and with incredible speed. The King of France, moved the reunto either by the unfortunate success of the League, or by the troubles of his own Kingdom, (or were it that he saw that he must be forced to make a new war in Italy, touching the Valtoline, and other concernments with the Pope, who was irritated and incensed and joined with the Spanish Forces;) and considering how costly and how little advantageous the Confederates Counsels proved, conceived it better to secure his own affairs, then to busy himself in those of other men's: laying therefore aside all the ends and interests of the Confederates, he thought it best to close upon any terms with the King of Spain; and the Court of Spain hearing no more welcome music, than the sound of peace in Italy, willingly listened to the endeavours that way tending; the conclusion whereof, with the same easiness and good inclination of all parties, was appointed to be made on the sixth of March, the year 1626. in Monsone, a Town in the Kingdom of Arragon, where the King was gone to keep the Courts of that Kingdom: so as the Pope's men, who were come into the State of Milan, at the same time almost that the unexpected news of peace came thither, served only to receive peaceful possession of the Forts which in conformity to the Articles of peace were delivered up unto them, in the name of the Apostolic See; the chief Articles whereof were: That the Roman Catholic Religion should be preserved in the Valtoline, and in the Counties of Bormio and Chiavenna: That things should be reduced to the same condition as they were, in the year 1617. That notwithstanding the people might choose their Magistrates, and Governors, by whom they were to be ruled, without any dependency upon the Grisons: That the confirmation of those that were to be elected should belong unto the Grisons; who if they were not confirmed within eight days, they might administer justice, and exercise their Office and jurisdiction: That if the Grisons should fail twice in this confirmation, they should be understood to have for ever forfeited this their power of confirmation: That the Valtolinians and their companions should pay unto the Grisons, in recompense for the jurisdiction which was conferred upon them, a certain annual sum of money to be agreed upon between themselves; wherein if they should not agree, it should be decided by the two Kings: That the Grisons should approve of these Articles, and should swear to observe them: That such Forts as were held by either of the two Kings, in those parts, should be put into the Pope's possession; who upon restoring the Artillery and Ammunition which should be therein at the time of depositure, should immediately demolish them; but that the demolishing should not be delayed, for fault of consignation, since the King had past his word they should be consigned: That in case the Pope should defer the demolishing, the two Kings should jointly entreat it at his hands, so as they might be effectually demolished: That the Grisons should not enter armed into the Valtoline, nor the Spanish Agents keep any more armed men then usual in the Confines of the State of Milan: as touching the differences between the Commonwealth and the Duke of Savoy: That their two Majesties, and either of them, should procure a Truce with their Colleague for four months; and should choose two Arbitrators, who should end the differences within the said prefixed time; in case the differences should not be terminated within four months, their two Majesties should undertake to determine them, and cause each of their Colleagues to observe them: That their two Majesties should jointly end any differences which should arise between the Grisons and Valtolinians, and should not permit them to take up Arms one against another: That if any differences should happen in Italy, between the Friends of either Crown, their Majesties should not adhere with arms unto their Colleague, till such time as one of the Kings had treated in the other King's Court, and procured an amicable agreement. This was the substance of the chief Capitulations of Peace, at Monsone; than which more honourable, or more advantageous, could not be expected, nor hoped for, for the Crown of Spain; since the King got in this business of the Valtoline all that he therein pretended to, as well in the Catholic Religion which was there very well settled and secured; as in respect of the state and liberty of those people, who were thereby also freed, from the yoke and slavery of the Grisons; for though it was agreed that the condition of affairs should be reduced to the state they were, in the year 1617., (in which the Rebellion not being yet begun, the Valtolinians were under the Grisons obedience) yet was it more in show, than substance; for the election of Magistrates, the necessary confirmation of them, the free and independent exercise of their jurisdiction, were such exceptions to the condition of the year 1617., as they did almost totally alter it: and the Valtolinians, having shaken off their ancient yoke, which made not only for the benefit and freedom of the King of Spain, for the neighbourhood of Fort Fuentes, and for the necessity of Commerce which those people stand in with the State itself, they were constrained to keep united to the Crown of Spain, and to depend upon the Governor of Milans authority: so as the passage thorough that Country, which was the most important point, was kept shut up, and open at the free will and pleasure of the King of Spain and his Agents; for the Crown of Spain having concluded peace upon so advantageous terms, after having so fortunately defended Spain against the English Fleet; after the safe arrival of the Plate Fleet; after the recovery of Brasile, after the defence and preservation of Genoa, did gloriously triumph over the League, and over so many Forces, and Plots contrived by her Rivals and Enemies, to suppress the Grandezza of her King; and truly, we have not these many years read or heard of any peace made with such advantage and honour to that Crown; especially in a time when by the same which was given out of so great preparations for war made by the Confederates she was thought to be furthest off it, and that she was likely to enter into longer and more dangerous wars then the former: but the confusion and astonishment of the Confederates was as great, as was the glory, and satisfaction, which the Spaniards received by this peace; for finding themselves abandoned by the King of France when they least expected it, and that by the dissolution of the League their ends and interest thereby pretended unto were lost, they fumed and complained of the King of France, not so much for that he had made that peace without their knowledge, as for the prejudice of the common affairs, which, being by him abandoned, were totally ruined: the Grisons who were chiefly concerned in the prejudice of the Valtoline, could not tolerate, that after having run so many dangers in point of liberty, and suffered such calamities, they should be deprived of so noble a part of their Dominions; nor that their Protector, the King of France, should after his public profession made to the contrary, have consented so far when they did most believe to be restored by his Arms: so as they complained bitterly, and did openly refuse to accept of those Articles by which they were enforced to renounce their own interests: the Venetians were mad, seeing themselves deprived of that advantage which they thought themselves sure of, after the expense of so much Treasure, after having undergone so many Troubles, after so many Plots and Artifices, whereby, for their own safety and the safety of Italy, they had turned the world upside down: the Pope was variously spoken of herein; those who minded the reality of affairs thought he had reason to be very well satisfied with this peace, since he had thereby vindicated his reputation, by the restitution of the Forts, which were to be put into his hands again; and might pretend that his taking up Arms had been a great cause why the King of France had been brought to more moderate conditions▪ on the contrary, those who were more speculative, and who were already sufficiently ill conceited of the Pope, thought that as he had with so much dissimulation suffered the King of France to enter armed into the Valtoline, so, to secure Italy from imminent slavery, and to abate the Spanish Grandezza; so likewise that he took it very ill, that the King of France should have stood upon so hard terms with his Legate in composing the affairs of the Valioline; and if he were not ill satisfied for these respects, they thought he could not be very well pleased, finding that his neutrality which he had so publicly professed, and the course which he had steered upon these present occurrences, had not only not made him Arbitrator of the present Controversies, but that the two Kings had agreed them without his knowledge, and not without some prejudice to his authority; and the Duke of Savoy was no less impatient at this, than were the other Confederates; for considering that instead of the resentment which he pretended unto against the Genoeses, instead of the acquisition which he had hoped to have made in their Dominions, he had lost many of his Patrimonial Towns, lost his Artillery left in Gavi, and his Galley with the Sea-Standard; he thought that being to re-have them by agreement, and not by force, was to acknowledge that he had been a loser by that war: so as he knew not well what to do: to this was added, that the peace being proclaimed in France, just at that time that the Prince, his Son, was in Paris, and was gone thither to keep the King and that Court steadfast to the League, and to procure new and greater preparations for war to be reassumed the next year; which preparations, that they might be the more certain, and more dependent upon the Duke's authority, and that he might have no occasion to contend with the French Captains and Officers, as he had done with the Constable; the Prince had desired, and (as it was afterwards reported) obtained from the King, the charge, with title of General of the King of France his Forces in Italy; wherefore the Duke being become proud, as thinking himself grown formidable to his enemies, and more regarded by the King of France then any of the Confederates, now that he saw himself fallen from such an height of expectation, and abandoned by the French Court when he least expected it, he held himself to be highly affronted, and that the world would laugh at him: but it was in vain to complain; for the two Kings were firmly resolved to see their determinations effected; and the Confederates not being able to do any thing without the King of France, were forced to succumb, and patiently to swallow down so bitter a pill, and of so hard digestion; and the King of France, who had no excuse for what he had done, cared not much for their being unsatisfied: his Agents, sheltering themselves under the King's greatness and authority, alleged not any thing in defence of what their King had done, but that the interests of the Kingdom required it should be so; with which (they said) it behoved and was necessary that the Confederates should comply; sometimes suffering it to escape out of their mouths, when they were straight put to it, that the Confederates not being any ways to be compared to their King, they must look upon him as their superior: The Princes of France were no less ill satisfied with the peace itself then were the Potentates of the League; wherefore hating the King, as well as him who had been the chief cause of concluding the peace, some who were discontented with the present condition of affairs, and desirous of novelties, and pretences to conspire against the King's person, and against Armand du Plesses, Cardinal di Richelieu, the King's chief and most intimate Counsellor and Favourite; and it not being known what the true causes were which caused the King to be so solicitous in procuring this peace so speedily, and with such secrecy, some would have it (and it was afterwards publicly spoken) that the signs of the dangerous conspiracy which was discovered in the Court of France against the King's person, forced him to compose businesses abroad, upon any conditions, that he might the more securely provide against home conspiracies; but the business being discovered in Nantes, four months after the peace was concluded, does totally exclude that consideration: but whatsoever the matter was, were it that the peace were the effect of the Conspiracy, or the Conspiracy of the peace, some Princes of France, taking the unhappy conduct of the King's affairs, by the unfortunate success of war, and by the dishonourable peace, as pretence for their Conspiracy; and finding that they could not pull down the Cardinal, by reason of the constant belief the King had in him, plotted to pull down the King himself: many were thought to be complices in this Conspiracy; the Duke and Cavalier di Vandosme, natural Brothers to the King; many were imprisoned upon this account: the Count di Soissons, Prince of the blood, his absenting himself from the Court made him be suspected to be guilty: many said that Monsieur d'Orleans, the King's Brother, and heir to the Crown, together with several other chief Officers who were very inward with the King, were held to have a hand in it. The Plot, was that the King should be killed or deposed, and that having no Sons, the said Orleans should be made King; upon whose genius, as being more tractable and conformable to their humours, those laid their foundations, who endeavoured new resolutions in the world, and the ruin of the League, in prejudice to peace: the Duke of Savoy was held not only to be conscious of this Conspiracy, but the chief Author and Composer thereof, out of anger that the peace had been so concluded; and that the Abbot Alexander Scaglia, a chief Agent of the Dukes, and then Resident in that Court, was not only a great Contriver thereof; but that being sent from thence by the Duke into Holland and into England, he should treat of novelties with that King and with those States, in the behalf of the Rebels and Rochellers, who were at that time besieged and in great straits: in relief of whom the King of England sent forth three Fleets, which were all repulsed: the Duke of Savoy did also foment the Duke of Rouen, head of those that were risen up against the King: he received and entertained Count Soissons in Turin, who was gone from the Court; and offered the Duke of Orleans safe reception, and the command of his State, when for fear of the King he should retire thither: by which accidents, seeing himself in open breach with the Court of France, and fearing that lying in the midst between the two Crowns he might be equally hated by them both, he began to endeavour to join again with the King of Spain; to the end, that if he should be assaulted by the one King, he might be sustained by the other: this business being brought into the Court of Spain, and there discussed, met with many difficulties, as (for the most part) new and great affairs do; for though at the first view, it was well and willingly listened unto, as an excellent means for the good of the affairs of Italy, whereby to remove the inconveniences which had happened by the Duke's alienation, yet it miss not some contradictions: some inclining to embrace the examples of Charles the Fifth, and of Philip the Second, who by rewards and alliance had always studied to keep that Prince their friend; others were troubled at the Duke's genius, who was various, unquiet, naturally a friend to novelties, hard to be governed before he were broke, harder afterwards; when all respects being thrown aside, and the reins given to resentment, he had already troubled the affairs of the Crown so many several ways: so as they thought his reconciliation would be unsafe and costly, and which could hardly be integral, after so many injuries done and received; it being impossible to reduce him to his former obsequy and observance, wherefore he was likely rather to trouble and perplex the King's affairs, then to secure them. The Conde Duca's authority prevailed: he being desirous to signalise his inwardness with the King, before that of his predecessor the Duke of Lerma; who suffered in his fame for having been too severe in depriving the Crown of this Prince his adherence, by whose alienation such prejudice, and so many troubles had resulted: so as thinking his reconciliation would prove as advantageous, he was of opinion that if it should succeed in his time, and by his means, it would add as much to his reputation, as his alienation had detracted from that of his Predecessor: the execution thereof was therefore out of good respects put off till the conclusion of peace between the Commonwealth and the Duke, The mean while they went forward with the peace of Monsone, by virtue whereof the Forts of the Valtoline were restored to the same condition they were in before they were taken from Torquato Conti, in the Pope's name, after many delays interposed by the Marquis di Coure, who would have had the Forts demolished before restitution, which the Pope did constantly deny: but did forthwith demolish them, together with all the Fortifications of la Riva and Chiavenna: so as the peace was ratified on that behalf fully, with satisfaction to all men: but the peace between the Genoeses and Savoy met with greater and more inextricable difficulties; the Duke would have his Towns that were taken, his Artillery, together with the Galley and Prisoners, restored, before the Truce, and that they should proceed to decide differences; to which purpose he nominated Claudio Marini, for his Arbitrator; and the Precedent of Grenoble came from France to Piedmont, by direction from the King, to be assistant, together with one who should be named by the King of Spain, in the Arbitrement which was to be made by Marini, and by an Arbitrator to be named by the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth, on the contrary, would have the Arbitrators first chosen, who should determine the differences before any restitution should be made: nor did they allow of Marini to be an Arbitrator, as being formerly accused by them, for that he had been in the Confederates Army in the present war, and that he had, as Ambassador from the King of France to the Duke, intervened in the Consultations and Wars against the Commonwealth: but the Duke being resolved not to consent to the Truce whilst the Genoeses should hold his Towns, and the business being thereby entangled, the Marquis of Castagneda found out this accommodation; that without passing any express formal word, each party should keep armed in their stations, but with Orders to their Captains, that they should stand only upon their Gurd, and that in case any contention should fall out between the Country people and the Inhabitants, none of them should interpose themselves in the behalf of their friends; and having agreed with the Commonwealth that this should be observed by them, he by Letters acquainted the French Ambassador who was at Turin, with what he had done; who writ back, that the Duke had made the same agreement, and had sent such Orders and Commissions to his Captains and Officers. Thus the business seemed to be conveniently adjusted, rather by reciprocal intelligence, then by any express Truce, or any formal word given or received for suspension of Arms. In this interim, the term of four months, prefixed to the Arbitratours by the Capitulation of Monsone, being expired, the Treaty of Peace was turned over to the Court at Madrid; where the Conde Duca was for the Genoeses, and the Marquis of Rambollietto, being gone to that Court upon an occasion of the birth of one of the King's Daughters, was detained there too, by order from the King, for this Affair. The difficulties were many; the Commonwealth refused to restore the Artillery and the Galley which were demanded by the Duke, as things which being taken in open fair War are never restored in peace: but the French pressing this point much, who were desirous to appease the Duke, he being offended and angry at the peace made at Monsone; and the Spaniards desirous to gratify him the most they could, in what was more of show then substance, that they might thereby draw him over to them, conformable to the endeavours which were had of reconciliation; they desired the Commonwealth to give way to this, at the request and for the satisfaction of the two Crowns, whose aim was to settle a good and a secure peace. The Commonwealth considering that restitution doth increase and not lessen the glory of what is gotten, preferred the increase of reputation before the advantage of retention: whereunto they were persuaded by their no want of Artillery nor Galleys; and chiefly, because the Duke had showed the like respect to them in the Artillery which were taken in Riviera: greater difficulties remained about the principal point of Zuccharello, the Duke requiring that it should be restored to him, as a thing bought by him before, or else that he might be recompensed with as much Land elsewhere; and the Commonwealth refusing both these, the difficulty was reduced to be decided by moneys; wherein the Mediators at last agreeing, they disagreed in the sum: The Duke did not only demand what he had disbursed, but the interest, which amounted to too immoderate a sum; wherefore, and because the French demanded reparation should be made to Claudio Marini, for the prejudice he had suffered in having his house pulled own; whereunto the Commonwealth not consenting, the French Ambassador departed speedily for France, and left the business undecided: but whilst the business concerning peace was thus negotiated in Spain, affairs did not pass with that quietness and safety in the River of Genoa, as was hoped for by Castagneda's Negotiation. Mark Antony Brancacchio, Campmaster and Governor for the Commonwealth in Ormea, went by leave from his Uncle the General with 600 paid Foot, and as many of the Militia, to surprise and sack Briga, a great Town not far off, belonging to the Duke of Ormea; being come to a Bridge near the Town, which, contrary to his opinion, he found well munited, he met with stout resistance; which spun out the business to such a length, as though the Genoese had possessed themselves of the Bridge and of some neighbouring Houses, yet some Soldiers coming from Tenda to defend it, they worsted the Assailants, and slew a hundred of them, so as the rest were forced to sit down by their loss, and to retreat to Ormea, from whence they were come: the Duke pretending that this was done in time of Truce, exclaimed much against it; without whose knowledge this dissaster had happened; and being desirous to know how it came to pass, found that Mark Antonio by Licence from his Uncle, General Brancaccio, before he had received Orders from the Senate to abstain from doing any offence, had done this, the General having forgotten to recall his Licence: a frivolous excuse, and which would not have kept the Fact unpunished, had not the Duke's Captains violated the suspension of keeping from doing any injury made by Castagneda, a little before; for one of the Duke's Galleys going from Villa Franca had given chase to a Bark of Genoa, and had taken it near Albenga, and brought it to Villa Franca, the Masters of the Merchandise, nor of the Bark, never having received any satisfaction: but the Duke impatient of affront, watched for revenge; and having had private intelligence with the Captains of the Garrison in Zuccharello, he sent 600 Horse, with Musketeers encroupe, to Garessi, a Town near Zuccharello, with intention that being let in by the Conspirators in the evening, privately, by the Conspirators, and killing as many of the Garrison as should resist them, they should make themselves masters of the Town, which being done, they should go that very night, being guided by one that was of the Plot, to Albenga about six miles off; where General Brancaccio, relying upon the Garrisons of Pieve and Zuccharello, did carelessly reside; and as if he were to acquaint him with somewhat of great importance, whilst he could not have advertisement of what had happened at Zuccharello, he should beat down the Gate of the City, and let in his companions, who should not be far off, take the General prisoner, make himself master of the City, and make way for the taking of Pieve, and of all the Towns till you come to Porto Mauritio; which Towns were not likely to make any long resistance, when Albenga should be taken. The design had prospered, had not the Conspiracy which was very near being effected, come to light: but it being suppressed, and the Author and Complices thereof imprisoned, they according to Military custom, were made to pass the Pikes; and the Garrisons being changed, and the places of greatest importance reinforced, the Duke's men were forced to give over the enterprise, and to retreat. The peace of the Commonwealth was likewise disturbed by the Duke of Guise his sudden coming from Marcelles with seven Galleoons, amongst which was l' Almirante, a Vessel of great burden, and very well munited with Artillery: the end thereof was never known, for Guise meeting with a tempest whilst he was under sail near Corsica, he was driven by the violence of the wind to within sight of Genoa. The Commonwealth sent speedy Orders and Advertisement to Corsica, where it was thought the blow was aimed; and presently Rigging out 12 Galleys, part her own, part the King of Spain's, and furnishing them with excellent Soldiers and with all warlike preparations, they put to Sea two days afterwards, conducted by Don Carlo d' Oria, who upon this occasion was chosen General of the Fleet: but it being presently known that Guise, being forced by tempest, was got to Leghorn, where he stayed to make some repairs for what he had suffered by the violence of the Seas, Don Carlo made thitherward, and came to Anchor at Marzocco, a safe Harbour within two miles of Leghorn; after two days, Guise put to Sea again, and made straight for Marcelles, being still pursued by Doria within Canonshot, till going out of the Ligustick Sea he came into that of Provence, and so retreated to Marcelles. Many men thought that he had only made this show of coming out, wherein nothing of hostility past, except the making some shot to no purpose afar off at the Galleys which pursued him, to satisfy the Duke of Savoy for the moneys he had received from him. The year 1626. passed over with these petty accidents; about the end whereof Ferdinando Duke of Mantua died, who having no Sons, was succeeded by his Brother Vincenzo, the third Son to Vincenzo, the only issue that was left of the Line of his Grandfather William, and of his Brothers. The year 1627. ensued, a year which proved very calamitous to many private Gentlemen of Genoa, in their fortunes; for those that did Traffic with the Court of Spain, having about ten millions of moneys owing them, which they were appointed to have received out of the moneys which were to come in the Plate-Fleets; the King altered their payment, giving them satisfaction in lieu thereof in juri: with irreparable prejudice and loss of the Contract; for these particular Genoese, owing great sums of money to other men, since they were not paid in ready money by the King, could not satisfy others, but with the same juri, or with much delay of time, when selling those juri they might pay them in ready money. The Conde Duca was the chief cause of this great grievance to the Genoese; whereby the Crown of Spain reaped so much discredit, as the King's Revenues nor the Plate-Fleets Treasure, being able to supply ordinary provisions, the King could not find any afterwards who would supply him upon any the most urgent occasions; and whereas formerly all the Gold of Europe was ready at his service by reason of his Credit and Correspondency with the Genoese, the Contract failing, and the King and Genoese failing both of them in their Credit, all Nations called in their moneys, and would no longer trust them who negotiated with the Crown of Spain: so as the King instead of the wealth and affluence of Gold which he hoped for by his Decrees, found extreme penury and incredible scarcity of ready moneys. The Court Affairs were yet more intricated, for that the Conde Duca through his hatred and abhorrescence of the Genoeses, resolving not to make any more Contracts with them applied himself to the Portugueses, and drew them to Contract and exalting them with extraordinary favours, professed that for the future he would make use of them instead of the Genoese: to the end that they being for the most part such as are descended from those, who turning from Judaisme to the Catholic Faith are treated as servants or slaves in that Kingdom, he might the better manage them, and wind them at his pleasure, and make use of their means and substance with less respect, and force them to Contract upon any conditions: but failing in this his new counsel and course (for the Portugeses were not sufficient to undergo so weighty a business, neither by their own Wealth nor Credit, nor by their correspondency with other Nations) he was aware, though too late, that by one sole Decree he had irreparably prejudiced the King's affairs, and had destroyed that well-adjusted frame, which as the chief groundwork of the enterprises and strength of that Crown, whose Grandezza was envied by her Corrivals, the Leagues, nor Forces of so many Confederate Princes could not beat down, the late preceding years: nor was it long ere he reaped the fruit of so unfortunate a resolve; for no means being found to send moneys into Flanders, the King's business was greatly endangered; the Army not being able there to go that year into the Field; so as he did not only not make any progress in his affairs that year, but the Hollanders took Groll, with but indifferent Forces, a strong Town, and of great consequence, in the County of Zutphen; and the next year, not fearing the Enemy's Army, they turned all their Land-preparations, to the like at Sea; for raising 80 Men of War, they sent them towards America; and entering the Gulf of Mexico they took the Merchant's Ships, which parting from Don jovan di Sua went to Havanna, to join with the Galleoons; and moreover, took many other rich Vessels in several parts of the Ocean, which passed from the Indies and from America to Spain: which losses were the occasion of yet greater mischiefs, not only for what the Spanish and Portugese Merchants suffered, by the interruption of their Traffic in the Indies, and in America; but also for that the Hollanders being enriched by so great booty were able to increase their Forces the next year, and made greater acquisitions, of Weasel and Bolduke, places of great concern in Guelderland and in Brabant; and on the contrary, the Spanish Army entering Holland by the Velen, was forced to retreat without doing any thing. The losses and calamities which befell some Gentlemen of Genoa in their private fortunes, was succeeded by another public calamity; which though it happened the ensuing year 1628., had its rise, as the Duke professed, from a petty accident which fell out this year: the Town of Pigna, being taken, as hath been said, by the Genoese, paid obedience to them, though there was no Garrison in it. General Brancaccio thought it fit, after the Peace to quarter some Companies of Dutch Soldiers there, who for their greater satisfaction, and for the safety of the Town, made Trenches round about it; where having kept quiet for some months, it so sell out, as some of them going upon their private occasions to Busso, a little Village under the jurisdiction of Pigna, not above a mile off, which formerly had rendered willing obedience to the Captain of Pigna, they found a Garrison of the Duke's men in it: which being told to the Captain, and by him to General Brancaccio, order was given to drive them from thence: the Duke's men defended themselves; but not being able to resist, the most of them, together with some of the Town Inhabitants, both men and women, were slain. The Duke who had not forgot what had happened at Briga, was very much scandalised with this second accident, which seemed to be another attempt against that intercourse which had been wrought by the mediation of Castagneda; and exclaiming sufficiently against the Spaniards both in the Court of Rome, and to other Princes, he published a Manifesto, wherein he accused the Genoeses as infringers of the Truce, and of the agreed upon suspension of Arms; for having retaken Pigna, which they had formerly abandoned, he hereunto added the assault at Briga, the spoiling of the Country, the extortions and damages occasioned to his Subjects by the Soldiers of the Commonwealth; that they had attempted to suborn his vassals, cut down many Chesnut-tree in Ormea, and that, lastly, by what had been done at Busso, they had manifested how little they valued the Spanish Agents, their Faith, their Word, and the suspension of Arms made by the Spanish Agents; wherefore he demanded satisfaction, if not, he threatened revenge: to this purpose he sent the Abbot of Virgis to Genoa, to treat with the Marquesses of San' Croce and Castagneda: the Commonwealth appointed process to be made against those who had used such cruelty towards women and children at Buss●…, and none being found guilty but some few Corsicks, who were fled, only one of them that happened to fall into the hands of Justice, was hanged: but the Duke continuing his threats, seemed as if he would once more assault the Commonwealth. The Duke of Feria was at this time sent for back into Spain, who till further provision should be taken was succeeded by Don Gonzalle di Cordua, who fearing some novelty to be made by the Duke, and thinking himself by the new League made with the Commonwealths obliged to defend her Territories, he sent Count Luigi Terto to the Western River with his Brigade, against which the Duke did likewise greatly exclaim in the same Manifesto; pretending that the King ought not to assist those who by the breach of Truce had given him just reason of resentment; nor could he do it without express breach of the Convention at Monsone, by which it was agreed that if any tumults should arise in Italy between the Colleagues of either of the Crowns, none of their Majesties should assist his Colleague, till the occasion of difference had been discussed in the others Court, and there compounded: whilst these things were in debate, Vincenzo the new Duke of Mantua died, which occasioned greater commotions in Italy, and seemed to divert the Duke of Savoy from his new threatened resentments against the Commonwealth, upon these sleight occasions. The End of the Ninth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK X. The Contents. THe Duke of Nevers succeeds Vincenzo in the Dukedom of Mantua and Montferrat; he is opposed by the Emperor, King of Spain, and Duke of Savoy. Don Gonzallo di Cordua, the new Governor of Milan, having divided Montferrat with the Duke of Savoy, goes with his Army to before Casalle; which whilst he endeavours to take, the Duke takes Alba, Trino, Montcalvo, and many other Towns belonging unto him by the division. A Conspiracy is discovered in Genoa, whereof the Duke of Savoy being found the Author, he pretends the impunity of the Conspirators. The Spanish Agents being desirous to satisfy him, favour this pretention; which occasioneth some distastes and jealousies between the Commonwealth and the Crown of Spain. Succours fall into Italy from France, in behalf of the Duke of Nevers; but being opposed by the Duke of Savoy are soon dissipated. The Spaniards take Nizza, Ponsone, and other Towns in Montferrat; and finding it too hard to assault Ca●…alle, they fall to besiege it; they are forced to forsake it by the Kings coming with great Forces into Pieomont. Which whilst the Duke endeavours to oppose he is beaten by the King's men, in a conflict near Susa, wherein the King being victorious, takes Susa; and forces the Duke and the Governor of Milan to an agreement; by which Casalle is freed, and the States of Mantua and Montferrat secured to Nevers. The King returns to France. Marquis Spinola is made Governor of Milan, goes from Spain into Italy, to provide either by War or Peace, for the Affairs of Spain which are in a bad condition, by reason of the preceding accidents. BY the death of Duke Vincenzo, who died in Christmas, the year 1627., the States of Mantua and Montferrat fell to Charles Gonzaga, Duke of Nevers, Son to Lodovick, who was youngest Son to William, Grandfather to the three last deceased Dukes; there was none of the legitimate male line of the Gonzagli, who were to precede him; (for the legitimate male-line of William ceased by the death of Vincenzo) who the day before his death did therefore command his Subjects of Mantua, to swear allegiance to the Duke of Retell, eldest Son to Charles, who was absent, in the name of his Father Charles. This Retell was sent for to Mantua by Duke Ferdinando, and was kept there during his life, and after his death, in consideration of the future succession: the same Duke, a little before his death, for the beaver security of succession, would have this Duke Retell Marry the Princess Maria, Daughter to Duke Francis, and Niece by the Mother side to the Duke of Savoy; (she of whom so much hath been spoken in the beginning of this Book) and to this purpose a dispensation was already privately procured from the Pope. The Duke of Savoy was not a little troubled at this Marriage; nor were the Spanish Agents less troubled than he: both parties complained grievously, that this young Lady should be disposed of without the participation of the King or Duke (who had so much interest by way of Alliance in her) not so much as waiting for their approbation; and professing much amazement at it, they had well nigh threatened public resentment: but the outward show of this dissatisfaction differed from what lay concealed in the bosom; the Duke of Savoy intended this Lady for Wife to the Prince Cardinal of Savoy, so to add by this new title to his ancient pretences of Montferrat, the acquisition whereof he thirsted more after in this present conjunction of times, then ever he had done formerly; and the Spanish Agents (who abhorred that Nevers should succeed in those Dominions) hoped (as it was thought) if they could have effected it, to make use of this Princess, whereby to exclude him totally; nor was it long ere both these parties discovered their aversion to Nevers his succession; for though falling into the Valtoline by the Swissers and Grisons, and from thence being come to Mantua thorough the Venetians Territories, he was readily received by all the Mantuans, and obeyed as their Prince; yet the Spanish Agents refusing to receive him, or to call him Duke of Mantua, and the Duke of Savoy professing to proceed, and do in this business, as the King of Spain should do, and that he would totally depend upon his authority; the Orders of Germany and Spain, whither these advertisments were speedily sent, were expected: from whence they hoped and undoubtedly held that orders and resolutions would be sent, to cross the succession of the new Duke, because they knew that this had been discused and almost resolved there, before the death of Duke Vincent. The Emperor's intention was that the succession of these States being to divolve upon a cross line, and that many would pretend to this succession; the possession thereof should be delivered up to him as to the Supreme Lord and Sovereign Judge, that he might afterward dispose thereof to those who should have most clear title thereunto: this, he said, the peace of Italy required, and this was wont to be done by the Imperial Chamber; that it was thus observed in the succession of Montferrat, when it was ventilated by many Competitors, after the death of jovan Georgic Falleologe. The Duke of Savoy did not concur alone with the Duke of Nevers, in his ancient pretensions to the Dukedom of Montferrat, but also Margaret, the Dowager Duchess of Lorrein, eldest Sister to the three last Dukes, pretending by her proximity of relation, not to exclude the Duke of Nevers only, but also Princess Mary, her Brother's Daughter, respect being had to Duke Vincenzo, last dead; whose succession was now the thing disputed, and not the succession of Duke Francis, Father to Mary, who was succeeded by her, Ferdinando, and since by Vincenzo; and as for the Dukedom of Mantua, whereof women are made incapable, Don Ferrante Genzaga, Nephew to that so famous Captain, Don Ferrante, who was younger Brother to Frederick Duke of Mantua, the new Duke's Grandfather by the Father's side, did concur: he grounded his title upon the interpretation of certain words of the ancient Investment; and upon Nevers his incapacity (as he alleged) of succeeding in those Dominions, for that both he and his Father had born Arms against the sacred Empire, whereof those States are ancient Fees. Pretensions which were thought to be willingly listened unto by the Emperor and by the Court of Spain, that they might thereby exclude Nevers as they intended to do: nor were those of the house of Gonzaga against Don Ferrante's pretensions, thinking that by Nevers his exclusion, their succession grew nearer; and therefore some of them were suspected to have had private dealing and treaties with Don Ferrante, presently upon the death of Duke Vineenzo, to put him into possession of that City, and to cry him up Duke; and when he died there we e some Soldiers ready to do it, who being suppressed more by dissimulations seasonably, and by provision taken to the contrary, then by punishment or by being publicly taken notice of, their endeavours proved vain: Nevers, on the contrary, pleading the clear and undoubted meaning of the Law, by which the next Heir to the last Lord is to be admitted into possession of the Fee, not only against those who lay in wait for the succession, but against the Sovereign and lawful Lord, (when laps or the devolution of the Fee should be pretended) said that the Decree of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, made against the Duke of Savoy, being passed between the Ancestors of either of them; since which the said Duke, not having gotten any new pretences, he could not prosecute his former claim, as long as it continued in the possession of Nevers his Ancestors, otherwise then in the awarded manner; and for the Duchess of Lorrein, that she was excluded either by the male-kindred, though never so remote, as it had been formerly practised; or by her Niece, who was in a nearer degree to succession: but as for Don Ferrante, who was clearly descended from the second Son of him by whom they all laid claim, what colour of reason had he to pretend to the ancient investment, whilst the line of the eldest Son was not yet void: which Investment prefers the first born, and those that do descend from them, before all others, by express order of Birthright; and as for the incapacity that was objected against him, he denied that either he or his Father had ever carried Arms against the Sacred Empire; and showing the scars, yet remaining in his Breast, of the wounds which he had received in Hungary, wherein he had fought in behalf of the Cefarian Majesty and of the house of Austria; he said, that no incapacity could be objected against him, for any peace that had since ensued: in the Articles whereof a full and ample pardon was granted to any of the contrary party, who had drawn their swords in that war: but the strong endeavours to the contrary made by the Spanish Agents prevailed more with the Emperor, than these solid and evident Reasons; who knowing that this Prince was bred up in France, allied to the blood of France, joined in Kindred to the King; (who was Feudatory to that Crown, by the great incomes which he possessed in that Kingdom,) thought it to be too dangerous for them to permit a Lord of two Dukedoms, and a master of several strong holds upon the Confines of Milan, to be placed in the bowels of Italy, lest being upheld and adhered unto by France he might afterwards raise up new parties and factions in Italy, by which their King's authority might decline from that preeminency, in which he did more easily and more securely maintain himself, without any fear of the French, who had not one foot of Land in Italy: a danger which the present condition of times made to appear very probable, by the desire which, upon many of the Occurrences, was discovered in the French of getting greater power in Italy, than the Spaniards had; and by their being fomented by many Italian Princes, to the end that they might, for their own interest, see the authority of France prevail over that of Spain, or at least stoutly counterpoise it. The Spanish Agent did therefore servently endeavour that the Emperor (who to keep the house of Austria in chief authority amongst all Christian Princes, was concerned in the same ends and designs,) might readily lend his hand, and join with them in excluding the new Duke; and the Spaniards authority was greater at this time with the Emperor then usual; for the late merit by powerful aid both of men and money afforded by the Crown of Spain in the troubles of Germany, added to the community of concernment; without which he could hardly have made his party good against the Rebellions and contrary Factions of Germany; and the continual need he stood in of the like assistance, for that those flames were not yet quite extinguished: so as it becoming him to second their interest, he to pleasure them had given them order, whilst Duke Vincenzo was yet alive, (but not likely to live long,) that if the Duke should die, they should possess themselves of those States; which when the time came, they forbore to do, not thinking the time yet proper, nor affairs well prepared; and though the Emperor seemed, when the Duke was dead, to continue in the same mind; yet he appeared somewhat cooler in the manner of proceeding; claiming therefore the possession of those States by public Decree, as due to him, he sent Count john di Nassaw into Italy, with the title of Cesarian Commissary, to take possession of them in a civil manner, if the new Duke should willingly assign them up; and if he should refuse to do so, then to proceed by Citations and Declarations, and afterwards by Imperial Proclamation, and so by force of Arms: the Spaniards who upon the first Orders had betook themselves to the business, and who were most and neerliest concerned in the danger, appeared more hot and fervent; for thinking it would be more easy to drive a new Prince suddenly out of his State, then to tarry till he should be consolidated therein, and might by making Provisions and Fortifications make the enterprise harder, they admitted of no delay; and the rather for that the King of France (whose opposition they only apprehended) being busied with all his Forces before Rochel; and therefore not able to apply himself much to the affairs of Italy, nor to send succours to the new Duke; they thought they should lose time, if they should not readily embrace so opportune an occasion. The Duke of Savoy invited them much thereunto: who professing that he would keep firm to that Crown, promised many things on his part in favour of the new enterprise: but the instigations and relations of Don Gonzallo di Cordua prevailed more with the King and Court of Spain, than any thing else; who desirous to have the free and absolute Government of the State of Italy, being Governor there now (as hath been said) till a new Governor might be provided; as soon as he heard of Duke Vincenzo's death, began to hold intelligence in Cassalle, to have one of the Gates of Cassalle delivered up unto him; and having agreed the business, he informed the Court by Letters of the intelligence he held in that City, and how easily it might be gotten; which being done, he said that the acquisition of the rest would with the same facility follow: in fine, not only he, but all the rest of the Spanish Agents laboured to exclude the new Duke. But the Court, which long before Duke Vincents death had foreseen this accident, and perhaps had resolved not to permit the French to get such power in Italy by Nevers his succession; yet being de●…ained from moving therein, in consideration of the unjustness of the fact, or weary of their unfortunate success in the late Wars of Italy, it abhorred to have to do in so scandalous a novelty; and therefore did at first put on the more just and favourable resolution, not only of consenting to Nevers his new succession, but to receive him into the protection of the Crown, and to be his friend: and in conformity to so holy and wise a resolution, dispatches were already sent out of the King's Chancery; which not being yet come to Italy, the Duke's Letters and the Advertisments of Don Gonzallo, and of the other Spanish Agents, arrived at the Court; whereby they acquainted the King with what intelligence they held in Cassalle: whereupon the mind of the Court was soon altered, and the justice of the Cause being born down by the apparent advantage of the new acquisition, and of the assured safety which would thereby redound to the affairs of Italy; they resolved to oppose the new Duke, with might and main, and by open war to keep him from the succession of those States; and the charge of this new enterprise, together with the absolute Government of the State of Milan, (which was the thing he aspired unto,) was given to Don Gonzallo, the chief Author and Promotor of so unhappy and unfortunate an advice: in the execution whereof, though the Emperor had not as yet absolutely consented thereunto, Don Gonzallo began to declare war in the Emperor's name; and for his better preparing of Men and Arms, he alleged the Emperor's Decree of Advocation for the ground work of the Enterprise; and said, That whereas the Duke ought to have been put into possession of those States by the Emperor, he had actually, and of his own Authority intruded thereinto, contrary to the said Decree: He also gilded over this new Commotion with endeavours for the public Peace of Italy, and for the safety of the Affairs of the Crown of Spain. And lastly, but rather by way of complaint, than of any lawful occasion of new War, he added the Marriage of the Princess Mary, concluded without any respect to the King's Alliance or Authority. These were the reasons alleged for this present War, which being but little allowed of by the tacit consent of most men, and as they rendered the Spanish Forces but little justifiable, and Cesar's resolutions not correspondent to the fame and universally conceived opinion of his Piety and Religion; so did they, on the contrary, reconcile, through commiseration, the general favour to the new Duke's Cause; as if being oppressed merely for reason of State, he had been suffocated only by the covetousness and force of a more powerful Adversary: But it being apparently known, that the Emperor proceeded herein, more as forced by the urgent and importunate instigations of the Spanish Agents, than by his own genius and will, as it did in part excuse him from men's sinister opinion, so did it lay all the odium and blame upon the Spaniards; which appearing naked in the Field, unassisted by the Imperial Name or Authority, which they carried in their foreheads, written in golden Letters, they did appear to men what they intrinsically were, not bend to favour the rights of any of the pretenders, nor to the maintaining of the Cesarean Authority, but to the new acquisition of Territories, and to the further enlarging the King's Empire in Italy, by the suppressing of that Prince; so as the Insurrections of the Valtoline, sustained and fomented by the Spaniards, had filled Italy with jealousies and suspicions, and rendered their name odious; so their present betaking themselves to the manifest usurpation of a Principality, without any the least colourable reason, forced the Italian Potentates to privide for their private and for the Common safety, which, if the Spaniards should obtain their ends, they foresaw would be much endangered. The Duke of Savoy's reconciliation to the King of Spain did accelerate the Enterprise against the new Duke; for the King's Agents, to make the business easy to themselves, and to lay the way open for the taking of Cassalle, which they did so excessively desire; and firmly believing the Duke would not stand idle upon such an occasion, nor suppress his ancient presences; and on the other side, the Duke seeing that he could not better advantage himself in the present conjuncture of times then by help from Spain; therefore all other respects being laid aside, they thought neither of them could do better than to hasten the conclusion of the Agreement, which had been treated of long before, touching the division of Montferrat; by which Trino, Alba, San Damiano, and many other Towns of Montferrat, being assigned over to the Duke (which being more incorporated with Piedmont, was very advantageous for the union of that State;) the Spaniards were to put themselves into the possession of the rest, wherein was comprehended Cassalle, Pontestura, Montcalvo, Nice, Acqui, Ponzone, together with the adjacent Towns, which, as being annexed unto, and confining upon the Marquisate of Finale, and the River of Genoa, made much for the accommodation of the Spaniards. It was agreed upon by colourable pretence, That each of them should prosecute the Enterprise in Cesar 's Name; That it should not be lawful for the Duke to fortify any place he should take; and, That neither of them should be a hindrance in the possessing of what should fall to them by the Division. So the Duke, that he might get part, since he could not get the whole, was content that his Niece, the Princess Mary, should be quite bereft of the whole; and the Spanish Forces, which till now withstood the Duke's pretences, for their own interest, began now to protect him therein. The French had long before this endeavoured to disturb this reconciliation; and to this end it was thought, that in the Negotiation of Peace between the Duke and the Commonwealth, they held the Duke's pretences very high, not so much to gratify him at the Genoeses cost, and to mitigate the injury done him by the Peace of Monsone, as for that Peace remaining unconcluded by reason of the Duke's high demands, the reconciliation should not be effected; and not herewithal content, that they might keep him to fide still with them, they, during Duke Vincent's life, held Treaties of Alliance between the Cardinal of Savoy and Princess Mary; and between her Mother the Dowager Infanta, and the Duke of Nevers, with some settlements touching the pretensions to Montferrat; and Monfieur Sanchiamond being to this end sent Ambassador Extraordinary from the King to Duke Vincenzo, after Duke Ferdinando's death, by the usual way of condoling and congratulating, he, as he passed through Turin, and went afterwards to Mantua, treated thereof with them both in the King's Name: But Duke Vincent dying not long after, the no sincerity of the Negotiation appeared, by the sudden match which was concluded, not without satisfaction and joy to the French, and to the same Sanchiamond, (who because he was in Mantua when the Duke died, and when this match was made, was thought to be conscious of all things that had past) whereat the Duke was very angry, and held himself to be much injured, and complained grievously thereof to the same Sanchiamond, who was at this time returned from Turin to Mantua, and to Monsieur di Guron, a Gentleman sent by the King of France to keep him from the new Reconciliation, with new offers, not only touching his new pretensions, but of assured and powerful assistance against the Genoeses, for recovery of the Towns upon the River, which were allotted to him by the Articles of Susa; for the King of France, being sufficiently employed and intent about the business of Rochel, did not omit any endeavours whereby the Affairs of Montferrat might be friendly compounded between the two Dukes: This was the Auge or Vertical point of this Prince's Greatness; he being at one and the same time sued unto in his own Court, and Idolised, as a God on Earth, by the Agents of two great Kings, and tempted by most advantageous conditions to join with them, as if all their actions did depend upon him, and as if the whole Foundation of the safety of the present Affair did in him consist. And as it often falls out in humane affairs, that when things are come to the highest point they begin to decline, so fared it with this Duke; for not being able to mount higher, and not being able through the volubility of Affairs to continue long in that pitch, he was forced afterwards to stoop from that exaltation, and was brought to lose a great part of his State, and almost to his utter ruin: Being amidst so many Proposals, and finding himself, together with the former offences, injured by the French, by the duplicity of this Matrimonial Treaty; and being conscious to himself of the fresh injuries done to the King and Crown of France, he gave no belief to his Agents great offers; and thinking that he might build more safely upon the favour of the Spaniards, by reason of the community of Interests, and by the advantageous bargain which he should get from them, in the dividing of Montferrat, he rather chose to join with Spain than with France; and afterwards acquainting the French Agents with this his resolution, he tacitly pleaded the Peace of Monsone (made by their King) for his defence, without acquainting his Confederates with it, nor making any the least account of their concernments, and in a gibing manner added, That he had learned of their King to join readily with the Crown of Spain, which being now so faithfully united to that of France, as might be seen by the helps which France received from Spain in the business of Rochel, it showed that it was not to be doubted, but that he being also joined to the Crown of Spain, would never be able to disunite it from that of France, nor be any prejudice to it. The French Agents being therefore dismissed with small satisfaction, as also the French Soldiers who were under his pay; but keeping Marini, the French Resident in Turin, till such time as his own Resident should return from Paris, his Reconciliation with Spain was perfectly established, but unhappily, as it proved by the great prejudice which (contrary to their supposals) befell both him and the King of Spain. By the conclusion and exclusion of these practices the new Duke's affairs were brought to a very bad condition, both in hopes and opinion; for the King of France, who was his chief Protector, not being able to sustain him, either by authority or force, he had little help to expect elsewhere, against the Emperor, King of Spain, and Duke of Savoy, who joined all together to drive him out of his State, the latter two by force of Arms, and the first by Judicial Authority and Edicts; so as none of his other Friends, who wished him well, could assist him, without endangering themselves, since he wanted the strong support of France: And the Princes of Italy, though they were much troubled at this Prince's prosecution, for the example and consequence thereof, yet were they forced to proceed very circumspectly in declaring themselves, and much more in assisting him: nay, it was to be feared, that, if required, they would have declared against him. The Emperor's Authority was at this time very great and formidable, having gotten the upper hand of the Prince Palatine, and of his abettors; all the Princes and Hans Towns of Germany rendered him exact obedience, not so much for fear of his powerful Army of above 100000 fight men, which being distributed into several parts of Germany, were ready at hand, as for that by his happy Successes, and continued course of Victory, he seemed to be miraculously favoured by the Heavens: And truly he was in his actions the most formidable of all his Predecessors; and undoubtedly had he turned his Forces upon Italy, he would have found ready obedience; so as the Pope and Venetians, in whom all Nevers his hopes did rest, were forced to proceed with great caution in these present affairs, which did not directly appertain unto them. The Venetians, that they might keep from provoking him, by adding new injuries to the ancient enmities contracted with this very Emperor, when upon the Croates account they assaulted Gradisca, and endeavoured to deprive him of his Patrimonial Estate in Friuli; and the Pope, for that Peace between him and the Emperor, making much for the good of Christendom, it became not him to break it upon the score of the new Duke's succession. Cesar's Authority was likewise augmented by the Peace made by him at this time with the Turk and Transilvanians, and by the advantageous offers which were made unto him by his Rebels, and by the Head of them, the King of Denmark, who being several times routed by him in Battle, and bereavest of a great part of his Kingdom, desired Peace: wherefore it was to be doubted, that these Commotions being appeased, which were those which did only disturb the Affairs of Germany, the Emperor, to maintain his Authority and Command in Italy, should have made good his threats of passing into Italy with powerful Forces, when the Process should be ended which was then begun against Nevers; and that War should be published against him, in case he obeyed not the Imperial Edicts or Banne. Reason was added to these respects, which ought to detain the new Duke's friends from declaring themselves to favour him: For the Emperor being Supreme Lord of these States, and of the new Duke, none could or ought legitimately to interpose between him and his Vassal, nor reprove or correct any Judgement that should pass, there being none to whom recourse was to be had in point of grievance: And yet Nevers thinking, that to quit his possession willingly was the worst of evils, resolved to keep it till the last; he therefore betook himself to munite Mantua and Cassalle the best he could, both of them being very strong places, the last by Art, the other by Nature, and stood prepared to receive so great a storm; he notwithstanding offered (since the King of France could not assist him) several Proposals of accommodation to the Duke of Savoy, and to the King of Spain, desiring the King that he would receive him into the accustomed protection of his Crown, as he had done his Predecessors, and professing to be willing to depend in all things upon his Authority: Moreover, to the end that he might not appear contumacious to Cesar's Decree, and to the end that the Citadel of Cassalle might not keep the Spaniards in perpetual jealousy, he of himself offered to receive Dutch Garrisons, which should depend upon his Cesarean M●…jesty, and to set up the Imperial Ensigns, into all the Towns of his Dominions, except the City of Mantua, which was not (as he said) a Magazine of Arms, and Cassalle, where in lieu of receiving in a Garrison, he offered to beat down the Walls and Bulwarks, which divide the Citadel from the City, to the end that being both joined in one Body, they might be the more easily taken; which Proposals not being accepted, they did not at all retard the going on of the Enterprise, nor were they sufficient to keep off the Process and Citations of the Imperial Bands or Edict, which were intimated unto him, and threatened by the Cesarian Commissary, who was at this time come into Italy. The Marquis of Canossa was Governor of Montferrat, and the Marquis di Rivara was Governor of the Citadel; the latter a Montferrian, the other a Veronese; but the Chancellor Traiano Guiscardi's authority was Superintendent in the conduct of public Affairs; one who was very well versed in the Affairs of the world, quick witted, very vigilant and careful of the new Prince his interest, and partial to France. These providing all things necessary for the defence of these and all other places of Montferrat, did attentively observe the proceedings of the Governor of Montferrat, and of the Duke, who growing daily more fervent in the business, prepared for offending: Nevers did the like in Mantua; and the Governor, nor other Spanish Agents, not having been any ways diligent, after Vincenzo's death, in keeping either Subjects or Foreigners from entering to descend that City, many Soldiers came by threeves into Mantua, through the Valtoline, through the Venetians Towns, and those of the Genoese; and many French who were cashiered after the Duke of Savoy's reconciliation and declaration, were got into Cassalle: so as before the war began, the new Duke had got about 6000 Foot, and 1000 Horse into Mantua, part of the same Nation, part Foreigners, and of those, most French; and in Cassalle there were about 4000 Foot, and 400 Horse, all of them Montferrians, unless it were 500 French, who being cashie●…ed by the Duke of Savoy had listed themselves under Monsieur di Guron. There came thither also, after the Enemy was encamped before it, the Marquis of Beveron in disguise, who was come from France to serve in that war, that he might be readmitted from banishment, which he had a little before incurred for fight a Duel. A gallant Gentleman, and well versed in arms: these two Towns being strong and abundantly furnished with Garrisons, it was probable that both the Sieges might prove long and difficult; and that therefore the oppugners, who were but few in number, might not come off with honour from that Enterprise, as being either weary or wasted by time, by warlike actions, by sufferings and hardships, or forced by French succour, or by some other strange, unthought-of accident. Besides Cassalle, two other Forts were to be expugned, Nizza and Montcalvo, and two Towns, Ponzone and Pontestura. The taking whereof, they being reasonably well munited, would require length of time, and more men: on the contrary many things made against the Duke of Savoy and against the Governor, whose eyes were chiefly fixed upon Cassale; scarcity of men, the●…e not being then in the State of Milan above 2000 Horse and 12000 Foot; 2000 whereof were to be kept in Como, for the necessary, defence of the passes towards the Swissers and Grisons: 4000 others, and 800 Horse, were of necessity to be kept in the Quarters of Cremona upon the Mantuan Confines, against the new Duke; whose numbers being increased threatened many things: so there were no more than 6000 Foot, and 1500 Horse to march into the Fields. True it is, that a Truce for six months being agreed upon be ween the Commonwealth of Genoa, and the Duke of Savoy, he obtained 5000 Foot from the Commonwealth, wherewith having sufficiently garrisoned the Towns della Riviera, he seemed to have no want of men during the Truce: some men, but not many, were likewise expected from Naples, Sicily and Sardigna: to the want of men were likewise added the want of Victuals, by reason of the great barrenness of that years Harvest; and the want of ready moneys, by reason of the suspension of payment made the King, as hath been said; and these were necessarily accompanied with the want of credit amongst the trading Genoeses, and of the Court itself: so as the chief sinews of war being wanting, it was impossible to raise more men, or to make much provision for the Enterprise, It being impossible to sit down upon so many disadvantages, and upon so ill grounds, before Casalle, a place strong of itself, but much stronger by the Cit●…del, very capacious, and of a large situation, flanked by six Bulwarks, begirt by large and deep Ditches, and which being wholly planted and fortified by all the rules of modern Fortification, was deservedly thought, and commonly held to be a royal Fort, and the strongest that was in all Italy, except Palma in Friuli; it would have been more wisely done to have deferred the Siege till a more fitting time; and though the desire and haste of this new acquisition did exceed all other considerations, it had been more to the purpose to have taken first some of the Towns about it; and putting 500 Foot, and 200 Horse into each of them, and to have cleared the ways with them, to the end that neither Victuals, Men nor Munition might have been brought thereinto; and whilst they should have thus besieged it at a distance, to have gone with the rest of their men to before Nizza, and from thence to Montcalvo and Ponzone; and having reduced the weaker Towns, to have gone then with all their Forces to besiege Casalle; and streightening the Siege, to bring it to a necessity of either surrendering itself, or of being stormed. But this being a business of length, and the Governor being desirous, according to his promise made to the Court of Spain, to end the business in a short time, he preferred the taking of the place before any other resolve, being thereto invited not so much by the small quantity of Munition, which (as they say,) he was made believe was in it, and by the intelligence which he had therein; as building his belief upon the small experience and resolution which he thought to be in the defendants, who were (for the most part) Montferrians, common people, who being affrighted and terrified by the loss of their Houses and Fields, when they should see them ruined by the Enemy, would not in likelihood persist long in defending Casalle. But their Calculations proved false, and their designs vain; for the Munition and Provision did far exceed opinion; and the Montferrians proved not only more valiant, but more faithful and constant, than Subjects use to be to a Prince who was hardly known to them: the intelligence wrought no effect, either through the diligence of the Duke of Mantua's Captains and Officers, or out of the diffidence and fear of those that treated therein. The Governor, notwithstanding, coming into the Field about the end of March, and passing over the Po at Valenza, came with his Army to Frassinero, the first Town of Montferrat, two miles distant from Casalle; where making a Magazine for Arms, for Victuals and Ammunition, he mustered his men; wherein he found not above 8000 Foot, and 1500 Horse; wherein were comprehended 2000 Neapolitans, who were first of all come from the State of Genoa, under Antonio dal Tuffo. The City of Casalle stands upon the Banks of Po, in a Plain on the left side of the River: the form thereof is irregular, but rather round then of any other shape: it is begirt with Walls, unless it be on the North side, where the Po coming almost up to the Wall serves for a Ditch: on the South side, where the Plain extends itself, is the Citadel, within half a mile whereof the Hills draw near, and ancient Castle defends it. It was thought very fit by many to make themselves masters of the Hills, not only because they command the City, but for that the defendants would thereby be straightened in Victuals; for being to expect succours only from Montferrat, which lies behind the Hills, the seizing of them deprived the defendants of all hope of succour: but we●…e it either that the Governor, who was almost equal to the defendants in Foot, was loath to part from the Plain, where he was superior in Horse; or that he thought if he should incamp upon the Hills he should be too far from the River, from whence he was to receive Victuals and other Provisions, not without danger of having them intercepted by the City which would be between the River and him; or that he thought his very accosting the City would be enough to take it, he kept upon the Plain; and going from Frassinero went in Rank and File towards Casalle; whither when he was come so near as that the Cannon could not reach him, he halted, and quartered himself before that part of the new wall which is called Alla nuova, which thrusting out from the Citadel towards the Po, joins with the ancient wall of the City. At the sitting down of the Camp, those within, according to the custom of Soldiers, sallied out very strong both in Foot and Horse; and showing great courage, made a stout Skirmish that day, which lasted till night; and though they were manfully withstood and repulsed, they failed not to make another sally the next day, out of a double design: the one to hinder the Enemy as much as was possible from fortifying himself, and from making his approaches, or at least to retard them: the other, that they might gain more time to fortify themselves the better on the side whereon they were assaulted: nor did their endeavours prove vain, for being defended by Artillery from the Citadel, which played upon that side, they came to underneath the Rampires, where they fought valiantly; and being afterwards pursued, they retreated safe to underneath the shelter of their Cannon. Continuing to do thus many days, they afforded their men conveniency to fortify their new wing, against which the Enemy bent their whole Forces; and they had made two Halfmoons beyond it, which defended the new Gate, and two great Plat-forms, which did also shelter the Mills which furnished them with grist: but the assailants being got so near as they were able to plant Batteries, they raised four, one of Italians, on the side of the Capuchins Church, the other three of Spaniards, nearer the Po; from whence, though they began to play furiously, yet did they advance but a little; for the shot gave only against the highest houses, and sometimes slew some of them who wrought upon the Trenches; and having spent some days thus, and finding themselves deceived in their opinion of taking the Town ●…o easily, and of the sm●…ll resistance they should meet with, they began to distrust the sequel, and to know by experience, that all they did was but apparent loss of labour, time and reputation: they knew also that Victuals were daily brought into Cassalle by the way of the Hills, and new men and fresh Provisions, which the Montferrians, who extremely hated the Spaniards Government, and were desirous to keep under their natural Prince, brought in: so as finding now for certain that it would be too desperate an enterprise for them to attempt that place without being masters of the Hills; and knowing the necessity thereof, it became them to desist from what they had begun, and fall to another manner of Siege, that would be more convenient, and more profitable; which they might the more commodiously do, for that all the men that could come from the State of Genoa were already come; and from Naples 1200 Neapolitans, and as many Spaniards, to boot with 400 Sardinians from Sardinia: so as the Camp being stronger in men, was likewise more able for the enterprise of the Hills then before: but being loath to acknowledge an error, and a certain ambition peculiar to Commanders, who rather than to amend resolutions already taken, will be subject to any inconveniences that may thereby result; and the hopes which they had given at Court of the easy, and speedy dispatch of the business, would not suffer the Governor to re-begin it, when by his promise he was obliged to have ended it: so as deceiving both himself and the Court, he continued his former supposals; and (with some new additions,) forced himself to persist therein: wherefore without quitting those Quarters he resolved upon two Enterprises: The one, to deprive the Enemy of the Mills; the other, to take Rossigliano, a Castle upon the Hills, five miles distant from Cassalle; not so much for that when they should have taken it, it would avail much for the taking of the Hills, as for that it was a receptacle for the Montferrians who were a Convoy to the Victual which were brought to the City, and which oftentimes did infest the Spanish Horse which were quartered abroad in those Countries. But neither of both these Enterprises did hit; for Don Frederico Enriques, going with six Companies of Foot, and three of Horse, to surprise that Castle, and having to that purpose carried along with him some Petards, ●…e got not thither before Sunrising, through the maliciousness of his Guide, who was a Montferrian, and prolonged his March: so as being discovered, and finding the Draw-bridge up, and the Walls full of defendants, he was forced after a sleight attempt to retreat, with the loss of eight of his men, and having fifteen wounded, (amongst which he himself was one, being hurt, though but a little, in the head with a stone;) and Luigi Trotto, Campmaster, who had the Enterprise of the Mills given him, not being able to advance strait forwards, for the two Forts which defended them, went with 3000 Foot, and 200 Horse commanded by Gambacorti into the Island which the Po makes, over against them; and having raised a Battery there, he did nothing of moment, being hindered, partly, by a great B●…nk, which was erected over against the Enemy's Battery upon a sandy hill between the Battery and the Mills, partly by the fullness of the River, which twice overflowed a great part of the Island, to the danger of himself, and of some of his men, whereof some were drowned in the River; and that he might avoid that danger, he was forced to retire to the other Bank, where he raised another Battery, but did thereby no good, by reason of the far distance, as also for that those of Cassalle removed the Mills a little higher, where they were hidden, and sheltered from the sight of the new Battery; so as being forced to forego the enterprise there also, he retreated to his former Quarters. The Duke of Savoy, going at the same time out of Turin with 4000 Foot, and 1200 Horse, had more luckily begun to get what was by the division allotted to his share: he fell first upon the City of Alba, whither being come he easily took it, there being only two Companies of Soldiers in it, too weak a Garrison, and not suiting with the large circuit of the Walls: but in a sleight Skirmish which happened between his men and the defendants which stood upon the Wall, some of his men were slain, amongst which the Count di San' Trinita. Alba being taken, together with the Country there about, he went to Trino with 4000 Foot and 1000 Horse; he begird it on the side which lies towards Casalle, by which way only succour could be brought: he made a long and crooked Trench about it, and played upon the Wall with 20 pieces of Cannon placed upon five Batteries; and then drew near the Ditch with Pickaxes, and endeavoured to bereave the defendants of their Rampires: the defendants were not above 300 paid Foot, 200 of the Train Bands and two Troops of Horses: it was but ill provided of Artillery or Munition; there being only three small pieces in the Town, and some barrels of Powder: wherefore the Duke having come with his approaches to the Ditch, and taken a little Halfmoon, and being afterwards gotten under a greater, which was over against the Gate, he began to undermine it from the one end to the other; then threatening the defendants to give fire unto it unless they would yield, the Captain of the Garrison, though the breach made by Battery was not great, and that he had other Plat-forms to retreat unto, yet terrified with fear of the mine, and having spent all his Munition, he demanded that he and his Garrison might be suffered to come forth with their Arms and Baggage, and that they might be conveyed into Cassalle: which Articles being agreed unto by the Duke in ambiguous terms, the Captain and five of his Officers were permitted to go into Montcalvo, and the Soldiers were set at liberty: but the Governor understanding what Articles the Duke had made, sent some Troops of Horse towards the way which leads from Trino to Casalle, which kept the Soldiers from entering 〈◊〉: these two places being taken, the Duke was possessed of all that by the Articles of division fell to his share: for the other Towns being but small presently came in unto him, and swore fealty; and the Duke, for the better establishment of what he had gotten, began to build a Fort Royal about Trino; which being in a short time finished, began to be almost as untakeable as Cassalle, with no little prejudice to the State of Milan; and this Fortification being contrary to the Articles of Division, the Duke to appease the Governor, sent to take Pontestura, and having obtained it upon Articles, he caused it presently to be delivered up unto him, as what belonged to the King by the Articles of Division: being afterwards desirous to take Montcalvo, a Town which did not belong to him by the Articles, he turned all his Forces upon it. The Governor and other of the King's Commanders were not a little troubled at this the Dukes so speedy success, for they being employed about the taking of a Town, which proved every day harder than other to be taken, from whence they could not in honour withdraw, nor make any advantageous advancement in the business of Montferrat; they envied the Duke's prosperous proceedings; nor could they without indignation tolerate to be constrained to keep there useless and idle, and expect that the King's Forces should be aided and assisted by the Duke's Forces; and because to fall again upon the taking of the Hills, as they found at last it was necessary to do, would be a business of length, and was generally detested by them all, since thereby they must confess their error committed at the beginning of the enterprise; they bethought themselves of reaping the same advantage, as they should do by making themselves masters of the Hills, by another shorter, and more easy way, and more to their honour. Nizza della Paglia held out still for Mantua, and being, as it were, the head and Bulwark of the lower Montferrat, many things were brought from thence, by way of the Hills, into Casalle; this Nizza lies upon the road that leads from the Sea; and now that Trino and Montcalvo were taken, none of the rest of the upper Montferrat, being taken out of the power of Mantua, could afford any help to the besieged: so as when Nizza should be reduced, all the rest of the lower Montferrat would be kept from doing so likewise; and than Casalle not being to be relieved by of the Hills, nor from elsewhere, what could it think of but of surrendering? this was also chosen before the making themselves masters of the Hills, by reason of the news of the coming of the French; who having no place of refuge when they should be come into Italy, but Nizza, it was to be feared that they might fortify themselves there; and making it a Magazine for Arms, they might prove a great impediment to the chief Siege: out of these Reasons, this Enterprise was thought to be more honourable, more necessary and convenient, and was therefore preferred before that of the Hills: 4000 Foot were therefore immediately sent thither commanded by Count john Serbellone, together with 50 Horse, and ten piece of Cannon: there was nothing in Nizza but the Montferrian Militia, two Sakers, and one Murdering piece, and there was scarcity of warlike Munition: but it is true that Count Egmonte, a French man, was come thither some days before, with some other of the same Nation, most of them experienced men, and men of commands who coming from Mantua, and passing one after another in disguise through the State of Genoa, saw that the Enemy approached Nizza, and made stout resistance, and Skirmishing with them, strove to keep them from taking up their Quarters, from fortifying themselves, and from making Battery; these did for some days hinder the Enemies proceedings; but not being able to disturb them totally, the enemy at last planted batteries on three sides; and because a good Half-moon was erected against the weakest part of the Wall, they made their approaches that way to take it; thinking that when they should have done so, they might the more easily take the ●…own; and whilst they advanced with their Spades, they attempted to take it by an assault by night: but finding the defendants more ready to receive them then they had imagined, and more stout resistance, they were forced to retreat with some loss: being retired, they endeavoured to get nearer, and having got to within the Ditches, they digged a mine; which when they should have perfected, they resolved to give fire unto it, and to fall immediately to assault: the mine being set on fire before hand by the cunning of those that were within, and who made it play, wrought no effect, and yet the assault was given, which was so manfully withstood, as the assailants were forced again to retreat, with more loss then formerly, many of their valiantest Soldiers being therein slain: yet this days action was not altogether in vain, for the assailants having taken station in the Ditch of the Halfmoon, they went about to destroy it by fire; which being discovered by the defendants, who had spent all their Powder, and saw there was no hope of holding out longer, they came to Articles; which being agreed upon much to their honour and advantage, they surrendered the Town after having stoutly defended it for above a fortnight: About 500 of the assailants died before it: Count Serbellone was hurt there in the arm and thigh with a Musket shot, and Count Trotti received a sleight wound in the face: all the Towns of the lower Montferrat followed this surrender, except Ponzone, which relying upon the strength of its situation held out for Nevers. The Duke of Savoy being gone, as hath been said, at the same time to Montcalvo took the Town with ease; and having played upon the Castle with battery and mines, he after a while took it also; and being invited by the strength and opportunity of the situation, it lying between Asti and Trino, be kept it for himself, contrary to the Articles of Division, and contrary to the Governors' opinion, who thought he would have disposed of it, as he had done of Pontestura; and placing a Garrison of Piedmonteses in it, he said he would accord the business with the King, and give him equivalent Towns for it. This action of Montcalvo, as also the fortifying of Trino, was rather winked at, then well taken, by the Governor, and other Spanish Agents: but the same reasons which induced them to Capitulate with the Duke, to keep him by that means from being averse unto them in the business of Casalle, when he was not possessed of any Towns in Montferrat, forced them to see through their fingers now, when by suffering him to possess himself of so great a part of that State, they had put him into more power and greatness; and when he by fortifying Alba, Trino and Montcalvo, had made himself more able to defend himself, and to offend others. Moreover, great preparation of Arms and Men being known to be upon the Confines of France, it became them not only not to distaste him, lest joining with the French he might plot novelties, tending to more prejudice than that of Casalle; but they were forced to furnish him with much moneys and men, for which he very much pressed, to make him oppose, and resist the French Forces; to the danger whereof since he was first exposed, he had just reason to fear, that his Dominions would be made the seat of war: the demands were thought just, and necessary to be granted; for the Duke of Nevers seeing himself in effect destitute of help from France, that Crown being wholly busied before Rochel, he had by mortgaging his Land in France, raised about 12000 Foot, and 1500 Horse; to which, by Order from the King, Martial Cricky, Governor of Dolpheny, was to join with the ordinary Gens d' Arms of his Government, which might make about 5000 Foot, and 500 Horse: The Marquis of Montenegro also, many of his men being run away for want of p●…y, desired a recruit of Soldiers, to defend that Frontier against the new Duke, whose numbers were now grown to be about 8000 Foot and 500 Horse, wherewith, when he heard that the French were come into Italy, he threatened to join in the freeing of Casalle, and in the recovery of wh●…t had been lost. The Governor and Spanish Agents were doubtlessly troubled at these accidents, who being before Casalle (a place not likely soon to be taken) with few men, little money, and less credit, knew not what to do to satisfy the Duke's just and necessary demands, and to withstand so great a deluge of dangers which threatened Italy, and chiefly their own Concernments: But they were most of all troubled by their fear of the Duke of Savoy's truth and constancy, and by their jealousy, that having now got a good part of Montferrat, he either out of a desire of preserving it, or of advancing to greater things, or to avoid new Wars in his own Dominions, might bethink himself of somewhat else to the prejudice of the Union which he had contracted but a little before with the King; especially since it made not much for his own interest that Casalle should fall into the Spaniards ●…ands: They knew what private intelligence he held continually in the Court of France; they knew how he was threatened on the one side, and what great offers were made him on the other side by that Court against the Genoeses, great inci●…ements to work upon any whatsoever constant heart, and to make the best composed judgements waver, much more the Duke, who was generally held to be a friend to Novelties, mighty desirous of revenge upon the Genoeses, and naturally given to do what made most for the advancement of his own affairs. Claudio Marini the French Ambassador was suspected conscious of some secret mystery, he being still detained in Turin, though under the colour of Hostage, till the Duke's Resident should return from France; and though the said Duke seemed outwardly very much to study the welfare of the King of Spain's Proceedings, and professed great constancy to the new contracted Amity, and behaved himself with great observance towards t●…at Court and the Agents thereof; yet this so great and so extraordinary affection of a Prince who but a little before was an Enemy had in it more of seeming then sincerity. These suspicions were increased by the doubt, that nor the Governor, nor other Spanish Agents had real good intentions for the Duke of Savoy, it not being very likely that when they should be Masters of Casalle they would make him greater by maintaining him in his new acquisitions; for the Articles of division agreed upon between the Duke and the Governor in the King's name were never accepted of in the Court of Spain by the King, nor approved of in Germany by the Emperor, who could not without blushing proceed rigorously against the one, and wink at the actions of the other; and therefore signified to the Duke that he should restore what he had taken, and to the Spaniards, that they should cease from besieging Casalle: So it was to be believed by the speedy and strong fortifying of Trino, Alba, and Montcalvo, that the Duke of Savoy had the same opinion of the Spaniards towards him, as the Spaniards had of him towards the King's Affairs; and that therefore this ill composed Union, though it appeared outwardly to be very affectionate and sincere, was nothing in reality but a desire of obtaining by reciprocal deceit their several ends; the one their intent upon Casalle, the other a good part of Montferrat; which when they should have compassed, then to hinder underhand each others ends and interests. Nor was the Duke (since he was possessed of what he pretended unto) displeased at these jealousies of the Spaniards, since his joining with them in this present conjunction of time made more for them then ever, and made them be the readier to give him all satisfaction: He therefore failed not to feed them with some demonstrations, which though they were but slight, were of no slight consequence; just as it fell out, when speaking with the Governor he appeared in a Cassock so made, as turn it which way you will, it suited with the person; an Emblem which tacitly threatening change, alluded to the condition of his own affairs, which being turned on all sides did naturally fit all States: but the detention of Montcalvo, and the fortifying the Towns he had got, contrary to agreement, contrary to the precedent of Pontestura; his great pretensions, his daily immoderate demands, and the great storm which seemed to threaten him from France, made him be daily more and more suspected: insomuch as in the Camp and throughout the State of Milan, he was ill spoken off, as if he were already fallen from the King of Spain, and reunited to the King of France: which favour he was to obtain by the detention of what he had taken, and by the River of Genoa, and a good part of the State of Milan: that therefore it was too dangerous to continue friends with him, and to assist him against the French, with whom he was already closed; as if to furnish him with moneys were to impoverish themselves, and to afford him the better conveniency to arm himself to their prejudice; and that to grant him men were no better than to submit the cream, and the best of those few who were left to defend the State of Milan, not only to the danger of the Enemy, but to the Duke's uncertain faith: to dismember the King's Forces, and to expose the State of Milan to the manifest danger of Foreigners with whom the Duke was Confederate: and yet so great was the necessity of keeping him to side with them, as contrary to so many and so manifest appearances, and contrary to so great probability of suspicion, the Spanish Agents were so firm, and constant in their dissimulation, as appearing to confide very much in him, they did not only in this their so great need deprive themselves of 5000 of their best Foot, and send them to Piedmont to oppose the French, who were already gotten near the Alps; but by public Proclamations, and upon pain of severe punishment, prohibited the speaking ill of the Duke, and consenting to any demand he made, though never so great, though contrary to their chief ends and interests: which was yet more clearly seen in the great ruptures which happened at this time in the City of Genoa; some of the Popularity whereof conspired against the public Government moved thereunto, partly by private injuries received from some of the young Nobility, partly for that they appeared to be excluded from the administration of the Commonwealth; and to this purpose having held intelligence with the Duke of Savoy, he promised to assist them with men to execute their designs: moneys under several pretences were disperssed abroad amongst some of the meaner sort of people, who being naturally seditious, they thought might be easily brought to join in the Conspiracy; and moneys were also sent to many of the neighbouring Villages, making some of them acquainted with the secret; and telling other some how that they meant to make use of their service, in a private resentment which they intended to make; and they had likewise got over unto them some Outlaws, people of a lewd life, and those who for their service in war had got pardon for enormous faults; and hoping, to boot with these to get the universality of the people to side with them, when the business should be begun, they resolved to kill the Senate and greatest part of the Nobility, and to make a new form of Government: but the Plot being discovered, some of the Delinquents were taken; against which whilst process was making, the Duke of Savoy, discovering himself to be the Author of the Conspiracy, pleaded their impunity, pretending that the conspiracy being contrived with his knowledge and intelligence, in resentment of what had happened at Busso; that the Truce ensuing afterwards, the execution was suspended by his command; and that he had therefore promised the Conspirators, that they should enjoy the benefit of the Truce, as being therein comprehended, in case the conspiracy should in the interim be discovered: he pressed the Governor and the Marquis di San' Croce very much in their behalves, and engaged himself so far in the impunity of the Conspirators, as causing the Genoese gentlemen to be closely imprisoned, who were formerly his prisoners, and whom he had set at Liberty after the Truce, but upon their Paroll of not going away; he resolutely promised they should all be put to death, in case they should proceed in Genoa to punish the Conspirators; and on the contrary, if their fault were pardoned, he offered peace to the Commonwealth, upon very advantageous conditions for her. The Governor and the other Agents knew they were in a great straight; for the Duke building very much upon the Truce made by their appointment, pretended these as mediators, were to force the Commonwealth to observe it, and not to break it by punishing the Conspirators; and those Agents, whether they approved of this pretention or not, were unwilling to alienate and distaste the Duke, by denying his request, or by consenting, to cause new troubles between the Duke and the Commonwealth, by which the King would be constrained to declare in favour of the one or the other of them, with great danger to the present Occurrences: yet in this so detestable example, the new reconciliation and fear of alienating the Duke prevailed over the merit of the ancient, and uninterrupted friendship of the Commonwealth; and the Duke's satisfaction was preferred before any respect of public honour, or of the King's dignity; wherefore the Governor and other Agents were very servant in the point of freeing the Conspirators, and used all their endeavours in obtaining their pardon; insomuch as they presented Letters written by the King to the Commonwealth for the Conspirators impunity; which by the circumstance of time appeared to be framed upon Blanks. which upon like occasions are trusted with chief Agents; and the Governor sent Don Alvero di Lusara to Genoa, to treat herein with the Commonwealth; propounding unto her Senators, how easily they might obtain a safe and good peace from the Duke by pardoning the offenders; and on the contrary, how much their punishment would irritate him, and would occasion new wars and troubles, worse than the former. The Duke's pretensions appeared to be false; for the Conspirators forbore not to prosecute the business, after the Truce, which had it not been prevented, would have been effected within a few days; and though it did clearly appear that they treated with the Duke in Turin, yet did they never allege the Truce for their defence, nor any order from the Duke to supersede, nor any promise of pardon from him if they would desist: so as it appeared clearly that all were but false pretences, which he strove to maintain by his own authority, by the favour of the Spanish Agents, and by threats: the Commonwealth being scandalised at so exorbitant pretences, and at the Spanish Agents so strange pressures; the Council, which by reason of the paucity of the number is called ●…l minore, but wherein the chief affairs off State are discused, being called, and Lusadas Proposals being therein taken into debate, one rose up, and spoke thus: If I could persuade myself that, for our greater misfortune, we had any Julius Caesar amongst us, who should dare to open his mouth for the impunity of these new Catiline's, I am confident that all we, like so many Catoes or Cicero's, would rise up against so perfidious and pernicious an adviser; and that we should resent the first mentioning of so abominable a plea, with more than sharp invectives: but since (God be praised) I see you all so set upon the just punishment of so execrable a Parricide, I will pass by all becoming declamations upon this occasion, as superfluous, and will confine my discourse to the Question, which falls properly under our present consideration: to wit, to what answer me are to give 〈◊〉 those demands which are made us in favour of these wicked ones, and to the instigation of their fantorer and so great promoter of the conspiracy, the Duke of Savoy, in the name and by the authority of the King of Spain's Officers: demands more detestable than the Conspiracy itself, as being so strange, so unusual, and so without example: what would it be to pardon these guilty persons, but to sow the fruitful seed of continual Conspiracy amongst those people who do perpetually disturb our State and Government; but to grant them a powerful Chi●…ftain for future sedition? but to authorise and make our enemy Duke, the Protector of our people, which is the thing he so much now affects? so as afterwards all rules of respect would be broken, though gate would be thrown open to insolency, the fear of punishment taken away, the Majesty of this Government suppressed, the Authority of this Order trod under foot, and the people's obedience lost; and will any endure to hear of peace upon these conditions? will there be any one found so little zealous of the public good; so wicked an enemy to the Commonwealth, as will not rather choose to run any misfortune, how great soever, suffer any death, than consent to peace upon so ruinous conditions? the bare dignity and reputation of the Commonwealth is not now the thing in question, though we were to lose a thousand lives for it, if we had so many, but of the summa totalis of the public safety, but of the very soul of liberty, but of the vital spirits of the present Government; which after having received such a wound, what would it become but a Carcase full of horror, breathing nothing out but ruin, sedition and death: it is good sometimes to pard●…n Conspiracies, but it must be by Princes who are newly got into Principality, we read of Augustus Caesar, that having found revenge and punishment to be rather a spur, then kerb to new Conspiracies, he approved of his Wife's counsel, which was, to pardon; and he found it to be a wholesome antidote, and a more proportiable preservative for the malignant and dangerous disease of those times; for the good name he got of being merciful and gracious did radicate the hatred which the people, being grown perverse through fear, did bear him, and planted in the place thereof cordial affection toward a benign Prince; who before by frequent punishment, was abhorred, and whose death they plotted: what good will it do to use pardon in these tempestuous times, when it shall be thought that it is not clemency, nor sparing of humane blood; but fear of the Duke's threatenings, the fear of greater evils, which hath extorted it from us? so all the merit of benignity, all the fame of clemency, will be attributed to the Duke our enemy: he shall be the pious deliverer, he the affectionate Protector of the oppressed: not only the guilty, but all the malcontents shall thank him only: we poor souls shall, on the contrary side, be accounted bloody oppressors, we shall be hated by the people, laughed at by strangers, and generally detested by all men: and therefore, if to pardon so enormous a fault, will in other respects be accounted a great error in us, how much will that error be multiplied when it shall be known to be done at the importunity of the Duke, and of the King's Agents? therefore the more we are thereunto pressed, the more backward ought we to be in consenting, the more obdurate in denying it: assuring ourselves, that (undoubtedly) we can undergo no misfortune, and that no greater disaster than this can befall us: good God did we not fear the insolent threats of the Duke, for a petty Fee-farm, wherein the main of our affairs were little or not at all concerned, when he was upon good terms with the French, without whose help he would never have dared to assault us? and shall we now succumb to so unjust demands in a thing wherein our vital spirits are concerned, after that same Duke hath tried, how hard it is to justle with our mountains, when we see him enveloped in the wars of Montferrat, irreconcilably fallen out with the King of France, and so unsincerely united to the Crown of Spain? but some peradventure may doubt, that the Crown of Spain being incensed at our denial, may join with the Duke, and appear against us on his behalf. Truly, he that shall doubt this, will, in my opinion, show how little he understands the affairs of the world, and that he knows not how ●…asily the hatred and anger of Princes are laid aside, when they are not concerned in point of State Affairs: John Bernavelt, the greatest man amongst the States of Holland, a man of excellent advice, the Oracle of the united Provinces, grown old in State Affairs, having past all the Employment as well within the Commonwealth as abroad, who had been employed, by way of Embassy, in all the weightiest affairs, to the Northern Kings and Potentates; this man, not many years ago, being troubled by the emulation of Count Maurice, and the authority of the more powerful prosecutor prevailing over the worth and merit of so gallant a man, he was put to death: so great was the fame of his worth, such was the good opinion of his actions, as the Princes of those parts did compassionate his misfortune: and the King of France interceded for his pardon, not with his name subscribed to blanks, but by an extraordinary Ambassador: all men know of what power that King is with the united Provinces, and how well that Crown hath deserved of them; and yet the King's intercessions not being listened to, he lost his head: what ruin do you hear, gentlemans, that this repulse brought with it to the Hollanders? you may peradventure think that a French-like fury, more terrible than the raging of the Sea, might devour those Provinces? nothing less; the King was not all troubled at it, he broke not with the Commonwealth which had been a friend to his Crown; nay, he did not so much as withdraw his wont favours and succours from them: how unequal is the comparison, if you consider the quality of the Deliquents, the enormity of the fault, or the occasion of the demand? and shall we doubt to findless moderation in the Court of Spain, in a cause incomparably better, than the Hollanders did in France? shall we think that the King of Spain will ever subscribe to so wicked and exorbitant demands of the Duke of Savoy, and of his Agents in Italy? or that he will join with Savoy against us, to revenge himself upon us for our denial? how far do these conceits differ from the ways of that Court? how contrary to the weighty concerns of that Crown? how repugnant to the Faith and Magnanimity that his Majesty professeth, and observes to his Friends, and which (upon all occasions,) but particularly in these last wars he hath professed to us, and effectually maintained? the senseless fear of the King if Spain's anger being removed, what are we to apprehend, if we consent not to these so unjust demands? our Citizen's lives peradventure, who are Prisoners with the Duke? where are the Bruto 's, where the Torquato 's, who for the preservation of Military Discipline, spared not their own Sons lives? I call you generous, noble, and truly Roman minds to witness, and your Curtij and Decii also, who did willingly sacrifice your own lives for your Country, and for the safety of the Roman Legions; for God's sake, if you be called upon, do but only appear, to the confusion of such, if any such there be amongst us, who can be wrought upon to any sinister resolution either by nearness of blood, or tenderness of affection, or by the vain danger of the Confederates; but why talk I of the doubt, or danger of our Prisoners lives? who will ever believe so brute and barbarous an action in a Christian Prince, which would appear infamous and bestial in a Scythian, Thracian or Cannibal: I pray you say, if this Prince who hath insidiated our lives by so horrid a Conspiracy, should bring the business to be doubtful and dangerous; what should we do? shall we suffer the public safety to run certain ruin, for saving the lives of a few, though never so deserving Citizens? nor would they themselves (so much do I confide in their worth) give way thereunto; nay, were they permitted, upon their promise given to be true prisoners, to appear before us; I assure myself, that like so many Attili Regoli they would supplicate us, that preferring the public honour, before their private safeties, we should show that constancy which the duty we owe to ourselves, and Country, obligeth us unto; and that having gotten their request, they would with a generous and constant mind return to receive the punishment which should be provided for them; and on the contrnry, if by their pardon obtained, they should find this Commonwealth so shamefully deformed with such a scar, and miserably perishing, and like to die of such a wound, they would detest their own lives, and would hate those to death, who should so shamefully have betrayed the Public, for their private safety: they would, in fine, (if the heavens should have so ordered their destiny) not value that life, which when at home and amongst their friends, a Catarrh, Fever, or any sleight accident might by an obscure death b●…reave them of; whereas now they shall live gloriously for ever, not only for having served their Country with their lives and fortunes in these wars, but for having been sacrificed like innocent V●…ctimes for the public safety. This opinion was not only attentively listened unto, but approved by an unanimous consent of all the hearers: insomuch as any one repugnant voice or suffrage being produced, not any one of the prisoners kindred, whereof many were present at this Debate, gave their Votes to the contrary; wherefore in pursuance of the Sentence pronounced against the Prisoners, (not allowing them any minute of delay more than what is usually appointed by the Law;) four of the Conspirators were beheaded; who had been found guilty by former process: at which the Duke being highly incensed, he gave Order that four of his Prisoners should lose their heads; appearing resolute to have it done, and the Heads man was even now ready to do his office: but at last, being either overcome by the entreaties of some of his followers, or frighted with the unworthiness and atrocity of the action, or that (peradventure) he did never really intend it, he commanded forbearance; and the Governor and other Officers, no less incensed, than the Duke, against the Commonwealth, seemed to be mightily scandalised; not so much for that adhering to the Duke they desired to make him know, that they joined with him in being unsatisfied; as for having upon this occasion sufficiently engaged the King's Authority, they thought it was not a little prejudiced by this the Commonwealths so absolute resolution: insomuch as though two of those Conspirators who were already beheaded were sent by the Governor to the Commonwealth, before the Duke appeared to favour the Conspiracy; yet some other of them being come unto his hands, he set them at liberty: not making any the least account of the Commonwealths entreaties, as he had wont to do upon lesser occasions: others to the end that if they should be cited they might have occasion to avoid judgement, were secured in the State of Milan; and the Duke entertaining other of the Conspirators with extraordinary favour, advanced them, and protected them in his Court; and did further suffer them to publish seditious Papers in Print, whereby to incite the Genceses to rebellion: assuring them that the Duke would declare himself in behalf of their liberty; and which was of more importance, he by means of the great power he held with the Spanish Agents, endeavoured to raise enmity between them and the Genoeses, telling them for their better encouragement, that he held many intelligences in Genoa, by which he might easily turn the affairs of that Commonwealth upside down; and giving an inkling that the French would join with those that should revolt, he strove to make them join with him in the same enterprise, to the end, that they might totally exclude the French from out of Italy; and to keep him from being constrained to recall them once more thither, that he might work revenge upon the Genoeses. These the Duke's endeavours did doubtlessly much perplex the Spanish Agents, who by reason of the present business of Cassalle had daily more necessity of keeping the Duke firm unto them; and Genoa appearing to be the stumbling-block against the which all their corrivals were with all their Forces to give, men were very doubtful what resolutions the Court of Spain would put on touching these Occurrences; it not being comprehended by their actions, nor penetrated into by their discourse, to what side they inclined: so considerable were the gainsayings both of accidents and reasons, on either side: yet the firm belief, that the addition the Duke had got by the new acquisition of part of Montferrat might cause jealousy in the Court of Spain, overcame all other considerations: so as it was not probable, that the Spaniards would add scandal to scandal, and increase jealousies in Italy, and contaminate the glory which they but a little before had gotten in the defence and preservation of the Commonwealth, by aggrandizing the Duke of Savoy, and by oppressing a Commonwealth which had always been so singularly affected to Spain, and from whence that Crown had received such advantages: yet so naturally are men desirous of novelty, and inclined to sinister interpretations, as many thought that the Court of Spain did not only lend an ear to the Duke's practices, but consented thereunto: it is true that these men doubted whether that Court proceeded really and sincerely herein, or cunningly, only to keep the Duke well affected to the enterprise of Cassalle, and to divert him from the practices which he seemed to be resolute in, and might easily effect by assistance from France, to the prejudice of the Commonwealth: these sinister reports which were publicly divulged, together with news of divisions and factions in prejudice to the Genoeses negotiated by the Duke, were occasioned by divers demonstrations of that Court: which having notice of what had happened, and of the Duke's compliments and exclamations, accompanied by the sinister informations of their Agents in Italy touching the conspiracy, touching the danger of alterations in that City, and concerning the inconveniences which might result to the King's interest, if the affairs of Genoa should be molested; and some memorial of the Conspirators in Torino, and of some other popular men in Genoa, concurring herewithal; they made so sinister an impression of the State and Government of the Commonwealth, as the King, and generally all his Officers, either to secure the affairs of the Crown, or to keep the Duke true unto them, and for his better satisfaction, seemed little satisfied with relations to the contrary, made by Lucca Pallavicino; who upon this occasion, was sent once more Ambassador in extraordinary to that Court; and they complained much of the haste used in executing the Conspirators; and seeming to value the Duke's satisfaction more than the reasons alleged by the Commonwealth, they broke out into words of anger and resentment; which made the Genoese interpret sinisterly of them, and of their intentions, as if they had been disaffected, and much alienated from the Commonwealth: to this was added, that the Count di Monterei, Precedent of the Counsel of Italy, and Cousin to Olivares, being destined Ambassador to the Pope, was ordered by the King to be gone presently for Italy, and that he should tarry some months in Genoa; it being generally thought that he had many private Commissions given him, and of great importance to the affairs of Genoa: but the Genoeses were yet fuller of jealousies and fears, by reason of the news that in these turbulent times came to that Court, of a Victory gotten by the Duke against the French, at the foot of the Alps, who came to succour the Duke of Nevers, and to free Cassalle; these were said to be about 12000 Foot, and 1500 Horse, led on by the Marquis d'Uxel, with whom Marshal Cricky could not join, either out of some private emulation and distaste which he had to the Marquis, or else being detained by the Duke's men, under Prince Thomaso in Savoy. The Marquis attempted the Pass called dell' Agnello, by which falling into the Vale of Uraita, in the Jurisdiction of Dolpheny, you come to castle Delphino; a passage large enough, and therefore commodious for Horse, and whereby, without meeting with any obstacle, you may come to the plain of Saluzzo and of Piedmont: But the Duke, who had already fortified and munited all the Passes of the Alps, had not left this unfortified; for having built a Fort at Castle St Pietro, near the mouth of the Valley towards Piedmont, he encumbered that passage, so as it was impossible to advance further before that Fort was taken; and Artillery being requisite to the taking thereof, it proved a business of much length, by reason of the difficulty of carriages, to boot with the uncertainty of the event: and yet the Marquis being desirous to advance, marched on; and having first taken three Redoubts which the Duke had set up upon the Mountains, he fell into the Valley of Uraita, which takes its name from the River which descending from the Alps runs throughout it, and comes within six miles of castle St Pietro; whether D'Uxell being come, and seeing that the Duke advanced with his men, he placed his men in order upon a little rise. The Duke had with him about 12000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, those being therein comprehended who were sent unto him by the Governor, under the Campmaster Gill de l' Arena, which were 5000 Foot; and immediately sending Prince Victorio, who was best acquainted with the Country, with good part of his men, to possess himself of the skirts of the Mountain which shape the Vale, he stayed with the rest, and with the King's Auxiliary Forces, to defend the plain; where making a Squadron in ●…ace of the French, he kept a quarter of a mile off, observing their movings: The Marquis seeing that he had to do with the Enemy upon the Plain, and upon the skirts of the Mountains, sent a good Band of men against those that defended the Mountains, and with the rest charged the Duke's right wing, where the Neapolitans were, who, assisted by the Piemontese Horse, made stout resistance, insomuch as the Assailants not being able to stand before them, were forced to give back: A thousand of them, seeing it was impossible for them to force their way, waded thorough the River, and getting upon a little hill put themselves there in order: The others, advancing by the skirts of the Mountains, assaulted the Duke's men, who seeming to give back, drew them into an ambush which they had prepared; falling wherinto, those of the Ambush fell upon them with such violence, as being forced to retreat, they were afterwards put to flight, with a great loss of men: Those who were sent at first against them on the hill ran a fortune not much unlike to this; for the Prince observing the wind, which blew full in their face, caused some little Cottages to be set on fire, the smoke whereof affording him to send men into some ambushes without being discerned, the French men light upon them, and were severely dealt with, and slain; and being also struck with stones which were tumbled down from the higher places, they began to run. The Conflict lasted from morning to night; and the Duke's men were so well disposed of and divided, as not any one of them stood idle. The F●…ench seemed that night as if they would retire; but, as the effects showed, they resolved to try their fortune once more; which the Prince having learned by one that was run away, he presently sent for fresh supplies of men to the Duke, which whilst they were expected, the greatest part of the French ●…id themselves that night behind certain Trees, and the rest upon break of day appeared in a large but very thin and ill-composed Squadron, showing themselves to the Prince, to the end that alured by the hopes of Victory, he might assault them, and so fall into an ambush which they had prepared for him that very night: The Prince who expected a re-inforcement, stirred not, so as those who were in the ambush came out, and entered into the Squadron, seeming as if they would fight with more Forces than they had done the day before; but the Prince still keeping in expectation of succour from his Father, moved not; till finding not long after, that the Enemy's Squadron was much diminished by the retreating of many of their men, he assaulted those that remained, who not being able to resist, were put to flight, and pursued with much slaughter even to the Confines of France; whither being come, he with held, out of observance of the King's Confines, h●…ving gotten much baggage, and many Arms, which the French threw away as they fled. After this Victory the Duke and Prince marched presently towards Pinarolo, lest the French being beaten from hence might attempt that pass; from whence hearing that they went towards Savoy, where Prince Thomaso was, the Duke sent most of his men thither; but it was superfluous; for the French were so confused and dissipated by the discomfiture, as hardly any four of them were together in this retreat. The Duke won as much reputation, by this happy success, with the Spaniards, as he ever had purchased the contrary before: He was publicly acknowledged to be the King's right hand, the bulwark of his Affairs in Italy; by this action all offences were canceled, and no reward was equivalent to so great merit; the King himself, hearing the news, said in public, That he would have accounted it a great happiness to have been found with a Pike in his hand by the Duke his Uncle's ●…ide: And the Conde Duca, chief Author of the reconciliation; boasted not a little, that the King and Court began now to taste the fruit of his counsels and negotiations: But the more favour the Duke's merits found in the Court, the more jealous were the Genoeses, who saw their own declination joined to the exaltation of their Enemy: An as the Duke's satisfaction seemed to consist in the Affairs of Genoa, and the reward equal to his vast expectation, and to his implacable hatred to the Genoeses, which every day grew greater in him; so such a great conjunction of will, and so general a disposition as was found to be in that Court to gratify him, made it be much apprehended, that some great mischief would redound thereby, to the prejudice of the Commonwealth: This suspicion was increased by the Conde Duca his not caring for the Genoeses; the affronts given to the Ambassadors of that Commonwealth; and the rigorous proceedings with others of that Nation; the upbraiding of the Conspiracy, and of other accidents which had happened at Genoa, which accidents might by the connexion of Affairs redound to the prejudice of Italy, did very much perplex the Statists of that Court. To these things wherein the public Interests were concerned other sinister demonstrations were added, which touched the Fortunes and Interests of private men; the rigorous Decrees of the preceding year, the difficulty in exacting the Revenues, the introducing of other Nations to contract with the King, to the shame and exclusion of the Genoeses, and the continual extorting of moneys from those Genoeses who remained yet in Court, enforcing them to contribute great sums of moneys for the urgent occasions of the Crown; by which accidents the face of that Court being totally changed towards the Genoeses both in public and in private from what it had used to be, they put the Commonwealth into some anxiety of their own safety: And these Novelties and Commotions being known in Italy, they first filled all the Princes of Italy with admiration, and then with suspicion, what the sequel of so great and unexpected an alteration would prove. These suspicions had also an influence upon other Nations, which being intent upon all occasions, did not pretermit their wont artifices to make the rent greater; to the end that they might thereby reap such advantage as might not conduce a little to the conduct of their Affairs and Interests: And amongst others, a Spanish Courier being intercepted in the Seas of Provence, who was sent to their Officers of Italy, the French gave out, that they had found very strange Negotiation in those Dispatches which passed between that Court and the Duke, to the prejudice of the Commonwealth; which Dispatch●…s being sent from the Court of Paris into Italy to the Duke of Nevers, and by him participated to the Pope, they were by both of them made known to the Commonwealth; to the end that growing apparently to distrust they might join with them in the common Cause; which might procure the lessening of the Spanish Affairs, and the advancement of the Common Cause of Italy: And to this purpose they offered with arms thrown abroad to receive them into their protection, and professed readiness to defend her. The Commonwealth being so ascertained of these advices and accidents could not but proceed with much circumspection; to the end that on the one side too much distrust might not drive them from that friendship and ancient conjunction wherein at all times, and particularly upon these late occurrences, they had always found so much truth in intention, such constant effects, and such readiness in execution; nor on the other side, that too much confidence might not make them run upon those dangers and prejudices whereof they had been advertised by such a concurrence of probable accidents, with such demonstration of affection and good will: Not that she ever doubted of the King's good intentions, or suffered herself to be persuaded that he had conspired with the Duke to her oppression; all that she feared was, that the Duke being now free from fears of the French Arms, and secured from any opposition he might meet with from Spain by his new conjunction and good correspondency with that Court, he might bethink himself of re-assaulting the State of Genoa, and might occasion the like damages to those of the preceding year in that River; and that the Spaniards, either not to incense him in this present conjunction of Affairs, or by some secret Intelligence, or in resentment of the small account they made of the King's Intercession in the punishment of the Conspirators, should not be so much moved thereat as formerly, and foregoing his former care of them, might suffer the Duke's Forces to take their course, and might less interest himself in their defence: But because, though they should miss of assistance from Spain, yet neither would the French foment the Duke; the Commonwealth therefore thinking themselves to be upon equal terms with the Duke, if he should not be assisted by the French, resolved to provide new Forces which might more immediately depend upon her; and obtain from the Pope, who seemed to favour them more in this then in the former Occurrences, a thousand Foot, and as many more from the Duke of Bavaria; with which, and with many others that they had taken into pay, and with their own Militia, the Genoeses reinforced the most important places of their State, in their own defence, and to resist her imminent storm which the clouds and winds of the present season did threaten: but the coming of Count Monterei to Genoa, upon whom all their eyes were fixed, by reason of the news which was spread abroad, that he was come to cause some commotions, instead of apprehended foul weather, brought so clear skies to the Commonwealth, as (the clouds of sinister impression being dispersed) the rumours which were given out appeared to be vain: he tarried two months in the City with much satisfaction, and spoke not any thing tending to the administration of public Government; nor did the Duke, by reason of his coming, or by any demonstrations from Court, do any thing of novelty: nay, the Count being to go into Lombardy to treat of common Affairs with the Duke offered his service to the Commonwealth, touching the compounding of differences which were then on foot; and his offer being accepted of by the Commonwealth, he was very zealous and affectionate in their interests: but the Duke was so exasperated and incensed for the punishment of the Conspirators, as he could do no good by his intercession; therefore returning to Genoa, he represented unto the Senate how much the execution of two other of the Conspirators, who were not yet condemned, would prejudice the Negotiation and conclusion of peace, which was very hotly treated of in the two King's Courts; and interceded for the stay of execution, which he obtained; and parting afterwards in Embassy for Rome, he left the affairs of Genoa, as concerning the King of Spain, in a much better disposition than he found them. The Siege of Casalle continued this mean while in very bad order, especially after the 5000 men were sent to relieve Piedmont; for Victuals were daily brought in, and all kinds of refreshments, insomuch as the co●…n that was brought in during the Siege was cast up to amount to above 18000 Quarters, a good part whereof came out of Piedmont by the Duke's tacit permission, as it was said, and commonly suspected; who (as by many conjectures was thought,) was not at all troubled that that place should be preserved: no less negligence was used in the Vintage time for what concerned Grapes and Wine, which were brought in great abundance into that City. About the end of August, the people that was sent in succour of the Duke, arrived, by whose coming the Camp was enlarged; and Don Philippo Son to Marquis Spinola, who was chosen by the King to be General of the Horse, came thither; which occasioned the pitching upon two resolutions; the one, the enterprise of the Hills; the other, that of Punzone, a strong Town upon the top of a Hill, in the middle way as you come by Sea from Savona to Acqui; which Town having yet a Mantuan Garrison in it, endamaged the neighbouring Towns which did render most obedience to the Governor, and which might further or impede the succours which, being ready prepared in Piedmont, (was feared) might be brought by Sea into Montferrat; Count Luigi Trotti, and Mark Antonio Brancaccio were deputed to this enterprise with their two Brigades: there were in it about 500 Soldiers in Garrison, together with about 150 Foot, part Towns men, part belonging to the neighbouring Towns; who to avoid the troubles of war, were come thither, as to a strong place; there were also about a hundred French got thither, (for the most part) people of account, who were come from Mantua; who having abandoned the service of that Prince returned as Travellers into France, through the State of Genoa, without any let: these having fortified the highest places, and cut Trenches round about the Town, did likewise munite a certain Church at the foot of the Hill, just opposite to where Brancaccio was quartered with his Neapolitans; by whom being assaulted, and not able to resist, they were forced to abandon that station, and to retreat towards the top of the Hill; and the Neapolitans possessing themselves of the Church, wa●…ed for Trotti, who came thither the next day with two pieces of Artillery: the Batteries were immediately raised, and for two days they skirmished with those on the Hills, in several parts; and the assailants being gotten by night to underneath the Trenches, they appeared on break of day ready for an assault, which being courageously fought, the defendants being astonished, partly by the novelty of the assault, partly suffering by the Artillery (which giving upon the Trenches drove the dust in their eyes,) and finding themselves to be too few to defend so great a circuit of Fortification, and therefore fearing that the enemy might enter, by some part unprovided of defence, they retreated into the Castle, and the Town fell into the hands of the assailants: who sacked it immediately, and that night got the Castle upon Articles, that the Officers might march out with Arms and Baggage, and the Soldiers with their Swords: but they had hardly marched two miles when, contrary to conditions, they were barbarously stripped by the Neapolitans and others even to their shirts, and many to their skins; and those that stripped them got (as it was said) much money, which the French who came from Mantua were furnished with by the Duke, not only for their private occasions, but for defence: returning from the taking of Punsone, they betook themselves, at last, to the taking of the Hills; which they began at the Town of St. George, situated upon them, where the oppugners made a Magazine of Arms, and many Fortifications, not only to defend themselves from the Garrison which was there, of 300 Foot, but to resist the insulting of those of Cassalle, who sallying out very strong from the City did continually annoy them on the backs, whilst they were most intent upon the Siege; and y●…t the Garrison surrendered upon honourable conditions, of being permitted to return to Cassalle. From hence they went to Rossiglione, a strong place both by nature and art: the defendants resisted stoutly: but Don Philippo Spinalo, who ordered the busienss, having presented Battery, and played upon it with his great Guns for four whole days, at last he levelled his great Cannon against the Gate; and the defendants apprehending Mines, which they saw were begun to be digged, they grew distrustful to be able to defend it, and surrendered it, with safety to their persons. The Governor being hereby master of the Hills, began to block up all passes and avenues, by which the City might be come unto on that side: he than drew a long and a deep Ditch from the Po to a rivulet called Gattola, which falling from the Hills, a little beneath Casalle, runs towards Frascineso, and disgorgeth itself into the Po; and many Fortifications were made upon both sides of the Ditch, as also on the outward side of the Po; whereby Casalle was straight besieged; and being enclosed between the fortified Hills, the Ditches and the Po, it was impossible to be relieved: a resolution which if it had been taken at first, the business had been already ended; but being thus long retarded, it did little or no good; for much provision was already brought in, and the compass of Campagnia environed by the Governors' Works was large, full of Meadow-ground, Trees and Shrubs; so as the besieged had wherewith to maintain themselves for all the ensuing Winter, and to wait for succour, that Campagnia yielding great store of Wood and Roots, Hay and Straw, for the maintenance of Horse and Castle, and Fuel for Ovens: the which they might the more easily do, for that the Governor; quitting his former Quarters, went to Winter between the Hills and Gatt●…la; leaving all that Campagnia uninjured, he made a Bastion upon a little rise, at the foot of the Hills; upon which placing four pieces of Artillery, he played upon the Castle, and part of the Wall which (together with the Citadel,) environs the City on the Hills side: but being so far off, it did but little harm; in this manner he continued all the next Winter: the besieged drew out the Siege at length, with great good order and vigilancy, and sparing their Victuals; and the besiegers, with patience and industry, and much hardship, endeavoured to straighten the City, and bring it to surrender. In this interim several Skirmishes happened, worthy to be particularly related, if (as they were valiantly fought,) they had conduced any thing to the main business: in one of them the Marquis of Bevorone, the head of the French, being shot with a Musket-shot in the throat, died; which was a great loss to the besieged; for he was the man who underwent almost the whole burden of the defence: but the b●…siegers were no less straightened in all things than the besieged, not only for that lying (for the most part) in the open air, they were subject to the sufferings of rain, frost, the distempers of weather, but by reason of the great want of Victuals. This years harvest was generally poorer than that of the preceding year; and (which made the scarcity the greater) those who had corn in Milan, out of avarice, hid it, that they might sell it at a dearer rate the next year; and the Duke of Guise, to keep Victuals from being sent from Genoa to the Camp, and to the State of Milan, did prohibit the exportation of corn from Provence; and detained many boats which were sent from Genoa into those parts to fetch Grain; to the end, that they might not carry any Corn to Genoa, and from thence to the Camp before Cassalle; and the Duke of Nevers blocking up the Po with two Forts upon the Mantuan side, hindered the carriage of Provisions into Puglia, and the other Maritime parts: so as they were forced to send new Commissions to Naples, Sicily and Sardinia, which being brought by the way of Genoa to Milan, and so to the Camp, might ease the present necessity: but the Orders being given out late, and the far distance of place, (added to the scarcity of conduct requiring much delay) the remedy suited not with the urgent necessity; wherefore the common people of Milan, impatient of delay, and seeing the Baker's shops shut up, began to mutiny; which made the Governor leave the ordering of the Camp to Don Philippo Spinola, and go to Milan to appease them, which, by punishing some, and by sudden prevention, he soon did: but great was the scarcity of Victuals in the Camp; insomuch as, though Provision of bread was scarce enough in Casalle; yet bread was cheaper there then in the Camp; so as the besiegers being rather become in condition of besieged, they suffered more want; and by an unusual, and peradventure unheard of example, they were thereby likely to have abandoned the Siege: many Soldiers died of hunger, and mutinies were much feared; which had certainly ensued, had not force awed the murmurers; some of which not being able to wait for assured death by famine, chose rather to endeavour their preservation by the doubtful event of running from the Camp: so as the Army did daily diminish; and it was impossible to raise more men, as well for want of moneys as of victuals, which affrightned whatsoever necessary provision or resolution, there being no means found whereby to provide for the Foreign Soldiery; and the very Soldiers, who came from the State of Milan, were in danger of mutinying: thus weakly and with so many necessities did the business of Cassalle proceed; and Caesar's Edicts and Citation proceeded not more fortunately; for the Count of Nassaw being come (as hath been said) into Italy, with title of Cesarian Commissary, and having sent out Monitors twice to the Duke of Nevers, and threatened him with the Imperial Proclamation of banishment, unless he would obey Caesar's will, by f●…eely yielding up the possession of those States; and Nevers having at first desired, in vain, that his business might be put over to the Law; and given out writings, and published the opinions of Civilians in Print, whereby he strove to prove there was no reason why he should be forced to forgo his Dominions, without the cause given why; and afterward having complained very much, why the like commands had not been sent to the Duke of Savoy, and to the Governor of Milan, who had actually and by violence possessed themselves of part of his Dominions, and still proceeded to possess themselves of the rest; they came to the third Summons, wherein Cesar declared that if Nevers would put what he possessed into his hands, the Duke of Savoy and the Governor of Milan should do the like with what they had taken of his. Nevers seemed to accept of this offer; and to this purpose he sent his Son the Duke of Retell to Caesar's Court, that he might expedite the dispatch of the business by favour of the Empress, who was Sister to the three last Dukes of Mantua, and did wish well to Nevers his cause, to whom she was nearly allied in blood: but being come thither, he found that Cesar, perceiving that neither the Duke nor Spaniards would be brought to make any restitution, and it was hard for him to compel them to it, had mitigated the Edict; and accommodating himself to the times had made a new Proposal, by which the Duke of Savoy and the Spaniards were permitted in Caesar's name to keep what they had taken, and the Duke of Nevers was to possess the City and entire Dukedom of Mantua; so as the Dutch, who were to be sent by the Emperor into Italy, might have the City, Castle and Citadel of Casalle, assigned over unto them, till cause to the contrary was known. Retell, not being able to get better conditions, and not being received, nor acknowledged by the Emperor as Prince of Mantua, by reason of the Spaniards earnest desire to the contrary, lest by such a Declaration his pretensions might not seem to be tacitly granted, and the King's cause in Montferrat might in the eyes of the world seem to be damnified, he departed but ill satisfied from that Court; and the new Proposals were not accepted of by his Father, whose fear of the Emperor's Edicts were lessened by the weakness of the Spanish Army; and the King of France his prosperous proceedings made him believe more in the favour and forces of that Kingdom, then in the Imperial D●…crees or Decisions. In these Negotiations, and Transactions, the year 1628. ended; and the King of France having at last compassed his ends upon Rochel, whereinto he entered victorious, and triumphing on All Saint's day; he prepared to pass over the Mountains with gallant Forces, to assist the Duke of Nevers; for the Hugonots of France having received a great blow by the loss of Rochel, and the Affairs of France being almost perfectly settled, nothing was heard of in that Kingdom but preparations for Italy: which being divided into two Armies, the one was to pass through Dolpheny and Syonois, to the relief of Montferrat; and the King prepared to pass over the Mountains personally therein; and the other was to advance by the County of Nizza, and by the River of Genoa, towards Casalle: the Spaniards, nor the Duke of Savoy could not believe so strange a resolution; they thought it was impossible that the King having his Kingdom yet full of troubles, and exhausted of moneys, his Army being weary, and wasted before Rochel, could pass over the Alps in the midst of Winter, with great forces, and carry over Victuals, Artillery, and other necessaries for so great an action, the Alps being yet loaded with Snow: Especially when he should know that he would be opposed by the Duke of Savoy, who being joined in Forces and Intelligence with the Spaniards, was to resist him strongly at the Passes, which he kept well garrisoned and munited: hoping therefore that the fame of these great preparations would prove but talk, they continued the Siege: the scarcity of Victuals increased this their confidence, which scarcity being so great an impediment to their Forces who were masters and peaceful possessors of the State of Milan and of Piedmont, it would assuredly prove a much greater hindrance to the French if they should come into Italy, and have occasion to keep there; for a great conduct of Victuals being requisite to feed so great an Army, it would be impossible for the French to compass it, and consequently, the greater their numbers were which should pass the Alps, the easilier and the sooner they would be overcome merely by Famine: they therefore thought that this sole consideration should not only retard, but retain the fury of the French Forces, at least for this year; and that in the mean while the enterprise of Cassalle, undisturbed by any Foreign assistance, would be happily effected. The Court of Spain confiding in these difficulties did not only not make any necessary preparations for defence, but forbore to send the Duke the succours which they had promised, for the maintaining of Piedmont, and to oppose the French Forces: they forbore also to endeavour diversion, by the Pirenean Mountains, and by Burgony, and by secretly fomenting the Rebels in France, so to keep that King in work and busied with his home affairs, and consequently from meddling with those of Foreigners: the pretermission of which provisions did not only facilitate the resolution taken by the French, but did incite them to it; For the King being firm to his resolution, valued not any of the difficulties or contrary considerations, being confident to overcome them, and to make his way by the Sword. The fame of the mighty preparations of this Kingdom increasing greater than those of any of the preceding Kings, the Spaniards and the Duke, began at last to fear not only the success, but whatsoever might be the result of so great and so near an Army. The Duke and Governor were likewise much troubled for not having for a long time heard from the Court of Spain; for the Spaniards being jealous of France, through which the expresses used to pass, and the Sea not being open in Winter, people could not without much difficulty pass from Spain into Italy; and such had the ill fortune been, as three several Posts that had been sent from Spain, being driven by violent winds upon the Coast of Provence, were detained, and had their Letters intercepted: so as the deliberations of Italy depending much upon the results of that Court, the Duke and Governor knew not in such a perplexity of business what to do: nor was it only the scarcity of moneys and want of advertisement, which kept them from making any provision, but neither had they time to make new Levies of men for the necessary defence of the State of Milan, and for the Provisions for the Army before Cassalle, and for the Forces which were towards the Cremonese, and which were already much diminished: it was therefore thought the best expedient to beat up Drums in the State of Milan for Voluatiers, which might be sent to the Camp before Casalle, and afford commodity of drawing out the best Soldiery from thence, to bring them into the Field to oppose the enemy: which provision, though it proved not altogether vain, (for many being driven away by famine, and hoping to get away by inrolling themselves, and to get Ammunition-bread, which though very bad, was made desirable by reason of the great scarcity;) yet this being but a very slender provision to resist the great storm which threatened them, the affairs of that State and of Piedmont were reduced into great danger and necessity; and that the more, for that they heard the numbers of the Venetians were increased upon the Confines of Bergamo and Bressia; and that Nevers was ready to march out at the first news of the Frenches advancing, with about 8000 Foot, and 1200 Horse; and if either jointly, or separately they should assault the State of Milan, it was feared they might divert the Governors' Forces from opposing the French; and it was app●…ehended, that the Duke of Nevers, as he had threatened the preceding year, would pass into Montferrat and join with the King; for these respects the Governor went to Lod●…, and was forced to keep there, and to make a Magazine of Arms there against the Venetians, and ordered Francisco Pa●…aglia, who succeeded Montenegro, that abandoning the Fort of Piaden●…, which was built the year before upon the Territories of Mantua, and all the rest of the Territories of Cremona, he should bring the remainder of those men to defend Cremona only: he desired likewise, and obtained, a thousand men from the Duke of Parma; and 12 Galleys being come at that time from Naples to Genoa, with 2000 Foot, he could not make use of them, for it was necessary to keep them at Sea, to oppose them to the French Army, being ready prepared in Provence, which (was said) together with the ships that were expected at Marcelles from Rochel, would pass by Nizza into the River of Genoa; and that landing their men at Mentone near Monaco he would pass into Piedmont, or into the Seas near Savona, and would by that way take a shorter and more easy course to relieve Casalle: to this weak condition were the ●…fairs of the State of Milan reduced, against the Forces of so powerful an enemy; and it being impossible in so great straits to mind the relief of Piedmont, the Governor drew out 4000 of the best Foot that were before Casalle, to send them into those parts under the Conduct of Don jeronymo Agostini; and being afraid that the Venetians, who were joined in Arms and Intelligence with the French, might assault the State of Milan, he used means to the Duke of Tuscany, that he would intercede, and endeavour to make that Commonwealth forbear troubling the King of Spain's Dominions in these urgent occasions; on the other side, the Duke of Savoy, finding the weakness of his defence and succour, and seeing that his Dominions were likely first to endure the brunt, before those of the King of Spain, had first sent the Count of Verrua to the King of France, and afterwards his Son the Prince, to keep the Army from advancing, by making some composition with that King: suspending therefore his resolution till he saw what the event of these endeavours would be, he made Don jeronymo Agostini to forbear acting any thing with the Governors' Auxiliaries in the Territories of Asti: but the King being resolved to advance, referred the Prince of Piedmont to Cardinal Richlieu, with whom he treated upon several ways of composition; but not agreeing upon any one, they concluded a suspension of Arms for five days, till the Duke his Father might be advertised of what had past. The Duke seeing the King so resolved, began with great diligence to fortify Susa, by which way he perceived the King would march with his Army: the French had had experience how hard it was to separate the Genoeses from joining with Spain, by way of force; wherefore thinking now to make use of the present jealousies which were risen (as hath been said) and cunningly fomented, between the Commonwealth of Genoa, and the Crown of Spain, they applied themselves to increase these jealousies, which they began by Demonstrations and endeavours to the contrary, in good will and favour to the Genoeses, to try whether they could effect or no; wherefore the King being to send a Messenger to the Princes of Italy, to acquaint them with the ends and intentions of his coming; he dispatched away Monsieur di Land, commanding him that when he should be come to Genoa, he should not only free those Senators from any apprehension of danger which they might apprehend by his coming; but that he should promise them in his name all assistance against any who should go about to infringe their public liberty: which being done, that he should immediately go to Mantua, and from thence to Venice, to acquaint that Duke and that Commonwealth with his coming: which he assured them should, at the furthest, be by the 25th of March: wherefore the Duke of Nevers marching into the Field on the day appointed, assaulted Cassalle the greater, the last Town of the Dukedom of Milan lying towards Mantua; and taking it after some little resistance made by the Townsmen, he sacked it, and (staying there a while) brought the neighbouring Towns under contribution: he afterwards went to Sabioneta a strong Castle, which holds in Fee of the Emperor, but took it not, being stoutly resisted by a Garrison of the Parmiggiani, who were sent thither at the Emperor's request by the Duke of Parma, The King of France, in this interim, having sent precise Orders to the Duke of Guise, Lieutenant General of the Army of Provence, and to the Marquis of Coure, Guise's Marshal and Lieutenant, to march along into Italy coasting by the Sea side, he went himself in person by the Alps, towards Piedmont, with the Van, which consisted of about 12000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, the greatest part of them being of the French Nobleses; and having overcome the passage of Mongeveura, he fell, on the sixth of March, into the Valley of Susa; where the Duke of Savoy having cut a great Trench upon the way by which the King was to pass, half a mile beyond Susa, he had placed the Campmaster Bellona there to defend it with his Brigade; and behind Bellona stood the Duke prepared, with the main body of his men; amongst which were the Governor of Milans men, under Don jeronymo Agostini, who was fetched but a little before from l' Astigiana; and the King having possessed himself of the tops of the Mountains, which were all covered over with snow, commanded some companies of the Fore-lorne-hope to assault the Duke's Trench; who not meeting with much resistance, (for Bellone's men were raw and unexperienced Soldiers) took it at the first assault: afterwards increasing in numbers by other people, who came in into them, they assaulted the station where the Duke was with the main body of his Army; here the conflict was somewhat greater; but such was the continual confluence of French, who continually came in, as the defendants not being able to resist their fury, were forced to give back, and to retreat towards Auvigliana, nine miles towards Turin, leaving Susa in the King's possession; which being taken, was by the Kings express command preserved from sacking and from all other violence: many of both sides died in this conflict, nine Colours of Bellone's Brigade were taken by the King, and about 80 Prisoners; amongst which many Captains, who were presently by the King set at liberty: the Duke ran great hazard in his own person, and Don jeronymo Augustini was unhorsed. At the same time the Provence Army, consisting of about 15000 Foot, having brought some Artillery in Barks from Marselles, came near to Nizza, or Nice; and having sent a Trumpet to Don Felice, the Duke's natural Son, and Governor of that City, to demand free passage thorough that County, he was answered, It was not in his power to grant it without leave from his Father; he therefore had time allowed him to know his Father's pleasure; and the mean while the Army passed over the Varo, a little River, which descending from the Alps, and falling into the Sea two miles beyond that City, divides Italy from France in that part. At the same time that the Army having passed over the Varo, spread itself along upon the Shore of Nice, the Neopolitan Galleys coming from Genoa, with some other Galleys of Doria's store, played upon the French Squadrons as they marched towards Nice; to avoid which danger the French went more inward into the land, and being free from the shot of the Enemy, which could not reach them, the Galleys retreated towards Villa Franca, where they landed about a thousand Foot, who taking some Stations near the French, had some Skirmishes with them, at a great distance off, and of no great importance; till news being come to Nice of the Agreement made between the King and Duke of Savoy at Susa, they forbore all hostility; and the Galleys taking in their Soldiers, returned to Genoa. The Duke finding, after the unfortunate success at Susa, what a tempest over-hung his Dominions, and the State of Milan, thought it better to stop so great a ruin by Agreement, then to hazard the total business with so weak and unseasonable opposition; he therefore sent the Princess, his Son's wife, and Sister to the King, to Susa, that by her near relation in blood, and by the grace and favour which she received from the King, she might appease her Brother's anger; and sending the Prince after her, he by their means came to a Treaty of Agreement; which being at last set down, was after much debate stipulated by the Cardinal of Richelieu on the King's behalf, and by the Prince in his Father's Name, in form following. That the Duke should give free passage to the King's people whensoever it should be requisite for the relief of Cassalle, and Montferrat; and should also furnish them for their moneys with Victuals and Munition, for the maintaining of the King's Army, and of Cassalle: That he should promise that the Governor of Milan should rise within four days from before Cassalle, and should withdraw his men from Montferrat, freeing that City and that State from the King of Spain's Garrisons, and should leave the possession thereof free to the Duke of Mantua; together with an express promise from the Governor, in the King of Spain 's Name, That for the future he should not molest the States of Mantua, nor Montferrat; and that the King of Spain should ratify this Agreement within six weeks: That the Duke of Savoy should put 15000 Quarters of Victuals into Cassalle, and should restore all the Towns that he had taken in Montferrat, except Trino, and so many other Towns as should be worth 15000 Crowns yearly Rend, answerable, as he said, to what Nevers had promised him before the present War; and, That this should be by him acknowledged to be in full satisfaction of all that he, the Duke of Savoy, could pretend unto in Montferrat; That he should assign over Susa, and the Castle of St Francisco, to the King, for pawn of performing what was agreed upon; in which Forts the King should put a Garrison of Swissers, which should swear to restore them to the Duke when these Articles should be by him observed: That notwithstanding; it should be lawful for the Duke to keep all the Towns he had taken in Montferrat, till such time as those Forts, together with the Town of Susa, should be restored unto him: That the King should promise (as he did) not to molest the King of Spain 's Dominions, nor those of his Confederates; That he should take the Duke of Savoy into his protection, in case he should be assaulted upon this or any other account, by any whatsoever Potentate: That in case the King of Spain should refuse to ratify these Conventions, or should not observe them after they were ratified, the Duke should join with the King of France, to force the King of Spain to ratify and observe them. Moreover, there was one thing more Articled, which contained a League and Confederacy between the King of France, Duke of Savoy, the Pope, Venetians, and the Duke of Nevers, in defence of the quiet possession of each others Dominions. The first Article being agreed upon, it was immediately sent away to the Duke of Savoy; who calling to Council Don jeronymo Augustino, and Count jovan Serbellone, the King of Spain's and the Governors' Officers, consulted with them, whether they ought to be accepted of, or no? And the urgency of the present condition prevailing with all of them, over the utility and honour of the common Forces, it was resolved they should be accepted of: But the Duke not herewithal satisfied, would send the Commendatore jovan Thomaso Pesero, his first Secretary of State, to the Governor, to know his pleasure more precisely, who, though with an ill will, yielding to necessity, consented to it. Thus the first Articles being subscribed by the Duke, the Siege of Cassalle was raised, and the King's Forces retreated to Montferrat; which State was also freed from the Spanish Forces at the very appearance of the King's Person. The Duke sent forthwith about 1500 Quarters of Corn into Cassalle, as part of a greater quantity by him promised; and gave passage to 3000 Foot, and 250 Horse, which were sent under Monsieur di Toras, into the lower Palatinate. As for the other Article, touching the League, the Duke made many excuses to keep from under-writing it; and being afterwards free from the imminent danger, utterly denied to do it: He went soon after himself to kiss the King's Hand, and was upon the way met by the King half a mile from Susa, who pretended he was going to hunt; they both of them turned back; the meeting was full of reverence and submission on the Duke's part, who was received with much honour by the King; the Duke striving by all seeming artifice, wherewith he was naturally very well endued, not only to appease the King, but to win upon his genius, and to captivate his good will. Thus by the Duke's dexterity and cunning many thought that the greatest force of France that had for many years past the Alps was stopped; which finding Italy unprovided of defence might easily have overrun it, to the universal ruin, and particularly to the danger of the State of Milan. But the Duke his having after his opposition found the King rather gracious and favourable then angry and incensed; his having received honours, rewards, satisfaction, and recompense, instead of revenge and resentment; his having by these agreements provided well enough for himself, and suffered the interests of the Crown of Spain to be prejudiced, afforded much talk and murmuring against him, not only by the Princes of Italy, who were displeased with his being reconciled to the King of Spain, which was contrary to the common Interest, but even in the Court of Spain by those that envied the Conde Duca's favour with the King; who finding it to continue, strove to make it appear, that the Duke's reconciliation to the King of Spain, wherein he was assisted, and which was effected by the Conde Duca, was a cheat to the King, and pernicious to the Interest of the Crown: They said that it was he, the Duke of Savoy, who (as might be gathered by many conjectures) had made the way plain for the King of France to enter Italy, by his secret Intelligence held with the Court of France: That it was he, who having covenanted for, and secured unto himself the retention of a good part of Montferrat, had beforehand promised not to oppose him in that Enterprise, having therein no respect to the Interest of Spain, or to the honour of the Spanish Forces, by which he had got such a part of Montferrat, and with which he was but a little before confederated: That this was the faith of this Prince, this the fruit of that reconciliation: For otherwise, how would the King of France have dared to hazard his total reputation and glory which he had won in so many home actions, and particularly in his late Victory at Rochel, in so cold a season, against so many difficulties of steep and craggy Mountains; and as yet covered over with snow; and all this only for the freeing of a Town that was not in his Kingdom, nor did not any ways belong to him? To this end, they said that the Duke opposed his worst armed men, to withstand the first violence of the most resolute and formidable of the French; which was the cause why there was so little fight, and why the strong Pass of Susa was rather abandoned then stoutly defended: That the Governor, nor other Spanish Agents that were in Turin, had not consented to those Articles, otherwise then as they were enforced by the Duke's peremptory will; who consulting with them in very positive and resolute terms, bereft them of the freedom of Election; and that protesting that these Agreements were the only remedy against the imminent ruin of the State, he tacitly threatened, that unless they would consent thereunto, they would force him to accept thereof without them, and by joining with the French, to provide the best he could for the safety of his own In erest; so as they consented to what he would, to keep the King's Affairs from falling into a worse condition. And so far did these murmurings prevail, as the very French being more desirous to make the Duke be suspected in the Court of Spain then zealous of their King's glory, did by their outward demonstrations confirm what was said in his discredit. But it was not probable that the Duke by this Agreement should so much to his own disadvantage part with what he was to expect from the friendship of Spain; especially when he was known to be naturally very desirous of making new acquisitions, and very tenacious of what he had. The loss of Susa did yet more gainsay these objections, it being a place of great importance by reason of its situation, and of greater profit than any other Town of Piedmont, for the Customs which the Fairs that are held there do yield, and which are had for the Transportation of Merchandise which pass to and fro between France and Italy; which that he should willingly grant unto the King, and commit so great a fault, was too far from being believed by any that was but indifferently wise; for what Reason would admit, that by the loss of that advantageous place, which was one of the gates of Piedmont, and of Italy, he should willingly make himself subject to the King of France, and be less valued by the Italians and Spaniards. To this may be added, That when in the preceding years the Duke was assaulted by the powerful Armies of Spain, and was consequently in great need of being sustained by the French, yet would he never grant them so much as any one Tower in Piedmont; and how was it likely that upon this present occasion he should agree to yield them a place of such importance, before he was assaulted? The Fortification also made at Avigliana, whilst they were treating of agreement; the Artillery which were brought thither after the Capitulation, the King looking on; his having always for his own defence entertained Spanish Auxiliaries, as they were actions of much diffidence, not to say contumacy, towards the King, and therefore much to be resented by the French; so they seem forceable arguments against that intelligence and collusion which would fain have been proved to have been between him and the French: And yet, as men incline naturally to sinister interpretations, though the Court of Spain hearing these bad tidings, and maturely considering the state of affairs did approve of the Duke's actions, and rejecting vain rumours caused three Pays to be paid unto him beforehand by their Factors in Genoa, of 25000 Crowns a piece, which were granted him for the expenses of these present occasions; yet the contrary impression not being to be removed, most thought that that Court had dissembled more according to necessity and to the conveniency of the present occurrences, then done upon any real and intimate belief; as if it were not consistent with the King's Interests, by unseasonable distrust and resentment totally to alienate the Duke from them, but by the contrary appearing well satisfied, not only to keep him their friend at such a pinch, but to oblige him still more by new benefits to keep still the more united and better inclined to the affairs of the Crown. This is evidently apparent in so great variety of opinions, and may be affirmed, that the Duke thinking upon new agreements, which by the Mediation of his Son the Prince were to be accorded, demanded 4000 Foot, and a certain number of Horse, of the Governor, and in his absence of Don Philippo Spinola, which at the beginning of this War were promised him, in case he were assaulted in Piedmont by the Arms of France; which demand being made when the Army before Casalle was in greater want of men then ever it had been, he wished they might not be granted him, that by that denial he might have a fair pretence to forego friendship with Spain, and to abandon the Cause, which till then he held in common with that Crown: And that when Spinola had punctually satisfied his demand, and sent the men, contrary to the Duke's expectation, he was troubled at their coming; which made him not only make them keep upon the Confines, but by hard usage endeavoured to make them return back: but when he saw his Counsels prevented by the King of France his speed, he speedily summoned them in to his defence against the King's Army which he saw came suddenly upon him, and by their help made what defence so short a time, and the imminent necessity could permit him to make; for though there was no collusion in the conflict at Susa; yet the unseasonable demand made by the Spanish Agents, the little satisfaction he seemed to receive by their coming, the preceding Negotiations, and the Conclusion of the subsequent Agreement; show that the Duke was much more inclined to embrace friendship with France upon new terms, than (according to the observance of his Ancestors) to keep union with the Crown of Spain: But it may be said that the then so dangerous condition of Affairs forced the Duke to put on this resolution; and it being usual with Princes to make all change lawful, not only when their State is in danger, but where they may better, or increase their condition, there was not any one that blamed the Duke's Counsels, nor his Actions. How ever it was, the King of France his name was generally exalted to the skies throughout all Italy, in several Writings and Composures; they said he deservedly merited the title of Just, for having assisted an oppressed Prince; the title of powerful, for that he had opposed himself in Arms to the oppressors; of generous Protector, because without any private end or interest, nay with such inconveniency to his own affairs, with so much trouble and hazard of his own person, he could not tolerate the oppression of a Prince who was his friend. Some praised the speed of his advancing, others the undaunted execution, others his miraculous happy success: they wondered how so many difficulties of the season, Alps, sterility, and opposition, yielded to his fortunate Arms and Genius: how he had had the courage, being tired both himself and Army in hardships undergone before Rochel, to pass armed over the Alps in the midst of Winter, and to come into Italy, to free her from imminent slavery, and to assist his Petitioner in his greatest extremity: they could not comprehend how at his only presence so many Forces, such preparations of Arms, and so many Plots against a Client of his Crown, should vanish just like a shadow before the Sun: some called him the Protector of the oppressed; others, the avenger of the liberty of Italy; and expecting greater proceedings from such a beginning, they promised unto themselves great alterations: almost all the Princes of Italy sent Ambassadors to him; partly to congratulate his so happy success, and to thank him for having freed them from the imminent slavery they apprehended, if Casalle should be taken; partly to purchase his favour, in case, as it was much feared, he had any further intentions than the freeing of Cassalle, and that he might not prejudice their Dominions: some, and particularly the Venetians, to incite him (as it was said) to advance further with his Arms, offering to join their Forces and Intelligence with him, against the Spaniards, with whom they were very ill satisfied in what concerned the Valtoline, and this new commotion against Montferrat: but the King did soon free all men from such suspicions; and by his sudden and unexpected resolution broke off the thread of his so prosperous Fortune; for on the last of April he returned into France, leaving the Cardinal and chief Officers of the Court in Susa; not tarrying till the business of Montferrat should be ratified from Spain, but leaving the things unconcluded and unperfect, for which he had with so great fervour and preparation entered Italy. The Cardinal and the rest soon followed after the King; leaving Marshal Cricky in Susa, supreme Governor of the affairs of Italy with 6000 Foot, and 500 Horse, The occasion of this so sudden and so unexpected departure was variously interpreted; some allotting it to the King's vivacity of spirit, some to his moderation; as if content with having freed his Friend, with having secured peace to Italy, and to so many Princes, (who apprehended the contrary) he had with a Princelike magnanimity let the world see, not only how just his thoughts were, but how moderate and content, upon such an occasion, and so great an opportunity of affairs; and how far he was from dreaming of novelties, or of disturbing the public peace: but these specious pretences not being able to prevail with those who could have desired more constancy and resolution in the King, and much less with those who desirous of novelty had conceived great hopes by the Kings coming, the French gave out, that the Duke of Rouen, head of the Hugonots in France, seeing his party ruined by the loss of Rochel, and that he could not get ready help to sustain himself from Spain, whither he had dispatched Messengers of purpose, by reason of the great scarcity of moneys, began to cry Peccavi, and would render obedience to the King: which because it was likely to put a final end to the troubles of France, was of so great moment to the King's affairs, as that, all other enterprises set aside; it forced him to return to secure them: which though by the soon ensuing accidents appeared might be true, yet not being then believed, it was not sufficient to maintain the reputation of the French Forces, which being but a little before formidable to Italy, by reason of so prosperous success, began after the King's departure to decline; and the rather for that it was soon known, that it was a new tumult of the Hugonots, who had fortified themselves in the Mountains of Auvergnia, and not Roans surrender, which had forced the King to return thither to suppress them. This the Kings so sudden departure afforded also occasion of belief (and this was afterwards judged to be the truest cause) that the King was come into Italy with far smaller Forces than fame gave out; which not being fit for new enterprises, he had done more wisely to content himself with the glory which he had won, then to hazard the loss thereof by falling upon new enterprises. But be it what it would that occasioned the King's departure, it sufficiently lessened the reputation of the King's Forces; and, on the contrary, the Spaniards, who seemed to be totally quelled, began out of these respects and other favourable accidents, to hold up their heads. The Duke of Savoy, though he appeared publicly to stand to the Articles of Susa, yet not being pleased with the loss of that place, and with the restitution of most that he had got, was negligent in furnishing the Citadel of Casalle with the rest of the Victuals promised; and being much troubled that the Pass upon the Alps had been forced from him, and that he was thereby fallen from that reputation by which he covered to be thought to hold the Keys of Italy in his hand, and that it was he alone who could either keep out the French, or let them in, as he listed; desired to regain his former reputation: to which purpose he used all his best skill: he fomented the Rebellion of the Hugonots in France, and wavering in his friendship with the French, see●…ed better inclined to the Spaniards, by whom he was to get the greatest part of Montferrat. At this time the Plate-feets returned to Spain with above ten Millions of money; and the King, urged by necessity, detained above a Million and a half of moneys more than what came to his share, which belonged to private Merchants; an Argument which proved clearly that he was far from accepting the Articles of Susa; and desirous to repair so great a blow given to his reputation, and to the safety of his Domimons: nor did his Agents in Italy desire it less than he; for the Duke of Alva, as soon as he had heard what had happened in Piedmont, and of the lofs and Capitulations of Susa, he sent Thomaso Caracciola from Naples with a Galley to Genoa, to the end that going thence to Milan, he might hearten the Governor with an offer of 20000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, and of 700000 Ducats, which were ready at his service in that Kingdom. But the Emperor's sudden resolution made all men chiefly wonder; who having till now proceeded rather by exhortations, citations, and in a judiciary way, with the Duke of Nevers, then by Arms or Military expeditions, and who moreover had appeared averse to the Governors late action; as soon as he heard of the King of France his coming into Italy, and of the Articles of Susa, and of the Duke of Nevers his contumacy, who with so little respect to the Imperial Majesty, Sovereign Lord of the Dukedom of Milan, was entered thereinto in hostile manner, and had committed acts of hostility in Casalle maggiore, he thought himself so highly injured in his dignity and right of the Sacred Empire, as he immediately ordered Count Merodes to go into Italy with 36000 Foot, and 8000 Horse, of those who were quartered in Alsatia, Tyrvolo, and the parts thereabouts, under Colalto, Caprain of the Cesasian Forces in Alsatia; which Order Merodes readily obeyed; and having taken Stainc, which was but badly provided, he came unexpectedly to Coira and Mainfold, two of the chiefest of the Grisons Country; which being unprovided for so sudden an assault, were easily forced to receive him in: falling from hence with his Van, which consisted of 10000 Foot, into Chiavenna and the Valtoline, he drew near the State of Milan, intending to pass on farther, as the Governor should direct him. The Governor, fearing the French Forces, and not being willing to innovate any thing contrary to the Articles agreed upon, did not only make 3000 Foot, which were sent him readily from Naples, stay in the Haven at Genoa, but made the Dutch tarry in Chiavenna and in the Valtoline, till he should receive new Orders from Spain; and in the mean while furnished them with Victuals, and other things necessary. The Court of Spain was much troubled at the business of Susa; but encouraged by so many good chances, she resolved not to sit down by such an affront; and neither refusing nor allowing the Articles of Susa, took a middle way; wherein the King declared, that if Susa might be restored, and Montferrat put into its former condition, and the French Forces should forgo Italy, he would not molest Montferrat by Arms: the condition was hard, for besides the uncertainty of performance, it did almost deprive the King of all the advantage of his Victory; wherefore the King of Spain thinking it would not be accepted, knew it would be requisite for him to provide some sufficient person to repair the affairs of Italy; therefore instead of Don Gonzalo, with whom that Court was very ill satisfied, he chose the Marquis Spinola; who being come some months before from Flanders to Madrid, kept still there about some private, and public business; and furnishing him with almost two Millions, part in ready money, part in very good assignments, and conferring upon him all supreme Authority and free Arbitrement as could be conferred upon any one, to make war or conclude peace; he sent him to be Governor of Milan, to the end that he might either compound the present affairs upon honourable conditions; or repairing the late disorders by Arms, he might restore the Affairs of the Crown to their former Dignity and Safety. The End of the Tenth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK XI. The Contents. THe Articles of Susa not being observed forceth the King of France to prepare a new Army for Italy. Marquis Spinola, the new Governor of Milan, sends men into Montferrat: of all which he makes himself master, except Cassalle; whether the French, abandoning the rest of Montferrat, withdraw themselves. The Cesarian Army falls into Italy, under Count Collalto: and entering the Territories of Mantua, possess themselves of almost all the Towns of that Dukedom; and sitting down about the Suburbs of Mantua, take some of them: they afterwards fall to oppugn Porto, but quit it by reason of the excessive cold weather. The Duke of Savoy professing neutrality, Negotiates with both parties, and endeavours to sell his friendship as dear as he can. The French Army falls into Piedmon●…, conducted by Cardinal Richelieu; who being kept very scarce of Victuals, Quarters, and other Necessaries, by the Duke of Savoy, breaks with him, and going to Pinarola, takes it, and some of the adjacent Towns. Marquis Spinola and Collalto come with Forces to assist the Duke, whither also comes Cardinal Barbarino, the Pope's Legate, to treat of peace: which not being to be made, Collalto returns to Mantua; and Spinola sits down before Cassalle. The Legate returns to Bolognia, and Cardinal Richelieu to France; by whose departure the French Army is weakened; being reinforced it endeavours to relieve C●…ssalle, but being opposed by the Duke cannot do it; wherefore being forced to keep beyond the Po, it meets with various fortunes, and takes so Castles. The Siege of Cassalle proceeds with much difficulty. The ●…ge of Mantua is brought to 〈◊〉 ●…lend; for, not being relieved by the V●…ns, who were routed by the Dutch at Vallegio, and being consumed by the Plague, it is at last taken and sacked. The Duke of Savoy dies at Savigliano. THe busines●…-of Mo●…ferrat, which by reason of the Duke of Nevers●…is ●…is ●…eaknes, b●… the far ●…stance and ●…ifficulty of succour, and by ●…eason of the power and greatness of the S●…anish Forces, being joined to those of Germany and Piedmont, was at first thought a thing which might easily be effected, of no moment, and which would cause but little alteration; when it had brought the Arms of France and Germany int●… Italy, be●…un to be held the seed of future evils, and of greater perturbations ●…en any that had preceded; for the King of France being with such manifest Demonstrations engaged in the defence and protection of his Friend and Client; and fortune having so smiled upon him at the first, it was not to be doubted, that he would forbear the pros●…tion thereof, but that ●…e would employ all the Forces of ●…is Kingdom●… making good the Art●…les of Susa, which had been a●…eed unto, so ●…uch to ●…is glory. O●… the other si●…e, the Emperor ●…inking that 〈◊〉 Honour, and the Majesty of the ●…acred Empire would be too much concerned, if he should suffer his Decrees and Commandments to be overborne by the contumacy and disobedience of a vassal, assisted by Foreign Forces; and that the French should arrogate that Jurisdiction and Imperial Authority to themselves which did absolutely depend upon him; it was not likely neither that he should ever appease himself, till he should see his Imperial Authority restored to its former condition and reputation, by the suppressing of his contumacious vassal, and by the abolishment of the Articles of Susa. The almost equal fortune of these two Princes terrified the whole world: who after signal Victories, had just at this time, happily and miraculously settled the Domestic Affairs, and brought them into security and obedience, by the former total suppression of the Rebels of his Kingdom, and the other by reuniting the Princes of Germany, by the peace of Lubeck, made between him and the King of Denmark, and the rest of the Germane Princes who had confederated themselves together in behalf of the Prince Elector Palatine: so as both of them being free from intestine troubles, they were at leisure to bend the whole Forces of their Dominions upon this sole enterprise; and what added wonder to all the mischances was, that it seemed that the same fortune having thrown open the Gates of Italy unto them at the same time, and made the way plain for them to come thither, did not only lead them by the hand, but drive them on by a favourable gale; There was not any of so mean an understanding, who did not foresee, nor of so inhuman sense, who did not deplore the unfortunate sat of Italy, which being destined the miserable seat of War, was exposed to all those evils and calamities which would flow out into her bosom from those two Nations; Nor was it to be believed, that the Spaniards who were the chief occasion of these present commotions, and who were engaged in this enterprise, not only in point of Honour, but of interest, would by giving way to the Duke of Nevers his Solicitors suffer so great an affront as he had received by the Articles of Susa; but that, on the contrary, being as the soul of so great an enterprise, he was to make it good with all the force and power of his Crown: but the danger was yet greater of Italie's being enslaved by the Austrean Arms, if getting the better of the Duke of Nevers, they should become Masters of his Dominions; and as the thought hereof did much perplex the very souls of the Italian Princes, so was it necessary for them to betake themselves to the best remedies for this threatening evil; it was known what foundation they might lay upon the favour and assistance of France of the unfortunate success of their union with that King of late years upon the occasion of the Valtoline, and by the peace of Monzone, concluded so little to their satisfaction; and yet not having any better resolution to put on at the present, made it appear not only necessary unto them, but the great concernments of that King in these present occurrences: and the better occasion he had to persevere therein by the now quiet and entire obedience of his Kingdom made it seem more assured, since the occasions being removed, the impediments must needs also be taken away, which might cross him in the business of Italy; the chief point concerning that total of the present Affairs; seemed to depend upon the Duke of Savoy's resolution, who if he should observe the Articles of Susa, and keep firm to the common cause, would secure the preservation of Casalle, and therewith the liberty of Italy; And if he should not observe them, but join with the Austrean Forces, the common cause and the liberty of Italy would be much endangered, and Casalle, Montferrat, and Mantua, would be apparently lost; the Duke was not ignorant how requisite his friendship was to both parties; and that he might make his best advantage thereby, he held them both in hand, making them sometimes hope well in him, sometimes to suspect how he might be inclined; when he but indifferently succoured the Citadel of Casalle, he excused himself to the Spaniards, upon the necessity of keeping his promise, upon the fear he stood in of the French which were very strong in Piedmont, and upon the slender supplies sent thither, which not being sufficient long to supply the Soldiery that were there, would not much import the main business when it should be taken; He sometimes said that victuals were privately stolen in thither, by means either of the Subjects, or of the French; that it was impossible for him to block up the Avenues so, but that relief would be brought in contrary to his will and orders; On the other side, he strove to satisfy the French of his will, and of his constancy in observing his promise, by his continuing to send in provisions, and by promising to do so still: that which was conjectured might be his chiefest aim, was, that he sent but small supplies into Casalle, to the end that if it should be lost, and should fall into the Spaniards hands, it might not prove too prejudicial to him; and that supplying it, though but sl●…nderly, it might be known that it lay in his power, either to suffer that place to be lost, (whereon he knew that all men's eyes were set,) or else to preserve it: so as he might be looked upon by all men, as the absolute Arbitrator in so chief a business. Others were of opinion, that keeping both the parties doubtful of what the sequel might be, he might have occasion to treat of demolishing the Citadel, lest it might fall unto the contrary party, which might prove much to his prejudice: he also (that he might depend less upon the French, and that the Spaniards might conceive the better of him) fortified and munited Avigliana very strongly, placing 8000. men there in Garrison, to the end that it might be a good Bulwark against the French, which might exclude them from Casalle, and might make their having of Susa very little advantageous to them; so as he might still be held to be the same thing which he coveted to be, before the business of Susa, & pretend that it lay in his power to keep out, or to let in the French, and so he might make himself the more necessary to each of the parties: and consequently meet with the better dealing in his demands and pretensions, which he reduced to their accustomed vastness; to the getting of a good part of Montferrat, and to the state of Genova: which having once aspired unto, he thought that as he did desire it, so of reason it did belong unto him, to boot with the great sums of money which he demanded from the Spaniards for the maintenance of the War, and of the French for victuals and the passage of their men; As for Montferrat, arbitrators were already chosen on the King of France his behalf, on his own, and on Nevers his behalf, to rate his Lands which were allotted him by the Articles of Susa, instead of 14000 Ducats; but the Arbitrators when they met differed upon the Rates, so as the arbitrement could not as then be ended; the Duke pretended that the Lands should be valued according as they were anciently, when he first made his pretenosins, and not according to their present estimation; and the one being incomparably greater than the other, it swallowed up as much of Montferrat as he was to have had by the division made with the Spaniards; and thinking that the French, by reason of the necessity of his joining with them, aught to satisfy him herein in as full a measure as the Spaniards had done, he was very obstinate in his pretences; On the contrary side, Nevers having exclaimed much against that part of the Articles of Susa, whereby he lost so much of Montferrat, and the Agents deputed by him reclaiming yet more against so high, and so unexpected pretences; The French (who was in the middle between them) thought that if it should be consented unto, their King's Protection would seem to incline rather to the oppressing, then to the maintaining of his Client: Wherefore they opposed the Duke of Savoy, whereat the Duke being very much distasted, and imputing it to the small good will the Court of France had to determine this happiness; to the end, (as he said) to keep the longer from restoring Susa, he exceedingly complained, and was more reserved in obse●…ving the things agreed upon: but much greater obstacles appeared in the other point, which concerned the state of Genoa; for some distastes and diffidence having passed, as you have heard, between that Commonwealth and the Crown of Spain, which upon some fresh accidents were renewed, the Court of France made account to get more advantage thereby. The King, before his march, had sent (as you have heard) Monsieur di Land into Italy; who being come to Genoa, did not only secure the Commonwealth from any hostile acts, but offered all favour and assistance to them in the King's Name, against whosoever should go about to insidiate their Liberties. The Commonwealth doubting lest after the Victory and Articles of Susa some nearer conjunction might be made between the Duke and the King, to her prejudice, she thought herself bound to answer the fair respects the King had used to her; wherefore Augustine Palavicino, who was afterwards chosen Doge, was sent Ambassador from the Commonwealth unto the King, to thank him for the good will he seemed to bear unto them, and to desire him to continue the like favourable inclination towards them still; and to pass the usual terms of Compliment with him: The Commonwealth was the more inclined to send this Embassy, for that Don Gonzallo, when he saw the Enterprise of Montferrat given over, thought the affairs of Italy to be in a desperate condition; he wished the Commonwealth to provide for themselves the best they could; And yet the fear of the French Forces ceasing by the King of France his return, the Court of Spain, which could have desired that constancy and resolution in the Commonwealth which she found not in their Agent, seemed displeased with this Embassy; which being the first that was sent by any of the Italian Princes, seemed as if the Commonwealth would at the very first stormy blast have first of all wavered in her ancient Friendship. Monsieur di Sabran's going to Genoa, (who was sent thither by the King of France, in appearance to treat of the safety of coveying Victuals, which he was to send from Provence to Montferrat; but in effect to tarry there as his resident) increased this their displeasure. It was an ancient custom of the Commonwealth, to entertain no Ambassador in Ordinary, save only from Spain; and if at any time the Genoese had been desired by the Pope, or by the King of France, to give residence to their Ambassador, they had always appeared backward in it, out of self-interest. Sabran being upon this occasion received at first, and having his expenses discharged, as the King's Agent, after some months kept open house in Genoa, intending to reside there; at which the Spaniards began to murmur; for their King pretended and demanded of the Commonwealth, That they should not entertain any one in their City who was an Agent for the King of France. The Commonwealth did in part admit, and in part not admit of the King's demands: for as for their receiving him as Ambassador, or Agent from the King of France, being loath to alter their ancient institutions, they ordered, That he should not be received as such, either publicly or privately; but as for excluding him from living in the City, if he would tarry there as a private man, they would not do so; it being too much contrary to the common liberty of Nations to inhibit any one to live in a free City, which for the greatness of Traffic was open to all Nations, and in particular to the French: And as to exclude him only from being a servant to the King of France, was too apparent an affront to that Crown; so to do it at the King of Spain's demand, would not be without a blemish to their reputation, and without prejudice to the liberty of the Commonwealth, as if they had done it by the King of Spain's command: And yet the Court of Spain holding for certain, that whatsoever business Sabran did negotiate in Genoa as a private man, thought that the Commonwealth did by this declaration satisfy the King of France in effect, and him but in show; and he thought himself highly offended; as if to undertake new Intelligence with the King of France, chiefly in a time when the Italians in general, and particularly those of Genoa, were molested by France, was a beginning to fall off from their ancient union and good correspondency with him: And the less satisfied the Court of Spain seemed to be by these proceedings, the more did the Court of France hope to lay new foundations of entertaining new Intelligence with the Genoeses; and was so far from thinking of offending them, as she offered all the favour and Forces of France to defend the Liberties of that Commonwealth against any whomsoever: The Duke of Savoy finding therefore, that his plots against the Genoeses were not well listened unto by the French, complained, That the Commonwealths Interest was preferred before his, and before the promises made him in Susa: Being therefore angry that these his drifts did not succeed prosperously in that Court, he endeavoured by no favourable demonstrations to the French, to withdraw from favouring the Interests of the Commonwealth; and finding that their proceedings were not well received in the Court of Spain, he thought they might produce some good effects to him; he therefore professed more constancy to that Court: But neither did his designs prove successful there; for that King nor Court would not upon any sleight occasions, to please the Duke, take off their favour from the Commonwealth; and they abhorred any innovation which might tend to the prejudice of their good correspondency and intelligence held with the Genoese: as also because Marquis Spinola being come, with thoughts as high as was his Authority, into Italy, and endeavouring by all the means he could to restore the Kings grandezza to its ancient condition, would not imitate his Predecessor, who, with little honour to the King's Affairs, had seconded the Dukes will too much; being therefore rigid in his resolutions, and seeming to depend only upon himself in the Administration of the King's business, he did profess not only not to be governed by the Duke, but thought to bring him over to his mode; and suspecting the Duke's intentions and actions, he was very cautious and reserved in believing him, or in doing any thing whereby he might be forced to submit to his will, and quit his own power; and even in the usual payment of moneys, which were granted him to make preparations for the imminent War, as also in sending him men to defend Piedmont, he was very reserved, notwithstanding the Dukes many pressures: Wherefore the Duke finding that neither of the Courts did much favour his designs, he suspended his resolutions; and carrying himself the best he could to both of them, he waited till occasion and time might make his conjunction and actions more desirable than they were at the present, that he might sell them at the dearer rate, according as the urgency of occasions might make them more requisite. The Court of Spain being wholly intent upon the business of Cassalle, that they might divert France, resolved to assault the French on the confines of Catalognia, and that the Emperor should send his Army to the Confines of that Kingdom, on the side of Lorrein; and to his purpose the King of Spain had sent the Duke of Feria with 1000 Horse and 4000 Foot to Barcelona, with order to raise more Foot there, and to enter with them into Languedock, and Provence; and the Emperor had commanded the Duke of Fritland, the Captain General of his Forces, to prepare to enter France with stout Forces on the side of Germany: And there was no doubt but that the King of France, being held work by these assaults, as he had been the preceding year by the business of Rochel, could not have sent much aid into Italy to back the Duke of Nevers in his Affairs; so as it was likely that the Enterprises of Montferrat and Mantua being attempted by the Spanish, Dutch, and by the Savoyards, could not but succeed well. Notwithstanding Spinola, who was come into the State of Milan about the end of August, with ample Authority, as hath been said, to treat both of Peace and War, bethought himself of many things which withdrew him from thinking upon the uncertain events of the present War, to mind the surer counsels of Peace: He saw that the State of Milan, which was the chief foundation and prop of the War, was so exhausted as it could not long sustain the weight of a new War; That Mantua and Cassalle being very strong, the former made so by the waters, and natural situation, the other by Art and Fortifications, the besieging of them would prove a business of length, and of doubtful event: That the enterprise was hateful in the sight of men, suspicious to the Princes of Italy, and generally detested by the whole world: That the French were resolved to defend those Dominions, and ready to pass over the Alps again: That small Forces were able to withstand what there was but little hopes of getting, though with great expense, and preparatioon of Arms. The Duke of Savoy's various and uncertain genius did confound him, on whose Friendship and Union nothing could be surely grounded, but a continual profusion of Moneys to feed him with, whilst the danger was far off; That when they should draw nearer, his Friendship would be more dangerous than advantageous, as might appear by the last years example, which he could not but think upon. But that which in appearance should have encouraged him most, did most trouble him: The more powerful the German Army was, the more formidable did it appear to him, and the more dangerous for the King's Affairs; for though if they should join with him they would undoubtedly prove a great assistance to him in that enterprise, yet did he rather fear than confide in them, by reason of the pride, arrogancy, and greediness of that Nation, which is naturally unsatiable, impatient of military discipline, and inclined to mutiny, which might occasion sad accidents in the heat of War. To this was added the intolerable expense required to maintain that Army; which being to be paid by the King, the Royal Treasury being emptied by so many and so long Wars, was not able to supply them: But (what exceeded all other respects) the Dutch Forces being to wage War in Italy, not as Auxiliaries, or as brought in by the Spaniards; but as Principals, and in the Emperor's Name; it was to be feared, that they would not only not leave the first place in Authority to the Spaniards, whose intentions they did effectually serve; but that by reason of the Sovereignty that the Emperor holds in Italy, by reason of the quality and quantity of Forces, by reason of their greater disposition to War, and through their Commander's ambition, they would be masters, and would force the Spaniards to fight after their mode; so as he thought them dangerous in War, but more dangerous in Victory, if (Mantua or Cassalle being taken) they should fix their footing in Italy, and settle the seat of the Cesarean Majesty there; from whence the I●…alian Princes (being for the most part Feudatories of the Empire) were to take Law, and to depend thereon, as upon their Sovereign Lord: which consideration, by reason of the consequences it might draw after it, in prejudice to the Spanish Authority, afforded no less occasion of fear, then if the French Power should by the Duke of Nevers' means be radicated in Italy. Out of these respects Spinola growing more inclined to Peace then War, Monsignior Scappi, Bishop of Pacenza, being s●…nt by the Pope to visit him, Spinola entered upon some Treaties of Accommodation with him, and with Count jacomo Mandello, who was sent to him by Nevers, offering each of them, That he would procure that Nevers might be invested in his Dominions, upon condition that he would receive and Quarter part of the Emperor's Forces in the Dukedom of Mantua, and part of Spinola's Forces in Montferrat, in sign of his respect to both their Majesties; to the end that making amends by this his ready obedience, and public submission for his former contumacy, they might with honour receive him into favour, and gratify him, the one with the Investiture, and the other with the Protection which he desired: Nevers would not accept of this, either out of fear of non-performance, or out of his relying upon the French Forces, and those of other Princes who were joined with him, on whose pleasure he professed he did in all things depend; so as he was first to acquaint France, and the Venetian Senate, with his offer, without whose approbation and consent he could not resolve any thing in this point; but being advised to the contrary by the Venetians, who could not endure that the Dutch Army should come near their Confines, and an answer not coming from France, the Dutch not having whereof to subsist amidst the barren Rhetian Alps, where they had tarried all this while, Spinola was forced, contrary to his inclination, to permit them to enter Italy: They came in number 22000 Foot, and 3500 Horse, commanded by Ramboldo, one of the Counts of Collalto in Friuli, General of the Cesarean Forces in Italy; a Commander of good esteem and Authority, who had been long versed in the Wars of Germany and Hungary: They fell down into the Valley of Chiavenna, by the Lake of Como; being come to Lecco, they passed into the Territories of Cremona, and proved prejudicial to Lombardy and Piedmont, by their cruelty, rapine, plunder, and contribution, which they forced from thence; and fatal to a good part of Italy, by reason of the Plague, which they brought with them, and which burst forth in great violence throughout all Lombardie and Piedmont; and then entering the Venetian Territories, and Romagna, it came into Venice and Tuscany, causing so great a mortality both of men and cattle as the better half of these Provinces did not escape the fury thereof: Collalto being come into Italy spoke with Spinola in Milan; by whom being honourably received, after a long debate about what was to be done, they agreed upon this: That dividing the Armies and the Enterprises, Collalto (with his Dutch) should undertake the business of Mantua, and Spinola (with the King of Spain's men) that of Casalle and Montferrat. Having thus distributed the carrying on of the war, each of them betook themselves to what fell unto their share and the King of France joining with the Venetians in Nevers his defence left the Venetians to relieve the State of Mantua, and took the care of Montferrat upon himself. Spinola's Army, (many Captains and Officers being cashiered) came to 16000 Foot, and 4000 Horse, wherein were comprehended the Spaniards, Dutch, Neapolitans and Lombard's, under their several Camp-masters; amongst which was the Duke of Lerma, Nephew to him who was so great a Favourite to King Philip the Third, and was come to commence his Militia under Spinola. Spinola, to give a beginning to the business on his side sent his Son Don Philip to Valenza upon the Po, with part of his Army, which was distributed in several Towns upon the Confines of Montferrat; where gathering Victuals and Munition he gave out that he would go to besiege Casalle; whereupon the French, abandoning the Towns of Montferrat, retreated in great ●…aste with their men to defend that place; and Don Philippo, invited by that occasion, sent Don Ferrante di Ghirava his Lieutenant-general with 4000 Foot to beyond the Tanaro, to whom Nizza, Acqui and Ponsone came in; and all the neighbouring Towns returned to be governed by the Spaniards: then bringing his men into Alessandria, he went to take in Sansalvadore, Lu., Fubine, Vignale, and the other Towns of that State, which lie between Alessandria and Casalle; leaving Rossigliano, St. Georgio and Pontestura, unattempted: which being as so many Bulwarks to secure Casalle, were not only not abandoned by the French, as the other Towns were, but were begirt about with Trenches, and furnished with good Garrisons; and yet Spinola, for all his shows to the contrary, forbore to attempt Casalle, being detained, partly by the very cold weather which came on; partly supposing that the French would employ all their Forces to defend it, he feared to begin with that as would be a great obstacle to the Treaty of peace, which he so much desired. Moreover, he doubted much the Duke of Savoy, who (were it either that he was loath that that place should fall into the Spaniards hand, or that he was angry at Spinola's proceedings with him) began to oppose his ends, and cross his designs; or that minding the preservation of that place, he aimed at being himself the Arbitrator of affairs, and to sell the possession thereof at the dearer rate; wherefore he began to declare expressly, that by the last agreement at Susa he could not but grant both passage and Victuals to the French that went to relieve it; wherefore Spinola being contented with the Towns that he had taken, and with having regained those Towns, in the face of the French, which his Predecessor was forced to quit, at the King of France his appearance in Italy, he quartered his men in those Towns which he had taken, where they lay idle all the ensuing Winter. The Cesarian Army made better proceeding in the Territories of Mantua; where the Duke of Nevers not minding the defence of the chief City so much as that of the other Towns of the State, had indiscreetly distributed the greatest part of his men within those Towns, which would all of them have been hardly sufficient to Garrison the chief City: so as the Cesarian Army, led on by the Serjeant-majors Mathias Galasso and Aldringer (for Collalto, who was sick at Lodi, could not go along with them) having taken Loglio and Volengo, the chief Towns in the Mantuan Territories, went immediately to Caneto, somewhat a greater Town, where were 2000 Foot, amongst which two Companies of Venetians, under Angelo Cornaro, a Gentleman of Venice, to defend it: Nevers relied much upon that Garrison, which being very great, ●…e hoped would hold the Enemy play: but it proved otherwise; for at the first appearance of the Enemy they yielded up the Town, without one stroke striking: the example whereof, as it is commonly seen, being followed by the other Towns, Gazzuolo, Cicognaro, and Governolo, which lies in the mouth of the Mincio, where it falls into the Po, fell also into the hands of the Dutch; who being by this easiness of the Mantuan Soldiers become masters of almost all the Country thereabout, after having miserably plundered it, had conveniency to approach the City, which was in great confusion to see her men make so little resistance. The City being unfurnished of the better part of her men would have run danger of being stormed, had not the Venetians, who were aware of the danger, sent a thousand Foot thither immediately, under Colonel Durante, with some moneys: the City of Mantua stands almost in the midst of a Lake, made by the little River Mincio, which comes from the Lake of Garda: the Island whereupon it stands is joined to the Continent by some Banks and Bridges, whereof some are greater, some less, according to the distance of place: at the end of the greatest Bridge, stand the Suburbs of St George, weakly walled and without any Platform: to which when the Enemy drew near with their Cannon, Frederico Gonzaga, who had the defence thereof committed to him, began to treat of compounding, in the Duke's name, with Aldringer; letting him know that Nevers being desirous to appear an obedient Vassal, and to witness his respect and observance to the Emperor, would not refuse to receive him, and to allow him quarter in that Borough. Aldringer, who knew the place to be untenable, would not accept it upon those terms, since he saw that in all likelihood it could not escape his hands; whereupon Gonzaga not being able to do any more yielded it unto him, retaining only the Hold, which is only a Ga●…e a little fortified, which leads from the Lake to the City. The Dutch being entered into St George, a Truce for a few days was treated of, and concluded; during which time Nevers b●…ing desirous to assuage the Enemy's fury by some act of submission, offered Collalto (who though not yet perfectly recovered, caused himself to be brought from Lodi into the Mantuan Territories, and lay in St benedict's Monastery) ●…he same Hold; so as he would receive it only as a willing and honourable surrender: but Aldringer replying that he offered a thing which could not hold out two hours' assault, the business proceeded no further, the rather for that a new accident which happened broke off both the Truce and all the Treaties; for at the same time that Aldringer advanced to St Georg's Borough with the Van, the Rear being led on by Frederick, one of the House of Saxony, went to quarter in Ciregg●…e, a Borough upon the Bank of the Lake, wherein was no Garrison or any other defence: but upon a bank which leads from the Borough to Mantua a Rampire was begun to be made in form of a Halfmoon, which opposed those who would pass that way into the City: some of the Dutch coming to this Rampire, which was basely abandoned by the Venetians who defended it, they without any opposition became masters thereof; and might easily make themselves masters of the Island of Te, which was disjoined from the City only by a large Ditch: This caused great confusion in Mantua; wherefore thinking themselves to be assaulted during the time of Truce, the Town sent Colonel Durante immediately to defend that part: fire was also given to the Cannon from the City against the Borough or Suburbs of St George; and those who guarded the Hold, hearing the noise, shot off their Muskets against the Magazine of Arms which was beneath, where many of the Captains and Officers of the Camp were sporting themselves, trusting in the Truce; and amongst them Colonel Coloredo was sorely wounded. The Dutch being hereat moved, who knew not what was done at le Gireggie, nor the occasion thereof, assumed their Arms, and fell immediately upon those of the Hold, which they soon made themselves masters of, with the death of many of the defendants; and then passing forwards took the Bridge, till they came to the Drawbridge; which being timely hoist up by the Mantuans kept the Dutch from entering the City: so as not able to get further they began to fortify, and to turn their Cannon upon the City, and to play upon it: whilst things went thus, Mantua was again relieved with another 1000 Foot, with ten pieces of Artillery, and with 100 carriages of Victuals and Ammunion, beside some moneys. A succour which was sent by the Venetians to Goito, and from thence to Mantua: the Dutch perceived how fit a place Goito was to send relief, being seated upon the Mincio before it falls into the Po; so as being to take it, that they might straighten the City the more, they sent the Baron Galasso to view it: there was in it a good Garrison, and it was sufficiently munited; so as the cold season being considered, it might have held out till the Spring: but when Galasso came near it with some few men, he by some tokens found how base and fearful the defendants were; wherefore hoping for good success, and having seen some of those Barks which serve to bring in the Vintage, in some of the neighbouring Cottages, he made use of them, and of some ropes, to pass over the Mincio, and to get near the Town: which whilst he successfully did, those within began to parley; and two pieces of Cannon which Galasso had sent for before he had past the River, being come from the Camp, they agreed to surrender the Town; which accordingly was done, and proved no little prejudice to the City, being thereby deprived of so important a place for succour. Goito being taken, and the Dutch finding that the Battery of S. Georgi●… against the City, by reason of the far distance, did no good, they ●…ell to expugn Porto, which is another Town nearer the City, reduced into a Fort, with Walls, Bulwarks and Ditches, and partly secured by the nearness of the Lake, from whence you go to the City by the Mill-bridge, and by a bank at the head of the Bridge: Being gotten by their approaches to the Ditch, they would have drained it, and then have come to Battery, and to Assault; which if they could once have done, they had great hopes, by reason of the Defendants cowa●…dize (whereof they had had so many proofs;) and the Artillery being already prepared, they were ready to begin Battery. But the Winter coming on, and the weather growing very cold, the business began to appear to be longer & harder than it was thought it would have been, especially, since the City, being secured every where else, might make use of all her men to defend this place. To this was added the great scarcity of victuals and straw, which grew daily greater in the Army; and the plague, whereof many in the camp died: Wherefore altering their minds, they resolved for that Winter to mind only the keeping of what they had got; and distributing their Army in the neighbouring Towns, to keep Mantua besieged at a distance, and to possess themselves of the Avenues and Passes which were fittest for relief; and they quartered their Horse so as they might scour the Country, and keep back relief. Collalto went to winter in Reggio, where he quartered one Regiment, the Duke of Modena not knowing how to refuse them, as being Feudatory to the Empire, as neither could the other Feudatories of the Empire do, some allowing Quarter, some Contribution, in what quality or quantity Collalto pleased to take it. The Army being in their Quarters, the besieged sallied out in great numbers, and molested the stations held by the Enemy, not without some advantage to themselves, and prejudice to the Enemy. Nevers going out himself in person with the Prince his Son, and a good Band of men, fell upon Mormitolo, a place some five miles off, where about one hundred Dutch were quartered, who yielded unto him upon discretion: He afterward went to Castiglione, which he likewise took; whereby making way for relief from Verona, the Venetians had conveniency to convey victuals into the City: they met with contrary fortune at Rivolta, on the left bank of Mincio, where it falls into the Lake; which Town rising in Insurrections by the fomentation of the Venetians was recovered by the Dutch, who went thither, with the death of all the Townsmen, who refusing to surrender the Town were, even to the very Infants, put to the Sword: and though the Dutch Horse foraged the Country, yet some succours were brought in from the State of Venice, which being done by stealth were not sufficient by much for the need the City was in; which being begirt by the Enemy wanted food, and was also hardly handled by the Plague, which was very great here, as also in all the neighbouring Towns and Cities; insomuch as getting into the City of Venice, people died so fast, as the care thereof was almost quite given over by those that had the looking to it: the like happened in Milan, Bullognia, and in all the Cities of Lombardy, Romagna, and Tuscany: but whilst the Cesarian Army wintered in the State of Mantua, and Spinola's Forces in Montferrat, provisions for war, as also Negotiations for peace ceased not: in both which not only the Commanders in the Armies, but the Princes of Italy laboured. The Pope, seeing the Dutch forces so near the Church-Dominions, sent about 18000 Foot into the parts about Bullognia, under his Brother Don Carlo, and 2000 horse; and solicited the building of Fort Urbano, which he had resolved upon two years before, and was begun at castle Franco, upon the way that leads from Modena to Bullognia, and was a good and fitting Bulwark to Romagna, and the Church-Territories on that side: but that he might likewise by his authority and endeavours stop the evils which threatened Italy, he made Cardinal Antonio, his Brother's second Son, Legate; who being also come into Bullognia, where his Father governed the Ecclesiastic Forces, he sent Monsieur jovan jacomo Panciruolo to Mantua, to treat of some suspension of Arms, between the Duke of Nevers and Collalto, to the end, that in the interim they might the more commodiously and with the better hopes treat of peace. But this was but in vain; for Collalto growing proud with success, made still higher demands; and the Duke, who had nothing more to grant but Mantua and Casalle, had not wherewithal to satisfy his demands and pretensions; so as there was no middle way left for them to meet in, and the less, for that the siege of Mantua being given over with so little honour to the Cesarean Forces; and Casalle not as yet attempted by Spinola, the new Duke's hopes were not a little comforted, nor his confidence a little increased, of being sustained by them who fomented him, and were his wellwishers. For whilst these two places held good, all the other Town taken by the enemy, either in the state of Mantua, or Montferrat, made but little for the main concernment of the War: and it being very probable that the Armies being afflicted by the Pestilence by the Winter inconveniences, and by those of the Campagina, they would in time lessen; and it was to be hoped, that being much diminished of themselves they would be reduced to such a condition, as not being able to withstand the French Forces which were to pass over the Alps very strong the next Spring, they would be easily driven from their quarters, a consideration which did must afflict Spinola; For having two Armies on his back, which he was to furnish with expenses and provisions, he feared he must be forced to squander out moneys to no purpose this Winter, and have need of it himself afterwards, when there should be occasion to lay it out with profit; Wherefore growing very sparing thereof, he was less careful in satisfying the Duke of Savoy's demands and necessities, though he had other greater respects to keep him from furnishing him with moneys, which he proceeding from distrust, did daily increase by reason of his continual treating with the French; Sometimes by means of the victuals which ●…as bound to furnish the Army with, which was to pass over the Mountains; Sometimes by doing the like to those of Casalle; Sometimes by the conduct-monies which were agreed to be given them, when they should be come into Piedmont; Sometimes by the negotiations which daily passed, touching the Duke's joining his Forces with the French, whereof there were pregnant suspicions, by many demonstrations made by the Duke, on purpose to make Spinola jealous; Wherefore these actions being really repugnant to that good correspondency and inclination which the Duke profestto the King's affairs, when he demanded moneys of Spinola: and it seeming somewhat hard to Spinola that he should feed one with moneys who continually fomented the enemy, and who held continually so close intelligence with them, he demanded from the Duke some cautionary Towns in Piedmont, if he would be furnished with moneys, for security of his professed good will, and inclination to the King of Spaine's affairs. The demand did very much trouble not only the Duke, but all the Princes of Italy; for it increased the jealousies of the Italian Princes, if Spinola should get yet further footing in Piedmont, to boot with what the Spaniards pretended to in Montferrat, and the Duke in whom the Italian Princes did confide, that he would not forgo the common cause, as well in respect of his own, as of the common interest; Having complained to the King of Spain of the demands made by Spinola, he obtained Orders from the Court to Spinola, that he should desist from such demands; and Spinola, that the Duke might not be too much exasperated, received some check for his too much severity. Great Preparations for War were not only made in Italy, but also elsewhere. The King of France raised a mighty Army, to come stronger than formerly into Piedmont: and the Emperor and the King of Spain, to keep the French from opposing the Duke, and from forcing him to join with the●…, prepared to assault France, the one on the side of Spain, the other on the side of Germany: But both these proved rather Rumours than Realities; the want of money was the cause why on the King of Spain's side, he having hardly sufficient to supply the Wars within Italy, Flanders, and Germany, so as he had not where withal to begin and maintain a new War with France; And also the scarcity of Soldiers, wherein Spain was much wanting, her men being exhausted by War in several Nations, in the Ocean, Mediterranean, and by often Transmigrations from Spain to America, and to the East Indies; To this was added the driving out of the Moors, in the time of Philip the Third, wherein more than two millions of Souls were said to be sent out of Spain: a people who though they were generally trained up in servile Arts, and particularly in cultivating the ground, and in feeding Cattle; yet these, by supplying the meaner employments, afforded convenience for the Natives, being unemployed in those services, to betake themselves to military affairs; So as the Natives, after expulsion of the Moors, being to reassume Husbandry, and the feeding of flocks, (wherein Spain doth abound) a very great scarcity of men began to be found in all the King of Spaine's Dominions, especially of such as were Military, to be sent out to make new acquisitions, or to maintain what they had gotten; Out of these respects, and because the Catalonians were not inclined to make War with the French upon those Confines, to keep from losing Traffic which passeth with interchangeable profit between them and France, the Duke of Feria could raise no Soldiers; and not thinking it fit to begin War with so weak Forces, the diversion did not only sail on that side, but occasioned the like failing on the Germans side. But many greater, and more important accidents, kept the Emperor from falling foul with France at this time: which since, for their weight, and for the great concernment therein of Italy, they deserve a particular description; It will not be amiss to make a little digression; and whilst there is little done in Italy, by reason of the excessive cold Winter, to make it not a distinct and particular relation of them, at least to give you a brief view of them, to the end that reserving them to the times wherein they happened, they may not break off the Narration of the chief Affairs of Italy. The Austrian Authority, the greater it was grown by the continued succession of so many Emperors, the more odious and insufferable it grew to the Germane Princes: and the so many victories obtained by this present Emperor had made him so formidable, as the Germane Princes joined in nothing more than in finding out some means whereby to lessen, and moderate the power of that House, so as they might vindicate their ancient and former Liberty; which after so great an increase of power they had almost lost; finding themselves now treated by this present Emperor, not as Princes, and, as it were, Confederates of the Empire, but little better than Subjects. To the desire of political liberty so much wished for by the Catholic Princes, liberty of Religion was added by the Heretics; for the present Emperor, being more religious than many of his Predecessors, had in several manners curbed their licentiousness, and restrained that liberty of Conscience which they had enjoyed for above a hundred years: so as they were doubly inclined to novelty. The dissatisfaction of both these parties was occasioned, yet more, by the great Army consisting of above 100000 fight men, which the Emperor kept quartered in several parts of Germany; but more particularly in their Territories, who being worst satisfied with the present affairs, he knew to be worst affected towards him, more contumacious towards the house of Austria, and readiest to rise; and this he did, not so much in resentment of their malign intentions, as to keep them the more curbed in, and to take from them the means of plotting innovations: the common people were not therefore only burdened with quartering Soldiers, but the Princes also with Contributions, & by not being able to get their usual Tributes and Rents from their Tenants, who were afflicted and exhausted by unusual freequarter. To these mischiefs was added th●… juries done by the Cesarian Soldiers and Commanders; and chiefly by the haughty proceedings of the Duke of Fritland, Captain General of the Imperial forces: who having the Supreme Power and Authority given him over all the Armies, and in the management of the war, kept all Germany and the Princes of the Empire under his command. This man was by Nation a Bohemian, of private birth, and but of mean fortune, but who by his valour had raised himself to this greatness: to his pride of nature, to his fierce and terrible genius, great valour, great daring, and an extraordinary judgement in Military Affairs was annexed; wherein he was confirmed by his signal Victories gotten against the Emperor's Enemies and Rebels: whereby he had rendered the Authority and Majesty of the present Emperor to as high a pitch as ever any of his Predecessors had been: so as his name grew not only odious to the Hans Towns, but even to the Prince's Electors; to whom bearing no ●…espect, he contrary to their ancient Institutions quartered Soldiers upon them, as well as upon the more petty Princes. The Emperor's new Decree (who confiding upon his power, and drawn by zeal to Religion, commanded that to the Catholic Churches should be restored the ancient possession of all those goods whereof they were bereft at the beginning of the Heresies; which goods having been possessed by many Princes and Lords for above one hundred years, were partly alineated, partly converted to their own uses) increased their indignation, and brought some of them almost to the point of despair, and all Germany was much offended thereat; and because there were many Princes concerned in this Edict, who adhered to the house of Austria (amongst which the Duke of Saxony) they began all of them jointly to plot mischief against the Emperor, endeavouring to lessen his power, and to free themselves from such oppression; and the Emperor, likewise, did extremely desire that his Son, whom he had made King of Hungary, should be chosen King of the Romans; and not be●…ng able to compass it without the Electors free suffrages, the business in these commotions met with many disturbances; especially for that all men hated that the Imperial diadem should continue in one Family, whereby their liberties became not only enslaved, but many Families and Persons, (who thought themselves as well deserving as the Austrians) were excluded from this Grandezza: it therefore became the Emperor to sweeten them, that he might incline them to choose his Son: he therefore summoned a Diet in Ratisbone, to settle (as he termed it) the affairs of Germany. The Electors chief intention was to disarm him, to the end that his Forces being weakened, he might not use the like authority as formerly; they therefore desired that Wallestein, Duke of Fritland might be no longer General, and that the Army might be dissolved: they accused Wallestein of barbarous cruelty towards the people, of insufferable pride towards the Princes, of insatiable extortion, and of unheard of fierceness in making Towns desolate, and in subjugating Provinces; for the dissolving of the Army, they alleged that, Germany being reduced to a quiet and safe condition by the peace made at Lubeck, the Army was not only superfluous, but grievous to the people, and prejudicial to Germany, which ought now to be eased of so great a burden, a●… permitted to enjoy the fruit of peace. The Emperor did not incline to these so weighty and important demands, knowing very well whereunto they tended, nor yet the Spanish Agents who were resident in that Court; who were much concerned in maintaining the Emperor's authority, and the Austrian name, wherein their King was interessed: but the King of Sweden, a powerful Northern King, having about this time past the Baltic Sea, and being come into the lower Germany with an Army of 20000 Foot and 2000 Horse; the Electors made Protestation, that they would never contribute to the charge of that new war, unless they were satisfied in their demands. The Empeour and Spanish Agents being badly advised, gave way thereunto at last: but it was not long ere he repented himself sound; for though Arms were laid down by by the peace of Lubeck, yet discontents and hatred were not laid aside, nor yet the ardent desire of more absolute liberty, and the conditions of that peace being advantageous for the Austrian Empire, did rather serve to incite the malcontents to novelties, then keep them within the limits of that peace: the disarming of the Emperor was no better than to put Arms into the Swedes hands; and into those of the malcontent Princes, and such as were mortal Enemies to the Austrian name. The Electors, having obtained their desire, were backwards in choosing the King of the Romans; which though it were not openly desired by the Emperor, yet being negotiated privately, began to be found so hard a business, as the Emperor thought it not fit to demand it openly; and the Electors made use of several pretences to put off the Election: nor now that the Emperor was disarmed, did they let slip the occasion of showing their resentments, and of endeavouring some better condition of liberty. The Protestants began to lay plots against the Austrian power, and by little and little began to hold intelligence with the King of Sweden; who having by their adherence gotten greater forces in a short time took many Cities, subdued many Provinces, and having gotten many famous Victories, overran Germany within the space of a few months, not without great danger to the Austrian authority, and to the Catholic Religion: nor content with such a continued course of Victory, he drew near Italy, and made her fear the renewing of those miseries which she had formerly felt by the Goths, and the other Northern Nations. The affairs of the Empire and of the Catholic Religion were never so perplexed in Germany, nor brought to so near a ruin, as after the coming in of this Northern King: all the Heretics and malcontents adhered to him, who in his Military Ensigns writ himself the Defender of the Faith, and Protector of the Germane Liberty. The Duke of Pomerania, first of all, and afterwards the Elector of Brandenburge, and lastly, the Elector of Saxony joined openly with him against the Emperor; and after them many other lesser Princes, and almost all the Hans Towns of the Empire, joined with him, as with their deliverer; and the Emperor having laid down his Arms could hardly raise a new Army to withstand so apparent ruin: almost all the Soldiers that he had cashiered took pay under the Swede, alured by the fame of his valour, by the Victories he had got, by his grateful genius to the Soldiery, who was received and followed with unspeakable applause, as if the heavens had sent him to be their Deliverer. The Armies of the Catholic League and of the Emperor, which were joined together, were defeated in a great Battle before Lypsick; and Tilly, chief Captain of that League, a famous Commander for many Victories which he had gotten against the Protestant League, and against the King of Denmark, and who now succeeded dismissed Wallestein, was therein hurt: so as the Emperor seeing no other way to withstand the ruinous condition of the Empire, nor how to defend the Austrian Dominions, was forced to recall Wallestein from Bohemia, whither after his being dismissed he had withdrawn himself to lead a private life; and restoring him upon what condition he could desire to his former dignity, he opposed him to the Swede, who like a swift torrent overrun all Germany. The Emperor's Army commanded by Fritland, and the Swedish Forces led on by their King, came to a pitched Field near Lutsen, a City in Misnia; wherein the King being victorious had prescribed Laws to Germany, had he not been slain by some Musketeers, whilst with his wont valour he pursued Victory: he died in the latter end of the year 1632, thirty months after he had set his foot in Germany. But to reassume the thread of my Discourse, the Diet at Ratisbone freed France from being insulted over by the Germans; for Fritland, who had order, as hath been said, to fall upon France, expecting what would be the issue of that Diet, instead of turning with his Forces upon France, would be himself present at Ratisbone, to obviate the violence which he foresaw would fall upon him: but not being able to decline it, and the Emperor being forced not only to depose him, but to cashier his Army, and foreseeing another war threatened from the North, France escaped being assaulted also on that side; and the Electors, who held intelligence with the King of France, favouring Nevers his Cause, as the most just, approved not of the Emperor's actions; but complained, that contrary to the Laws and Institutions of the Empire, he had sent Armies into Italy, without participating the business with them: wherefore the resolutions and provisions of that Court growing colder, the King of France had better conveniency to mind the wars of Italy, and to send strong succours to Nevers: he destined the Cardinal of Richelieu to be the Captain General of the Forces which he sent into Piedmont, with full power to manage war and peace. The Army (those being comprehended who were in Susa and Montferrat) consisted of 22000 Foot and 2000 Horse; and the Cardinal had three Marshals of France for his assistants, Cricky, lafoy Force, and Scomberge. The King had already bargained with the Duke of Savoy for provision of Victuals, and Ammunition for war, together with conduct moneys for the passage of his Army, and had agreed with the same Duke that he should assist in the enterprise with 15000 men; and as for Victuals, he had agreed to deliver unto him 15000 sacks or quarters in Nizza di Provenza, which the Duke was to present unto the Army in Piedmont, three crowns of gold being allowed for the conduct of every sack or quarter: so as the Cardinal being very hot upon the business, and thinking to find all things ready for the enterprise in Piedmont, parted from Paris in the time of Christmas; and coming to Lions in the beginning of the year 1630, tarried there some days to receive the people, who had orders to come thither from several parts of the Kingdom: he by his appearing so strong, and with such resolution, in Piedmont, to terrify the Duke so as to make him not only forward to observe all that had been agreed upon, but willing to yield to whatsoever he should require; he nourished this opinion, not only out of the extraordinary confidence which the French have naturally in their own Forces, but also by reason of the Duke's Ambassadors endeavours, who was at Paris to delay this expedition; for when he saw all things ready for the voyage, he went to the King, and to the Ca●…dinal, and confidently assured them, that he had received news from the Duke, by a Post that was newly come, of a suspension of Arms made in Italy, for two months, and agreed unto by the Venetians, between Nevers and the Cesarian and Spanish Commanders: according whereunto Collalto had withdrawn his men from Mantua, and Spinola from Montferrat, and that the general peace would be shortly concluded: but the vanity of this advertisement was soon discovered, and was reputed as tricks used by the Duke, who out of his excessive fear of the French Forces strove to keep them as long as he could from Piedmont: wherefore the Cardinal hastened his journey the more, and being come to Lions sent very precise Orders away to the Duke with advertisement of his coming, to the end, that he might be ready to receive him with Victuals, and other Provisions, and to join his Forces with the Kings in this enterprise; in whose behalf he required him, absolutely to declare himself: but the Duke seeing the Cardinal engaged upon his promises, thought it a very opportune occasion for his purposes; for the Cardinal passing the Mountains with a great Army, without Victuals or other Provisions, he knew that the prosperity, or ruin of the enterprise, lay in his power; for if answerable to his promise he should furnish him with all things, and should join his Forces with the Kings, Casalle would be happily relieved: on the contrary if he should not furnish him, and instead of joining with him, should bring the Spanish and the Dutch Armies into Piedmont, and should with them oppose the French Army, all the Cardinal's plots and threats would prove nothing; thinking therefore to reap good by the necessity whe●…einto he saw the Cardinal was ready to precipitate, he sent his Son the Prince unto him, to put new conditions to him, and to propound unto him the old flim-flam of the enterprises of Genoa and Milan; and on the other side, that in case the Cardinal should should not grant those his desires, he might have means to oppose him, or that out of fear of his stout resistance he might force the Cardinal to give way unto his will; he at the same time sent the Abbot Scaglia to Spinola, and to Collalto, to invite them to advance with their Forces, and jointly to oppose the French, who coming into Italy upon the assurance of his joining with them, and of finding those Victuals and Provisions, which he would never furnish them withal, they should be forced, when they should see such an Army before them, either to retreat shamefully, or being blocked up in Susa, to perish miserably for want of Victuals, and other conveniences; or if they should give Battle, to be undoubtedly overthrown: he likewise, to incite them the more to advance, told them that France was at this time in great troubles, by the departure of the King's only Brother, the Duke of Orleans, from that Court and Kingdom, by the Prince of Conde's retiring from the Court; by the dissatisfaction of many Princes and Lords; who not being able to end●…e, that even in the conduct of the King's Arms (which in all reason belonged unto them) a Cardinal, of Priestly profession, should be preferred before them, (one unexperienced in Arms, whose ambition grasped at all things, and who through the King's favour would usurp those employments, which were due to them by the merits of their ancestors, and by the dangers they had run, and blood which they had shed in war;) would by all means endeavour that he should not come off with honour in this enterprise: he acquainted them with the Insurrection of several Provinces of the Kingdom; for that the people could not bear with such great Contributions as were laid upon them, to maintain a war out of the Kingdom; and making it plain unto them by these so many Demonstrations, how easy, and sure, the result of the business would be if they would oppose it, he pressed them not to let slip so happy an occasion of doing their King's business: but both these expeditions proved vain; for the Duke being become suspected to both parties by his double dealing, had wearied them all: nor could he carry his neutrality so cunningly, but that his ends were discerned, which were conceived to be nothing else, nor to tend to any thing, but to be the Arbitrator between two great Kings Armies, and to be he who should cast the balance as he should like best, be Superintendent in all businesses, give the Law to all, treat of his own affairs with most advantage, better himself by the perils and labours of them both, and secure the advancement of his own fortune, and the increase of his reputation, by the equal counterpoise of each of them: by which way of proceeding being become not only suspected, but hated by both parties, who thought themselves injured by this his juggling, they abhorred to have him their Arbitrator, grew more confirmed in their distrust, and more resolved that he should depend upon their resolutions, and not they be wheeled about by his words and cunning. Thus keeping the superiority, they would treat with him upon such advantage of power and authority as did become their Kings Grandezza, and the Majesty of their Master's Arms: so as so many Negotiations and pieces of cunning being discovered, instead of the advantage that was thereby hoped, he reaped loss and danger: Spinola had found out his continual treating with the French under one pretence or another: he knew what Victuals and Ammunition he had promised, and what moneys he had received for them: he saw him continue to provide for Cassalle, prepare conduct moneys for the passage of their men, and make many shows of being in favour with that Court, or of not being able to be otherwise; he grew very jealous also of the Prince his going into France, which though it proved to no purpose, yet it was very probable that he was sent thither to treat of some great concernment: so as Spinola was so far from crediting the Duke's Proposals, and from believing that he would appear against the French; as the same change which his Agents promised in his behalf lessened his belief, and made him proceed with more circumspection, fearing, and notwithout reason, that the Duke would promise as much to the French against him, by whom he had already been so severely dealt with; and that, either out of resentment, or for the imminent danger of the French, ●…r for the high conditions the Cardinal would give him, he would do the same Metamorphosis against him, as he now promised to do in prejudice to the French; and being loath to hazard the main point upon such uncertainty, he waited for better counsel and safer resolves, as the event should fall out: but the Cardinal did no less abhor the Duke's ways than did Spinola; since they tended to bring him to follow his will, to wage war as he listed, to ●…n the King's Forces, which were destined to protect an oppressed Prince, to the profecution of his vast ends and his revenge, and that against other Princes, against whom they were not intended; and in fine, to change the King's designs and enterprises with those of his own, and (as if he were his servant) to be ready to do what the Duke listed, if he would have his friendship: holding therefore these pretensions to be too high, and the price of such an union too exorbitant, he would not listen to new Treaties, but threatened to force him to perform Agreement; wherefore he would not so much as speak with the Prince, who being come to Savoy desired to Negotiate with him, but referred the Treaty till he should be come to Piedmont; and for the better proof of his resolution, endeavouring to make the Duke the more afraid, he went from Lions towards the Alps, leaving the Marshal dela Force there to gather the Army together, and to bring it to Piedmont. The Duke had fortified Auvigliana (as hath been said) and had well munited it, and was gone thither with the body of his Army to defend it; his Army consisted of 12000 Foot, and about 3000 Horse: and knowing that the Cardinal must needs drive him from thence if he would relieve Casalle, and that he could not sit down before Auvigliana for want of victuals, nor relieve Casalle, he feared not his threats; for not having wherewithal to feed his Army, nor wherewith to succour Casalle, he must either agree with him, or waste himself idly in Susa, or return with shame into France; and therefore the nearer he saw the Cardinal come with a numerous Army, the more advantage he thought he had of treating, or certainty of victory; and consequently he continued the stiffer in his pretences, and propounded the more difficulties in what he was much pressed unto by the French, and by Marshal Crickey; So as the Cardinal being come from Lions into Ambrano, and hearing there, much contrary to what he expected, that the Duke continued in his obdurateness, and that it was impossible to alter him, he for a while forbore the course which, when he parted from Lions, he thought would be so dreadful to the Duke; For finding that to go against the Duke's will, to relieve Casalle, (which was the chief cause of that expedition) was no better than to hazard himself and his Army upon manifest ruin, as also the King's Honour, and the whole enterprise, he began to find by experience, how unreasonable it was, upon these terms, and in the present conjuncture of affairs, to justle with him when he was backed by the Spanish and Dutch Forces; Wherefore allaying his heat, he began to treat more moderately with him, and endeavoured to make him pliable with satisfactory proposals, that he might bring him to join with the King's Forces in that enterprise, and interest himself really in relieving Casalle; but his lenitives proved as vain as did his threats; For although the Duke had all his demands, (how strange, and how extraordinary soever) granted him, yet still pretending greater things, and turning back from what he had agreed unto, he used delays, to the end that thereby the difficulties and necessities of the French Army might the mean while grow greater, insomuch as the Cardinal being come to Susa, where he spoke with the Prince, who was come to Bossolano to visit him, he did not only not come to any conclusion, but did not so much as begin to treat; For the Prince, who when he went to Savoy to negotiate with him could not so much as be allowed audience, being willing to resent that usage, the ceremonial part being past, would not propound any thing, pretending that it was the Cardinal who was to make the first proposals, and make an overture to the business. The reasons of this obdurancy, and so great aversion in the Duke, may, many of them, be gathered from the then present circumstances and occasions: For to the many injuries received from the French and from the Cardinal, and to the abusive peace of Montsone, was added the Cardinal's proud carriage towards the Prince, not admitting him, when he came to treat, so much as to come within his presence, whereof the Duke had wont to complain much; and conceiving thereby, and by other proceedings, that the Cardinal was not only very averse to his interests, but bend to ruin him, he thought that no offers nor agreements would be observed unto him: nay, the greater the things were which the present necessity might force him to, he thought the effecting of them would be the harder afterwards, and the more odious; Wherefore fearing that he might be deceived, he would not change the present time for the future: the Kings coming to Susa, and the conventions which he was forced to give way unto there, touched him to the quick; and as ●…e thought himself fallen from that opinion, wherein he desired to be held, of being able to keep the French out of Italy, or bring them in as he listed: so he imagined there was no better, nor no more opportune remedy to he I so sore a wound, then to oppose their passage now, & by the total ruin of the enterprise and of their Army, to leave a perpetual example to the French, how necessary it was for them to esteem him as the only Porter of the Alps; and for the Spaniards to put a value upon him, and to treat him with advantageous conditions, as the Bulwark of Italy, and of the state of Milan; this was the highest pitch of his Grandezza, this the very sense of his soul; and having fixed his eye upon this, as upon a mark to shoot at, he thought that if he should hit it, all occasions that could be from the French came short of it; it was also thought that he feared lest when the Cardinal should see himself in great power and safety by his joining with him, he might afterwards make peace with the Spaniard, excluding his interests; just as it happened at the peace of Monsone; so as hating to join expressly with either party, whereby he was to make himself subject to one of them, and an enemy to the other, he was constant to his neutrality, whereby he was superior to them both; yet he broke not with any of them: but cloaking his actions with neutrality, he fenced himself with tergiversations. Neither would the French, who needed him exceedingly, break with him; but dissembling all the hard usage they met with, endeavoured to win him over to declare for them; and they (so well knew they the advantage of his joining with them) abusing their patience, left nothing undone which might not prejudice them, though little to their honour; the Cardinal agreed for provision of victuals, with some of the Duke's subjects, and bargained with some others for the conducting of such as were in Nizza, to ease his present necessities. The Duke made them all be imprisoned; but not being able without apparent contumacy to deny the conduct of such as were in Nizza, since he had already received moneys for their conduct, he would appoint the conductors himself; who depending wholly upon him brought more or less, according as he pleased. But the Army not being able to continue longer thus, and the Cardinal being either to break with him, or unworthily waste his Army, or return with shame to France, before he would break, he would make the last trial; He promised that he would assault some place in the state of Milan, provided that the Duke would furnish Casalle with victuals, the Duke either did not, or did not seem to refuse the proposals; Whereupon the Cardinal made his Van advance, consisting of 7000 Foot, and 1000 Horse, under Marshal Cricky; and going himself out of Susa with the body of the Army came to Cazalletto, a place near Avigliana; and the Duke sent good store of victuals to Casalle: which finding that the Van being come to Rivas, a Town in Montferrat, did not prosecute the voyage, he made them stay; pre●…ending that the Van alone could not do any thing of moment against the state of Milan, so as it was necessary that the rest of the Army should follow: The Cardinal was mightily troubled to be thus used, perceiving that those very tricks were used to him, which he used to others; For as this marching of the Van was feignedly pe●…formed by the Cardinal, to make the Duke put victuals into Casalle; so the Duke's sending of victuals appeared to be counterfeit, to the end that he might make the Cardinal come out of Susa with his Army, where he had as yet some provisions wherewith to subsist, to the end that he might bring him to before the Spanish and the Cesarean Armies without victuals, and be but badly backed by the remainder of his Army which tarried behind; So as he might either be overcome by Famine without fight, or (if he should fight) he might be miserably destroyed: And the more to witness the Duke's bad intentions, it was added, that notwithstanding that he had good store of moneys disbursed unto him per le Tappe, and other quarterings, he would not permit that the Army should pass by the usual way that it was to march, and which leads from Susa to Avigliana, where the way was more commodious, broader, and where there was better quartering, but made it pass by the way of Condove and Cassalette, which lies on the left hand, very improper for the Foot, much more for the Horse, and for the carriage of the Artillery; where there was no order nor provision for quarter, and where they were to suffer both hunger and cold: insomuch as the Army which tarried here some days had perished, had not some remainder of victuals which were yet left in Susa been brought thither; But this not being able to maintain them long, and the Duke pressing them to advance, the Cardinal thought it not fit to pursue that voyage, and leave Avigliana behind him, where the Duke was with all his men: Wherefore he answered, that if the Duke would have him advance, he must furnish him with victuals, and declare openly for the King, and remove the impediment of Avigliana, which (in the condition it was in) would not suffer him to advance; The Duke replied, that the great scarcity of victuals must excuse him from sending in provisions, that he could not declare against the Emperor who was his Sovereign Lord, from whom he held so many Territories in fee; and as for Avigliana, that he was not bound, as the Rebels of France, to demolish his Towns to pave the way for the King's Army; but (that to free himself of all jealousies) he was ready to take some of his men out of Avigliana; to which purpose he drew from thence about 7000 foot, but he placed them in the guard of the Bridges and Passes, by which when the French should be past LaDora, they might assault him; which the Cardinal perceiving, he resolved to use force, and to go against the Duke when he should be past Dora, who tarried with some of his men in Rivoli: and to this purpose was Cricky sent for back from Rivas, where he continued still, with the Van; the Duke was aware of this, and did not fear it; for having munited Avigliana and Torino well, the places whereupon he thought the French were likeliest to fall, he hoped he might hold them play there, till such time as the Cesarian Army, and Spinola's might advance; and finding them encamped before those places might easily rout them, in case they should not long before be made to quit the enterprise for want of victuals. But a new and unthought of accident altered the state of affairs; the Duke going that very night from Rivoli, went to Torino, and abandoning the Bridges and Passes of the River, which the French were to assault the next morning, he afforded them conveniency to pass over the River without any impediment; This so sudden and unexpected change was attributed to some knowledge that the Duke had got of some treaties held by the Cardinal in Torino, where there were then many French, and amongst them two of Cricky's Sons; who as soon as they heard the Duke was entered the City retired to the Army; whereat the Duke being mightily offended, he made the chief of the French that remained in the Town be imprisoned, as complices of plots and treaties, and published a manifesto in print; wherein he complained bitterly of the Cardinal, that whilst he was entered his Dominions as a friend, and whilst he had furnished him with victuals and other things, to the great prejudice of his own people, (from whose mouths he had pulled it) he had endeavoured to oppress him with plots and treaties within his own doors, only for not having joined his Forces with the French, against his Sovereign Lord the Emperor, and against the King of Spain, to whom he had no reason to profess himself an Enemy; wherefore declaring himself openly for the Emperor and King of Spain against the French, he made new and more urgent dispatches to Spinola and to Collalto, to make them advance with all possible speed to relieve Piedmont; promising them full and assured victory over the Enemy, who were straightened by so many necessities: of which victory the happy end of the erterprises of Mantua and Casalle would be the undoubted result. The Cardinal was in great confusion at this the Duke's sudden and unexpected resolution, his Army being in great danger to be lost for to send men to Casalle, and no victuals would rather be a trouble then an ease to the Town; to keep idle where he was was impossible, for want of victuals; and dangerous, lest the Enemy might come upon them; to sit down before Avigliana or Torino, would be a desperate and ruinous business; So (as in so great confusion and difficulty) he knew no better course to take, then to send a Messenger to the Duke; who treating with him, and with the Princess Royal of Piedmont, might mitigate the Duke's severity, and bring him to more moderate counsels; But neither did this do any good; for the Duke being angry with the Cardinal, minded nothing but revenge, and the total ruin of that Army, and utterly to overthrow the Cardinal's fortune; who out of private Emulation, and big with Hatred and Ambition, brought the King's Forces to triumph over his, and thought to make his Name remarkable to the Princes of the present age, and immortal to future times; He therefore neither admitted of the Messenger, nor would he suffer him to speak with the Princess Royal, nor with the Ambassadors of other Princes, who were resident in his Court. Wherefore the Cardinal, forced by necessity, changed the defensive war which was intended in favour to Nevers, into war offensive against the Duke of Savoy, by whom he held himself to be so unworthily dealt with; he therefore sacked Rivoli and the neighbouring Towns: but thinking this too weak a resentment, and unworthy his Grandezza, he turned upon Pinarollo, whither having sent Cricky with the Van, he followed him the next day with the rest of his Army; a resolution wh●…ch was certainly necessary in so desperate a condition, but very uncertain and dangerous; for if that place had been so well provided as the importance thereof, and the present condition of affairs required, and consequently the Cesarean and Spanish Armies had had time to succour it, the French must necessarily either have come to a battle upon disadvantage, or have foregone the Enterprise with much danger and confusion, and have shamefully returned to Susa, where, if assaulted, they could hardly have held out, but must have been enforced to receive such Laws as the Conquerors should please to prescribe them, to the entire loss of that Glory which they had won upon that very place the year before: But Fortune, which useth to change in points of extremity, raised the Cardinal's condition to the highest pitch of felicity, which appeared to be ruined; and precipitated the Duke's Affairs almost into utter destruction, which seemed to be placed on the height of happiness: For the Duke somewhat doubting that place, where he knew there was no other defence but the Garrison which was usually kept there in time of Peace, sent thither a great recruit of men the very day that the Army removed from Rivoli; but it being given out in the Army, that it went to Turin; and those that went with the Artillery thinking that they were to continue their march according to their former Orders, before the consultations had against Pinarollo were discovered, drove on to Turin; and the Duke, who by reason of the said consultations doubted lest he might be assaulted, recalled that recruit of men which he but a little before had sent to Pinarollo, and kept them to defend the chief City; so as Pinarollo being deprived of that recruit, and the Duke not being of himself able to march into the field to defend it, could not hold out long against the French; for the Van being come thither on the 20th of March, and having placed their battery upon the ditch, the City yielded without making any resistance: They had somewhat more to do to take the Castle, which held out somewhat longer for the Duke. This success did totally alter the face of Affairs; the Cardinal having time to breathe amidst so great straits, to boot with having made way for the bringing of victuals and provisions from France, brought the neighbouring Towns of Piedmont to Contribution, which abounded in Victuals; and by keeping that and Susa in his possession, might not only advance to further acquisitions, but secure the restitution of Cassalle, if it should be taken by the Spaniards: and now that he had so good pledges in his hands, he might treat of Peace upon better conditions, the relief of Cassalle not being so necessary as before. On the contrary, the Duke being by the loss of this place fallen from his advantageous condition, could no longer keep the French Army from Victuals, nor make it depend upon his will, as formerly, in respect of relieving Cassalle; nor could he keep the Spaniards any longer from being jealous of his joining with the French; but on the contrary, it behoved him not only to depend upon the Cardinal, and be subject to his will, who being Master of Pinarollo might prejudice Piedmont in several manners; but also upon Spinola's pleasure, by the necessity he was in of being assisted by his Forces against the French, who were got into the bowels of his State; so as being of a sudden saln from being the Arbitrator of Peace and War (as he held himself to be) to be subject to the pleasures of both parties, it behoved him wholly to forego those high conceits by which he thought to give Law to all, and to submit himself to be disposed of by those who could readily and powerfully either defend or endamage him. Spinola, who being wholly bend upon Peace, would never supply the Duke either with men or moneys, being awakened by the coming and the progress of the French Army, began to be of another mind, and to make more haste in providing for War; he therefore sent into Germany and Naples, to hasten the coming of the men that were ready there, and into Spain for more moneys; and minding chiefly the safety of the State of Milan, he began to build a great Fort near Sartiranna, and another upon the Po, over against Valenza, and a third at Villata; he threw one Bridge over at Villata, and another between Valenza and the new Fort; so he thought that that part of the State which was near the great Garrison of Cassalle was safe enough; and hearing that the French were gone to Pinarolo, he sent Don Martin d' Aragona to assist the Duke with the Van, consisting of 4000 Foot, and 600 Horse; and he himself expecting the Legate in Alessandria, who came to treat of Peace, tarried there to assemble the rest of the Army, and therewithal himself in person to defend Piedmont; but were it either that the ways being broken down by continual rain hindered the speed of his march, or that thinking it impossible to come time enough to relieve the Castle of Pinarolo, he thought that the Castle, since it was to be lost, might be lost before his King's Forces appeared; or else, (as many were of opinion) that Spinola was not yet very sure of the Duke's Friendship, and that therefore he was not displeased with that loss, which forced the Duke to join with the King of Spain's party, out of necessity of being assisted in recovering what he had lost; the Affairs belonging to that expedition went not on so fast or with such fervour as was outwardly professed. When the Legate was come to Alessandria, he spoke with Spinola, and with the Marquis of San Croce, who was come from Genoa to be present at that Conference; he found a great inclination to Peace in them, and was therewith well pleased; for Spinola and San Croce offered to do any thing so as the French would restore the Towns in Piedmont, and would return into France: they promised to restore Nevers into peaceful possession of Mantua and Montferrat, and to invest him duly thereinto; to restore the Forts and Places taken from the Grisons; that the Emperor's Army should return to Germany; and the disbanding of the Spanish Army which was in Italy. The Cardinal parted from Alessandria with these Proposals, and went towards Piedmont to treat with the Duke of Savoy, and with the Cardinal of From, in whom he found not such a willingness to Peace; first, the Cardinal alleging, That it became not the honour of the King of France his Forces to enter into a Treaty, whilst the enterprise which they had in hand, of the Castle of Pinarollo, was not finished; and he would not enter into discourse with the Legate, who tarried fifteen days in Turrin to that end; at the end whereof the Castle being surrendered, the Cardinal fell to begird the Town with Bulwarks Royal, and fortified the Castle, making that Town impregnable; which (as it was then judged, and was afterward better confirmed by success) the French never intended to restore, but to make it a Rendezvouz for Arms in Italy, which might serve as a curb to Piedmont, and to the Dukes of Savoy, keep the State of Milan in a perpetual jealousy, and might serve for an excellent door to the King of France for greater enterprises, which he might design unto himself, if he should have occasion to send his Armies over the Alps. Bricherasco was taken soon after, being near Pinarollo, at the foot of the Alps, well fortified and munited: not long after the surrender of the Castle of Pinarollo, Colalto and Spinela came to Piedmont, and with Spinola came San Croce and the Duke of Lerma; and after them some of the Cesarian and some of the Spanish Army: a Consultation was held in Carmagnuola touching the whole affair: The Duke of Savoy's opinion was, that foregoing the enterprises of Mantua and Casalle for the present, they should go with all their joint Forces to the recovery of Pinarollo and Susa, and that they should endeavour to drive the French beyond the Mountains; for when Italy should be freed of them, both Mantua and Casalle, as not being able to hold out without them, would fall of themselves, especially since Casalle not having victuals, would soon surrender; and the Duke promised on the faith of a Prince, that it should not be relieved with victuals; and to the end, that each Commander of each Army, as well the Emperors, as the King of Spain's, might willingly agree to this, he offered to leave Piedmont free to be disposed of by them, to the end, that they might manage their war there as they listed; and that he, contenting himself with 12000 Foot and 1500 Horse, would go with them into Savoy, and from thence into Dolpheny; where mastering the ways which lead to Italy, he would hinder Commerce between France and the Army which was busied in defending Pinarollo, in such sort, as that Army not being able to be recruited either with Men, Victuals or Money from France, should either be forced to perish there, or abandoning Italy and Piedmont, should return to France; and the French being thus kept from making opposition, Casalle and Mantua would easily be reduced: all of them except Spinola, did in part approve, and in part disapprove of the Duke's Proposal: all of them agreed that for the present they should forego the enterprises of Mantua and Casalle, and that they should march with their joint Forces to recover the Duke's Towns, and to drive the French out of Italy; but the other part of the Duke's advice was not generally agreed unto, for what concerned carrying the war with part of the Forces beyond the Mountains; for this opinion appeared to be as dangerous, as the other of joining in the recovery of the Towns of Piedmont was useful and requisite: but Spinola, were it either that he knew the mind of the Spanish Court, or out of the apparent advantage which would be had by the getting of Casalle, or that ●…e thought it but vain to go about recovering the places which were lost, whilst the way for relief was open behind them, or that he was jealous that the Duke might change his mind if the French should offer to restore his Towns, held it better not to expose the main Forces, the safety of affairs, and of the King's Dominions, and his own reputation, upon the Duke's bare word, which he did not much rely upon, upon the uncertainty of Success, lest the King's men might be worsted by the French, and that they should find difficulty in retreating, in case that any agreement should be made between the Duke and the French; wherefore opposing the opinion of the whole Council, wherein the chief Commanders of the Army did intervene, and also opposing San' Croce, he was of opinion, that Colalto should tarry with the most of his men to oppose the French, and that he himself should with the remainder attend the expugning of Casalle: from which resolution neither the Duke's entreaty, nor the contrary opinion of the whole Council, nor any other inconvenience which was urged might be prejudicial to the common affairs, could divert him: he therefore sent his Son Don Philip with 5000 Foot and 500 Horse to the recovery of Pontestura, San' Georgio, and Lusignano, all of them being near Casalle, which (as hath been said) were held and garrisoned by the French; and he himself stayed in Turin, to assist, in the Treaty of peace, which after the loss of Pinarollo was reassumed by the Legate. The Duke of Savey was not a little incensed at this constant resolution of Spinola; and that not so much for that he saw himself deprived of his assistance and of a good part of the Spanish Army, as for sear that if Casalle should be taken, the Spaniards would be less fervent in defending him, and in recovering his lost Towns: A consideration which had he not been blinded by his own interest, he might suppose might oblige Spinola as much to endeavour the taking of Casalle anticipately, as it was probable that the Duke, whose Interests the taking of Casalle did oppose, when he should have recovered his Towns in Piedmont, should use his best means to keep Casalle from being taken, as he had done formerly. Colalto was likewise much troubled at this resolution of Spinola's, being wrought upon by the Duke of Savoy's persuasions, and as some will say, by his great donatives; for he, favouring the Duke's Cause, as if the Common Cause were concerned therein, desired it might be taken into consideration in the first place; so as to boot with the emulation which was already grown between them, not only diversity of opinions, but distastes arose upon this occasion, from whence much prejudice did r●…dound to the main affair; which being distracted by the several interests, and emulations of private men, was subject to great hazards, just like a Ship which is agitated by contrary winds: so as Collalto not willing to be left alone to prosecute the business of Piedmont, withdrew to the Army before Mantua; saying publicly, that if others would prefer their Prince his particular cause, before what was the common concernment, he was likewise obliged to prefer the business of Mantua, wherein the Emperor was particularly interessed, before that of Casalle or Piedmont. The Legate being this mean while gone to Pinarollo, had acquainted Cardinal Richelieu with what had been agreed unto in Alessandria by Spinola, and San' Croce: he found him willing to yield to all save to what concerned the restitution of Pinarollo; which he said it was necessary for him to keep, as well out of the pretences which the King of France laid thereunto, as for the security of Nevers his affairs, and of the peace which was to be concluded, which having been violated many times (as he said) on the Spanish side, he might justly fear it might meet again with some troubles, when he should be passed back over the Mountains: but it was rather thought that he refused to restore Pinarolio, out of private ambition; for he was very proud of having gotten a place of such importance for the King's affairs; and as France was much grieved when Pinarollo was restored to the Father of this present Prince, by Henry the Third, King of France, so being now as much pleased with the recovery thereof, the Cardinal would not, together with the advantage of the acquisition, lose the perpetual glory of having done so great a benefit to the Crown or France: but this being a point of such importance for the conclusion or exclusion of peace, in which things belonging to others are usually restored, the retaining thereof was now discussed, only as being contrary to the title pretended unto by the King's Forces; wherein Richelieu mitigated the Proposal, and reduced the retention thereof to the space of two years, offering the Duke Montcalvo, and some other Towns in Montferrat in pawn for the restoring of it: but this being held to be yet too hard a condition, wherein the observance of the agreement was reduced to the Arbitrement of the French, who when Casalle and Mantua should be freed, it was hard to say what they would have done; it was finally proposed, that the Dutch should keep the Towns taken from the Grisons, and the French those of the Dukes, till such time as the affairs of Italy should be adjusted within fifteen days; which when they should be adjusted and composed, whatsoever was retained should be by both sides restored. Spinola listened to this Proposal, which he thought to be more moderate, insomuch as discoursing thereof in the presence of the Duke of Savoy, and of the other Commanders, he said that he would readily agree thereunto, if the time of restitution might be prolonged for the space of two months; the Duke who was already very much unsatisfied with Spinola, could not give way to such a length of time; but letting his anger burst out which till then he had kept in, he exclaimed very much upon him, as did Colalto also; and it being discovered that there was speech of a meeting between the Cardinal and Spinola, and that intelligence was held between them, the jealousy grew greater; both of them being found to be no wellwishers to the Duke. This suspicion was much fomented by the friendship which was contracted between them, when Spinola in his passage from Flanders to Spain, went to the Camp before Rochel, to kiss the King's hand; where being received with unusual favours by the Cardinal, the Cardinal was much commended by a relation which Spinola made to the King of the well ordering of that Siege, and by his assuring him of happy and speedy success, if the same course should be still taken; and to all this it was added, that a dispatch which was at this very time sent to Spinola being intercepted, Richelieu sent it to him close sealed as it was, and unbroken up, which being known by the Duke, afforded him much cause of jealousy. Thus the Treaty of peace being broken, preparation was made for war; and the Duke resenting Spinola's usage, sent the Abbot Scaglia to complain unto the King of Spinola's strange and rigorous proceedings, tending not only to the prejudice of him the Duke, but to the dis-service of the King's affairs, and of the common cause, which could receive no advantage by the Duke's dis-satisfaction; and he made his Daughter in Law complain of the Cardinal in the Court of France, but particularly to the Queen-Mother; who though she had been very well pleased formerly with the Cardinal's greatness, began to be jealous of him now, by reason of his too great authority, and of the credit which he had won with the King; so as it was in several manners ill spoken of; some accusing him of too great hatred to the Duke; that being ordered to deal friendly with him, his only endeavours in this expedition had been to incense him, and by his ill usage to alienate him from the King's interest: some accused him of want of experience in Military affairs; some of injustice and violence, who had turned those Forces which were destined to defend an injured Prince, to oppress another who was so near allied to the King, a Friend and Confederate of the Crown, to the great scandal of the King's Forces, to the danger of the enterprise, and of that Army, wherein were so many Lords and Commanders; wherefore finding himself complained of, and apprehending the King's displeasure, whereinto he might run by his absence, he left the management of affairs in Piedmont with the Marshal's dela Force and Scomberg, and returned with Cricky into France; whither when he was come, and had given an account of his action, and of what straits the Duke had put him in, he had much adoto clear himself from the faults which were laid to his charge by his ill-willers. Thus went the Duke about to prejudice the Cardinal's fortune by his endeavours, which he could never overthrow by his Forces, nor by his so many Plots and Stratagems. Whilst the business of peace was debated in Turin, Don Philippo Spinola was got near Pontestura, and had begirt it on all sides; and began his Batteries: the French had begun some unperfect Fortifications, and those of Casalle, that the longer that place held out, the longer might they themselves be preserved; they thought good to lessen their own Garrison and Provisions, and employ them in the defence of Pontestura, hoping that by gain of time they might the better mind their own Fortifications: but the effects proved otherwise, for on the fourth day the defendants began to parley, and on the fifth, agreed to surrender the Town, upon all the conditions they could desire, except that they were not to enter into Casalle, nor tarry in Italy, and they were bound to leave all their victuals and provisions behind them. Thus Don Philip became master of this place, and made the French go to Finale, and from thence to Marcelles, with little reputation: from hence he went to St. George his Castle, which was not above a mile and a half from Casalle, where there were but twelve French men in Garrison, besides the Townsmen, who were very well armed and prepared for defence: here they met with more resistance, for the defendants refusing to surrender, Don Philip began his Mines, which he began to make upon the Flank of a Tower; but they did no good, by reason of artificial fireworks, which being thrown from off the Walls, burned the penthouses which sheltered the workmen; so they were forced to work further off, in a better covered place; where being safer, they slew some of the defendants, amongst which the Captain of the French; whereupon the rest fearing to be served so likewise, surrendered upon the same Articles that Pontestura had done, but not with the like infamy. Rossigliano remained yet untaken, where there were about 300 French and Montferrians; this place being cut off from Casalle by the loss of St. Georgio, it was thought it would be loss of time to attempt it, since it could not prejudice Casalle: but Spinola, to whom Don Philip writ, sending word that they should proceed on, they went thither; the place was strong enough and seated high; Marquis Moncausier the chief of the French Garrison was Governor, a young sprightly man, desirous of fame, and to make amends by his valour for the obloquy that was laid by all men upon the French for having defended Pontestura so poorly: so the business proved somewhat longer and more difficult: the defendants upon the enemy's appearance came forth, and after some skirmishing retreated into the Town; to which the enemy drew near, making their approaches on three sides, and on two sides their Batteries: but all their attempts, which were many, were manfully withstood, and the Siege was held out for 15 days: but at last, a mine being made in the third approach, to boot with their batteries, they were forced to yield upon the same conditions as Pontestura had done, only Moncausier, with some others, were permitted to go into Casalle; which being blocked up by the loss of these places, and kept from all succour and victuals, and fearing to be shortly assaulted by Spinola's whole Army, it was not likely to hold out long: yet the French that were in it were not dismayed, but hearing that a company of the Duke's Horse were quartered in Morano, beyond the Po, they went out by night, and passing over the River in Boats, they fell upon them at unawares, killed many of them, and brought many of them prisoners into Casalle. Spinola seeing the peace not effected, left about 6000 Foot in Piedmont, under the Camp-masters, Don Martined ' Aragona, Antoni●…dal Taffo, Nicola Doria, and Baron Shamburgs, and 1000 Horse under jerardo Gambacorti, Governor of the Neapolitan Horse, with Orders to them all to obey the Prince of Piedmont, and he himself went to the Siege of Casalle; and taking his leave of the Duke, he excused the necessity of this his resolution, upon the account of the great Garrison of French which was in Casalle, which keeping the State of Milan, and part of Piedmont in jealousy, no reason of war would permit that that Rendezvouz for the enemy's Arms should be suffered, by reason of the great inconveniences which might result from thence; all their joint Forces being in Piedmont; and being confident, out of his experience in taking in of Towns, and by the opinion of his Captains, that the Town could not hold out for above 40 days: he promised the Duke that when it should be taken, he would return with all his Forces to assist him: Colalto also parted from Piedmont, leaving between three or four thousand Dutch there under the Baron Gallaaso, who were put in Garrison in Avigliana. Spinola begun the taking of Casalle about the end of May, not being resolved whether he should attempt it by Storm or by Siege: though they hoped the Siege would not prove long, by reason of the small quantity of victuals that were in it; yet calculating that the number of defendants were lessened, by the sending of men into the Towns which were taken but a little before, it was judged that storming would prove the safer and the shorter way; the rather for that the Forces of the French Army being sufficiently diminished, the fear of their opposition was proportionably lessened: wherefore it was thought better to dispute the business by force of Arms, than straightening it by Famine to depend upon the success of a Siege, which through uncertain and false calculations proves more uncertain and more fallacious: but were it either that his felicity followed him not, but was fixed to the Belgic soil, or that the several ends and emulations of the Chieftains who managed that war did turmoil his genius, or that his d●…ath, which shortly happened, cut off the thread of his excellent fortune, he was forced to succumb in this. The Duke di Mena, Nevers his second Son, commanded in Casalle; a young man, and but little experienced in Arms; so as his person served for little more than for the authority and reputation of the Government and conduct of Affa●…rs, and to keep concord amongst the Captains, and Military obedience: in the Citadel was only a Garrison of Montferrians, under the same Marquis of Rivara, who had withstood the former oppugnation: the French, being 2000 Foot and 300 Horse, defended the City and the Citadel, who were commanded by Marshal di Toras, one who had won the same of much valour, and the opinion of being excellent at the keeping of Towns, by his singular and valiant defending of the Isle of Rees, which lies over against Rochel, against a treble assault of the English Fleet: the chief Fortifications, when Toras came thither, were only towards the Po and towards the Plain, where it was assaulted by Don Gonzallo: it was but little or not at all fortified towards the Hill; and Toras searing to be assaulted on that side, was very industrious in fortifying it: the Citadel had no outworks nor Fortifications, save two Halfmoons; the one of which sheltered the Gate whereby relief was brought; the other that which was towards the City. Toras made another very great one, doubly begirt, between the two bulwarks of the Citadel, where he apprehended to be assaulted. Neither were these provisions made in vain; for Spinola thinking this the fittest place, began four approaches from thence; the first whereof was committed to the care of the Camp master Filomarini his Neapolitans, and was directed against that part of the City which is called de Treventi, and lay under some Fortifications which were built upon a rise without the City; and the wall of the City, together with that of the Castle, making an angle inwards, which the Assailants were to play upon, the onset on that side was the more hard and dangerous: the other approaches led strait upon the two Bulwarks of the Citadel, betwixt which Toras had made his Half moon: to the first whereof, which was more inward, and nearer the Gate which leads to Turin, were two approaches made, the fi●…st by the Spaniards commanded by the Duke of Lerma, the other by the Dutch who were commanded by Shamburgs Lieutenant: the fourth approach, which was against the Bulwark, from whence the Campagnia is first discovered, fell to the Lombard's share, under the two Camp-masters, Trotti and Sforza. Thus the Trenches being begun to be opened, every one endeavoured to come speedily to what was intended; this mean while Don jeronymo Augustini, being left in V●…llata to guard that Frontier, by Spinola's Order drew near the Po, over against Casalle; and that he might straighten the Town the more on that side, he took up his Quarters there, wherein he was not well fortified when he began to attempt the nearest Island, upon which those of the City had made some Fortifications, for it was of great consequence for the safety of the City and of the Mills which were not far from thence; foo●…ding over the River with his Horses fastened together, notwithstanding that he was played upon by Musket-shot from the Walls and from the Forts, he advanced so far as he became master of the Island, with the death of 300 French, part whereof were slain, part drowned in the Po, which is very deep, and runs very swift between the Island and the City: This being the first action attempted by those without upon such disadvantage, and yet with such courage and vigour, and proving so fortunate to the assailants, and so prejudicial to the assaulted, did much discourage the Cassalians, who were not accustomed all the preceding year to so fierce and bloody sport; and the baseness of the French, here, being added to that which they showed in defending Pontestura, they began to fear the worst, and to confide but little in the Soldiers of that Nation, upon whom they had formerly built so much: But Toras had occasion soon enough to signalise himself and his Soldiers, in an other action which he attempted with no less Judgement and Valour than Fortune, whereby he won Reputation to himself and to his men, and revived the almost extinct credit of the French in the Montferrians; he was aware that the Lombard's that were working upon the fourth approach had not as yet finished a redoubt, and that those who were to guard it were negligent, believing that those who were within, having already lost their Reputation, would not dare to assault them, he sallied forth with about 400 of his best and most experienced Foot, and with 50 Horse; and falling upon them at unawares, cut them all in pieces; And not tarrying here, he passed on to the second redoubt, which being abandoned by three Ensigns, who with some of their companies had the keeping thereof, he easily mastered it; Then passing forward to the third, with like Valour and like hope, he failed in his intent by the resistance he met with there, and by reason of the Horse which came in, led on by Count Soragna; so as being forced to give back, he retreated to underneath the shelter of the Citadel, with more prejudice to the Enemy then to his own men, having slain three Captains and many Officers, and having wounded Count Soragna mortally, who died soon after, and killed above fourscore Soldiers, and wounded many more. This action did much encourage the defendants, and made the enemy more cautious, and delayed the making of the approaches; the which the more they advanced, were more subject to danger, to loss of men and delay; the defendants failed not to sally out both by day and night, with sometimes greater, sometimes lesser loss to each side. Whilst they wrought thus with more toil and danger before Casalle, business cooled in Piedmont; when the Cardinal and Cricky went away, the managing of the power was left (as you have heard) to the Marshals De La Force and Scomburg; and Scomburg, who went afterwards to France, was succeeded by the Duke of Momorancy; who distributing their men in Pinorollo, and in Brischerasco, stood more upon defence then offence; For many of their Commanders and Officers were gone from France, many of their Soldiers had done so likewise, or were run away, and the Plague had played his part amongst them, and the Duke having sent about 10000 Foot into Savoy, under Prince Thomaso, to defend Savoy, fearing lest it might be invaded and possessed by the King, made of the rest of his Soldiery a body of 15000 Foot, and 3000 Horse, made up of his own men, and of the King of Spain's men which were left him by Spinola; which together with the Dutch were still increased, by the continual recruits which were sent in by Spinola and Collalto: And going into the field he encamped at Pancareli, a Town beyond the Po, towards the Alps, 15 miles from Pinarollo; and fortifying it with Trenches, he stood observing what the French would do, that he might oppose them. The French had their eyes upon Vigone, which though it were an open Town, yet of much concernment for the Corn that was in it; they went thither very strong and assaulted it; But the Prince of Piedmont coming in with some companies of Carabines and Musketeers, they were repulsed. Wherefore they turned to Cercenasco, a Castle not far from thence, very convenient for their falling down into Carignano, where there is a wooden Bridge over the Po, which the French desired to be Masters of, it lying conveniently for them to pass unto Casalle, they took it, and left some to defend it: But the Duke being desirous to recover it came before it with many men, when the French were retired to Pinarollo, and at the same time sent Marquis Villa with 1000 Foot, and 100 Horse, to attempt Bricherasco, formerly taken, as hath been said, by the French, and fortified. The event of these erterprises were different, for Cercenasco yielded to the Duke within three days, and the Marquis though he fell upon the Fortifications by night, and was gotten a good way into them, yet was he forced quickly to retreat, through his men's faults, who being wholly intent upon booty, afforded those of the Garrison conveniency to make head and to assault them, and to repulse them whilst they were in disorder busy about booty: The French not content to have beaten them back went with all their Forces to recover Cercenasco, which they could not endure to lose. The Duke who was ready with almost all his men to receive them, though he was inferior to them in Horse, those which were sent to Bricherasco not being yet returned, Momorancy was desirous to give battle, which if it had been done, would have been upon much disadvantage to the Duke; but La Force would not give way thereunto; Wherefore they retreated to their quarters about Pinarollo, and the Plague increasing very much in both Armies, they kept in their quarters, for many days, in the face of one another, as if they had been in tacit League, not doing any thing of moment. The King of France proceeded more hotly beyond the Mountains, who entering into Savoy with 8000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, had reduced all Savoy into his power, unless it were Mommiliano, for Prince Thomaso made no opposition, he resolved to begird Mommiliano on all sides, and to besiege it a distance; for it was a strong and almost invincible place: For being enclosed on all sides by his Forces, and impossible to be relieved, it must of necessity fall into his hands for want of victuals; So as needing not many men for that enterprise, he sent part of his Forces to recruit his Army in Italy, which had need enough of help: And Prince Thomaso being sent for back by his Father, carried his men with him from Savoy to defend Piedmont. Thus both Armies b●…ing reinforced, they prepared for greater erterprises, the French to relieve Casalle the Duke to withstand them. This recruit was sent under Momorancy, who was returned from Piedmont into France, after the business of Cercenaseo; it consisted of 10000 Foot, and 1000 Horse, and ●…ell down by the valley of Susa: Momorancy intending to join with the Forces that were in Pinarollo, and crossing Piedmont to draw near Casalle, towards which Marshal De La Force leaving a sufficient Garrison in Pinarollo, and in the other places, went by the way of the Mountains to Giavenna near Susa, waiting there for Momorancy▪ who did not much value Avigliana, there being almost no Garrison there, for the Duke had sent for the greatest part thereof to Pancaler: Wherefore he easily took it, he likewise believed he should easily pass through the Canevese to Casalle, Spinola and the Duke were much troubled at the coming of this recruit, but much more with the news of the Kings coming with a greater force; who having possessed himself (as you have heard) of Savoy, was come near the Alps, and was at the same time seen upon the Mountain St Barnado; So as the Duke perceiving that the King was offended with him, knew not how to fence himself against this third coming of the French; and Spinola, who was engaged before Casalle but with a few men, fearing lest, little to his honour, he might be forced as his Predecssor had been, to abandon that enterprise; (which contrary to the opinion of all) he had of himself undertaken, knew not what to do; Yet b●…ing much pressed by the Duke, he sent 6000 Dutch to the Mountain, who were brought at the King of Spain's charge, but very then, from Germany, and six Troops under Pagan Doria, Duke of Avigliana, in the Kingdom of Naples, and Brother to Prince Doria a young man, and who the year before had entered into the Militia under Don Gonsallo, and was in the first business of Casalle; and Spinola, to the end that if the King should come he might not be enforced to raise the siege, or fight, took the Soldiers from working in the approaches, and employed them in making a crooked and high trench, wherewith he environed the whole Camp. And seeing that by this new work, and by the men which he had sent the Duke, the siege would be slackened: and having in vain desired a thousand of his Dutch from Collalto, he sent to the Commonwealth of Genoa for a thousand men, which he would take into his pay; But neither was this granted him; for hearing of preparations of Arms in the Provence, the Commonwealth would not disfurnish herself; and this the rather for that having formerly sent men to before Casalle, she could not receive them back when she needed them, without manifest danger of infecting the State, the Plague being very hot in the Camp before Casalle: So Spinola was forced to make use of those men to defend his own Camp, which he had begun to oppose others with; and the Duke of Savoy fearing Avigliana, sent Count Verr●…a from Pancaleri with 3000 Foot, and Gambacorti with 400 Hose, to possess themselves of the abandoned Trenches and Fortifications, that shut up the valley which leads from Susa to Avigliana. As they went thither, they found the Enemy very near; but having possessed themselves of the Trenches first, the Prince came in with a great body of men, who reinforcing those stations with 2000 Foot, encamped himself with the rest at Riano, within two miles of Avigliana: both parties kept within their quarters, facing one another two days, some sleight skirmishes passing between them; the third day the French finding it impossible to advance and storm those quarters, resolved to give over their going that way to Casalle, and endeavoured to retreat jointly by the Mountain to Pinarollo, and passing over the Mountain Giavenna, to join with La Force, who was yet there with his men, the way by the Mountain Giavenna was very narrow and hard to pass; so as two Brigadoes being already passed over, the rest remained yet in the plain, in danger of being routed if they should be assaulted, for that they could not well be succoured by those that were already past. The Prince thought it not fit to let slip this occasion, but without tarrying for more of his men, who were not above a mile off, would fall upon them with those that he had ready, hoping that they would suffice to get the victory; He had with him about 5000 Dutch, two of the Prince's Troops of Horse, and Doria's six Companies which were new men unexperienced, and were not above 300 Horse; The French rear which remained in the plain, was 3000 Foot, and about 400 Horse, the choicest of all the Army, and Momorancy, and Marshal Di●…iate, with some others of the most experienced Commanders, remained in the rear, for the greater security thereof. The●…e was a great Mere or standing water between them, which men passed over by two banks: the one whereof was on the back, the other on the flank of the French. Shamburg and Sults advanced by the latter, with half the Dutch, in a close Ba●…aglione, and with the Prince his Troops of Horse, by the other the Prince himself in person, with the rest of the Dutch commanded by Gallasso, and with Doria's Horse. The skirmish being begun, Momorancy divided his Horse into two squadrons, and took a little compass upon the left hand towards a neighbouring Town called St Ambrosio, which led to the way of the Hill: The Prince conceiving that the French fled, and would climb the Mountain by that way and get into a place of safety, or recover Susa, ordered Doria to fall upon them with his Horse, and Gallaso that he should send 200 Muketiers to back Doria's Horse; The Muketiers went not, either for the confusion into which Gallasso fell, or for that he would not lessen his squadron: so as Doria fought Momorancy without his Musketeers, and fought very stoutly, with an equal number of Horse, but upon great disadvantage, for that both he and his Horse were new men unexperienced, and guided for the most part by Leiutenants; whereas the French were veterane Soldiers, choice men, and commanded by Momorancy, a Commander of approved and tried Valour: so as two of Doria's Troops running away at the very first encounter, the rest were presently defeated, and Doria having received many wounds was taken Prisoner, together with Captain Robustelli, who was shot with two pistol bullets. Rainero Guasco, Captain of the Carabines, who fell on first, escaped, but was sorely wounded: The Dutch that were on that side, when they saw the Horse run, threw away their Arms, and fled outright without fight, though the Prince did all he could to stop them: The other Battaglion which marched on the other side, fought valianly, and slew many of the Enemy, chase them for a while; and had they been assisted by the other squadron, they would assuredly have got the victory; But seeing their companions run away, they also retreated to their quarters at Avigliana, and left the French free to pursue their journey: So as though all the rest of the Prince's Army were now come in, yet the French having already mounted the Hills, and it being therefore impossible to pursue them, he forbore to do it. There died on the Prince his side about 500, and about 400 were taken Prisoners and wounded; 400 were wounded and slain of the French; and the Prince lost 10 Dutch Colours, and one Corner of Horse: Being come to Pinarollo, they found it as hard to get to Casalle by that way; for the Duke, to whom many of those were returned from Avigliana who were sent thither at the coming of the French, coming into the field, coasted continually along by them on the Plain within 3 miles, to keep them from victuals as much as he could; for being hindered from getting any by the way of the Valley, they could get but very little by the way of the Mountains, and from Dolpheny or France very few were sent them; so as what by Famine, what by Pestilence, they were much lessened: Wherefore desirous to get out of these straits, and to come into a more fruitful Country, (for they saw it was impossible for them to get to Casalle without passing over the Po, and it was as impossible for them to pass the Po, being therein opposed by the Duke) they turned towards the Marquisate of Saluzzo, where they knew they might have store of victuals, where they might have conveniency to refresh their wearied Army, and which had suffered much by Famine and Sickness; and where they knew they might pass over the Po, which takes its beginning from thence, almost dryfoot, and without any opposition. They therefore came to ravel, a Town in that Marquisate, where passing over the River they went directly to Saluzzo: The Town yielded immediately, and sent them the Keys of the Gates, that they might get the better conditions: When they were come in, they found very good Quarter, and refreshments of all sorts. They came afterwards before the Castle, whither the Duke had sent 300 Foot but a little before under Cavalier Balbiano, which was within three days surrendered to them; whereat the Duke was much grieved, not being able to endure that that Town should be taken from him before his eyes, and his Army looking on. The Duke also past over the Po afterwards, and went with his Army to Savigliano, fearing to lose that place also, which though it were weak and open was yet of concernment; for not being above 15 miles off, and seated diametrically opposite to Saluzzo, as Pancareli to Pinarollo, so was Savigliano a fit place from whence to observe the moving of the Army which was lodged in Saluzzo. The Duke was sufficiently ne●…led at the loss of so many Towns, and at the receiving of so many blows on both sides of the Mountains; and being desirous to vent his anger in a battle, he sought all occasions to do it; for examining well his own and his Enemy's Forces, though he came somewhat short of them in Foot, yet was he stronger in Horse, which was no little advantage for the Victory upon the Plain. Spinola heard of the Duke's intention, who fearing the success, and the prejudice which in such a case might redound to the Enterprise of Casalle, he strove by reasons and by persuasions, and with protesting that he would recall the King's men, to remove from that resolution: He bade him consider, that the men which he had sent him to defend Piedmont were the Garrison of the State of Milan, and the safety of the King's Dominions; that they were granted him, to the end that he might by them encamp, and face the French till he might recover his Towns, and to block up the way to all relief, and not that he should adventure them in a battle: That therefore he should forbear till the business of Casalle were fully perfected; and that then he himself would concur with all his men in recovery of the Towns that were lost, and in the entire freeing of Piedmont from the French. The affairs of Piedmont and of Casalle were reduced to this condition; and to this point was the Duke of Savoy brought; so as to boot with seeing part of his Territories lost, part of them encumbered by the Spanish Army, he was put to wage War in his own Dominions, not as a Prince or Ruler of the Militia, but as a Captain at the will of others; and to back the taking of Casalle, contrary to his own Interest, with the evident loss of so much of his State, and with the danger of his own person; when having long disputed with himself touching the business of Casalle, he had designed (whilst he should be the Arbitrator of Affairs, as he thought to have been) to handle the business so as without him no peace should be made. These were the acquisitions hoped for by the present War, this the arbitrement pretended unto between the two Crowns at the beginning of the War. These distastes, and some other high carriages in Spinola did daily add to the Duke's disgusts, who was wont to wage War according as he listed, and being impatient to be governed by the Spanish Agents, to show his resentment against which he had not forborn to draw upon him the anger of that Crown; nor had he stuck to provoke the anger of France, that he might resent the Cardinal Richelieu's strange and severe Proceedings against him and his Son; and therefore it was conceived by many conjectures, that stomaching these rigorous dealings, he was inclined to close with the French; and his chief Captains and Officers were often heard to say, that their Prince had lost too much in serving the Crown of Spain; and that he ought to think how he might recover himself; that Piedmont was ruined, as not being able to maintain so many Armies; that the loss of Casalle made not for the Duke's Interest; and that therefore it was necessary to close with the French, who had offered him great and advantageous conditions, if Casalle might be preserved: to this was added, that amidst all these molestations of the two Crowns, it was sufficient for the Duke to keep his Towns, and to Munite them well with Garrisons; and that his betaking himself to the Field was only to please Spinola; and Massarine being at this time come from France with new Proposals, the Prince was heard to say, that the French began to do reason: so as the King of Spain's Commanders, whose ears were continually filled with these reproaches, began to mistrust the Duke, and to fear lest he might make an Agreement, not unlike to that of Susa: but the news which was divulged throughout the Camp and all Italy, of Wallesteins' approaching, and that he would shortly appear in Italy with a powerful Army; the taking of Mantua, which soon after happened; and chiefly the Duke's death, which succeeded not long after, freed the Spaniards from these suspicions; whereof they might have been secure enough by the aversion which had been formerly between Richelieu and the Duke: but as for Wallesteins' coming, though he had earnestly desired to en●…er armed into Italy, and to wage War there like another Totila, and had much importuned the Court of Spain to that purpose, without whose consent the Emperor would not give way thereunto, and offered his best service to the King of Spain, for the preservation and increase of his Majesty's Power and Authority, against the Potentates of Italy, hoping to be as successful therein as he had been to the Emperor and House of Austria in Germany; yet the King and Court foreseeing the ruin which this man's fierce nature threatened to Italy, and abhorring to have their Authority increased by laying Italy waste, and by so much shedding of Italian blood; but fearing much more that his Authority would rather be suffocated then sublevated, by introducing so many Forces into Italy, they would never yield thereunto: And the Duke of Savoy, who by secret Intelligence (as it was thought) held with Wallestine, and for the emulation and contentions which he foresaw would arise between him and Spinola, and who hoped to have occasion to put in practice his plots which he had contrived with Wallestine, being prevented by death, failed the witnessing his being displeased with the present Affairs. At the same time the business of Mantua proceeded more fortunately for the Imperialists; who, after having had the better in some Action●…, had the fortune to surprise the City, and to make themselves Masters of it. The Cesarian Army had lain idle almost all that Winter in those parts, being only intent in keeping Victuals and provisions from b●…ing brought thither; but the Spring coming on, it afflicted the besieged in several manners, and brought them into great straits. Nevers was aware that the Dutch having abandoned Rodigo, had fortified themselves in Goito, a place not far from Rodigo; and considering, that if he could take that place and fortify it, it would be a very fit place to exclude Commerce between Goito and the Dutch Quarters, which were in Gozzoldo, and that consequently Goito not being to be relieved, he might easily recover it: He sent five hundred of his best Soldiers thither, who, entering Rodigo without any opposition, began to fortify it; but this business proved prejudicial to the Mantuans; for Galasso going thither with a good strength of men, and having first furnished Goito with vi●…uals, and le●… part of the King's men in Rivolta, he came with 200 Horse, and about 800 of his best Foot Soldiers, to Rodigo, and having first possessed himself of all the parts thereabouts, he tried whether the Defendants would surrender or no, who coming to parley, and finding it impossible to defend the place, and despairing to be relieved, (for some Barks coming from Mantua with Soldiers, and some Troops of Horse which were to have assisted them, were with much loss repulsed by those that were left in Rivolta) they were forced to surrender upon sad conditions, all o●… them being to remain Prisoners at the discretion of the Enemy; except the Captain, who was permitted to return to Mantua. The Mantuans had the like fortune, who in great numbers were led on by the two Marquesses Alfonso Guerriero and Carlo de Rossi, to the recovery of Hostiglia, a great Town upon the banks of Po, where a Company of Dutch were quartered; for Aldringer, who had notice thereo●…, ●…ollowed them, and being come to Governolo, though he heard they were stronger than he had supposed, went on with some Forces to assist his Party; and finding some trenches at la Chiu●… di Serravalle, from whence, and from a Tower not far off, some of his party were much Prejudiced, he, from some of the neighbouring houses which he took annoyed those that were in the Trenches with his Musket shot; and having sent some of his men to cut off the way from the Defendants, they, fearing to be enclosed, forsook the Trench, and fled towards Hostiglia, and elsewhere; but being pursued by the Dutch, many of them were slain; which being known by them who were before Hostiglia, they likewise gave over the Siege, and fled away with like fortune: For being pursued by those who were in Hostiglia, and by some other Dutch, who, crossing the Po, came from Rovere to aid them, 300 of them were slain, and Guerriero and Rossi were wounded; and the Quarters about Hostiglia were not only freed from danger, but better secured by new Fortifications and Garrisons: He went from thence to Serravalle, wherein, and in some houses thereabouts, were many Soldiers; and because it was hard to take it, nor could it be done without loss of men; by reason of its so strong situation, which encouraged the Defendants to hold out, it was resolved to set it on fire, whereby many of the Defendants perished; and those who escaped the fire fell into the hands of the Dutch, and were forthwith slain. The Duke of Mantua having lost many of his men by these misfortunes, and by the Pestilence, which increased much in Mantua; and the affairs of that City being daily reduced to greater straits, the Siege still continuing, though at a distance, the Defendants began to distrust their safety; and those likewise did distrust it to whom the loss of that City would prove as prejudicial. The Venetians, to whom it belonged to sustain it more than any others, had at first been very forward in employing all their Forces to defend it; but their succours proving as yet not answerable to the others necessities, or their promises, they had afforded sinister, discourses of their intentions: Some allotted the slenderness of their supplies to the difficulty of introducing them; others, to their backwardness; many, to that they did not desire to declare themselves openly, and contrary to the Emperor, of whose greatness they were still jealous, and had great reason to apprehend it; and many, to more hidden and malign ends, of reducing that Duke into a necessity of throwing himself into their Arms, and of yielding up that City to the Commonwealth, if, not being able to hold it, he should be necessitated to yield it to the Enemy. Nevers complained much hereof; and the Ambassador of France, than Resident in Venice, no less than he; and threatened, That if the Commonwealth should proceed so coolly on her part, his King also, who was less concerned in the Affairs of Italy than they, would do the like in Cassalle and Montferrat, and would leave them both to the pleasure of the Spaniard. The Commonwealth being either moved by these speeches, or by the danger that Mantua was in, in whose inte●…ests she so deeply shared, resolved at last to send stronger succours: She had about 3000 French paid by her, who were brought from Provence to Venice by Sea, part under Monsieur de la Valletta, part under the Duke of Candale; to boot with many others of several Nations, to the number of 8000: Zaccharia Sagred●… Commissary-General in terra firma, commanded in Chief; the Duke of Candale commanded the Foot; and Don Lewis de Este the Horse; and jeronymo Trevisano was Field-Commissary: Vallegio, a strong Town in the Territories of Verona, towards the confines of Mantua, five miles below Peschiera, was made the Rendezvoz for Arms, in pursuit of the Commonwealths resolution, which was, That Mantua should by all means be relieved. The Commanders of the Army, before the effecting of this design, would make Castiglione and Mormirolo, which were Towns nearer Mantua, secure, that they might the more easily relieve it, and secure the coming of Market-people, and the fruits of the field to that City; and thought they had sent Forces to possess themselves thereof, yet considering afterwards, that to boot with the extraordinary expenses which they must be at in fortifying those places, the business would not succeed according to their intentions, they bethought themselves better, and upon new resolutions, to take Villa-Buona, Marengo, and St Britio, places nearer Val●…ggio, not far from Coito: The business of Villa-buona, by Orders from Candale, was undertaken by Colonel Vimarcato, who was sent thither with his Brigade; and that of Marengo by la Valletta, who, by order from the General, entered it with a good strength of men; the sending of a Garrison to St Britio was deferred till another time: They began to fortify both these Places; and two Troops of Horse, and some Corsicks, were sent to Villa buona, to boot with Vimarcato's Brigade, which were already there: But Galasso, who minded what the Venetians did, did not slight this their action; but putting the body of an Army together, consisting of 10000, what Horse, what Foot, marched with it to Villa buona, and advancing some Companies of Croats, they encountered with some Capelletti, who being come from Villa-buona went to discover the Country, and were followed by some Light-Horse: Lafoy Valletta, together with many Volunteers and Lancepresad●…es, went to order the skirmish, if any should happen, which being briskly begun, was but ill sustained by the Capelletti; for the body of the Dutch advancing, which followed the Croats, the Venetians wheeled about, and were pursued to their Trenches, where the Soldiers that guarded them, being afraid, began to run; but being rallied by their Captains, and made to take their former stations, they did a while withstand the Dutch, who strove thrice, but in vain, to gain the T●…enches, and to drive away the defendants; in which interim, the Dutch had raised a Battery of six Cannons, which playing upon th●… Trenches and Halfmoons, and indamaging them much, the defendants were forced to forsake them, and to retreat in great confusion and disorder; for the Soldiers who with much ado had been made formerly to stand by their Captain's threats, seeing some Pike men give back, were surprised with sudden fear, and fairly ran away towards Villagio, leaving their stations to the enemy; whereof some of them following, and some having overtaken them with their Horse, they were environed, and much bloody slaughter was made amongst them: true it is, that news of the F●…ght at Villa-buona being come to Valleggio, two Companies were presently sent thither, the one of Croats, the other of Capelle ti, and Commiss●…ry Antonius came soon a●…ter with some other Troops of Croats and ●…apelletti; these being come to a place which they call Capitello, ●…ound that they ran away from Villa-buona; and the Captains thinking that they were but few that followed them, halted, and putting t●…emselves in order, resolved by their opposing to back and secure those who running down right away thought to save themselves in Valleggio: but finding not long after that the Dutch were many more in number than they imagined, they altered their minds, and retreated also to underneath the shelter of the Cannon at Valleggio: whither when the Dutch approached, a new and greater Fight was begun; wherein all the Vene●…an Horse drew into the Field and fought; but not being able to withstand the Dutch, and being gauled by Musketeers, which the Dutch had placed in some little houses hard by, they likewise ran away to underneath the Ditches of Valleggio, where being defended by the Cannon, which held the enemy a while at a distance, they secured themselves; the rest who were in Vallegg●…o not daring to come out to defend their own men, nor to enter into the Fight, nor to defend the Towns which were taken whilst they looked on, and were plundered, with great slaughter of the Inhabitants: the Dutch were quartered a little way off, and stood all night within sight of Valleggio, inviting the enemy to fight, who withdrawing their men into their houses, dreamt not of coming forth, but looking to be assaulted in their own Quarters placed their Soldiers to defend their Rampires: but the Captains fearing they should not be able to make the place good, by reason of the cowardice and fear which they discovered in their Soldier's countenances, they resolved to abandon the Town; which whilst they endeavoured to do without confusion, and in good order, and had given fitting directions to that purpose; the Soldiers had hardly notice thereof, when being surprised with greater fear then formerly, they began to run away in greater fear and disorder than they had done the day before: no commands of their Captains being able to stay them, they all fled to Peschiera and Gallasso, who had expected all night, and till four hours after Sunrising the next morning, that they should sally out, began to distrust: he had precise Orders from the Emperor, not to enter or indamage the State of Venice; wherefore not thinking to assault the enemy in that station, lest he thereby should disobey the Emperor's command, he thought to turn upon Mormirvolo, whither he heard that 3000 of the Commonwealths Soldiers were gone: but finding by the firing of the Ammunition in Valleggio, that the enemy had abandoned the Town, he altered his mind, and returned upon Valleggio; whither being come, and finding it forsaken, he fell immediately ●…o pursue the enemy, and advanced a little towards Peschiera: before he was come half way, he got to the Rear, which was led on by Candale, wherein most French were; and after that Candale had fought, and made some resistance, at last, being forsaken by his men, part whereof yielded, part fled, he was forced to retreat with the rest; some of which got to Peschiera, part to castle nuovo, and others to Garda, strong Towns of the Venetians, & were no further pursued by the Dutch: about 4000 Venetian Soldiers died in this conflict; Gallasso sent 26 Colours (four of which bore the French Lilies) and three Coronets of Curassiers to Colalto, who lay sick in Marignano, upon the grea●…er Lake: the Prisoners were many, amongst which Valletta: the number of those that were slain and wounded on the Dutch side amounted not to 400, amongst which the Serjeant-major to Frederick, of Saxony; great was the reputation of the Dutch, after this success, answerable to the great depression into which the Venetians fell; upon which almost all the hopes of the Mantuans depending, were totally lost; and there not being any in the field who could defend that City, her condition was thought to be sad; her safety being reduced to this point, whether the besieged or besiegers could longer suffer or resist the hardships of the Siege; for the former had no hopes of relief, nor courage to ●…ree themselves; nor had the others hopes of taking the City, or of ending their enterterprise, by reason of the Cities strong situation; Famine, Pestilence and Military actions had reduced the defendants to so small a number, as they had not enough to supply the Guards of the City; there was no good intelligence between the Duke of Mantua and the Venetian Resident. The Duke required many things, and the Resident limiting many of the demands, and of the needs that the City was in, related them to the Commonwealth much lesser than they were; so as the Commonwealth did not sufficiently provide for the urgent extremities of the City: it was therefore necessary to give over much of the defence; which the enemy perceiving, and minding their business, they watched all occasions to make themselves masters of the ill guarded and worse provided City, and to end their enterprise by surprisal, wherein they had good success; for having caused six Barks to be brought upon Carts from the greater Casalle, a Town in the State of Milan, to St. Georgio, they put them into the Lake, and put some fourscore Soldiers into them; which making a little before Sunrising towards the Gate of the Castle which answers upon S●…. George, where little fear being had by reason of the water, there was but little or no guard kept; and an assault being furiously given at the same time on the opposite part of the City, the Soldiers in the Barks clapped a Pe●…ard to the Castle Gate, which being ill kept and worse defended, was soon beaten down and mastered; where whilst they were fortifying St. George his Bridge, which (as it hath been said) was cut in sunder in the midst, was crossed over by great Planks, brought to that purpuse, over which the Dutch Horse passed, and entered by the Gate which was opened, and possessed but a little before, meeting with no resistance: the Duke's Palace was presently taken, which was near that Gate, and as rich formerly in Jewels and Householdstuff, as any other Prince's Palace in Italy; though for some late years the continual wars had wasted much of her precious things: what was left was sacked, together with the whole City: the Princess got into the Fort di Porto, whither the Princess Mary was forced to fly with her tender Babe; the assault given lasted till the 14th hour; but the defendants yielding at the last, who heard that the Dutch were entered on the other side, were pursued by the assailants, to the Church of St. Agnese; and those who could get into the same Porto; which when they saw the City lost, they strove to make good by some works which they made toward the City; but wanting both Counsel and Provisions, and the defendants being dismayed, they listened willingly to Articles of Agreement, which were quickly propounded by the Dutch, who were desirous to complete the enterprise: which Articles being agreed upon, the Fort was delivered up to the Imperialists. The Duke and his Son, with some of their followers, as also the Marquis di Coure, who as Agent for the King of France had ●…arried always in Mantua, were suffered to come forth; and being waited upon by some Troops of Horse, they according to Articles retreated to Ferrara: The City was miserably sacked, Military cruelty, ava●…ice and lust had room enough to vent themselves: it would be tedious to relate the monstrous effects and execrable examples which were the●…e acted; as also to describe the miseries▪ afflictions and indignities which the miserable Mantuans underwent▪ we will therefore pass by them, as being matter for a Tragical Poem rather, then for an Historical relation: it was really a miserable thing, and much to be compassionated, and of great consideration, that that City which was by reason of its situation thought impregnable, and by experience ●…ad proved to be so for so many ages (for it is not known that it was ever taken before) should fall into the hands of the oppugners within less than one year. This loss was very ill resented by the Princes of Italy, who had not much endeavoured to defend it, by reason of the multiplicity of Foreigners that were then in Italy: nay, it became odious to to the Spaniards, who had so much endeavoured it, and been at such expense in fomenting it; by reason of the concurrence of authority and precedency of place: the news thereof coming to Casalle and Piedmont, did equally afflict both the Duke of Savoy and Spinola: the latter not so much for his King's Interests, for which it made not that the Dutch should get so much footing in Italy, as for the emulation he bore to Collatto; who proving more successful in what he took in hand, than he had done: he much maligned that fortune should be so favourable to him in a much harder business then that of Casalle; and the Duke of Savoy, for that judging that the fury of the Foreigners would turn upon Piedmont, he foresaw that his State, by becoming the seat o●… the war, would be exposed to the like calamities and barbaris●…s by the same Nations; and that he being every where environed by armed Foreigners who had no dependency upon him, he should become the mark whe●…eat not only his enemy's blows should aim, but even the like to his friends injuries, and supercharyes: he was also troubled to foresee the certain loss of Casalle, wherein he was forced to cooperate; which if it should fall into the Spaniards hands, were it nothing else, how much would it lessen the Liberty of ●…is Principality: being therefore born down by so many afflictions of mind, by his bodily labour in war, by the miseries of his Country, and by the death of so many of his Subjects, what by Sword, what by Pestilence; seeing Savoy lost, and so many Towns in Piedmont; and, that which tormented him most, being struck with consternation, to see all his artificial cunning wherewith he for many years had balanced the Arms of France and Spain, and had not only maintained his own fortune, but made himself almost Arbitrator between those two Nations, outdone, and deluded by Agents of both those Crowns; and also seeing his reputation so decayed, whereby he thought he had raised his head above the clouds, and did even touch heaven with his finger; and despairing ever to attain again to his former condition and grandezza, he fell mortally sick; and not being able long to resist the violence of that sickness, he died in the space of three days, in the Sixty ninth year of his Age, on the 26th of july, in Savigliano; leaving his State much lessened and 〈◊〉. It is said that his Father, Duke Emanuel Philibertus, a wise and prudent Prince; one who was also well read in the wars of his time, between the Emperor Charles the Fifth, and Francis the First of France, had always admonished him, but chiefly when he lay upon his deathbed, that he should by all means end●…vour to keep peace betw●…en the two Crowns; it being ●…he foundation and sec●…y of hi●… 〈◊〉: and that he should meddle the least that was poss●…ble in any wars, ●…r contentions which should happen between them: an advice which was not well observed; though by reason of the troubles which afterwards ensued in France, it proved not unfortunate, but 〈◊〉 his Son occasion of becoming grea●…er ●…nd more glorious: ye●… w●…en France had ceased (as at the present) ●…rom intesti●…e tumults, an●… w●…s reduced under the exact obedience of a King, and of a solid and well regulated Government; he found how wi●…e he might have been if he had observed it. The public and private actions of this Prince would really afford abundant scope for long and good Discourse, on ●…e one, an●… on the other side: ●…d perhaps it▪ would no●… be much a●… to enter ●…on it; since the d●…course thereof falling 〈◊〉 w●… the conc●…ion of this Book, it would not m●…ch inte●…upt the thread o●…▪ an Histori●… Narration, and would much satisfy their curiosity who shall receive satisfaction in reading these present memorial; and yet it will be more wisely done, to leave it undone; for as the private actions of this Prince might well become the Pen of a private Writer, who should undertake to write his Life and Actions particularly; so do they almost misbecome the Writer of a general History: the public and principal Actions of this Prince, wherein he did very much signalise himself, being written in this Book, without either adulation or rancour; the wise and unbia●…ed Reader, who is to judge thereof, may of himself observe them, and thereout gather that, which as it would be super●…uous to mention in this place; so the Author hath not thought ●…it to describe them, or to observe them distinctly and particularly. The End of the Eleventh Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. Book XII. The Contents. Charles' Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, is succeeded by his Son Victorio Amadeo; who finding that the French had taken Carignano, goes from Savigliano to recover it, wherein failing, he comes to a confl●…ct, wherein the French have the better. The French go from Carignano to Avigliana, which they take. Collalto having taken Mantua, comes into Piedmont with fresh Forces. Peace is treated of in Italy, and in Germany; and not being able to be concluded in Italy, a Truce is ende●…voured; which being refused by Spinola, he dies soon after; and after his death, is accep●…ed of by the Duke of Savoy, by 〈◊〉, and by the Marquis of San' Croce, who succeeds Spinola in the Government of Milan, and in being General. The Truce being expired, the French come with new Forces from France to relieve Casalle; and being come to the Trenches of Spinola's Camp, just as they were beginning Battle, peace is concluded in conformity to the peace formerly made in Germany; in execution whereof, the interessed Princes Agents meet in Chirasco, and there adjust the differences between the Dukes of Savoy and M●…ntua; a great part of Montferrat is assigned over to the Duke of Savoy; and the manner of restoring the State●… of M●…ntua and Montferrat is agreed upon: as also the like of the Towns of Piedmont and of the ●…isons Towns; after the effectual restitution whereof, the King of France demands Pinarollo of the Duke of Savoy, together with the whole Valley of Perosa, and obtains it. The proceedings of the King of France and of Swedland in Germany, against the Emperor, are treated of, and the Negotiation and Conclusion of Peace between the Commonwealth of Genoa and the Duke of Savoy: together with the miraculous Fabric of the new Walls made at Genoa, and the strange preservation of that City from the Plague, wherewith the whole State of Genoa was infected, and more than half Italy. This twelfth Book and the whole present History is concluded with the Marriage between the King of Hungary, Son to the Emperor, and the Infanta Mary, Sister to the King of Spain; and with the Duke of Urbin's death, and the dev●…lving of that State to the Apostolic See. THe death of the Duke of Savoy proved not so great an alteration to the main of Affairs, by his being succeeded by his Son, who was now almost 40 years old; bred up in his Father's School, a great Prince, and gallant Commander: so as being instructed by so excellent a Master in the Art both of War and Peace, none doubted but that he would equal his Father in both; and being knowing and partaker of the Affair●… of State, and of all his Father's Councils, ends, and resolutions, having for many years being versed in public affairs, as well Civil as Military; the Principality seemed not to be any thing changed by this new succession, but to be continued in the successor; and his contrary conditions to Duke Emanuel afforded better hopes of peace and concord; for instead of the hatred born by the Agents of both the Crowns to the deceased Duke; in his Son the strict bond of Affinity with the King of France was to be considered, and of Consa●…guinity with the King of Spain: so as it was to be believed, that the former would not easily consent to the depression of his Sister's Husband, which drew along with it inseparably the like of his Sister: nor that the other would refuse any thing which might make for the good of a Prince annexed to him both in blood and Interest; and yet as Councils of State which give motion to all things, and whereby Princes govern themselves, do not contract Parentage, it was ere long known, how weak curbs Kindred or Conjunction in Blood are, to hold back the force of Domination, and the desire of enlarging Confines, and of bettering the condition of Principality. The French having passed over the Po, and refreshed themselves in Saluzzo, could not go to the relief of Casalle by that way, neither by reason of the enemy's Army which was quartered in Savigliano; wherefore they resolved to repass back again over the Po, and to return to Pinarollo by the same way that they came; and in their March backwa●…d they encamped under Ravil; but finding it to be too strong they tarried not long there, but returned to Pinarollo; and finding the Towns of Piedmont, for the most part desolate and void of Inhabitants, by the Plague; and that the new Duke's Army was quartered in Savigliano, beyond the Po, they fell down upon Vigone, Villa franca, and Villa nuova, and upon other Towns which lay lower; and taking them without any resistance, they came to Pancaleri; where they took up the same Quarters, and lodged in the same Fortifications, wherein the Duke had encamped a little before against them: they than had a mind to take Carignano, which lay a little lower within two Musket-shot of the Po, where the wooden Bridge was, endeavouring to pass by that way to Casalle; they therefore sent some of their Horse, under Mounsieur De la Tremoville, to Corignano, where taking a strong house which served for a Castle, they advanced to the Bridge. Duke Victorio being aware of their ends, came out of Savigliano, and marching with his Army on the hither bank, he made two companies of Carabines advance, that they might come the sooner to the Bridge, which got thither just at the same time that the French were come near, the outer-more head of the Bridge; and lighting off Horse back they placed themselves to defend it: And the French leaving a Commander with a Troop of Horse in Carignano, retreated to Pancaleri: The Spanish Horse came the same night to the Bridge, which the Carabines defended, and the next day the Duke coming thither with his Army, quartered upon the bank opposite to Carignano, keeping the Bridge in his poss●…ssion, which being broken off in the midst, met together by a draw ●…ridge, which being pulled up on the Duke's side, fell down on the other side towards Carignano, so as the Duke might open the way to his men, and keep it shut from the Enemy. About 4000 Dutch were to come to Avigliana under Count Verrua; by which recruit the Duke became stronger, he would not refuse to fight the enemy, but resolved to quarter on the other side of the Po, that he might be nearer them; to the which purpose he sent 500 hundred Foot, and a piece of Cannon, under the Campmaster Luigi Ponse a Spaniard, to recover Carignano; after the which he sent Gerardo Gambacorti with 4●…0 Horse, to the end that coming to the Capuchins place they might shelter the 500 foot busied in the taking of Carignano, and might also back the Dutch who were to come to Avigliano without any convoy of Horse, to the Camp. Ponse went with his men to force Carignano; and whilst he was hottest in the business, Gambacorti who found that the succour was come, he left a company of Curassiers at the Capuchins plain, and advanced with the three other companies of Carabines, ●…towards Pancaleri; where meeting with the Enemy's Van led on by Marquis Diffiate, he began a stout skirmish, at the beginning whereof Gambacorti sent to the Duke to advance with the whole Army, or that whilst he fought the enemy, he might retreat with the Cannon, and men which fought before Carignano. But the Duke who had received n●…w advertisement from Verrua, would come neither that day, nor by that way; but answered, that he would not advance with the Army, but wished him to entertain the Enemy, till the Cannon were withdrawn; The conflict lasted four hours, wherein the French increasing in number, cha●…'d Gambacorti to the Portcullis of Carignano, where by reason of the narrowness of the place he could hardly have retreated without disorder, had he not been seasonably succoured by Martin d' Aragona, who was sent to him by the Duke with 400 Spanish Musketeers; so as being encouraged by this new recruit, the French were easily repressed; who thinking that the Enemies whole Army had passed over the River, together with the recruit, were slacker in their pursuit, and afforded conven●…ence to Gambacorti, and to Don Martin of Arragon, to retreat back in good order by the Bridge, all the Cannon and Foot which were gone to the taking of Carignano being drawn off before them. The numbers that died in this conflict were equal on both sides; the Duke of Tremuglia received a sore wound in the knee, by a Musket-shot, and a Captain of Horse was also sorely wounded; the French quartered in Carignano, and the Duke on the opposite shore, observing one another's ways, and expecting another occasion for action, which it was not long ere it presented itself very singularly for the French. For the Duke being impatient to tarry on this side the Po, and not being contented with his being fenced by the water, had a desire to go to the opposite shore, and to fortify the head of the Bridge towards Carignano; the business being argued, met with variety of opinions; as for the new Fortification, it was considered, that by making it the Enemy's army would be in a manner besieged, for it would be forced by the Garrison of that Fortification to live closer and more united, and would consequently find greater scarcity of Victuals and Forage: And in case it should go to Turin, as it was feared it would, or would attempt going to Casalle by the Canevese, they might the easilier keep behind them, hinder their designe●…, and oppose all their attempts. On the contrary it was said, that the fitter, and more opportune the fortification should be, the harder and more dangerous it would be to begin it, and bring it to perfection, by reason of the Enemies being quartered so near in Carignano; who, were it only for Reputations sake, could not possibly suffer that fortification to be made under their no●…es. Moreover, that the intended work being divided, and separated by the water from the Army, it would be hard to succour it; that therefore being content to keep the Bridge in their power, which afforded them sufficient convenience to keep behind any motion of the Enemy, they should make use of the safety that the River afforded them, against whatsoever the French should do. The contrary opinion prevailed for fortifying, which was thus devised; that a half Moon should be made on the head of the Bridge towards Carignano, which should be flanked on both sides, which were to be made on a little Island which the Po makes nee●… the banks; the care of the half Moon was committed to the Spaniards, and the trench on the right hand to the Dutch, and that on the left to the Italians; and they were all ordered, that if the Enemy should assault them before they were fortified, they should retreat by the Bridge without making any resistance; if after they were fortified, that they should▪ defend themselves. They wrought two days quietly in their works, without being troubled by the French, who did but laugh at them; but considering the consequence better afterwards, and knowing what prejudice it would occasion when it should be perfected, especially if they should be enforced to remove from where they were; They sent for a good strength of men from Pancaleri, and sallied on the sudden forcibly from Carignano, to distribute them whilst the work was imperfect; 1200 of the best and bravest French gave the first furious assault, the Dutch making but bad resistance, those very same who behaved themselves so bravely in the conflict at Avigliana, began to quit their stations and fled, without almost striking a stroke; so as the half Moon which lay open on that side, after a long and valiant resistance, was lost, together with many men. Whereupon, the other Trench made by the Italians, who were not able to withstand the brunt, was also abandoned; nor could the Duke send any to succour them though he endeavoured it: For the Bridge being too narrow to pass over many abreast, the succour was too slender for such an assault; nay, the confusion of those that came in to succour was prejudicial to themselves: for thronging together upon the Bridge, many of them fell into the water and were drowned; those that died and were drowned, on the Duke's side, were 500 foot; those of quality that were slain, were Don Alphonso Swasso, Leiutenant to the Campmaster General, and some Foot Captains; Don Martin d'Aragona, after given great trial of his Valour, was sore wounded and taken prisoner, Campmaster Nicolo Doria, being shot by a Musket, died soon after, 200 of the French were slain, and yet both sides were equally afraid, for each party cut the Bridge in two on their side; The French feared another better regulated assault, being very weak, and having lost many men; and hearing that the whole body of the Dutch who were before Mantua, was come to the Enemy's Camp: And the Duke that the French passing over the Bridge in the heat of victory, might cause great disturbance in the Camp, which was full of fear and confusion. Thus both of them being divided by the River, both of them were Masters of the Field; the French, on that side the Po which was towards the Alps, the Duke, on that side which lay towards Casalle; the Armies increased almost at the same time; for Collalto having taken Mantua came into Piedmont with 8000 Foot, and 1500 Hose, under Marshal Scomberg, who being to pass thorough the valley of Susa, Marshal De la Force, and Momorancy, after having tarried ten or twelve days in Carignano, and having well refreshed their men with the victuals which they found there, went towards that valley to encounter them; and the Duke, when they weregon, quitted his quarters, and took up new between Turin and Moncaleri: and having sent 2000 Foot to defend Turin, he betook himself to defend the stone Bridge, which was built over the Po, near Moncaleri, quartering 2000 Foot upon the Hill which overlooked the Bridge on Moncaleri's side. When the French Army was come to Viola, it heard that Scomberg being come with new Forces from France had taken Avigliana, whereinto he entered without any opposition, finding it infected with the Plague and void of inhabitants, as many other Towns in Piedmont were; he came before the Castle, which trusting to the strength of its situation, stood upon defence, though the Plague was got amongst the garrison, and though the Castle was only fortified after the ancient manner; the Duke would have advanced to relieve the Castle, but he was persuaded to the contrary by Collalto, who was not naturally given to love danger▪ Collalto foresaw, that by going to relieve the Castle they might perchance come to a battle, wherein the Duke's men being discouraged by the unfortunate success of the two last actions, would not have behaved themselves better than before, and ruin depending upon the loss, he thought it would not be wisely done, to adventure the main conce●…nment upon a battle. So the Castle wanting relief, and more straightened for want of water, then by the Enemy, it fell into the hands of the French. This acquisition opened the way for the French into the Carevesa and from thence to Cassalle; and it was not unlikely but that they might easily pass over the Po over against that City, where being under the shelter of the Cannon of that pl●…ce, and joining with the garrison which was there, they might easily pass the ford, and consequently relieve Casalle: which the Duke apprehending, he sent Gambacorti with 400 Horse into the Canevese, to the end, that passing over la Dora, they might master that way; and Marquis Spinola, fearing the danger, munited the bank of Po with a double Trench, the one against the River, the other against the City and Citadel, before which they wrought continually, bringing on their approaches; insomuch as the Spaniards, to whose share the taking of the Bulwark of San' Croce fell, were advanced so far as they were ready to fall into the Ditch, and attempted the Wall; and when by the strong oppugning and by the scarcity of Victuals, the Town was not likely to hold out long, the Siege, defence and succour, were delayed by a Treaty of Truce, which being formerly begun, was not long after perfected; and that the original and progress of this Treaty of Truce, and of another Negotiation of Peace which was at this time very hotly handled, and not long after concluded in the Diet at Ratisbone, may be the better known, it will be necessary to take the business a little higher. The Electors not being content to have made the Emperor lay down his Arms, by cashiering Wallestein, the Duke of Fritland, and by dissolving that Army which was so formidable to all Germany: they demanded that some order might be taken about the settling of the affairs of Italy, especially those of Mantua and Montferrat: they honested this their demand with the justice of Nevers his cause, who, as they said, was not to be put out of possession of his Dominions unheard: th●…y said likewise, that it was a great prejudice to the jurisdiction of the Empire, that the Spaniards, under the name and authority of the Emperor, should bereave a Vassal of the Empire of those States; to make themselves masters thereof; for if they should fall into their hands, it would be hard to exercise the Cesarean authority against them, and they would hardly be brought to acknowledge that they held them as in Fee from the Empire: they likewise complained that Armies were sent into Italy without their knowledge or consent; alleging that this was contrary to the ancient institutions of the Sacred Empire, which they publicly said were broken and violated, as well in this, as in many other things: they tacitly reproved him for having by the Cesarean Arms and Authority assisted the rather violent then just ends of the Spanish Agents, against a Vassal who was ready to acknowledge that he held those States from Cesar, and did with all submission desire to be invested thereinto: they exaggerated the strange consequences which would result to Germany from these commotions; for the King of France, and Prince of Italy, being desirous for their own safety sake to maintain those States, and that Duke, though they could not directly oppose the Cesarean and Spanish Forces in his defence, did notwithstanding hold intelligence together, and did assist the Germane Princes underhand, who were desirous of novelties, that they might alienate themselves from the Emperor, and incite the people against him; and that they did also administer aid to the King of Swedland, to the end, that the Emperor's Forces being held play in Germany, might not foment the Spaniards in Italy: they persisted the more confidently in these their complaints, for that they saw the Emperor unarmed▪ and themselves favoured, and set on by the King of France, with whom they held strict and secret Intelligence. That King had sent Monsieur Leon, Ambassador to the Diet, to justify in appearance his assisting a Vassal of the Sacred Empire, against the Spaniards, who under the colour of the Sacred Empire, strove to oppress him, and to possess themselves of his Dominions, to make way for the Monarchy of Italy, which they so much coveted: but in effect to solicit the Electors and Princes of Germany, who were ill satisfied with the present condition of affairs, and to encourage them to join in beating down the Austrian greatness, and to favour the Duke of Nevers his cause; which the Pope did also favour, who was ve●…y desirous to keep those States in the House of Gonsaga, to the end, that by excluding the Spaniards from thence, Italy might not hazard the loss of Liberty: but he chiefly favoured the emulation which all the Germane Princes bore to the Spaniards; by reason of the excessive authority which the King of Spain's Agents arroga●…ed unto themselves in Cesar's Court; wherein pretending to be above all, they seemed as if they would govern the affairs of Germany as they listed; and the Emperor as well for his conjunction in interest, as for his necessity of being supplied with moneys, was forced to adhere unto them: which the Germans not being able to tolerate, they did oppose their ends and interests: so as under colour of the justice of Nevers his cause, and of preserving the rights of the Germane Empire, they crossed the Emperor in this very cause, and would maintain it against the Spanish Agents, who endeavoured to suffocate it by power in Caesar's Court, as they did to oppress it by Arms in Italy: wherefore they reiterated their former Protestations, not to join in the defence of the war made by the King of Swedland, whose actions increasing in fame and reputation, began to make men bethink themselves. The Duke of Savoy also and Collalto fomented the speedy conclusion of the peace, who both of them writ to that Diet, and told the Emperor and the Electors, that Piedmont could no longer maintain the war; whose affairs running manifest ruin, the Duke was forced either to succumb to the King of France, or to agree with him: if either of which should happen, all things would necessarily be ruined. The Emperor, who had no Forces on foot, and saw such an aversion in the Electors, and in so many other Princes to the wars of Italy, being scandalised at the unjust proceedings against Nevers; the Emperor being also touched in conscience, and desirous of his Son's election, for which he had already given way to much greater things, easily consented to all their desires: many things were therefore treated of, many things pretended, and near concluding, in favour to the Duke of Nevers, and to the great prejudice of the Spanish pretensions. Don Carlo Doria, Duke of Turcis, was then Ambassador in extraordinary from the King of Spain, in Ratisbone: being sent to that Diet to further the Election of the King of the Romans, in the person of the King of Hungary, Son to the Emperor, married at this time to Mary, Sister to the King of Spain: but this Election not being to be treated of in this Diet, because it was not in imated therein, as was necessary by the Laws of the Empire; and for that the Electors of Saxony and of Brandenburg, (disgusted by the Emperor, and almost quite alienated from him) were neither come thither, nor had sent their Proctories thither: And after Orders taken in the Diet for the Affairs of Germany, and of the Empire, the Negotiations were reduced to the Affairs of Italy, and particularly, to the Duke of Nevers his Cause. Doria, who saw upon what disadvantageous terms the Peace was treated on for the King of Spain, and how far the French prevailed by the help and Intelligence held by the Electors; and that the Emperor being forced by the lewdness of the Times, and of his own Interests, could not govern his pretensions as he would have done, but was forced to incline towards giving them satisfaction, even much to the prejudice of his own Affairs; he earnestly desired, and obtained it, That he not being sent to Treat of Peace in the King's Name, might be permitted to acquaint the King upon what Conditions the Agreement was negotiated, before it was concluded. Thus having gotten a suspension for two months, they forbore to conclude what they were already agreed upon. Whilst the peace was treated on in Ratisbone, it was not abandoned by the Nuntio Panciru●…lo in Italy, wherein all parties were well inclined unto it: the King of France, Duke of Savoy, and Collalto, for the same reasons for which they did solicit it in Germany, and the two last, because they liked not the business of Casalle. The Duke, by reason of the great prejudice which would result to him, if it should succeed happily; and Collalto, out of the emulation he bore to Spinola, and his hatred to the Spaniards; which respects, on the contrary, made Spinola very much desire it, lest that the bad correspondency with the Duke, and Collalto's emulation, might ruin it, to his great discredit, Collalto having appeared so averse unto it, as that he would not grant him one bare thousand men, though he cashiered them after Mantua was taken, and Spinola needed them much before Casalle: so as Spinola being enforced by so many difficulties and diffidences, had promised the Nuntio to quit the enterprise, if the French would forego the Duke's Towns which they had taken, and would retreat to beyond the Mountains: which Agreement being accepted by the King of France, would have been effected, had not his authority been restrained by new Orders from Spain; for Abbot Scaglia, who was sent, as hath been said, by the late Duke into Spain, had acquainted that Court with Spinola's aversion to the Duke; with the bad intelligence which passed between him and Collalto, and what sad consequences might thereupon ensue to the prejudice of the common cause: he had also accused Spinola of being too apparently inclined to making peace, upon any whatsoever conditions, such as would not only be dishonourable for their Forces, but apparently dangerous for the common affairs; and that it could not be known whence this should proceed, unless it were from his bad inclination towards the Duke, with whom he had proceeded so seve●…ely: so as nothing but ruinous effects to the common affairs could be expected from so great a discrepancy of humours, ends and wills; since the Duke not being able any longer to endure it would be forced to use any means for his own honour and safety: to these powerful reasons, he added no less prevailing proofs: amongst others, the rough draught of certain Capitul●…tions of Peace, written by Spinola's Secretary, whereby though the King of France was obliged to free the Duke of Savoys Dominions, and to withdraw his Forces into France, yet was there no caution mentioned for the observance thereof; so as it was in the Kings will and choice whether or no he would observe what he was bound unto by the Articles, though all things should be punctually observed by the rest: nor was this all: he covenanted by the same Capitulations that all the Potentates of Italy and Germany, the Electors by name, should favour the States of Mantua and Montferrat, in case they should be molested by any; and the Duke obliged himself to afford passage and victuals to the French Armies, if they should be sent to succour those States: a League, or rather a Conspiracy, of all these Princes against the Emperor and King of Spain, if at any time the Emperor should upon any just cause proceed against his Vassal, or if the King of Spain should assist the Emperor; and yet, said Scaglia, Spinola winking at so great indignities and prejudices, would willingly have accepted and subscribed it, had it not been abhorred by the Duke and by Collalto, with the unanimous consent of all the Captains, as being too insolent and too unworthy of the Cesarean authority, and repulsed as too prejudicial to Piedmont, and to the State of Milan. These and other reasons prevailed sufficiently with the Conde Duca, who was more inclined to the Duke of Savoy, then to Spinola: so as there needed not many persuasions, to induce him to limit Spinola's authority in the point of making peace: so as when Mazarine going into France to Negotiate with the King, returned to Italy, with the conclusion agreed upon by the King, he found all broken off and in disorder by new Directions: in this interim the old Duke being dead, a suspension of Arms was treated of by the new Duke, between himself and the Commanders of Cesar, and the King of Spain's party, on one side, and the French Commanders on the other side, as well in Italy as out of it: by which all hostility and innovation of the Fortifications, hostile acts, and taking of Towns was inhibited: that the City and Castle of Casalle should be assigned over to Spinola, and that he should furnish the Citadel, being paid for it, with Victuals during the time of Truce; that if the peace should be concluded in Ratisbone, it should be observed on all sides; if not concluded by the 15th of October, that the Truce should cease, and that it should be lawful for the French afterwards to endeavour the relief of the Citadel, and for the others to defend it; and that each of them might use their Arms, and do all hostile acts, as before the Truce; that if the Citadel should not be succoured during the whole month of October, it should be delivered over to Spinola, who was to have Hostages given him, for the performance thereof: that if it should be succoured, Spinola should redeliver the Castle and Citadel. The French Commanders durst not accept of this Truce, without express order from the King; though Toras informed them often what want they had of Victuals, Moneys and Men, many whereof were dead of the Plague: protesting that he could not keep it longer than September: this Proposal being sent to Paris, it was easily agreed to; for there they desired time for the delivery of Casalle, to the end, that thereby they might make the peace which was in treaty at Ratisbone, upon bette●… conditions; or might have time to relieve it, if peace should not be concluded: Whereupon Monsieur di Bresse was immediately sent to Italy, with express Orders to the French Commanders and to the Duke du maine, who, as hath been said, was in Casalle, that they should accept of it: but some time being this mean while past, Casalle was not in the former condition; for the besiegers, as hath been formerly said, were gotten into the Ditch, and the Neapolitans, who besieged the City, were fallen upon the Walls; and the Plague having consumed many of the defendants, it might probably be supposed that for want of men the like might befall that place, as had happened to Mantua; it being likewise known that those within the Town were in great scarcity of Victuals; wherefore Spinola, making his advantage thereof, would no longer listen to any suspension, to any Truce or peace; especially as concerning making the Citadel longer-lived, by furnishing it with Victuals, and not innovating any thing during the Truce, nor making new defences against such succours as should come when the Truce should be expired. Spinola was at this time much wearied both in body and mind, by the labours he had taken, and by the agitation of spirit which he had suffered in these present Occurrences: the lessening of his power had wounded him sorely: wherefore falling sick, and his malady both of body and mind increasing, he soon became unfit for managing so important an enterprise, or indeed for any other enterprise: it was therefore requisite to send for the Marquis of San' Croce, who was then at Genoa, and for the Lord Chancellor and those of the Cabinet Council, from Milan, who being come to the Camp, opened the King's Orders, which provided for a successor in case Spinola, should die; and therein they found San' Croce nominated; to whom Spinola relinquished the Government of all things. Spinola went from the Camp, and retired to castle nuovo di Scrivia, in the Tortonese, to be cured of his sickness; but being ancient, and his sickness increasing, he died on the 25th of September, two months after the late Duke of Savoy. The Affairs of War and Government went less in reputation by Spinola's death: the Duke of Savoy, wearied with the troubles of a long war, which he saw was still maintained in his Country, and not being pleased that the Spaniards should suffer him to lose his State, so they might get Casalle, listened willingly to the offers of France; which promised to restore him to the entire possession of all that had been taken from him, and, moreover, satisfaction and recompense for his pretences to Montferrat; for the King of France finding what difficulty and danger there would be in relieving Casalle, by reason of the Duke's opposition, laboured to win him over from the contrary party; and if the Duke could be safely repossessed of his own by peace wherefore should he wait for the recove●…y thereof by the uncertain and ruinous events of war? moreover, by favouring the business of Casalle, he made fetters for his own slavery; since then by preserving that place, he might recover his own State, and have satisfaction for all his pretences, what reason had he to endeavour the getting of it, with so much loss to his Subjects, and prejucice to his own Dominions: but these practices met with these difficulties: the Duke would not part from the Cesarean and Spanish side, without being effectually restored to all that had been taken from him; and the King would keep it as a pledge for the restitution of Mantua already lost, and of Cassalle, if for want of relief it should chance to be lost. Yet this treaty being on foot made the Duke more remiss in his joining with Spain, and desirous to handle the business so as that the Spaniards should desire a general peace, whereby he was sure to be restored to his former condition, and that Cassalle should not fall into the Spaniards hands: yet he wisely cloaked these his ends with several artifices. He answer●…d the French, who promising speedy possession of all that he had lost, earnestly pressed him to declare for their King, that ●…e could not in honour pass so suddenly from the friendship of the King of Spain, to enmity with him; and that it would be too great an indignity that the same Sun, which at his rising saw him a Friend to that King; should at his setting find him his Enemy. That there should some time be allowed between the one and the other; as Summer turns not suddenly to Winter, without the interposing of Autumn; nor Winter to Summer, without the like interposal of the Spring; he offer●…d notwithstanding, to declare himself neutral for a while, till business might be brought to some reasonable composition, and that in case the Spaniards should fail of doing what became them, he would be ready to declare for France, and to oppose those who would oppose reason. These were the points discused in these present negotiations; but neither was Collalto right to the King of Spain's cause; for though now that his rival Spinola was removed, it appeared that he might more favour the enterprise of Cassalle, had it been for nothing else but that the easiness of the success wherein he had cooperated, might double the glory which he pretended to by the taking of Mantua; yet through the hate which he bore to the name of Spain, he held better intelligence with the new Duke then with the Spaniards; and persisting in his first resolution of minding the defence of Piedmont, and the opposing of the French more than the taking of Cassalle, he would not afford any help thereunto. This his ill will proceeded not from the aversion of the Cesarean Officers to those of Spain, but from ill offices done him by the Spanish Agents to the Emperor; for thinking that he bore no good will unto the King, they had used all the means they could to remove him from his charge, and that he might be sent for back into Germany; and eertainly it had been done, had it not been for his Wife, whose favour with the Emperor defended him against the endeavours of the Spaniards. The Duke being therefore inclined to the French, for the recovery of his State, or to the preservation of Cassalle, for his own indemnity; and knowing that the loss of that Town would mar the general peace, which was the only thing which could put him into his former condition: and Collalto being totally inclined to favour the Duke's interest, and Sancta Croce not being of so warlike a disposition as was Spinola, but being rather mild and remiss, and much addicted to civil negotiations, much less to the troubles and dangers of war; it was necessary that those that looked asquint upon the taking of Cassalle, having more field-●…oom allowed by the weakness of the present Government, should openly vent their dissatisfaction, and show the greater resentment. The first action of want of respect towards Sancta Croce, and of great prejudice to the main affair, was the Truce and suspension of Arms, which Spinola refused, and which was now accepted of by the Duke in favour to the French, and by Collalto in favour to the Duke, which had it been never so little a while delayed, the City and Citadel of Cassalle would certainly have been surrendered. This suspension being by them accepted, and subscribed without Sancta Croce his knowledge, nay contrary to his will, was presently sent to Sancta Croce to be by him subscribed. This appeared to Sancta Croce, and to the other Commanders, to be an action, as indeed it was, so proud and arrogant, as if the Duke and Collalto did thereby arrogate unto themselves the supreme arbitracy of things, even about Sancta Croce's self; Yet wanting Courage to contradict it, or to resent it, he unwillingly gave way unto it; and the fear of the Dukes and Collalto's alienation prevailing over his dignity, he subscribed the Truce and suspension of Arms; For had he done otherwise, the common cause being by them abandoned, or indeed crossed, might be reduced in●…o great straits. The Truce being thus by common consent accepted, the King of Spain's Forces quit Piedmont, & retreated to the State of Milan, Collalto staying behind with the Cesarean Forces. Those who were before Cassalle, retired likewise into the State of Milan, to refresh themselves, after the labour which they had taken in the siege, except 2000 who entered the City & the Castle, which by the Articles of Truce were assigned over to Sancta Croce, and some few Foot, who stayed to guard the Artillery and quarters. Sancta Croce spoke with the Duke, and with Collalto, in Pontestura, after that the Truce was subscribed. They seemed to be both of them willing to refer all things belonging to the management of the war to him, and by respectful and reverend behaviour, sought to mitigate his anger, and to excuse what they had done; it was not known whether they did this really to make satisfaction for what they had done, or to draw money from him, which they very much pressed for; for they were known to be in truth otherwise minded. Yet so weak of counsel was he, as he did not only take all in good part) but sought to buy their good wills with ready monies; (whereof though he himself were in great straits, he disbursed 200000 Ducats, part whereof the Duke received, part Collalto. And because by the Articles of Truce all making of Fortifications was forbidden, Sancta Croce employed himself in making provision of faggots, and of other materials, upon any occasion which might happen when the Truce should be expired; which notwithstanding he proceeded in but slowly, by reason of the gre●…t hopes he had of peace, which being joined to h●…s abhorrence of war and expenses, all provisions seemed superfluous. These hopes accompanied and nourished with great desire, had also made the Court of France negligent in making new recruits for Italy, had not Cardinal Richelieu, contrary to the opinion of the whole Council, laboured to persuade the King to the contrary: Showing him that in case Peace should not be concluded in the time prefixed for Truce, it would be necessary that the Citadel should be surrendered; which being come into the Spaniards hands, the state of affairs would be reduced to such a condition, as it would be bootless to hope for any sa●…sfaction or peace; and that so the great expe●…ience, the so great labour and troub●…e which they had been at for the maintaining of Cassalle, would together with the reputation and honour of the Arms of France be lost; the King being persuaded by these reasons gave order for the levying of as many Soldiers as could be, whereof a body of 1200 being raised was sent to Pinarollo, under Marshal Marigliack, which was a good recruit to the French Camp, it being much diminished. The 15 of Octob. drew near, and no news being heard of Peace, they treated of proroguing the Truce, whereof Sancta Croce, who naturally abhorred the thought of War, and the Commanders and Council no less than he were desirous, by reason of the confusion and difference of opinions and humours which was amongst them, and for the distrust they had of the Duke and of Collalto, which made them despair of good success; but the French, whose numbers were increased, fearing that they might dissolve by delay, and building very much upon the necessities and weakness of the Enemy, refused it; as did also the Duke and Collalto, being displeased that the first suspension granted by them was ill resented. Wherefore because the world thought, and the Spaniards seemed assured, that what they had done was a that time very seasonable, they were now very backward; to the end that the good of the former suspension might appear by the contrary effects, and that so Sancta Croce, and the rest who had blamed it, might learn at their own cost to listen better in the future to their Counsels. But the condition of affairs being much altered from what it was when the Truce was made, made the present refusal be approved; the French were then weak, and despaired of relieving the Town, by reason of the stout opposition; the City & Citadel were reduced to the utmost extremity for want of victuals, & by the advancing of the siege: it was now clean contrary; the French were very strong in Piedmont, they met with little or no opposition, the City and Citadel were that mean while maintained with victuals by the Spaniards, and they had some provisions laid in for the future; The siege was much lessened, their courage cooled, preparations slackened, and, in fine, the affairs of the Camp were much worse in Counsel, Courage, and Union, and the reputation thereof was much diminished. The Truce being expired, and nothing that was done in Ratisbone being known in Italy, the French betook themselves to relieve the Town, but without victuals, or any other provisions for sustenance of the Citadel which they were to relieve; their whole Forces consisted of about 15000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, to boot with some 4000 which were left in Piedmont, under Monsieur Di Tavanes, to entertain or to give pretence to the Duke, and to the Dutch who remained in Piedmont after the Truce, to keep from joining with Sancta Croce, if he should oppose the succour; and to infuse more terror into the Enemy, they used many tricks and inventions to make their preparations appear greater, and the number of their men more, as well of those who remained in Piedmont, as those who went to the relief; There were three Marshals chose, who were to manage the whole business, Sforza, Scomberg, and Marigliack, and these were to command every day by turns; the Duke demanded men from Sancta Croce to oppose them, but did not obtain them, were it either out of distrust, or that knowing all the Dutch were in Piedmont, would have the remainder for his own safety sake keep before Cassalle. Wherefore seeing that neither the Dutch nor the Duke moved, the French Army passed over the Po a little below Saluzzo without any opposition, and came to Scarnafixo, where they mustered on the fifth of Octob. and marched on the next day, having with them only six small pieces of Artillery. The Duke of Momorancy being gone to France after the Truce was concluded, was not present in this action. The marching of this Army, and the so constant resolution to relieve the Town, afforded much discourse touching the Duke and Collalto, whether they held private intelligence with the French or no; it being thought, that otherwise it was impossible three Marshals should take a journey of fourscore miles in an Enemy's Country, where they had no strong Holds for the safety of their march, or upon any occasion, for their retreat; and therefore subject to be assaulted not without manifest danger, and forced to fight in any disadvantageous place with a fresh, nimble Army, stronger than theirs: An●… say they had been sure to meet with no opposition, or had had a safe Conduct sent them by the Enemy; yet they might have supposed that they should meet with greater difficulties and dangers when they should be at the end of their march, and be come within sight of the Enemy's Camp: For the Enemy being very well entrenched, munited with Artillery, and being possessed of the City and Castle of Casalle, they must necessarily either assault them upon too much disadvantage within their Quarters, or besiege them there; either of which would certainly have been a desperate business; but it was a no less dangerous and ill advised Enterprise to attempt the relief of a famished place without victuals, which had more need of speedy food for nourishment then of men to defend them: Whereinto if they should have gotten, who sees not they must have surrendered the Town the sooner, being to be the sooner famished by the entrance of so many men, and would have stood in more need of victuals. The Army being parted from Scarnafixo marched to Raconiggi, from thence to Somariva del Bosco, then to Cerexola, that they might from thence come into the County of Asti, getting victuals from the neighbouring Towns: Whilst they advanced apace, and in good order, without any opposition, the others were n●…t idle before Casalle; for having notice of the Enemies coming, they began to make Trenches, as well against the Citadel as against the coming of succour, but more diligently on the side of the Hills, by which way they thought they would march, it being the higher and more advantageous; they therefore placed many pieces of Artillery there; they likewise sent for those men back who were at the beginning of the Truce sent into the Territories of Milan; and upon dispute whether or no they should meet the Enemy if they advanced, it was resolved to wait for them in the Trenches, that they might not lose tha●… advantage by going to meet them which they were sure to have by waiting for them. Whilst these Preparations were making came news of the peace which was made between the Emperor and the King of France his Agents at Ratisbone, by which many things were stipulated: Those wherein Italy was concerned, were, That upon the Duke of Nevers his humbling himself to the Emperor he should be re-invested into possession of his two Dukedoms, and received into protection by the Emperor: That upon notice of the peace all hostility should cease in Italy: That Trino should be given to the Duke of Savoy, together with as many Towns of Montferrat as might be worth 18000 Crowns yearly vent. The Emperor being desirous to better the Treaty at Susa, w●…e i●… either for that it did in some sort belong to him, so as he thought no account was made of that Treaty, it being made without his Authority, or were it to recompense the Duke for the losses he had suffered in the present Wars, wherein he had been ever constant to the Imperial Party, he ordered so many Towns of the Duchy of Mantua to the Duke of Guastalla as were worth 6000 Growns per annum, to the Duchess of Lorain what the Arbitrators should adjudge unto her within a certain prefixed time: That the Dutch, restoring Mantua with the For●…s, and the Town of Caneto, should depart Italy: That the S●…iards should give over the Siege of Casalle, and should withdraw from Piedmont ●…o the State of Milan: That the French should pass back over the Alps, quitting all the Towns of Piedmont and Montferrat, except Pinarollo, Bricheras, Susa, and Avigliana: That the Duke of Savoy detaining Trino should withdraw his men into Piedmont: That Casalle and all the Forts and Towns of Montferrat should be restored, except such as should be assigned over to the Duke of Savoy: That Nevers should have leave to furnish such Towns as did belong unto him with Garrisons, as his Predecessors had done. These things being done, that the Emperor should cause the City and Forts of Mantua, and the Town of Caneto, to be assigned over to the new Duke; and that at the same time the King of France should restore the four Towns held by him in Piedmont to the Duke of Savoy; and that the new Fortifications which were made in them since they were taken should be demolished: When this should be done, that the Emperor would a●…andon all the Towns and places which he had taken in the Grisons Country, the Valtoline being therein comprehended; and would slight the Fortifications, upon condition that they should not be made use of by any: That the Emperor and King of France should give Hostages to the Pope, for the observance of what was agreed upon. This was the contents of the agreement, and conditions of the peace of Ratisbone, for what belonged to the affairs of Italy: And many other things relating to the affairs of Germany were likewise stipulated, which because they concern not our History, we will pass over. It was evidently seen what use the French Agent made in this peace of the Emperor's necessity, and of the desire he had to have his Son chosen; and how much the Electors were swayed by the interest of the Crown of France, being desirous to allay the great ends of the Spaniards, and to moderate the Emperor's Authority and Inclination towards them; confiding-upon the tacit Intelligence held by them and the other German Princes with the King of France, and upon the helps which they hoped for from him in these present occurrences. The Court of Spain was not well satisfied with this peace, thinking that the Emperor without any respect had unto the Crown of Spain, the Interests o●… Affairs thereof, and without any care of the Common Cause, had wholly applied himself to satisfy the desires of the Enemies thereof, granting them more than they could have demanded or hoped for; and not being able ●…o endure that they could not with the Forces of so m●…ny Kingdoms ob●…ain the demolishing of the Citadel of Casalle, they complained that the expense o●… so many moneys, such Forces, and so many men, had not only not produced the fruits by them desired, but had irreconcilably alienated from them an Italian Prince, Lord of two States confining upon that of Milan; had not got Savoy; had scandalised the world; raised jealousies in the Princes of Italy; and which most troubled them, had more confirmed, and almost established and radicated the power of France, not only in Italy, but in Germany: So as the Italian Agents, not knowing whether they ought to accept of this peace or no, especially since they were sure it was not accepted nor approved of by Don Carlo Doria, the Ambassador for Spain in that Diet, they forthwith sent to Spain to know that King's pleasure; and expecting Orders from that Crown, they continued the Siege before Casalle, and kept out the French succour. Collalto was sick at this time in Vercelles, and having accepted and published the Capitulations without participating them to S ta Croce, julio Massarini, the Pope's Agent, went immediately with them to the French Army, to the end that acquainting them that all things were agreed upon, they might proceed no further: He found it in Canale, a Town in the Territories of Asti; and desiring to know the pleasure of the Commanders, he received a very doubtful answer. The French alleged, That the command to relieve Cassalle was immediately from the King; whereas the Agreement made at Ratisbone came not from the King, but was made only by the King's Agents: And therefore not knowing what to do in this case, they seemed much perplexed and irresolute: The truth was, that being uncertain whether they would be accepted or not accepted by the Spaniards, by reason of the disadvantageous Conditions for them, whom they found not any way obliged thereunto; and finding that the time prefixed for putting what was agreed on in execution, touching the Duke of Nevers his Interests, which was the chief point of the present War, was somewhat long; they had reason to doubt, That should they supersede never so little, their Army might be dissolved before the time of executing the Articles; and it was to be apprehended, That when the Spaniard should be free from fear of their Forces, they might know the advantage, and make use of the occasion; by continuing to besiege the Citadel, now that they were sure not to be molested; which if they should once be Masters of, there was no hope, no means left, to see the Peace performed. They therefore resolved to advance to relieve the Town, without losing any time, thinking, that if they should succeed therein they could not miss of some advantageous Composition, whereby the State of Affairs might be compounded with more reputat on and safety. The small opinion they had of the Spanish Army, and their firm belief, that neither the Duke nor Dutch would join there with before Casalle, did the more encourage them, and made them hotter upon the Enterprise. Mazarine wrote from the French Camp to the Duke, That in respect of the Peace made at Ratisbone, the French would proceed no further: And the Duke showed this Letter to Galasso, who was head of the Dutch that remained in Piedmont: And that they might have no occasion to remove, he, contrary to what he had formerly refused, immediately allotted them excellent Quarters. And though the Duke appeared to have done all this for the safety of Piedmont, against the French, who were yet there under Tavanes, yet the jealousy increasing daily, that he held intelligence with the French, hoping to be by them restored to his State, he was suspected to dissemble therein: Nor was Mazarine exempt from like suspicion, who, though as Agent from the Pope, he seemed to be a friend and mediator between all parties, yet the Pope himself appeared to be inwardly more inclined to the preserving than to the taking of Cassalle; and his trusting to the French too much, when he writ to the Duke that they should advance no further, not suiting with the wariness and sagacity of a Mediator, made the Spaniards suspect the more that he did not proceed sincerely with them. But the straits that the Spanish Commanders were in forced them to swallow down any thing, and with less speculativ●… considerations, to dissemble also, and to mind the King's business, which they saw was in too apparent danger; and their perceiving that both Friends, and Enemies, and Mediators, and all, both internal and external accidents, did conspire and cooperate the ruin of the Enterprise, did weaken their Counsels, and confound their Resolutions. At the first news that was heard, that the Enemy, being entered into the Territories of Asti, did advance, jeronymo Gambacorti was forthwith sent against them with a thousand Horse, with whom the Dutch Horse which were quartered in Acqui were ordered to join; and the Duke of Savoy was also to send them 3000 Foot from Piedmont side, to the end that with this body of men they might, if not directly, at least indirectly, oppose the French, by molesting them on the Rear, on the flanks, and by keeping them from Victuals: But neither did the Dutch Horse nor the Duke's men appear; the Horse being passed over the Tannaro at Govone was entered into Piedmont, and was joined to the others of their Nation; and the Duke's men went not past St Damiano: And the Duke trusting perhaps to Mazarine his Advertisement, did not only not think of making any opposition, but endeavoured to keep the Dutch in Piedmont; so as Gambacorti's Expedition wrought no effect at all; only that watching the Enemy's ways, and finding that they advanced, he speedily gave notice thereof to the Camp, that they might be prepared to receive them; whereupon it was necessary to have recourse to Collalto, and to get him to send for all the Dutch from Piedmont, to join with the King's Forces against the French: But Collalto shrinking up his shoulders, and persisting in his opinion, would have the Dutch stay to defend Piedmont; and the Peace made at Ratisbone, which he had proclaimed, whereby all hostile acts were forbidden him, did honest his denial: Wherefore the Camp being full of confusion and terror, by reason of the uncertainty of the coming of the Dutch, and the certainty that the French did advance, quaked for fear. All men laid this hard dealing of Collalto to a tacit Intelligence with the Duke, and (by the Duke's means) with the French: But provision came seasonably from Germany against this so bitter and necessary accident. Don Carlo Doria, seeing it was impossible ●…or him to hinder the conclusion of Peace at Ratisbone, which he judged to be so prejudicial to the King's honour, & to the safety of his Affairs, and that he could not stave it off till the Citadel of Cassalle should be taken, obtained Letters from the Emperor to Collalto, wherein he was ordered, Th●…t since by the Articles of Peace he could not have to do in that business in his behalf, and since it was not known whether the King of France would accept of the Peace or no, especially not being obliged to do it, That in ca●…e the French should not allow thereof, he should obey San Croce, and assist him with all his Forces. Thus the Cause and Title being altered, the War which was made before in Cesar's Name, was made in the Name of the King of Spain; and the Emperor's Forces, which were Principals at first, became accessary to the King of Spain's; and the Kings, which were accessary, became upon this occasion Principal. Collalto, who before refused to send a thousand men to Casalle, and suffered all things to run to ruin, having received new Orders from the Emperor, summoned all his men into the field. Galasso was come thither the night before the French appeared, with some of them; the rest came the night after. Gambacorti, after he had coasted along the French Army to the Confines of the State of Milan, retreated to the Camp: And the French parting from the Territories of Asti, went to Annone, where finding the Gates shut, they agreed for passage with the Townsmen, without giving or receiving any molestation. They came from Annone, by the Valley of Grana, to Occimiano, where staying that night, and the day following, they had notice, That the Spanish Camp was well fortified with Trenches and Artillery towards the Hills, and that therefore they might with less danger assault them on the Plain, where the Fortifications and Trenches were weaker, and imperfect: Wherefore they resolved to advance by the way of the Plain. Advancing thus on that side where they were least expected, they took Frassinetto, together with the neighbouring Bridge over the Po, by which Victuals and forage were brought to the Camp from Allessandrino and Occimiano, and whereby the Spanish Army was debarred Commerce with Allessandrino; and there not being many Carriages nor Barks in the Camp, wherewith to throw over another Bridge, they began to want Victuals; and the penury grew the greater by the coming of the Dutch; nor had they draught Horses for the Train of Artillery, so as it was hard for them to bring them from the Hills, where they were already planted, to the Trenches towards the Plain, where there were not above eight little Pieces. All of them were so troubled with doubt, whether the Dutch would come to the Camp, or no; and with fear, That if they should not come all would be ruined; as their coming was not sufficient to cancel their fear, nor to curb their confusion: They wanted old and experienced Camp-Masters, and Sergeants, to put their men in Battle Array: Galasso was the only man who, by order from San Croce, took that care upon him, and who discharged it like a Soldier. The French seeing that, contrary to their opinion, the Dutch were come unto the Camp, found the disadvantage of their own Forces; they were not only much inferior to the Enemy in number, (20000 Foot and 5000 Horse being computed to be in the Spanish Camp) and for that the Spaniards Horse were better than theirs, and in better order, but for that though their Trenches were imperfect towards the Plain, yet were they so high as they were able to withstand the first on set, wherein the French are usually the best: But the good order wherein the Spanish Army stood did chiefly amaze them, which was thus; A great number of Pikemen and Musketeers stood on the front of the Trenches, behind which were two ranks of Battaglions in order, but at such a distance from the Trench as the Horse which were on the Wings of the Squadrons, and had their outlets, might manage themselves in the space which was between the Trench and the Squadrons, and might commodiously go out and annoy the Enemies on the Flank who should assault the Trenches, or overrun the Country as occasion should require. It was, notwithstanding, impossible to Spuntare a Francesi, who advanced in a double Front, divided into three Bodies, each one led on by a Marshal, with the Horse on their sides, and preceded by some forlorn hopes; and yet the diffidence, irresolution, and the fear of what might happen, in San Croce, kept things equally balanced; these desired Agreement rather than Battle; and the others, though they more needed Agreement, yet seemed they less desirous of it; and the seeing the Enemy so forward to accord, made them the more backward; and God knows whe●…her the Mediators dealt sincerely in the business, or no: Mazarine went several times between the one Camp and the other, but in vain, the French being still resolute to relieve the City, and to fight; at last, being got near the Trenches, their Horse on the left Wing were set upon by some few Horse led on by Octavio Picolomini, who was advanced with them rather to discover then to fight; so as all men thought they would have joined Battle; for some of the French Horse went to encounter them, and they came to the giving of fire; but Mazarine coming at the same time from the French Camp, cried aloud, Halt, Halt; whereupon all hostile Acts ceasing, they came to this Agreement. That Toras should come out of the Citadel with all the French, where the Duke du maine should tarry with 1000 Montferrians; and, That they should swear to keep the Town in the Emperor's Name; That the Spaniards should do the like for what concerned the Castle, and the City, and the Towns which they were possessed of in Montferrat; That the French Army should retreat into France, and the Spanish into the State of Milan; That for all things else the Peace of Ratisbone should be observed. This being thus settled, San Croce, together with the Duke of Lerma, and Don Philip, son to the late Marquis Spinola, came out of the Trench, and the Duke of Nocera, and Count john Serbellone, and about 30 other Lords; the three Marshals came out of the French Army, with the like number of Lords and Commanders; and here in the same place which was intended for Battle, they mutually embraced each other; and Peace was established on the 26 of October, the year, 1629. which was readily put in execution for what was then to be done: A ra●…e and perhaps unhea●…d of ex●…mple, That two Armies, of two such enemy Nations, being so nee●…, nay, after the Skirmish was begun, should not only abstain from fight, but should lovingly embrace one another with those hands which were ready to be imbrued in one another's blood. All men praised the courage and counsel of the French, and their happy success, who, though far inferior in Forces, could, notwithstanding, make such excellent use of the Enemy's fear, as to make them agree and condescend unto what was contrary to all reason. And all men, on the contrary, wondered that the Spanish Army should be so void both of cou●…age and counsel, as not knowing how to make use of so many advan●…ages, but totally yield●…ng to the Enemy's pre●…ensions, they should so easily grant unto them that main point whereupon the whole success of the present War did consist, and which being still maintained, would have established the foundation of the grandezza of all the King's Affairs, and would have kept his Dominions in perpetual security; and which being quitted, occasioned the loss of regal authority and of that preeminency and safety of the King's States, for the maintenance whereof Arms had with so much scandal been taken up; and which was the greater wonder, that they should abandon their own and their King's pretensions, then when they were upon the point of obtaining them; for it was most certain that the French Army was weary with so long a march, was less in number then what it appeared to be, worse in order for Arms, Horse, and all things appertaining to war, then upon the present occasion was requisite; so as if the Spaniards had been more resolute and bold in their proceedings, the French would either not have dared to have hazarded a Battle, wherein they were to fight against well-armed Trenches; or if they should have fought, they must necessarily have been defeated: but San' Croce, who was not any ways experienced in matter of war, apprehended, and was afraid of all things. The two Armies being retired from Casalle, the Duke de maine remained with the Montferrians master of the City, Citadel and Castle of Casalle, under the Cesarean Commissary; who though he was above all others, and had the chief command in outward appearance; yet being only to command such things as du maine would obey, he was superior rather in shadow and ceremony, then in substance: so little good was got by what was agreed upon. San' Croce went to Sartiranna, and brought his men back into the State of Milan: the French divided their men into two parts; the one part whereof marched under Monsieur d' Arpasone through the Territories of Asti: the other, wherein were the three Marishals, through the Canevese; the restitution of the Towns in Montferrat remained for the full and perfect execution of the Agreement: but Letters being come this mean while to San' Croce from Spain, with particular Orders what he was to do with the Citadel, which was undoubtedly held in that Court, that it would be lost, as not being to be succoured; San' Croce doubted that the new agreement would not be well resented there; and as in great resolutions the thing chosen is almost always repent, the difficulties of what was found fault with being always imagined to be passed; and the consideration of what convenience might have resulted from the thing rejected entering in the place thereof: so San' Croce having forgotten the dangers and difficulties of war, and being fuller fraught with the conveniencies and advantage of Victory, being also strucken with the Letters from Court, began to repent what had been done: wherefore he made several excuses to keep from restoring the Towns of Montferrat: which the Nuntio and Mazarin perceiving, they entered their protestations against the danger which might ensue by the re-entrance of the French into Casalle, they not being yet gone far from thence, and who might bring things into greater confusion than they were before: the success differed not from the supposal; for the Marshals sent Monsieur di Grange immediately thither with 2000 Foot; who observing the time when the Cesarean Commissary was gone out, entered by the gate of the Citadel, and shut it upon the Commissaries face, who returned; at which the Spanish and Dutch Commanders were much amazed, and very angry; and to boot with their many complaints of it, the Dutch pursued those French which marched through the Canavese; and the Duke of Lerma, and Duke Nocera, marched after those that were gone by Astigiana, with intention to fight them, and to vindicate the affront: but the former having passed the Dora Baltea, and broken the Bridge, and the others being already come to Villa nuova, it proved all in vain: upon consultation of this new accident, several things were propounded; amongst the rest, that since for certain there was but little Victuals in Casalle nor in the Citadel, and that the French who were entered thereinto had brought none with them, the Victuals which were already there would soon be spent: so as falling to the Siege again, and the Winter coming on, it was probable that the French, whose weakness was better known after the Town was gotten, than it was before, would not be able to relieve it; that it would be sufficient to employ the Dutch in the Siege, and that the King's men might be withdrawn to Winter in the State of Milan, and so be ready to succour the Dutch if they should be assaulted by the French; and that if the Dutch should tarry, or perish in that Siege, it would be of more advantage, than prejudice, in regard of the jeajousie that the State of Milan had of them. It was therefore concluded that, since the place could not hold out long, it must necessarily soon fall into their hands; and that the French men's cunning would redound to their own apparent loss and prejudice: yet the weariness of war having corrupted the Commanders taste of Victory, it was carried, that affairs should again be composed; whereunto the French, who were gotten into the Citadel, were not averse, for the danger of the the Siege, they being victualled but for a few days: so as by the intercession of the Nuntio and Mazarine, they came to this agreement, that the French should quit Casalle, that the Spaniards should bring in a thousand sacks of Corn into the Town, and should restore such places as were to be restored; to see which agreement performed, the Marshal sent Monsieur 〈◊〉 Fresh into Casalle, who was very near breaking it again; for upon the entering of the Corn, and going out of the French, Fresche hearing that the Spaniards, who had already quitted Rossigliano, St Georgio, and other places, were not yet gone out of Villa nuova, took occasion not to go out, but recalled the French who were already gone: but lafoy Grange being against it, who would observe the agreement, and would not suffer his men to re-enter; the Spaniards being incensed at this second action, made their Soldier's return into Pontestura and Rossigliano, and their men dr●…w near Occimiano, la Villata, and other Towns near to Casalle, seeming as if they would reassume the Siege: but the Nuntio Pancirolo and Mazarine interceded again, and they and Grange laying the fault upon Fresche, the same agreement was again made, and was duly kept. The French went out of Casalle, and the Spaniards out of the Towns whereinto they were reentered; and San' Croce ordered Carlo Guasco, Governor of the lower Montferrat, that he should remove the Ammunition out of Nizza, quit the Town, and assign it over into the hands of those, to whom it should be ordained by the Cesarean Commissary. Affairs being thus accommodated, the Dutch went to quarter some of them in the Valtoline, some in the Mantuan Territories, and some under Gallasso in the lower Montferrat, forcing Contribution from all the Feudatories of the Empire in Italy, and quarter; raising great sums of money from them: they put for the like with the Genoese, desiring quarter of the Commonwealth for part of their men: but the Genoeses refused, and prepared Forces to repulse them, being more afraid of the Plague which they might bring with them, than their Arms; therefore by the interposition of the Governor of Milan the Dutch were satisfied with some drinking money given to their Captains; another accident happened, which afforded new cause of complaint, for the not observance of agreements. The Duke du maine was in the Citadel with some few Soldiers; for Montferrat being partly encumbered by the Dutch who were quartered there, partly possessed by the Duke of Savoy, could not furnish men enough for the Garrison, it being also much impoverished of people by the Plague: fearing therefore some bad accident, especially since the Emperors, nor King of Spain's Forces were not yet disbanded; he acquainted the Marshals with the danger, who were quartered with their men, according to Articles, in the Towns of Piedmont: the Marshals dismissed 400 Swissers, who were of the King's Guard, and who were under them, and went by their tacit Commission into Casalle, and were there received: but the Spaniards exclaiming against it, to appease the rumours, they were soon sent out: the resignation of the Towns of Montferrat remained for the entire execution of the peace of Ratisbone, which resignation was much solicited by the Duke of Savoy, out of a desire that he had to end the differences, and his pretences to Montferrat, that thereby he might have Savoy, and his Towns in Piedmont, which were still detained by the French, restored; who not being able to quarter their men commodiously therein, disposed of them, contrary to Articles, in many of the neighbouring Towns: at this time Collalto died, who was the third Captain General of this present war: he died of the disease whereof he had been almost always afflicted, and much more by reason of the distaste he had received; for at last, by the much pressure of the Spanish Agents, he was sent for back into Germany by the Emperor, to give an account of his actions, and of his unfavourable proceedings in the business of Casalle, and in the King of Spain's affairs; he having done little else in all his Government, but disturbed and hindered Spinola's and San' Croces designs, in keeping that Siege from success; and this not so much to vent his emulation, as by the unfortunate success thereof to signalise his glory the more in taking Mantua: wherein notwithstanding he had employed little more than his name and authority; having been almost always sick, and for the most part but o●… the Duchy of Mantua: the business being still managed by Gallasso and Aldringer. To this was added that that City being rather taken by stealth then by force of Arms, and that stealth succeeding, when the City by reason of the great mortality of Soldiers and Inhabitants was like an expiring carcase, it lessened much the glory of the Victory; and take away the difference of success, their glory will assuredly be greater, that suffered before Casalle, then theirs who had the Victory at Mantua. Collalto being dead, who had full and free authority from the Emperor to make peace, and to set a value upon the Towns of Montferrat which were to be restored, they sent into Germany, expecting new Commands, and new Deputations from the Emperor's Court: they were likewise to expect the same from France; for it was known that that King sent Monsieur di Servien, Secretary of State, into Italy with full authority. Cesar soon conferred the Command upon Gallasso: but the Secretaries not appearing after many days expectation, made it be much suspected what the King's mind was touching the observance of the peace; to which he professed publicly he did not hold himself bound; and therefore men knew not what to think touching the restitution of the Towns in Montferrat: the reason alleged by the King of France why he held himself not bound, was, that he having made another League with the King of Swedland, in favour of the Germane Princes, against the Emperor, much about the same time that the peace of Ratisbone was in treaty, or was as good as concluded; and the Articles of Ratisbone repugning this League and Union, as also the King of France his protection of the Germane Princes, that King not willing to part from the League, nor from the protection therein contained, pretended that his Ambassador who underwit the Articles of Ratisbone had neither Commission nor Command to oblige him the King touching the affairs of Germany, but only for those of Italy: so as being questionlesly free from those of Germany, he alleged he could not be bound to observe those of Italy, by reason of the correspondent connexion that the one had with the other: he therefore protested, that if he should agree to that peace for what concerned the affairs of Italy, he would not do it, as bound thereunto by the Articles of Ratisbone, but out of his mere well-wishing to the peace and quiet of Italy. The Spaniards suspected also, that the delay made by the French Deputy proceeded from some end the King might have to keep the Spanish and Dutch Forces idle in Italy: which, the peace being once agreed upon, were destined, the Spanish for the relief of Flanders, against which the Hollanders made great warlike preparations; and the Dutch, to succour Germany, where the King of Swedlands proceedings prospering ●…dingly, they very much pressed for assistance and succour: so to hinder the hazardous affairs of the Emperor and of the King of Spain, in both these places, from being relieved by those succours; for nothing being to be treated of in Italy without the French Deputy, the Spanish and Dutch Forces were necessarily to remain in Italy till that business should be perfectly ended: only in favour to the Duke of Savoy, the Agents who were in Italy chose Cherasco, a Town in Piedmont for the place of conference, where the Duke kept his Court, it being a place least infected with the Plague; wherea●… the Duke of Nevers complained very much, as of a thing tha●… would redound very much to his prejudice; for that the deciding of ●…o weighty and important a business being to be made in the face, and before the eyes of his so great contradictor, the balance would not be so rightly guided as it ought: at last, the French Deputy appeared in Italy; who being kept some days in Susa by the Marshals, came to Cherasco about the midst of Febr. in the year 1631: where Monsieur Pancirolo, Mazarine, Gallasso, Toras, the Spanish Ambassador for Piedmont, and Marshal Scomberg, were present: The Negotiation being begun, the first thing that was handled was that which concerned the Duke of Savoy 's pretensions to as many Towns of Monserrat as were to be assigned over to him, to the value of 18000 crowns annual revenue. And the Duke persisting that the Towns revenues should be rated according to the ancient Rent, and not as they went now; contrary to what the Mantuan Agents pretended, as an expedient for this and all other differences and pretensions, the annual Rent of 18000 crowns was by the Deputies reduced to 15000, according as the King of France had declared by the Articles of Susa; For payment whereof fourscore and four Towns were assigned to the Duke of Savoy, amongst which Alba and Trino; But because it appeared that the revenue of these Towns came to much more than 15000 crowns, the Duke of Savoy was enjoined to pay for the overplus 500000 crowns to Nevers, and to quit the Infanta Margarit 's portion, which Nevers, as heir to Duke Francis, did owe; In lieu of which portion, the Duke of Savoy, and (in his name) the Deputies and Arbitrators did assign to the said Margarite La Motto, Riva, and Costanza, three of those Towns which were at the present assigned to the Duke of Savoy, it being lawful for him to redeem them at any time upon payment of the portion. And by this assignation all the Duke of Savoy 's claims and pretensions to Monferrat were understood to be fully satisfied. As for the performance of the other points, it was agreed, that within two month's space Nevers should be put into possession of all his Dominions, except what was assigned to the Duke of Savoy, that between the eight, and the twentieth day of April, all the Dutch and the French should forego Italy, that the first should return to Germany, the others to France; leaving those who were in the Mantuan Towns, which were reserved to the Emperor, and those in the Town of Piedmont, which were reserved for the King of France. That the Duke of Savoy should also withdraw all his men into Piedmont, not removing those who were in the Towns assigned now unto him: That within 25 days the Duke of Nevers should be invested into his two Dukedoms, in the same manner as his Predecessors had been. That this being done, the Forts which have been erected upon occasion of these present Wars, in the States and Towns which had been taken, should be demolished by the 23 of May, on which day Mantua and the Forts thereunto belonging, and Caneto, should be consigned to Nevers; and the Towns in Piedmont, which were held by the French, should also on the same day be delivered to the Duke of Savoy, and presently after all the Grisons, Towns, and places which were held by the Emperor, as well in Rhetia, as in the Votuline, should be set free. But the difficulty consisting in the sure performance of what was n●…w agreed upon, each party doubting that the Towns of Mantua and Piedmont being to be restored on the 23 of May, it might so fall out that neither of the parties, either out of their own wilfulness, or for fear of being deceived, would make restitution; or that if the one party should do it, the other party might not do so, which would redound much to the prejudice of the things agreed upon, as also of the satisfaction of all, and of the public peace: it was therefore concluded, that within the 15 days prefixed for the demolishing of the Forts, Hostages should be delivered up to the Pope by the Emperor, and by the King of France, to be detained by the Pope, till all things were performed. The Pope refused to receive Hostages for restitution of the Towns in Rhetia, for that it did not suit with Religion, nor with the Majest●… of the Popedom, to cooperate in making Towns be restored to Heretics, which were possessed by Catholics; and the French not being to be satisfied in this point without caution, it was agreed upon by an Article apart, between the Duke of Savoy and the French Agents, to which Gallasso seemed to give his consent; That the Duke at the same time should restore his Towns to him, should put into Susa and Avigliana a Garrison of Swissers, confederates with the King, and Valleggiany; who were to be chosen and paid by him the Duke, and who should swear to restore them to the Duke, after the due observance of what was agreed upon at Cherasco. Though this capitulation seemed to be the Emperor's intention, and that of the two Kings, who would have had freed Italy of the Dutch, and French, at one and the same time; that without disadvantage of either party all places retained should be restored: yet b●…cause, for assurance of this agreement, it was resolved in the 16 Article of the Peace at Ratisbone, that hostages should be given, who were to be named by the I●…alian Agents, who were likewise to choose to what Prince they should be given; and moreover the said Agents were allowed liberty to do any thing else therein, which should seem best and safest to them; and they choosing the Pope, who refused to receive Hostages; This accommodation was found to satisfy the French, who received some prejudice in the point which concerned the Grisons; but the more the French were therewith satisfied, the more unsatisfied were the Sp●…niards, and by their means the Emperor. The judgement given at Chirasco was also suspected by reason of the exorbitant assignment made unto the Duke of Savoy, of so many great and noble Towns in Montferrat, which to boot that by the common present calculation they came to 100000 ducats annual revenue, it was too prejudicial to the Duke of Nevers, and weakened the rest of his State so much, as not being able to undergo the burden of maintaining Cassalle, nor to supply it with sufficient victuals; the Arbitrators who were aware of it, ordered that the Duke of Savoy should permit Nevers to extract 10000 sacks of corn yearly, at the price of the Market; which extraction, to boot with the limitation of time prefixed, reduced the maintenance and nourishment of that Town to be at the Duke of Savoy's pleasure; who by denying it, might besiege it, and bring it into great straits. It therefore seemed strange, that the Agents of the King of France, who had by his Arms professed himself to be Nevers his Protector, should consent to what was so prejudicial to their King's Client; and the restoring of 500000 ducats, together with the freeing of Nevers from payment of the Infanta Margarits portion, being nothing else but a forcing of Nevers to alienate so great a part of his S●…ate at so mean a price as those two sums came to, made more for Nevers his prejudice, and consequently made the Arbitrement more exorbitant, and the conditions more unjust. At this time the Duke of Feria was again made Governor of Milan, in the place of Sancta Croce, with whom the Court o●… Spain was very ill satisfied by reason of his ill government of the King's business: And though Feria did not like the thus dismembering of Montferrat, especially since the Duke of Savoy being possessed thereof by the King of France his means, he was in appearance likely to depend more upon him then upon the King of Spain, who would never condescend that he should be Master of one foot of ground in Montferrat; yet Feria, and the other Spanish Agents, dissembling their inward resentment of this point, as not appertaining to their King; they exclaimed mainly, and protested against what concerned the Garrison of Susa and Avigliana; and Feria writ to the Emperor and to the King of Spain, that they should not allow of the Articles of Chirasco, nor to the restitution of Mantua; he also complained of Gallasso in the Emperor's Court, as if adhering too much to Collalto, he had inclined more to the Duke of Savoy then to the King of Spain: And it was bruited abroad, that Gallasso having received great sums of money from the Duke, had joined with the French, in being so favourable to the Duke of Savoy, in the assigning of the Towns. And, as if affairs had been in a worse case than ever, Feria stayed the Brigadoes which were sent for Flanders, and the Dutch, who according to the Articles of Chirasco were ready to depart; notwithstanding that the Emperor's affairs being ill handled by the Swedes at this time did very much require succour. The business being thus interrupted, and all parties being much incensed by this backwardness in Feria, it was thought he the more desired to embroil business, that he might have occasion to exercise his warlike ●…alent, then to appease them; wherefore as a friend to novelty he was commonly noted to be of an unquiet spirit: And this was observed even in the Court of Spain, which was held to be very ill satisfied with the peace of Ratisbone, and worse with the agreement of Gasalle; it was therefore thought that Feria coveted to repair his Predecessors fault, and to signalise the beginning of his Government by actions contrary to his. But a Decree made by the Emperor after the peace of Ratisbone did much trouble all men's minds, by which he conferred all the authority of the Sacred Empire which could be conferred, in amplest manner, upon the King of Spain, against contumacious and rebellious Subjects: A Decree commonly practised in Germany against disobedient Princes, by which that Prince who is warranted to make War is permitted to possess himself of the disobedient Prince his Dominions, no restitution being to be made till he have paid the whole charge of the War: By virtue of this Decree, all Princes and Officers who are Subjects of the Empire are bound to pay obedience to him who hath this Commission, as they should do to the Emperor, and also to deliver up unto him all Towns and Forts, and without making any reply, to turn their Arms and Forces whithersoever that King commands. This Decree was occasioned by what had happened before Casalle, after peace was made, by the King of France his protesting that he held himself not bound to observe the Articles of that peace, and by the agreement of Chirasco which gave little satisfaction; for the Emperor finding that the French were not content with the peace, but that the King of France, at the same time that that peace was made, had made a new League with the Swedish King, clean contrary to the Articles of Ratisbone, and that he furnished him with mone●…s for the W●…r of Germany; and knowing that he could not possibly repair the affairs of the Empire both in Germany and Italy at one and the same time, he thought fit to leave the care of the affairs of Italy to the King of Spain, the greatest Prince and Feudatory of the Emp●…e: And the Duke of Feria being substituted by the King in this Commission, Gallasso who managed the War, and Aldringer who had Mantua in possession, as also all the 〈◊〉 Princes, Feudatories to the Empire, were to obey him, and to assist him, as they would have done the Emperor's self; and Aldringer was bound to deliver Mantua unto him, and all the Towns which he held in that Dukedom; for that Nevers, who having incurred the penalty of High Treason, by reason of his contumacy and disobedience, had no right to that peace, but was relapsed into his former fault; and the Duke of Feria by virtue of that Decree might proceed against him with all the Forces of the Empire. For fear that this should be put in execution, the Venetians, the French, and all Princes who cared for the affairs of Italy, apprehended that all things would be ruined, if Mantua should be assigned over to the Duke of Feria; they were therefore necessitated to endeavour by all means that the peace might be observed and ratified in the first place, and afterwards reform the Articles of Chirasco, in satisfaction to the Emperor and Spaniards. Thus the agreement of Chirasco being of force, it was instituted touching the restitution of the Towns and places belonging to the Grisons, whereof the doubt remained, that the French, instead of the Garrison which by the agreement they were to put into Susa, might keep Bricherasco; but that Gallasso should be constituted in Mantua, and Toras in Turin, for hostages; the one for the restitution of Bricherasco, the other for the Towns and places belonging to the Grisons: And because this new agreement was made on the 19th of june, the time of the former agreement being already expired, others were made like unto the former. In this second agreement the Duke of Feria was likewise limited more precisely touching the Garrison of Milan, and the number of the men were lessened which he was to keep there for Garrisons, contrary to what in the preceding peace, and particularly in this last of Chirasco, was observed; for whereas in the former it was said, that the King's Forces should not so tarry in the State of Milan as to cause jealousy in the Neighbours, in this last they obliged the Governor precisely, to send 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse out of Italy and Rhetia, of the extraordinary Forces which were in the State; and that if after the restitution of the places there should yet remain a greater number of Horse or Foot then is usually kept in that State, they should be dismissed, or should be so disposed of as no more should remain there then was usually kept in Garrison in the time of peace. This agreement was perfectly observed: At the time appointed the Duke of Mantua was re-invested and restored to the City and State of Mantua, freed of all the Dutch, who shall for the future be no more called the Duke of Nevers, but Duke of Mantua: The Towns of Piedmont were also restored to the Duke of Savoy; and lastly, for full and entire performance of what was cove●…anted, the Hostages were set at liberty; so as Italy was likely to return into her former serene peace. But new clouds soon appe●…ring amidst this clear weather drew all me●…s eyes upon them; and seeming big of thunder, lightning and storms, made it be feared they would break out into some dangerous tempest. The King of France some few days after the Towns and Hostages were with satisfaction to all parties restored, demanded some things of the Duke of Savoy: which being directly contrary, not only to the Covenants, but to the fundamental points of the peace of Ratisbone, and of the Agreements made at Cherasco, did disturb the Affairs in several manners, perplexed the minds of the Italians, and gave the Spaniards more cause of complaint, and greater reason to think themselves injured then before: he demanded the assignment over unto him of Susa and of Avigliana, or Pinarollo and Perosa, or of Dimone and Cunio, or lastly, Savigliano, together withal the Towns that are upon the passage to Castle Delphino: the reason of these his demands, he said, was, that he might have a way open to come into Italy, upon any novelty that might be attempted by the Spaniards, to the prejudice of his Confederates, and to secure himself of the Duke's friendship; whom he once more saw inclined to join with the Spaniards against him. The occasion of these demands were alleged to be, for that together with the ardent desire which the Spaniards, as ●…e said, seemed to have, to exclude the new Duke of Mantua out of Italy, that they might unjustly usurp the States which did by right of succession devolve upon him; and besides, that they for the same purpose had gone against the Articles of Susa; and with their own Forces, and those of the Dutch, called into Italy by them, and paid by their moneys, had assaulted his Dominions and taken Mantua from him; they now endeavoured to come to a third assault, when by reason of the restitution of the Towns of Piedmont, and the French their retiring into France, they were themselves alone in Italy, armed in the Field, the Duke being weak and unable to resist them, for want of moneys and men, who were consumed by War and by the Pestilence, wherewith his States had been so sorely afflicted. The King justified these his doubts and jealousies; for that though the Duke of Feria had given his word to Galasso, that he would cashier the extraordinary Forces out of the State of Milan, and reduce the Soldiers to the number that were usually kept in Garrison in time of peace, according to the last Article of Cherasco; he, on the contrary, had retained most of the Foot, to boot with Scomburgs Regiment, and the Neapolitan Horse, which he had not only not dismissed as he was obliged to do; but had raised others by the Marquis Rangone, and drawn them near the Confines of Milan; and that many Captains and Officers, under colour of Reformadoes, were sent by him to Naples, to raise more men, and bring them into the State of Milan; that i'll Signore Merodes, a Captain of the Emperors in Alsatia had increased his ●…roops with the men that were sent into Flanders, and that joining with Archduke Leopold he threatened innovation against the Grisons; and that in the mean while, Merodes and his Lieutenant did by several ways molest those people, and pick new occasions to break the peace: that the Duke of Feria being desired by the Nuntio Panciruolo, and pressed thereunto by the F●…ench, to cashier those men, so to remove all occasions of new jealousies, he openly den●…ed to do it; and this for nothing else, but for that, as he sa●…d, the new Duke of Mantua had put new Garrisons of French Soldiers into Casalle, contrary to Covenants; and for that the Grisons, contrary to the Articles of Ratisbone, had fortified the passes of Stainc, and of other places; and that therefore it was necessary to provide against these inconveniences by way of anticipation, lest other more great might follow thereupon: that the Spaniards, who were now more powerful in the Emperor's Court then the Dutch themselves, had laboured very much, even since the Treaty of peace, that the Emperor would deliver the City of Mantua into their hands; and that not being able to obtain it, they had treated with the Imperial Officers who had the Government of that City, to deliver it up unto them; and that they had proceeded so far therein, as they failed but a li●…tle of having it done, had they not been hindered by such Officers as were faithful to the Emperor, and who would not consent to so great a piece of treachery: he also said that the Emperor bore no good will to the new Duke, nor was pleased with the peace that he himself made; for that the next day after the investment was granted, he by a secret Article, procured by the Spanish Agents, had declared the investment should be null and of no effect, if at any time the Articles of Ratisbone should not be observed; and, as if this were directly contrary to the same Articles, wherein he in express words covenanted that the investment should be granted in the same manner as it had been formerly granted to the former Dukes, the King alleged that that Declaration was procured only to serve for a pretence that the Spaniards might once more assault that Duke, and bereave him of his Dukedom upon any slight occasion: since they and the Emperor, who were parties in this business, were made judges of the breach thereof, and accusers of those that should break it: he further argued that the Spaniards fomented the civil dissensions of his Royal Court, and were of intelligence with his Brother and Mother, who were at this time fled from the Court of France, and were gone into Flanders: to the end, that he and his Kingdom being troubled with intestine dissensions, might not apply themselves to the Affairs of Italy, and so they might assault the Duke the third time with greater Forces: nor herewithal contented, that they endeavoured to draw the Duke of Savoy to join with them in their Plots contrived against the quiet of his Kingdom, as was discovered by Letters of the Spanish Ambassadors Resident with the Duke of Savoy, which were intercepted; and as might be better comprehended by the Abbot Scaglia's going into England: which Abbot being Ambassador from the Duke of Savoy in Madrid, at the same time when the Towns of Savoy and Piedmont were restored, was sent at the King of Spain's charges into England to treat of new Leagues against France: he further urged the Cardinal of Savoy his going into Flanders, at the same time that the Queen-mother was to be there, and the imprisonment of the Baron S. Romano, who after having treated in Milan with Feria, and afterwards with the Spanish Ambassador in Turin, was gone into Languedock with the Duke's Passport, and with Order to raise men for the King's Brother: moreover, Order given for the going of 500 Spaniards, and 2000 Italians, at the same time, to Barcelona, to put those designs in execution which might by all men be imagined. Monsieur di Servien, who was the King's Ambassador in Turin, hav●…ng delivered the Duke a long Discourse in writing upon these and other lighter complaints, he at last required an answer from him to these the King's demands, within three days, to the end, that the King might know how to dispose of his Forces that were yet in the Provinces which confine upon Italy; putting him also in mind, that he the Duke having gotten so great a part of Montferrat by the King's means, and being consequently the only man that had got advantage by the late war, he was bound, both for convenience and gratitude, to do some thing for the safety of the Affairs of Italy, and for the satisfaction and reputation of the King's Forces. The Duke immediately acquainted the Governor of Milan with the King's demands, and with the threats which might apparently be seen, in case he should deny them: adding, that he the Duke not having wherewith to resist, must be forced to choose the lesser evil, and to comply with the Kings will, unless he were furnished with 10000 effectual Foot, and 1000 Horse for the defence of Savoy, and with 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse for the defence of Piedmont; and if they were paid what was their due; he should submit to the Kings will. The Governor not being able to furnish him with so many men at the prese●…t, offered to send him as many as he was able now, and that he might be su●…e that for the future he would procure him what assistance he could for the preservation of his Dominions. The Duke, not content with these uncertain generalities, agreed with the French Ambassador to assign over Pinarollo and Per●…sa, and San' Brigata to those very Swissers to whom Susa was assigned the year before, upon Oath that they should hold them for the King, for six month's space; and that time being ended, that they should re-assign them over again to him the Duke, unless by his own consent the time of assignment to the King should be prorogued; that the King might put a Governor into them, who should take the same Oath. The Duke obliged himself also, and promised not to cooperate with them who should go about to trouble the peace of France, during the King's Mothers, and his Brother's absence; and to give free passage for the French to enter Italy, if they should be brought thither by any novelty against the Duke of Mantua. There was not any one who did not resent this so sudden and unexpected demand, and who did not wonder, and were not amazed at the Dukes so ready yielding thereunto: so as none were so void of reason, as not to think that it was agreed upon long before between him and the King; especially by the many accidents and circumstances which went to the approving thereof. The Cardinal of Savoy went to Paris a little before the French restored the Towns of Piedmont, and Prince Thomas●… with his Wife and Children, on whom, the Duke having no Children, the succession of Savoy fell: the occasion of the Cardinals going thither was given out to be, for his own respect, that he might go from thence to Flanders to visit his Aunt the Archdutchess; and for others to be present at some solemn Festivals which were to be had in that Court. When the Cardinal was come to Paris, he did not pursue his journey, but tarried there with his Brother, till such time as Pinarollo was assigned over into the King's Officers hands; which being done, they all returned to Piedmont: the going of these Princes to that Court, and their tarrying there till the assigning over of Pinarollo, made all men think that they were sent thither, and kept as Hostages of the secret Agreement between the King and Duke, contrary to the Articles of Ratisbone: the secr●…t Capitulation of the first Agreement of Cherasco, against which the Duke of Feria did so much exclaim, seemed to say as much. Servien's long delay in coming into Italy touching a business of so great importance, and wherein haste was required by all part●…es, though it was then attributed to some other cause, was afterwards ●…eld for cer●…ain, that it was done to give time for this resolution which was not as then ripe, nor digested: the notable prejudice suffered by the Duke of Mantua, so openly taken into protection by the King of France, and consented unto by the same King's Agents, in favour to the Duke of Savoy, who had been a professed enemy to the King's interest, and who besides h●…ving cost that Crown so great an expense of men and moneys, had also made him lose whole Arm●…es, and his reputation, in the enterprise of Casalle; was commonly judged to be the price and the reward of this secret Treaty between the Duke and the King of France, touching the concession of Pinarollo: which may appear to be clearly comprehended by the very writing delivered to the Duke, by the Ambassador Servien, wherein after the ●…acite threats in case of denial, he endeavoured to persuade the Duke to give way unto the demands, by way of gratitude for the great obligation which he had to the King, by whose favour ●…e had gotten so great a part of Montferrat. The Kings suffering himself for so frivolous and slight occasions, which by treaty might easily be compounded, to be brought to resolve upon a thing of so great moment, when France which required peace and restauration, broke forth into combustion of Civil War by the flight of his Mother and Brother, made all men believe that without assurance of having it readily granted, he would not have adventured to make such a demand: which if it had been denied, obliged him to undertake greater wars than those which, after so much expense of moneys and blood, he was to thank fortune for his coming off with honour, with Forces already wearied, and little better than beaten, and upon a less just title than the former. On the other side, the great respect, not to say fear, which the Duke when he was already restored to all his Dominions, showed to have of those Forces, which when he was in a worse condition he had so boldly resisted; his so much distrust of aid from Spain, by which being assisted, he nor his Father fe●…red not to provoke the French Forces; his having by his so high and almost impossible demands rather rejected, then desired those succours from the Duke of Feria, which he might have received, and was bound to accept of, rather than to quit so many places of importance. The Duke not being moved at so unjust demands, which rather than to have granted he was upon all accounts to have run any whatsoever Fortune his having yielded to the worst demand, and more pr●…judicial to himself of the four; his no show of resentment after such an assignation, but his pretending a reward for it from the Crown of Spain, as if he had once more thereby secured the State of Milan, confirmed the general prejudiciate opinion, that this demand was no news unto him, but a thing long before agreed upon; this general opinion was af●…erwards better confirmed by the sale made by the Duke the next year of the same Towns to the King, and of their Territory, wherein many other Towns were con●…ained; and by this sale it was comprehended, that it was not his alleged zeal to the public peace, nor the security of his Client and Friends, but his desire to have a gate always open into Italy, which caused the King to make such high and strange demands, and so contrary to the Covenants of Ratisbone and Chirasco, agreed unto by his Agents in his name, and ratified by the King himself, in the effectual restitution of the Town of Piedmont; the 500000 Ducats which the Duke of Savoy was to restore to the Duke of Mantua, for the overplus of the Towns in Montferrat, assigned to him by the Arbitrement of Chirasco, the which the King being obliged to make good to that Duke, he afterwards professed that he kept them against the same Duke of Mantua, for the charges he had been at in making war for the defence and maintaining of his dominions, was considered in the price of so many important Towns. The Duke granted, and afterwards sold unto the King those Towns upon which the liberty and subjection of Piedmont did depend, and wherein his sovereignty did consist, and his not being only a great and free Prince and master of himself, but an Arbitrator of great affairs between two mighty Kings; and their worth being inestimable, the Towns of Montferrat which were assigned, were sold at a very under rate. For if Duke Charles Emanuel did grant all the Country of Bresse to the King of France, a large Country and of great revenue, only that he might keep Saluzzo, and thereby remain ●…ree and absolute master of Piedmont, the French being excepted; what comparison is to be made between Pinarollo, and all the valley of Perosa, in consideration of the Marquisate of Saluzzo, especially the great opportunity and consequence of Pinarollo's situation being considered; and what proportion can the Towns assigned in Montferrat beat with Bressa which was granted, so great a Country and so full of numerous Towns? Yet the now Duke's action was excused by the necessity he was in to comply with the King's pleasure, who being possessed not only of the Towns lately granted in Piedmont, but of all Savoy, and so many other Towns of Piedmont; and having no hopes ever to regain them by force, it behoved him to do as the times required, and of two evils, to choose the least; since affairs were brought to such a condition, as he was rather to thank the King for what was in the King's power to deny him, then to forego what not being able to regain, was really rather to be esteemed the Kings, then his; and which being denied gave occasion not only to retain that, but all the other Towns that the King was possessed of. Cardinal Richelieu being proud of so advantageous an acquisition, cove●…ed that it might never be cancelled out of the memory of man, but remain in perpetual witness of what he had done for the Crowns advantage; he also had contracted a particular and intense hatred against the Duke upon many accounts, but more particularly for having been brought to great extremities, both by the last Duke, and by this; when he went the preceding year with an Army into Piedmont: so as Revenge being added to the propagating of the King●… affairs, he thirsted to see the House of Savoy reduced to such a weak condition and subjection, as the Dukes thereof should never be able to hold up their heads, or to gainsay the King's pleasure; nor ever to put such tricks upon any of the King's Officers or Commanders as they had done upon him; and so to leave the impression of his resentment for ever engraven in the depression of that Principality; and not finding any better means how to effect it, he informed the Duke that he had no other way to regain what he had lost, then to lose Pinarollo, and the valley of Perosa: For the King, who professed himself not bound to observe the peace of Ratisbone, was not to receive any prejud●…ce by not accepting thereof, save only that Mantua should not be restored to the Duke of Nevers; a loss wherein his Kingdom was but little concerned, that City being so far distant from the confines of France; Whereas by keeping Savoy and Pinarollo, with all the Towns he had in Piedmont in his possession, he got incomparable more advantage, which might largely make amends for the loss of Mantua, as well for what concerned himself, as for what concerned the Duke of Mantua, to whom he might procure whole Montferrat in lieu thereof, together with Savoy in fee, and so better both his own and his Client's condition: For if Nevers should be Lord of Savoy, he would become a greater Prince by the vicinity of his French Dominions thereunto; and the King by retaining the sovereignty of Savoy, and possessing Montferrat, and the Towns he had taken in Piedmont, he would extend the skirts of his Dominions, and his authority equally on both sides of the Alps, with much advancement of Majesty and Reputation, by the great adherence that he would thereby get in Italy, and with much prejudice to Piedmont, which being surrounded by the King's Forces, would in many respects be subject to the Crown of France; and therefore the King being to receive such advantage by not accepting the peace, he would not by accepting it deprive himself thereof, unless he might be sure to retain Pinarollo, and the valley of Perosa. To these so hard and so severe conditions it may be believed, that fair promises were added of allowing the Duke of Savoy a good part of Montferrat, if he would give way to the Kings will: Wherefore the Duke being forced by necessity, and incited by appearing advantage, could not but consent to what was demanded. Thus the King of France, under the colour of maintaining the liberty of Italy, and of the Italian Princes, and under pretence that the Spaniards should not curb the Duke of Mantua, did himself first curb the Duke of Savoy, and made a Prince almost his Subject, who was not only an Italian, but one so nearly allied unto him: but neither was the Duke of Mantua, when he was restored to his State, in free and full liberty of Principality; for besides the so great dismembering and lessening of his restored State, he being to receive a French Garrison in Mantua and in Casalle (for that it was impossible for him to keep those places well Garrisoned) became so dependant upon the King's pleasure and will, as the King's professed protection to him, did almost impose as much subjection upon him, as the Spaniards could have done: it being likely that the Court of Spain, which, as hath been said, was at first so near granting him free and unconditional possession, would have consented thereunto much more willingly, if the new Duke should but have permitted them to put a Garrison into Casalle: in which case the King of Spain would, moreover, have been bound to protect him and Montferrat, just as he had done the Dukes his Predecessors, which ●…e had so constantly done, with such profusion of his Subjects blood, and of his own moneys, as without ever pretending any recompense, he kept their State untouched against the Duke of Savoy, a Prince so nearly allied in blood unto him; and the subjection of the Duke of Mantua▪ in respect of Montferrat, did double the subjection of Piedmont; for as Pinarollo being assigned over unto the French▪ opened a gate of free entrance into Piedmont whereby to be oppressed: so was Casalle anot●…er gate, which kept the Spaniards from coming to succour Piedmont when it should be infested by the French; and neither of these Princes being any ways able to resist the French, if once they were masters of these places, it was clear enough seen into what condition the Liberty of their Principalities was reduced. The Grisons fell upon no less inconveniences; for under colour that the places that were restored might not be again seized on by the Austrians, the King kept means how to enter there, by putting French Garrisons into them: The King of France his authority did hereby so increase in Italy, if not in Propriety and Dominion of State, a●… least in such adherence, as they not being able to do withal, he might make use of his adherents States, as of those that were Patrimonial to his Crown: but the more the Duke was to be excused for his being necessitated to yield Pinarollo to the King, the less was his loss therein compassionated; for he and his Father, whilst he was alive, had made that Principality hateful to the Italian Princes, by their joining with the Austrian Forces, whilst they were thought to aspire after the oppressing of Italy by oppressing the Duke of Nevers: where●…ore the Italian Princes rejoiced, that as those Dukes had co-operated to enslave Italy, they had reaped the fruit and reward of deserting the Common Cause, and were themselves taken in that snare of subjection, in which, so they might have part of Montferrat, they cared not though others, together with themselves, had been taken; and the same Italian Princes were not displeased to find that there was a means found to fix the staggering of their conceits, wherewith they had tormented others; and would not suffer any secure foundation to be laid ●…or ●…he common concernments: they were likewise much more c●…ntented, for that the more they saw the Duke waver in the favour of the French, they thought the common affairs the safer; and they were the surer that the Spaniards having lost all hope of winning that Prince over to them, and knowing that the French, by the Territories of Piedmont and Montferrat, did almost confine upon the State of Milan, they would be forced to be the better con●…ent, and would ●…ay aside much of their haughty conceits and pretensions, by which they aspired to give Laws to all men, and to suffocate th●… Liberty and Sovereignty of the Princes of Italy; and though the double and clandestine dealing between the King and Duke were contrary to the peace of Ratisbone, and to the Treaties of Cherasco, yet winking at so great a gainsaying, they allowed of the King's justification; and, on the contrary, the Declaration made by the Emperor touching the investment of the Duke of Mantua the day before, was judged to be clandestine; and yet he who shall justly consider the cause which moved the Emperor to make that Declaration will find that he was not to be blamed for it; nor had any, and much less the King of France, reason to complain of the Articles which were granted before; for the Articles of Ratisbone being reciprocal between the Emperor and the King, it was clear that the one party observing them when the other did not, it was lawful for the observer to withdraw from what he had on his side done: but the original fault of the first moving against the Duke of Mantua conveying sinister influences into all actions which did depend upon that moving, did little justify any action which might any ways prejudice the Duke's interest; and the Italians minds being encumbered by fear that the former wars of the Valtoline, and then those against Mantua and Montferrat, aimed at the enslaving of Italy, they allowed no place to any more subtle interpretations or considerations, to define what was just and honest; since justice and honesty seemed to have taken up the highest seat in the balance, which did secure the Liberty of Italy; and whatsoever co-operated to lessening the Spanish greatness, being held good for the common liberty and safety, was esteemed just and honest; according to that saying, salus populi suprema lex esto: for this respect the Duke of Feria's suspicion was not thought just, who seeing the French brought into Mantua and Casalle, and the Grisons parts gartisoned with French, pretended that it was against the Article of Peace, the events soon showed that the pretence was not vain, since it was seen that those places fell into the hands of the French: so as their actions were applauded, and the Spaniards suspicions blamed; some of the I●…alian Princes joyed to see that the French were became, as it were, Arbitrators of Italy; and little less than masters of Mantua, Montferrat, and Piedmont, and Concha, if for no other cause, at least for that they thought them, by reason and opportunity, to be of equal power and authority to the Spaniards, and peradventure superior to them, by reason of the adhe●…ence which those Princes would rather have with him, then with the King Spain; for they desired to keep the Spanish Forces curbed by those of France; the Spaniards being grown jealous and hateful to them: this was the success of the ill advised, ill governed, and worse justifiable Spanish Forces; this was the fruit they reaped of their so much stirring, to no other end, but that they could not tolerate that a Prince who depended upon France should have any possessions in Italy: nor were the King of France his Forces less fortunate out of Italy; for to boot with the Garrisons put into the Grisons Country, whereby they depended no less upon his arbitrement then did the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua, he did at the same time assault Lorraine with a powerful Army, being offended with that Duke, who had received and fomented the Duke of Orleans, who, as hath been said, was fled from the Court; and the Duke of Lorraine having no means to defend himself, the Emperou●… and all Germany being sufficiently molested, and a great part of Germany possessed by the Swedes, he was forced to humble himself to the King, and to sue for peace, which was not granted him without parting with some of his chiefest Towns; and being thus received into protection, he obliged himself not only to give free passage to the King through Lorraine, whensoever he would go with an Army into Germany, but to join with him in that war, and assist him with a certain number of men, whilst he went to defend the liberty of the Germane Princes, the ancient Friends and Con●…ederates of his Crown: wherefore when the King drew near Germany with his Army, the Ecclesiastic Electors, and many other Germane Lords and Princes, put themselves under the protection of the Crown of France, pretending fear of the Swedish Forces, but in effect to have a Protector of their greater liberty to which they aspired against the Austrian authority. Much about the time that the Peace of Ratisbone was concluded, a League (as hath been said) was made between the King of France and the King of Swedland, in defence of all common Friends, and of all the Germane Princes in their oppressed Liberties, and to restore Germany, and the Princes thereof, to the same condition they were in before the war began: in which League the King of France obliged himself, to pay 400000 Crowns a year unto the Swede for maintenance of his Army: which was as much as to set up a Standard in maintenance of the Germane Rebellion, unto which all malcontents might have recourse: nor did the design prove vain; for after the famous Victory of the Swede and Duke of Saxony, before Lypsick, as hath been elsewhere said, wherein the Emperor's Army and that of the League was discomfited, and almost all slain, and wherein Tilly was also sorely wounded; the Protestant Princes openly adhered unto the Swede, and joined with him against the Emperor; and those who in respect of the Catholic Religion could not openly adhere unto an Heretic Prince, who was manifestly bend to take ●…he Empire from the house of Austria, and to overthrow the Catholic Religion; and who were unsatisfied with the Austrian Dominion; taking pretence from their fearing the Swede, had recourse to the King of France, by whom being taken into protection, they covenanted neutrality between the Swede and the Emperor, and to permit the King of France to pass armed through their Territories; by means of which protection they were secured from the Swedish Forces; and the Emperor who was by this means bereft of the adherence and help of almost all the Germane Princes, and also openly assaulted by the Swede, and his adherents, and molested underhand by the King of France, was brought to so low a condition, as not being well able to withstand so many enemies, the affairs of the Empire were in a very sad condition; to this was added, that the Duke of Bavaria, who was head of the Catholic League, and the greatest maintainer of the Catholic Religion, and who next to the Elector of Saxony was the greatest support of the Empire and of the house of Austria, especially after Saxony his revolt, was also, though very secretly, confederated with the King of France; which King by Articles of Confederacy was bound to maintain the upper Palatinate, and the Electoral Dignity, for ever, in this Duke, and in the house of Bavaria; which State and Dignity being forfeited by the Prince Elector Palatines Rebellion, were for some years before conferred by the Emperor upon this Duke of Bavaria: the occasion which moved this Prince to this resolution was commonly attributed to jealousy of the peace made at this time at Madrid, between the Kings of Spain and England; for knowing that the King of Spain was displeased at the con●…erring of the Electoral State and Dignity upon him, and that the authority and power of the house of Bavaria should be so increased, and that he had opposed the Emperor in conferring it upon him; and knowing that the King of England, whose Sister was Wife to the Palatine, laboured hard that the Palatine or his Son might be restored to their former condition, he thought he had just occasion to doubt, that the Peace made between the two Kings, who were for several respects desirous to deprive him of it, might tacitly contain some Agreement between them, to his p●…ejudice. And on the other side, having soon after that Peace was concluded sent the Abbot Scaglia into England, in appearance to treat of Truce and Peace in the King's Name with the Hollanders, but in effect to treat o●… a League against him, as he complained, and as the King of France had heard; therefore both Bavaria, and the King of France easily joined in this Convention, for their own safeties sake, and that they might make plots not inferior to those that were plotted against him. And that they might the better alienate the Bavarian from the Emperor, the Kings of France and of Sweden promised him the Imperial Crown, whereof (when the Emperor should be beaten) no German Prince seemed to be more capable than he, as being the most powerful of all the Catholic Princes, and who had most care of the Catholic Religion; and for that he, as one of the Electors, had a Vote in choosing the Emperor; and his Brother, who was Elector, and Archbishop of Collen, another Vote; with whom the Archbishop and Elector of Triers would join, who was the first that had joined in League with the King of France, and had received a French Garrison into that State, particularly, into the Fort of Hermenestein, a strong Fort, and of great consequence, being situated where the Mose falls into the Rheyne: The Votes of the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg, who were declared Enemies to the House of Austria, and who depended upon the Swedish King, would likewise have concurred in the same Election, when the Bavarian should be by that King promoted to the Empire, as he ●…ad promised. The Duke being therefore ●…ed with these hopes, and apprehending that the Austrians would deprive him of the Palatinate, and Electoral Dignity, and that they would restore●…it to the Palatine, totte●…'d in his intelligence with the Emperor, and met with a new accident, which gave him more and better reason to alienate himself from the Emperor. The Emperor being reduced to great straits by the Swedish Forces, by the rising of so many people, and by his being deserted by so many German Princes, had (as hath been elsewhere said) for the last remedy of the imminent danger the Empire was then in, which also threatened him, sent for Wallestine Duke of Fritland, and had once more made him general of all his Forces; for he was the only man on whom it was thought the welfare of the Empire might sa●…eliest depend. There had been such high distastes between this Wallestine and Bavaria, as the Bavarian in the Diet of Ratisbone had been the chief cause of his being laid aside; and, doubtlessly, had the Bavarian openly declared against the Emperor, and had adhered to the contrary Parties, the Affairs of the Empire would have been but badly sustained: But were it either, that he received such assurances from the Emperor as took from him all distrust, or, that his hopes of attaining the Empire seemed but small, especially since both the Kings who offered and promised it unto him were known to be ambitious of it themselves; or, that he was at last wisely aware, that the two Kings did desire to separate him from the House of Austria, only that they might weaken it, and so the more easily suppress it, whereupon his ruin would assuredly succeed; he meddled not with any novelty, but stood firm and constant in defence of the Catholic Religion, and of the Imperial Majesty. To this was added, that the chief ends of the two Kings, and of all the Germane P●…nces, was to restore the Palatine to his former state and dignity: whereof they were much more troubled than was the King of Spain, to se●… Bavaria master. He therefore had no reason to trust them in what was directly contrary to the end of the common Arms, and to the universal desire and consent of whole Germany, which for the common concernment could not see the Palatine deves●…ed of his Dominion, and Bavaria endued the●…ewith; and as it might be supposed, that the two Kings, out of these respects, did promise that unto him which they could not possibly effect; so it might also be comprehended, that the same Bavaria seemed to make league and union with the two Kings, so to keep the Austrians from depriving him of the State and Dignity which they had conferred upon him; so uncertain and fallacious are the unions and confede●…acies of Princes. In this wavering condition were the Affairs of Germany, whereof the King of France seemed to be become no less Arbitrator, then of those of Italy; for the Swede differed much from him in point of Authority, and professed to depend much thereupon, notwithstanding all the victories he had gotten, and all the happy course of his prosperity; and the King of France his being deeply engaged in the affairs of Germany took him much off from the Wars of Italy; whereat, though the Governor of Milan, and the Spanish Agents, were much troubled, fearing his Forces which they saw were received into the Towns of Italy, yet did not his Forces do any thing after the assignment of Pinarollo; all things passing quietly on, unless it were the preparations, and several levies of men, the Spaniards being obliged to keep greater Garrisons, upon occasion of Pinarollo, Cassalle, and Mantua. The new Duke of Mantua, though peacefully possessed of his States, was not at all happy in enjoying them; for, not to mention the troubles which he passed thorough, the moneys spent, and the dangers which he ran in arriving at the succession thereof; his Dominions were so lessened, so dismembered, so consumed and wasted both in men and moneys, as his need of assistance from other Princes, to maintain them, was greater than the authority or Grandeur that he got by them; and having engaged his Lands in France, in defending and maintaining his Dominions in Italy; he lost the advantage of both his chiefest Towns, being possessed by others, he had little more than the bare name of Principality left him: Nor was he in a more free and absolute condition of Prince, then when he was a Subject in France, and vassal to that Crown; so as, he who would justly consider this Prince his condition, must think that his happiness, in so great possessions, redounded to his greater misfortune, and that it had been better for him to have wanted them. To so many calamities and miseries was added the death of his two only Sons; the Eldest, who was Prince of Mantua, died in Goito six days before that Town was ●…estored. So as the succession of his Family fell upon a young Infant, and Son to Princess Maria, who after Duke Vincenzo's death was married, as hath been said, to the Duke of Retell, the present Duke's eldest Son, who had he lived must h●…ve been Prince of Mantua; the other, who was Duke De Mena, or Du M●…yne, died some few months after in Mantua. To complete the quiet and felicity of Italy, the composure of the differences between the Commonwealth of Genoa, and Duke of Savoy yet remained; which being several times treated of, given over, and re-assumed, could never be brought to perfection. For after that by Marquis Rambollie●…'s departure from Madrid the business was left unperfect; Dom Ramires de Prado was sent by the King of Spain to the Camp before Rochel, with commission from the King and Commonwealth, to negotiate and to conclude that peace: Where, after much discourse, they came to this conclusion; that Zuccarello should remain to the Commonwealth, upon the payment 100000 Crowns to the Duke, but with conditon that the Duke's right should be preserved to what soever more monies he had disbursed, when he first bought that Marquisate. Neither of the parties, nor yet the King of Spain, were pleased with this peace. For the Commonwealth was not only troubled at so excessive a sum, at which they themselves against reason were assessed, but much more for that a gate was left open for the Duke to make new pretensions, which might occasion new Wars. The Duke, on the contrary, complained that his interests were valued at no higher a ●…ate, and moreover did not accept of the Peace, because the conspiracy of Genoa happening at the same time; he took new occasion of complaint, and altercation, upon the impunity which he pretended unto of the Conspirators, which was denied by the Commonwealth: And pretending that their punishment was a breach of the Truce agreed upon but a little before, he thought that so great an innovation not being imbra●…ed, nor salved up by the peace of Rochel, that capitulation was void; which did not perfectly compose the ancient grievances, and ●…eft the greater and more modern complaints undecided. And he being at that time joined with the Crown of Spain, upon occasion of the Wars of Montferrat, neither had the King of France any authority to make him observe it; nor would the King of Spain exasperated him, to the prejudice of the new conjunction: And therefore easily laying aside the Commonwealth's complaints, touching the prejudice which she pretended to receive by that peace, he did not enforce the execution thereof upon her. Thus this peace by the repugnancy of the parties, and by the tacit consent of the Arbitrators, remained unperfected; and the continuing of these differences seemed then to make for the King of Spain's advantage; for the Commonwealth being necessitated to keep in Arms, and to entertain many to defend her, the King had an Army maintained at the Commonwealth's charge, whereof he might make use according as the Wars of Montferrat should succeed; this agreement than not being admitted of, and new occasions of distastes happening, the Affairs between these two parties were in greater disorder than ever, and the Spaniards were not well looked upon by the Commonwealth, for having sided with the Duke in his complaints. In these difficulties did things continue during Duke Emanuels life; when he was dead, the composure of all differences was by his Son absolutely referred to the King of Spain; Wherefore the Commonwealth willingly accepted of the bargain, but with very express and precise exclusion of that point which concerned the impunity of the Conspirators, of whom they would not suffer any mention to be made, it being so exorbitant a thing, of so bad example; and so contrary to the dignity and safety of Princes, The Court of Spain was not well satisfied with this exclusion, as if 〈◊〉 did mi●… become the Majesty of the King, that the Commonwealth should proceed with such limitations and reservations, when the Duke referred all things absolutely to the King; at length, after many replies, the Commonwealth yielded, and put herself freely upon the compromise: And the business being long disputed in that Court, between Francisco Lomellino the Commonwealth's Emb●…ssadour, and the Duke's Ambassador Abbot Scaglia, and no resolution being made in that point, first the Pope, and then the King of France, after the re-assigning of Pinarollo, offered their endeavours and Authority to the Commonwealth, in the composure of differences, acquainting her, that they would give her better satisfaction than she could hope for from the Court of Spain: But the Commonwealth, which had already referred all unto the King of Spain, thought herself not in a condition to accept these offers; wherefore thanking both of them for their favour showed towar●…s her; she excused herself for not being able to accept of the Grace done unto her by his Holiness, and his Majesty, without being faulty to his Majesty of Spain, since she could not alter nor vary any thing from 〈◊〉 she had once granted him. At last the Articles of Peace were concluded in Madrid, and published about the end of November, 1631. which in substance were; That both Parties should be obliged to restore what had been taken; by which it was declared, That the Commonwealth should restore the Towns and Places which she had taken from the Duke, the Artillery, Galley, and all Prisoners, and, That the Duke should do the like: That the Commonwealth should keep Zuccarello, paying unto the Duke at four payments 170000 Crowns of Gold, in f●…ll for whatsoever he could pretend unto upon that account: That all things held in Fee, or Rent, together with all Reprisals and Confiscations made during the War, should be restored to the former owners: That all who had served the contrary Parties in the late War should have general Pardon granted them; namely, ten of the Conspirators, who were never to re-enter the Commonwealth, under pain of the former punishment, and of not enjoying the present Grace. The Commonwealth accepted Il Lodo, though unwillingly, rather for that they thought it not ●…it to countervene what had been adjudged by an Arbitrator chosen by themselves, then that they did not think themselves grieved by the great sum of money, in which they thought themselves injuriously sentenced; and much more, by the impunity of the Conspir●…tors, to which they thought they should not have been compelled, as was promised them when they resolved to come to a free comp●…imise: But the Duke, on the contrary, exclaimed against this Decree, and refused to accept of it; wherewith the King thought himself as much injured as he had been formerly displeased with the Commonwealth for limiting the compromise. The Duke complained, that the King had been too sparing in limiting the Conspirators, as well in ●…umber, as in the Conditions of their Pardon, pretending, that all the Conspirators should have been freely pardoned, without any limitation; he demanded, That the Galley might be restored in the same equipage, and with the same Galley-slaves t●…at were in her when she was taken: That the Artillery should be brought into Gavio, where it was left; and, That it might be lawful for him to send men to bring it from thence in a military manner into Piedmont: That for the payment of the 170000 Crowns of Gold, the quality of the Crown in Gold should be declared; and, That the Commonwealth should be bound to ascertain the payments at the prefixed times; and, That good security should be given for it in France, or in some other Parts, wherein he might confide. The King being much displeased with this stubbornness, would by no means be brought to any other Declaration, or alteration of Ill Lod●…, the rather for that he feared the Duke was thus backward by the Court of France its suggestion; and it seemed that that Court thought herself prejudiced by this Decree; for that these differences being to be determined, according to the Peace of Monsone, by both the Kings, the King of Spain had ended it himself, without participating therein with the King of France, not making any account of the Peace of Monsone, nor yet of the Peace of Rochel, which by common arbitrament was adjusted between the Commonwealth and the Duke. It was therefore suspected, That the Duke, in favour to the French, to whom by the assignation of Pinarollo he seemed to be joined, would never be satisfied with any Declaration that the King could make, to the end that by this Appeal he might be loose, and, with scorn to the Spanish Authority, put the whole negotiation and decision into the arbitrament of the King of France. This suspicion was increased by the King of France his offer to the Commonwealth, That he would end this business with more satisfaction to her, if she would put it to his arbitrament. Affairs stood thus in suspense for some months, during which time the Duke complained that so many of his Patrimonial Towns should be de●…ain'd from him by the Genoeses, and said, that he would have recovered them by force of Arms; which if he should have done, his friends would not have been wanting in assisting him, whereby the King of France was understood: He therefore caused new rumours not only between him and the Genoeses, but even between the two Crowns, which would necessarily be engaged in defence, the one of the one party, the other of the other. The Cardinal Infanta, Brother to the King, being come into Italy, he was empowered by the King, and by the Par●…ies, with faculty to decide these points; and the controverted points being formerly discussed before the said Cardinal, by jovan Michael Zoagli, Resident for the Commonwealth, and by the Abbot de la Torre, Resident for the Duke in Milan, the Cardinal declared, That as for them who had served either party with Sword in hand in the wars, the Pardon should be understood to be free and general; but as for those who had been guilty of any Commotion since the year 1625. it should be in the King to declare, whether they should be comprehended in the Pardon, or no: That the Galley should be restored in the condi●…ion that it was in at present: That the Artillery should be delivered by the Commonwealth in Savona; and by the Duke in such places as should be nearest the Commonwealths Territories: That the Crowns should be understood, according to the Spanish valuation; and that no mention should be made of the Duke's putting in security. The Duke accepted of this Declaration, but not the Commonwealth, in respect of the first point, wherein power was reserved to the King, if it should so fall out, whether offenders should be pardoned or no; as well because the arbitrement seemed to exceed the Articles of Madrid, as also that they desired the business might at once be wholly decided, and that no power should be left in the King to meddle any further in the Commonwealths jurisdiction, by any Declaration: especially since the general word Commotion might be understood to reach to many other things, not at the present thought upon; in respect whereof the Commonwealth held it not good to have any occasion of coming to dispute with the King; whereupon the Cardinal made a new Declaration, wherein he pronounced, that none of those who were Prisoners for any commotion or other fault, unless such as were named in the peace of Madrid should be conceived to be comprehended in the pardon, save only such as were Prisoners of War; and that the King should make no further declaration touching any that were guilty of faults; all things were hereupon ended, and put in execution; and an end was put to this War made by the Duke, upon account of Zuccarello in appearance; but in effect, by many Princes who envied the Spanish grandezza, that they might lessen it by lessening the power of the Commonwealth of Genoa, so annexed and so opportune to the power of Spain. The Commonwealth spent in this War above ten millions of Crowns, which were raised, partly by Taxes from private Citizens, partly by Gabels and new Impositions: true it is, that many Fortifications were computed into these expenses; for, not to mention the lesser, Porto Mauritio, Gavio and Savona, were fortified with Curtains and Bulwarks Royal; but sta●…ely and worthy of wonder is the compass of the new Wall made about the City of Genoa its self, upon Mountains which do environ it, which beginning from Capo de la Lanterna, which is on the West, and going round upon the back of the Mountains towards the North, terminates in the Valley of Bisagno, and joins with Capo di Carignano, which is the utmost and most Easterly point of the City; and turning from thence inward, along the Maritime shore, joins with the ancient Walls, encompassing about eight miles; the whole Work is almost of Freestone; and so is, for the most part, the very Castle itself, which serves for Curtain and Bulwark; except in some places, where being unequal, it is filled up with a strong Wall; which being pargeted with Lime and Mortar, is not only strong, but very beautiful: this Fortification is exactly helped by nature; for the Mountains upon which the new Walls are built, to boot with their great height, are so steep and craggy on the out side, as the Walls need fear no assault; the foundations so sound and firm, as they fear no mining, and seated so far off, as they are no●… subject to battery; any hostility would be obviated by the ver●… tumbling down of stones: the Country thereabout is so barren, as no enemies A●…my can keep long there; there wants earth to make Approaches and Trenches; and yet, as if the nature of the situation were niggardly unto them, and scanting of munition and strength; the Walls are wrought with such A●…t, Diligency and Industry, as Bulwarks are erected at due distances; the Curtains proportionably extended, and the Ditches ●…ound about from 50 to 100 foot broad, and 12 or 15 foot deep in stone; nor doth less diligence appear to be used on the inside, round about which there goes a way, which is at least 60 foot broad, very convenient for carrying Artillery, and for ordering defendants upon the Wall: the Bulwarks have dis-inhabitated the Cottages upon those Moun●…ains, and made Lodgings for Soldiers, digging Cesterns in the very Rocks: so as there is nothing left unprovided for, either by Art or Nature, which may make for the safety and defence of this great Fabric. Art and Nature have been no less propitious and favourable in the Valley of Bisagno, where the situation is plain, and where there are no Rocks: the Plain lies between two little Hills, which thrusting out like two wings; serve to the inward Works for two Flanks or great Bulwarks, from whence the Artillery may clear all the parts below; for the currant of the River being for the most part gravelly, defends it; moreover, the Bullets of the Artillery lighting from the two Hills upon the stony bed of the River would scatter such store of gravel upon the assaulters, as it would be impossible for them to advance: so as this part, which otherwise would be less defensible than any other part, is as strong as the rest; nor hath so large a circuit need of many defendants for being almost unaccessible every where, the only Sentinels which keep from Scaladoes, and stolen accesses by night, which are only to be feared, are sufficient to guard it from any other misfortune: few and slender Corpse de guard, disposed in fitting places, will suffice to keep off any unexpected attempt; for those mountainous and rocky places are not subject to any long thought on assaults: there were divers Inscriptions engraven on the Gates; amongst which this, made by the Author of this present History, was reputed none of the worst. Quartum murorum ambitum aggeribus, fossa propugnaculis vallatum, stadiis 62 per juga montium, per ima vallium, per Maritimum littus deductum, Genoensium Respublica Libertatis Munimentum excitavit. Coeptum Opus, Anno 1630. Perfectum, 1633. The Commonwealth having thus by peace put an end to the troubles of War, might with much reason hope for better time for the future: the Commonwealth was at this time likewise free from another imminent which threatened her; the Plague which, as hath been Formerly said, raged in all that part of Italy which lies between the Alps and the Apennine, even to the Adriatic, passed also into Tuscany: so as the State of Genoa, being every where begirt by so pestilential a disease, it seemed almost impossible she could escape it; and yet such diligence was used, so good Orders given and observed for three years' space, as the State of Genoa was not at all touched therewith, except in some part of the Western River, and beyond the Apennine. The Affairs of Italy being thus peaceably settled, this present History might seem to end opportunely here; but three things (which for not interrupting the History, have not yet been spoken of, and which may fitly be brought in here) may not be pretermitted, without a blemish to this Narration. The first whereof is, that the Infanta Maria, Sister to the King of Spain, Wife to Ferdinando King of Hungary, and Son to the Emperor, came from Spain into Italy, the year 1631, to pass into Germany; and thinking it dangerous to go through Lombardy, by reason of the Plague which was then very great there, ●…he thought to come in her own Galleys through the Adriatic to Trieste: but the Venetians not being willing upon any whatsoever occasion to wave their pretensions; and the King of Spain not being able by reason of so many Wars to assemble a powerful Fleet; and howsoever not thinking it fit to expose his Sister's life to the hazard of a Naval fight; and the Venetians on the other side, to convey her with their own Galleys to Trieste; she therefore parted from Naples, where she had been all that Winter, and came to Ancona, and there going into the Galleys of the Commonwealth she was brought in great glory and splendour to Trieste▪ from whence she went to Caesar's Court. This same year 1631, Francisc●… Maria, the last Duke of Urbine, of the Family of R●…vere, died; who drew his ancient original from the State of Genoa, from whence came Sixtus quartus, and Iuli●… 〈◊〉, Popes of famous memory, by whose means that Dukedom came into that Fa●…ily: he died, aged 82 years, in Castle Durante, not far from the City of Urbin●…, whither he had retired himself to live privately, that he might the better attend his souls health; for some years before his death, he had not only sent ●…or some Prelater from Rome, to satisfy the Pope, who were to govern that State in his name, but, he had also brought 〈◊〉 Garrisons and Commanders into his Forts, who were to swear to keep it in his name whilst he lived, and in the name of the Church when he should be dead: he had that happiness dying, which did sufficiently make amends for the loss of his State; for though that State could not come to his Niece after his death, he saw her Mistress of a much greater, having married her to Ferdinando the Second, great Duke of Tuscany; he likewise invested julio de la Rovere, a Gentleman of Genoa, and a Venetian, being his nearest Kinsman, with the Towns of Tomba. Ripa and Monteralto, seated in the jurisdiction of Sinigaglia; to the end, the memory of the Dukedom might not be extinguished after his death, but that some footsteps of his na●…e and Principality might remain in the Family of the Rovere in that 〈◊〉. Thus did Pope Urban by industry and negotiation get the possession of that Dukedom to devolve to the Apostolic See, without e●…ther Arms, or trouble, or any of those great oppositions which he would have certainly met with, had they not been wisely foreseen and diverted: by this Duke's death the Prefectura of Rome was also vacated; a place of great preeminence, worth 12000 Crowns a year, which was hereditary, and which beginning in Francisco Maria, Duke dela Rovere, continued in Guido Ubaldo, and in this l●…st Duke Francisco Maria; and the Pope conferred it upon his Nephew Don Tadeo Barbarino, and upon his descendants. The burning of Vesuvius, a great Mountain near Naples, was also memorable, which happened about Christmas, and was so great and full of terror, as a grea●…er hath not been known nor read of: Some earthquake preceded the night before; and the Mountain breaking out into horrible thunder about break of day, it threw out a great flame, mixed with much ashes, and great stones, which, those that saw it say, were thrown above the first Region of the Air, and the ashes were carried by the wind into the Archipelagus; the stones, which in great number and quantity were vented out, fell down at Mel●…, a hundred mile●… off: Great store of fiery rosin issued likewise out of the same Mountain, which branching forth into seven Rivulets, not unlike a swif●… Torrent, fell into the neighbouring Sea, to the infinite prejudice of many people, and of some Towns, which were thereby burnt. The same Mountain, on the opposite side belched out a swift River of water, which, causing great inundations, occasioned no less mischief then that of the fire, which burst out on the other side. The Sea, were it either by reason of the Earthquake, or for some other hidden cause, fled from the shore; in Naples the Ships lay on ground; and had not the Sea suddenly returned to its former Channel, they would have incurred danger of being broken. Near to Sorento the Sea flew a mile from the shore; and (which is most miraculous) the rosin, which being fired fell from the Mountain into the Sea, kept burning for above twelve miles, insomuch as when the fire ceased, great store of Fishes, roasted by the fire, floated upon the superficies of the Sea; but none would eat them; for that very ancient Writers witness, That the like accidents having happened in the Seas of Sicily, the eating of such Fish caused death. It would be tedious to relate many other monstrosities which happened thereupon; especialiy since many Learned men have written whose Volumes upon it, with many Philosophical and Natural Observations, and Considerations, which are indeed rare and curious, but not worth an Historical Narration. The End of the Twelfth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK XIII. The Contents. THe Peace of Italy, obtained by the Articles of Ratisbone and Cherasco, gives place for a digression of things which happened elsewhere. This present Book tells you of the Duke of Orleans his going from Flanders into Languedock, and how, being routed by the King's Forces, he was taken Prisoner. The Infanta Cardinal, Brother to the King of Spain, his Voyage from Barcelona into Italy. The Duke of Feria his marching from the State of Milan with a great Army, going for Germany, to make way for the Cardinal Infanta, who prepared to go for Flanders: What the said Feria did in Flanders. From hence we pass to the Narration of the Wars in Germany; to the King of Swedland's death, and the like of Wallestine, with a brief Examination of his actions, intentions, and of his end. The Emperor's Army takes the Field, led on after Wallestine's death by the King of Hungary, Son and General to the Emperor, with what he did till the Cardinal Infanta entered Germany, who parting with a great Army from Milan towards Flanders, jeyns with the Emperor's Army, and fights the Army of the League of Germans and Swe●…es before Nordling, wherein the A●…strians have the better. The Infanta passes with his men into Flanders, w●…ere, when he came, he found a League made between the King of France and the United Provinces, against the Spanish Empire in those parts, which occasions an open breach between the ●…wo Crowns; the occasion of which breach, with the reciprocal 〈◊〉 faults, & excuses made by both Parties are 〈◊〉 related; and how after the Battle which happened upon the Confines of France and Flanders, between the Armies of the two Crowns, the War passed into Italy. THe Peace of Ratisbone, had it been readily embraced, and punctually observed by the King of France, it was probably hoped would have put an end to all the troubles and commotions of Italy and Germany; but being openly refused by the same King for what concerned Germany, and excused but in appearance only, and in respect of the business of Pinarollo, for what concerned the Affairs of Italy, it reduced the Affairs of the Empire and of Christendom into greater troubles and perturbations than those which they were in before. Italy would not therefore not only not receive that ease which was hoped for, for new and greater troubles proceeding from the not observance thereof, greater prejudice and commotions did likewise result from thence, which before we proceed to speak off, it may not be only seasonable, but necessary to take the business a little higher, and to touch succi●…ctly, and by way of compendium, upon what happened out of Italy, in France, Germany, and Flanders; To the end that the knowledge thereo●… may make the way more easy for the narration of those things which happened afterwards in Italy, and which will be the proper subject of this present History. Nor shall this anticipated Digression be any interruption to the relation of the principal affairs of Italy, which though they were somewhat molested after the assignment of Pinarollo, yet being somewhat more quiet for a few years, they will afford a fit opportunity for a short and succinct relation of the warlike actions which happened elsewhere in the time of her troublesome peace. So as what shall be said of foreign successes will seem a continued Story of the Wars and Commotions of Italy, and which shall afterwards be re-assumed; and the foreign accidents which▪ happened during the peace of Italy, being very remarkable for their weight and concernment; as they deserve not to be passed over so the pleasure and advantage which may be gotten by the knowledge of them will sufficiently satisfy for the pains and time that shall be employed in the reading thereof. The League which was made between the King of France and the Swede, not long after the Peace of Ratisbone; and the same Kings taking the Germane Princes into his protection, to the prejudice of the Emperor's authority, obliged the King of Spain to provide for, and carefully to watch over the maintaining of the Austrian Empire in Gemany, against which all the Plots and Forces of the King of France were seen to be prepared. For the Declination of the Catholic Religion, which ran a hazard amidst so many troublesome Wars, did not only depend thereupon, but even the declination of his own Dominions, and of the chiefest concernments of his Crown. Moreover the assignment of Pinarollo, which was rather forced from the Duke of Savoy, then voluntarily yielded after the peace was made: and the Citadel at Cassalle being still possessed and garrisoned by the French, though the King of Spain seemed to wink at them; yet since they struck so sor●… at the very foundation of his affairs, and of his Dominions in Italy; they necessarily invited him to resent, or to repair these so high attempts against the Peace of Ratisbone, and the treaties of Chirasco, agreed upon for the Peace of Italy. The King of France his continual succouring and fomenting of the Hollanders did likewise prepare things for a manifest breach of the common peace; yet both these Kings shunned coming to an open declaring o●… War; but inwardly hatching their reciprocal injuries, they prepared either to revenge received wrongs, or to keep off those which were threatened. But the King of Spain was at the present troubled most, to see that the King of France joining with the Hollanders, and Protestant Princes of Germany, prepared to oppose his Brother the Infanta Cardinal Ferdinando, his journey into Flanders, wherein the Cardinal was first to advise, and then to succeed his Aunt Clara Eugenia, who was now grown very old in the government of those Provinces: And the King thinking that by reason of so many oppositions, it would be safer for him to go by Italy and Germany then by Sea, he knew that it was necessary to make way for him by powerful Armies; wherefore to boot with the great preparation of Arms and Men, made to this purpose by the Duke of Feria in the State of Milan, it was also thought necessary to molest France on the parts towards Spain, as well in regard of this expedition, as for relieving Germany and Flanders opposed by the French, that thereby the King of France being strongly assaulted on that side, might not only be diverted from opposing the Cardinal's journey, but also from fomenting the Wars of Germany and Flanders; the Duke of Orleans, Brother to the King of France, who was already gone, together with the Queen-Mother, from the Court into Flanders, was thought to be a proportionate means, answerable to the assistance given by the King of France to the Rebel Hollanders: Who by making head, and holding intelligence with many French Lords that were displeased at Cardinal Richelieu his too great authority, and at the Government of those times, plotted new broils in France; he holding intelligence with the Duke of Momorancy, Governor of Languedock, and peradventure with the Duke of Guise, Governor of Provence, obtained 2000 excellent Horse from the King of Spain; with which passing at unawares through France, without any opposition, (for none durst take up Arms against the King's Brother without express command from the King) he came to Languedo●…k; and by the assistance of the King of Spain's Army in Catalognia, he thought to raise commotions in the Kingdom, and to make a strong faction, whereby he thought to allay the Cardinal's authority, and to alter the Government quite; But being at the very first overcome by the King's Forces, and taken Prisoner together with Momorancy, that fire was quenched almost before it was kindled, which would otherwise have held France long in combustion, and consequently have kept the King and Richelieu from plotting mischie●… against the House of Austria. Yet this did not retard the Infanta's journey; who mounting into the Galleys at Barcelona, some months after Orleans his imprisonment, came from thence to Genoa the year 1633. where being received with great pomp, he saw and admired the great Fabric of the new Walls, passing from thence to Milan, he found the Duke of Feria busy in raising an Army for his conduct, and so intended to go speedily for Flanders. War grew hotter in Germany after the battle of Lutzen, and after the King of Sweden's death; for neither the Swedish Commanders, nor the Germane Princes who were alienated from the Emperor, were any whit dismayed after the King's death; for the Swedes, as if their dead King's Spirit were revived in them, continued the War with the like Courage and Fortune, and the Princes and people of Germany being desirous of their pretended Liberty, to the recovery whereof they were with much satisfaction led on by the King, and almost put into possession, being resolved not to fall from so exalted a beginning by the death of their Leader, were wholly intent upon this, and joined in heart and in intelligence; and avoiding all Strife and Emulation, they form a Faction which maintaining the dead King's Quarrel might quell the Austrian Authority, and might bring them to their desired Liberty. Duke Bernard Waimer, descended from the ancient Dukes of Saxony, was chosen somewhat tumultuously by the Swedish Army to be their Captain General, the next day after the battle of Lutzen; he was a Captain of Courage and Authority, and very highly esteemed in the Army for his experience and Valour; and moreover a great Enemy to the Austrian Name, for that his great Grandfather had been bereft by Charles the Fifth of the Electoral dignity, and of the Dukedom of Saxony; and he himself as descending from him, was kept from it by the subsequent Austrian Emperors. He mustered the Soldiers that remained after the battle, and finding them to amount to the number of 16000 he went with them to join with that part of the Duke of Saxony's Forces, which not being present at the Bat●…le was yet fresh and entire; and entering therewithal into Saxony, he drove out the Cesarean Garrisons who were possessed thereof before, and did not only recover the City of Lipswick, but all the rest of the Dukedom, not meeting with any opposition; for Wallestein the Emperor's General, being rather conquered than Conqueror, had quitted the Field and his Cannon to the Enemy after the battle, and was retreated with the remainder of his Army into Bohemia; where (partly) minding the recruiting of his Army, (partly) detained by the rigour of the Winter, he suffered the Enemy's Army to go whither it listed. But the Germane Princes having obtained the same assistance from the Deputies of the Crown of Swethland, which was given them during the King's life; and seeing the League confirmed between the King of France and Crown of Swethland; for the affairs of Germany they met in a Diet about the beginning of the year 33, with the chief Officers and Captains of the Swedish Army, wherein they agreed upon Nine Articles, for the maintaining of the common cause; and for the maintenance of the War, which they resolved to continue in Germany with like fervour. They made Oxenstern supreme Governor of the common affairs, who was Chancellor of Swethland, and who coming into Germany with the King, never parted from him; a man of excellent Wisdom and profound Counsel, very valiant, and long experienced in Civil and Military Government; to whom they gave a certain number of Deputies, chosen out of divers Provinces of Germany, which the Dutch call Circles, who were as so many Senators to assist in Counsel with him. They then divided all the Forces of their joint union into four parts, and made four Armies of them, which were to carry on the War in four parts of Germany under four Commanders. Arnheim, the Duke of Saxony's General, a stern Captain, and little short of Wallestein in Military Affairs, was to enter Slesia with the first Army, of which Province the Duke of Saxony meant to make himself Master. The second was given to the Duke of Lunenburg, who was therewith to fall upon Westphalia. The third was assigned to Duke Weymer, who falling from the General-ship, to which he was chosen by the Army by this reformation, was to enter therewith into Franconia. Marshal Horn, and Col. Bannier, were appointed to command the fourth, two of the most famous Captains of the Swedish Army; and Suevia and Alsatia fell to their share. These going into their several divisions, kindled a fire like so many Infernal Furies in four parts of Germany; which bursting forth into a greater flame afterwards did lay it so waste and desolate, as the desolations made during the King's life were far inferior to them. For overrunning several Provinces, which were sometimes taken by the Swedes, sometimes retaken by the Imperalists, these Provinces served only for a Theatre or Scene, whereon horrible spectacles of sad events were represented: it would be tedious, and not suiting to our purpose, to relate distinctly the encounters, losses, and victories, or the ruin of the poor people, the surrendring, sacking, and the firing of Cities which were taken, and of making Provinces Widernesses; for the several actions of every several Army, would administer subject enough for a particular Story. We will therefore limit ourselves to those which were most famous, and which belong chiefly to the main of the Empire, and particularly, to such as may by connexion participate with the adventures of Italy, or which may have some influence upon them: And so keeping to this, as to the main body of the Tree, since we cannot embrace the rest, we will leave out the Boughs and Branches, which will contribute but a little to the structure of this Digression; the intention whereof is only (as hath been said) to make the way plain for the narration of what happened afterward in ●…ly, by a succinct Narrative of what happened out o●… her. Horn and Banniere having done many things with good success in Alsatia and Suevia, sat down before Brisack, a very strong Town upon the left side of the Rhine, between Basil and S●…asburg, a place of great consequence, not only by reason of the neighbouring Bridge, but for the situation thereof, which lay very convenient for Italy, Burgundy, Alsatia, and Lorraine; and having made good progress before it, they had brought it unto great straits: it therefore behoved the Emperor and the King of Spain, for their joint interest, to have an eye to it, and to endeavour, that the loss thereof might not redound to the too great prejudice of the confining Provinces, and to both their affairs; and particularly, that the loss thereof might not be too great an obstacle to the Infanta's journey; who thinking to enter into Lorraine by Alsatia, and from thence into Flanders, by the Dukedom of Luxemberg, which was his shortest and safest way; could hardly prosecute this his intent, if that Town should be taken by the enemy. The Emperor had no Forces in those parts, save what were under Aldringer in Bavaria; the gross of his Army wans towards Bohemia under Wallestein; and Aldringers Forces not being sufficient of themselves to relieve Brisack, it was resolved that the Duke of Feria should in all haste join with Aldringer, and go together with him to the relief of so important a place; and thus as a forerunner make way for the Infanta's passage: the Swedish Commanders had intelligence of this, and of what Forces were to come; and finding themselves too weak for them, they thought they might easily hinder them by making themselves masters of Constance, an Imperial City, seated upon that Lake which the neighbouring Rhine makes, and which taking its name from that City is called the Lake of Constance; wherefore Horn leaving Banniere before Brisack, with as many forces as were sufficient to maintain the Siege, went with the rest to the taking of Constance, which if he should do, he might keep the two Armies from meeting; and hearing that Feria advanced apace with a powerful Army, he would not betake himself to the tediousness and uncertainty of a Siege, but fell to take it by assault, before that by Feria's coming the two Armies should join; but his design proved vain, as did also his fierce assaults wherewith he thought to effect his intent; for the defence being stronger than the assaults, by reason of the continual re-inforcement of munition that entered the City daily, the business drew on in length, till such time as Feria's Army appeared. Feria came from the State of Milan about the end of August, and passing through the Valtoline was come to the Confines of Germany; he brought with him 10000 Foot and 1500 Horse, all choice and veterane Soldiers, very well in order, and led on by valiant and experienced Captains: Giarardo Gambacorti commanded the Horse, Count john Serbellone the Artillery, jovan Di●…z Sam●… commanded the Spanish Foot, Count Salm●… and Scomb●… the Dutch Foot, which were divided into two Regiments; the Marquis Tarracusa, the Neapolitans; and Count Panigarola, the Lombard's; when these came to the Confines of Burgundy, 4000 Foot and 500 Burgondian Horse were added, and when they were passed Tirvolo, Aldring●…r joy●…d also with them, with the Cesarean Army; which was come from Bavaria, and they went jointly together toward Constance: The City was freed at the very news of the approach of so great Forces. Horn, so famous and so valiant a Commander, would not tarry to see them come: but leaving many Arms, and some Artillery in the Trenches, retreated more inward into Germany; and joining with Weymer, they received many Recruits, which came from the more inward Countries, under the young Duke of Wittenberg, the Palatine, and the 〈◊〉 O●…o; and being thus reinforced, they resolved to encounter the Enemy, who pursued them: they therefore encamped and fortified themselves in some Woods and Hills, not far from Dutling, where they waited the enemies coming: but when they came nee●…, they durst not come forth into the open Campag●…, nor accept of Battle which was offered them; but suffered themselves to be insulted over within their Trenches, by some Troops of Dragoons, and Files of Musketeers, which advanced from the enemy's Camp; after which they retreated to beyond the Danow, burning the Bridge which they passed over, to keep themselves from being overtaken by the enemy; so they retreated into the Country of Wittenberg, thinking that the enemy being to take Rinfeld, and three other lesser Cities, before they could come to Brisack, Brisack would be forced to surrender for Famine, before the succour could come: but Rinfeld and all the other Cities yielded at the first appearance of the enemy, within 24 hours; and Feria and Aldringer made such haste, as coming to Brisack, they found the enemy retreated from thence; having brought in the succour, they made not any abode there, but hardly affording their men leave to breathe, they went towards Alsatia, and regained many Towns which had been taken by the enemy; and made good progress in those parts; and had made greater, and peradventure had wholly defeated the enemy, if Aldringer had co-operated sincerely in the begun enterprise, and in their ruin; or had not the Dutch genius, naturally averse to that of the Spaniards, gainsaid so gallant proceedings. Feria was entered Germany with Title of the Emperor's Commander, from whom he had received ample Letters Patents, whereby he was not to be subject to the command or superiority of any other Captain: this so large and independent authority of Feria caused not only envy and emulation in Wallestein, who hated the name of a Spaniard, but jealousy and despite; for not being able to endure that by the entrance of another Army into Germany, which should have no dependence upon him, that supreme and universal authority should be lessened in him, without which he professed he would not have taken upon him the General's command, and therewith the defence of Germany, he began to doubt that that body of armed men, which had no dependence upon him, had been secretly procured by the Spaniards, who much disinherited his intentions; and been brought into Germany by them, not only to moderate his authority, but his actions also; and to oppose his forces and his ends, and his too high machinations, which he found the Spaniards feared he had plotted in his mind; and by express Order from the Emperor, not being able to keep Aldringer from going from Bavaria to join with Feria in Alsatia, yet he sent him such Orders (as Aldringer, in his own discharge and justification, made known after Fritlands' death) as the execution thereof was likely rather to occasion the ruin of that Army and Enterprise, than the preservation thereof; he could not tolerate that that Army should advance with such success so far into Germany, whilst he stood looking on: whereupon Aldringer, that he might obey the Orders of the General (whose excessive authority, joined to his fierce genius, was more formidable, and more punctually observed, than the Emperor's benign Orders) did not cooperate sincerely in enterprises with Feria; but abusing the best occasions of warfaring, was not only a hindrance, but a confusion, and prejudicial to the proceedings which had been effected, if he had proceeded sincerely with Feria: the necessity that both of them were in to pass with their Armies into Bavaria, whither they were sent for with much anxiety and eagerness, by the Emperor, occasioned yet more harm, and had likely to have been the whole ruin of Feria's Army; which that it may be the better understood upon what occasions they happened, we must leave Alsatia and the parts of upper Germany, and pass into Saxony and the lower Germany; and anticipately relate some accidents which happened there. General Wallestein, having tarried after the Battle of Lutzen almost all the Winter in Bohemia, though he was very solicitous in raising men, and in recruiting his Army, that he might come into the Field in the beginning of the Spring; yet reflecting upon the miserable condition of Germany, upon the uncertainty and danger of War, and upon the ruins which might thereupon ensue, he applied himself to reduce the public safety into some sort of security, by counsel, and without effusion of blood; he therefore laboured to bring the Duke of Saxony off from the League of the Germane Princes, and to reunite him upon any terms to the Emperor; which if he could have done, he verily believed that that Prince being the fundamental Basis of the aforesaid League, he being removed, the League would immediately fall to the ground; and that the Ele●…tor of Brandenburg and many other lesser Princes would follow his example: so as that faction which joined in Arms with the Swedes against the Emperor, being weakened, would infallibly be dissolved; and that the Cesarean party being so increased, the lesser Princes would come in to Cesar, some suing for pardon, some for composition; and then the Swedes being but few in number, destitute of the Germane assistance, and bereft of the Maritime parts, would be brought to such a condition, as not being able to receive any supplies from their own Kingdom, they would be shut up, and as it were, imprisoned in Germany, and left to the discretion of the Cesarean party. Thus he thought it a better and a safer way, for the public safety, to quench so great a fire of War by these Articles, then by the shedding of blood; this which might really have been believed to be an assured wholesome Counsel, if it had been practised by fitting and adequate means, would doubtlessly have brought the Affairs of the Empire into a better condition of safety; but being endeavoured by odd and foolish ways it did no good, but injured the public welfare very much, and wronged the Inventor thereof much more; for Fritland coming out of Bohemia in the beginning of the Spring, in the year 1634, with a powerful Army, he passed therewith into Slesia; where lighting upon the enemy in the parts about Suainitz, who were far short in numbers to him; instead of giving them battle, wherein he might have been sure of Victory, he was the first who desired agreement and composure of differences: to which purpose a Truce was appointed for 15 days, to negotiate it; during which time, so shameful Agreements were capitulated, as it was reported, between General W●…llestein and Arnheim, and other of the Colleagues Deputies, as none more pernicious, nor ruinous for Religion, and for the Sacred Empire, could have been made; thereby whole Province; of the Empire, were divided to the advantage of the Confederate Princes. Wallestein claimed the Kingdom of Bohemia for himself, in just reward of many labours undergone, and dangers by him run for the good of the Empire; many other things were agreed upon in favour to Heresy; such Laws were given to Germany as pleased the Confederate Princes, enemies to the Emperor; and for the upshot, General Fritland obliged himself to join his Forces with those of the enemy, against whosoever should dare to oppose the putting of those Capitulations in execution, not excluding the Emperor himself, who received so much prejudice thereby, and whose concernments were so ill dealt with: these Capitulations being agreed upon, which seemed rather to be horrible treasons and seditious Rebellions, were subscribed by General Wallestein, and were delivered to Arnheim and the rest who negotiated therein; which when they were divulged, gave, not without reason, great cause to suspect and distrust the actions and intentions of the Propounder, and who being servant to the Emperor had agreed thereunto; whereupon, though Wallestein did afterward profess, that his intention in propounding them was to deceive the enemy, and to induce them by so large concessions, to drive the Swedes out of Germany; which when it should be done, Cesar would be superior in Forces, and might give them the Law, and force them to accept of any conditions. Arnheim and the other Deputies having received the Capitulations took their leaves of Fritland, and were already gone; when not being gone one league off, they were troubled, that in this Agreement no mention was made of the Swedes, whether they were to tarry in Germany, or to go out: which happened, because each party standing upon their advantage in the Negotiation, desired that such proposal should be made by the other side; but being afterwards aware, that what was agreed upon was not safe, unless the establishment of this point were therein comprehended, they resolved to return to the Camp, and have it cleared by the General; who being interrogated thereupon, it is not known, whether as being terrified thereat, and repenting what he had done, he embraced the occasion which might make for his justification; or whether continuing in his first design of bringing the business to that good end for which he professed he had moved it; he freely answered, that the Swedes were to be prosecuted with the common forces, and ex●…irpated as disturbers of the public peace of Germany; and he was so resolute in this point, as no reason which could be alleged to the contrary being able to alter his determination; (and Arnheim and his companions consenting, by no means, that the Swedes should be driven out) the Capitulations were cancelled, and the Treaty of Agreement was at the same time almost concluded, and broken: yet the Capitulation was so detestable, as all men were generally much scandalised with it: the rather for that Wallestein strove not to regain his credit afterwards by contrary actions, nor to cancel the sinister opinions which he had thereby purchased: but, as if he scorned the vulgar opinion▪ giving them new colours, he did consolidate them more and more, till in time they proved pernicious to him. The Capitulations being broken, Wallestein sent part of his Forces to assault Saxony; which made the Duke thereof recall his men from Slesia to defend himself; Arnheim, immediately after he had received his Prince's Orders, marched with his Army towards Saxony; leaving a Garrison in Slesia under the old Count de Tours, a chief Lord of Bohemia, whose authority was so great in the Diets of that Kingdom, as the Palatine acknowledged his promotion to that Crown from thence, which made the Count be declared a Rebel by the Emperor: Arnheim also left Colonel Tubal one of the chie●…est of the Swedish Commanders, to accompany the Count Wallestein kept behind Arnheim, having also left as many men in Slesia as Arnheim had done; but when he saw Arnheim so far advanced, as he could not return to succour the Count in Slesia, he faced about, and returning speedily to Slesia, he came thither just then when his men were ready to fight the enemy; and he did so surround the enemy, as he took the Count and Colonel Prisoners, and gave life and liberty to all the other Soldiers and Officers, upon condition that they would march into the Emperor's quarters, and join themselves to the Cesarean Army; but the Colonel finding a means quickly how to escape, made men suspect that Wallestein had underhand given him his liberty, as he had openly given him his life. The Count having bargained for his own liberty delivered up the Towns in Slesia which were yet in his power; and those of least consequence being delivered up, the Du●…mo di 〈◊〉, which was the chiefest, and which commanded all the Province, and which by agreement was to be delivered up, held out; so as the Count's presence being requisite for the surrender thereof, he was set at liberty, upon condition that he should return prisoner, if the Du●…mo were not effectually delivered up: which not being done, and the Count not returning, Fritland was still more blamed of collusion with both the prisoners; and much more, for that having sent so many of the enemies to the Emperor's Army, he was thought to have done it, for that owing their lives to him they should upon all occasions depend upon him; yet professing himself abused by the Count, and breathing out nothing but revenge, he went with his Army to Turingia and Lusat●…, Provinces which belonged to the Emperor, but were in the Duke of Saxony his possession; and prosecuting his former designs he seemed resolved to make that Duke and the Marquis of Brandenburg make peace with the Emperor; he therefore made much progress there, took many Towns, amongst others, Franckfort upon the Od●…r, and Lansperg in Marca di Brandenburg, both of them great Cities, and of much consequence; whereby he made way for passing further into the march in the Country of Brandenburg and in Pomerania; in which case if he should come to the Coasts of the Baltic Sea, he would keep (as he threatened to do) the Swedes from being relieved from that Kingdom, and from returning thereinto: these threats, accompanied by the multitude of his Forces, and by his happy success, did so terrify those Electors, as finding themselves unable to make resistance, they pressed very eagerly for relief from the Confederates; protesting that that if they were abandoned, they must be forced to abandon the Common Cause, and join with the Emperor. Oxenstern and the other Heads of the League were divided in their judgements, not knowing whether they were to abandon or to relieve those Princes; for by abandoning them, to boot with the great error they should commit therein, and to boot with the loss of reputation, they foresaw the manifest ruin of their party and union. On the contrary, if they should relieve them, they must quit all upper Germany to the Emperor, so full of Cities and Towns upon the Rhine and the Danow, which so much to their praise and increase of Dominion they had won; and from whence they got infinite contributions of Moneys, Men, Victuals and Munition; which Towns and Territories being abandoned were necessarily to fall into the Emperor's power, if they should go to relieve Saxony; and they should thereby infinitely weaken themselves and strengthen the Emperor: so amidst these straits they pitched their thoughts upon Bavaria, which A'dringer being gone into Alsatia, was bereft of all defence; and they held it their absolute best course to fall upon it with all the Forces they could assemble; taking it for granted that when they should have won that Dukedom, the way would be open for them to enter Austria, and to come even to Vienna; they were confident that by this noble and generous diversion, without loss of honour, or of any thing they had gotten, nay by making yet much greater acquisitions, they might bring that relief to the Electors which they could not do if they should go directly to their relief with all their Forces, without manifest loss of honour and what they had gotten; for the Emperor being assaulted in the midst of his Empire would be forced to recall his Army from offending the Electors, to defend himself; so as Fritlands' cunning would be deluded, and his counsels countermined wherewith he had fancied unto himself to destroy their League: The success outdid the expectation of so noble and generous a resolution; for Duke Weymer being deputed to execute it, he with 50 Cornets of Horse, and 15000 Foot, took both sides of the Danow, and coasting along came to Ratisbone, where sitting down at unawares, he after several batteries forced it to surrender within 12 days: having gotten it, he advanced and took Straubingen and dechendorfe, great Towns upon the Rhine, and with such gallant acquisitions advanced towards Austria; so as the Court of Vienna was in more fear than the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg had been by Wallesteins' proceedings: it was therefore resolved to send him precise Order▪ to return, and relieve Austria; who being unwilling to give over so happy success, and the great advantage which he hoped to reap thereby for the public welfare, was troubled much at Caesar's Commands; thinking that if that part of Germany should withstand the enemies assaults a little longer, the assailants would be forced to change their course, and leave Bavaria and Austria free to the Emperor, so to relieve Saxony and the lower parts of Germany, which for their own safeties sake they could not abandon; but this his backwardness being badly interpreted by the Court, which was not well satisfied with his late and former actions; as if being more desirou●… that Bavaria should be lost, then relieved, he valued not the danger of Austria, so as he might revenge himself upon that Prince; he was at last, but much against his will, forced to obey the Emperor's reiterated Commands: he therefore abandoned that Country, and quitted the so many Triumphs which he had won; and when he was come within twenty leagues of Ratisbone, hearing that that Town was surrendered, he advanced no further; but finding that the enemy drew near Passao, a very strong place, situated upon the D●…ube, and which being thought to be the gate of Austria was of no small concern, he sent 3000 Foot▪ to de●…end it; but seeming not to care much for Ratisbone, and less for Bavaria, he retreated into Bohemia, and came with all his men into the City of Pilsen: the loss of Ratisbone, which forced the Emperor to recall Wallestein from Saxony, forced him also to send for Aldringer from Alsatia, to relieve Bavaria, which was powerfully assaulted by the Colleagues; whose departure was necessarily accompanied by Feria, who wanting men, and being abandoned by Aldringer, could not tarry longer with safety in that Country; nor could Aldringer tarry safely in Alsatia without Feria, nor retreat safely into Bavaria: so as, for their joint security, which by disunion would have been endangered, it behoved them to join in abandoning Alsatia, and in prosecuting that voyage; and Feria being necessitated to follow the same way that the Dutch had gone in the midst of Winter, to the great hardship and destruction of his men, who begging quarter and lodging, which were ransacked and ruined by the Dutch who had gone before, and quite bereavest of all provisions, they could not get victuals for any money; by which sufferings, and by reason of the cold weather which was very great that Winter, and which the Spaniards and Italians, who are born under more benign heavens, could not well endure, and being also often gauled by the enemy, that Army was miserably wasted, great hardships having occasioned frequent and dangerous sickness in it: being at last, after so many sufferings, gotten into Bavaria, Feria died of a Fever in Monaco, and left the charge of his men to Count Serbellone; and as by Wallesteins' departure from the parts near Saxony all the acquisitions which he had made returned to their former condition, so by the departure of these two Armies all Alsatia reverted into the Swedes possession, who returning to Brisack soon brought it into the former straits: The Infanta not being able therefore to build any longer upon that Army, for his journey into Flanders, nor for the freeing of that Town; and it behoving him to take his journey the sooner, for that in the beginning of December 1633, the Infanta his Aunt left this world; and the Provinces of Flanders wanting a supreme head by her death, pressed very much for his coming; new Orders were therefore to be given, and new levies of men were to be made; wherein neither the Infanta nor the Spanish Agents in Italy were slack, who diligently sent out Orders, some for men, some for other necessaries for that expedition; and though the Crowns, Provinces and Kingdoms, were much exhausted by the select choice made by Feria, the year before, yet ere May was over, the State of Milan was full of new Military men, most whereof were old Soldiers of several Nations, commanded by men very considerable, not only for noble birth, but for valour and long experience in war. Count Monterei scent 6000 Foot, and 1000 Horse from Naples, all good men, and excellently well armed, under his Heir, the Marquis of Torazzona, two Brigades of Foot were raised in Lombardy, the one by Prince Doria, at his own expense, who were commanded by Carlo Gausco, Campmaster, the other in the State of Milan, by Marquis Lunato. Marquis Spinola raised also 500 Horse at his own cost; and moneys were paid out of Caesar's Court for recruiting Duke Feria's Army: Wallestein was demanded to send 4000 Horse of those that were in Caesar's Army; which he refused to do, pretending that he could not lessen his Army; but indeed, because he did not like that this other Army which had no dependency upon him should enter Germany; fearing that the Authority and Grandezza of such a Prince might eclipse his; and moreover, that the Spanish Agents against whom all his thoughts were bend, might triumph over him. The Infanta therefore, that he might take from him his pretence of denial, gave order that moneys should be issued out of the Cesarean Court, for the raising of so many Horse in Hungary, which should supply the place of those that should be sent into Italy to augment the Infanta's Army: 600 other Horse were raised in Burg●…ndy by Count de la Torre, one of the chief men of Burg●…ndy, and 1000 Foot were also come from Spain under Count Fuenclara with these Forces, and with other, partly paid, partly noble volunteers, did this Army march, and the Infanta therewith, towards Tirvolo through the Valtoline, and came to Zusteyne, to pursue his journey into Flanders through Alsatia, so to join with the Imperial Army, which was newly marched into the fields under the King of Hungary, Son to the Emperor, he being chosen Captain General of the Cesarean Forces by his Father, in Wallesteins' stead; who a little before was not only deposed from being General, but declared by public Edict, in the beginning of the 34, Rebel and guilty of high Treason: whereupon he was slain by his own Soldiers, a singular accident, and very well worth consideration, and which drew the eyes of the whole world upon it, not so much for the singularity thereof, as for the circumstances which accompa●…ied this tragical event, for the consequences which it drew after it; and for the discourse and impression which it occasioned in the parties; for which it deserves really to be numbered amongst the most memorable that hath happened in these times, or in many passed ages: since such an accident deserves to be described to posterity, with all the circumstances thereof; though it was occasioned by many things which have already been spoken of, yet will it not at all be from our purpose, if somewhat exceeding the limits and confines of a compendious Narrative, we discourse particularly thereupon, wherein weaving somewhat more at length some things which have already been mentioned, together with many others which have not been spoken of, but may relate to the chief affairs of Germany, the discourse will rather deserve the name of a continuation of the thread of our History, than a digression from it; whereby the Reader being a little diverted from the course of our begun Narration, and finding himself afterwards at unawares brought into the forroad, will delight to be jointly instructed with the Germane events, and with the sinister contrivals of this Commander, which brought him to his end. Albertus Wallestein, Duke of Fritland, being deposed in the Diet at Ratisbone, as hath been said, from being General of the Cesarean Forces, and being afterward out of urgent necessity recalled to his former charge by the Emperor, was a man of much valour, and of no less fortune and authority; and such a one, as if the things done by him in Germany be well observed, he certainly deserves the first place of as many Dutch Commanders as ever arrived at the height of fame and glory: he deserved well of the Empire, but much better of the Emperor, whose supreme authority upheld by the valour and fortune of this Commander, rise to as great a height as did the like of any Emperor for many late years: he held that place with so absolute command and independency, as his not valuing even the Emperor's commands was not imputed to him for disobedience or contumacy, but to his greater zeal of good Government, and to his better steering of affairs; which being governed as he listed proved better for the Grandezza of the Empire: so as whatsoever transgression being done by another would not only have been accounted a fault, but would have been severely punished, being done by him was exempt from all suspicion of error: nor was his fidelity less than his authority, whereby he won so much credit of the Emperor, as his Imperial Majesty could never believe that any spot of Felony could ever enter so faithful a Commander's breast: yet could he not continue so long the course of his undoubted credit and sovereign authority, but that he wa●…, at last, forced unfortunately to submit to the natural vicissitude of all humane things; and though experience teacheth us, that it is a natural and fatal propriety for all things, when they are come to the height of greatness, to be subject to declination and ruin, yet if we will abstract the fall of this so great and worthy Commander from the hidden, and by us unknown properties, of humane vicissitude, and shall seek for any more apparent cause of so great a down-fall, it may be imputed chiefly to two things. First, to his zeal of sustaining the Cesarean dignity against the prime Princes of Germany; who thinking the Emperor's greatness to be a lessening of theirs, set themselves fiercely against him upon this account, as against him who valued not the abasing of the common liberty of Germany, so as he might maintain the Emperor's greatness; to which was annexed a second cause, his fierce and arrogant nature, by which he regula●…ed his actions; for seeing himself firmly seated in the Chariot of supreme authority, he was so encouraged, as knowing himself able to do all things, he thought he might lawfully do so: so as when his authority was not grown to that height, nor so generally hated, his faults were imputed to the pride of his imperious genius, and therefore easily pardoned, the greatness of his merits being considered; so when the chiefest men found themselves thereby injured in their power, and that they began to examine his faults with spleen and hatred, they turned them into disloyalty, perfidiousness, sedition, and into affected tyranny, procured by mis-becoming and scandalous ways: when the Command●…n chief of the Emperor's Arms was taken from him, though he did not only yield ready obedience thereunto, and showed great moderation in so great a lessening of Fortune; yet such a con●…entation differing much from the haughtiness of his revengeful spirit; it was thought that like an incensed Achilles, or injured Narses, he hatched vindicative desires against those who had wrought his down-fall, and particularly against the Duke of Bavaria, who had in all things cont●…nually appeared his bitter enemy, that he had plots against the Empire, and that he proceeded so far therein, as that he endeavoured to get the Imperial diadem for himself: so as not unlike Narses, who conspired with the Barbarians against the Emperor justinian, he was suspected to hold secret intelligence with the King of Swedland, Duke of Saxony, and with the other Confederates, against the Emperor, and that he plotted the ruin of Germany; for the invading, and taking of Bohemia, by the Swedish and Saxon Forces, which happened a little after his deposal, and the rou●… which not long after was given before Lypsick to Tilly, who was made General of the Emperor's Forces, was generally attributed to his counsel and instigation: but he evidenced his sinister intentions yet more when the Emperor recalled him, when after the loss of Bohemia, the affairs of the Empire were in very bad condition: he was doubtlessly upon that occasion bound willingly to offer his endeavours for the sustaining of his Prince and Country, even with the hazard of his life; but the haughtiness of his proud spirit kept him from doing so noble and worthy an action; for being re-called he seemed so far from accepting it, as at the first he absolutely refused it, and at last, making use of the straits and ruin whereinto he saw the public safety was brought, and of the necessity which was ●…ad of his assistance, he had the boldness to demand so insolent and arrogant conditions from the Emperor, as one that had conquered his Sovereign could not have propounded prouder: Amongst other things he required (and such was the necessity, as it must be granted him) that his Arbitrement might be absolute, not only over the Arms and Soldiers, but in making war and peace, insomuch as it should not be lawful for the Emperor to give him any Order or Commission which might concern the manner of making war, or the negotiating or concluding peace; which wars or peace he might conclude or exclude without the Emperor, but not the Emperor without him: he would have the choice and disposal of all Captains and Officers of the Army; the like of the Governors of Provinces, even such as were patrimonial to the Emperor; that the exacting of Tributes and Revenues, the distribution of Goods gotten or confiscated by war, might absolutely belong unto him; and finally, that it should not be in the Emperor's power to deprive him of the Authority of being General, unless he should give him six month's warning thereof before hand. A greater Authority certainly then Dictatorship, which if it were always thought dangerous in a Commonwealth, it was not only incompatible under a Sovereign Prince, as being d●…ametrically ●…epugnant to Sovereignty, but altogether unsufferable and unpracticable; and the granting thereof being nothing else but the bereaving a Prince of the essentiality, and the leaving him scarcely the bare name and mere semblance of Sovereignty; it could not only be practised without manifest injury to Sovereign Power, but not so much as fall within the thought of a good Subject: so great a concession forced by himself was therefore unworthy, dangerous to the whole Empire, and the more formidable in one so highly offended, so revengeful, and so tenaciously mindful of injuries received, so inexo●…able, inhuman, and so disordinate in his affections▪ and on the other side, capable of any howsoever weighty under●…aking, greedy of power, and of winding all things about according to his pleasure; wherein he had no moderation of counsel, nor curb to his ambition: to this was added, for the greater prejudice of the present condition of Affairs, the great sway which he had purchased with all the Military men of Germany, who appeared ready to obey his beck; every one therefore foresaw, that the excessive authority which of mere necessity was granted him, would rather make him aspire to greater things, and putting himself in a posture of giving Laws to Germany, rather than to free her from the calamities which she lay under. He was not wanting in co-operating to these Prognostications; for his having abandoned the Field in the Battle of Lutzen, and his Artillery to the enemy, who might easily have been then vanquished, if instead of retreating he had sent for Gallasso's entire and fresh Forces, and those of other Commanders who were not present at the Battle, and recruited his Army therewith, and assaulted the enemy's Camp, without giving them leave to breathe, whilst it was astonished by the King's death, and by the loss of so many men who were slain in that conflict, was an action badly resented, and which argued much error: his having after this cantonized himself in Bohemia, and suffered the enemy which was confused and half routed to ralley, and to recover Lypfick and almost all Saxony so easily, which were before possessed by the Cesarean Forces; and on the contrary, his having recalled Aldringer from Bavaria, and his hindering Ban●…ere at the same time from recovering his own State, were circumstances, which added to the former appeared very strange, and did more aggravate his conduct of Forces which were so freely and absolutely referred to him: but what happened afterwards before Suainitz, and those infamous Capitulations stipulated therewith the Emperor's enemies did more undeniably convince his loyalty, who had first let slip so 〈◊〉 an occasion of quelling the Emperor's Enemies and Rebels: his not having afterward suppressed Count Torres and Colonel Tubal, as he easily might have done, and his having let them both escape when they were his prisoners, and his having listed the enemy's Soldiers in the Cesarean Militia, were great enforcements for the staining the candour of his fidelity: his appearing afterwards so repugnant to Caesar's Commands, when seeing Ratisbone assaulted by the enemy, and Bavaria cry for succour when in such danger, not caring for the preservation of that so noble Province and important City; and after the loss of Ratisbone, his so little care to recover it, whilst the enemies were not yet fortified there; and his not betaking himself to defend Bavaria, which after the loss of Ratisbone was subject to the enemy's inroads; but having in lieu thereof cantonized himself again in Bohemia, without acquainting the Emperor therewith, did yet more aggravate the suspicions, not to say the faults, of his preceding actions: being come into Bohemia with all the blame which was laid upon him, he took no care to acquir himself thereof, but, as if all things had been lawful for him, he fell into greater and more important errors: he had (as hath been said) drawn the hatred and anger of the Electors upon him; for having contrary to custom quartered his Army in their Dominions; he now began to take the same licence in the Emperor's Hereditary Territory; an action which as it redounded much to the prejudice of his Imperial Majesty, so was it diversely construed; some attributed it to pride and neglect of the Emperor, as if by reason of the supreme power which he had obtained from the Emperor, he cared not to use that power against the Donor; some, to his resentment for having been drawn contrary to his genius from the war against lower Germany, to defend Bavaria; the greatest part suspected that under presence of quartering his Soldiers in the Cesarean Territories, he intended to begird the City and Court of Vienna, and to imprison the Emperor within his Forces: moreover, the jealousy which he had conceived a little before at the entering of the Duke of Feria's Army into Germany in relief of the Empire, and of Constance and Brifack, and his yet greater apprehension and incensement which he showed afterwards against the Army led by the Infanta: having so perfidiously endeavoured the rain of the former, and the exclusion of the other out of Germany, were evident signs of his being highly displeased with those Forces, thinking that they were brought into Germany, only to curb and counterpoise his Army, and to secure the Empire against the novelties and revolutions which all the world apprehended from his scandalous and abusive Authority; and though these and the like actions of this great Commander, being weighed in a more curious balance, might seem to have their defences (as all humane, but especially Military actions never want) yet did they not at all lessen the finister impressions radicated and accumulated by his so many misdemeanours in men's minds, wherewith they were generally so scandalised, as not admitting any defence, they all stood expecting some monstrous and formidable products of so immense authority, in a man so fierce, so irritated, and so apparently ill inclined; and the total of Religion, and of the Empire, being treated of, they thought their suspicions certain; every one therefore had a lash at him, all men exclaimed against him; and with open months desired that provision might be made against the so near and so certain danger: only the Emperor, who still confided in his loyalty whom he had ever found faithful to him, was of a contrary opinion, and would not without manifest proofs condemn his Officers; and some of the chief men who assisted the Emperor, prevailed upon either by great rewards or promises, approved of the Emperor's disposition, and excusing the faults which were imputed to him endeavoured by many arguments to assert his innocence: there were two sorts of persons that this mighty man had made his enemies, the Spanish Agents, and the Jesuits; he was not mealy-mouthed towards either of these: of the former he was wont to say, That it was better being succoured by them with moneys, then with men; and that both of them were to be absolutely banished out of Germany; and it was said, that the banishment of the Jesuits was expressly articled in the Capitulations of Suainitz: so as the Spanish Agents, thinking that he sowed discord between the Empire and Crown of Spain, to the end that he might weaken them both, and so destroy them; and the Jesuits thinking that he was resolved to subvert the Catholic Religion, which though in appearance he professed to worship, yet many of his actions having another aspect, he was no less suspected to be an enemy to Religion, then to the Empire; and it was thought that he professed the Catholic Religion, only outwardly, and to keep in credit with the Emperor, who was a pious Prince; but that, for the rest, that he intended to take away all the supports from the Catholic Religion, and from the Spanish Authority, that he might the more easily effect his designs against them. All of them therefore used their power with the Emperor, to contaminate these his endeavours; amongst the Spaniards there was the Count d'Ognate, Ambassador in ordinary with the Emperor, and the Marquis of Castegnada, also Ambassador in extraordinary with the King of Hungary, both of them endued with excellent Counsel and Judgement; who were very careful of the main Affairs. Fritland had made both these his enemies, no less than he had done the Duke of Bavaria; but he had incensed him now more than ever, for that after the loss of Ratisbone he would not give the least assistance to his State, which was then more in danger then ever: wherefore the Duke exclaimed against him in Caesar's Court; his keeping still in Bohemia added to his being hated and suspected; as also the probable doubt, that he had still some design to make himself King thereof; and that he tarried therefore there in these perturbations of Affairs, to execute this his design now, when in likelihood he might easily effect it: not so much in respect of the Authority he had over the Soldiers, who called him their Father, and were ready at his least beck; as that all the Princes and Hans Towns of Germany being much inclined to abate the Austrian name and authority, would not only be well pleased therewith, but would favour it, and assist him therein: but the more necessary provision appeared to be had against the accumulation of so many mischiefs, the harder was it to find them out. Caesar's Decrees were of small validity against him who had the supreme and absolute arbitrement over all Caesar's Forces: so as the remedy appeared more dangerous than the disease; and the Emperor still persevering in his resolution of not condemning one of disloyalty, of whose fidelity he was so well satisfied, he seemed not capable of putting on so stout a resolution; but being at last overcome by so many exclamations and reiterated protestations, or were it that the prejudice he received by the quartering of his men upon his Territories grieved him; when he saw the very City of Vienna environed with his quarters, and himself and his Court in a manner besieged; before he would come to more sharp and severe courses, he made his desires known to him by Father Chiroga, a Spaniard, a religious Capuchin, and Confessor to the Queen of Hungary, that in consideration of his being so grievously troubled with the Gout, which was a hindrance to him in his Military actions, he would be content to give over his Command of being General, and retire himself, as he had done formerly, to a private life: but were it either that he thought this desire was made at the instant pressures of his enemies, or that he still persevered in his machinations, he would not be persuaded thereunto, but answered, that he had no desire to serve the Emperor against the Emperor's will, that he was therefore ready to obey his commands; but that it was also true, that as well he himself, as his Commanders under him, had upon his Paroll been at great expense, in raising men, for the recruiting of the Army, and that he was to see them paid for the expenses they had been at, as the Emperor was to see him satisfied: that therefore he thought it reasonable, that, in the first place, his Majesty should find means to pay what he ought him, and to his Captains; and that convenient satisfaction being given in this point, he would give over his charge, and withdraw himself to a private life: but the Emperor not being in a condition of disbursing so great a sum of money, and the jealousies, and frequent protestations multiplying, he betook himself to somewhat a more severe way: he sent the Baron of Questemberg, who was his chiefest Officer, to him, and his chiefest Court-confident, and through whose hands the Affairs of greatest consequence passed; willing him to complain, in his name, against his passed actions, and particularly for his quartering his Army in his the Emperor's Patrimonial Dominions, and chiefly in the parts about Vienna, and he gave him also a very resentive instruction, whereby the Emperor complaining very much of the loss of Ratisbone, and of Wallesteins' not recovering it, he added, that those quarters did so much trouble his Imperial Majesty, as he would rather lose a Field Battle, then endure them any longer: when Questemberg came before Fritland, were it either that he had always showed himself much devoted to his greatness, or were it that he feared to exasperate him too much, if he should deliver him his message by word of mouth; judged it better to give him his instructions to read; at the reading whereof Fritland being mightily incensed, said, that he would renounce his charge of being General, for he clearly saw all his enemies used their uttermost power to make him do so; whereupon he published this his resolution in writing; and (which made much for irritating the Soldiery) he caused several Copies of this instruction to be dispersed amongst them; he also gave Order to his Cousin the Count of Tersica, and General of the Horse, and to Count Chiuschy, his great Favourite, both of them Bohemians, who possessed great Lordships in that Kingdom, and to the Marquis Illo, a Burgondian, and one who was also much his favourite, to negotiate with the Captains and Soldiers of his Army, and make them not consent to his laying down his charge: these obeyed the General's commands, and began seditiously to publish throughout the Quarters and Precincts of the Army the wrongs and injuries which were done to their General by his enemies, the which not being any longer able to resist he was forced to renounce his charge, and once more to give way to the apparent hatred of the Court; Saying that he who was a Captain loaded with Victories and Triumph, and who now was arrived at that height of greatness whereunto any humane thought could aspire, was not troubled to return to a private life, that once more, after having undergone so many labours, he might enjoy the quiet due thereunto; wherefore he was not troubled to disrobe himself once more of that command which against his will, and enforced, he had revested himself with; that he was only troubled, even to the soul, to think that he must abandon so well deserving Soldiers, whose deserts he had upon so many occasions known, and whose valour he had tried; but that he was much more displeased, and that it did very much afflict his soul, that by abandoning them he should be a means of their losing so excessive expenses, which by his Orders, and upon his parol, they had been at in the raising of men; which expenses, together with the pay, and rewards due for so signal service, who was it that would pay them if he should abandon the Army? who was better acquainted with the merits of every particular man than he? who had seen what pains they had taken, what blood they had shed, what dangers they had run, hazarding their lives so often, and so generously, for the common safety: that they might easily see how little the Emperor valued their deserts, the blood which they had spent in his service, the sorrow they had suffered, and dangers they had undergone, for the safety and maintenance of his Imperial Diadem; since he more esteemed the keeping of every Housholder of his Patrimonial Dominions from being never so little troubled, than the disbanding of that Army which had done, and suffered, such things for his service: that these were the things wherewith their General was grieved, and not the laying down his charge; that upon this occasion he wished he had the wealth of Croesus, or the Mines of Potosie, that he might make good his word unto them, so to satisfy them for what he owed them; but that having nothing now left after so many disbursements, which he also had been at for the common cause, unless it were the Plate destined for his own use, he was very ready to offer it them to satisfy them in part, for a much greater sum which he acknowledged he owed them: that he desired them they would accept of it, at least as an argument of his good will; that as he was always desirous to remunerate them all, and each of them, for their deserts; so did it much afflict him, that through the injuries of the times they were to be defrauded of their merits, as well as he: to these and the like Speeches sp●…ead abroad in the Camp, by those he employed, they added, and minded them of the extraordinary parts, and of the other excellent parts of their Commander in Chief: how upon so many occasions, through his means, they had been Conquerors; his good usage of them, his civility and liberality used to them all, his relieving them in their greatest necessities, his affability and humanity; and, on the other side, they mentioned the bitter injuries and persecutions of the Court, the nets that were spread abroad for his ruin by his enemies, how ungratefully his so high deser●…s ●…ad been acknowledged; and finally, they instilled into the Soldiery all the affection, tenderness and piety, which might make them compassionate their General's misfortune; and all that might move them to sedition, so far as to exhort them to join with them, and to interest themselves in his just cause; that they should not suffer themselves to be abandoned by their General, nor consent to so unworthy, and so unjust, oppression of a Commander so full of Victory, Merit and Valour; who for his part would always side with the Emperor, under whom he had waged war so faithfully; that he would persevere in his innate devotion towards his Imperial Majesty, but that, notwithstanding, they were obliged not to suffer him to be trampled upon by the common enemies, and not permit that he, who was the upholder of the Empire, the honour of the Germane Nation, and who was the common safety, should be unworthily suppressed by the envy of a few strangers, and enemies to the Germane Nation. Wallestein was wont to confer the Captain's places and the Offices of the Army upon such as did wholly depend upon him; insomuch as if any were recommended to him by the Emperor, they were sure to be denied; wherefore these things prevailing much with the Army, the Soldiers were all jointly ready to go to the General's quarters, ready to offer up their lives and bloods in preservation of his welfare and dignity, to vindicate the offences which were unjustly done him, and to receive the sign of sedition from him: but it was thought a more moderate way, that the Capta●…ns of the Army only should acquaint the General with the common sense of the Soldiery, and with their earnest desires that he would not abandon their hope and interests, by laying down his place of General. The General seeming at first unwilling to grant their desires, said, he would once more readily obey the Emperor's commands; but seeing the Soldier's pressures more fervent by his denial, he suffered himself to be overcome; and, as if enforced, condescendded to the general desire of the Soldiery: But upon condition that the Captains of the Army should subscribe a certain writing, whereby they should swear not to abandon him, but to keep firm to him upon all occurrences; and to follow him in all enterprises which might tend to the preservation of his Person, State and Dignity, and to the good of the Army; in observance whereof they were to spare neither blood nor life; and in the last place, they protested they would prosecute those as Traitors, and disloyal persons, and punish them severely in their lives and goods, who should not subscribe to this Oath. All the Captains who were in the Camp readily underwit this writing; and it was said, that some would not swear, but upon condition that this new Oath should be understood in service to the Emperor; and that this condition was rejected: but in fine, all swore in the General's words, some willingly, some for fear of their lives; for the Soldiers stood in a tumultuous manner about the General's Lodging, ready to make those that should not subscribe pass the push of Pike. Gallasso and Picolominy, who were present underwit, as did the rest: but instantly going from the Camp, under pretence of going to their quarters, to gather all their Forces into a body, they went to the Emperor to acquaint him with what had happened, complaining and protesting that they were compelled to do what they had done; and offering their ready service to obey his Imperial Majesty's commands, in extinguishing this commencing sedition. Aldringer was not then in the Camp, though Wallestein had used all means to have him there; the Emperor being much moved at this novelty, presently published a Proclamation, wherein he proclaimed Fritland a Traitor, making Gallasso General in his place, and freeing the Commanders from the Oath they had taken, and pardoning all such as had subscribed, so as they would in a short time join with the new General, and swear loyalty to him in Caesar's name: but he excepted Fritland out of this pardon, and some few who were his confidents, and had incited him to this sedition and conspiracy. At the first news of this Edict divulged through the Army, every man began 〈◊〉 bethink themselves; some for fear of punishment, some out of hopes of pardon: Wallesteins' self thought himself not safe amidst his soldiers, chiefly when he found that his chief confidents, Gallasso and Picolominy had abandoned him, and that Picolominy came with 3000 Horse to take him prisoner; wherefore going out of Pilsen, a City of Bohemia, where the Conspiracy was plotted, and accompanied by those who were excluded pardon, he suddenly withdrew towards Egra, a strong Town of Bohemia, confining upon Saxony, wherein was a Garrison add a Governor, who were much his friends; and hoping to be assisted by the Duke of Saxony, and by Duke Weymer, in this misfortune, he dispatched expresses to them, acquainting them with his condition, and making them plainly see that this was the time to quell the Austrian power; he desired them either to come speedily, or send to Egra, where they might ripen the yet unperfect Counsels, and join in a solid union against the Emperor: he sent the like advertisements to others of the Swedish Army, with whom he had had some such intelligence before; but being come with his associates to Egra, instead of finding any that would side with him there, he found his murderers, and those who came to nip this Rebellion in the bud; for the Governor of that place, and those who were there, hearing of the Emperor's Edict, received him within their Walls joyfully, but conspired his ruin. The Governor invited Fritlands' associates to a splendid Supper, where whilst they were at the Table, they were slain. Fritland who being ill of the Gout rested in another Lodging, hearing an extraordinary noise at his Gate, got out of Bed, strove to open the Window, and to endeavour an escape out of it, the Window not being very high; but the Door being broken open, he was knocked down with Halberds. This was the end of Albertus Wallesteine, Duke of Fritland, and thus ended his vast and immense Plots; a Commander who certainly deserved any other death than this: he was worthy to be compared to Stilico, one of the Emperor Honorio's chiefest Commanders; not so much for the greatness of his Military actions, as for his misfortune of having stained them at the last with Treachery. This Stilico waging war, 1200 years ago for the Roman Empire against the Barbarians, was then, as Fritland now, the only support of the Empire, which was in a tottering and sad condition by the inundation of the Barbarians; and being arrived, as this man was, to the greatest height as a private man could come to, he unfortunately lost his life for Treachery and affected Tyranny: and yet, as the spots which by our modern Mathematicians are round in the Sun, are so buried in the refulgency of the Sunbeams, as they are not of force enough to obscure the light and splendour of so great a Planet; so Stilico's faults being outdone by the beams of his Valour, and by his famous Victories, did not at all blemish his memory to posterity; wherefore we may hope that this our Commander may far accordingly. The two Scipio's after the Victories won, and famous actions performed on the behalf of the Commonwealth of Rome, were likewise accused, and ended their old age miserably, the one in prison, the other in exile: Hannibal proved the like fortune amongst the Carthaginians: Bellesarius and Narses, two famous Commanders, ●…an the like misfortune under the Emperor justinian; and to come to later times, Gonzallo Fernandes di Cardova, surnamed i'll Gran Capitano, being either guilty, or suspected by his Prince to be so, died banished from the Court, and not much better than Confined to a poor little Village. Howsoever, this our Commander wanted not authentic testimonies of his fidelity, even after his death: the confederates Commanders with whom it was thought that he had plotted so hamous Conspiracies, having always found themselves deluded by these feigned Treaties, did not believe him when he invited them this last time to Egra; but not trusting him any longer, and fearing to be abused as they had been formerly, they moved not at all, but proceeded so considerately, as his speedy death freed them from that misfortune, whereinto had they been more credulous, they had undoubtedly fallen; and as his most suspected actions, and those whereon his being guilty of high Treason were most grounded, are accompanied by several Arguments of his innocency, and seem not sufficient to convince him; so those good wits have not been wanting, who by their eloquent declamations have endeavour●…d to prove his accusations false, and have vindicated his innocency: but, howsoever; all that can be said in his justification cannot so far free him, but that his publishing the Instructions brought him by Questemberg, and the subscription under-written by his Captains, and accepted of by him, together with all that was done at Pilsen, must convince him of a manifest attempt against his Prince, it not being lawful for a Vassal, under whatsoever pretence, to jest in so nice Affairs; and the unworthy Conditions which he extorted from his Prince before he would reassume the place of General, and those hateful Conventions agreed upon with the enemies to the Empire, before Suainitz, were so enormous and scandalous as they are not to be defended: Moreover, who can doubt, but that his endeavours to ruin Feria's Army, and to keep out that of the Infanta, the one whereof was to bring so much endamagement to Germany and the other would have been manifest and clear evidences of Treachery in a much meaner Officer than he? It being a no less hostile Act to endeavour the destruction of any one's Forces and Armies by secret plots and machinations, then by weapon in hand. The same may be affirmed of his persecuting the Spanish Agents, who were so fit instruments for the Emperor's service, and for his contrivals against the Jesuits, who are so great maintainers of the Catholic Religion; it not being to be denied, but that the one was a manifest attempt against the Divine, the other against Humane Majesty; for which certainly any of a meaner condition would have been blamed. Now let us reassume the thread of our Narration. The flame of this horrible Rebellion, which was likely to have undone all Germany, and therewith the German Empire, being extinguished almost before it was kindled, and sedition being also ceased in the Camp, the Army returned to the Emperor's obedience, who being freed from so dangerous a storm●… made his Son the King of Hungary go into the Field with no less applause than success, who (as you have heard) was chosen General of the Emperor's Forces after Wall stines decease, to whom the Duke of Bavaria presently joined with his Army, and with the Army of the League, and being desirous to illustrate his first fruits by some signal service, he began with the recovery of Ratisbone, which was formerly taken by the Swedes: This is a Hans Town of Germany, situated upon the Danube, almost in the bosom of Bavaria, a very opportune situation for the safety of Austria, and for the regaining of Bavaria; there was in it a Garrison of 3000 Foot; and Weymer, who was formerly made General of the Confederates Forces, desired by the preservation of that place not only to preserve the glory of having taken it, but therein also the honour of his commencing General; and being gotten thereinto before the King came before it, he lef●… a recruit of 1000 Foot, together with some Ammuniton, there; and then leaving it, he used all diligence in raising as many men as possibly he could, to relieve it; but it was too strongly opposed; for at the very name of the Kings going to the Field, all the Nobility and Princes of Germany strove who should first join with him; he had with him his own Army, and those of Bavaria and the Catholic League; he still abounded in men, and had brought along with him a hundred pieces of battery; yet the Defendants were not at all dismayed, but continued their defence undauntedly for many days; but their Ammunition falling short, they were at last forced to yield upon honourable Conditions, being still played upon by 100 Cannon, and seeing no succour come; for Weymer could not assemble Forces sufficient to relieve it; he could not get Marshal Horn, nor the Lan●…grave, to come to that enterprise, though he had sent for them, they being both of them much displeased with his being chosen General, and were not willing to be under his command; only Horn coming in at last, brought so few men with him, as, being joined to Weymer's, they amounted not to 16000 fight men, too small a number, and much inferior to the Opposers. This Victory gotten so successfully, under the first Auspice of a young Prince, of great Birth, it is impossible to express how much spirit it restored to the Cesarean Forces, and how much it revived their valour, which, Wallestine being dead, seemed almost quite extinct, conceiving, that he being gone who was thought to be the only support of Germany, no action of moment could be expected from Cesar's Forces. On the other side, that Victory did sufficiently abate the pride and haughtiness of the Enemy, who, puffed up with success, were victorious every where; and Fritland being dead, they thought they could meet with no opposition; the Name of this young Prince was therefore not only exalted to the skies, but he was received and cried up as a new deliverer of afflicted Germany. On the contrary, the Confederates Forces, having lost much reputation by this action, forsook Bavaria, and retreated towards Aus●…erg, and Swevia, thinking that the Infanta would come by that way, and join his Forces with those of the victorious Kings they therefore betook themselves to hinder their joining, from whence they foresaw great ruin and prejudice would ensue to their Affairs. The King, on the contrary, hearing that 〈◊〉 was assaulted by the Sa●…on Forces, was already marching to relieve that Kingdom; but understanding by the way that it was sufficiently defended, and that the Assailants had been repulsed with great loss from before the Walls of Prague, he sent some Regiments thither to strengthen it, and returned back; and joining with Bavaria, went to before Donavert, a strong in Bavaria, upon the banks of the Danow, which was yet held by the Confederates, and which confining upon Franconia, and the Country of Wittenberg, was the key of Bavaria on that side, a place of great importance; and having recovered it also happily by assault, he also forced some other Towns to surrender: Wherefore having recovered almost all Bavaria, and left the Duke to recover the rest, the King went with his Army, and with that of the League, against the Country of Wittenberg, a fruitful Country, and which being till now untouched by the present Wars of Germany was thought to be the Magazine of the Confederates Army; for the Duke of that Country being a Protestant, and having always appeared to be a capital Enemy to the Catholic Religion, and to the Austrian Na●…e, furnished the Armies of the League with all things necessary: Wherefore the King having refreshed his men a little, went against Nordling, the chief City of that Dukedom, which joining with Ulmes, not far off, was of great concernment for the Affairs of Germany. This the King's resolution made the Chieftains of the contrary party very solicitous to relieve it, lest it might be lost, as well as Ratisbone and Donavert; so as they thought them bound to do their utmost to defend it. Express Orders being therefore sent to all the Forces, even those of Garrisons which were in several parts of Germany, they commanded them expressly to quit the places and Towns wherein they were, and to join with them immediately in so necessary and important a succour. The King, on the other side, hearing of so great an union, dispatched away a Messenger immediately to the Infanta, who was then come with his Forces to the Confines of Bavaria, desiring him that for the present he would give over prosecuting his journey, which he intended for Alsatia, and join with him in the common enterprise against the common Enemy: Alsatia was then abandoned, for almost all the Garrisons of the Towns thereof, upon General Weymers command, were marched towards Nordlingen; so as the Infanta might more easily, and more securely, march through Alsatia. His chief intent was, to get as soon as he could into Flanders, where he was much desired by those Provinces which wanted a Governor; but ●…hearing no better harmony than what concerned the defence of the Catholic Religion, the welfare of the Empire, and the Grandezza of his own house, which depended all upon his joining with the King; setting all things else aside, and not caring for what was said to the contrary, he fixed his thoughts, and pitched his resolution only on this union. Taking therefore all necessary orders for it, he went with his Army towards Monaco, where Serbellone and Gambacorta, together with the remainders of Feria's Army, joining with him, he drew towards the Danube; and passing over it about Donevert, he came to the Cesarian Camp before Nordlingen, whither Weymer was come a little before with his Army; and expecting other recruits was firmly set upon the relief thereof. He was quartered upon a Hill called Arespurg, just over against that part where the Cesarean Camp was pitched; so as the City was seated just between as in a Diametre between the two Armies, and the Hill was within four hours march of the City, Weymer, out of a desire to end the business, endeavoured to draw the King out to battle; but the King expecting the Infanta, kept within his quarters, and endeavouring to keep on the siege, would not hazard the public and his private fortune upon the uncertainty of battle; Being afterwards much reinforced by the Infanta's Arrival he neither quitted the siege, nor refused battle, if it should be presented by the enemy, but was prepared for both; his Forces consisted of three Armies, his own of the Empire, that of the Catholic League, and that of the Infanta's: They in all made up the full number of 13000 Horse, and 20000 Foot; in that of the Emperor, which was governed by Gallasso, under the title of the King's Lieutenant Gene●…al, were 7000 Horse, commanded by Picolomini, and 5000 Foot, besides 2000 Hungarians and Croats, which served more to trouble the Enemy's quarters with inroads, then to fight in open fields. In that of the League, wherein john de Vert, the Duke of Lorreynes' Lieutenant, commanded at first, and afterward the Duke himself when he was come unto the Camp, were 3000 Horse, and as many Foot; in that of the Infanta's, whereof the Marquis Leganes was Campmaster General, were 3000 Horse, under the Ma●…quess Spinola, and 12000 Foot under several Commanders, all choice and veterane Soldiers, composed of several Nations; besides many Gentlemen and Captains of quality, who served as Volunteers. In this al●…eration of affairs, the more that battle was desired by the Imperialists, the more did the others cool in their desire thereof: yet Weyme●… continued the same fervency rather to fight, then to suffer such a City to be lost whilst he looked on, and had passed his word to those of Nordlingen, to relieve them and free them from siege within six days. His loss of Reputation egged him much on thereunto, which ●…e foresaw he must undergo, if the loss of this Town should be added to those of Ratisbone and Donevert; whereby all the Hans Towns of Germany, from whence he had so great supplies of moneys, Men, Munition, and of Victuals, for maintenance of the Army, would certainly quite forego the League's party, and turn over to the Emperor. So as those supplies failing, the General con●…ederacy would soon dissolve; he was also encouraged to try his fortune, by his having been so often victorious over the Imperial Forces, and by his being certainly advertised that the Infanta's men exceeded not 2000 Horse, and 5000 Foot; Wherefore despising the numbers of the one, and the courage of the others, he persuaded himself of assured victory. On the contrary, Horn, the head of the Sw●…dish Militia, measuring things more warily, was against hazarding the Forces of the League upon the event of battle; and almost all the subordinate Captains were of his opinion: They considered the uncertainty of battle, that their numbers were fewer than those of the enemy, that those whereof the Imperial Army was then full were valiant men, that there were three Armies in one, conducted by three great Princes; that the King of Hungary had won much reputation by the Victories of Donevert and Ratisbone, that the Infanta and Duke of Lorraine, especially the Infanta, had store of valiant and experienced men; that the presence of these Princes was much to be considered, by reason of the courage that upon such occasions it infuses into the Soldiery; that therefore the hazarding of a Battle might prove dangerous; that the Victory would be more certain by delay then by fight, for that the Cesarean Army was straightened in Victuals, Straw and Fo●…rage, and could not, consequently, keep in those quarters long: on the contrary, that he was abundantly provided of all these things from the Country of Wittenberg, which lay on his back; so as since they might overcome and provide for the freeing of the Nordlingers by cun●…tation, wherefore should they expose the main affair to the cast of a Dice? to this was added the difficulty of the way by which they were to march, it being an uneasy Country for the carrying of their Cannon, and being possessed and fortified by the enemy: that to boot with all this, they expected Count Otto of the Rhein, with 2000 Horse and 5000 Foot, and Count Cratz with 800 Horse and 3000 Foot, which were very considerable Forces upon this occasion; which were near ●…and, and therefore necessary to be tarried for: but Crats appe●…ring during this ambiguity of opinion, and the six days prefixed for relieving the Nordlinge●…s being expired; Weymer, who as General of the Con●…ederates Forces was to govern, being impatient of the least delay, or doubting perhaps that the Rhingrave would not, out of emulation for superiority, join with him, as he would not do in the relief of Ratisbone, not suffering any further dispute, commanded to proceed to the relief: he had with him somewhat more than 9000 Horse and 16000 Foot, whereof 4000 Horse and 5000 Foot were Germans, 4000 Horse and 2500 Foot Swedes, commanded by Marshal Horn, 6000 Foot were brought into the Field by the Duke of Wittenberg; and the 800 Horse and 3000 Foot brought by Count Crats, which in all made up the number of 9000 Horse, and 16000 Foot. This resolution being put on, they marched from their quarters, intending to attempt a certain Wood, by which they were to pass before they could come to the Field where they were to fight; and because it was thought it would be hard to get into the Wood, by reason that the way was so narrow, it was resolved that when they should have gotten it, they should proceed to assault the Camp which lay beyond the Wood; and if they could not gain the Wood, that then they should forbear, and take up their Quarter in a convenient place, near a little River, where they would wait for the coming of Count del Reno, who was thought to be within a days march. This Army appeared with this resolution before the Wood, three hours before Sunset; against which 3000 Horse were immediately sent under Octavio Picolominy, to discover it, and to entertain the enemy by skirmish: 〈◊〉 whose appearing as many of the contrary Camp advanced, and fought till night drew on; the Imperialists were wholly unprovided of Muskets and Field▪ Artillery, whereof the enemy was well provided; the Imperialists therefore were worsted in this encounter, and forced to retreat with the loss of many valiant Soldiers, and of some Captains; amongst which the Prior Aldobrandino, Nephew to Pope Clement the 8th, was one, who having served with a Regiment many years in those wars, had given good trial of his Military valour. The Imperialists loss in this first encounter was notwithstanding fortunate for them; for it was the rise of a signal Victory gotten by them the next day; for the Victor's having after this made themselves maste●…s of the Wood, did not take up their quarters where they had designed, nor waited not the coming of the Count del Reno; but having won the Wood, doubted not to pursue their Victory the next morning: on the left side of the Wood there stood a little Hill which commanded the Imperial quarters, and all the Plain wherein the Catholic Army were to receive the encounter, and wherein the main Battle was to be fought. The first of either of the Armies which should possess themselves of this Hill commanded absolutely the enemy's quarters, and the place which was destined for the future Battle: Weymer had no sooner cast his eye upon it, but considering the advantagiousness of the situation, he designed to be master of it; and there being another little Wood at the Foot of that Hill, he thought it necessary to possess himself of that Wood, before he should master the Hill: not content therefore with having got the first Wood, he would take the other that very night, to make way for taking the Hill, which he reserved for the next morning: the Infanta was quartered upon some other little Hill near this which were to be taken, but somewhat more inward, and not so high; and he and his Captains having considered the si●…uation of the higher Hill, they had sent ●…ome men thither; and in order thereunto, they had sent Francisco l' Escovar, Serjeant-Major of a Brigade, with 200 Spanish Musketeers, and not long after 200 Burgondians, with some Troops of Horse, to guard the little Wood which was at the foot of the same Hill; and thinking they had sufficiently provided for the defence of both these places, they did no more therein. But Weymer, who was firmly resolved to make himself master of the Hill, sent much greater Forces to assault that little Wood, against which though l' Escovar fought valiantly, yet the assailants remained masters of that second Wood that very night, as they had been of the other before, took l' Escovar prisoner, and slew many of his men, not without much loss of their own blood: this being the second bait which fortune laid to entice the enemy on to battle, made the Cesareans more wary and more diligent in defending the upper Hill; for they saw the enemy did their utmost to take it, placing their chief hopes therein of that Victory which they thought themselves sure of: wherefore the Infanta ceased not to send redoubled forces all night to defend it, and to secure it from assault, which he was sure would be given the next morning: he therefore sent several Regiments both of Foot and Horse thither, some whereof were placed on the Front, some on the sides, where the assailants were expected; and after these other Regiments were orderly distributed, who were to reinforce the former upon occasion: they l●…kewise sent Artillery thither, and made Trenches for the better defence thereof; which were perfected before the assault was given, though the situation was stony and wanted earth; nor prepared they less for Battle on the Plain then on the Hill, expecting that the enemy would undoubtedly sally out there from the Wood which which they had taken. The Army was thus ordered in that Plain: on the right wing was the Duke of Lorrein, General of the Catholic Leagues Army, and his Lieutenant john de Vert, with all the Cavalry of that League: on the left was the Imperial Horse; in the Battle which was placed in the midst was Marquis Spinola, General of the Spanish Horse, and with him was his Lieutenant Paolo Deutici; behind these were the Emperor's light Horse, a good part whereof were Croats. The Infanta's quarters were over all these upon a little Hill, wherein was Artillery placed, and a good strength of men, to succour and defend the Troops t●…at were upon the Plain: at last, the morn appeared on the sixth of September, wherein the enemy were seen to come in very good order towards the well munited, and well garrisoned Hill, against which the whole force and conflict of the Battle played, little being done upon the Plain: for W●…ymer, who was to assault the Cesarean Camp, kept within the Wood, being more intent to send forth new recruits to the Hill, then to advance and confront the Enemy's Army; thinking, and not without reason, that that station being overcome, the Army on the Plain would undoubtedly be vanquished. The whole concern touching the Catholic Religion, and the safe●…y of the Empire, was disputed upon that Hill: the ge●…ting up unto it was very steep: Horn with 4000 Horse and 5000 Foot, the most whereof were Swedes, and the cho●…cest men of the Army, was one that led on the assault; and Count Gra●…z was the other with almost an equal number of Combatants: it was defended by Don Martin d' Idiaques, with his Brigade of Spaniards, Don Gasparo Toralto, with his Neapolitans, Gerardo Gambacorta with the Neapolitan Horse, by Salma, Vormes and Leicester with the Dutch Horse; by the Counts of Torre and Alberg, with the Burgondian Horse; and all these were to receive the first assaults: behind these were many Brigades of reserve, amongst the rest two Brigades of the Lombardy, the one led on by Carlo Guasco, the other by Count Panigarvola. Picolominy and Serbellone were appointed to order this defence; to whose valour and experience the whole defence of the Hill was entrusted: the Generals, Gallasso and Leganes, had no certain place appointed them, but went every where, providing for, and disposing of all things requisite for that days work. The assailants mounted the Hill in very good order, and with a settled and constant pace; the first that were assaulted were the Neapolitan Horse and Foot, and the Dutch; and so fierce was this first assault, as though the Neapolitans resisted stoutly, the Dutch faced about and began to run; but they were presently turned back by the Officers and Soldiers of the other Brigades who were behind them, who with their Pikes and Swords withstood them, and did not only force them to forbear flying, but to reassume their abandoned stations; wherein Gambacorta did much service with his Horse, who by Serbellones order fell upon the Flank of the Enemy's Horse, who had already possessed themselves of the station abandoned by the Dutch, and forced them to forego it, and to quit it to Dutch, who were driven back by his men: but Toralto's Foot speedily discharging their Muskets, disordered the Enemy's Horse, who came on so furiously, as many who escaped the Musket-shot were thrown to the ground by the Pike-men, and the Foot who followed them, assaulted with no less sury, behaving themselves gallantly; but were but ill handled by some Piles of Musketeers, who assaulted them on the Flank; and yet answering them stoutly, a great conslict began, which grew at last to a fierce Battle, and continued a long time equal; wherein the Dutch Horse, after some resistance, being again repulsed they forsook their station, one of their Leaders was mortally wounded, and the other, which was Vormes, slain right out; and they fled, some of them falling foul upon Toralto's Brigade, other upon that of Idiaques, by whom being again made to stand by their Pikes and Swords, they did not at all disorder their ranks; and the assailants possessing themselves of the Dutch men's station, were masters of their Cannon, and began to turn them upon the enemy, and had certainly occasioned great disorder and prejudice, had not Serbellone prevented it, who made Idiaques advance with his Brigade, which was composed not only of brave and gallant Soldiers, whosevalour had been upon several occasions tried formerly, and who had been exercised in Military Offices and Commands; but was also adorned with many of the Nobility, who were all placed in the first Files: these passing through a thousand deaths, sacrificing their lives for their Religion, for their Prince, and for their own glory, did not only recover the lost station, but made it good against many assaults which were given one after another; and afforded the fugitive Dutch occasion of rallying once again, and of re-entering the Battle. Toralto's Neapolitans were already wearied, and lessened by long fight, who no less valiantly than the Foot had fought valiantly for a while, and maintained their Ranks, and had slain many of the enemies, whose Forces plying upon this part, the Imperialists were likely not to have been able to defend it much longer, which Gallasso and Leganes being aware of, they sent thither a re-inforcement of a thousand Horse, and a great many choice Musketeers, out of the Brigade; which were for a reserve; and the hostile violence still increasing, they sent thither afterwards Guasco's and Panigarvolo's Lombard Brigades, which entering with great courage sustained the Battle, which by the Neapolitans weakness began to give ground: these entered so courageously, as the Fight seemed to be renewed; and the defence revived which was almost given over; and though Panigarvelo after having long maintained fight, was slain by a Musket-shot in the throat, and that Guasco wounded with two Musket-shot in the thigh, and with one in the right hand, endeavoured still to fight; yet not being able longer to keep on foot, nor to manage his sword, he was forced to retreat: but notwithstanding that one of their Commanders were slain, and the other withdrawn, the subordinate Officers and Soldiers of these two Brigades failed not in doing their duties; but fight still courageously and in good order, they made good their station, and maintained themselves still stoutly against the Enemy, as if no harm had befallen their Captains. It would require much time to relate punctually all the actions, all the assaults, and resistances which were made; for the defence and for the taking of that Hill; how now these pursued, how those gave now back, how the one party did sometimes abandon their station, then repulsing the oppugners, regained them: it would be long to relate what dangers were run, to name what Captains and Officers signalised themselves that day by fight, some by dying, some by overcoming. The final end was, that at the end of seven hours fierce bickering, the like to which was hardly ever heard or read of; the defendants after several likelihoods of being conquered, remained conquerors: the occasion of this Victory was the happy success that the Cesarean Army had on the Plain; for Weymer finding it impossible to overcome the defence which was made upon the Hill, after having lost the best men of his Camp by sending continuaally strong re-inforcement thither, went, desperately out of the Wood; and in his weak condition went to fall upon the Cesarean Camp, which being well marshaled in Squadrons, expected him; and having fought unfortunately (for he was bravely, withstood, and repulsed by the Duke of Lorrein, by john de Vert, and by Marquis Spinola) he was forced to give back, and being pursued by the Duke of Lorrein with the Cavalry of the League, and by Marquis Spinola, with those the Infanta, and after these by the Croates, who afterwards advancing, possessed themselves of the passes by which the conquered were to seek their safety; those who fought still obstinately upon the hill, seeing that Weymer did directly fly with their chiefest strength, and that the way whereby they were to escape was prepossessed by the enemy, they began to doubt that if they should persist any longer in the enterprise, they should be assaulted on the backs, and that not being able to escape, they should be undoubtedly cut in pieces; and that though they should have the better upon the Hill, it would be to no purpose, since the body of their Army was discomfited, abandoned the fight, and gave over the enterprise, and left the Victory to the Cesareans; which certainly would have proved their own, if when they had taken the second Wood, they had immediately fallen upon the Hill, whilst it was ungarded; for being masters thereof, they would have unlodged the enemy who were encamped below; who being forced to retreat could not have escaped utter ruin; and there being no other Forces then in the Field to sustain the Empire and the Austrian Grandezza, they would have been the Arbitrators of Germany: On so slight accidents do the victories or overthrows of Armies, and the preservation or ruin of Empires and Monarchies, often depend. Almost all the Imperial Cavalry which were on the plain, followed those that fled, and made great slaughter of them; more particularly, in a certain boggy place, which those that fled light upon, where both Horse and Foot being plunged up to the knees, they could not acquit themselves; but being unable either to fly away, or to defend themselves, were miserably slain. The Duke of Lorrein advanced, and took Horn and Crats prisoners, and many others of the chief of the Army: Weymer, by means of a fleet Horse, fled towards Ulms, accompanied with not above eight men; which City hearing how he had been routed, shut the gates upon him; so as being deprived of that Refuge, ●…he fled still through the Country of Vertemberg, and had the good fortune to recover Francfort; the number of the slain in the battle is variously calculated. Some will have it, that 8000 were slain, and as many taken prisoners as they fled; so as what with those that were slain, and those that were taken prisoners, and dispersed, there hardly remained 2000 under Colours: This Victory was the more remarkable by the little loss of the Conquerors blood; all that were slain or wounded on their side not being full 2000, the Artillery to the number of 84 pieces of Cannon, all the Munition, all the baggage, and 300 Horse and Foot Colours fell into the Enemy's hand; not above the third part of the Conquerors Army fought in this battle: For the Imperial Army, and that of the League, stood in squadrons with the Infanta's Cavalry on the plain, being little more than spectators of what was done upon the Hill: And the encounter which happened after on the plain, from whence the victory first began was very sleight, being rather a victory, than a combat, for the Cesateans, and for the conquered rather a fl●…ght then a fight. The Infanta's Army fought most, and but a part thereof neither, and by the confession of the Dutch, generally, and of Horn himself, the victory was to be wholly acknowledged from the Infanta's Army, and particularly from the Spaniards, Neopolitans, and Lombard's, upon whom the whole battle w●…s charged. And such was their confidence and ambition, as they would not communicate the glory of the victory with any other Nation, by calling them in to defend the Hill; in so much as the Duke of Lorrein being advanced with some of his Regiments from the plain, where he could not tarry any longer idle looking on, as he end avoured to climb the Hill and assist the defendants, he was withheld by his own men; and kept from going any further on, before he could come to where the battle was fought. By this victory the Swedish party which was before so formidable, remained little less than quite overthrown; Oxenstern who was their chief director, one who had been always undaunted, when he heard the news, was so astonished as that he knew not whither to turn, or what to do, to repair so great a blow. He was at Francfort, whither Weymer was retreated after the battle; and having quickly gotten 3000 Foot, which came from the Rhingrave of Hessen, and from the Duke of Luneberg, he with those, and with some others, partly fugitives, partly those that he had sent for from other Garrisons, went together with Weymer towards Mentz; hoping to find some refuge there, whereby to stop the precipice of so great a ruin: But those of the Town, affrighted at such a turn of Affairs, were more desirous to obtain pardon for the faults they had already committed, then to incense the Emperor by committing yet more, so as they would not receive them. They therefore retired towards the neighbouring Mountains of Rhine, and threw a bridge over the River, that they might receive great succours which they expected from France. On the other side, the victorious Army, to which those of Norlingen did immediately surrender, passing into the Countries of Wittenberg, Franconia, & Suevia, thinking that they would all come in and submit themselves; and that they might get great compositions from thence, which all the people and parts thereabouts did readily offer, to shun the sacking and desolation of their Country. The like did all the Cities upon the Rhine and Danube; and those also upon the Iser, Occino, and Neccar, (Rivers of that part of Germany) which had sided with the Swedes. Thus the Conquerors minding more the reaping of advantage by their victory, then to subdue the remainders of the conquered party, afforded them conveniency of recruiting, and of recovering their former condition and honour; which though it was attributed to weakness in the Imperialists Counsels, yet other more important reasons kept them from doing it, lest they might put those remainders into utter despair. They were yet possessed of many principal Towns near the Rhine: And the King of France being very much pressed by them for succour, made use of that present necessity which he saw they were in; desiring that if they would have the demanded succour, they would deliver up into his hands the important Town of Filisburg upon the Rhine; so as the Cesareans thinking they might more easily recover those Towns from them then from the French, were reserved in totally extirpating them, to keep them from despair: Thus in their low ebb of the relics of the victories which they had formerly gotten made them secure and considerable even to their victorious Enemies, as they had formerly when they got them, made them formidable to Germany: Not long after the battle, it was consulted in the Camp, whether the Infanta returning backwards should go for Flanders through Alsatia, as he had formerly intended to do; or whether being already so far advanced in Germany, he should pursue his journey through the Palatinate. For his going through Alsatia, the conveniency which he might have to relieve Brisack, which was again besieged by the Enemy, was pleaded; and the easiness and safety of his marching through that Country, which was now free from Garrisons of the Enemy, they being gone, after the battle of Norlingen, to join with their General. The shortness of the march pleaded for the other way and the safety thereof; it being void of the conquered Enemy as well as Alsatia, as also the much pressing of the Flemings, that he would hasten his journey as much as he possibly could: Moreover, the Winter-season, which upon any the least delay before Brisack would come on, and would not only have blocked up that way but all other ways, made more against his turning back, and for his continuing the way he was in. After several debates it was carried, that he should go through the Palatinate; wherefore the Infanta, in company with the King of Hungary, entering the Dukedom of Wittenberg, and having reduced it to obedience (for the Duke thereof was fled with some few into the Country of Saltsburg) came into the lower Palatinate, where the Infanta taking leave of the King, and having obtained 2000 Horse from him for a conduct, passed victoriously every where, and as triumphing over the Enemies of the Catholic Faith and of the Empire, not meeting with any opposition; nay, all places through which he passed yielded to him, and he was furnished every where abundantly with victuals, and all sorts of refreshments. From the Palatinate he entered into the County of Nansaw, and being come from thence to Cullen, where he was honourably received by that Elector, he passed into Flanders with as much quiet and safety as he passed through Castille and Arragon when he parted from Madrid. He came into Brussels about the beginning of November, in the year 1634. where he was received not only with great pomp but with incredible applause; his coming was very seasonable; for the groundwork was already laid for a strong League in those parts against the Spaniards, between the King of France and the United Provinces, which was concluded on the beginning of March following; and thereupon powerful Armies were prepared by them both to assault jointly the Provinces which were obedient to the Crown of Spain: The King of France wanted only a pretence whereby to honest the breach. But this new and great rupture not being to be cloaked, the mask which had formerly been made use of between the two Crowns must be taken off, and open War must be made, which did necessarily require some pretence for its justification; therefore the King of France made use of an occasion which happened at this time. The Archbishop of Triers, one of the Electors, held (as hath been formerly said) much closer Intelligence with the King of France then with the Emperor and Austrians, with whom for many occasions he had been several times distasted; and to boot that this City was a member of the Germane Empire, it had been anciently under the protection of the Dukes of Luxemburg, and by succession under the protection of the King of Spain, who succeeded the ancient Dukes in that Dukedom; and the King of Spain, under colour of that pretention, was wont to keep some Soldiers in Garrison there, and to use some actions of Jurisdiction: The Elector seeming to apprehend the Swedish Forces had (as hath been formerly said) put himself under the King of France his protection, and received a French Garrison into the City, expelling the Spanish: Nor herewithal content, he, to the great prejudice of the Germane Affairs, delivered up to the same King of France the Town of Hermensteyne; it was also said that he was to accept of the Cardinal Richelieu as Co adjutor in the Archbishopric, to which the Electorship is annexed, with intention of leaving that Dignity to him afterwards, and so introduce a Vote absolutely depending upon the King of France into the Electoral college; A thing which though it was sufficiently contrary to reason, and to the preeminence of the Germane Empire, and repugnant to the Votes of the Germane Nation; yet would it not have been ill looked upon by the Protestant Princes in those times, and to such as were ill affected to the Austrian Name. And the Emperor fearing these plots which he saw were a framing by this Electory, he ordered the Infanta that he should secure his person: In order whereunto, the Infanta put 2000 Soldiers in some barks covered with cloth, like to Merchant's vessels which pass upon those Rivers, and sent them down the mosel, towards Tryers, which is seated upon the bank thereof, whither being come by night, and telling the Sentinels that they were boats come from Lucemberg, they fastened two Petards to two Gates, by one of which they entered, and by the other 200 Horse, which were sent by land to that purpose by the Infanta, who coming to the Gate at the same time that it was beaten down by the Petard, the Horse and Foot entered the Town at unawares, cut the French Garrison in pieces, who were overcome with fear, and the darkness of the night, and easily made themselves Masters of the City, and of the Elector, who being speedily carried to Lucemburg, and from thence to Namures, and so to Brussels, was honourably treated there, as an Archbishop, and Elector, but was diligently guarded, as a Prisoner. The King of France held himself highly offended by this action, as if it had been done in a resentment of the new Protection whereinto that Prince had put himself; he therefore made the Electors liberty be demanded of the Infanta, by his Resident who was then in that Court; to which the Infanta answered, That what was done at Tryers was done by the Emperor's express command, and that therefore he was to address himself too Cesar. The King not being satisfied with this answer, sent an Herald to the Infanta, who did intimate War against him, and against the King of Spain, expressly declaring, and protesting, That that intimation should serve as effectually for the King of Spain as if it had been given to his own Person in Madrid. Many Discourses passed about under the Names of the Kings themselves, and of others, as they stood severally interessed or devoted to either of the Courts, wherein each side sharply defended their cause. The most solid, and most ascertained Reasons of this breach, published in print by the King of France, in his own Name, were, That the Elector of Tryers, being abandoned by the Emperor, when the Empire, beaten by the Swedish Forces, was not well able to sustain itself, not knowing whom to ●…ly unto for refuge, had put himself into his protection, to free himself from being suppressed by them; wherefore he deserved not to be made prisoner for doing so, without citation, or being condemned; he therefore accused it, as not only unjust, but unworthy, being committed against a Sacred Person, an Archbishop, and one of the seven Electors of the Empire; and that since it redounded not only to the great offence of his Crown, in respect of the protection whereunto the Elector had put himself, but to the like of the Apostolic See, and of the Electoral College, the Pope and Electors were to resent it as well as he. To this was answered, That that Elector had never put himself into the protection of the King of France, but had only desired some assistance from him, as from a Prince that was his friend, against the Swedes; so as even by the Electors own confession the title of protection was faulty, which was the chief foundation of the complaint, and of the injury pretended to be done to the King; and if the Elector had desired or received help under the name of protection, he ought not to have withdrawn him from the natural Sovereig●…y of the Emperor, nor from the protection of the Dukes of Luxenberg, he being a Prince of the Empire, and under the protection of the ancient Dukes of Luxenberg; it being a clear thing, That a natural Subject cannot withdraw himself from the Jurisdiction of his Sovereign Prince, nor prejudicated it by any action of his; and that howsoever his protection against the King of Sweden did not extend against the Emperor, or King of Spain, the one being his Sovereign, the other his ancient Protector, no otherwise then fealty by a natural Subject of a Prince sworn to another Prince from whom he holds any Town or Castle in Fee, shall never be of force to engage him against his natural Prince, nor to withdraw him from his obedience; That therefore the King of France ought not by title of new protection, to intermeddle with what the Electors Sovereign Prince was pleased to order. The groundwork of the breach seeming to be shaken by these Reasons, the King of France pleaded other former injuries, which he had at several times, and upon several occasions, received from the Crown of Spain; and beginning from the reciprocal Marriages made between the two Kings, it was said that the Spaniards had never ceased to make plots against the quiet and safety of France; and in the first place, That the King of Spain had waged war with the Duke of Savoy, under the honourable pretence of protecting the House of Mantua; against which the same King did afterwards conspire himself, for no other reason but because the Duke would not join with him in making war with the King of France. To this was added, the revolutions of the Valtoline, to the prejudice of the Grisons, ancient Clients and Confederates of the Crown of France, which were endeavoured for no other end, and somented by the King of Spain, but only that he might carry the war more commodiously through the Valtoline, from Germany to Italy, and from Italy to Germany, and to make himself Master of the parts confining upon the Valtoline: That the Court of Spain, not being able to endure the good correspondency which was held between France and England, had, by means of Marquis Mirabello, his Ambassador at Paris, sowed dissensions and discords between them, and fomented the Rebellion of the Heretics of France, to the end that the King being busied in suppressing them might not have leisure to defend Mantua and Montferrat, which were then powerfully assaulted by the Spaniards; and that when the King of France had by the success of his Forces, and by the Peace of Susa, freed Cassalle the first time, the King of Spain had not only let slip that occasion of preserving Peace in Italy, and of securing the liberty of the Client of France, but had called in the Dutch against the City of Mantua, whilst his Commanders endeavoured once more to take Cassalle by force; whereby the King of France was forced to send his Arms back again into Italy, to secure his Confederates, and to keep the Spaniards within some bounds: wherein faring as successfully as he had done the first time, which the Spanish Agents were not able to endure, they had betaken themselves to sow discord in his Royal family, making the Duke of Lorrein their Instrument therein; and that thus they had endeavoured to Arm France against France: that the same King of Spain had sent a powerful Fleet to Sea to assault Provence; and that he was near assaulting it several times, had he not been sometimes detained by the season of the year, sometimes by storms: that, moreover, he had furnished the Duke of Orleans with Forces, to pass armed through France, to the end, that being backed by the Army of Catalogna, and by the Fleet at Sea, he might trouble France: then falling upon the Affairs of Germany they complained mightily, that the Austrians ends tended only to make the Elective Imperial Diadem hereditary; and that therefore under the specious pretence of the Catholic Religion, they aimed only at the abasing and annihilating of the Catholic and the Protestant Forces, to the end, that having extinguished the latter, they might the more easily subdue the others; and so arrive at that Monarchy, whereunto though they had no reason to pretend, yet did they thirst after nothing more; and that the King of France not being able neither in justice, nor for the safety of his Kingdom, nor in respect of his ancient and hereditary adherence to the Germane Princes, to tolerate that the house of Austria should make way to so great advantages, by the ruin of his Colleagues; lest when he should have compassed his desire, he might pretend superiority over all Christian Princes; had desired to see the affairs of Germany reduced into such a condition by civil means, as that the Germane Princes might live in safety, and not fear being ruinated; and that so he might not be necessitated to defend them by Arms: and that therefore upon several occasions, & discourses of peace, he had always propounded a general peace, wherein all might be comprehended, and all things might be amicably composed; for, said they, no peace is otherwise truly made, but, like fire buried under ashes, breaks forth into a greater flame; that it made not for the King of France, nor for his honour, to compose differences with the Emperor, without including his Confederates, who might be overcome afterwards by the Austrian Forces; and that the same consideration was to be had touching the affairs of the Valtoline: the King having made it be trea●…ed of in the peace of Cherasco, and of Madrid, that some course might be taken to remedy what was done to the contrary at the peace of Monsone: but that these endeavours not being listened unto, though they were propounded with much zeal to the public peace; the King was forced to take up Arms, so to get such satisfaction, which he could not do by friendly m●…ans. But the Court of Spain complained no less, nor did they cease to oppugn the accusations and complaints made by the French: these began from before, from the peace of Vervin, which was made the year 1601, wherein all reciprocal offences being laid aside, it was agreed, that neither of the Kings should protect any one to the prejudice of the other; but should renounce all Leagues and Intelligences contracted to the prejudice of either of them; and that notwithstanding this, the year was hardly ended, when the French appeared in Holland, under the King of France his own Colours, against the King of Spain's Forces; nor did King Henry the Fourth, with whom that peace was made, ever recall so open Hostility, save only in appearance, and by vain Edicts, which were never put in execution: insomuch as the French continuing in that Militia, the King cared not for the complaints made by the Spanish Agents, but was wont to jest and mock at them; whereby they inferred that that King was the first breaker of peace, and the original occasion of any hostility which had been afterward either tacitly, or openly, committed against him (if any such had been committed); and that therefore the French had no just cause to complain: they added, that King Henry did contrive a League with great Potentates afterwards, against Philip the Third, which was unperfected by the said Kings sudden death; and that though Philip the Third might easily have resented these so open Hostilities, and gainsayings of peace, after Henry's death, making use of the pupillar age of the then present King, and of the ill humours and factions of France; yet public peace prevailing over all resentment, he passed by so great an offence, and became the defender of the young King, and of the Queen Dowager, and consented to the reciprocal Marriage, to the end, that peace and union might thereby be the better established between the two Crowns: passing from hence to the League of Avignion, the year 1623., whereof the present King of France was pretended to be the Author; they said that from thence proceeded the following wars of Germany and of Italy, against the Emperor and King of Spain; which being happily ended for the Austrians, the peace of Monsone ensued, which the King of Spain did not only not countervene, but when it was concluded, had assisted the King of France with a powerful Fleet, in the so important business of Rochel, and had assisted him therein, at the same time when the King of France did openly assist the Rebels in Holland against him; then coming to the last wars of Mantua and Montferrat, they complained that the King of France had taken upon him the protection of the Duke of Nevers, a Vassal of the Empire, against his Sovereign the Emperor, and against the Spanish Forces employed in defending Caesar's Authority: that the King of France had no occasion to interest himself in that business, which did not at all concern him, but was proper to the Emperor; and much less reason had he to meddle in dividing Montferrat between the Dukes of Savoy and Nevers, though he had done it with much prejudice to the Emperor's Authority in the peace of Susa: Wherefore the Emperor nor King of Spain had no reason to ratify that peace; that then they came to the peace of Ratisbone, wherein the Affairs both of Germany and of Italy being settled, it was soon broken; for what concerned the Affairs of Germany, by the King of France, by the League which he soon made with the King of Sweden; and as for the Affairs of Italy, it was not sincerely observed, since he extorted Pinarvolo from the Duke of Savoy, contrary to the Articles of that peace; and here heaping up all the accusations against the King of France, touching his protecting the Germane Princes, the Elector of Triers, and the Duke of Nevers; they said that these protections did foment the Subjects of the Empire, against the Emperor; just as if the Emperor of King of Spain, should take upon them to protect the French who had taken up Arms against the King of France, and should foment and assist them: so as the King of France numbers amongst the offences which he pretends to have received, that the Queen and the Duke of Orleans, the one Sister, the other Brother in Law to the King of Spain, both of them being gone from France, were received, with safety to their persons, in Flanders, and that 2000 Horse were given to the Duke of Orleans for a conduct; so the Emperor and King of Spain might with much more reason complain of the King of France for giving the like protections and fomentations to the Hollanders, the Germane Princes, and the Duke of Nevers, who were in Arms against the Emperor: that therefore it was no less an injury to the Emperor, that the King of France should desire that the Germane Princes, who had taken up Arms against him, should be admitted into the peace which was in treaty between the Emperor their Sovereign and the King of France; it being no better then to abet a Subject against his Prince, to prescribe Laws between a Sovereign and his Vassal, and to make the world know that the King of France was Arbitrator of Peace and War in Germany, and Moderator of the Empire: which were undoubtedly too high pretensions, and which were never put for, not practised by any; that the case of the King of France his Mother and Brothers, who were fled into the King of Spain's Dominions, and honourably received there, was otherwise; that these were personal Offices between a Father in Law and Son in Law, and between Brother in Law in the like case; nor did they extend further then to the person to whom they were done; and if they would talk of the 2000 Horse given to the Duke of Orleans, these and other assistances, as the Fleet at Sea destined against Provence, aught to be opposed to the King of France his fomenting, so many both open and secret Hostilities against the Emperor and King of Spain; since it was not reasonable, that it should be lawful for the King of France to undermine the Austrian Grandezza, and that the Austrians should act nothing against him: that the dissensions between the Crowns of France and England, and the wars made by the King of France against the Duke of Savoy, because he would not abet the Spanish designs, were not to be considered, being things notoriously false, and whereof there was no proof; that the world knew the reasons of the differences between France and England; and whence the distastes arose in the Royal Family of France, and what were the occasions of the war made against the Duke of Savoy; and how much the then Queen Regent of France, and the Potenta●…es of Italy, did press the King to force the Duke to lay down the Arms which he had taken up to suppress the Duke of Mantua. These were the chief charges and defences made by each party; and it being hard to say what was the just cause of this breach, those who understood the Affairs of the world best, were of Polybius his opinion, an ancient Author, who discoursing upon the true occasions from whence the bitter Wars between the Romans and Carthaginians arose, makes no account of this or that hostile act which happened between these Commonwealths, or of any breach of peace between them, but lays the true reason of the Wars which succeeded between them, upon the mere Ambition that the one Commonwealth had to exceed the other. The like (say they) was the occasion of the Wars between these two Crowns and Nations, which contending for superiority, great Emulation arose between them, from whence those reciprocal hatreds which are grounded between them, cannot be cancelled by any Peace. The roots of the like Ambition being hatched (say they then) in the Souls of both these Nations; it was necessary that the fruits of hatred, continual jealousies, and reciprocal suspicions, by which their minds are continually agitated, should bud forth. From hence grow cruel hatreds, which branch out into secret treaties, into plots, and then into open Wars. Building therefore upon these foundations, they say, ' 'tis true that the King of France had promised to forget all faults past, in the Peace of Vervin, and that he had promised to forego all Intelligence with the Enemies of the Crown of Spain; But that finding afterwards, that his Kingdom was bounded on the South by Spain, on the North by Flanders, which is under the Crown of Spain, on the East by Germany, in part obedient, in part subject to the House of Austria, and a little lower by Italy; which is likewise partly subject, partly adherent to the same Crown: And thinking that being, as it were, imprisoned by the Austrian Forces he did enjoy the freedom which became so great a King, but that every the least addition of this so great power endangered the suppression and suffocation of his Kingdom; he held his honour and authority to be but small, and that the eyes of all the world were fixed only on the Austrian Sun. These were sharp goads to unsettle a well fixed Resolution; he considered also what commotions and troubles the mere Dukes of Burgundy, who commanded all Belgia, had caused in France; that those Territories would now be incorporated into the Crown of Spain, and backed by the Forces of Germany. That therefore it became him to think not only upon his honour, but upon his Kingdom's safety; which being weakened by the late Wars, and vexed with intestine dissensions, could not well secure itself from so great a neighbouring power; that it was usual for Princes to keep others low, for their own better preservation, and to endeavour the pulling down of those that were more potent; that principalities were maintained by these Arts. He therefore applied himself to get out of their straits, and to favour the Hollanders, lest if they should be beaten, the King of Spain should grow too strong upon those Confines, or at least that that wound being kept open, he might be less able to advance further; that therefore this Resolution was more necessary than voluntary, arising from the interest of self-preservation, which is by natural reason more warranted to bruit beasts; (and surely then to men and great Potentates) than it is prohibited by the gainsayings of Peace: That such Peace wherein one of the parties is subject to the other, does not deserve the name of Peace, but is rather to be termed Slavery, and not likely to last long, as was clearly shown by the Ambassadors of Privernum; who being asked, in the Senate of Rome, how long that Peace was like to last which they desired? answered, that if it were a good one for them, it should be perpetual; if a bad one, very short. An answer which made those Senators know, that no people nor person can keep long under the sharpness of an unjust condition; and this made them mitigate the conditions of Peace, which were granted to those of Privernum. That notwithstanding the King of France had pieced up that rent by the Truce, which was by his means made between the Crown of Spain and the Hollanders; not without much satisfaction to Spain, which was then desirous to see an end of so expensive a War: So as the Spaniards had no reason to complain of any assistance given to the united Provinces, wherein the chief foundation of their Justice lay. That therefore when France was free of Civil Wars, and had regained her former vigour, the King not being able to be wanting to the just cause of the Germane Princes, who had recourse to him touching the succession of the States of juliers and Cleves; though it was conceived that he had contracted several Leagues against the Austrians: Yet if that King's life had not been cut off in the nick of time, all those Leagues and Unions spoken of would have soon been seen vanish into smoke; and it would have been known that they served for nothing but appearing threats, since it made not for that the King who was then well in years, whose issue was young, and his Kingdom not yet sealed, to enter into new Wars for the interests of other men; and leave his Kingdom to his young children involved in foreign Wars: For he might be sure that Regal Authority which curbed civil dissensions, ceasing together with his life, the Kingdom which seemed now to be united would fall into its former disorders, which would draw foreign Forces into the Kingdom: That the present King growng in years had given the King of Spain no occasion of complaint, but had always corresponded with him, as became Princes that were friends and joined in affinity. That the first encounters arose from what had happened in the Valtoline, wherein the King had interested himself out of his being bound to protect the Grisons, and out of the great prejudice which was thereby occasioned to his own affairs, and to the Germane and Italian Princes. That the first intermission was in a civil manner, not by Arms, which the King took not up till the first conventions of Madrid were undervalved; and that notwithstanding the King of France did temporise, to ripen some difficulties. But that seeing no satisfaction given, he was forced to betake himself to Arms; the business not being yet well adjusted, he was once again necessitated to take up Arms, for the just and necessary defence of the Duke of Nevers, who was by violence kept from succeeding in the State of Mantua and Montferrat; and for no other reason, but for that that Duke was born in France, was of kin to the King, and held great possessions of the Crown of France: That if the Auxiliary Forces of France, in the behalf of that Duke, if the Peace of Susa ought to be accounted violence or injustice, merely for that they wanted the Cesarean Authority; that the appearing of the Spaniards against that very Duke, not the division of Montferrat, made between the Spanish Agents and the Duke of Savoy, were not countenanced nor corroborated by the Emperor; that if the merits of the cause, if the intention of Arms, and dissension between these two Kings, were to be balanced without bias, those of France would appear to be more just, and less concerned than those of Spain: Since the later tended to the offence, the other to the defence of an assaulted Prince; so as the Spaniards had nothing to object against the Arms of France; nor could the Emperor account his authority more injured by the French then by the Spaniards: And that the award of the cause, made on the behalf of the French by the Peace of Ratisbone, did more justify the Proceedings of the French then of the Spaniards. For what concerned the affairs of Germany many other reasons were alleged; amongst the rest, that there was a difference to be put between the Princes of France and the Germane Princes; that the Regal Authority of France was Monarchical, to which all the Princes of France are Vassals; that Germany, on the contrary, was Aristocratical, consisting of several Sovereign Princes and free Cities, who choosing the Emperor for their Head, obey, not as Subjects to a Sovereign, but as Members and Colleagues of the Empire, enjoying many privileges and exemptions which suit not with Sovereign Authority; from which exemptions the Emperor not being able to derogate, if by any excess of private power, exceeding the known Authority of the Laws, he●…at any time endeavour to derogate from them, or not observe them, they hold themselves as much injured by him, as the Citizens of a Commonwealth would do, if their Head, abusing Authority, and contemning the public Laws, should aspire at Tyranny: That all Germany did at the present groan under the burden of the excessive Austrian authority; that she had lost not only the substance, but the very shadow of her original Liberty, and was therefore forced to send for the King of Swedeland from the utmost Northern parts to recover their almost lost Liberty: That this defence did anciently belong to the Kings of France, to whom upon like occasions the Germane Princes had wont to have recourse: That the present King, out of his too great respect born to the House of Austria, had neglected this his duty to the Germane Princes; that he could not without much loss of reputation degenerate from the Kings his Predecessors, nor by abandoning those Princes suffer the King of Sweden to prevent him in that office which did of due belong to him; nor would the Concernments of his own Kingdom tolerate that the Austrian Authority should extend itself further by the oppression of those Princes: And as concerning the conclusion of peace with the Emperor, it was neither strange nor new, that the King should not make peace without his Colleagues the Germane Princes, since there have been so many both ancient and modern examples seen of peace solemnly concluded between Princes and Vassals that have risen up against their Sovereign Prince: The peace of Constance made between the Emperor Frederick surnamed Barbarossa and the Cities of Italy which had rebelled against him; the Truce between the King of Spain and the Hollanders; so many peaces made between the very Kings of France and their contumacious people in the last Civil Wars; and the peace made not many years ago between the Emperor and the Elector of Saxony, are sufficient proofs of peace made between a Subject and a Sovereign. It was therefore concluded, that the King of France his interesting himself in the civil dissensions of Germany, and in the several peaces that were to be concluded, was not only just, and usual, but more necessary than that which King Philip the second undertook in the troubles of France, which could neither in justice nor for convenience be paralleled to this; and though the King appeared to have undertaken them only for Religion, it was at last discovered that it was more governed therein by State interest, then by Religion; and that therefore if there were any parallel to be made between the countenancing of Germany and that of France, France might be said to have learned the the Doctrine of fomenting the differences between people and their natural Princes, and of interessing herself therein, for her own safety and grandezza, from the School of Spain: but that the greatest part of these pretensions were rather seeming then substantial; for Polybius, relating the true cause of the wars between the Romans and Carthaginians, doth not approve them as just; and though some Prince's use to keep inferior Princes low, and to weaken the superior; such proceedings are to be esteemed rather tyrannical, then rational, and if King Philip the Second had attained to such Counsels, he would never have consented to the peace of Vervin, wherein Territories and Towns of importance were restored to the King of France, who was then the inferior: wherefore that peace cannot be pretended to be slavery, though the Austrians were superior to the French both in Dominions and Power; for the Romans after the peace given to the Privernatis, as they will have it, were superior to them; and if peace between Princes of unequal power may be violated by reason of the inferiors weakness, no firm peace would ever be made between them, unless the more powerful should divide States and Forces with the less powerful. They therefore concluded that none of the reasons alleged did excuse the King of France his countervenings; nor could the League concluded by his means, some years after between Spain and the Hollanders, free him from the preceding countervening, but did rather aggravate it; as well because the Hollanders, being strengthened by those fomenting, were made the more able to withstand their King, and to force him to so disadvantageous a Truce; as also by continuing the said assistance to them when the Truce was expired: Passing then to the Affairs of the Valtoline, it was said, That the short relation of that business would suffice to let the world see whether of those two Princes were to be blamed. The King of Spain protected the liberty and the Religion of the Valtolinians, by securing them in both by some little Forts erected in the Valley against the imminent slavery of the Grisons, who were prepared to subjugate them by force; and the Valtolinians wanting men to munite them, the French, and with them the Venetians, stormed very much, when Spanish Garrisons were put thereinto; as if the Spaniards had no other end but to make themselves Masters of the Valley; the King of Spain, to clear both them and the Venetians, deposited the Valtoline, together with the Fort●… therein into the Pope's hands, who was chose●… by them both to be Arbitrator of the whole business, with power to dispose th●…reof as he should se●… reason to do; that while this was depending, the King of France possessed himself both of the Valley, and of the Forts by Force of Arms: that when the Pope sent men to recover them, the King, who would not make War with the Pope, upon this account agreed with the King of Spain in the peace of Monsone, to restore the Valtoline; but upon very favourable conditions, touching the Liberty and Religion of the Valtolinians, and that the Pope should demolish the Forts; whereunto the King of Spain condescended only because the King of France obliged himself to observe the Covenants which were made in favour to the Valtolinians; so as the Forts were superfluous, seeing that the two Kings were engaged by the Peace to maintain the Liberty and Religion of the Inhabitants: Therefore by this so favourable Peace to the Valtolinians, the King of Spain was justified in his first taking up Arms. Neither did the Duke of Nevers his business deserve much defence, if men will justly consider the result thereof; for that Prince was not at all satisfied with the King of France his protection, since he was deprived of Cassalle, and of the greater part of Montferrat, which were conferred upon the Duke of Savoy, in recompense for his pretensions, and for Pinarollo, which was assigned over to the King of France, contrary to the Articles of Ratisbone and Cherasco; so as the Agreement with the King of Spain, which was so much exclaimed against, would have been better for the Duke of Nevers then the protection of France, so much boasted of by the French. And for what concerns the meddling in differences between a Sovereign and his Subjects, many considerations were propounded in favour of the Austrians; for in Peace's made between the Emperor and the King of France, the King had more than once renounced such Leagues and Protections, and promised not to protect those Princes against the Emperor; so that as the present discourse began with Polybius his Authority, the controversy may be ended by Lucan's Authority, who decides the difference between Cesar and Pompey, in these words. Tu nova ne veteres obscurent acta Triumphos, Et victis cedat piratica Laurea Gallis, Magne times. Te jam series, ususque laborum Erigit, impatiensque loci fortuna secundi. Nec quemquam jam ferre potest † Caesarve priorem, Pompeiusve parem— Lucan lib. 1: Gallusve priorem, Austriacusve parem: Quis justius induat arma Scire nefas; magno se judice quisque tuetur. Victrix Causa Deis placuit, sed Victa Catoni. Immediately after the intimation of this war, made in the King of France his name, to the Infanta, did the publication of the League made between him, and the Hollanders, which hath formerly been mentioned, follow; and the execution thereof followed the publication forthwith; for the King of France going to Campania, assembled an Army of above 20000 fight men, and sent it into the Country of Lucemburg, under the conduct of the two Marshals, Chatillione and Bresse; whereinto being entered, it presently took Orcimon and Rocca, strong places upon the Confines, but of small consideration, which yielded without fight; and afterwards it took Marca, a more considerable Town; and so advanced into the Country which is under the King of Spain: Against this Army the Infanta sent out a strength of 10000 Foot, and of 3000 Horse, the most whereof were tumultuously ra●…sed, and made Prince Thomaso, of Savoy, their Commander in chief; who being distasted with the Duke his Brother, was privately stolen from Savoy, whereof ●…e had the title of Governor; and having first spent some months in the Court of Flanders, he joined with the King of Spain's Forces in those parts. The Prince being come near the enemy, though he knew himself inferior to them in numbers, yet having the advantage in situation he refused not battle, which they presented him: Battle being given near to the Town of Avein, after having fought valiantly four hours, he was worsted, left three or four thousand of his men dead upon the place, to boot with his Artillery, and besides many other Soldiers, and Captains of good condition, who were taken Prisoners. The Hollanders were by the Covenants of the League to assault the Provinces which were obedient to the Crown of Spain, a●… the same time, with another Army on their side; and delaying to do it, they afforded the Infanta a breathing time after his defeat; but coming at last into the Field, commanded by the Prince of Orange, who joined with the French Army before Mastrick, they made up a Body of 50000 fight men, abundantly furnished with Artillery, and all warlike preparations: the whole Country bein afraid of them, and yielding to so great and formidable Forces, they advanced without any opposition to Terlimone; which Town presuming too much upon its self, would be the first that should oppose so vast and glorious an Army; for which boldness it paid sound: for being taken by assault, it was sacked with more cruelty than hath been heard of, of many years. Wherefore the Infanta, having this mean while made up an Army of those that remained u●…slain at Avien, and of other Regiments, which was much inferior to that of the enemy, insomuch as he was not able to keep the Field, put himself into Loveine with 5000 Foot and 2000 Horse: having quartered the rest of his Army upon the River Dee, distant above a League from Loveine; and the Army of the League being marched towards tha●… City, after having taken Dist and Ariscot, it came up to the Rear of the Enemy's Army; and the Horse which tarried last, not having all of them passed the River, some of their Troops were de●…eated; that Country was never so full of terror since the war began: it was ov●…rrun, sacked, burnt and miserably destroyed, without any hope of present help; for the Infanta's Army half routed, half run away, kept within strong Holds, abandoning all to Military fury; and doubtlessly the assailants might have done great things, had they known how to make use of occasion and of the advantage of time: but lying long idle between Loveine and Termilone, they afforded time to the Infanta to fortify himself, and to expect a great succour which was sent him from Germany. The Colleagues finding the enterprise of Lorein to be too hard and almost impossible, to effect, by reason of the new Fortifications and number of defendants, they went to before Brussels; where●…ore the In●…anta left 2000 of his best experienced Soldiers in Loveine, and went with the rest of his men to Brussels; and the Colleagues returning from Brussels to Loveine, thought to find that Town unprovided by re●…son of the Infanta's departure, and that they might easily have taken it: but being abused in their hopes (for they found it extraordinarily well garrisoned, and fortified round about) they gave the business over; and suffering much in their Camp for want of Victuals, they were forced to quit Brabant, and to retreat: which they were the rather necessitated to do, for that they heard Picolominy was marching up apace to them with 6000 choice Horse, after whom the King of Hun●…ary came, making long Marches. ●…ut there 〈◊〉 ●…ed not so great an Army to fr●… Flanders from so imminent a danger: a sor●… and unexpected accident, which be●…ll ●…e Hollanders, was sufficient to dissolve that Army which was so formidable to Flanders: In Gelderland, just where the Rhein dividing itself into two parts, makes a great Island, which was anciently called Battavia, and is now called the ●…mel Island, there is a very strong Fort, of such consideration, for the situation thereof, as it 〈◊〉 co●…monly held to be the inlet into Holland; it is called Schinck Sconce, from him who knowing the opportunity of the seat caused the Hollanders to build it. This so important Fort being about this time surprised by the Infanta's Soldiers put the Hollanders into such co●…fusion, as ●…aving all other enterprises, they were con●…rain'd to im●…y all thei●…●…orces and ende●…vours in the recovery th●…eof: they th●…efore reca●…d the Prince of Orange and his Army, a●…d made him c●…e to defe●… their own Country: he therefore returned to Holland; and the French Army consumed by famine was ruined, and were paid for their detestable cruelties used to the Inhabitants of Termilone. Thus Flanders was little less then miraculously delivered from so great, and so near a danger: but we have sufficiently discoursed of Foreign Affairs; it is time now that we return to Italy, whereinto the Wars which were kindled in Germany flew; and Italy sharing already in the effects of the peace which was broken between the two Crowns, it followed by consequence, the quiet which she thought she had got by the peace of Ratisbone, and the Treaties of Chirasco were discomposed, and the Wars formerly appeased in Lombardy, and in other parts, began hotter than before. The End of the Thirteenth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK XIV. The Contents. THis Book tells you the redoubled going out of the Fleet from Naples against Provence, and the accidental disaster of the latter. The occasion, rise, encounters and progress of the French Forces, led by the Duke of Rhoan into the Valtoline. The endeavours of the French to alienate the Princes of Italy from the Spanish party, and to draw them over to their King. The Pope and Venetians move not. The Duke of Savoy goes over to the French, more out of necessity then of good will. The great Duke of Tuscany is constant to the Austrians. The Dukes of Modena and Parma, and the Lord of Mirandola, negotiate with the French: the Duke of Parma closes with the French, the others adhere to the Spaniards. The Commonwealth of Genoa, notwithstanding the great damages suffered by her Citizens from the Spaniards, and notwithstanding the distastes she had received in her reputation, refuseth to declare manifest neutrality, or partiality, yet in fact keeps confident to both parties. The State of Milan is assaulted by the French, and by the Dukes of Sevoy and Parma; who going against Valenza del Po, besiege it, but it is relieved, and quite freed by the Spaniards. The Duke of Rhoan, having routed the Dutch and Milan Forces, remains absolute lord and master of the Valtoline. BEfore the Austrian and French Forces broke forth reciprocally into open war, Italy being subordinate to the same disposition of affairs, was necessitated to do the like accidents. The King of Spain, when the Duke of Orleans, and the Duke of Momorancy's Forces succeeded not against France, resolved to assault Provence, which being then unprovided, and not expecting to be assaulted, afforded hopes of happy success. Having therefore recruited and augmented his Army in Catalognia, he gave speedy Order for the rigging up of a Fleet at Sea in Naples, which being furnished abundantly with men, and with all warlike affairs, was to go forth to the prejudice of those parts, under the Marquis of Sancta Croce. And though that Kingdom was exhausted both of men and moneys, by its having reinforced two Armies in Germany under Feria and the Infanta; yet as if it had a Mine abounding therein, it was not long before by the extraordinary diligence of Count Montercy, Viceroy of that Kingdom; the Fleet, beyond all men's expectation, was ready to put forth from the Haven of Naples; but failing in their supposal (for neither Galleys nor men were ready for that expedition) after having tarried long in Favigiana, a little Island near Sicily, and the winter drawing on, the business so speedily begun, and with such hopes of good, success was put off till the next year; No man knew whether, or against whom, this so great preparation was intended: but though this expedition was much endeavoured to be kept concealed by setting up contrary Colours, and under contrary names and pretensions, yet at last after so long delay it was known, or atlest suspected, that it was intended against Provence. But the effecting of what was intended the year 1635, proved difficult, and almost impossible: For the enterprise was disturbed in the beginning by cross winds and storms, so as the intention of that voyage was discovered; the Fleet went forth from Naples more numerous, and stronger than before, about the middle of May 1635, and being 80 miles out at Sea, when meeting with contrary winds and great storms, it was forced, not without danger of Shipwreck, to make directly towards Corsica whither the winds drove it. Nor did the misfortune end here, but as if that enterprise had been undertaken in an unfortunate hour, the Fleet was hardly got behind Capo Corso, where it was sheltered from contrary winds; when another storm arose from the other side, more furious than the former, which sank 7 of the Galleys, with all the men and munition that were in them. The rest being scattered, some here, some there, were forced to throw their Horses, Munition, Artillery, nay the very moneys which was to maintain the enterprise, overboard; and with much ado, got one after another into Porta Longone: So as this second attempt proved more disastrous than the former, and proved more unfortunate to the Spaniards then to their Enemies. But whilst the King of Spain, and his Agents in Italy, were busied in preparing against France by Sea; those of France were not idle in making prepations against the King of Spain's Territories: Which preparations being by land, and not subject to the instability of winds nor waves, struck more home. The first blow light upon the Valtoline, the first occasion and original of which action, together with the pretence thereof, must be made known before we come to relate the proceedings. The Grisons being displeased with the peace of Monsone, (as hath been said) had never approved of those Capitulations; nor would they allow of the annual tribute of 25000 Crowns, nor allow that their Magistrates should be yearly chosen by the Valtolinians, answerable to those Capitulations; being therefore absolutely deprived of the pre-eminence, command, and advantage of so noble a part of their State, they desired and endeavoured nothing more than the lost possession of the Valley; to which purpose they complained much, and made great pressures in the French Court. The Court of France was no less discontented, than the Grisons, with those Capitulations, (as hath been elsewhere said) not only for the prejudice which would thereby redound to their confederates, but for the like which would result to the King's Affairs, if things continuing in the present condition, the Spaniards should be absolute arbitrators of that Valley, and might pass their men, and whatsoever they listed, through it, as freely as through their own Dominions. Wherefore it was no less endeavoured in France, then by the Grisons, how to find out some remedy against this mischief, without absolute countervening the agreed on Peace. Some looking narrowly into the points of that Capitulation, took occasion to question whether the Valtolinians did understand themselves to be thereby put into a state of absolute liberty and exemption, from the high and supreme command which the Grisons had over it before the beginning of these commotions; or whether the exercise of usual jurisdiction being only taken from them by the said Capitulations, they were, as touching sovereignty, in the same condition of subjection and vassalage that they were in before the insurrection. This was only to deprive the Spaniards of the passage which they had by that Valley, and so to rob them of the advantage which they pretended by the revolution of the Valtoline, fomented by them: For if the Grisons should remain sovereign Lords of the Valtoline, by virtue of those Capitulations, as they were before the insurrection, they were to have all jurisdicton and command there, except the ordinary jurisdiction both Civil and Criminal; which was by those Capitulations granted to the Valtolinians: So as the allowing of passage was to be granted by them, not by the Valtolinians Strong Arguments made for this; for if the Valtoline were to return by these Articles, to the same condition it was in the year 1617., who doubts but that then when there was not any insurrection the leave of permitting passage to foreign Princes appertained not to the Valtolinians, but to the Grisons? Moreover, no concession of Jurisdiction, how largely soever expressed, was ever interpreted to the derogation of the Concessors sovereign Authority. So as the exception made by the Peace of Monsone, in favour to the Valtolinians, being only touching the election of annual Magistrates for the administration of Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction, could not be extended to the supreme Mastery which the Grisons had there, and consequently not to the granting passage: Nay, the yearly Confirmation of Magistrates being to be made by the Grisons to the Valtolinians, and the yearly tribute to be paid by the Valtolinians to the Grisons, witnessed that sovereignty was retained in the Grisons: And the quantity of the annual tribute being a more adequate price for the concession of usual jurisdiction, then of Supreme power, which is held inestimable, was as much as to say, that the former was only allowed to the Valtolinians, and not the latter; and yet it was as strongly urged on the contrary; that the Grisons authority was violent, and tyrannically usurped, over their ancient Companions and Confederates, the Valtolinians, from which the Valtolinians having freed themselves by force of Arms, and their having renounced the Capitulations of Milan, made between the Duke of Feria and the Grisons, and this Sovereignty not depending upon the Arbitrement or disposal of the two Crowns, could not be any wise prejudiced by the Capitulation of Monsone: That the annual Tribute and confirmation of Magistrates was a mere remission, no concession of the Valtolinians, merely to free themselves from being disquieted, troubled, or persecuted by the Grisons, but no price or acknowledgement of Sovereignty; which being anciently their own, and now recovered by Arms, there was no need that it should be redeemed by moneys; and on the other side, the Grisons Commonwealth being in a great part subjugated by the Austrian Forces, and restored by the said Capitulations, to her former liberty, was in all acceptions equivalent to the restoring of the Valtolinians to their ancient Liberty and former Sovereignty: nor was it probable that one of the two Kings, who had so openly engaged himself both by Arms and by particular Decrees for the protection and liberty of the Valtolinians, should mean to suppress them by the Articles of Monsone; and that the other King, who boasts so much of the title of Just, should intend to favour the unjust Tyrants and violent Usurpers of their Confederates the Valtolinians liberty: nor did it belong to the titles of most Christian and most Catholic, wherein the one and the other of these Kings do so much glory, to reduce to the violent subjection of Heretics those Catholics who had so justly withdrawn themselves from it: nor that the King of France should by so gross dissembling blemish the glory which he had won in the first wars against the Heretics of his Kingdom, by favouring Heresy upon this occasion out of his Kingdom, which he had persecuted with Arms within his Kingdom even to destruction; but that ifit had been the intentions of the said Kings to revive the unjust, usurped, and now extinct Sovereignty of the Grisons, they should have manifested their opinions more clearly, since the weightiness of the affair did require it; and not have wound it up mystically and obscurely in some few and general words: they therefore concluded that the reasons which were alleged on the behalf of the Grisons were new inventions, mere subtleties and sophisticated interpretations: But howsoever the French stuck stiffly to the advantage of the words; and being desired by the Spaniards that they would ratify the agreement to the Grisons; they answered, that the controverted point of Sovereignty first be declared, it not being, in their opinion, sufficiently cleared by these Capitulations: but the Spaniards replied, that the ratification should be first made as clear and without controversy, so that if any doubt should afterwards arise touching the Sovereignty, it might be friendly agreed by their Majesties, answerable to the Capitulation of Monsone: wherewith the French not resting satisfied, the King of France, to content the Grisons, made a Declaration by himself alone in the favour of their Sovereignty; and pretended that to suffer people to pass through the Valtoline without their leave, was a mere gainsaying of the agreement; and the Spaniards esteeming the French Decrees vain without the joint consent of their King, passed as many men as they would through the Valtoline, and alleging that that Declaration should by the same agreement of Monsone be made by both the Kings jointly, they pretended, that being made by one only, it was null; and that to deny them passage was to contradict the said Capitulation. These Affairs continued thus controverted a while; the King of Spain endeavouring to keep the Valtolinians on his side, promised to be aiding to them continually in their Sovereignty and Liberty; and the King of France being unable to see the Valtolinians to depend totally upon the Austrians beck, favoured the Grisons pretensions, and would not consent that they should ratify the Capitulations, and promised to put them into free possession of the Valtoline, which they so thirsted after; and the more to nourish this expectation in them, he was a means why in the peace of Ratisbone, where it was covenanted that the places taken by the Dutch from the Grisons should be restored, the restitution of the Valtoline should also be inserted: which though it appeared to be expressed, that some Dutch Regiments might be taken from thence, which were sent thither a little before from Milan, lest the Swedes, which drawing near Italy, were feared would enter by the Valtoline; yet since the general words might bear another interpretation, they added to the hopes and expectations of the Grisons, and gave the King occasion to betake himself to these words, so to maintain the pretensitions of his ancient Friends and Confederates, and to make amends for the prejudice they suffered in the Capitulation of Monsone. The King of France reaped no little advantage by these hopes; for though being deeply engaged in several affairs in Germany, he could not apply himself much to this of the Valtoline, yet feeding them with continual promise, he kept them constantly at his devotion, and depending upon his pleasure; so as thereby he did not only recover the authority with the Grisons, which he had in that Nation before the revolt, but had munh increased it these two last years; for the parts of Rhetia being by the Emperor restored to the Grisons by the Articles of Ratisbone, which were taken from them at the very beginning of the Mantuan war, but upon condition that they should be no further fortified; and the King doubting that the Treaty of Cherasco might be made null, and peradventure that of Ratisbone also, by the re-assignment of Pinarollo, he persuaded those people to keep them well munited, and particularly the passage called Stainck, that they might keep out the Dutch, if they should attempt to enter their Country again: he made also a Fort Royal be built near il ponte del Reno; and making them believe that those Fortifications made much for the recovery of the Valtoline, he put French Garrisons into the new Fort, and into that of Stainck which was newly fortified, all which the Grisons gave way unto, lest the King might be incensed at their refusal, and might waver in his promise of restoring the Valtoline: but the King finding afterwards what prejudice the passing of the Duke of Feria and of the Infanta through the Valtoline occasioned to his own concernments, and to those of the Germans his Confederates, he bethought himself of removing that obstacle which could only confound the progress of his affairs in Germany: he resolved therefore to send Forces to recover the Valtoline, which expedition was not called the maintaining of the Grisons Superiority, but the protection of the Valtolinians Liberty, totally repugnant to the Grisons Sovereignty, which liberty the King affirmed was near being suppressed by the Spaniards frequent passing through that Valley: so as professing himself to be a Protector of all oppressed people, he now intended to secure the tottering condition of the Valtolinians, as he had restored the Grisons to their former liberty, and had secured them from the Dutch by the building of Forts in Rhetia: he therefore made the Duke of Rohan his General for that enterprise, ordering him to protect them against the Spanish tyranny with his men, and with those which the Grisons should furnish him withal. Rohan was of the Lineage of the ancient Kings of Normandy, a Captain of a refined and experienced judgement, nursed up from his infancy in Arms, not only an Huguenot in Religion, but a chief Protector of the Hugonots in France, in whose behalf he had always fought against the Catholic Religion, and against the very King, insomuch as he was the last of the Princes and Chieftains of that party, who when they were beaten by the King, humbled himself; and who being pardoned his hostile Acts, was banished the Kingdom, and confined to the State of Venice; where having stayed some years, he by the King's Commission went into Rhe●…ia, and was assistant to the King's Ambassador, Monsieur Dulande, in the building of the Forts: he was afterwards employed by the King in the Germane wars; who thinking him to be a fit person to be employed in the intended enterprise of the Valtoline, as one who had been much acquainted with the humours of that people, and of those parts, wherein he had lived, made him his General in that enterprise: nor did he err in his judgement or choice; for he did many singular acts, whereby he won much honour in the Valtoline, and obtained many famous Victories there, which had they been done in a larger and more noble field, they might have made him vie for honour with the most eminent Commanders of this age. When this business was first begun, war was not as yet intimated to the King of Spain, nor was the peace broken between the two Crowns: the business of Triers, from whence the breach of peace proceeded, happened at this time. Rohan having received his Commission from the King, went from Alsatia with but a few men to the Grisons, whom he told, that the time which they had so long desired, and which the King had promised of recovering the Valtoline was at last come; and acquainting them with the King's Commission, he exhorted them to concur with him in this business, which was undertaken only for their good, and would redound so much to their advantage. The Grisons believing him, took up Arms immediately, and refused not to promote the cause with all their Forces: Rohan had not many French with him, so as he began the war of the Valtoline with almost none but the Grisons Forces: it is true, that the Venetians being very desirous that the Valtoline should return to its former condition, dismissed 2000 French which were under their pay, and who passed easily into the Valtoline, and joined with Rohan; who about the end of March, in the year 35, sent first to take the Counties of Chiavenna and Bormio, to the end, that the way being blocked up to the Dutch Forces by the latter, and to the State of Milan by the former, the Valtoline might the sooner be recovered, which was seated between those two Counties, not being to be relieved on any side. Nor was his counsel here in vain; for about 1500 Foot, the most whereof were Grisons, and four Troops of French Horse falling down into Chiavenna, under the Ambassador Dulande, they took it, together with the black-house of La Riva, and presently began to munite and fortify it. There also was a Fort erected in the plain of Chiavenna beyond La Mera, upon the way which leads from Milan, called La Strada Francesca, to keep any oppositions from coming that way: And taking also some Barks for Merchandise which they found at La Riva, they furnished them with Soldiers, and kept them to defend the upper Lake. With the like sp●…ed he sent about 600 Foot to Bormio, by the Mountains which were yet covered with snow; who taking the unguarded Serra de Bagni, which stands upon the Mountain which overlookes Bormio, and confines upon Tyrvolo, they fell down and took the Town of Bormio without any resistance, together with the whole Country till you come to La Serra Della Valtolina, so as that Country fell into their possession: the Serra are nothing but certain great Gates or Portals of stone, made in form of an Arch, which are munited on the sides by ancient Towers with strong Gates of Wood, situated upon the passes, whereby men enter and go out of that Country: Who soever will come into these parts must pass through these Gates, the passage in this Country being so straight, as the entrance thereinto is let in or shut out, just as in Cities or private Houses; by the first Serra de Bagni the Dutch are kept out, by the other towards the Valtoline the Spaniards. These two Counties being taken and fortified, Rohan went from Rhetia, and entered the Valtoline about the beginning of May, by the way of Poschiavo, which lieth between these two precincts, having with him 4000 Foot, and 500 Horse, and reduced it into his power without unsheathing a Sword, or discharging a Gun; and with much severity and inhumanity, forced the Inhabitants to abandon the Spanish protection, and to adhere unto the French. Then building a Fort at Font Martello, he fell down with his men towards Morbegno; and quartering them in the Towns near the State of Milan, he began to unarm the people, and to put several Taxes upon them: Nor herewithal content, he forced them to swear Loyalty to the King of France; and doing other things in the King's Name, he professed nothing less than the maintaining of the Valtolinians Liberty, as by his Letters Patents he was bound to do, and as he had promised the Valtolinians both by word and writing; wherein he did not so much offend the Valtolinians as the Grisons, to whom the King, and Rohan himself, that he might get them to join in this enterprise, had promised, that according to his directions from the King, he would reunited them to their State, and reduce them to their ancient subjection; By which actions the Grisons were heinously scandalised, and made their complaints to Rohan himself, and required the observance of his plighted faith, and the restitution of what had been taken; who answered, that when the War should be ended, the King would restore all unto them, provided that that they would reimburse him the moneys which he had laid out: At which answer, being more angry and incensed then before, they almost all of them left him, and repassing over the Mountains, went back again displeased to their own homes. By these so great, and so many alterations and novelties, the Austrians in Germany, and Spaniards in the State of Milan, were much moved, and all of them endeavoured to bring what speedy and necessary help they could thereunto, as to a blow which by the consequence thereof wounded the total of the common Affairs. But the more the State of Milan was necessitated so to do, the more was it retarded by weakness; that State being then no less exhausted of military men than the Kingdom of Naples, the flower of them both being gone into the low Countries: So as they wanted Soldiers for their necessary Garrisons, much more to send into the field; weak was the preparation or provision therefore which from thence could be applied against this commencing mischief; the Cardinal Albernozzi was now Governor of Milan, a Churchman by profession, and not at all experienced in the management of War; he immediately deputed Count john Serbellone, with some few Foot Companies, for the defence of those parts: Who thinking that the first thing that was to be done was the recovery of Riva, gave orde that a Galley should be drawn out of the Arsenal of Como, which was built before these present Commotions; and not thinking this sufficient for the business, an other Galley was built by the moneys of the Genoese, great Masters at this mystery, which was greater. And seeing that the French were busy in fortifying places, to block up the entrance into the Valtoline, he betook himself also to fortify other places, to oppose their proceedings; but not succeeding herein, the French failed not to continue the works which they had begun, and brought them on to Morbengo and Trano, the best Towns of the Valtoline; the latter being seated on the right hand, the other on the left of Adda: And joining with the Duke of Rohan, who was already gotten to those Towns on the upper side, they sent 400 Horse, and 27 French Foot Colours, into the Towns which lay lower towards the Lake, striving to block up the Avenues to the Valtoline on that side, and to keep out the Spaniards, from whom, they being then quartered in the Towns about Fort Fuentes, they in vain endeavoured to secure themselves. The French proceeded the better in their works, for that Serbellone being then sick could not for many days oppose them; so as necessarily Affairs proceeded but slowly on this side: But greater and more speedy oppositions came from Germany, which had they been so fortunate, as they were valiantly brought on; or had they not been defeated by Rohans better fortune, they would assuredly have put an end to the woes that that Country suffered long under. Seven thousand Foot, sent by the Emperor under the Baron Fernamont, who had won much honour in the recovery of the great Fort Filsburg upon the Rhine, met at Tyrvolo, near the Confines of the Valtoline; who falling down with them into the Valley of Munister, he to succour himself on his back, built a Fort above the Town Sancta Maria: Then marching towards the Mountain Ombraglio, that he might enter the Country of Bormio, he was kept out by Rohan who had diligently prepossessed the passes; or Rohan hearing of great moving on that side, and foreseeing the danger which might thence arise, he feared, and not withou●… reason, that all his precedent actions would prove to no purpose, unless he should secure himself well on this side: Parting then from Morbegno, he marched speedily to Bormio, carrying many of his men with him; and finding lafoy Serra de Bagni, which is the usual way to pass from Germany to the Valtoline, sufficiently fortified and garrisoned, he feared lest the Dutch not being able to enter by that way, would come in by the lower way of Agnedina; leaving therefore his men in Bormio, he went with some few to Agnedina, which is a part of Rhetia, and by the assistance of those Inhabitants, who are bitter Enemies to the Dutch, he soon blocked up and munited those Passes, and put the Agnedini in a defensive posture, assuring them that he would still defend them with his Forces, which lay not ●…ar off, in Bormio, in case they should be assaulted on that side. This being done, he returned to Bormio, where taking fit order for all things, he returned to Morbegno, fearing that the Fortifications were not there well finished, and that they might be assaulted by Serbellone; but he cast his accounts amiss; for Fernamont, who having well munited the new Fort of S. Maria, was passed over the Mountain Ombragl●…o, seeming as if he would send men to assault the Bagni, went to assault the Sconce Fraelle, and having taken it, he went from thence by unaccustomed ways, and having the good luck to meet with excellent guides, he came to a certain place, where playing upon those that defended la Serra de Bagni, on the Flank, the defendants were forced to quit the Serra to the Dutch, who much beyond either their own or their adversaries expectation, became immediately masters thereof; by which loss the French did not only abandon the Bagni, but the Serra, and the Town of Bormio, and left the whole County at the disposal of the Dutch, who in a short space marched on victoriously even to Tirano, in the midst of the Valtoline; and Rohan, judging it impossible to resist so great a fury, abandoned the Valtoline, and fled with all his men from Morbegno to Chiavenna, burning the Bridges of Adda, to keep from being pursued by the Enemy: But this his diligence was more than needed; for Fernamont being come without any opposition to Tirano, and understanding that Count Montosi was with a thousand Foot in the Valley of Lovigno, which was on his left hand, he feared that he might pass from thence to Bormio, and block up the Gate of Germany which he had opened; wherefore he forbore pursuing Rohan, and turning upon Montosi came to Lovigno, where he found all that Valley also abandoned; for all the French which were with Montosi were retreated to the Mount in tops, and passing from thence to Agnedina, were come to join with Rohan, who was come to the same Agnedina by the County of Chiavenna. Thus far the affairs of the Valtoline went as well for the Austrians, and as ill for the French, as was possible; and if Fernamont, leaving Montosi, had pursued his victory through the Valtoline, or had gone to Riva 〈◊〉 Chiavenna; or if Serbellone had advanced with his men to Tirano, when the Dutch fell down to Bormio; or had he advanced to Riva, when the French began to fly, doubtlessly they might have carried the whole business: But though the necessity of securing the Pass of Bormio may excuse Fernamont, Serbellone's slow proceeding admits of no excuse. Fernamont's second error was greater; he might have returned to the Valtoline, when he found himself safe behind by Montosi's flight, and joining with Serbellone might have gone to Riva or Chiavenna, which being almost abandoned, he might easily have made himself Master of them; entering into the Country of the Grisons by the Valley of Lovigno he might have encountered Rohan, who in his flight past that way; he might have fallen down upon Chiavenna by the Grisons Country, and might have made himself Master thereof, it being enclosed between his and Serbellone's Forces: But not doing any of these things, any of which if he had done he might have been sure of Victory, he left his men in Lovigno, and went privately to Tirvolo, only to provide victuals for his Army, that he might maintain them without incommodating the Country; a resolution, which, though it was commendable for the piety thereof, was to be blamed by reason of War; for Rohan, going to Coira, and assembling the Inhabitants together, he encouraged them the best he could to reassume the business of the Valtoline; which if it should fall into the hands of the Dutch, they might despair of ever regaining it; whereas he faithfully promised to restore it to them, as soon as it should be recovered; and said, that he had Orders from the King so to do. The Grisons abhorred that the Valtoline should fall into the hands of the Dutch; wherefore they chose, as the lesser evil, to go immediately to the recovery thereof with those very French who but a little before had appeared so desirous to retain it for themselves: they therefore joined all their Forces with those of Rohan, and fell down into the Valley of Lovigno, and coming at unawares upon the Dutch before Sunrising, who looked for nothing less, but were drowsy, or fast asleep; The French placed a good number of their men behind a certain wall near the Church, which they made use of as of a Trench, to beat down a Bridge which was over a little River; the rest fell upon the Dutch, and slew many of them, who being in disorder, and not able to resist, were forced, not without much loss, to retreat towards Molina, a Town near Bormio, at the foot of the Mountains, where the Pass and Serra of the Bagni is: They tarried there till Fernamont was returned from Tirvolo, and had sent 1500 Foot and some Troops of Horse to take Mazzo, a Bridge upon the Adda, some few miles above Tyrano: But Rohan hearing thereof went, without losing any time, toward the same Bridge, by the Valley of Poschiano, where meeting both of them almost at the same time, they fiercely disputed the possession of it; and the question was undecided till night, and the decision was put off till the next morning, both sides keeping quiet all that night, and each side guarded the head of the bridge, by which both parties strove to enter, and to advance. Fernamont came the same night to the Dutch with the Van, and knowing the bridge, and the Enemy's Forces which were on the opposite shore, he returned to Bormio; and bringing the rest of his men thither the next day, he encouraged his men with words, and more Forces: Wherefore Rohan fearing to be fallen upon on the back by Serbellone, quitted the head of the controverted bridge, and retreated to Tyrano; and being ascertained afterwards that Serbellone was not ready to move, he resolved to assault the Dutch, who were quartered in a Town near Mazzo, though he was inferior in number, but superior in well armed Cavalry. The assault was given so courageously, as after a long dispute the French had the better, and put the Dutch to a direct rout, be all the rewards, all the fruits of Victory; theirs the Territories which should be gotten by driving out the Spaniards; all which he faithfully promised should be divided amongst them; reserving only the praise and title unto himself of being the preserver of Italy, and the quelle●… of the Spanish Empire therein: by these and the like persuasions he tried them all; and endeavoured to kindle such a fire in Italy against the Spanish Government, as the King of Spain being entertained in the quenching thereof should forbear bringing the like into other men's houses, or at least should not be able to extinguish that, which being brought by him the King of France into Germany, was endeavoured likewise to be continued and increased by him; but these his designs though they were much laboured and negotiated by his Agents and adherents in Italy, found not that correspondency in the Italian Princes, which he had fancied to himself; for the propounded plot, the more plausible it was for the novelty thereof, and for the desire that all men had and have of Liberty, the harder of digestion it seemed to those who being endowed with more wisdom did foresee the mortal infirmities which the bad concoction thereof might cause to the imperfect health of this body in general, and to the particular members thereof; for though the Spanish Forces, and commotions in these last wars of Mantua and Montferrat, had been as hateful to the Italians as they were dangerous; and the Arms and commotions of the French the more acceptable, as being more advantageous for Italy at the present; yet was not their hatred so much against the Spaniards, nor their confidence so great in the French, as to free themselves wholly from the fear of the Spaniards, they would submit themselves to the arbitrement of the French, as they foresaw they must do if their common Forces should prosper; and though they were not displeased to see the French masters of Pinarvolo and Casalle, since by the possession of these two places they curbed the Spanish power, and rendered it less formidable to Italy; yet they could not be pleased, nor think that it stood with the common interest, that when the Spanish Forces should be totally subdued, the French should succeed in their place; and if they were to be accompanied by the Empire of one of them, they rather chose the Spaniards company, whose moderation being proved for the space of a hundred years (if you will dispense with the arrogancy which is natural to that Nation) made their Authority and Empire appear more tolerable: they were therefore content, seeing they thought it impossible to obtain absolute liberty, to see the Spanish power lessened, as it was at the present, but not totally bea●…en down; so as inclining to neutrality between the two Crowns, their intention was so to counterpoise the Forces of both the Crowns, by the Italian Forces, as by the help of the French they might keep the Spaniards short, and by joining with the Spaniards they might not suffer the French to increase in power too immoderately; and so secure their own liberty by this equality, as they might neither be suppressed by the one, nor lorded over by the other; therefore the Venetians, though to boot with their having opposed the Austrian Forces in the Mantuan wars, they had also assisted the French in the Valtoline; yet for what concerned the remaining affairs of Italy in general, and the State of Milan in particular, they abhorred all novelty, and seemed more inclined to preserve, then to beat down the Spanish Empire; nor did the Pope (though he had always studied the Grandezza of France) seem to persevere in his accustomed course of favouring and promoting the French interest; but being content to see the Authority of France radicated in Italy, he was not pleased that the roots should spread further. The Duke of Savoy though he was necessitated to second the will and pleasure of the King of France, yet the manifest slavery which he foresaw he should be subject unto, if the French should be victorious in Italy, made him unwilling; for when the Spaniards should be driven out of the State of Milan, he should be deprived of the prop which their Arms and Power in Italy was to the Liberty and Sovereignty of his Dukedom, against the French Forces, wherewith he was in danger to be overcome, if the French should succeed in the State of Milan instead of the Spaniards, whereby his Dominions would be imprisoned by the French Forces, and he himself made absolutely subject to the arbitrement and will of the King of France, and of his Agents. The King of France was aware of this difficulty, and that therefore he could not safely build upon the Duke, though he should enter into the League; and on the contrary, having found by experience some years before, that though Pinarvolo and Susa, with other Towns of Piedmont, and almost whole Savoy was possessed by his Forces, yet it was impossible for him to relieve Cassalle so much as with one succour, without the Duke's permission; and that consequently he should find it much harder, the Duke not concurring with him, nor joining in the League, to assault or possess himself of the State of Milan, he resolved by present offers and future promises to win his good will, and to promise that he would make him absolute Lord of the State of Milan: these promises were the rather credited by the alliance the King had to him, and by his affection to his Sister, who being Daughter to a King, and Sister to two Queens, the King was desirous to confer regal dignity upon her, to the end, that not being inferior in degree to her Sisters, she might enjoy the title of Queen, which he professed she should be deservedly honoured with, when to the State of Milan, Piedmont and Savoy should be added; and as an earnest penny of his promises, he made the Duke General of his Forces and of those of the League, bargaining to allow him 12000 Crowns a month; not being aware, that as no force tames, no time consumes, nor any present reward counterpoizes the Liberty and Sovereignty of Principality; so no tie of alliance or blood can secure it. The Duke consenting to what he could not refuse entered into the League, and accepted of the General's place, which he was to exercise more according to his own concerns, then according to the interests of others; it was said, and the French did confirm it by their public complaints and exclamations, and the sequel (though somewhat ambiguously) did afterwards prove it; that in the interview that passed between the Duke of Savoy and the Infanta, when the Infanta came with his Galleys to Villa Franca, there passed secret negotiations, by which the Infanta endeavoured to draw the Duke over to the Spanish party, and to win him from the French; and that the Duke acquainted the Infanta with what necessity he had to keep fair with the Crown of France, lest his State might be overrun by the French Forces, who might enter by Pinarvolo; and that though he might be sure to be succoured in such a case by the King of Spain, as his Father had been, yet he was sure that Piedmont could not be the precincts, as it always had been, wherein the conflict between the Forces of the two Crowns should happen; and that though the Spaniards should be victorious, the Combat could not but be very prejudicial to his State, and ruinous if the success should prove otherwise; so as, he said, he was not to declare for the Spaniard, but upon urgent occasion: but that when occasion should serve, he would always make it known, how much he valued the preservation of the Spanish Empire in the State of Milan: others added more particular promises, that he would never consent to the taking of any Towns in that State; but that fight only in the Campagnia, he would carry things with respect to the affairs of that Empire; and finally, it was commonly believed, that a counter-league was tacitly agreed upon between them, for the common concernment. The Dukes of Modena and Parma, and the Lord of Mirandola, appeared contrary to the Popes and Duke of Savoy's inward maxims; who driven either by their dislike of the Spanish Empire, or alured by the great hopes they had in the King of France, or egged on by the desire of enlarging their Confines, wherein they thought themselves all of them too much straightened, or being moved by all these respects, they gave ear to the new confederacy: Those of Modena and Mirandola, though they entered into the Negotiation, it is not well known, whether they concluded and subscribed it, or no; for, as shall be said hereafter, they were diverted from it, before the publication: but the Duke of Parma, who was more incensed against the Spaniards, and incited by more resentments and greater hopes, did not only willingly and readily enter into the League, but amidst the so many troubles and damages which did result to him thereupon, showed such solid resolution and constancy therein, as it seemed not only strange but monstruous to all men: every one wondering that a young Prince should so totally abandon the footsteps so happily trod in by his forefathers, and should so eagerly embrace contrary Counsels. The occasions of this so great and constant alteration, if we will believe what he published by his Manifesto, were of themselves so slight and so inconsiderable, as they were generally held rather pretences, then real causes thereof: so as several discourses arose thereupon; the most universal was, that the Duke being young when his Father died, and his Uncle the Cardinal, who was his Guardian, dying not long after, grew to have haughty thoughts, and that being of opinion, that the obsequy and adherence to the Spaniards, which was held by his Grandfather, Father and Uncle, to be the chief foundation of Principality, was nothing else but mere slavery; and that the Sovereignty of Italian Princes, who adhered to the Crown of Spain, was mere subjection; that ●…e therefore aspired to more absolute liberty, for the arriving whereat he thought that the peace of Italy, and the present condition of affairs, was a great obstacle which made him prone to embrace novelties, and that he was fed with hopes by the French, that the Spanish Empire being laid low, he might arrive at more greatness, and acquire new Dominions; and it being conceived that so young a man could not be capable of such high conceptions; it was commonly held that Count Fabio Scotto, who was his Chamberline and favourite, one who was wholly inclined to the French, in whose service he had one of his Sons, and from whom it was thought he received a Pension, did kindle these thoughts and hopes in the young Prince: it was thought that this man fomented his Prince's inclination with several suggestions, and that he strove by several means to incense him against the Spaniards, and adhere unto the French; propounding unto him the continual servitude which he derived from the obsequies of his Grandfather and Father to the Crown of Spain; the meanness of his State and his low condition, whilst he should continue to do so; and on the contrary, the liberty, esteem and increase of fortune, which he assuredly would purchase by adhering to the Crown of France; also the condition of the present times, which concurred thereunto, did much foment such thoughts; for when this Prince began to interest himself in these affairs, fortune began to smile upon the King of S●…dens proceedings, and to ●…rown upon the house of Austria; and therefore he, either persuaded by others, or by himself, that the fortune and power of the King of France, who was the chief upholder of the Swedish Forces, being to be much advanced by the ruin of the house of Austria, it must needs be excellent Counsel, to abandon the falling fortune of that Crown, and to be one of the first that should adhere to the others increasing fortune. The Court of Spain had from the beginning discerned the sprightly genius of this Prince; and thinking by some show of resentment to make him return to the way of his predecessors obsequy and devotion, they made him stray the farther out of it; for when mention was sometimes made of this Prince in that Court, they would talk of his elder Brother, who being a natural fool, was declared incapable of succession; sometimes they took Don Octavio into consideration, another elder Brother of the Dukes, made legitimate, though a fool, and enabled to succeed in the Principality, when his Father, Duke Ranutio, had not, nor hoped not for, any lawful heirs: which things were brought upon the board rather to threaten the Duke with the doubt of succession, if he should persist in these novelties, then that there was any thought to put them in practice; and Duke Alexander, Grandfather to the present Duke, having done homage to King Philip the Second, when the Citadel of Piacenza was restored to him by the said Philip, and having been invested therewith, upon condition that he should keep a Governor there, in whom the Crown of Spain might confide, he thought that the King might have some pretence or colour to be judge in the controverted succession, and that he might see his sentence performed by force of Arms, when he should by the Duke's comportments be constrained to renew those things touching the succession, which should he persevere in his forefather's devotion, would be laid aside. This meddling with a part so sensible, and which could by no means endure to be handled, occasioned quite contrary effects to what was imagined; for the Conde Duca, who having framed such conceits forbore not upon occasion to speak of them openly; whereas he thought thereby to suppress the eager desires of this Prince, found afterwards that they served for bellows to make flame higher; for the Duke thinking that the Court of Spain meant, under these pretences, to make use of these ●…etters, grew so enraged; as any the least commotion he heard of in the State of Milan, much more the taking up of Arms by the Duke of Feria and by the Infanta moved him beyond measure, as if they had been undoubtedly prepared for his ruin; so as the fear of losing those possessions he had, being added to the hopes he had fancied unto himself of augmenting them by joining in League with the King of France, he began to raise men for his own defence, to munite his Forts, and to hold closer intelligence with the King of France, that he might the better secure himself against such threats; and raising his thoughts yet higher, being big with conceit of the liberty of Italy, he, like another Charles Emanuel, did so zealously covet the beating down of the Spanish Empire, as not only one, but many Charles Emanuels seemed in all men's opinions to be risen up in this young Prince; and his actions showed in the progress of time, that Count Fabio was not the Author of these sprightly counsels, but that they were the proper and natural conceptions formed in the Dukes own Idea. The Alienation of this Prince and of the Duke of Modena, though they were none of the greatest in Dominions nor in Forces, did notwithstanding discompose the affairs of Spain in Italy, and were of no small moment to the safety of the State of Milan; Commerce by Land being totally separated by their States, from between the Kingdom of Naples and the State of Milan, which was so necessary for the conveyance of Horse, which could not be carried by Sea without much inconvenience; in which case, the State and Havens of Genoa (which by reason of the good correspondency between the Crown of Spain and that Commonwealth, had formerly been a safe landing for the Spaniards) being now become doubtful (as shall hereafter be said) by reason of the bad satisfaction which many of the Genoese Citizens received from the Court of Spain, or not safe by reason of the French Fleets which were upon the Mediterranean; and the Valtoline being in the hands of the French; Italy and the State of Milan were subject to be invaded by their Armies: so as the affairs of Spain were subject to manifest danger, and strange events. The Spaniards therefore apprehending what might happen, strove to regain, at least, the Duke of Modena, who drew along with him the Lord of Mirandola, who depended much upon him; for if Modena should be wrought upon, Commerce with the Kingdom of Naples was sufficiently secured, since his State confined on the one side with the State of Bollognia, on the other with that of Crema; so as Horse (which are not usually denied passage by the Popes through Romagna) entering thereby into the Dukedom of Bollognia, and from thence into that of Modena, they may enter into the Territori●…s of Cremona, and from thence into the State of Milan, without touching upon Parma. Don Francisco di Melo, one of the chief of the Nobility of Portugal, descended from the noble house of Braganza, and consequently famous for birth, but more for worth and dexterity, and great abilities which he had in the concernments of Italy, where he had lived long with the title of Ambassador in extraordinary from the King of Spain, in the Commonwealth of Genoa, was returned now with title of Ambassador in extraordinary to the Princes of Italy; wherefore being thought a fit Instrument for such a business by Cardinal Albornoiz, he was sent to Modena and to Mirandola, where having trea●…ed successfully with both the Princes, he deviated the intelligence which both of them had contracted with the French: the Lord Mirandola was by agreement made with the King of France, to have received shortly a French Garrison into Mirandola; but Melo withdrew him from those treaties, and reduced him under the perpetual protection of the Crown of Spain; and he prevailed so much with the Duke of Modena, as foregoing also the treaty of League with France, which was already either concluded or near concluding, he made him join in League with the Crown of Spain; upon condition that he should forthwith send his Brother, Prince Reynaldo, who was afterwards Cardinal, to defend the State of Milan with a Brigade of Modeneses; and on the other side, delivered him possession of Correggio, which had been the reason why that Duke had been displeased with the Crown of Spain; he, moreover, promised him in the King's name many honours and dignities; upon which promise●… the Duke ere long went to Madrid, where he was honourably received, and made General of the Ocean, with a stipend of 24000 Crowns a year. The great Duke of Tuscany, either was not desired by the French to enter into the League, or being desired, refused; it was not to be feared that he would enter into new Counsels, were it either that, with the wisest, he did think them good for the common good; or were it for that being Son to a Sister of the present Emperor, he thought himself in honour interessed in what concerned the Austrian Family; which was the cause why in the late wars of Mantua and Montferrat, he had openly declared for the Austrians; and holding the State of Sienna, in Fee, from the Crown of Spain, upon obligation to succour the State of Milan with a certain number of men, he could not well join in Confederacy with other Princes against the said State; and therefore soon after the war was begun, upon the same Francisco di Melo's going to him, he entered into League with the Crown of Spain, which was after established by his Secretary Dominico Pandolfini, and sworn unto in defence of that State, and was bound to send the Brigade of Foot, which he was to have sent to the State of Sienna, and which was accordingly sent under the Marquis Camillo dal Monte; and, moreover, he of his mere will and pleasure, obliged himself to pay 4000 Swissers, and to send 500 Horse, which he soon did, under the Marquis Ricciardi; for which noble and generous action, the King made jovan Carlo, Brother to the said Duke, and who was afterwards Cardinal, Supreme General of all his Majesty's Fleets in the Mediterranean: the French therefore had no hopes of prevailing with that State. They thought they might build more safely upon the State of Genca, by reason of the displeasure which many of those Citizens at this time conceived from the Court of Spain; by means whereof they thought they might divert that Commonwealth from that good cor●…espondency which so many years had been held between her and the Crown of Spain, so happily. And that it may be known how this dissatisfaction happened, it will be necessary that repeating somewhat that hath already been touched, we make a particular discourse thereupon; the which may serve not so much to acquaint the present Age with what hath happened in these our times, as the future. The Commonwealth had held for an undoubted Maxim of State, that the King being concerned in that State, by reason of her negotiations with that Crown, should stand for ever well affected to the liberty thereof; And the King likewise, out of the same considerations, was of the same opinion, that the Commonwealth should always stand well affected to his Crown. From this conformity of opinion did that perfect and affectionate correspondency result, which made them never weary of assisting one another reciprocally; and a whole Age of experienced happiness being past, there was nothing done either by the Spaniards or Genoese, where●…n the dignity of that Crown, and the preservation of the Commonwealth's liberty was not jointly intended. The Genoese allowed the Kings of Spain to maintain a great number of Galleys in the Haven of Genoa, whereby those Kings kept their Dominions in Italy joined to their Kingdoms of Spain, which were so far divided both by Sea and Land. Passage was granted easily, at the request of that Crown, by the Genoese, through their Commonwealth; Those Kings made use of the Genoeses in their Affairs and Employments of greatest importance, trusting them with the supreme command of their Fleets at Sea, and of their Armies by Land; being enlivened by this nearness and affiance the Genoese, brought home all that by their industry and negotiation they had formerly gotten in several of the parts of the world, into the States and Dominions belonging to that Crown. And the richest and wealthiest of them, having employed their riches and fortunes in the service thereof, were both a great help to the Spaniards, and received much honour and advantage thereby. By these men's industry those Kings turned all the Indian merchandise into Gold, and they conveyed not only the Spaniards Gold but their own, and the like of all Europe, whither soever the occasions of that Crown required, as oft as the treasures of America came not time enough, or were not sufficient to supply them. And all things went successfully by reason of the credit and great correspondency which they had gotten in all the world by their real and punctual proceedings; a most happy Age, wherein nothing was contended for between so great a King and the Commonwealth, but reciprocal zeal and passion how to serve each other. The War made these late years by the Duke of Savoy, wherein he was assisted by France against the Commonwealth, added new and stricter ties to this so great an union; wherein the King having been very ready and zealous to defend and preserve the Commonwealth, she found she had not placed her hopes of preservation formerly in vain in the union of that Crown; for the Commonwealth finding herself abandoned in those necessities by all the Princes of Italy, nay by the Pope himself, not without apparent scandal, she found no Arms ready to fence herself against so great a Tempest but those of Spain; which coming, in both by Sea and Land to her assistance, the Commonwealth being assisted only by the Forces of Spain, was able so to withstand the Assaulters, as she had the better of the business; by all which successes, the King and all his friends might easily perceive that the joining of the French Forces to those of Savoy against the Commonwealth, was not only to resent the buying of Zuccharello, but to bond the Austrian greatness; and to begin the abasing thereof in the ruin of Genoa; and that likewise the fall of that Commonwealth was not affected by the Rebublicks and chief Princes of Italy, for any other end, save only that holding her to be too cordially united to the interests of that Crown, they thought they could not safely build upon her for those ends which they were intent upon; which were, to pull down the Spanish Grandezza, the preeminency whereof they could not see, and patiently suffer: So as the one's security, and the others greatness, which were apparently practised against, being joined to the reciprocal advantageous bonds of such an union, it seemed that no future chance could interrupt it. But the felicity of this world is not so secure, but that when it is come to the height, it declines; for the storm which troubled Genoa was not well over, when on the sudden, the so well grounded union was disturbed and endangered; it is hard to penetrate into the true and intrinsical cause of this change of this Scene. But the Spaniards thinking that they had merited exceeding much of the Genoese, by the assistance which they had given them, pretended mighty matters from them; which not being granted neither by the public, nor by the private persons, begot ill blood in them, and particularly in the Conde Duca; who was of a high spirit, one who naturally abhorred ancient customs, inclined to novelties, no ways desirous to give satisfaction to such Princes as were friends to the Crown, and (chiefly) not to the Genoese. Neglecting therefore that good correspondency which Charles the fifth, and Philip the second, and the third, had still endeavoured to preserve, he began on the sudden, and under colour of the emptiness of the King's Exchequer, to seiase upon their riches, which by reason of their greatness being become odious in that Court were also esteemed hurtful and prejudicial, as if they had been accumulated by wasting the King's Patrimony. Which conceits being promoted by the Conde Duca his authority, some books or libels concerning them were dispersed abroad in Madrid; which though they were confuted sufficiently, yet they were readily embraced by the other Spanish Agents. Whence very great inconvenience, loss, and dissatisfaction redounded to the Genoeses: And the first blows being made at private Citizens of Genoa, who would not consent to the injurious negotiations which were propounded to them by the Conde Duca; therefore what began with private men passed on to the public distaste; by reason of the former Wars of Genoa, some alterations had sometimes happened in that Court, to the prejudice of the Contract: But such as by reason of their slenderness and seldomness might well have been endured. And if the Kings, forced by some necessity, made any alterations, yet knowing how useful and necessary the maintaining of the Contract was, they avoided breaking it, and endeavoured to piece it up by making amends, some way or other, to the negotiators. So as the Contract was kept still on Foot, and the sharpness or bitterness of the losses suffered by the past alterations were abundantly salved by the assistance which was given in the subsequent Wars. But the War being ceased, this mischief in those Spanish Agents, against the Genoeses, began to be revived again, and renewed with such vehemency, as being continued beyond all measure or end, it necessarily brought the Genoeses even to the precincts of desperation: no gre●…t enterprise or action was resolved upon in that Court, or in the Spanish Dominions in Italy, where some design was not had upon the moneys of the Genoeses; the arming made in Naples against Provence by the Viceroy Montersi, was not only put together at first, and in a great part form by moneys taken from the Genoeses, but was recruited and re-assumed twice or thrice by the same moneys: this mischief began first by the Kings Decree published in the beginning of the year 1627., a year after the war of Genoa; by which the satisfaction and payments, which were formerly assigned to the Genoeses, in somuch Gold and Silver, which should be brought by the first Plate-ships from America into Spain, were altered; in lieu whereof so many yearly rents were assigned to them out of the King's Revenue, and out of impositions. The Conde Duca, and the other Spanish Agent esteemed it a great advantage to make use of those ready moneys which they had of the Genoeses upon new occasions: but as all novelties which are not introduced out of true but appearing reasons, bring forth often sad accidents; so was this resolution occasion of strange inconveniences, in prejudice to the contract which was so necessary for that Court; for the King by this Decree suffered much in his Credit and Reputation of contracting, which was formerly so highly valued: the negotiating Genoeses did likewise suffer not only in their own particular concernments, but generally in their Credit, which being formerly incredible with all Nations, began by this Court-novelty, and by this alteration of pay, to lessen. Foreign Nations suffered, which had trusted their moneys in the Banks of the Genoeses; to the end, that they might exchange them from place to place throughout all Europe, for the maintenance of the Spanish Armies and Fleets: a great contrivement which had been long happily experienced, and such as the Gold and Silver yearly brought in by the Plate-fleet, and the Annual Revenues of the Crown not being sufficient for it, did like a devouring whirlepool, always open, require indefinite ready moneys, at all times, and in all Regions; which could be had no where else, but from the Mine of the Genoeses Credit; all Merchants in all places suffered in their Commerce and exchange of Moneys; which is the only means to make use of ready moneys with least danger and expense in far-off Countries: the detaining these moneys in this Court occasioned all this inconvenience; just as when the chief Fountain is dried up, all the Rivulets which derive from thence do grow dry likewise, and the Grass is burnt up. By these unusual accidents the good correspondency between the Genoeses and this Crown began somewhat to slacken, advantage being the best nourishment to inclination, and prejudice the worst venom; but these novelties began soon to cease. For the Spaniards finding, at last, how necessary it was for so vast a machination to have Architects that were excellent at Traffic, who were born out by credit, and very cunning in the winding and turning of Moneys and merchandise; and finding that the Florentines, who in emulation or spite to the Genoeses, were brought in by them to the contract, were not able to undergo such a burden; and that therefore their Negotiations did not only not proceed so well as they had hoped, but that Trade was interrupted, to the great prejudice of the Crown, it behoved them to reduce it into the ancient channel, and, in a great part, to put it again into the hands of the Genoeses; and this resolution was the rather taken, for that the Spanish Officers found, that Negotiation by the Genoeses was not so very prejudicial to the King's purse, nor to the bettering of their own fortunes, as some of them had believed; for to boot that they found that the consideration money was not so excessive, as had been thought; and that all the mischief proceeded from the great expense which the passing of business through so many hands, and in so many places, brought with it, they afterwards, that they might make the Genoeses plunge themselves further into business and negotiation, and take upon them greater bargains, made the King invite them by Commendams, Titles and Rewards, more than the emolument which the businese did naturally bring with it; and though the interrupted negotiation began to grow better, yet many Staple Towns of Trade were wanting, and therein many of their Creditors for ready money, who instead of ready moneys which were due unto them at their Marts or Fairs, were forced to receive payment in credit given in far-off Countries: so as the affection of the Genoeses being moved by so much prejudice, made the Citizens grow somewhat testy; and on the other side, that Hob goblin which misguiding the Spaniard in point of profit in negotiation had troubled the current of business, did also continually vex their minds, by the noise of the Genoeses wealth, and did suggest thoughts into them of taking from them what they had gotten. They did not re-attempt their goods nor the payments of the contract, finding the great inconveniences which were occasioned by the last retentions; and which were more apprehended now, by how much it was more necessary to maintain the credit of the negotiating Genoese, which was not a little diminished by the late Decree; and for that they saw the urgent necessities of the Crown, reduced by that Decree into great straits: Leaving therefore the Negotiation untouched, they seized upon the yearly Rents of the Genoeses, which were in Naples, Spain, and in the State of Milan, and which were of great worth; a resolution which was ill resented and worse digested; for none being, almost, prejudiced under the name of Foreigners, but the Genoeses, against whom the King had no just pretence at all, the injustice did the more appear, for that the natural Subject's goods were not retained: this afforded occasion of several discourses; as, whether the King's Exchequer got more discredit, or advantage by it; whether the King's designs were more advanced, or more retarded thereby; whether it did fasten or slacken the devotion of the Genoeses towards the Crown: Contrary effects arising from the same cause which brings profit, and shows Penury, which is a help to the Royal Revenue, and darkens Majesty, captivates the goods, and alienates the affection; leaving it in doubt, whether there be any thing of Royalty or Monarchy in that Project, which is neither ordered by Justice, nor accompanied with Generosity; and because for justification of such a Decree, provision might be had for repairing the loss, they talked of assigning reparation to such as were grieved; but the restoring was not so ready nor equal to the damage undergone, as was the benefit of the second retention efficacious in behalf of the King's Exchequer, to make the Officers desirous to reiterate it to the prejudice of the same Genceses; the second decr●…e was therefore determined, which was the more felt, as the disease was more confirmed, and touched many in their livelihoods and families; which was stomached by many, and began to corrupt that confidence and trust which was formerly had of the punctuality of that Crown, touching the payment of the Revenues thereof, which were sold for ready moneys. Wherefore they bethought themselves of being more backwards in interessing themselves again with that Crown, and to listen more to novelties; and finding what great defalcations were made in their principles, by the retention of the Revenues, they began to fear, what happened, that the malady would be everlasting, and grow daily worse. They therefore studied as much as they could to rid their hands of the Revenues, by selling the Principal; that they might employ the price thereof in other States, in whose justice they might more safely confide; since such vast sums could not be employed in the Territories of Genoa. So as some thought of sending their moneys to Rome, some to Venice; but this was presently hindered by the same Spanish Officers. For being desirous to keep the Genoeses subject to the King's interests out of their own concernments, they by indirect means hindered the sale of their principal; which proved very prejudicial to the Genoeses; who not being able to receive their Revenues, nor to make use of their principal, were forced contrary to all right, to keep it subject to a continual diminution; and the retention continuing, many Citizens lost their greatest wealth, whereby they maintained their families. Wherefore the Commonwealth which heard continual complaints hereof, and evidently found how much the prejudice of private, persons which was insufferable, did redound to the public loss; was forced to complain thereof to the King, by Cesaro Durazzo, whom they sent Ambassador in extraordinary to him to that purpose: And he bringing back no satisfaction but in words, and faithful promises of making reparation for what loss had been suffered, and of desisting from being so in the future, which was not made good; for the retention continued, and the Citizens began again to resent yet more, and to grow cooler in their affections to that Crown. This ill disposition was yet more fomented, by but bad satisfaction which the Commonwealth itself received at the same time from the Officers of the Crown: Which beginning (as hath been said elsewhere) from the impunity of the Conspirators, which the same Officers with such eagerness pressed for, was resented with no little admiration and grief by the private Citizens, and as constantly denied by the Commonwealth. And as it was seen that this earnest pressing of the Spanish Officers arose from the immense desire they had to satisfy the Duke of Savoy's ardent desires, who was then a bitter Enemy to the Commonwealth, and the chief favourer of the Conspiracy; so did the Commonwealth think herself the more injured by that Crown; for that preferring the Duke of Savoy's reconciliation before the sincere and never interrupted friendship of the Commonwealth, it had concluded peace with the Duke of Savoy, whilst the differences between that Duke and the Commonwealth, were not yet well composed. To this was added the ardent desire of that Crown, that Monsieur Di Sabran, Resident for the King of France, should not be permitted to tarry in Genoa, which was interpreted by the Spaniards as a beginning of the alienation between the Commonwealth and the Crown; by which occurrences the King's Officers believing that the Genoese fell much off from the union, and good correspondency towards the King's Affairs; and fearing lest the wound should fester, which might occasion more mischief, they bethought themselves of a means, by which the generality of the Citizens should be enforced to be better inclined to the Crowns concernments then they held them to be; and more desirous to join with the Court Agents in their desires; which was an excepting some of the Citizens, who were held to be most affected to the Crown, from the retention of Revenues: thinking thereby to insinuate unto the rest that they might be the better able to get their rents, if they would appear partial to the King's interest. This caused great commotion amongst the Citizens, all of them detested it, as seeds of civil dissension sowed by the Spanish Agents amongst the Citizens. And the Commonwealth knowing how deeply this struck at the foundation of publich Concord, did at the first hearing very much resent it; thinking that the solid and well regulated Government of the Commonwealth might be thereby much disordered; since those that were excepted might mind more their private than the public good. And those that were excepted were as much displeased thereat as were the rest; who thinking themselves to be more noted then favoured by that exception, seemed particularly offended. The Commonwealth therefore, that she might countermine and render this decree vain, which was so pernicious for her, ordered that whatsoever rents should be paid to those that were excepted should be shared equally by all that were concerned in the like rents. So the Commonwealth making use of her Native Liberty, would make Italy see, and all Christendom, how far she undervalved any Interest in respect of the liberty, The proceedings of the Marquis Sancta Croce, General of her Spanish Fleets at Sea, did likewise much irritate all the Genoeses; who though in respect of what he had done for the Commonwealth, when he was made by the King Captain General of the Forces that were sent to relieve her, he had received all the satisfaction both of honour and gratitude that she could give him; yet the seeds of bad satisfaction being already sowed (as hath been said) by the Conde Duca, to the prejudice of the Genoeses interests; Sancta Groce who was one that did chiefly depend upon the authority of the Conde Duca, was of all others most solicitous and most accurate in seconding his Genius, greedily embraced the occasion which presented itself, of sharing in his resentments. For being in Messiina, with the Galleys and Standard royal, when the Commonwealth's Galleys came thither with her Standard, he intended some innovation, in prejudice to the precedency which was usually given there to her Standard; which Luca justiniano's, the Commonwealth's General, hearing, though he had much ado to believe it, yet he took notice thereof, complained much, and endeavoured to remove him from the thought thereof, both by affectionate entreaties, and by evident reasons alleged on the Commonwealth's behalf. But in vain, for Sancta Croce was resolute in his intention; so as justiniano's seeing he could do no good upon him, that he might avoid further inconveniences, resolved to be gone; and bringing news to Genoa of Sancta Croce's comportments, he inceased resentment generally in the minds of all the Citizens, who were very much offended with the Spanish Officers for the continual injuries which they received from them: Wherefore the Commonwealth took from him all the privileges which she had granted him for his former services. The Commonwealth was also very sensible of another sad accident, which happened not long after, almost within sight of the City. Ten Holland ships came to Genoa fraught with merchandise, and victuals, which belonged partly to the public Granary of Genoa, partly to the private Genoeses, and partly to foreign Merchants who resided in Genoa. Don Melchiore di Borgia, General of the Neapolitan Galleys, was in the Haven of Vai near Savona; and hearing of these ships, put to Sea, and assaulted them, and took them, and carried them away to Naples, with their lading as lawful prize; alleging for his defence, that being Holland ships, who were Enemies to the King, he might lawfully take them. The Commonwealth held herself offended by this action, several ways; chiefly, for the violation of the jurisdiction of her See; pretending, as undoubtedly she might, that the jurisdiction of the whole Ligustick Sea did anciently belong to her, she having won it with her own Fleets, having anciently defended it from the Saracens; which pretention is approved by ancient Cesarean privileges, and by the authority of the most famous ancient Writers and Civilians. Moreover, she held herself injured by the interruption of commerce, and concourse of Foreign Ships in her Havens, for wrong done to the public Store houses of the City and of the Commonwealth; for the loss that redounded to private Citizens and to Foreigners, who resided in the City upon account of business, and to the Custom-house; and finally, for the violation of the Laws of Hospitality: whilst the King's Captains abusing the reception which is court●…ously given in the Havens of the Commonwealth to the King's Ships, they rewarded the courtesy with injury and go out of their Havens where they are friendly received, secured, and furnished with all necessaries to injure, the vessels of the Commonwealth's confederates; who frequenting the Haven of Genoa, come under assurance of public faith, and of the Commonwealth's protection, to supply the City with victuals, and to maintain Commerce, which is one of the chief foundation of the City and State of Genoa. And really the Ships that were in Vai were rig'd out by the moneys of the Genoeses, which was detained in the Kingdom of Naples; and was not only received and provided of all refreshments in the Ligustick Sea. So as the Commonwealth seeing that the Captains of those Ships abused such civility, and had turned her high favours not only to the abuse of her friends, but of herself, had occasion to complain of this action, which might justly be esteemed hostile; for indeed, what was it but debarring of free Commerce between Foreigners and the City? What, but to pretend to besiege the City by Sea? To the end that those vessels might not enter the City, which were by her favour permitted to enter; So as after fitting complaints made both in public and private, there were three Ambassadors chosen. The first was sent to Spain, to complain of the injury received from Don Melchior di Borgia in the Ligustick Sea, and to demand satisfaction: This was Lucca Iustinian●…, who being descended from a Father who had been long since Doge, not long after his return from this Embassy, was with much applause chosen also Doge, as his Father had been before him. Another was sent to France, to complain of the taking of many Vessels of Genoa, which were taken by the French, who coming out of the French Seas with Letters of Mart granted by the King, committed Piracy upon the Mediterranean: This was jovannai Baptista Saluzz●…, one who had been long employed in Embassies for the Commonwealth. The third, with title only of a Gentleman of Genoa, was jacomo Negrone di Melchiore, a young man, but of great hopes, who was sent to the United Provinces of Holland, to complain of what had been done in the Ligustick Sea, of the common prejudice done to their Vessels, and to the Merchandise intended for Genoa, to acquaint them how it was resented by the Genoese, and with the remedy which was endeavoured and expected from the Court of Spain, to the end that those Provinces might not have the Navigations of their Vessels disturbed nor interrupted afterwards. The two last of these Embassies were ill interpreted by the Spaniards, as esteemed to be sent for the holding of closer intelligence with the King of France, and with the United Provinces. This jealousy of the Court of Spain was augmented by another provision which it behoved the Commonwealth to make, touching the unloading and passage which was to be granted to the Subjects of Foreign Princes: For formerly, when for almost a whole Age the Spaniards had met with no competition in Italy from the French, neither by Sea nor Land, the concession or inhibiting of landing or passage could cause no inconvenience; and therefore it being thought of little or no concernment to the main Affairs, the arbitrement of concession or denial was in the two Colleges; but now, when almost the whole state of Affairs was altered in Italy; by the French Forces, which kept frequently in Piedmont and Lombardy, and by the shipping of the same Crown, which entered the Mediterranean not long after, (as shall be said hereafter) it became the Commonwealth to reflect more upon the importance thereof then she had done formerly; wherefore, as things of greater concernment, it was thought fit that they should be resolved by the same Colleges, but by the intervening of the lesser College, according to the public Laws, which referred the dangerous affair of such accidents to the said College. The result of this new deliberation was, That concession being to be carried by the most Votes, the Spaniards thought it would be a harder business to be decided, by reason of the times, wherein they thought the Genoeses had slackened their studying the King's good, many of the Genoeses complaining, and, as being greatly concerned by the retention of their Rents, exclaiming, that it was an unworthy and unjust thing, that the Spaniards should purchase the conveniency of passage from the Swissers for great sums of money, and other honourable terms, and that the Genoeses, receiving no recompense, should moreover be deprived of their rents, which was the fortune wherewith they maintained their Houses and Families; and which not being given gratis, but bought with ready moneys, was due unto them by all Laws both Humane and Divine: And that, moreover, the public dignity was contemned, and their Hospitalities were thereby violated. The King not approving of what Borgia had done, and being desirous in some sort to satisfy the Genoeses complaints, which were pressed home by their Ambassador justiniano's; did at last order by decree, that their merchandise and vessels which were taken should be restored; and as the ready execution would have generally much quieted men's minds, so the difficulties put therein by the Spanish Agents in Italy did exasperate them, and made the proviso unsatisfactory. But on the other side, the Spaniards did much resent the Commonwealth's resolution; and not being able to endure that the free concession of landing, unloading, and passage formerly granted unto those of their Nation, should be now any ways controverted; they thought that the favour their King had shown in the last War to the Commonwealth, should be preferred before any motive which should have made the Commonwealth put on such a resolution. The Court of Spain had much ado to believe that so great a conspiracy against the Commonwealth, and the great losses suffered by that War, should proceed only from the Duke of Savoy's anger concerning Zuccharello, but rather for that the Commonwealth, contrary to the ends and interests of all the Italian Princes, would constantly maintain union with the Crown of Spain: so as the assistance given by Spain upon that occasion to the Commonwealth, (to boot that it was not gratis, nor at the King's expense, as those which were subministred for the protection of Montferrat; but paid for by the moneys of the Genoeses) was only due to the Commonwealth from the King by the Laws of gratitude and good correspondency, but requisite for the safety of the King's Affairs in Italy; which would have run much hazard by the loss of the Commonwealth. But howsoever, who knows not how far the merit of benefits received may be canceled, and the memoy of them quite forgot, by loading those that received them with wrongs and injuries? And yet the Commonwealth minding more the substance of Affairs, than Accidents which may happen, showed plainly to the whole world, and to the King and Court of Spain, in the ruptures which happened afterwards, how considerately she proceeded in her actions. For the Genoeses being amidst these Commotions, the French thought they might prevail much with the Commonwealth; and thinking that if they could draw her over to their side, they should have as good as effected their business; they endeavoured to make her declare for them, as they had done the like with many other Princes of Italy. But the Commonwealth which would never be brought to declare for Spain, was far from doing so; but carried herself so discreetly in her actions, as neither of the Crowns had reason to complain of her: So as she was equally pleasing to them both; and her carriage in the disputes which succeeded afterwards between the Forces of both the Crowns, was well received. Wherein she won so much credit with the French, and of Spain's Admiral, being then in the Haven of Genoa, with the Standard royal, and with other Galleys, the Admiral of France, came at the same time into the same Haven, with a greater number of Galleys and better provided for fight; and the conflict might have proved dangerous to the Spaniards, had not the Common wealth interposed herself: So that as if both of them had put their differences to be decided by her, they stayed there quietly with incredible respect, and forbearing all the while of their abode there. And both their Admiral's coming on land walked up and down the City without any quarrelling; and that seemed to happen at this time in the Haven City of Genoa, which happened in Noah's Ark, where beasts which were at enmity with one another, laying aside all their rancour, lived peaceably together. The like happened not long after in Savona, whereinto eleven Neapolitan Galleys being entered, which had landed some Soldiers at Finale, they were overtaken by thirteen French Galleys, and after them came a great many French Frigates, not far from Savona; which assuredly would have made themselves masters of the Neapolitan Galleys, had not john Baptista Baliano, who was then Governor of Savona, willed the French General to forbear all Hostility, which the French were ready to have used to the Enemy: So as the King of Spain and his Agents might perceive, how differently the Commonwealth (though so many several ways injured by his Agents) had carried herself, from what some Italian Princes had done, who were near allied to the Austrian blood, and who had received great honours and favours from the King: One whereof (as shall be said in its due place) being hardly desired to do so by the French, declared absolutely for Neutrality; and the other joined with the French, and went with them to assault Milan. These were the practices of the King of France, wrought in Italy by his Agents; and these were the fruits thereof; but yet that King forbore not to attempt that by Arms which he could but weakly compass by negotiation; not having drawn any others over to side with him, but the Dukes of Savoy and Parma, the latter more than willingly, the other much enforced; when War was openly declared, he raised an Army of 2000 Horse, and 12000 Foot in Dolpheny, and sent it into Piedmont under Marshal Cricky; to the end that joining with the Forces of the Dukes of Savoy and Parma, they might begin to fall upon the State of Milan: Which being then unprovided of men, many whereof were employed in the Valtoline against Rohan, was but in bad condition to defend itself. The Duke of Savoy was to concur in this enterprise with 2000 Horse, and with about 10000 Foot, and the Duke of Parma, with 7000 Foot and 1000 Horse; which made in all 5000 Horse, and above 25000 Foot, a formidable Army for the State of Milan, though it had been sufficiently provided of Soldiers, much more now when it wanted them so much. Cricky appeared about the end of August, in the year 1635. with Title of Lieutenant to the Duke of Savoy, who was chosen (as hath been said) Captain General of the League, and of the King of France his Forces in Italy; and having thrown a bridge over the Sesia, he presently took lafoy Villata, together with the Fort which the Spaniards had built there; and thought he lay idle there some days, expecting the Colleagues, yet he kept the Enemy in suspense, they not knowing where this so great a preparation would first fall: Doubtlessly they minded most to assault that part which the Milanese call beyond the Po, in which, to boot with the Cities of Alessandria and Tortona, the Town of Valenza is situated, upon the right hand of the Po, just over against la Lomellina; which though it were but badly defensible, either by situation or art, was notwithstanding of great consequence in respect of the Po, which dividing this part from the rest of the State, and there being no other Town upon the whole extent of her banks, fit for the casting over of a bridge; therefore ●…as when it was held by the Spaniards, it kept both parts of the State) joined together by that bridge; so being lost, and the two parts disjoined, the one part could not well assist the other; it was therefore to be feared, that if Valenza should be lost, all that part of the State would soon be taken; and that the other part being thereby weakened, and cut off from the Sea, they should be totally debarred all Maritime succour; so as this being added to the loss of the Valtoline, it was clearly seen how great a loss to the State of Milan the taking of Valenza would prove: the inconvenience grew the greater, for that the Duke of Parma being alienated, the accommodation which (that part being lost) his territories could give for bringing relief by Sea, was also lost; so as it was probable that Valenza would be the first place that the enemy would fall upon; and therefore the Cardinal who was the Governor, and the other Office●…s, were troubled how to withstand this so imminent danger, their forces being weakened, and their Soldiers exhausted; especially since those few that were left to defend the State were sent for a little before to keep Flanders from being assaulted by the French, and Hollanders; to the slenderness of the forces was added the weakness of government; the Cardinal, who was Governor, was by profession a Churchman, and little, or not at all, versed in what belonged to war; though Don Carlo Colonna, a Commander long trained up in the wars of Flanders, by orders from the King, commanded in chief the forces of the State; but Marquis Spinola, who was General of the Horse, and of a susperior quality, quitting his own command upon this occasion, as not enduring to be commanded by him, chose to serve as a private Volunteer; the other Captains, though they did not openly refuse to serve, yet did it but unwillingly; so as the disagreement, and disaffection of the Commanders, being added to the weakness of the forces, made the defence dangerous; the danger was yet great, for fear lest the Duke of Rohan, a Commander of known fame, might fall with his men from the Valtoline into some other part of the State, and might so divert those few forces, which being all joined together were not sufficient to defend one part: or that joining with others he might make the assault the sorer; amidst these dangers, the Duke of Parma, who had never been provoked by any hostile act, stuck not to be the first that entered armed into the State of Milan, in hostile manner, with seven thousand Foot, and one thousand Horse, all very well appointed, about the beginning of September; he was not above twenty four years old; but being sprightly, and building rather upon certainties than hopes, he at first entered the territories of Tortona, and crossing over, those of Allessandriae thought to join with the Marshal, who was in the Villata, and with the Duke of Savoy, who expected his speedy joining with his Piemontese in this enterprise; and not being well entered into the State of Milan, he encountered twenty five thousand Foot, divided into two bodies, at Ponte Carone; the one Spaniards, led on by Don Gasparod ' Azevedo; the other Neapolitans, conducted by Philippo Spinola, sent from Naples by the Viceroy Monterei, and landed but a little before in the Seas of Genoa. Azevedo marched foremost, who not tarrying for Spinola, who followed half a days matched behind, he fought the Duke; and being at the first shot in the head with a Musket he fell down dead; wherefore the Spaniards, though for a while they resisted valiantly, yet being exceeded in numbers, they were routed, and put to flight, the Duke hoping hereby for greater things; and being glad that he had begun so fortunately, went more courageously forwards; but he had lost many of his men, part whereof were slain in the fight, part disbanded in the march; he found the Marshal at Piovera, who was come thither with his men, to guide him, and secure him in his march; and turning with him back, he encamped before Valenza; where assigning the lower bank to the Duke for his quarters, and the upper bank to the Marquis Villeroy, who had some French Regiments with him, he himself kept with his men upon a hill behind the Town; which being blocked up on all sides, could receive no succour from any part, but only by a bridge of Boats which was thrown over the Po; the Town was not thought able to hold out longer than six days, either by those that were within, or those that were without, and those of the Spanish Army were so full of this opinion, as they cared not to defend it, thinking it better to quit it, and spare those few Captains, and Soldiers lives, in this so great scarcity of men, which if they should tarry to defend it, must necessarily be lost; so as they were much astonished and confused, not knowing whether they should adventure the lives of the Defendants, not to lose the Town, or (not to lose the Defendants) abandon a place of such importance; to this was added, that there being none to command in Chief there, but only he who was trusted with it in time of peace, and whom they that were to enter would not obey, it behoved to send one of better quality and experience thither; Marquis Spinola, one upon whom the eyes of all men were bend, though come thither as a Volunteer before the Marshal went from Villata, had begun to make some fortifications; but would not take the place upon him, it being far inferior to the place of General of the Horse which he must then lay aside; and it was refused by all others, fearing lest they might lose either their lives or honours there, or peradventure both; so as they inclined rather to spare their men, then to defend the Town, which they held as good as lost already; it happened that when the Marshal went from Villata to meet the Duke of Parma, the Spaniard observed that he left Valenza behind him, and took the way towards Allessandria, and afterwards, towards Tortona; so as they imagined he would first go to the taking of some one of those Cities; wherefore Marquis Spinola went with some few Soldiers into Allessandria (where General Colonna was, with the gross of his men) and offered himself ready to defend either that Town or Tortona, if either of them should be assaulted by the enemy; but when he saw the Marshal return from Piovera, and go, together with the Duke, to before Valenza, he hasted thither, with Colonna, and the men which were with him; and being come into the Town he found it provided of an excellent Commander, the Marquis of Celada, a Spaniard nobly born; whom being come a little before from Spain, and seeing that they were likely to abandon Valenza, could not suffer such an amazement, and therewith such a prejudice to the affairs of the Crown, and so great a lessening of the honour of Spain; he therefore offered to take upon him the defence of that Town, and to sacrifice himself and his fortune in so dangerous a business, for the public honour, and safety; who being a Gentleman experienced in Arms, and sent from the Court, with title of General of the Horse of an Army, which by the King's order and expense was to be raised in Alsatia, his offer was accepted, and much commended by the Governor of Milan; the singular example of so generous magnanimity encouraged many and filled them with generous emulations; so as not able to stand spectators of the loss of that Town to the loss of their reputation, they resolved to follow him; he entered Valenza two days before Colonna and Spinola came thither, from Allessandria, with men, artillery, munition and victuals; Spinola took upon him the already begun defence the more willingly, now that he saw the place commanded by so gallant a person, whom he had very well known in the Wars of Germany; and not refusing to serve under him, the generous Spaniards would not exercise command over him, but left the titular, or seeming government, to Martin Galeno, who was the Governor before, in whose name all things were done; and they two, Celada and Spinola, jointly and unanimously, did with much care and vigilancy mind the defence of the besieged Town; and seeing it provided of all things necessary (for new provisions were daily brought in by the bridge) they fell to fortify it; but the Town being environed only with an old ruinous wall, they first began to perfect the work which Spinola had begun, which was a great strong Trench; which being Flanked with eight bulwarks, begirt the Town at a competent distance, on the outside; by which work, which was handsomely begun, and perfected, they hoped to keep the enemy from the wall, as long as possibly they could; and having time and convenience, through Cricky's negligence, to finish the work, they munited it with many men; and for the better defence, they, besides the Bulwarks, made certain low Redoubts in the ditch, which they call Capponiere, by a word taken from Capon's pens, which they are like; to these Capponiere some slingers were sent by a covered way from the bulwarks, who kept the enemy at such a distance, as he could not come near the wall, before he was master of the Capponiere; the taking whereof, as it was very hard, they being under the shelter of the Cannon, and musket of the Bulwarks which were on their backs; so were they easy to be recovered, in case they were lost; for those that take them being played upon by the same Cannon, and Muskets which did first defend them, they are forced either to abandon their purchase immediately with much loss of blood, first shed in the taking of them, and afterwards in abandoning them; which being abandoned are easily retaken by the said Slingers, through the same covered ways, who when they can make no longer defence, got with safety into the bulwarks; the loss therefore succeeding the defence, and the defence the loss, provision was had for the long preservation and safety of the chief Bulwark, by which the place was secured; a moderen invention, the which the slighter it seemed to be, proved the more efficacious; for it is apt to weary the fiercest assaults that can be given to Bulwarks; nor did they employ their time only in fortifying and muniting, after Celada and Spinola were come, but in sallying out also, and in assaults; for finding that the Duke of Parma's quarters were not yet perfectly fortified, and hearing that his numbers were much diminished by the running away of many of his men, they thought they might easily make themselves Masters thereof by assaulting them early in the morning, whilst the Soldiers were asleep; but the event answered not expectation; for as they sallied out, upon break of day, towards the Duke's quarters, they were driven back to within their own walls, and fortifications, with loss of men, and reputation; Richardo Auvoyadro, General of the Duke's Horse, a stout and well experienced Flanders Soldier, whilst he was diligently looking to affairs espied the enemy, and giving an Alarm immediately, went out himself unarmed, as he was, on horseback, with only fourteen other horse which he found ready, and in order, and encountered the enemy: and falling upon a squadron of Carabines, which were advanced before the rest, he a●…ter a sleight Skirmish beat them back, and afforded time this mean while for the rest to arm, and put themselves in order to defend their quarters; which the enemy being aware off, and fearing they should fail of their hopes, they retreated to within their works, in great confusion, leaving some of their men dead behind them, and amongst which Don jovan di Chiavari, nephew to Cardinal Albornizi; whose death was recompensed with the like of Avogadro; who after having repulsed the Carabines, being transported with the success, advanced forward, and going to assault some Curassiers, was slain by a Musker shot, to the Duke's great grief; who confided much in his Council, valour and experience; Valenza being fortified, and 5000 good foot being left there, Colonna went out with only 800 Horse, and retreated to Pieve del Cairo, a Town beyond the Po, in the ●…omellina, six miles from Valenza, expecting more men, which were to come from several parts; and in the interim was a Convoy to the Provisions which were continually sent; and this he did, lest it might be taken by stolen assaults, which would have been prejudicial to the relieving of Valenza; wherein many valiant and experienced Commanders tarried, the very flower of the Spaniards, besides Marquis Spinola; so as by the confidence that was had of them, by the Works and Fortifications which were continually made, and by the continued assistance that Don Carlo Colonna, who kept in the Lomellina, gave them, the condition of the Town seemed to be somewhat bettered: This confidence grew greater, for that the besiegers were found not to proceed with such vigour and diligence as they ought to have done. The Duke of Parma, who being of a fiery spirit, and desirous to bring the business to a good and speedy end, thought every least delay a loss of time; nor could he endure that the business, which of its self was like to be short and sure, should be prolonged, or any ways doubted, by giving the enemy opportunity to fortify; wherefore he continually solicited the Marshal, that he would begin the Trenches, prepare the Batteries, and do all things which might make for the speedy taking of the Town: but the Marshal continuing his carelessness, lay still idle, and as if seized on by a fatal dull drousiness, seemed as if he had left thinking of the business; and minding hunting more than warlike actions, he did nothing for more than twelve days, but go daily to the Forest to hunt wild Beasts; and past his time in other delights and entertainments, to the wonder and amazement of all men, nay, even of the enemy, who often from their quarters saw him go a hunting; he professed he would not meddle with the business before the Duke of Savoy, who was General, should come into the Camp with such Forces as, by the Articles of the League, he was bound to do; and so much did all men wonder at this his manner of proceeding, and at these his failings, as not knowing whereunto else to refer it, it was almost generally suspected that he was bribed thereunto by the Spaniards; as if not knowing what else to do in this perplexity of affairs, they had blunted the enemy's steel with their gold: which the Duke of Parma suspecting, he for very anger bit his lips and his fingers ends; but at last, when the Duke of Savoy's men appeared under Marshal Villa, who were not, both Horse and Foot, above 5000 fight men; and when not many day●… after the Duke himself appeared, they consulted upon the manner how they should go to work; which having resolved upon in three days, and all requisite provisions and orders being taken, the Duke left the Marquis Villa to command his men, and returned himself to Vercelli. The Duke's men were quartered in the Lomellina, a little above Valenza, upon the banks of Po, where there is an Island, by which two Bridges being thrown over, one on either side of the Island, conveniency of Commerce was afforded between the Duke of Savoy's quarter and that of the Marshals, which was on the other side the Po, beneath Vicenza, and Parma's quarter which, was near at hand; who having lost many men, some whereof were run away, and some ready to run; and he fearing another assault, he desired to be recruited by Cricky; the Marshal being weary of his so many press to expedite the business, was very slow in granting him any recruits; the chief reason why Marquis Villa took up his quarter in the Lomellina, was to keep the Town from being relieved by that way; so as being straightened and environed on that side of the Po by Parma and the French, and blocked upon this side from receiving any relief from the State of Milan, the Town might be brought to surrender the sooner; and that he might the better do this, he sent some Soldiers by night to assault the Fort which guarded the head of the Bridge; and sent some others afterwards, to the end, that whilst those within the Fort were busy in defending themselves against the assaulters, they might fire the boats which upheld the Bridge, as they did; and after a fierce skirmish the Halfmoon being taken, which gua●…ded the Bridge of the Fort, the assailants entered, hoping to take the Fort itself quickly, when the use of the Bridge being cut off by firing of the Boats, new men could not come from Valenza to defend it; but many came out from Valenza, who quenched the fire, and defended the Bridge, and who also recovered the Halfmoon that was lost, forcing the assailants to retreat; but that which the Piedmontese could not effect, was done the next night by the River, which swollen so high as it broke the Bridge, and disordered the Boats; which Villa being aware of he sent a greater number to reassume the assault, who for a while were kept off by the Cannon and Muskets which played upon them from the Town; but at last they took the Fort, though they were held play, till the Garrison, by means of the Boats which were yet fastened to the bank, got off with the loss of about 200 men, whereof some were drowned whilst they sought to save themselves from the enemy; the rest being carried down the River in two Boats; the one whereof got safe to land, the other being driven upon the shore in the Parma quarters, were at first shot at, but afterward, upon yielding themselves, were taken Prisoners. This accident did much trouble the Spanish Camp, which being weak for want of men thought itself not safe in Pieve, whither, as hath been said, it had retreated, when it came out of Valenza; wherefore Colonna, calling a Council of War, asked their opinion touching the urgency of the present condition; the greater and better part were for retiring from those quarters; thinking it the better course to preserve their men, then to tarry in Valenza, which not being to be relieved when the Bridge was b●…oken, would assuredly be assaulted by Villa, who, being a wise Commander, had found the weakness of their men and quarters. Colonna inclined to this opinion, who to this purpose had sent some to find where they might quarter with most safety thereabouts: but Frederick Imperiale, Son to the Marquis of Oira, Nephew by the Sister's side to the late Marquis Spinola, an approved Soldier, and trained up under his Uncle in the wars of Flanders, was of another mind; and with him did Pietro d' Aro join, who was Lieutenant of the Horse; their reasons were, that they were to keep that station, were it only not to show their fear and weakness to the enemy, and not to make the defendants despair of succour by their removal; that it was not probable that Villa, who was a no less wise than valiant Commander, being bound to keep the Town from being relieved, would quit his station to hazard an unsafe enterprise; that the place was capable of Fortification, and that it could not be long ere new Forces would come from the State of Milan, who were ready to march, and who when they should be come, the besieged would cease to fear any longer. This opinion was approved by all, and was successful in the sequel; for that very night there came thither a Brigade of Lombard's, speedily raised at his own charge, by Cardinal Trivultio, in the name of his Son the Prince, and brought unto the Camp by Count Carlo Marliani, consisting for the most part of Soldiers that had fled from the Duke of Parma, whilst going out of the Territories of Piacenza, he went to join with the French Camp, and which were incited by the Cardinal's authority, and by his large pay; they were a great help to the condition of affairs, in this so great scarcity of men, and when things were tottering, having not only weakened the Duke's Forces, but strengthened the Spanish Camp; so as Colonna, who together with the remainder of his men, Valenza being well garrisoned, could not keep the field, nor look the enemy in the face, but was likely to have abandoned his station; was able by the coming of this Brigade to make his station good, to face his enemy, to maintain the affairs of the Town in reputation, to keep the enemy from foraging, to scour the Country to the prejudice of the enemy, and to attempt somewhat upon the Towns thereabouts, particularly against Sartiranno. Don Martino of Arragon came thither also not long after, with some Companies of his Brigade which were quartered in Novara; and some few days after there came two other Brigades thither from Naples, raised by the Viceroy Monterei, as soon as he heard that the State of Milan was assaulted; the one consisted of 1200 Foot, conducted by Don Carlo della Gatta, the other by Lucio Boccapianola, wherein were 1600 men; so as the Camp was much reinforced by the coming of these men; but though these Forces were sufficient for the safety of the Camp, and for the keeping of the Field; yet did they not at all serve for the defence or relief of the Town, which was severed from the River, and enclosed by the enemy on both sides, who were very well fortified; and which Town was already begun to be battered, and assaulted: the chief Battery was placed by the Covent of the Capuchins, situated at the foot of a Hill, behind Valenza, which by reason of the nearness and height of situation did absolutely command it; the others were disposed of lower in fit places; but though they all played continually, yet did they but little harm, not playing all upon one place, but sometimes on one place, sometimes on another, according as they were leveled, to the no little wonder of the defendants, who laughed at such Batteries; and the assailants seeing how little good they did thereby, began to turn their Batteries upon the houses; but were it either the fault of the Cannoneers, or the ignorance or treachery of those that ordered the Batteries, they got no more advantage thereby; for the bullets flew so high, as, for the most part, they either fell into the River, without touching the houses, or upon the opposite bank of the Lomellina; so as they only beat down one Gate, and the tops of two neighbouring Towers, which were soon mended by the defendants diligence. The Duke of Parma was impa●…ient to see this, finding thereby the miscarriage of the enterprise, foreseeing the ruin of his so high hopes, and the ensuing of the like to his own Territories; to this was added, that Cricky who did not much mind the Siege, was very negligent in the Government, and in the Discipline of the Camp; so as his men were likewise much lessened by running away: he was therefore forced to send for 2000 of the Militia of Montferrat, till he might receive new recruits from France; and the Duke being in greater want of men than the Marshal, (for his men ran so fast away, that of 1000 Horse which he brought with him from Parma, there remained but 200, and of the 7000 Foot, less than 3000;) nor knowing from whence to get any more, he lay idle in his quarters; and there being no good correspondency held between him and the Marshal, he could not expect any assistance from him; and though the Duke's displeasure appeared to be somewhat mitigated by the coming of a Gentlemen, who was sent to the Camp by Cardinal Richlieu, to keep the Duke steadfast to the League, and to chide the Marshal for his proceedings, as well in carrying on the Siege, as in his behaviour to the Duke; and to wish him in the King's name that he should hereafter treat the Duke with all honour and satisfaction; yet these reprehensions being thought to proceed from some complaints made to the Court by the Duke, they caused no good effects inwardly; and were so far from sweetening their distastes, as they did rather exasperate the malignancy which they had conceived one against another; and yet the Duke, continuing constant to the League, did not only not repent what he had done, but notwithstanding so many distastes and misfortunes, professed more constancy still in his resolutions to Monsignior Gorio Pannolini, Vice-legate of Bolognia, who was sent unto him by the Pope, who being much pressed by the continual complaints of the Spanish Agents, had sent him to admonish the Duke seriously, and to wish him that he would retire to his own Dominions, and not persevere in the League any longer, to the so great perturbance of Italy, and of the public peace. The Pope, all the while that the Duke appeared so highly distasted with the Court of Spain, that he prepared for Arms, that he took Commanders and Soldiers into pay, with manifest appearance of making war with Spain; never cared to suppress so great a commotion, nor to sprinkle a little water upon so great a flame; nor did the event of this Negotiation deceive the judgement which was made thereof; for when the Vice legate was come unto the Camp, and had delivered his Embassy to the Duke; the Duke did not only not at all value it, but acquainted the Marshal with it; wherewith the Marshal thinking himself injured, he complained bitterly to the Vice-legate, that the Pope should use his authority to divert the King's Colleagues, and to withdraw them from siding with his King: at the making of which complaints the Duke being present, he seemed also to be displeased with the Vice-legate; so as the Vice-legate returned with little satisfaction, and less fruit of his Negotiation, to Bologina; and the Pope not any ways resenting this success, nor having at any time after pressed the Duke to desist from this enterprise, he did not only not appease the anger of the Spaniards, but did the more confirm the general jealousies which were conceived at these proceedings: it being unlikely, that he who, when he might, cared not to keep his Vassal from beginning such a business, should endeavour to withdraw him from it, when he was deeply engaged therein. Now to reassume the Siege of Valenza. New recruits came daily to the Marshal from France; so as the Camp being much increased, when they saw they did no good by their batteries, they fell to assault the Trenches, about which, as also about the Capponiere, much labour was taken, with variety of fortune, and mortality of the parties; the end whereof proved, that several reiterated assaults proved still unfortunate to the Assailants, who were never able to take any thing save one Capponiere, which they got not without much loss, and did not keep long; and yet the Defendants having lost many men, and not being able to be recruited, they began to forbear making out any more salli●…s, whereby they had not a little prejudiced the Enemy; so as minding only the defence of their Trenches, they endeavoured to preserve themselves as much as they could, and to draw out the Siege at least so long as that the earth might become untractable by the reins of the approaching winter, and might force the Enemy to be gone. But though the defendants had the better of the businesses in repulsing assaults, yet was it not had without the loss of many men, whereof Cesare Caraffa was slain for one, and a Spanish Sergeant Major; but many more of the meaner ●…ort of Soldiers, and many of the Captains, Officers, and Persons of Quality, of the Enemy, were slain; but all this was not considerable, by reason of the continual recruits which they received from France; and it was reported, that ten Regiments were upon their march; so as the Town was not likely to hold out long: Moreover, by reason of the length of the Siege, many things necessary for the maintaining of the Town grew scarce, Moneys, Salt, Match, Oil, and Grist, the Enemy having beaten down the Mills which had furnished the Town with Grist; and none being left but two hand-mills, the general necessity could be but badly supplied: Therefore all hope of preserving the place grew daily less and less, not only in the defendants, who through such wants decreased, but in those who laboured to relieve them; for it being to be done either on this side, or on that side the River, it was (if not impossible) very hard to be done on either side. There was no thought of relieving it by the Lomellina, the Bridge being down; and to relieve it on the other side was too desperate a business, the Mountain at the Foot whereof the Town stood, the Hill which stood on the side of it, the fields and banks which environed it being all of them possessed, and well munited by the enemy; and Parma's quarter was at last recruited by the Marshal: The difficulties growing thus great, the chiefest of the Spanish Army began to detest the generous resolution of Celada and Spinola, by which they and so many of their best men had engaged themselves in that defence, and whereby they had been obliged to hazard the Garrison and State of Milan: not knowing therefore very well what to do, they inclined rather to abandon then to relieve the Town; and beginning now totally to despair of keeping it, they began to think what they were to do when it should be lost; and foreseeing that when the enemy should have taken Valenza, they would go either into Allessandria, or into the Territories of Tortona, as they openly threatened they would do, they began to build a Fort beneath Valenza, there where the Tanaro falls into the Po, intending to throw a Bridge over there, whereby passing over into the Territories of Alessandria, they might the more easily get into that part of the State, to relieve either of those Cities if they should be besieged, or to defend the Campagna if it should be annoyed by inroads, or at least that they might bring some help to the languishing Town, if any way might be opened whereby to do it on that side; which though they were but slender undertake, and but of little hope, yet the extremity wherein they were did either persuade them to it, or made them believe it to be the least of evils: whilst the Spanish Army was amidst these miseries, troubles and dangers, three Brigades came very seasonably; the one Spaniards, under Don john di Garray, the other two Neapolitans, under Achilles Minutulo, and under Andrea, Count di Marianella, which made in all about 4000 good men, and well appointed, who were sent by Sea by Marquis Sancta Croce; who being gone the third time from Naples with the Fleet to Sea, to assault Provence, and hearing the great danger that Valenza was in, (and then the State of Milan,) held it his better course to endeavour the preservation of that State, then to put for possessing what belonged to another; deferring therefore his chief enterprise, he very seasonably landed these Brigades at Finale, and sent them to before Valenza, by whose coming the Spanish affairs got a little breath, and every one began to hold the abandoning of Valenza, and the Captains therein, to be not only ignominious, and detestable, but dangerous, and ruinous; so as they resolved by all mean●… to relieve it; to this purpose they held a consultation in Dorno, a Town between Pavia and la Pieve del Cairo, whither all the Commanders, and Chief Officers being come; as the Cardinal Albornozzi, and with him Don Francisco di Melo, Don Antonio Ronchillio, who was Lord Chancellor, and divers others of the Council both of State, and War; they all were of opinion that the Town must be relieved; but with such caution, and circumpection, as that by so doing they might not be enforced to a battle, which notwithstanding the re-inforcement which was come, they did, all of them, abhor: the resolution was in itself repugnant, by reason of the nearness of enemy's army, for the caution did absolutely resist the execution of it; and yet the business being long discussed, there was a remedy found: Don Martin d' Aragona, and Don john di Garrai, took upon them the charge of this business, and propounded a means which was generally approved, and found a way how to relieve the Town safely, without hazarding battle; and it was this, that some place should be found out in the Lomellina, near the Po, and near Valenza, capable to receive the whole Army, and all provisions necessary for the maintenance thereof, which might be so fortified, as they might not be compelled to quit it, nor be brought to fight, neither by assault, nor want of provisions; from whence they proved thus, that it might be possible to relieve the Town, without being forced to fight; the men which lay before Valenza would either come & join with the Pidemontese, who were quartered on this side the Po, and which were fewest in number; or they would not come; if they should not come, who could doubt but that the Army being safely quartered in the Lomellina, wherein were 6000 Foot, and 1200 Horse, all of them good men, and well appointed, and being to be masters of the field, might by boats brought by land bring into the Town what relief they listed, and not so only, but by the advantage of their numbers force the Savoyards to quit their quarters; and if they should come to join with them, and that the greater part of those that lay before Valenza should pass from that place to this, it was certain that they could draw the enemy's army out of their quarters, without much slackening the siege of Valenza; in which case, the Town wanting opposers, they would not need many defendants, whereof having already more than needed, the same effect would be wrought by the passing over of the enemy, as if they should be succoured by the defendants; moreover the enemy's trenches being weakened, & almost abandoned by that coming over, men enough, and sufficient provision might be conveyed into Valenza, from the City of Alessandria; these things being granted, they proved that doubtlessly the Town might be relieved, without their armies being forced to fight; this dilemma was generally approved of, so as some might be sent to discover the country, & the enemy's fortifications, before the resolution should be put in practice; but because there was some difference in opinion between Arragon, and Garrai, about the manner how the succour should march towards the river, and about choosing the place where the whole Army might be safely quartered; as also where they were to put the Boats into the water, which were to convey in the succour; they were both of them ordered, that taking along with them Colonel Frederick Imperiale, Vincenzo Monsury, and the Count Trotti, they should go to discover the Country, and choose out both the safest places; having with them a Convoy of four troops of Horse, they viewed all the parts thereabouts narrowly, not without some opposition made by the enemy, who met them with the like number of Horse, so a Skirmish happened between them, with some advantage to the discoverers, who effected what they went about; they found a place near a Chapel, between Frascarvolo and the Po, as fit as might be for their purpose; being far from the enemy, munited before by a deep way, and behind by a rivulet of clear water, which served not only for a ditch, and safety, but for drink for the Camp; and which was of more concernment, the place was almost fortified of itself; they found it a harder business to choose the other place, for conveying the boats over, by reason of the Fort, which being first built to defend the head of the bridge belonging to Valenza towards Lomellina, and which (as hath been said) was afterwards taken by Marquis Villa, was still held by the enemy, and commanding both the upper and the lower side, kept them from all hopes of compassing their intents; and the less, for that though the retaking of that Fort was a thing not difficult of itself, yet was it dangerous to put for, for fear lest the attempting of it would draw all the Enemy's Forces to defend it; in which case, they must either go thither with their whole Camp, and come to a battle, or not coming, quit the business; the one of which was contrary to the resolution they had taken, the other of little honour, and less advantage. For their design being discovered by the attempt, they would fortify the bank better; they therefore out of these respects left thinking of taking the Fort, and therewith the discovery of the upper bank, which lying between the Fort and the Piedmonteses quarters, they could not well do; and went to discover the lower side, where they observed a place which being far enough off was out of the Forts reach, and fit to bring relief. So as they all approved it, except Imperiale, who said that the same distance which rendered that place free from being offended by the Fort, made it also too far off for bringing relief, since it answered not just upon the banks of Valenza; but between Valenza and the Parma quarters, so as the boats which should be put in there, would be necessarily carried lower by the current of the River; and falling towards the Parma quarters would not relieve the place besieged, but the besiegers. He therefore was for bringing succour by the bank above the Fort, where the current would carry the boats to the very side of Valenza; and that to keep them from being endangered by the Piedmonteses quarters, the body of their Army should advance, and by its interposition keep the succour from being offended. But this was not then neither approved, as being contrary to the resolution of avoiding being compelled to fight; they therefore continued their choice in both these places, and the Camp master General had notice given him thereof, that he might advance with the Army. The Army marched, and being come to the place near the Chapel, they made a flying squadron of 800 commanded foot of several Nations; which being led by Marquis Torrecuso a Neapolitan, was sent to Frasearvolo, which was the nearest place to the Enemy's quarters, that lie might keep there, and secure those who wrought upon the Trenches, and that he might be ready to receive and withstand the first encounters. The rest of the Camp staying at the Chapel, there made up the body of an Army; and immediately giving out Mattocks, Pales and Spades, fell to fortify, and perfected their works in one night and day; and having brought thither the provisions which had been diligently provided by Senator Arias, they stood expecting what the Enemy would do in this so great alteration of Affairs. They were not long in comprehending, that counsels and resolutions which are taken in common are better acted then discoursed of; for the Marshal and Duke of Parma, fearing Villas quarter, and that relief would undoubtedly be brought if they did not pass over the Po, went with the greatest and best part of their men to the Piedmont quarter, where the Duke who was come but a little before from Verselli was; and thinking it now time to fall to work, they marched out in ranks into the field, to assault the succouring Army; they were about 4500 Foot, who all obeyed the Duke of Savoy, the General of the Colleagues; they advanced on the left hand towards Frascarvolo, having sent some Troops of Horse before, and some Foot towards the right hand near Po, to hold those Forces in play, and to oppose them which should come from the left wing of the Spanish Camp. Torrecuso marched out with his men from Frascarvolo against the Enemy's Army, when he saw it march toward him; and putting his men into a squadron, advanced with certain Files of Musketeers, and possessed himself of a great hedge which was before him: Under the shelter whereof he very seasonably let fly a shower of Musket-shot, against the Enemy's van which approached; whereat the Spaniards, who were at dinner, stood to their Arms, and put themselves in a defensive posture. The General was in his quarters, which were between the Artllery and the body of the Army; he ordered his Foot and Horse to draw out into ranks, the Foot within the Trenches, and the Horse at the place appointed for the Magazine; and in this interim the skirmish grew hot between Torrecuso and the Enemies Camp. The General wholly intent how Affairs should be governed in this onset, and knowing Torrecuso wanted Horse, commanded Don Alvero Quinones, Leiutenant General of the Neapolitan Horse, to go speedily and receive or withstand him with three Troops of Horse, which were then upon the guard; and sent Don john di Garrai first to him with a strength of Musketeers, and some carts of Ammunition, and afterward Don Martin of Arragon. Quinones finding Torrecuso alre●…dy much engaged, kept in a place a little distant from the skirmish; and Garrai, with Arragon, advancing, reinforced some stations which they held to be convenient to maintain the skirmish; which when the General saw it grew greater than was thought it would have done, and that Quinones stirred not, he sent Colonel Imperiale, with two Troops of Horse, to assist the fight, with directions to tell Torrecuso, that he should not engage any further, and to protest unto him, that if he should be further charged by the Enemy, he would send him no more help than what he had already done; because, according to the common sense, he would not endanger a general battle. He notwithstanding endeavoured with the Horse, which Imperiale brought, to defend those stations which were reinforced by Foot: So as the skirmish being maintained valiantly, and in good order on this side, it continued for full four hours; neither side sending out any more men: For Colonna would not, as it was agreed upon, engage himself in a general combat; and the Colleagues Army, which esteeming the Enemy to be far inferior to them in Forces, was gone out with an intent to fall upon them, and defeat them utterly; seeing how Affairs were ordered, and that the Enemy, without coming out of his Trenches, sent a good strength of men out against him, conjectured that the Enemy was stronger than he thought at first he was; so as he cared not much to enforce the first encounters any more, but kept on the fight with sleight skirmishes till night coming on, he retreated to his quarters, from whence he was with such fervour come. Though some will have it that there was no good correspondency between the Duke of Savoy & the Marshal, which was the cause why things were not acted as it was agreed they should be. Torrecuso seeing that the defendants had the better, and having received orders not to advance any further, retired also into Frascarvolo, more like a Conqueror then conquered; and to observe his orders, he withheld his men from pursuing the Enemy, as they were desirous to do. But the Spanish Commanders being aware, that by the coming over of many of their men to that part, the Camp before Valenza was much lessened, and the Trenches but badly guarded; order was given that 500 Foot should come from Allesandra to Valenza, with good store of match, which the Town wanted much. These were led on by the Campmaster Lodovico Guasco, being guided by Maximiliano Stampa, Count di Monte Castello, nephew to Guasco, who knew those ways very well; and passing on successfully between the Duke of Parma's quarters and those of the Montferrians, they were not at all disturbed by the enemy, that side being open, without Trenches, and almost abandoned; but they ran danger in approaching the fortification of their friends; for as they drew near Fort Rosario, a Fort which stood towards the Mountain, and which had been bravely defended all the time of the siege by Ottaviano Sauli, a Gentleman of Genoa; and the forerunners, or Scouts, not having given the true watchword whereby they were to have been admitted and received, but had given the last night's watchword, Sauli doubted that some treachery might lie hid under that false word, and therefore made them keep aloof off with his Musket shot, wherewith some of them were slain; but when Guasco, and other Captains who were very well known to Sauli, began to parley, they were soon known, and let in; by this happy success another better fortune followed; for Cricky, and the Duke of Parma, ●…earing that this relief was brought into Valenza, which was reported to be greater than it was, they began to apprehend the safety of their own Trenches, quarters, Artillery and Baggage, in case they should be assaulted by those that brought in the succour; for knowing in what woeful condition they had left them, they verily believed they would have been taken and sacked, with the loss not only of their honour, but of their Artillery, and with the destroying of their Fortifications, and the loss of those few men that were left to defend them, so as they thought good to return speedily to their first Quarters. This so sudden resolution of the Colleagues facilitated the bringing in of the whole relief by the Lomellina; for the Spanish Army being encouraged by the preceding days success, and seeing that the Enemy had abandoned the field, knew they were absolute Masters on this side the Po, and saw not any thing that could keep them from relieving the Town; leaving therefore all their Militia, with half their Foot, under the command of Campmaster Boccapianola, to guard their Quarters, they went out early in the morning with the rest of their men, and marched towards the upper bank. The Horse, which was commanded by the Count di Sora, marched on the right wing, within sight of the Piedmontese Quarters, to the end that the Foot, which were divided into three Squadrons, being sheltered by them, might advance safely towards the same side, and with them the munition; and three Troops of Horse went before the Foot Van. The convoy of relief went on the other side, towards the place that was chosen on the lower bank, led on by the Marquis Lunato, and Colonel Frederick Imperiale, to whose charge the whole business was committed: Two pieces of Cannon went before them, with some Foot; and behind came a competent number of Carriages, loaded with Boats, and with all things requisite for relieving the Town. In this posture did the Army march, being favoured by a thick mist, which kept them from being seen by the Enemy; and whilst the Scouts went without any opposition to the other side, Don john di Garrai, who having better considered the windings of the Po, and finding by the manner of the Enemies proceedings that no Forces would come from the Piedmontese Quarters which might any ways make him apprehend a general Battle, (having first agreed with Colonna, that the succour would come safe between the aforesaid Quarters, and the Fort) he ordered Lunato and Imperiale that they should go thitherward, and towards the place which was first proposed by Imperiale, to execute their Commission: The new Order was obeyed forthwith; so as the succour wheeling about behind the Fort, it drew near the bank which was above it, where it was played upon by Musket shot, which came in abundance from the said Fort, and by two pieces of Cannon, which played from the top of the opposite shore; but the Cannon shot, though it were dreadful, yet being made but seldom, they did more terrify then endamage; and to the hail of musket-shot which came from the Fort, no readier nor fitter remedy could be found out then to assault the Fort: Wherefore Colonel Imperiale, who attending still upon the succour, saw how necessary it was to provide against this inconveniency, sent to advertise Colonna how affairs went, and how requisite it was to assault the Fort; whereupon Colonna forthwith commanded some Companies of Spaniards and Italians, that they should assault that Fort, who going boldly on, took it; for they did no sooner skirmish then scale it: The Marquis Torrecuso was the first man, who having moved l'Imporiale a little before to favour the putting of the Boats into the River, was intent upon the passing of them over, it being the action of most importance; when he saw the Foot advance to give the assault, leaving the whole care of the relief to Colonel Imperiale, he headed them with his sword in his hand; and plucking the Stakes from out the Steccado, wherewith the whole ditch was environed, he was one of the first that got upon the Parapet; all the rest, moved by his example, followed him; so as most of the Garrison were slain, and the Ensign and Captain were taken prisoners. The succour passed on the mean while without any disturbance, and advanced with their Boats, which falling down the stream, came happily to the Shore at Valenza, and by them as much relief as was desired was conveyed in, the Enemy looking on, who endeavoured in vain to hinder it with their Cannon and Musket shot from the Capuchins Chapel. By this succour the Town was not only well provided of all things needful, but wholly freed from Siege; for the Colleagues despairing to make further progress, foreseeing that by the approaching winter the earth would become so spongy as it would not be to be wrought, and that the Army being bemired, and not able to receive any food, would be besieged even in the open field, they resolved after fifty days siege to give over the Enterprise, and to retreat, to the no little confusion of the Commanders in chief, who being at variance within themselves, and unsatisfied, laid the fault of this ill-guided Siege one upon another. The Duke of Parma parted not long after, much discontented, for France, where he intended to give a clear and full relation unto the King how Affairs had been carried in this Enterprise, and to desire to be protected by him, and to be defended in his Dominions, which, when this business miscarried, he apparently foresaw was exposed to the invasion of the Spanish Forces, for his having sided with France: But this happy success was a little overcast by the death of Colonna, who through his extraordinary pains taken in this Siege, died the day before the Town was relieved. Valenza being freed, the Colleagues Army dissolved. The Duke of Savoy retreated with his men to Vercelli; and the Marshal to Cassalle; upon whom the Gates of the Town were shut, upon pretence that there being scarcity of Victuals in that City, it could not provide food for so great a number of men, without evident danger of wanting necessary nourishment for them that were in the Town already; wherefore he was forced to divide his men amongst the Towns of Montferrat, which though they suffered the like want of victuals, yet being weak and unable to refuse giving quarter, they were forced to yield to the stronger power; the remainder of the Duke of Parma's men were likewise distributed into the same Towns; the Duke himself being retreated to Cassalle, where he had the Castle given him for his lodging: on the Spaniards side, their Armies were also put into their Winter quarters, except some of Serbellone's Brigades, which were sent to recover the Valtoline; for at the same time, which was about the beginning of November, Fernamont who had raised more men in Tirvolo, prepared to pass the Moun●…ains once more, to reduce the Valtoline into its former condition; & to this purpose he had sent to Milan and to Serbellone, to agree upon the time when they should fall upon the French jointly, Serbellone, on the State of Milans side, and he by Tyrvolo, that so they might effect their business the sooner and more safely; but Rohan's speed prevented these designs, who hearing how near the Dutch were, sent immediately 1000 Foot to Bormio, whither not long after he himself came with the remainder of his men: being come thither he found the Dutch fallen down by unknown ways into the Plain; without any delay, he once more assaulted them; and not without loss on their side, forced them to re-pass back over the Mountains to Tyrvolo: they being gone, Rohan leaving a Garrison in Bormio, and fearing lest Serbellone might fall upon him on his back, and hearing that many Grisons were come down to assist him, he made the like haste as before, and brought 4000 Foot with him, amongst which 200 Zuricani; he appeared, unexpected, at Morbegno about noon, where Serbellone was with 3500 Foot and 200 Horse, and not having heard of the rout given to Fernamont, expected news of his coming, to the end, that according to appointment he might at the same time fall upon the enemy on the back; but he fared no better than Fernamonte, for whilst he was at dinner, he unexpectedly was assaulted by Rohan; and not having time to assemble his men, who were dispersed into the parts thereabouts, he was soon overcome and routed, many of his Captains being slain or taken prisoners, amongst which the Count di San, the second Captain of Horse, and Count Valenza, Nephew to Serbellone; and Serbellone's self being pursued by the enemy fled to Fort Fuentes, wounded in the arm and on the back; such Soldiers as could save themselves fled, some one way, some another way, to the nearest Towns of the State of Milan. Thus Rohan having beaten the enemy the fifth time, remained all that Winter master and peaceful possesser of the Valtoline, of the Counties of Bormio and of Chiavenna; and greatly rejoicing, forced the Inhabitants to new agreements, pretending that the Valtoline, contrary to the Articles of Monsone, was wholly and totally fallen into the arbitrement of the King of France; and not being able to obtain of those Inhabitants, though beaten by his Forces, and several ways oppressed, any thing of what he demanded, he began by strange rigour and extortion to tyrannize over them; but they little confiding in the promises of liberty and maintenance of their Religion, which were made them in the King of France his name, patiently underwent their bad treating, and would never forego the authority and protection of the Crown of Spain; promising themselves, and confidently believing to be preserved and maintained by the King of Spain in their entire Liberty and Religion, according to his Promises and Decrees: miserable and woeful wretches, whom you shall soon see abandoned to their former yoke of slavery, by those in whom they so much trusted, and for whose sake they suffered so much at the present. The End of the Fourteenth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK XV. The Contents. THe King of Spain, for the preservation of the State of Milan, sends a new Governor, new men, and good store of money thither. The Duke of Savoy returning thither with his men, and with those of France, taketh Bremi, and reduceth it to a Fort Royal; and by frequent inroads troubles that side of the Country. The Duke of Parma's Dominions are assaulted by the Spanish Forces, after his going for France; and are defended by Marquis Villa, who is sent thither by the Duke of Savoy. With a good strength of Horse and Foot, and is defended by strong diversions till the Spring; in the beginning whereof, the Duke of Parma returns from France, endeavours by means of the Colleagues Forces to get into his Country, goes to Nizza Della Paglia; being to throw down a great Trench which was made upon the bank of Scrivia, he turns back; and repassing the Po, endeavours to effect his design on that side; but meeting with strong opposition there also, he is forced to return; and passing again with some men over the Po, he tarries with them in Nizza, till such time as the Duke of Savoy, going with the body of the Army into the Confines of Novara, to annoy that part of the State, may divert the Governor from guarding the Grand Trench, and leave free passage by that way for the Duke of Parma; Who by several accidents abandoning the design, marcheth with a few men towards the Sea; where getting into a little Vessel, he passeth incognito into Lavigiana, and gets into his own Territories. The Duke of Savoy passeth successfully over the Tesino, and causeth such terror and confusion in Milan, as the Governor is forced to abandon the Trench, and defend Milan. And going with all his men towards the Enemy's Camp, he assaults it in ●…ornavento; but the Duke freeing himself from the assault returns to the greater Lake; whither being come, and fearing that the Governor who was gone to Romagnagno, would assault him on that side, resolves to return towards Piedmont. The Governor seeing the State freed of the Enemy's Army, betakes himself, partly, to recover the Towns taken by the Enemy, partly, to resent himself to Piedmont, and the Duke of Parma's State; and having sent what Forces he could thither, he proceeds so far, as the Duke who was retired to Piacenza, maintains a siege till such time as, seeing no succour, he is forced to compound with the Governor. The War of Parma being appeased, the Governor turns upon the Towns in the Langhe, which were yet held by the Enemy; and having taken some of them, he hears that the Duke raiseth Forces in the Canavese; he marcheth towards him, and having in vain provoked him, to battle, he sends Don Martino of Arragon with a strong body of men to discover Vercelli, against whom Marquis Villa, who was returned from the State of Parma, coming forth with a no less number of men, a great Skirmish is had, wherein the Marquis hath the better. The Governor understanding afterwards, that Count Verrua was gone to besiege the Roccad' Arazzo, he prepares to defend it: And succeeding fortunately therein, his happiness was embittered by a great defeat which the Duke gave to Don Martino of Arragon before Monbaldone. After which the Duke returning victorious to Verselli, within a month after died. Some Islands in Provence are taken by the Fleet which came from Naples. A French Fleet comes from Brittany, enters the Mediterranean, with which an other joins which was provided in Provence; both which keep in the Ligustick Sea, doing but little good, and less in Sardignia, and Winter in Tolone; but putting to Sea in the Spring, they recover the Islands which were taken the year before by the Spanish Fleet. The Pope labours to compose the Wars between Christian Princes, but in vain. A League is concluded between the Crown of Spain and the Grisons, by which the Valtoline returns, upon some conditions, under the ancient Dominion of the Grisons. The State of Milan is at last freed from the French Forces, by the recovery of Bremi. NEws being come to the Court of Spain of the assault given by the Colleagues Army to the State of Milan, and of the scarcity of provisions, and Garrison, which were there; though Burgundy were assaulted at the same time by the Prince of Coude with another Army, and Flanders and Germany were full of several perturbations; (all which required extraordinary provisions) yet the King would have the State of Milan, of all other parts, chiefly and fully secured and furnished. For it being the Bulwark, and, as a man may say, the Rendezvous of the Spanish Arms, the greater the prejudice should be that would result by the loss thereof, the more necessary was it to provide for the safety and preservation thereof. And Cardinal Albornozzi who was a Churchman, not being very proper for that Government, in so turbulent and dangerous times, and the care of that State being to begin by the choice of a Governor, who might be fit for that charge, and for the condition of the present time●…; Don Diego philip's Gusmano, Marquis of Liganes, who had formerly served in Flanders, was constituted to succeed him: Who though he went speedily from Court, came not to Milan before the midst of October, a little after Valenza was freed from the siege; and not long after that by the rout given in the Valtoline, the recovery of that valley appeared desperate. With him came many Spanish Cavaliers, who being zealous of that Crowns Reputation and Grandezza put themselves to serve as Volunteers under this new Governor; he brought also a million and a half of Ducats, which was brought after him in Galleys. But the Duke of Savoy and the Marshal, being with no great honour driven from before Valenza, and hearing how ill they were spoken of in the Court of France, and particularly the Duke, (who heard himself taxed of double dealing,) they endeavoured to give better satisfaction to the Court then yet they had done, by recovering their lost Reputation. Having therefore mustered their Forces at Villata, which was yet in their possession, they went to the Lomellina; and going to Candia, whither 400 Foot were sent by the new Governor, they met with some opposition; but making themselves presently masters of the place, the 400 Foot were sent prisoners to Gasalle: And not thinking that place convenient for their design, as being too far from the Po, they went lower, and took Sartiranna; where were 200 Foot, who being as the others, forced to yield, were, as the others were, sent prisoners to Casalle; from hence they march to Bremi, a Town upon the Po, with whose situation being satisfied, they resolved to make use of it for a groundwork of their premeditated designs. For considering that, by casting a Bridge over here, they might overrun the Country of Allessandria and of Tortona, and the Lomellina and Country of Pavia joining thereupon, they thought that when they should have fortified themselves there, they might make a good part of the State of Milan, on each side of the River, subject to their commands. Falling therefore with all diligence to do what they intended, they within a short space erected there a Fort Royal, big enough to receive an indifferent Army; and putting thereinto a good Garrison, they thought they might keep firm footing in the State of Milan, and lay a good foundation for the further designs they had upon that State; and if they should do no more, they thought they should win much glory and reputation in keeping a quarter in that State, and an almost impregnable bulwark, by which they hoped to have subjugated part of that, the whole whereof they so much thirsted after: The Duke of Savoy was thought to be a chief plotter of this, being defirous to cancel the sinister opinion out of the French, which they had conceived of him, by reason of what had happened before Valenza, by giving them this place in lieu thereof, which was of greater consequence, and a more convenient seat: And therefore he did not only assist the already begun Fabric by his care and diligence, but stuck not sometimes to work thereupon with his own hands as a private Soldier. The work was begun about the end of November, in a time when the Lomellina having already been the seat of the War before Valenza, was wholly destitute of victuals, forage, and of all things else necessary for the maintenance of an Army, in a time when the earth being covered over with Ice and Snow, and the ways deep, it was impossible they could be disturbed in their work; an advantage which was well repaid, by the prejudice that the same difficulties occasioned to the labourers, and to the whole French Army; for the Soldiers not being able to resist the bitterness of the season, and the scarcity of victuals, so many of them died, as in a short time, and before the Fort was finished, they were reduced to a very small number; yet the work was finished, and abundantly provided of all warlike necessaries; but not being able to tarry in so desolate a Country for the scarcity of victuals, a sufficient Garrison being left there, all the rest of the Soldiery went out, and ran plundering up and down, some in the lower Montferrat, some in the parts about Alessandria, where taking Towns, they, with much rigour used towards the Inhabitants, got together as much victuals as they could, and brought it all speedily into the new Fort. The Duke of Parma was not present at this building, being gone to Paris to negotiate his own interests with the King, hoping not only to be rewarded and honoured, but to be by him assisted in the maintaining of his Dominions, which in his absence were exposed to the assaults of the enemy; in defence whereof, the Duke of Savoy, were it either to regain the King's favour, and to cancel all shadows of suspicion, or to ease Piedmont from quartering, he sent the Marquis Villa with 1800 Horse, and 4000 Foot, to boot with the remainder of the Parma Forces, to go jointly to the defence of those Sta●…es. The Marquis marching out of Cassalle, and having without any opposition crossed through the Country of Alessandria, came to Scrivia a River which runs near Tortona; but the new Governor, who hearing of this marching, was before hand, got into that City, hoping assuredly to hinder the enemy's passage over that River; to which purpose he placed two pieces of Cannon, and some Sacres, upon a certain rise on the inward bank, on the opposite side whereof the enemy marched already; and he also placed all his Musketeers there: he also sent a Troop of Dragoons beyond the River to discover the enemy, which were driven back over the River by the Marquis his Guard, and forced with much loss to get within shelter of the Artillery on the other side. The Marquis drew out his men in battle array to venture foording his men over; and after having skirmished a while, finding himself inferior to the enemy both in Forces and situation desisted from passing over there, and tried whether he might not overcome the enemy by Military industry: this River is foordable only in three places, the first in this place which was well guarded by Tortona; another five miles lower at castle nuovo; the third between these two, which is called passo della Lupa. The Marquis would not venture over here, it being so near the other place, and from him: the Prince being come to Traghetino, within three miles of castle nuovo, found that Villa stood expecting him in the field with his men in order; and not thinking it fit to face a Captain and old Soldiers proud of their late got Victory, with fresh and unexperienced men, stayed expecting new recruits from the State of Milan; where, by order from the Governor, some 3000 Foot were in readiness to assist the assaulted State, under Don jovan Vasques Cornado, Governor of Cremona, and 800 Horse under Don Vincenzo Gonsaga, Lieutenant General of the Horse of the State of Milan; who being come from the greater Cassalle, in Barks along the Po, to Boreto, a Town of Modena, landed there, and joined with Prince Lewis, intending to fall jointly upon the State of Parma. Marquis Villa, at the news of the coming of this recruit, was gone from castle nuovo to the banks of Po, between Barcello and Colorno, thinking that this succour would land there, that so he might keep them from landing; but seeing them fall lower, and fearing what did indeed happen, that when they should be landed they would march into the Country of Parma, he thought to oppose them at the pass of Lenza, a little River which divides the States of Modena and Parma, upon which there were two Bridges; upon one of the which, called Ponte della Sorbolla, he himself stood with his men, and sent 500 men of Parma to defend the other, thinking that the enemy would fall on by that of Sorbolla: but seeing that they went to assault the other, and that having driven away those of Parma, not without some loss, they were passed to this side the River, he feared that they would overrun the Country even to the Walls of Parma, as they might well do; wherefore leaving the Parma Militia to guard the Bridge of Sorbolla, he went himself with his men to the Hospital St. Lazzero, to keep them from advancing nearer the City; between the River Lenza and the City of Parma there goes a large way, with a great Ditch on either side; the Prince and the Spanish Commanders, thinking to charge through to the City, by that great way, they put their men in order; and so did Villa his: a Van of 500 Musketeers marched before the Prince his men, half on the one side, half on the other side of the way; betwixt whom the Horse marched, and behind them the rest of the Spanish Foot, and in the Ree●… came those of Modena, 5000 Foot and 1000 Horse, in number. The Marquis disposed of his men en Croupe; and were it either that the Spanish Horse which advanced wanted Musketeers, or that the way through which they came galloping was so narrow, as no more than five Horse could come on front, it was easy for the Marquis (who already was passed over with the Piedmont Horse) to make head against them, and to keep back and repulse the enemy's Horse by his Musket-shot, who being dispersed fled, some to castle nuovo, some to Ponte Curone, some being lo●…e wounded, some slain. Don Martin d'Aragona received a sore wound himself, and the Governor not appearing with any succour, the ford was forsaken; so as not only those who were already passed, but those that tarried behind, passed over together with the Foot, without any gainsaying; Villa being doubly glorious, first for having deluded the enemy's advantages by his cunning, and by his valour routed their Forces, he pursued his march, and came with his men to Castle St. jovanni, and from thence into the States of Piacenza and Parma; and having distributed his men in these States, instead of being a guard and defence unto them, he drew a new war and a new enemy upon them; for he had no sooner refreshed his men, but that he entered the Dukedom of Modena with 1000 Horse, and 200 Foot, without giving any notice thereof to the Duke of Modena; and having taken castle nuovo del Regiano, he made a Rendezvouz of Arms there, and quartered his Horse in the neighbouring Towns, putting compositions upon them. The Duke of Modena took this freedom ill, as he had reason to do; chiefly finding, as it was true, that this was not done by Villas own motion, but by order from the Duke of Savoy, and the Marshal; and perhaps also from the Court of France, in resentment of his parting from the League with France, without saying any thing, and for having wholly joined with the Spanish party, when so great a change was least looked for; it not being likely that the Marquis would otherwise have done so great an affront to a Prince, who was son to a sister of the Duke of Savoy, whose Captain General he was: the Duke of Modena thinking therefore how to defend himself, and how to resent so great an affront, mustered 4000 foot, and 1000 horse of the trained Bands of the State, with whom, and with two field pieces, he sent his uncle Prince Lewis, to oppose those who had entered his State in hostile manner; and having sent news to the Governor of Milan of this unlooked for affront, he expected good succour and assistance descended by the same forces; he therefore placed his design on the passage at Castelnuovo, as being further off and unguarded; so as while he kept his files in order upon the side opposite to Tortona, he feigned as if he would try his fortune over that ford, that he might so keep the Governor at bay, but ordered his horse to go down the river towards Castelnuovo; where foording over the river without any opposition, he made himself master of the further shore; and when he thought his horse were well advanced, he withdrew his foot, and marched after them; the Governor being too late aware of the Enemy's purpose, began to doubt that he might pass over that ford which was unguarded; wherefore he dispatched away Don Martin d'Aragona speeedily thither with the greatest part of the horse, and some foot, to the end that he might be there before him, to defend the passage; but with express order, that if when he should become thither, he should find the enemy were not yet come near the ford, he should endeavour to keep them aloof off it; and if they were come so near, as that they were already begun to wade, he should withdraw a little into a wood which was not far off; for that he himself, who prepared to follow him, would come thither, when half the enemy being not well over, he might enclose them between his men, and those of the Aragon's who were in the wood; and so having destroyed that part, the rest who were beyond the water, might be forced to wheel about, and might easily be overtaken, and being in an enemy's country, and overpowered by numbers might be assaulted, and defeated: but the design failed, were it either that the Arragon did not perfectly obse●…ve his orders, or that the Governor tarrying longer than he ought to have done, marched not soon enough; for the Piedmont horse got to the ford before those of the Arragon, who though he got to the other side with some of his fleetest forerunners at the same time when those of Piedmont entered the river, and endeavoured to munite the bank with the militia of Castelnuovo, and to hinder their passage; yet instead of retreating to the wood, and affording time for the Governor to advance, he gave order that his horse, leaving the foot behind, should advance as fast as they could; which the horse observing, they came thither, when the first part of the enemy's horse, on the head whereof was Marquis Villa, having overcome the opposition made on the other side, had already forded over with Musketeers otherwise. He placed 200 Musketeers on the Front, which were entertained by a great squadron of horse, 200 more Musketeers were on the right hand of the horse, a good part stood behind some trees that were cut down, which served for a Trench; he fortified a place behind him with Parma's Soldiers, to serve him for a retreat, in case he should not be able to resist so many men; nor herewith content, he did not fill up the whole breadth of the way with Artillery, to the end that if he were forced to retreat, he might do it without confusion, contrary to what the enemy did, who promising themselves assured victory, provided not any place of retreat: the Skirmish was fought with much valour and courage, and the Spaniards came very hot on at first, thinking to discompose the enemy's ranks at the very first onset; but they were soon deceived, meeting with as stout resistance, for above two hours' space; but at last being overpowered in numbers, Villa was forced to retreat, which he did without disorder, by the part of that way, which he discreetly had left open: Don Vincenzo Gonsaga pursued them fiercely, as also Baron Battavilla, and Count Arese; who being opposed by Don Mauritio of Savoy, with his regiment, they met with some resistance; but not long after the first falling on Scipione Fiesco, brother to the Prince of Messerano, and Captain Guirini were taken Prisoners, and many were wounded and slain; so as not able to make his party good any longer, he was disordered, and retreated without confusion also, by that part of the way which was left open; and certainly they would all have been certainly ruined, had not Marquis Villa, who had all this while assisted in the fight, rallied all the valiantest of his men, and putting himself on their head, fought undauntedly, and withstood the violence of the enemies, who thinking themselves sure of victory, came up in close ranks, and cheerfully pursued the chase; and though the Piedmontese met with hard usage by the Musket-shot, wherewith many of them were slain, yet did they so resolutely resist, and the assailants were played upon so fast by the Musketeers, who were placed behind those trees which being cut down, served them for a rampire, or trench, as Gonsaga, Battavilla, and Arese, who fought on the head of the horse, being wounded, Villa easily disordered the enemy's horse, being now without leaders; and forced them afterwards to fly back in disorder; Villa pursued them till night, which came soon on, and then he left free passage for the enemy to fly, and to retreat; and he bringing back with him above a hundred prisoners, and of these some of the Chiefest, he retreated victoriously towards Parma: the City refusing to receive in so many men, shut the gates upon them, but took in the Captains, who were nobly treated by the nob●…lity of Parma, and the rest were sent to quarter in S. Secondo, Soragna, and in Fontanello. At the same time that this succour was sent directly from Milan to the Duke of Modena, the Governor would also assist his State, and his affairs by diversion; he therefore ordered Don Carlo della Gatta, to enter the Dukedom of Piacenza with 4000 foot, 600 horse, and six pieces of Artillery; who in obedience thereunto, sat down immediately before castle S. jovanni, the first Town of that Dukedom confining upon the State of Milan; and placing his Artillery against the walls of that Town which were weak, and old, and not lined with earth, the Townsmen, who saw they could not resist, surrendered the Town; and Gatta entering thereinto fell to take the Castle, wherein were 120 French men, who after 15 days siege were forced to give it up; during which time the Governor desired that the horse, who were not employed in that service, might over run, and lay waste the country of Piacenza, to help the Duke of Modena, yet more by diversion, which was molested by Marquis Villa: wherefore the Marquis of Carracena, who commanded them, chose out 300 of the best horse, and went first to assault 250 French horse, who were quartered in the Towns three miles from Piacenza; he fortunately routed them, and chased them till they came to a certain rivulet which ran cross the way, which when the French had passed, they rallied, and faced about, and being routed again by Carracena, they got under a Town called Rottofreno, from whence some Foot came forth to aid them, they fell to skirmish the third time; wherein Carracena being sore hurt in the leg by a Musket-shot, he retreated and gave over the fight; so as the French Horse which pursued them, routed them, and had the slaughter of them till they came to castle San' jovanni, which when they were come near unto, the rest of the Horse which were there coming forth, together with a Foot Company to assist them, they fell into further disorder; for this succour coming the same way as those that were pursued did, they were broken and disordered by their own men, who fled back by the same way: in this action about 100 of Carracena's Horse were slain, and some taken prisoners, amongst which Beccaraia a Captain of Horse, who was first sore wounded; and yet the entrance of Gatta and Carracena into the Territories of Piacenza was not to no purpose; for it freed the Duke of Modena from having his Country molested by the Piedmontese; it being necessary to send for Marquis Villa back to relieve the parts about Piacenza; so the Duke of Modena being free from this disturbance, had leisure to resent himself, and to take Rossenna, a Town belonging to the Duke of Parma, which was wholly environed by the Territories of Modena. The Spaniards took likewise Colorno, a Castle belonging to the Duke of Parma, considerable for its strength, and for the opportunity which it afforded of passing to the City of Parma; and some months before, Fiombo, and Guadamiglio, two Towns in the Territories of Piacenza lying beyond the Po, were taken by the Marquis of Carracena. But the Governor, that he might revenge himself yet further upon the Duke of Parma, gave order to Gerardo Gambacorta, General of the Neapolitan Horse, that he should enter his Territories with two Dutch Regiments, the one of Horse, conducted by Count Slic, the other of Foot led on by Colonel Gilled ' Ais; and that they should proceed further against him. The Duke of Savoy and the Marshal thought that it would redound to the discredit of the League, if they should suffer those States to be invaded whilst they stood idly looking on with their fingers underneath their girdles, and should behold the misfortunes of that their Confederate Prince, whereby they might fall into the displeasure of the King and Court of France, the King having given the care of preserving his Dominions in charge to them; since therefore they could not directly assist by opposition, they resolved to do it by diversion; so joining their Forces, and making up a body of 9000 Foot, and 500 Horse, the Marshal went therewith from Vercelli, and passing over the Sesia, took Palestre, an open Town, where there was no Garrison, from whence he went to Confienza, and then to Robbio, where there were some small Foot Garrisons; and taking them upon conditions, he passed with all his men over la Gogua, a River in Lomellina, and went to Vespolano, where for two hours' space he was stoutly resisted by the Townsmen, who when they were able to do no more, quit the Town, and retreated to the Castle: The Marshal entered the Town, and quartered his men thereabouts; but at so small a distance, as they might easily come together and jointly defend themselves, in case they should be assaulted: The Governor hearing of this new commotion, sent Orders immediately every where, that all the Foot and Horse should meet about the Tessino; he recalled Gambacorta with his Dutch Regiments from the parts about Piacenza; and fearing that the enemy might fix their eyes upon Vigevano, he ordered them to march with all diligence towards that City; whereinto having formerly sent 100 Spaniards, he went from Milan to Biagrassa, where Gambacorta was come that very night with two Dutch Regiments, and with the Horse from the Country of Piacenza; and there being only a hundred Spaniards and some few Dutch in Vigevano, he feared that the Marshal might keep that City from succour, if the Marshal coming to the Tessino, should hinder the passing over of that River, and consequently it would be taken; wherefore he commanded Gambacorta that with all speed he should pass over the Tessino, and should secure that City and all the adjacent Towns from being sacked, and from inroads; all which being punctually performed by Gambacorta, the Governor passed with the rest of the men to Vigevano, where he tarried some days to expect a Regiment of Dutch, conducted by the Baron di Lezer, who was to come shortly, and also to tarry for the Artillery which was come out of Pavia, and could not be long a coming. In this interim some of the Marshal's Forces advanced to a little weak Town called Civagliana, which they took, leaving the Castle unattempted, which they would not tarry to take, the enemy being so near; but the Governor, who was in Vigevano with 6000 Foot and 2000 Horse, thought it stood not with his honour, that the enemy should advance armed further into the State of Mallain; and should continually grieve the Inhabitants, sometimes with quarter, sometimes with composition: he therefore resolved to march into the field, and keep them from such insulting; he went strait to Novara, intending to come upon the back of the enemy, that so by keeping him from returning he might easily vanquish him; being gone a few miles he heard news, that the Marshal was gone with his Army out of Vespolno, and that he was ready to give him Battle if he should advance; and that to that purpose he had sent some Forces that morning to Sastrego, a Town near Strano, where the Governor was to quarter that night: the truth is, that the Marshal was advanced with 1500 Dragoons, and 1000 Foot, to Serano, and leaving them all in a certain Wood, he himself advanced to discover Serano, where he intended to lie that night, and so to advance towards the Tessino. The Governor hearing this, which was also confirmed unto him by Gambacorta, who was so far advanced, and got so near the Enemy, as he could not retreat, he sent him forthwith order to fall upon him; assuring him that he would come in unto his succour with the rest of the Forces. Gambacorta was not slow in executing his orders, nor the Marshal less slow than he in receiving the onset; thinking that the whole body of the Enemy's Army was not there, but only some Troops of Horse which went for forage, or to quarter in the neighbouring Towns: So as falling together by the ears, they fought a while with equal Valour and Fortune, till two Troops of Dragoons of the Spanish party advanced; who gave fire so fast, as beginning to disorder the first ranks, which were already well advanced, all the rest were routed by the Commissary General of the Cavalry, Don Ferdinandod' Heredia, and turning their Horse's heads began to run, and were pursued for a mile and a half by Gambacorta; till being come to the wood where the ambush lay, they stayed. Gambacorta doubting the coming of the Governor, whom he saw not yet appear, and seeing that the Enemies faced about, and prepared to resist feared an ambush, and forbore pursuit; nor durst he with unequal Forces run the hazard which he apprehended, as if the Governor had come he would have done, and so have gotten a fuller victory, for which he deserved to be accounted not only a valiant, but a cautious and prudent Commander. For being content with the slaughter and imprisonment of many, he very seasonably withdrew himself and his men from the imminent danger. There were slain in this conflict about 150 of the Marshal's men, and some 60 taken prisoners; and all the mischief befell the Duke of Savoy's Horse, which fought more stoutly than the rest; and hereupon some dispute arose between the Duke and the Marshal: The Duke complaining that the Marshal, upon the first declension of the fight, got upon a fleet Horse and to save his life abandoned the Duke's Horse. Those that were worsted retreated from Vespolano to Palestre; and the Governor going to Novara, pursued the Enemy, who though they made some show of facing him, yet when they heard he was come near them, they passed back over the Sesia, and retreated into Piedmont: Hastily freeing that State, which but a little before they had so resolutely assaulted. And as this assault proved unfortunate for the assailants, so neither had the diversion intended that effect which was hoped for: For the States of Parma and Piacenza were molested in the interim; the Duke of Modena was assisted in the State of Parma, and the King's men, notwithstanding this unexpected assault, were not sent for back from the parts about Piacenza. But both the Dukedoms of Parma and Piacenza, were sacked, fired, and laid desolate; and yet was the Duke of Modena sent to by the Pope to forbear all hostility against the Territories belonging to the Church, and was desi●…ed by his Wife, who was Sister to the Duke of Parma, to come to composition; and the great Duke of Tuscany, Brother in law to the Duke of Parma, interposed himself also in the business of compounding; wherefore the Duke withdrew his Soldiers to within his own State. But notwithstanding, the Spaniards, who were come to succour Modena, forbore not to ransack the Country, and to commit other hostile acts; Carlo della Gatta, having taken Castle St. jovanni, went to Rottofreno, a Town 7 miles from Piacenza, and not far from the Po, took it, fortified it, and put a Garrison of 600 Foot, and 200 Horse into it, which curbed and troubled the whole Country. It was likewise thought fit to molest the States in those parts which lay nearest Genoa; 400 Foot were sent to Frederico Imperiale, under Sergeant Major Francisco Tuttavilla, and two Troops of Horse, the one Curassiers, the other Dragoons; who together with some of Prince Doria his Militia, being raised in Bobbio, went against Valdetara, a large Town belonging to the Duke of Parma; where the Horse not being yet come, 70 of the Trained Bands of the Country were entered; but L'Imperiale making himself master of the parts thereabouts, and causing two piece of Cannon to advance, it yielded: That Town being taken and well garrisoned, he went to destroy Le Ferriere, a very advantageous place belonging to the Duke of Parma, to which the way lies by a very narrow passage at the foot of a high Mountain, called Della Penna, wherein was a Garrison of the Duke of Parma's subjects; L'Imperiale came against it with 500 Foot, and the Troops of Dragoons; the Pass after the first volley was abandoned, all men running shamefully away; passing on, he came to Le Ferriere, wherein there being a Garrison of the Countrymen, with some pieces of Artillery and Morter-peices, he met with some resistance; but it lasted but a while, for it yielded the same night that Imperiale came before it, and all the Forges and instruments thereunto belonging, were forthwith destroyed; which was done by order from the Governor. Moreover, the Soldiers were permitted to plunder the whole Country, who got thereby great booty in cattle and victuals. Some few days after he passed to the plain of Piacenza, where he found the whole Country forsaken by the Inhabitants who fled, and Imperiale advanced no further; for hearing that greater number of the Duke's Forces, both Horse and Foot, drew nigh, he kept his men on the side of the Mountain, expecting greater recruits from Milan, which did not only not come; (for at Milan they endeavoured to send greater Forces on that side against the Duke's dominions;) but these very men were sent for back, to be used in more necessary employments. The State of Milan was molested by the French at the same time that the Duke of Parma's Country was annoyed by the Spaniards: For the Garrison of Bremi, overrunning the adjacent parts of the State of Milan, made themselves be sound felt; and on the other side, the French were much afflicted with sickness, occasioned by the ill air, and marshes thereabout; whereof 40 and 50 dying on a day, they within a few months lost above 4000 of their men; and it was thought, what between the building and maintaining of that Garrison, that Fort cost the French more men, than the taking of such another would have done; and diminishing not only by the death of so many, but also by the running away of multitudes, the French Army already was reduced to so small a number, as it could not have subsisted long, had it not received new and great recruits. Nor did the King's men suffer sore hardships here only, but the Inhabitants of the County of Como shared in the like. The Duke of Rohan being (as hath been said) after the rout given before Morbegno to Serbellone, peacefully possessed of the Valtoline, and having with him about four thousand Foot, and five hundred Horse, was impatient to think he should lie idle; and envying the Marshal, who made himself be so terribly felt from the Fort of Bremi, and who did so enrich himself by booty, desired to do the like himself, and to get more footing in that State: He therefore made some small barks in the Valtoline, which being brought in the beginning of the Spring, 1636. to the bank of the little Lake, full of Soldiers, he put them into the water; and going to Pradel, he took it; and going by the way called Francesca, and thence to the three Pievi, Towns belonging to the State of Milan, he burned and consumed them, together with many other neighbouring Towns. He came next (but without Artillery) to Fort Medegin●…, whither Lodovico Guasco being sent a little before with a strong Garrison, Rohan proceeded no further, but retreated to the Valtoline. But greater preparations for War then those of Rohan, or the Marshal, were made the preceding Winter in all parts. Nine Troops of Horse, and nine Regiments of Foot, were newly fallen down from the Alps; and the King of France having set his heart upon being Master of the Mediterranean, he assembled many Ships and Galleoons in Brittany and Provence, and increased the number of Galleys in Provence, wherewith he gave out he would do great things. On the other side, the Spaniard made no lesser preparations, as well to defend his own Dominions, as to offend those of others: They had taken order for four Regiments in Germany, two of Horse, and two of Foot, whereof one was Curassiers, the other Dragoons, which they expected shortly; and being to pass thorough the Swissers Country, they had already sent moneys to those Cantons, to the end that being paid, they should not hinder their passage: Moreover 3000 Spaniards were entered the State of Milan, sent from several parts, and 1000 Horse from the Viceroy of Naples, who being sent thorough Romagna, into the State of Modena, were already come into that of Milan: But before these, the French Regiments appeared in Piedmont; and the Duke of Parma, was also come thither, who was returned from France loaded with promises, and satisfied with the Courts good intentions and effects; for he brought precise Orders to the Duke of Savoy, and to the Marshal, to re-place him in his States; in obedience whereunto, the Duke of Savoy went anticipately into the Field, together with the Duke of Parma, and the Marshal; their chief intention was, as the effects did afterwards demonstrate, to put Parma into his State; which when they had done, they should, with his men, and those of Villas which they should there find, assault the State of Milan, either by the territories of Tortona, or by those of Cremona, whilst the Duke of Savoy, and the Marshal should do the like by that of Novara, and by the Lomellina; or if they liked it better, they should turn upon the State of Modena, and oblige the Spaniards to assist that Prince with good forces, who for having abandoned the French party, and adhered to the Spanish, they desired to suppress, and thus by either of these ways to divide the Spanish force●…, and make them less able to defend the State of Milan. Thus the Duke going from Vercelli, and the Marshal from Cassalle, they joined their forces together, which amounted in all to about 18000 foot, and 4000 horse, and past over the Po at Bremi, and the Tanar●… at Filizzano, and from thence advanced to Nizza della Paglia, to repossess the Duke of his Dominions: The Governor was then far inferior to them in men, the regiments not being yet come which were expected from Germany; so as not thinking it fit to oppose them in open field, he resolved to fortify the right bank of Scrivia with a great Trench, which beginning from the skirts of the Apennine should run along the river to where it falls into the Po, which would be above fifteen miles in length, which the river itself served for a ditch, the river being very dangerous to wade over, by reason of the swift current, and which therefore made this fortification unaccessible; so as though it seemed not to be defensible, as requiring many more Soldiers to defend it then the Governor had to place there; yet since the river admitted access to the trench, but in very few places, those places being well munited, it was sufficiently well provided for elsewhere, by the swiftness of the river, and by some Corpse de Guard placed in convenient places, which might hinder any desperate attempts which might be made by the enemy where they should think them weakly guarded; and yet the Governor being desirous that the defence should not be defective, he brought thither all the Soldiers that he could get either in the State of Milan or elsewhere, even to the lessening of the usual garrisons, and most important places; he did not only summon the common Soldiers thither, but the Officers, and best experienced Commanders; nay, he himself would assist there in his own person; nor did his counsel herein, nor his expense, and labour in that work prove vain; for the enemies being as desirous to overcome that Trench, as the Governor was to defend it, they sent the most experienced of their army to descry it, who finding it untakeable, and unpassible they gave over the thought of attempting it; they thought it not good to expose their Soldiers at one and the same time to the swiftness of the river, and to the shot of the Spaniards; they therefore resolved to try another way; they went from Nizza, and past back over the Po, and coasted along the left side of the river, till being come to Giarvola, they had passed by the head of the Trench of Tortona, which terminated on the opposite bank: here they thought to pass the Duke over into the Country of Piacenza, in their Boats which followed them down the stream; and so they thought to cozen the Governor; but they found new difficulties, which opposed them also in this their enterprise; they first saw Marquis Spinola with many Musketeers on the other store, ready to hinder their passage; wherefore not thinking it fit to attempt it there, they marched on; hoping they might advance so far, as that they might find Marquis Villa on the other shore in the confines of Piacenza, with his own men, and with those French who were in that State under Count S. Paul; who might receive the Duke, and secure the passage over the river; Villa, upon orders received from the Duke, was really joined with Count S. Paul, and was marched thitherward; and having in his passage recovered the Town and Castle of S. jovanni, was come to Arena, a Town in the Territories of Pavia, to receive the Duke, whom they expected suddenly to see on the other shore; and having driven away some horse which were in Arena, they kept in those parts; but the Dukes met with new and greater oppositions, which kept them from advancing so far; Count Ferrante Bolognino, a Knight of jerusalem, one who had been long versed in the wars of Flanders, and who was newly come to Italy, to serve as Campmaster in these Wars; having received orders from the Governor to hinder the passing over the Po, had made some fortifications upon the mouth of Tessino, and had drawn thither also many mills, upon which, as also upon the banks, he had placed many Cannons and Musketeers; So as the two Dukes finding these new difficulties, and oppositions as hard to overcome as those of Serivia, they passed no further on; but betook themselves to make inroads into the Country, and to prejudice the Towns thereabouts; which causing great fear in those of Pavia, they knew not how they should be able to defend themselves from being sacked, if the enemy should draw near their walls; and truly there not being so much as one Soldier in the Town, (for the Governor, as you have heard, had sent for them all to the Trench) the danger of that City was not inconsiderable; not only in respect of plunder, but also that it would be very hard to get the enemy who was very strong, out, when he should be possessed thereof; the Governor apprehending this scent Spinola immediately to defend it, with five hundred Musketeers, which yet were not sufficient to free those Citizens from fear, who for their greater safety, and to keep the enemy from their walls, were resolved to break down an arch of that noble and magnificent bridge, which close to the City stands over the Tessino; but these and other provisions which were h●…d, were more than was needful for the preservation of Pavia, for the Confederates, letting slip so fair an occasion, whereby they might have conveyed the Duke safely into his Country, drew back, though they were not pursued, and returned to Bremi; where not giving over the thought of conveying the Duke into his Country, they resolved to make the enemy forgo the Trench by a lusty diversion; which being abandoned, they might pass him over with a few men into the country of Piacenza; they knew that the continent of Novara, as being that part which of all the State of Milan was farthest off from the Trench, was totally without Garrison, or defence; wherefore they thought, that by going thither with the main body of their army, they might cause the Trench to be abandoned; so being come to Bremi, they sent the Duke of Parma with 3000 foot, and 300 horse towards Nizza, to the end that when the Trench should be forsaken, he might pass with those men into his own dominions; they afterward gave out that they intended three things, to the end that the Governor being to defend them all might speedily leave the passage over the Trench free to the Duke: The first was to sit down before Valenza; The second, to go take in Sandoval; And the third, to march straight towards Novara: The Governor hearing these designs published, did at the same time make two provisions; he sent Don john di Gattai with 3000 foot, and some horse, to succour Valenza, whether Don Francisco di Melo resolved to go soon after; and he sent Gambacorta with the greatest part of the Cavalry, to relieve Rottofreno, wherein there was but a small Garrison, for that part thereof were sent for to the Trench: wherefore it was straight besieged by Marquis Villa, who finding the Duke's expectation vanished by withdrawing of the League's Army, and hearing how the forces were lessened about that place, did not let sl●…p the occasion of going to take it; both these provisions were well warranted; for Garrai getting into Valenza, whilst the enemy's army looked on, endeavoured solicitously to perfect the Fort S. Diego, which was already begun upon the Banks of Po, in the same place where the Fort was much guarded the foot of the Bridge of Valenza, toward the Lomellina, that upon the like occasions that place might be secured; which Fort was soon perfected, or at least put into a condition of convenient defence; so as being assaulted by the French whilst they marched from Bremi to Novara, it did not only resist the assault, but two hundred horse going forth under the shelter of the Artillery of the Fort, they repulsed the assailants, and slew some of them, and in particular the Ma●…quess of Canesi, a prime Cavalier of the French, and of great expectation, and Gambacorta, who went to Rottofreno, finding the passes well blocked up, and fortified by Villa, returned back, not doing any thing; yet the preservation of that place being of great consequence, he was sent thither again with the same Cavalry, accompanied with a good strength of Musketeers; and being come thither he did not only bring in the relief, but made the enemy remove just when the Town was ready to surrender; which mean while notice being come to the Trench, that the enemy's Army was marched towards the territories of Novara; the Governor being very careful of those parts which were wholly unprovided of any Garrison, sent Don Martin d' Aragona and Lodovico Guasco away with all speed, and with a good strength of men to mark what way the enemy went, and to defend the Towns of those parts as well as they could from them; and to the end that the enemy might not attempt passing over the Tessino in the Barks which usually go thereupon, he gave order that they should all be detained either in Pavia, or in the greater Lake, from whence Tessino comes. The Governor continued (notwithstanding) with the main Body of his Army at the Trench; except it were those who were sent to Valenza when the enemy drew near the Town, and who returning were busied in keeping that pass blocked up from the Duke; the Duke was come already to Nizza with the men that were allotted him; where he tarried till he might see the Trench abandoned, that he might pass into his own Dominions; whilst the Army of the League, being come into the Territories of Novara, overran that Country, firing and laying all things waste where they came, sacking some Towns, and bringing others under composition; and as it went to Fontaneto, a Town not much fortified, but of much consequence for entertaining Commerce with Vercelli and Piedmont, the Towns men who confided in the Castle which was there, made some resistance; but being overcome on the fourth day, they were miserably sacked, in revenge for the death of Marshal Toras, who was unfortunately slain by one of the first Musket-shot that was made out of that Town; a death unworthy so gallant a Commander, and which was very ill resented, not only by his friends, but by his enemies, for his singular valour, and for the gallantry of what he had done. Fontanero being taken, they talked of going to Sandoval, or to before Novara; but a strange and unexpected accident happened, which made them think of greater things: six French Soldiers, who according to the fashion of the Spanish Soldiers wore red scarves, coming to the Tessino, feigned themselves to be Spanish Soldiers; and seeing the Bark wherewith they cross the River, and which is commonly called Porto, on the other shore, as he is called Portenaro who guides it, they earnestly desired the Portenaro that he would come and pass them over to the other side, offering him a good reward for their waftage: the Portenaro thought them to be friends, by the red scarves which they wore, and being too credulous and too greedy of gain, went to the other side the River, and took them into his Porto, who presently slew him; and passing over to the other side, they found the Country abandoned by the Inhabitants, who by reason of the nearness of the enemy were fled to the tops of Mountains; so they took some cattle, and passing with them over the River, they went and acquainted the Duke and the Marshal with what they had done, and showed them how easy it was to pass over the Tessino. The enterprise was very hopeful, and glorious beyond expectation, and was not to be despised; and so much the rather, for that to keep in the State of Novara, as they had done till now with little advancement, made but little for their honour; wherefore that somewhat might be done, they thought they were forced to embrace any whatsoever hard employment, and then much more this which was so easy, and which was so propitiously presented to them by fortune; they were the more encouraged to this enterprise by what little esteem was had of the enemy's Forces; which keeping still within the Trench, they thought they would not dare to encounter them, and that at the present they would shun coming into the open field, to keep from hazarding the welfare of the State upon the uncertainty of a Battle; having therefore sent some Horse over the Tessino, to discover the Country and the affairs better, they tarried expecting their return; that they might the better ground their resolutions; and finding by what they brought back, that they agreed, in their relation, with what the others had said, they threw over the boats which they had brought with them in Carts, and making a Bridge of them passed the Army over to the other side; and stayed some days waiting some happy occasion, which this so fortunate accident might present unto them; the Bridge was thrown over near Casa della Camera; the first thing which they did after they were passed was to break the Sprone (which is nothing else but the keeping in of the Tessino with great stones, to the end, that the water being thereby stopped may rise into a channel, which they call ill Naviglio, whereby they pass even to Milan, carrying and re-carrying boats full of provision (from the Lake whence the Tessino comes) to Milan, and which are necessary for the City, and for the Inhabitants (who live upon the Lake) and to take away the water from the Naviglio, that so they might straighten the City in point of provision; and bereave it of the advantage it got thereby; they afterward fortified themselves in Tornavento, a little Town on the left bank of the Tessino, and extended their Fortifications to the Brughera; which is nothing else but a Copse of many miles about where nothing grows but brush-wood or low shrubs, which those of Lombardy call Brughi; they tarried there some days pillaging those parts; and having no place to take, nor Mountains nor Riv●…s to pass over, nor no enemy to encounter (for Guasco was not yet come thither, and Don Martin d' Aragona, being far short of them in numbers, who heard in Novara that the enemy's Army had passed over the Tessino, did also pass over it himself a little lower, and was come to Bigarasso) they might march safely to the Walls of Milan; when the enemy's passage over the Tessino was heard of, and that an infinite number of the Inhabitants thereabouts were flocked together, with their Wives, Children, and with what else they had of most value, as to a place of refuge, the Citizens fell into such terror and confusion, as greater was never known in the memory of man, or was ever read of in ancient Story. The City of Milan was bereft of defendants, and as it were, exposed to be assaulted by the enemy, who was very strong, near at hand, and was hourly expected to appear before the City walls; they saw the Governor and all the chief Officers stood idly, minding only the keeping and defending of the Trench, and that they did not at all care for the rest of the State, so as they might keep the Duke of Parma from passing over; that this was the chief thing whereupon all their thoughts were bend, that they cared not though the enemy burnt, plundered, and laid the Country waste; they saw that the Army which had been raised at the people's so great expense, and which had suffered such hardship in their quarters all the Winter, made nothing at all for their sa●…ety at this time of so near danger; so as the people exclaimed in the streets against the Spaniards, and against the Governor himself; and bewailing their miseries were nearer tumultuating, then preparing to prevent their imminent danger: many also thinking the City lost sent away what they had, of most precious, into the State of Venice; so as the Gates of the City were pestered by those who believing in her safety ran thither with what best things they had, and by th●…se who not confiding in her safety fled away with what they had of most precious, and conveyed them into safer places; they were all the more disturbed by hearing that the Duke of Rohan was fallen down by the Valley of Sarsina into the State of Milan, and was come near Lecco, which if he should take, he might safely come to the City, and joining with the Confederates Army might put for mighty things; so as in this great confusion, many of the chief Gentlemen had recourse to Don Ranchillo, a Spaniard, and Chancellor of the State, who in the Governor's absence supplied his place, desiring that he would use his authority, and that he would endeavour the peace and safety of the City: he had at the same time received Letters from the Governor who was at the Trench, of the same tenure; wherefore beating up Drums immediately, to raise as many Citizens as he could, as well Gentlemen as others, he distributed them upon the Walls and Gates in several places to defend them: he also took care for repairing the walls and Gates, where it was most requisite, whereby, and by other provisions, men began to be of better hopes; they were chiefly quieted by the coming of Prince Borsoda Este into the State with 2500 Dutch, who sent them immediately towards Lecco to oppose the violence which Rohan threatened, and to keep him as far from the City as he could; but the confusion of the Confederates was not less then that of the Millainois, when they found themselves in an enemy's Country, which was laid waste, abandoned by the Inhabitants, and wherein the neighbouring Towns not being able to furnish food, contribution nor quarters necessary for their daily sustenance, they were forced, not without delay, difficulty and danger, to have them from Piedmont, and from the Continent of Novara; they therefore knew ●…at to keep there with so much inconveniency, was impossible; and that to go to Milan, as their so happy passage did in honour bind them to do, was dangerous and difficult; for if they should do so, they must necessarily, in the first place, abandon the Bridge, which not being to be fortified, it was impossible to secure; and the impossibility of securing it arose from the left side of the Tessino, which being very high and commanded by many Hills, it was altogether as impossible as necessary, to fortify all those Hills, so as to secure the Bridge from battery, and to fortify them so, as that the one might be a help to the other, and that they might all jointly concur with that which guarded the head of the Bridge; for otherwise any one of those Hills being taken by the enemy, and a battery being thereon placed, the Bridge must necessarily be beaten down, the Army must be debarred the River, being in an enemy's Country, wanting the conveniency of retreating, and of those succours which they were only to expect by the Bridge; being, moreover, exposed to be insulted over by the enemy, who (it was to be supposed) would quickly come, and fall upon them, to their ruin and undoing: to this was added, that they heard a flying rumour, that the Governor hearing that they were passed over the Tessino was already removed, and was already come with his Army very near Milan; so as if they should go thither, the Governor must either necessarily be got before them with his Army into the City, or come upon them when they were hottest in besieging it, or when they should have finished their Siege; in any of which cases there appeared manifest ruin; for if he should come before they were sat down before the City, it would be a rash and headlong resolution, to go to assault a great City well peopled, and that they should not be able to continue the Siege, having an enemy Army upon their backs, and that in their retreat, which would be necessary, they were likely to receive a great blow; and that, say they should take the City, the Soldiers would assuredly fall to plunder, and would not obey their Captain's commands, but flying from their colours, and running about the City without any Military Discipline, nothing but ruin was to be expected; they therefore concluded, that their going to Milan would afford the enemy an opportunity of obtaining a signal Victory: Yet the Duke of Savoy had much a do to keep the Marshal from going thither. Who alleged that the pressing over the Tessino had always been dreadful to that City, and was likely to prove so now more than ever. That therefore it behoved them to make use of the occasion, and aspire after the victory, which they could not fail of, if they would courageously go about it: That else they had done better never to have passed the Tessino, then after so happily past it, to do nothing. That to make any doubt thereof, was nothing else then to abandon the occasion of overcoming, and to shun victory: That the French Army had never passed the Tessino, but that the issue thereof had been the entire acquisition of the State of Milan. Wherefore then should they now forbear, when the Enemy, who were inferior to them in Forces, and far more inferior in Courage, would never dare to show their faces, nor hazard battle? When the people full of confusion and fear, and moreover, very ill satisfied with the Spanish Government, would join with the●…in the ruin of so abhorred an Empire. But reasons to the contrary, and the authority of supreme command which resided in the Duke, prevailing over the Marshal's Allegations, and the having also heard for certain, that the Governor was at last gone from the Trench, and was come near the City; the Marshal was forced to give way to the Duke's will, not without much murmuring: Not proceeding therefore any further, and being forced to go from thence by Famine, they resolved to go towards the Lake, and to take Sesto, Anghiera and Arona, which were situated in the mouth thereof; which believing they should take without any manner of difficulty, they thought to be thereby masters of the whole Lake: Whereby they should command the only passage which the Spaniards had to bring men from Germany into the State of Milan. And not being now able to bring in any by the Valtoline, that State would be a prey to the French Armies, when they should assault it with greater Forces. The Duke therefore preferring the safety and advantage of this proposal, before the airy and perilous enterprise of Milan, made the Bridge be broken up, and ordered that the Army should march towards the Lake; putting some of the Boats, whereof the Bridge was made, into Carts; and drawing some against the current of the River, they marched with their Army divided by the River; the Marshal with his French along the left side, the Duke along the right side, with his Piedmontese. But the Governor having, in this interim, heard of the Enemies being passed over the Tessino, by messengers sent unto him from the City, & of the confusion of that City, the desolation of the State of Novarra, and of the Towns on this side the River, he at last left the Trench; and sending precise orders to all those that were either in the Country of Tortona, or in the parts about Picenza, to follow him, he passed over the Po and the Tessino, with Don Francisco di Melo, and some others, and came to Pavio; and without entering Milan, he went directly toward Biagrassa. He sent Melo, notwithstanding, to Milan, to be Governor of that Castle, lest some disaster might happen in so great confusion. For fearing lest the Enemy might approach the City, he thought fit to put a wise Governor thereinto, and one of authority. Melo being come thither, was very diligent in bringing Ammunition into the Castle by night, lest if it should have been discovered, it might have caused greater fear in the people: He also armed 1200 Horse which were come a little before from Germany, and put the much confused Affairs of the City into better Orders. The Horse being armed, were presently sent to Biagrassa, and with them 13 Companies of Neapolitans; and those who were come from the French, and from the parts about Piacenza, passed over the Po and the Gravalone, and went to join with the Governor, who in a short time was able to muster 15000 Foot, and 5000 Horse. And whilst others were coming, the Governor went with three Troops of Horse from Bigarassa to Tornavento, the same day that the Enemy going from thence went towards the Lake. The Marshal hearing this, who marched on that side the River, and was not advanced full twelve miles, halted, and advised with the Duke, and they both resolved to return back, and go to their former quarters of Tornavento and Brughera; for it was very probable that those who marched on this side with the Marshal might be defeated if they should be pursued by the Enemy, being divided by the River from their associates: For the River, which runs very swiftly from the Lakes mouth to Tornavento, would not suffer them to throw over the Bridge there, that so they might join their Forces together; nor did the same swiftness of the River permit that the boats which were drawn against the Current could come time enough to piece with the others, before the Enemy might come upon them. Whereas on the contrary, by returning back, the Boats which were below, would anticipately come to the former place; so as the Bridge being speedily put together, they might meet with their joint Forces, before they could be assaulted by the Enemy. This Resolution was soon put on and executed; and about the going down of the day, the Duke and the Marshal came both of them to Tornavento, the Duke on that side, and the Marshal on this. The Marshals chief care was to fortify that place, and the Dukes, to cast over the Bridge speedily; a little below Tornavento, where the Enemy might advance, there was a great ditch, which had been formerly made by the French, when they were masters of the State of Milan, that they might bring the water of Tessino thereby, and convey it elsewhere; which ditch, because it proved to no purpose, and had cost much money, was then, and is yet called Panperduto, (which we may translate lost labour) the Marshal made use of this ditch for a Trench and Parapet to his men. For intending only to stand upon defence, he had left Monsieur Diego Boisac, Commissary of the Horse, without, with 300 Horse, that he might flank Panperduto, and playing upon the assailants on that side, might keep them from being assaulted. The rest of his men he kept within the ditch, where on the Front, and on the left side, they were sheltered by the same ditch; on the right side by the Naviglio, and on the back by the Tessino and Tornavento. Being thus securely seated, the Marshal stayed expecting the Governor, who being returned before the Marshal from Tornavento to Bigarassa, made his men advance to Constanzano, within three miles of Tornavento, that he might gall the Enemy on the back, in case he should continue his march towards the Lake, and that he might fight him if he should tarry by the way. The Governor came to Constanzano, the same night that the Marshal was returned to Tornavento: And notwithstanding that all those that were at the Trench, nor other that he expected, were not yet come to him, and those that were already come were very weary by their long and speedy march; yet placing his hopes of victory upon coming before the Bridge should be perfected, which till it should be so kept, the Enemy's Forces un-united, he was ready to go to assault them; the rather for that two hours before day Gambacorta was come to him with part of the horse whereunto he was driven, not so much out of the danger which delay might occasion, by giving the enemy leisure to perfect the Bridge, as for that his Army not being able to continue in the place where they were, out of many reasons, but especially for want of water, he could not, without much danger, and without loss of honour, retreat, the enemy being so near; so as the choice was turned to necessity, and the people's murmuring made the necessity greater, who being subject to such charges, and to such trouble in quartering, could not endure that the War should be spun out, without hopes of ever seeing an end of their so many sorrows and calamities; he therefore doubted that if he should delay fight them now that they were so near, the people might go wild, and perhaps produce some bad effect; so as their opinions were not listened to who thought it rashness to go in the condition they were in to assault an Army well munited within its Works, and which, when the Bridge should be made, would become more powerful; but the people's crying out for battle prevailed over these and many other considerations; and the Governor inclining to give them satisfaction, gave order to fight; he had not now above 10000 Foot in his Camp (for all the Foot were not yet arrived) and between four and five thousand Horse, who by reason of the straight situation were placed behind the Foot, in nine Squadrons; so as the Foot were to undergo the whole brunt of battle, without receiving any help from the Horse. Marquis Spinola was by the Governors' side, and Don Francisco di Melo who was come that very night from the Castle of Milan, out of the great desire he had to be present at this action: The conflict, or rather the assault, began four hours after Sunrising, on the second of june, and endured till three of the night; so as they fought fifteen hours without any intermission, and was continued by the assailants, with much valour and constancy, though upon so many disadvantageous terms; the enemies were very well sheltered (as hath been said) on all sides, and yet the assailants, who gave the assault with naked breasts, and in open field, advanced so far, as they came to push of Pike, for all the hundred horse which were left without by the Marshal; for though they turned at first to good purpose, to keep the assailants aloof from the Trenches; yet the Governor having sent Gambacorta against them with five hundred horse, and after him another squadron of as many Curassiers, commanded by Augustine Fiesco, Gambacorta fell furiously upon the Enemy, and drove them into a wood which was behind them; whereinto when he with his men entered, they were furiously played upon by musket shot from the Enemy's Trench, whereby some of them were slain, amongst which Gambacorta, who was shot through the body with two Musket bullets; A death which was esteemed a great loss; he being a gentleman of a stout heart, good at Counsel, and well versed in military affairs, wherein he had given good proof of his valour: wherefore his death was much resented by the whole camp; the horse which entered the wood with him, their captain being slain, were forced to retreat, and were pursued by the enemy's horse, which (in this the others consternation,) had time to rally themselves; they chased them till they came to Fiesco's squadron, who did not only make head against them, but forced the French back into the same wood; whence not daring to come forth any more, the assailants, when that impediment was removed, had opportunity to advance unto the Trenches; amidst all this toil and danger the heat was excessive great, and there was no water thereabouts; so as the soldiers, hot with continual fight, having no shade to shelter them from the Sun, which shone then excessive hotly, nor water wherewith to quench their thirst, they could no longer withstand the extreme heat, which consumed them both within, and without. Sergeant Major Octaviano saw a Windmill somewhat far from the place of fight, but well guarded by the enemy; he went thither with a good many Musketeers, and driving the Defendants away, not without much contest, he became master thereof, and opened unto the thirst-burnt Soldiers a large vein of water, who as soon as they heard thereof forsaken their ranks, and without any respect ran confusedly in crowds to refresh themselves therewith; this refreshment enabled the army to continue the fight more vigorously; and the Governor hearing what refreshment the Army had received, ordered Sauli to have a great care of that station, and not to abandon it without particular order from him; but all this while the victory was far off, the Duke of Savoy having remade the Bridge, passed over with his freshmen to this side the river, and brought very seasonable succour to the French, who were ready to forsake the field; by whose coming though the defence was much strengthened, yet did not the assailants fail to play their part, but kept the field as before; and therefore though the Duke's arrival took from them the glory of victory, yet was it not sufficient to make them losers; at last that which the night could not do, the wearyness of the soldiers did, which put an end to the assault three hours after Sunset; the assailants departed in good order, not losing one man in the retreat, being well backed by the Cavalry; but this was more than needed; for not any of the enemy (a thing no●… often read of) came out of their Trenches, to pursue them; their end being only to keep their quarters, they thought they had done enough to keep from being driven from thence; or peradventure, the Gallantry showed that day by the assailants made them keep in; but because the place where the sight was was incapable of quarter, being nothing but brush-wood, without water, save that of the Mill, without Trees, without fortifications, or forage for the Horse, which had born armed men all that day, without either food or rest, they were forced to go quarter at Biagarassa, which was fifteen miles off; this business decided the difference between the Duke and the Marshal touching going to Milan; and the Army that was assaulted had the honour, though not the title of victory, which was due to it by Military law, for having kept its station; and it would have carried away entirely the title of Victory, if the Duke of Parma, who was the chief occasion and end of these conflicts, had made use of the occasion of passing over the ●…rench at Tortona at the same time when it was abandoned by the Governor, and had so passed happily into his Dominions. This Prince, as you have heard, was sent from Bremi to Nizza, with a convoy of three thousand Foot, and three hundred Horse; to the end that the going of the Confederates army towards the territories of Novara being likely to draw the Governor, with his men, from defending the Trench, to defend these parts, the Duke might make his way by that Trench, when it should be abandoned, and pass securely into the Country of Piacenza. The business succeeded as it was designed, and better; for the Governor being forced by the unexpected passage of the French over the Tessino, hastily to forsake the French which he left guarded by Carlo della Gatta, with only five hundred foot, too small a number by much for the large extent thereof, and the weather being then very dry, and the Scrivia very shallow, it had been easy for the Duke to pass the Trench, and come into his States; and if, as easily he might, he had done so, what greater glory could the Confederates have won, then to have then put that Prince happily and honourably into his Dominions; and that whereas to keep them from doing so the Governor would force them to fight with so much disadvantage, against the Trench of Tortona; they to effect it, by better and more advised counsels had compelled him to abandon that Trench; nor had their glory ended here; for they might moreover have boasted to have almost totally freed the Duke's Dominions, and to have brought his Convoy safe into the territories of Piacenza; which being joined to the forces which were there already might have defended that Prince from being injured by the Spanish forces; which successes would assuredly have been glorious, and memorable, if the Duke of Parma had co-operated to perfecting of the common ends and Counsels; the reasons which hindered the Duke of Parma from doing so may be guest at by a letter which he writ to the Duke of Savoy, in answer to one written to him by the said Duke, two days before the conflict at Tornavento; wherein Parma was exhorted to advance, and get into his Dominions by the Trench which the enemy had abandoned; whereunto Parma answered the day after what had happened at Tornavento; that it was impossible for him to undertake that journey, for want monies; that moreover he wanted victuals, munition, and carriages to convey his baggage, though it were but little; and that it was impossible for him, though he should make never so much diligence, to repair so many wants; especially since he who was deputed to defray the expenses had refused to pay a small sum of money which he had desired; he also said that by the convoy which was given him he had no power to command, nor to make the Soldiers obey him; so as he could not make use of them who were become very contumacious; for though, at first, they seemed very willing to serve him, yet not long after they had altered their minds at the instigation of others, who had suggested unto them, that they should not be satisfied in their pay, when they should be come into his Country; wherefore perceiving that ill blood began to be bred amongst them, and that this malady began to spread abroad in the multitude, it had so infected them, as many of them had run away that very night; and that therefore he had given them leave to go unto the Camp, to the end that his Majesty's affairs might suffer no prejudice by their absence; and parting that very night from Nizza with seven other horse, he went towards the Sea, whither being come about break of day he hired a little Vessel at Voltri, and steering directly towards Lerici, and passing incognito through the Luniggiana, he came unknown and almost unaccompanied into the same City from whence he departed ten months before, so nobly attended by Lords and Soldiers, full of high and generous designs, like one who had returned from war in triumph; and yet when he was come home, he seemed more distasted with his success, then sorry for what he had done. Marquis Villa, by reason of new advertisements which he had received, was gone with the Piedmont Horse and Foot to Voghera, to assist the Duke in passing over the Trench; but hearing that he was gone towards the Sea, intending to go by that way into his States, he resolved to march to Piedmont whither he was sent for by the Duke of Savoy: he therefore went from Voghera to castle nuovo upon the Scrivia, where refreshing his Soldiers and his Horses, he went straight towards the Trench which was not far from castle nuovo, and making a sufficient gap by Mattocks and Spades, he passed through it, so near Tortona as he was saluted by the Artillery, though without prejudice; whereby the Duke might know how glorious an action he had let slip. Having once more passed through the Territories of Alessandria, with like happy success as he had done before, the Country being unfurnished of Soldiers, he came without any opposition to Asti, and from thence to the Duke, who was still with the Marshal at Tornavento, that they might not lose the glory which they had won by making that place good against so fierce an assault; and as if they expected a second assault, they seemed not at all to fear it, but stood fixed, and resolved to receive it; but not being re-assaulted, nor being able to tarry there any longer with so many disaccommodations, and being greatly molested with abundance of Horse flies or Hornets, which the dead unburied carcases had either drawn thither, or generated, they resolved to remove from thence, leaving these words written in a conspicuous place. Quod non potuerunt Hispani, potuerunt Taffani. What the Spaniards could not do, Hornets and Horseflies did pursue. And making their first march towards the Lake, when they were come thither, they threw a Bridge over between Sesto and Castelletto, Towns which lie in the mouth thereof, intending to go from thence to before Arona, and to take it; and thinking to make themselves first masters of Angiera, a Town which lies also upon the Lake, over against Arona, they planted Batteries against it. The Count Bolognino was entered Arona with a good Garrison, which would have withstood the Siege a good while, if it had been attempted by the enemy; but a new and unthought of necessity forced them to retreat and quit the Country; for the Governor, after what had happened at Tornavento had made up the Body of an Army near Buffaloro, between Biagrassa and Tornavento; and having sent Melo back to guard the Castle of Milan, and Bolognino with Forces into Arena, he threw two Bridges over the Tessino, by which passing over that River, he gave out that he would go to Romagnano, a Town on the left side of the Sesia, where he might commodiously besiege the enemy, who were quartered in the mouth of the Lake, and hinder their proceedings, and keep them from retreating; so as they must ncessarily be consumed there, for want of meat; for that Country being abandoned by the Country people, who were withdrawn to the Mountains, and the Governor keeping in Romagnano, they could not be nourished by the Country, nor receive victuals nor succour from Piedmont, nor from the County of Vercelli, by reason of the craggy Hill which riseth from Romagnano towards the Lake: on the side whereof there were only three ways, which being guarded by reasonable Garrisons, excluded all passing from Piedmont to the Lake: this evident danger being foreseen by the Duke, and by the Marshal, they quickly gave over the enterprise and retreated; and passing back over the Tessino, they got before hand into Romagnano, where they fixed their quarters, seeming as if they would keep there; but the Governor being come to Carpignano, he incommodated them there, and begirt them on sundry sides, and sent some men into the Country of Vercelli, to hinder the bringing of provisions to Romagnano; wherefore they were forced to go from thence, and abandoning the State of Milan, retreated into Piedmont, being lessened both in Forces and Honour; insomuch as the rest of their Army being disbanded, most of the French retreated to Pinarvolo, and from thence into France, and the Piedmonteses kept in Piedmont. The Confederates Army being dissolved, the Governor betook himself to drive out the French Garrisons, which kept yet fortified in some parts of the State of Milan; and sent several Commanders to recover them. Don Martin d' Aragona recovered Fontaneto, in the County of Novara, which was taken by the Confederates, and till now kept with a stout Garrison. Don Vincenzo Gonzaga recovered many other Towns in the same. Giuseppe Monpavone, Governor of Alessandria, drove the French Garrison out of Annone; and it being a place of consequence, he fortified it; and now there remained no Towns in the hands of the French, except Bremi and Villata. Villata was quickly slighted and abandoned by a small Garrison which was in it; so as all the remainder of the French were in Bremi; which being a strong Town, and well munited, the taking of it was put off to another time. The Governor also showed some resentment against the Duke of Savoy; Lucio Baccapianola, by his Orders, entered Gattinara, and without any opposition took it, and sacked it; and Don Philippo di Silua, who succeeded Marquis Spinola in the place of General of the Horse, entered the County of Asti with some Horse, and took Arazzo, Montealto and Montegrosso; and some of the Garrisons of Alessandria, made inroads into the enemy's Country, burning and sacking many of their Towns: which actions did gainsay those secret intelligences which said, and more publicly the Marshal, that the Duke held with the Spaniards; but greater resentments were plotted against the Duke of Parma, who being come into his State was not idle; for though the Marquis Villa was gone from thence (as hath been said) and was returned to Piedmont, and that consequently the Duke wanted that assistance, yet overcoming all difficulties with his undaunted spirit, and having yet some two or three thousand French with him, part whereof were come with Marquis Villa, part sent to him by the River of Genoa, with permission from the Genoeses, and having added to these a Body of his own Subjects, and some others that he had taken into pay, he once more besieged Rottofreno at a distance; nor herewithal content he by way of resenting Prince Doria's attempts against Valdettaro, sent to take St. Stephano, a Town belonging to the same Prince in Fee from the Emperor, seated upon the Confines of the State of Genoa; and passing over the Po was entered into the State of Cremonia; and doing much prejudice to the Towns of that Country, he pretended revenge for the ruins occasioned in his Country by the King's Soldiers; wherefore the Governor, being scandalised at these new attempts, and seeing the State of Milan almost freed of the Confederates Forces, he sent some of his men under Don Martin d' Aragona to prejudice that Duke, with order to quarter in those States, and that without attempting any thing against the chief Cities he might overrun the Country, to the end, that the Duke being mortified by such losses, and terrified by fear of greater, might learn to know how unable he was to defend himself against the King's incensed Forces. Don Martin being entered into the State of Piacenza first, freed Rottofreno from being besieged by the Duke's men, drove away the assailants, and killing and taking many of them prisoners pursued them to underneath the Walls of Piacenza, he afterwards recovered the Castle St. Stephano for Prince Doria, which was taken from him by the Duke's men; and Cardinal Trivultio being entered at the same time, by Orders from the Governor, with a Regiment of Dutch, into the States of Cremona and Lodi, he drove out those that were placed there in Garrison in some Towns that the Duke had taken but a little before in those parts; then passing over the Po, and joining with l' Aragona, he went to possess himself of the State called Palavicino, by which acquisition all Commerce was almost interdicted between Parma and Piacenza; many Towns of those Territories were afterwards taken, and the Salt-pits were destroyed, which brought in a great revenue; and the Duke of Parma, not able to keep the Field against the Spaniards, retired to Piacenza where he was first besieged at a distance, and closer afterwards: it is a thing verywell worth observation, to think how that Prince amidst so many adversities, and being so near utter ruin, did notwithstanding keep so close to his first resolutions, and how he kept his first hopes, against all probability of not only obtaining his pretensions, but even of being preserved from imminent ruin; for though he had much reason not to doubt that the King of France, who was his only hope, and who endeavoured now to get the Princes of Italy to adhere unto him, would suffer that the first and almost only one of those Princes, and who so freely and so courageously had declared for him and his Crown, would suffer that he should now upon that account be oppressed and ruined; making him thereby an example to others, how little they were, in the like case, to rely upon the protection of that Crown; yet the Affairs of that King were at that time reduced to so bad a condition, that they rather seemed to need being assisted by others, then to assist others. The Cardinal Infanta, going from the Confines of Flanders with a gallant Army, was entered Picardy; and having taken La Capella and Corbie, two principal places upon those Frontiers, overran that Province victoriously; and burning, and sacking all before him, he was advanced even to the Walls of Amiens, and St Quintin's. And the King not having Forces in readiness, to withstand so sudden, and so unexpected a storm, caused Men and Arms to be tumultuously raised, for the defence of Paris itself; and by an Edict, which the French in their Language call Arierban, which is as much as to say, the last Call, (which the Kings of France never make use of, but in extreme necessity) he summoned all his Feudatories, and all his Nobility, to assist in defence of the public safety, which was then tottering. Nor was this all the danger of that Kingdom; for the Prince of Conde was forced to rise from before Dole, a Town in Burgundy, whither he had been sent a little before by the King with a powerful Army. For Gallasso being assisted by people of the same County was entered Burgundy with a strong Army; and overrunning all the Towns thereof on this side the Some, had taken Merabaule, and was come to before St. jean di Beaulme, a Town standing upon the Some, between Verdune and Shalloune. Nor was this Kingdom in less danger on the parts towards Spain; whither the King having sent a powerful Army, commanded by the same Prince of Conde, wherein were many Signieurs of France that served to assault Spain on that side; and the Prince being encamped before Fonterabie, a frontier Town of Spain over against Gascony, he had reduced it to great extremity, not without much danger to Spain, if it had fallen into the hands of the French, as necessarily it must have done, had not the Admiral of Castille come from Spain with 10000 Foot, and 1500 Horse, which passing over the Pirenean Mountains, came unexpectedly to before Fonterabie, just as it was upon Articles of surrender, and freed it luckily; for at the Admiral's appearing, the Prince of Conde raised the siege, and the Admiral taking St. john di Luz, and besieging Bayonne, overran Guascony, plundering and bringing the parts thereabouts into composition; how could the Duke of Parma expect or fancy unto himself any assistance from the King of France, whilst his own Kingdom was so full of troubles, and assaulted on so many sides? and which was worse for him, the French were almost gone all out of Italy, and the Spaniards were increased in numbers and reputation, and left untroubled by that League which was intended for their ruin. He saw apparently that could not be diverted from prejudicing him; nay, the Governor of Milan having heard that some few French, who were yet in Cassalle, were ready to pass over to Piacenza in boats, when they should see the Po swollen with water, had ordered that a Steccado should be made over that River near Valenza, to withstand those Forces, and had a good Garrison to be placed there to oppose those boats, and all others who should go upon that River: And the Governor had given order to Cardinal Trivultio, to have an eye to those parts; who fearing lest some Mantuans, and some of the State of Venice, not being able to enter the nearest way into the Duke's States, might by way of diversion assault the State of Cremona, or of Lodi, he went first with the men that were assigned him to the frontiers of those Counties, to defend them from any incursion; so as that Prince was excluded from any succour on every side. There was only one loophole left open, from which he might hope for safety amidst these so many straits; which was the King of France his Fleet, at that time come into the Ligustick Sea, as shall be said in its proper place. But to boot with the hindrance (as shall be said) which the Spanish Galleys gave to the landing of the French Fleet, keeping it from landing its men; the Governor who was himself with part of his Army in Alessandria, stood ready to oppose any who should land in relief of the Duke, or to prejudice the State of Milan. This was the condition of this Duke's Affairs; and to fill up all his misfortunes, the Emperor after having taken the Duke of Saxony off from the Protestant League, and brought him by the peace of Prague to side with him, he had also at this very time compassed his fervent desire of seeing his Son, the King of Hungary, Elected King of the Romans; an Election which had suffered great opposition, by those who desirous to abase the Austrian name, used all the means they could to keep him from it; the which being overcome by the dexterity and several negotiations of the Spanish Agents in that Court, and particularly by Count d' Ognate, it was happily achieved about Christmas, the year 1636. In which Election, the Marquis of Castagneda, who was Ambassador from Spain with the same King of Hungary, upon whom the Election fell, did very much cooperate. True it is that the success of the Austrian Forces at this time did very much facilitate this choice; which having shut up the Swedes in the furthest corner of Pomerania, and were near driving them out of Germany, obliged some of the Electors, though contrary to their wills, to permit that the Imperial Diadem should be continued in the House of Austria; the peace and union of the Duke of Saxony, and this Coronation, and the late victories, did doubtlessly redound much to the greatness and security of the Austrian name: so as the Duke of Parma might see how prosperously the Austrians whom he had abandoned, proceeded; and on the contrary, how the d●…vo-King of France his affairs, which he had so readily and with so much tion embraced, how much, I say, they had miscarried, and consequently he might easily perceive to what condition his affairs were brought; and that to stand pertinaciously to these designs was nothing else but to fight against heaven, and to run headlong into ruin; he might also know that the Princes of Italy were not well pleased with this new fire which he had kindled in Italy. The Pope, in consideration of the Sovereignty which the Apostolic See hath over the Duke of Parma's Dominions, feared that they might be possessed by the Spaniards; and was angry that the Duke who was his Feudatory should so obstinately subject himself to so many evils; wherefore not only he, but the great Duke, whose Sister was Wife to the Duke of Parma, interceded for him to the King of Spain and his Agents, to be more reserved in their resentments, desiring them to pardon somewhat, in respect of the merits of the former Dukes of Parma, much in respect of tha●… Prince his young years, and not to discompose Italy; and they continually solicited the Duke, sometimes by fair means, sometimes by foul, that he would foresee and know his danger, and the like of the common affairs; they prevailed more with the King of Spain and his Agents, then with the Duke. The King seemed willing to pass by so many offences, and to restore his Territories free and entire to the Duke, as they were before he had used any hostility, without lessening his former authority or liberty; but all this was nothing; for the Duke's devotion to the King of France was such, and had so bewitched him, as he was no more himself; so as not knowing how to forsake this earthly deity, by whom he hoped to obtain an earthly Paradise, he seemed to rejoice in becoming a Martyr, and in sacrificing his State and Fortune in maintenance of his Faith and Devotion towards that Deity whom he had once adored, and to whom he had wholly dedicated himself; wherefore the losses he had suffered, the dangers he had run, and those which did still threaten him, nor the afflictions of his people, (who desirous to rid themselves of so many sorrows desired he would incline to peace;) nor any fair conditions that could be offered him, could do no good upon him; nor did they appear adequate remedies to mitigate his mind, but rather made him the more refractory. The Governor not being able any longer to endure so much obdurancy justified the King's intentions to these Princes, which was not to oppress this Prince, but to reduce him and all Italy to quiet; and resolved at last to alter his way of proceeding; and to proceed with more severity since he saw fair means could do no good; he therefore gave order to Cardinal Trivultio to besiege Piacenza yet closer, and sent Colonel Gill di Hays to him, a valiant and understanding Soldier, who by order from the Cardinal assaulted Rivalta, and took it within five days; there were in it 400 Foot, whereof 50 French, who went all free out, and the French were sent with a sufficient convoy into France. The Cardinal designing afterwards to take the Island which is encompassed by the Po, over against Piacenza, sent Sergeant Major Ottaviano Sauli to take it; who going first to discover it, with the Engineer Prestino, drew afterward near it with his men; who being got into the Island they first repulsed five barks loaded with Soldiers which were sent from Piacenza, as soon as the enemy's design was known, to prepossess the Island; he also fortified the bank which was opposite to Piacenza, and built a Fort in the midst of the Island, whereby he became master of it, and began to straighten the City; and at the same time the Cardinal and Marquis Antonio Pietro Lunato, who was General of the Artillery, did much molest the City with their Artillery; affairs continued thus for above a month; in which time the Cardinal sent Don Vincenzo Gonzaga to take several Castles in the territories of Parma, and Gill di Hays, to take others in those of Piacenza; by the taking whereof the Cities of Parma and Piacenza being more straightened were quite excluded all communication; at last the Duke seeing the Mills near the City beaten down by the enemy's Artillery, the State almost wholly possessed by the enemy, all Commerce kept from the City of Parma, himself and his Wise so straight besieged in Piacenza, as the scarcity of victuals was so great in that City, that wanting meat even himself to eat, he held it for an extraordinary present to receive every week a Calf from Ottaviano Sauli, which was duly sent him by order from the Governor, and which being safely kept was all the flesh he had for his own Table for the whole week; finding himself therefore, I say, thus straightened, and having no hope of succour, he foresaw he should be reduced to utmost extremity, if he should not yield to these so terrible tempests; wherefore he began to listen to conditions of Agreement, which were still kept on foot in Milan for all the fight and batteries, by Count Carpegna in the Pope's name, and in the name of the great Duke, by his Secretrary Dominico Pandolphino; nor was the agreement hard to be made; for the Spanish Agents being desirous to have an end of all this trouble, accept of any conditions: when therefore it was known that the Duke would parley, all hostility was suspended, and an agreement was quickly made between Don Francisco di Melo, Ambassador plenipotentiary from the King of Spain to the Princes of Italy, and Secretary Pandolphino. The Articles were approved by the Governor, and by the Duke; but were never published but by what was comprehended by the sequel, and by what was commonly said, they were; that the Duke returning to the King of Spain's devotion should enjoy the same, nay greater honours under the protection of the King Spain, then formerly; that he should renounce any League made with any other Prince, against the Crown of Spain; that he should dismiss all the French, with a Passport that should be given them by the State of Milan, whereby they might safely pass into France, and that in lieu of them the Duke should have a Garrison of Italians, Dutch or Swissers, such as the King should confide in: That the Governor should withdraw all his men into the State of Milan, quitting all Towns that were taken; and leaving them in the same condition they were in before the War; all which Articles were fully performed on both sides. This Peace, as also the precedent War, afforded diversity of Discourse. Many praised the King's moderation and magnanimity, even to the skies, who being so highly offended by so inferior a Prince, had notwithstanding suffered it, with a Princely Grandezza, and had considered t●…merits of the offenders ancestors, and the youthful spirit of the delinquent, against whom he had made war more by constraint, then free will; but with such moderation as by the manner both of taking up Arms, and of laying them down, it was evidently seen, that the King never intended to suppress this Prince, but only that by making him lay down his fierceness he might receive him into his protection, and make him capable of all honours and favours that he could expect from his Majesty; that therefore the King's Forces had fought rather to subdue the Prince his obstinacy, than his Towns; and rather to win his good will, than his Dominions; many, on the contrary, detracting from the praise of so singular an action, attributed all that had been done neither to the worth, nor to any good intention in the King, but to mere necessity which had forced him to do so; for to have resented himself against this Prince, to the oppressing his Principality, and possessing himself of his Dominions, though perhaps he might easily have done it in this present conjuncture of times; yet to keep them would be a very hard business, and apt to cause immortal wars; so as after having been at much expense in getting them, after having been troubled with war to keep them, all would end in a necessary restitution; that herein the States appertaining to the See of Rome were concerned, which would never sit down by so great a loss; that the great Duke of Tuscany was herein concerned, a Prince so well affected to the Crown of Spain, and who had merited so well thereof; and whose friendship was now of great concernment thereunto; that the Duke of Parma's wife who was niece to the Emperor was concerned herein, so as what reason had he to distaste the great Duke in a thing which so nearly concerned him, in his sister's behalf, and by alienating him to give occasion to him who could not sit down by the ruin of his sister, and brother in law, to fall upon new resolves by way of resentment; was the condition of affairs such as this time, as that it made for the Crown of Spain to alienate a Prince who was most sincerely inclined to the interest thereof? that what was yet of greater importance, the satisfaction, and safety of all the Princes of Italy, was herein concerned; who thinking so great an increase of the Spaniards power in Italy was a decrease of their own Empire and Liberty, would have turned the whole world upside down, rather than suffer those States to be joined to that of Millian; to what purpose was it then to destroy a Prince, whose destruction would occasion war to succeed war, hatred to succeed hatred, enmity to succeed enmity, to the so much prejudice of the destroyer? that there was fresh example, what wars, troubles and dangers, the taking away of the Palatinate from its natural Prince had occasioned, and did still occasion to the Emperor, and to the House of Austria; that the Examples of the Valtoline, and Duke of Mantua in Italy, were yet more evident; thus they, by these arguments, and examples, concluded that necessity was turned to virtue in the King of Spain. But the Duke was the subject of no less various discourse; some praised, others dispraised the generosity of his mind, which could not submit to the injuries and oppressions of the Spaniards, but had dared to oppose their insolences; that he had given a singular example of a free spirit, becoming a Free Prince; and had taught the Spaniards, who had wont to insult over the Princes of Italy, how they ought to esteem them, how respectfully they ought to proceed with them, and what the greater and more powerful Potentates can do, when the lesser can make such noise; that the reason why he had not compassed the chief end of his high and generous pretences, was not out of any fault of his, but of others; it being apparent, that if they had proceeded effectually before Valenza, Italy would never have seen a more illustrious day for her liberty, then that wherein he went out armed from his Dominions, when fight the Spaniard at Ponte Carone, he had the better of them, and slew their Captain, who led them on so proudly against him; that success cannot detract from the glory of enterprises, especially when their miscarriage proceeds from casual accidents; that howsoever, amidst so many adversities he had made the Spaniards see that a great part of their losses, and dangers, had proceeded from his alienation; that the Pavian, and Novarese Towns, the Cities of Milan, and Pavia, together with their territories, had doubtlessly suffered more prejudice upon his account, than the parts about Parma, and Piacenza; and that Milan, and Pavia had been as near being lost as Piacenza and Parma; that therefore the Potentates of Italy were always to acknowledge the lessening of the Spanish pretensions, the moderation, and respect, which shall hereafter be used towards them, the esteem which shall be had of them, and their liberty, from this Prince; others, on the contrary, ascribed the actions of this Prince neither to worth nor generosity, but to madness of youth; for beginning at their beginning, and continuing to the end of the Tragedy, they said, that without any just occasion given, he had swerved from the footsteps of his forefathers; who having placed the soundest foundation of their Principality upon Friendship with Spain, had never reason to repent it; what reason then had this Prince to doubt the favour and protection of that Crown, if he had continued to follow his Predecessors footsteps? but that from his Infancy he had aspiring thoughts, and greater pretensions than became his condition; that he seemed to undervalue the Friendship of Spain; and that by inclining more to that of France he had begot no little distrust of his intentions, which caused the Spaniards to conceive ill of him, and to spy into his ways; whereby discovering his aversion, he had given them occasion to complain thereof, and sometimes to break forth into words of just resentment; which might have served to admonish him; but he esteeming this medicine poison had broken out upon small occasion; nay indeed upon none at all, if he would consider things justly; chiefly when the question was touching a Prince so inferior in force and power to the King of Spain, and when greater things had been passed by, by greater Princes, and winked at, to keep them from disturbing the public peace; how many distastes had Duke Charles Emanuel suffered before he broke with Spain; nor did he ever come to any breach till his own Dominions were assaulted by the Spaniards; so as he may rather be said to have taken up arms in his own defence, then against the Crown of Spain; how many injuries have the Venetians passed by, nay how many the Popes themselves, not to mention other Princes? how many dislikes have been winked at between the two Crowns of Spain and France, and between them and other Princes; that great Princes do sometimes use acts of superiority and Signiory towards lesser Princes, and the lesser have been known to think it wisdom to suffer them; nor do greater Princes use always to look big upon lesser, but to proceed moderately with them; generously pardoning the defects and failing of lesser Princes committed against them, without so much as taking any notice thereof otherwise the world would be turned upside down, if arms were to be taken up upon every small offence; that this is kept for the last refuge of an assaulted, or tottering State; not to offend or provoke one that is more powerful; not to vent hatred upon the weaker, or to secure suspicion; that then there being no occasion of a breach, it must necessarily be concluded, that either fear of being oppressed by the Spanish forces, or hopes of getting either the State of Milan, or part of it, by adhering to France, or a desire to put Italy into her former liberty, by driving out the Spaniards, had thrust him upon this novelty; as for fear, it was said, that being strengthened by the so many merits of his predecessors, he could not possibly dread those forces which had been such a prop and defence to other Princes of Italy, that had not deserved so well of the Crown of Spain; that Ferdinand the Cardinal, and after Duke of Mantua, might serve to witness this, who having given more manifest signs of alienation from that Crown, both in Rome and elsewhere, then Parma had before the breach; yet when he succeeded his Brother in the Principality, contrary to the expectation of all men, nay of himself, he was received into the Protection of the Crown of Spain, and effectually defended by the Forces thereof, against the Duke of Savoy, who was joined in alliance and interest to that King; and yet this Ferdinando was not munited by the merits of his predecessors; nay his Father was sorely suspected to have conspired against the Crown of Spain; and as fear appeared not a sufficient occasion to justify this commotion, so had he less reason to be induced thereunto by hope; for not to say, that the aggrandizing of one's self is no just reason to make war; he who shall balance these hopes justly will find them not to be well placed, but that they were very ●…rail, and unconsiderable. The French pretend that the State of Milan doth by ancient right belong unto their Crown; and therefore is unalienable either in part or in whole; and they have spent more blood and moneys to get it then it is worth; and will any one then believe that if the French should get it, they would give it him, or divide it with him? especially since he concurred to the getting thereof with so small Forces; and if reason did not convince him in this, former examples might have excluded him from all hopes thereof. Lewis King of France won that State, assisted by the Venetian Forces, and covenanted with them expressly for the City and County of Cremona, together with whole Giaradada; but as soon as he achieved his intent, he redemanded of the Commonwealth all that by the said Covenants was due unto her; and this not under any other pretence, but for that it being a State appertaining to the Crown, it could not be dismembered from it; and as for the so specious pretences of the Liberty of Italy, which never moved the greater Princes of Italy, how could they rationally fall into the conceit of this Prince; who being none of the chiefest amongst them, neither for Forces, Wisdom nor Experience in worldly Affairs, might learn by their proceedings, that though they were sometimes perhaps incited by greater provocations of more absolute liberty; yet they have always temporised, lest being freed for the present they might be afterwards forced to yield to worse conditions; and being content with having brought Italy now to a greater equality, studied how to preserve her in it: these were the considerations which were commonly had upon these occurrences, which as we leave undecided, so will we leave them free to be approved or disapproved, as every one shall think fit. And now to return to our discourse, a little before this very time, when the Duke of Parma's Dominions were by this peace freed from war, Donna Anna Caraffa, the only Daughter and Heir to the Prince of Stigliano, a chief Lady in the Kingdom of Naples, was married to the Duke de Medina dellas Torres, a chief Lord of the Family of Gusman, and one of the Grandees of Spain, and who lately succeeded Count Moanterey in the Vice-royalty of the Kingdom of Naples; from which marriage a Son was soon born, to whom together with the large patrimony in that Kingdom belonging to the Mother the Patronage of Sabioneta did belong, as being descended from a Sister of Vespasian Gonzaga, married to the Grandfather of Donna Anna; this place, by reason of its strong situation, is almost impregnable, seated in the State of Cremona, towards the Dukedom of Mantua; and therefore of great consequence, not only for the City of Cremona, but even for the whole State of Milan; and whereupon the Spaniards had fixed their eyes long before, being very desirous to be masters of it. The Princes of Italy who did not love that the Spaniards should get this place, were very jealous of this their desire; and the Spaniards never having been able to get footing there, though that Lady, as also her Father, both by birth and marriage, were Subjects to the Crown of Spain; yet they obtained their ends in these times without any violence, or just occasion of complaint to the Princes of Italy; for the aforesaid marriage, and the birth of this Son, Heir, and Successor to that place, made way for them to get that which they valued so much, and so much desired; but this place being for some respects assigned over to the Duke of Ranusco, and that assignment was now descended to the now Duke of Parma, who was his Heir and who succeeded him; therefore the Duke of Medina and his Wife, in their own names, and in the name of their Son, sent to Don Francisco di Melo to recover the deposited place. Melo went to Parma, where that Duke not being able openly to refuse restitution, he demurred upon the expenses of the Garrison which had been kept there during the time of depositure, which he said came to 300000 ducats; and Melo being unwilling that the business should be retarded for point of moneys, the sum of 300000 ducats being reduced to 200000, the Duke was contented to assign the place over to him, and the Italian Garrison marching out, a Spanish Garrison was put into it, to the great satisfaction of the Spanish Agents: but this was not done before the Castle of Rossenna was restored to the Duke of Parma, which was taken from him by the Duke of Modena, as hath been said, when he first moved against the Duke of Parma; with which restitution the differences between those two Princes were adjusted; it was generally thought that the Duke of Parma did so easily part with this, to revenge himself of the Venetians, with whom he was much unsatisfied, because they had never lent him any the least assistance in the present war, but had suffered him to submit to the Spanish Forces; knowing very well how much the Venetians would be troubled at the Spaniards having of that place; but though the Duke was not assisted by the Venetians, or by his Brother in Law, the great Duke, with Arms; yet could he not deny but that he was favoured by them both, by their powerful endeavours that his Dominions might not be taken from him, which doubtlessly prevailed more with the Spaniards; and it is certain, that these two Potentates were ascertained by the Spaniards, that they made not this war to oppress him, but to extinguish that fire in him which was not ple●…sing to these two Potentates, nor to the other Princes of Italy, in respect of the common concernment: wherefore having, without advising with them, and contrary to their liking and minds, continued his commotion, they had no reason by assisting him, to be drawn into a war which they foresaw would be pernicious, to their particular, and to the common interest; and which would make Spain their enemy, and keep them from using their best endeavours in that Court for his service. The Governor being rid of the business of Parma, which as a stumbling block had been a great hindrance to the proceedings of the King's affairs, applied himself to regain the Langhe; which are little Castles held in see of the Emperor by several Lords, situated in the Mountains of Liguria, confining partly upon the State of Milan, partly upon the Commonwealth of Venice, partly upon Piedmont, and Montferrat; and at the present garrisoned, partly by the French, partly by the Piedmonteses. The Governors' Forces were at this time increased by men come from Spain, Naples and Germany; and he expected others from the Swissers, which made him betake himself the rather to this business: it was not long since the Duke of Savoy, being desirous to defend himself in those parts, had taken the County of Milesino, seated on the back of Savona, wherein was a Castle called Cengio, very strongly seated, and very convenient for passage by Sea; and which standing in the midst between the Marquisate of Finale and the State of Milan, was very proper for the preservation of that Marquisate; the possession of this place caused much jealousy in the Spaniards, who were desirous to open a passage by Finale for the men which for the future they intended to land there; and also because, when Finale should be assaulted, it was not to be succoured by the State of Milan, but through that County. The Governor was therefore forced to clear those parts from the enemy's Garrisons: to effect the which, he began with the Town and Castle of Ponsone; whether under the conduct of Emilio Gliglino, he sent a body of men, part Spaniards, part Italians, part Dutch; who coming within sight of the Town took it without any opposition. For the Garrison which were French, at the first appearing of the Enemy abandoned it, and retreated to the Castle; to the taking whereof, Artillery, and greater store of forces being required, Don Martind ' Aragona was sent thither with more men, and with Artillery, which being planted against the Castle, and the Defendants hearing no news of any relief, it was within a few days surrendered. At the same time Gill de Hays, boasting that he could surprise Nizza, he was sent thither by the Governor from the City of Alessandria, with three Regiments of Foot, and two of Horse; who parting two hours before Sunset was to have been that night at Nizza, which was not above twelve miles off: But not coming thither till two hours after the Sun was up, and therefore not able to take it by surprise he possessed himself of the Convent of Capuchins, where he fortified himself; the Governor thought himself engaged in that enterprise; wherefore he quitted Cengio in the Langhe, that he might not leave the business of Nizza unperfected; he therefore went thither himself in person with all his Forces, and having opened Trenches on several sides, even almost to the ditch, a Parley was heard beaten on that side, where Serj ant Major Ottavino Sauli was advanced further than the rest with Marqness Cosmo Richardi his Brigade; who entering the Town, and Hostages being given on all sides, the Town was soon surrendered. This business being over, the Governor sent presently some Brigades to take in Aiano, a strong Town in the County of Asti, where it confines upon Piedmont, and therefore of great consequence for getting into Piedmont. To which expedition, the Campmaster General, Philippo di Silua, was deputed; who in his passage took a Town called Costigliole, near Aiano; and finding there great store of Corn and Wine, he sent Ottaviano Sauli to possess himself of Montegrosso, a neighbouring Town also, seated upon a Hill well peopled, having a strong Manor-house which serves for a Castle; whose Defendants standing upon their defence, and having stoutly resisted Sauli's assaults, were at the third assault overcome, and many of them slain; and the Castle after obstinate opposition was also taken. Then they went with all their Forces to Aiano, which stands upon the rise of a Hill, and commands all the plain about it: Silua not thinking that he needed any Artillery, failed in his supposal, being forced to keep five days before it till the Artillery was brought, where with he made two batteries; and having played a while upon the Town, he took it upon good conditions; which when he had done, he reinforced it with new works, and put a strong Garrison into it. The Governor went from Nizza to Annone; and passing over the Tanaro, upon a Bridge which was thrown over at Croce Bianca, he thought to attempt the taking of Asti by assault; but Marquis Villa being come thither, with about 4000 Foot, he forbore the ●…attempt. But considering of what importance the Castle of Arazzo was for the safety of Aiano and Annone, he sent some to take it, and to fortify it, and put a good Garrison into it. From thence he passed over the Po to Valenza, resolving to quarter in the Canavese, that he might vex the Duke on that side: And being come thither, he quartered his men in Pertegno, Assigliano, Riva, Costanzo, Carenzana, and Desana; and hearing that the Duke and the Marshal, who had passed over the Po at Pontestura, were come with all their Forces to Morano, a commodious Town for neighbourhood of the Po, and strong by reason of the moorish ground about it, he used all the art he could to draw them out of those plashes; and to this end sent to take Balzola, a Town equally distant from either of the Armies: which being taken, the Duke endeavoured to recover it by might; but failing thereof, he began to fortify the parts about it, that he might besiege it; but the Town being soon relieved, he was forced to return to Morano, from whence the Governor could never draw him out to battle; and the Governor not being able to keep long there for scarcity of Forradge, and finding that the Duke was resolved not to stir out of those miry places, he returned to Costanza, where he stayed some days without doing or receiving molestation; except that having sent Don Martino to discover Bremi and Vercelli, he was met by Marquis Villa; who was come with some Forces from Vercelli, with whom he skirmished, and Villa worsted him. Many were slain on the Aragon's side, amongst which Campmaster Boccapianola, and Spadino a Captain of Horse, and Antonio Ulo●…, with seven other Horse Captains, were taken Prisoners and sorely wounded. The Governor heating afterwards that Count Verrua was gone with a body of men to Rocca d' Arazzo, he resolved to go to the relief thereof with his whole Army: He therefore sent for recruits from Alessandria; wherefore Count Galleazzo Trotti came from thence, and wading through the Tanaro entered the Town with 300 Foot, for Count Verrua was not yet got thither; in which time, the Governor passing over the Sesia and the Po, came to Annone, not far from Arazzo, where he found Don Martino, who being by him sent with 5000 Foot, and 1500 Horse, was come thither the day before, just as the Enemy (who were already entrenched before the place) began their batteries. The Governor commanded Don Martino, Don john de Garrai, and Monpavone, to discover where they might bring succour; who brought word back that truly the business would be hard, but not impossible; wherefore the Governor gave order to advance. The Tanaro runs between Annone and the place besieged; and the bank being higher on that side then on this, and well fortified by the Enemy, the others, who must needs come to the hither bank if they would relieve it, when they were come thither were subject to be played upon by the Enemy's Musketters. Moreover, the Duke of Savoy, and the Marshal, were come to the besiegers Camp, with as many men as they could bring, with firm resolution to keep back all succour, and to take that place in the face of the Enemy. But it being impossible to ford over the River any where without endangering the loss of their men; and it being necessary for them to pass over it, if they would bring succour, the business seemed more desperate; but the industry and valour of the succourers overcame the difficulty, who having prepared many Gabbions for defence, advance to the River side behind those Gabbions, conducted by Garrai; and by the shot which being sheltered by those Gabbions, they made at those of the contrary shore, they forced the Enemy to abandon it. In this interim, Arragon having thrown the Bridge of boats over which he brought in Carts, Don jovanni Romero, passed over with 1000 Foot, to whom many of the Garrisons were added; and going jointly to assault the Enemy's Trenches, they fell upon them in good order, and without much Resolution. But meeting with no less resolute resistance, and being overpowered by the Defendants number, and by the advantage of situation, they were likely to have been repulsed; had not the Artillery, which at last was brought unto the Camp, and which were speedily placed in a convenient place, by the Marquis of Caracena, made them abandon the defence, and given the assailants full victory, with much prejudice to the Enemies Camp. The combat lasted from noon, the first of August, till night, which parted the fray: The next day the Duke and Marshal, though they had seemed to fortify all night, and to maintain possession, yet they went away by break of day, without any molestation; for the Tanaro which was between them, and the deepness of the way, kept them from being pursued, only some Horse followed them, more to show their Courage, than out of any thought of damnifying them; especially since the Duke and Martial being come, the Enemy's Camp was so increased, as there were in it above 8000 Foot, and 1000 Horse. They left great quantity of Arms and Munition in the Trenches; 500 of the besiegers were slain, and many more wounded; few of the Relievers were slain, but m●…ny wounded, which rendered this day's action more famous. But this success was soon allayed with as much misfortune, which not long after the Spaniards suffered in the Langhe, under Don Martino, whither the Governor had sent the said Don, with 4000 Foot, 800 Horse, and 6 pieces of Artillery, to secure Finale, which he foresaw would be endangered by Sea, by the French Fleet, and by Land by the Duke of Savoy. The whole body destined for this service consisted of Spaniards, under Don Antonio Sotelo, of Dutch, under Prince Boro d' Este, and led on by Gil de Hays, and Colonel Leiner: The Horse was commanded by the Baron of Lisao. Don Martin being come to Carcare, a place appertaining to the jurisdiction of Finale, he heard that the Duke being gone from Asti with a strong power, was come to Saliceto, and hasted to enclose him in those straits; and that possessing himself of those passages whereby he had entered the Langhe, he intended to keep him out of the State of Milan; he therefore sent 600 Foot to enforce Finale; and by common consent of the Commanders it was resolved to retreat, and to prevent the Duke in his design, and therefore to return to Bistagno, where being to meet with more Forces, and being nearer the State of Milan, they thought they should be safe if they could get thither. The difficulty of this consisted in that he who will go from Spigno, a place by which they were to go, and get into Bistagno, must pass by Monbaldone, which is almost in the midway, and so must pass underneath the Duke's Musketeers, which being led on by Marquis Villa, were to their knowledge already got thither, which made this resolution dangerous; yet their necessity of getting into a place of safety, and their hopes that by their industry, orderly marching, and by their valour, they might overcome all difficulties, they resolved to advance, the rather, for that being better informed, they knew that the Duke was not yet come thither with all his men, but that the Van was only there under Marquis Villa; they therefore made their Horse advance under Lisao their Conductor; and after them Gil de Hays with his Dutch, which made the Van; and than Sotelo's Spaniards, with the Artillery and Munition, who was followed by Prince Borso with his Regiment of Dutch; the Rear was brought up by Colonel Leymer, with his Regiment of Dutch Horse, backed by two Companies of Dragoons: Marching in this order, when they were come near Monbaldone they saw some armed men in certain Inns, against which Don Martin made two Files of Musketeers advance, to possess himself of those Inns, and drive away the Soldiers which were there: These Orders were successfully followed; for the Musketeers drove the others out, and made themselves Masters of their habitations: This mean while the Horse were commanded to halt, and to face the Enemy, who kept still at Monbaldone; and the Foot coming up at the same time, they made a Squadron, and caused the Artillery to advance with a sufficient Guard: ●…he Squadron, from which Files of Musketeers continually issued forth and skirmished, marched but slowly, giving the Artillery time to advance, and get to a place of more safety, where they were afterwards to halt, and entertain the Enemy till the Artillery were come to Bistagno. Those who had formerly taken the Inns seeing that the Artillery and the Foot were well passed on, and got into a place of safety, they likewise would retreat, and went to join with the Horse who stood upon the plain and 〈◊〉 the Foot, who when they should have marched were also to r●…eat; but on a sudden they might see Marquis Villa fall down with the Horse from Monbaldone, and charge the Foot, which being in plain open field were abandoned by the Horse, which not making any resistance began to fly so shamefully, as the enemy leaving the Foot began to pursue them and cut them with their swords; and afterwards falling upon the Foot, did so disorder the Squadron, as some flew one way, some another, in great confusion; and the Artillery and Munition being abandoned fell into the enemy's hands. The Duke of Savoys coming with the rest of the Forces to Monbaldone made much for the happy ●…ssue of this action; for coming when the fight was begun, he assisted in getting the Victory; many Spaniards were slain in this conflict, and many taken prisoners, amongst which some Commanders: it was thought that if Lisao, who commanded the Horse, and was the first that began to run, had made head and charged the enemy, the Foot would have had time to have charged their Muskets again, and to have rallied; so as all might have succeeded happily; and that this march might have equalled the succour which but a little before was given to the Rocca d' Arazzo. Lisao who was justly blamed for this default, alleged for himself, that he had told Don Martino it was impossible for him where had placed him, if the enemy should assault him; and Don Martino complained of the Governor, who when he sent him into those parts, promised he would fall upon the Territories of Vercelli, so to divert the Duke from the Langhe, which promise he had not made good; with this Victory Duke Victorio ended his life just a month after he had gotten it; he died in Vercelli, where the Marshal also was; and it was commonly enough said, that he was poisoned, though the Physicians, who cut him up, said that there appeared no signs thereof in his bowels. This suspicion was occasioned by an invitation which was made by the Marshal, some few days before the Duke died, to the Duke, Marquess Villa and Count Verrua, where after having been sumptuously feasted, they fell all three immediately sick; the Marquis mended within four days, but the Duke and Count died within 8 or 10 days: it was notoriously known that great hatreds, diffidencies, detractions and imputations, passed reciprocally between the Duke and Marshal, which made that to be suspected which befell the Duke, and the Count, who was most inwardly acquainted with the Duke's ends and intentions. The Duke was of an accurate understanding, he foresaw the manifest ruin of his Principality by this war; if the French should beat him they would be his Masters; if they should be beaten, they would be his enemies: it behoved him therefore to carry the business so as that he mig●… not be oppressed by Victory, nor ruined by the loss of it; and chie●…y, so as the Spanish Empi●…e, which was his only support in Italy against the French, might not be weakened; so as though he did many things to the Spanish prejudice, yet he never endeavoured their ruin and destruction; by which artifices he made the world suspect, that not being able to do less, he shunned the danger which he saw did threaten him; so as his not being able to manage the common a●…ms freely, as it rendered his actions doubtful of double dealing, so did it make them excusable: but these were divulged opinions, without any proof or certainty, only that the Marshal published them; he embraced many enterprises, and had many designs: a little before his death, he treated with Don Andrea Fossa, Abbot of St. Theodoro di Genoa, who was after chosen General of the Cannons of Lateran, to join in League with the Commonwealth of Genoa, seeming to value her very much, and professing himself to be as well affected to her, as his Father was the contrary; he therefore gave him Order to lay some foundation for this; but his death, which ensued soon after, put an end to this and to all his other negotiations; he died on the 7th of October, the year 1637, in the 50th year of his age; besides Daughters, he left two Sons behind him, Francisco Giacinto, the eldest, who died a year after his Father, in the sixth year of his age, and Charles Emanuel, who succeeded him, and was not above four years old. This Prince his death was believed to be very prejudicial to the Crown of Spain; for as, whilst he lived, the King of Spain might assure himself he would never be absolutely against him; so being dead, and the Government of the State falling upon the Dowager Duchess, who was Sister to the King of France, all men thought she would be absolutely guided by him; and people were generally much troubled to think, that if the young Duke should die, who seemed not then to be over healthful, the States of Piedmont and Savoy would fall unto the Crown of France; and it was forthwith seen that the French did greedily aspire after them; for the Duke being dead, the Marshal, who was in Vercelli, endeavoured to bring a French Garrison in thither; and had done it, had not Marquis Villa, who was not perfectly recovered of his sickness, been aware thereof, and brought many of the Duke's Militia into the Town, by which he seasonably prevented the Marshal's designs. This Duke's death was the occasion of great wars to Piedmont, which we will leave to speak of till the next Book; for we must now give over the affairs of Lombardy in the condition we have spoken of, and looking a little backwards, reassume the proceedings at Sea; which, not to interrupt the Land affairs, are of purpose treated of here. About the time that the things which have been spoken of, happened on Land; the Fleet at Sea, which having put twice forth from the Haven at Naples could never light upon Provence, fell at last upon the two Islands of St. Honorato, anciently called Lerino, and St. Margherita: the latter being divided from the former by a narrow channel; small Islands, and almost uninhabited; Count Monterei was the occasioner of this enterprise; who having laboured the sending out of this Fleet twice, and spent vast sums of money therein, was loath that this enterprise which he esteemed as his own, and from whence he hoped to reap great things, should vanish away in smoke; and seeing that the defence which was prepared in Provence, and the lessening of the Fleet which was shattered by tempest, made the enterprise impossible to be effected as it was first designed, he turned his force upon these two Islands. The Marquis of Ferrendina did also cooperate herein, who appearing in the Seas of Genoa, with a Squadron of Spanish Galleys whereof he was Captain; being well furnished with Soldiers, he found the Marquis of San' Croce with the Neapolitan Fleet in the Haven at Vai, who had but few men aboard, he having sent them, as you have heard, to before Valenza. Ferrendina incited San' Croce to join with him in taking of these Islands; which when they should have taken, they thought they might at least be able to hinder those of Provence from Trafficking by Sea, and be ready for some greater enterprise as occasion should be offered. About the midst of September, San' Croce, Ferrandina and Don Carlo Doria, Duke of Tursis, went with 22 Galleys, 5 Ships and some Shallops, towards those Islands; whither when they were come they landed their men the same day in the Island San' Margherita, as being the greatest and nearest the Continent, and therefore apt to be relieved; they without any withstanding became masters of it, taking a small Fort which was all they found in it, wherein were 50 Soldiers in Garrison, who after having made some shot, surrendered the Fort: they went afterwards with their Galleys to batter a certain Tower called le Crocette, which was newly built upon a point of the Continent, so near the Island as they played upon them with their Artillery from the shore over against them, whereof they thought they might easily make themselves masters; but the Tower resisting, and many men coming to defend it, they gave it over; they than went to the Island St. Honorato; where though they met with more resistance, because there was there a greater Garrison and better Fortifications, yet it was surrendered though it held out somewhat longer than St. Margherita; there marched out of both these Islands about 400 Foot; and the Viceroy of Naples receiving advertisement of all that was done, abundance of victuals, Munition, Arms and Artillery, and all things necessary to munite them, and maintain them were sent from that Kingdom; there was great fame at this time of Maritime preparations made by the King of France, both in the Seas of Britanny and Provence, to furnish out a powerful Fleet, and to keep it in the Mediterranean, not only to secure Provence from the Spanish Fleet, but to resent himself upon the Kingdom of Naples for his offences intended against Provence: it was therefore given out that the King of France, holding intelligence with many Lords and others of that Kingdom, (who were held to be dissatisfied with the Spanish Empire) would send that Fleet to prejudice that Kingdom; which when the Viceroy Monterei heard, it made him not only provide for offending Provence, and for securing the State of Milan, but for defending that Kingdom, in case effects should be answerable to what was said: No appearance was ever found of the intelligence or dissatisfaction which was spoken of, though strict inquiry was made thereinto; and yet without omitting to provide for the war of Lombardy, which the Viceroy minded as much as that of Naples, he made all places where the Fleet could Land be munited with strong Garrisons; he gave order for levying a Dutch Brigade, he armed at least 40 men of war, he reinforced the Galleys, made great provision of Arms, Ammunition and Artillery; he made many Brigades be raised throughout the Kingdom, he gave order that the Mediterranean Militia should be in readiness to come, if occasion should serve, to the sea side; he chose 15000 of the best experienced Neapolitans, to defend the Walls; and he did apply himself with such diligence and indefatigableness to have a care of all places, as he might be truly said to be the soul which did at that time maintain and inanimate the vast body of the Spanish Monarchy, which was assaulted on so many sides; all these provisions were so ascertained and so fitted, as the French Fleet, which was numerous for Vessels and Soldiers, hearing thereof, forbore not only assaulting, but approaching the Coasts of that Kingdom; and keeping long in the Ligustick Sea did not any thing worth so great a preparation; nor could it ever hinder the passage and landing of Soldiers which were sent from Spain, and from Naples, to the State of Milan, for the requisite re-inforcement of the Army in Lombardy; for at the same time that the French Fleet lay in the Ligustick Sea, the Spanish Galleys came to shore at Finale whilst they looked on, and landed as many men as they pleased, without any hindrance. The French Fleet consisted of 60 ships, which were come from Britanny, into the Mediterranean, commanded by Henry of Lorreyne, Count Harcourt, and by Monsieur De Sordi, Archbishop of Bordeaux; to which were added 13 Galleys of Provence, amongst which was the great Galleoun Guise, commanded by Count Poncurletto, all very well rigged, and provided of Artillery, and all other Naval necessaries; they sailed all of them by the Islands, which were taken by the Spaniards but a little before, not making any one shot at them, though they were provoked by many made from those Islands; and tarrying a while at Villa Franca, they appeared in the Ligustick Sea, about the end of September, 1636. The Spaniards Forces at Sea were far inferior to this Fleet; wherefore it became the Spanish Galleys to give way to the French Fleet, and to keep out of the reach of Cannon, wherein the French exceeded them. And yet the Duke of Ferrendina, who was in the Seas of Genoa with his own squadron and other Spanish Galleys, understanding that the Enemy's Fleet was come to anchor at Mentone, a place not far off, belonging to the jurisdiction of Monaco, made towards them; and appearing before them about break of day, began to shoot at them; and after having hit them with many Cannon shot, returned to the Haven of Vai from whence he was come. These Spanish Galleys kept still in some of the Havens in the Sea of Genoa, to the number, for the most part, of 40: and though both the Fleets professed to bear all respect to the Commonwealth, and not to do any act of Hostility against either other, whilst they kept within the Havens of the Commonwealth, and did effectually make good their professions; yet not satisfied with the exact cautiousness of the Militia, they attentively observed the ways of one-another, lest they might be taken unawares, where they could not evade danger in so near neighbourhood; and more particulary the Spanish, as being weaker both for number and quality of vessels, and consequently more subject to misfortunes. They therefore were extraordinarily diligent in learning the first motions of the Enemy; and to this purpose, to boot with much diligence on land, they kept Feluccaes', and other vessels at high sea, by which by fires at night, and by smoke in day time, they were continually advertised which way the Enemy went: And yet the Spanish Fleet was one day in very great danger of being sunk or taken. This Fleet stayed one whole night in the Haven at Vai, knowing that the other lay in the Haven at Alassio, not above thirty miles off; from whence the French Fleet put to sea, and favoured by the darkness of the night, undiscovered by the Sentinels, they upon break of day appeared so near Vai, as had not the Spanish Galleys cut their Cables, and speedily put to Sea, the French Fleet could never have got a more famous victory: They got away in so good time, as they passed all safe away, and escaped the Enemy's hands. These two Fleets kept long near one another, in the bosom of the State of Genoa, without coming to a dispute; but the French finding at last that they got but little good, and less honour, by staying here, that they might not return to France without having done any thing worthy so great a preparation, and such threats, they resolved to assault Sardignia, whither they hoped to come unexpected and unlooked for by the Inhabitants, so as they might do some good there. And coming to land in the desolate Haven of Orestano, a City no less desolate in Sardignia, then was her Haven; and little inhabited by reason of the malignity of the air, they entered thereinto on the Saturday, in the time of Carnival, when the Inhabitants dreaming of nothing less than of being assaulted by so many ships, were more busy in feasting and revelling after the manner of the Carnival, then in defending themselves: Wherefore being terrified, they fled most of them to within land; those who stayed behind sent some to the ships to know what they did intend; Answer was made, that they intended to take the City, and to keep it till such time as the King of Spain should restore the Islands which he had taken in Provence; so they landed their men, and entered the City the next day, which was almost abandoned by those few Inhabitants which there remained, where they refreshed themselves with those good things which they found ready there to make a good Carnival. But two days after, armed men began to appear upon the neighbouring hills, who skirmished with them; and the French being therein worsted, they fearing that the numbers of the Enemy might increase, they retreated the second day of ●…ent, not without some loss both of men and reputation, to winter in Provence. When the Commanders of the Spanish Fleet heard this, they finding that Winter was already begun, did also disband their Fleet, sending some squadrons to winter in Spain, some in Genoa, some in Naples and Sicily, till they might put to sea with more safety the next spring. But the French Fleet, about the beginning of March, 1637. went, together with many of the Nobility and Soldiery, to recover the Islands; and having possessed themselves of the convenientest passes, to keep off any succour that might be brought, they might see a great ship which passing thorough with a fore-wind by the Fleet, entered into the little neck of water which divides the two Islands; and thinking to be safe there amongst Friends, was the next night wholly burnt. Count Monterei had sent it from Naples, loaded with Victuals, Munition, and all things necessary for the maintenance of the Islands; it brought also 40 pieces of Artillery; for the Viceroy being glad that the King's Forces had at last got good footing there, and hoping that the crown would be much advantaged, and Provence much prejudiced thereby, had a special care to keep them. But Count Harcourt, General of the Fleet, fearing what was true, & despairing to recove; the Islands if that ship should land her provisions, sent one of the fi●…e-ships full of powder, and artificial fireworks which was in the Fleet; which entering by night where the ship was, fastened herself with grapling-irons to the ship; and giving fire to the train; the Mariners got out of the fire-boat into a schiff which was behind her, and retreated without any harm to the Fleet. The fire took soon hold, and quickly devoured the ship and all that was in it; some few escaping, who threw themselves into the Sea: So as the Garrisons in the Island, missing of those supplies, could continue defence the lesser while; the which they notwithstanding drew out a long while, by reason of the many Forts, Trenches, and other works, which were well munited, so as the French were to win them by inchmeal. They assauted S ta Margherita first, which resisted stoutly a long while: The ships accosted it, and with their Cannon beat down the first rampiers, which were erected to keep them from landing; they than landed their men, but not without much effusion of blood; and having taken some small works, they came before Fort Monterei, which was munited with four bastions, together with their ditches and two half moons; the French thought they should meet with stout resistance there, and therefore wondered very much when they saw it abandoned ere assaulted; for the Defendants were retired to a neighbouring Fort which was greater than all the rest and was called a Fort Royal; and flanked with five Bulwarks; in the mid●… whereof was a Tower, which in that Island served for a Fortification; The French being Masters of Fort Monterei began to draw a trench cross the Island, wherein they might the more safely lodge; then coming before the Fort Royal, and other smaller Forts, they endeavoured to take them; many were the assaults, and many the Sallies which were made; the oppugners behaved themselves like good Warriors, and the Defendants like good Soldiers, and that Island served for a Steccado of Val●…ant Champions; Don Michaele Perez defended the Fort Royal, a valiant Sardinian, who upon this occasion played the part of a good Soldier, and of a wise and bold commander, who kept this place against a powerful Fle●…t by Sea, and a flourishing Army by Land, wherein was all the Nobility of Provence, besides many other Nobles who were come from the more inward parts of France; he kept it from the 24 of March, till the 12 of May following, without being relieved; for Don Mel●…liore di Borgia, who was sent with the Neapolitan Galleys to relieve it, seeing a powerful Fleet ready to resist him, had no mind to have to do with so many Cannons, against which he thought it was impossible for him to live at Sea. Perez got leave from Harcourt to send to Milan for succour; but none appearing within the perfixed time, he surrendered the Fort Royal, and the other forts, upon very Honourable conditions; even with leave to carry away two pieces of Artillery with all his train and tackle, and with permission that he might have vessels allowed him, to carry himself, and Soldiers, and all their goods to Finale 986 persons came out of the Island, honoured and praised by the Enemy for that valiant behaviour, and the Captain was highly esteemed and favoured by Harcourt; the Island Honorato was not defended like this; wherein was another Fort which surrounded our Lady's Church, and was a Pentagon, consisting of five Bulwarks, begirt with ditches, covered ways, half Moons, and other works; there were six other Chapels of devotion in the Island, dedicated to several Saints; which being reduced into little Fortifications defended the Island, having two Cannons apiece in each of them, with sufficient Garrisons; the Fleet after having made 300 Cannon shot, landed their Soldiers in the cloud of smoke; which ere they were come within Musket shot of the Fort, beat a Call, and quickly agreed to surrender up that place, and all the other Fortifications, upon such conditions as the General should be pleased to give them; about some 500 Marched out on the 14 of May with their Arms and baggage, but without Colours: they had Boats allowed them to carry them to Port Hercules; this was the end of this enterprise, which without any good done, occasioned vast expense to each of the Crowns, and much loss of blood to that of France. The Spanish Empire at Sea suffered not a little by the coming of this Fleet, for it never had any competitor before in the Mediterranean, but b●…re absolute sway there; but the coming of this Fleet did not only trouble the Crown in the possession, and command thereof, but made the name of France of more authority to other Princes who had any possession on her shore; Moreover, many armed vessels come from Provence under her protection, which by Letters of Mart from the King of France committed piracy upon the vessels of the King of France his Enemies; in which letters of Mart, the Spanish, Neapolitan, Sicilian, and Sardinian vessels were directly named, and indirectly all those of any other nations, though friends to France, were included, in case any the least goods appertaining to any subject of Spain should be found therein; for then all the other Merchandise, as well of Friends, as enemies, became lawful prey, by the ancient Laws and constitutions of the Crown of France; and neither did the smaller vessels only, but even the Fleet itself seized on Merchant's Ships in the Mediterranean, of which no discourse of restoral was to be had, if there were any the least thing in them belonging to any of the King's enemies; and this rigour was so abused, as the French Mariners would by force, and by threats, make the owners or masters of such ships as were taken, confess before the Judges that the goods therein contained belonged to the Crown of Spain▪ and did without all remedy appropiate them unto themselves; this was the condition of the affairs of Italy both by Sea, and land; yet Germany was in a worse condition; which being a Province full of Noble Principalities, and oppulent Cities, which enjoying almost absolu●…e liberty under the Emperor, constituted so many Potentates, and Commonwealths; so as by reason of the abundance of Inhabitants, it had always been a fruitful mine of Soldiers, and Armies, was now so desolated and wasted by intestine dissensions, which were openly fomented by the King of Swede, and underhand by the King of France, as some of the Provinces thereof had almost no inhabitants left in them; nor did Flanders nor France fail in feeling their share of the mischiefs which the influences of the Stars, or rather, the hand of God irritated by our sins, drew down upon all Christendom; and therefore all Christendom being plunged in War and Ruin, which instead of being extinguished did daily increase, the Pope, the Common Father of Christians, thought good to interpose his authority, in composing so many Wars, and in reducing so many discords to peace and union; this holy endeavour was not only praised by all men, but in appearance willingly listened unto; those seeming most desirous thereof who in their hearts were furthest from it; the City of Cullen was chosen for the place of Negotiation, where the Princes were to meet by their Ambassadors, with full Authority as plenipotentiaries; the Pope chose Cardinal ●…inetti, who was sent thither with the title of Apostolic Legate; the King of Spain, who showed a great readiness to peace, sent thither the Duke of Alcala, Don Francisco di Melo, and Don Ronchiglio, Chancellor of Milan; the Emperor nominated the Bishop of Wurtzberg, Count Fuccaro, and the Count Counsellor Ferdinando Maximiliano Kurtz, and the King of France Marshal Berse, and monsieur Davo: but the Emperor, and King of France, were slow in sending them thither: the occasion of this delay was, for that the Emperor Ferdinando the second being dead a little before this negotiation, who was succeeded in the Empire by his son Ferdinando the third; who before his Father's death, was chosen, as hath been said, King of the Romans; those who were not pleased that the Empire should continue in the house of Austria took occasion to pretend that the Election of the King of the Romans, and consequently the present succession to the Empire, was not Legitimate; as being done without the intervening of the elector of Triers, who was still Prisoner in Flanders; of these, the King of France, professing himself head of all the rest, would never not only acknowledge, but not so much as call the present Ferdinando the third, Emperor, nor King of the Romans, before he was chosen Emperor; and the Emperor being desirous to get the King to acknowledge this his title, desired him that he would grant a Passport to the Ambassadors which he was to send to Cullen; thinking that the King being to make some decree for safe conduct could not choose but name him Emperor; which to evade, he did not only refuse to grant such a passport, as being superfluous in the Emperors own Dominions; but desired that the Emperor would give Passports, and safe conducts, to all the Princes and Hans Towns of Germany, his Confederates, as he professed, that they might pass safely to the Convention at Cullen, and there safely Negotiate their several interests; he required also that safe conduct might be given to the United Provinces of the Low-countries, and to the Queen, and Crown of Sweden, who were so deeply concerned in that peace; he alleged for this his pretention, the bond of League which he had with all these Princes, States, and Cities, which would not suffer him to conclude any peace without their agreement; he added, that if he should enter into this Negotiation without them, he should give them just cause of jealousy, and complaint, as if he had abandoned them, contrary to the Articles of Confederacy; the Emperor not permitting that the Princes, and Hans Towns of Germany, under the Command of the Emperors, and who had rebelled, should be admitted to treat of peace in company with him who was their Sovereign Lord, denied absolutely to grant them safe conduct; the rather for that only the Plenipotentiaries of Sovereign Princes were admitted into the convention at Cullen; but the King who had taken up arms in this cause, not upon any account of his own, but in defence of the German liberty, said, that he having no interest in that cause save only the patronage of those Princes, he was but accessary, and the Prince's Principals; so as there was no reason that the Principals should be excluded, and the accessary admitted; and that it was no new thing, but an ancient custom, and now in practice, that in disorders which sometimes happen between Sovereigns and subjects, agreement be made by covenanted Articles; and as for the Queen and Crown of Sweden, the Emperor did not refuse to grant safe conduct, if it should be demanded by her, and by the Deputies of that Kingdom, and not by the King of France; but the Swedes were so far from desiring it, as they were entered into private treaty with the Emperor; absolutely denying to come with the other Princes to the Convention at Cullen; because they knew that the Cardinal Legate, who had the first place in this convention, would treat them as Heretics, and consequently would not suffer them to intervene in any treaty of peace; nor would use such respect to their Agents, as he did to those of other Princes; the Emperor, on the contrary, complained of the difficulties interposed by the king of France; as if they were apparent Arguments, that he did not only not wish well to peace, but that he was more intent than ever upon War: and upon fomenting the Insurrections of Germany; and that therefore out of these pretensions proceeding slowly in the Treaty of Peace, he intended to give occasion to other Princes, (who though they desired peace, would not for their own honour's sake seem to desire it more than others) to proceed with the like slackness in this affair, which was so necessary for the peace of Christendom; and therefore the Emperor's Plenipotentiaries, nor those of the king of France, not appearing in Cullen; those of the king of Spain who were come to Cullen after the Legate, lest by being come before the rest to the Diet, they might seem more greedy of peace than others, they never appeared in that capacity before the Legate, nor did they seem to be come to treat of Peace; and the king of France, finding not long after that his pretences, being contrary to the Negotiation so much desired by all, were generally ill resented, and that they were imputed rather to his no inclination to peace then to any thing that he alleged, he recalled his Plenipotentiary power conferred on Berze, and Davo, and gave it to the Cardinal of Lions, brother to Cardinal Richelieu, which occasioned other difficulties, which troubled the Treaty no less than did the former; for the Caesarean Agents, thinking that this was done on purpose that the French Ambassador might by his Cardinal dignity precede all others; (whereunto the Emperor nor King of Spain would by no means consent) they refused to send theirs thither. These, and other pretensions, occasioned such difficulties, as not only no conclusion was come unto, but no commencement was given to the Treaty which was propounded by the Pope, and in appearance so much desired by all; so as the Negotiation proved abortive, and ended before it began. Let us now return to the Affairs of Italy. A Treaty began by chance, and almost unthought of, in the beginning of the year 1637, which being afterwards continued and concluded, put a period to the business of the Valtoline, between the two Crowns, and the Grisons League, in the subjection of the Valtoline, which by the Articles of this Con●…ederacy was remitted upon some conditions to the three Leagues: And that the foundation of this business may be the better known, it will be necessary that we reassume the whole business from the beginning, and repeat some things which have been loosely related. The ancient Confederacy between the Crown of France and the Grisons, appearing to those people to be turned almost into subjection, was not willingly suffered by them, who thought themselves daily more straightened and more invaded in their Liberties by the Agents of that Crown; it began to be very bitter, when by reason of the Grisons joining in League with the Venetians, the French pretended that their ancient League was thereby prejudiced; and their resenting it made the Grisons suspect that they had gone along with the Spaniards in that insurrection which happened afterwards in the Valtoline: these bitternesses increased by the peace of Monsone, by which the liberty of the Valtolinians was approved of, so much to their prejudice, by the same King who was the Grisons Protector, contrary to what the King had always promised, and which was professed publicly to all the world by Arms; but they grew greater and more insufferable, when thinking by this last endeavour of the Duke of Rohan to be restored unto the ancient and free possession of the Valtoline, they saw they were kept from it by the French Forces; and when any endeavour of restitution was had in the Court at Paris, the King, as Protector of the Valtolinians, did not restitution, upon condition (notwithstanding) that the Catholic Religion should be secured there without any mixture of Heresy, and that the Civil and Criminal Justice should remain to the Valtolinians, answerable to the Capitulations of Monsone. This was caused, for that the King of France finding that he could not maintain his authority in that Valley, which he greatly desired to do, without much disturbance to his own affairs, without much war and expense; and that assigning it to the Grisons, it would be immediately taken away by the Austrian Forces; and that he should be obliged to recover it again; so as the loss succeeding the recovery, and the recovery the loss, a perpetual circumvolution would ensue, which would make him subject to perpetual wars and much expense; being desirous to get quit of this trouble, he had a design to win the hearts of the Valtolinians; and by granting them all that they had from the Crown of Spain, to alienate them from that Crown, and make them wholly depend upon his Crown; and by this means to spare the continual expense he was at in maintaining that Valley at his devotion; embracing therefore the cause of their Liberty, he offered the Valtolinians more advantageous conditions than they could get from the Austrians, whilst they should depend upon his protection: this course did totally alienate the Grisons from the Crown of France; nor did it gain the Valtolinians, who could never be brought to confide in the King's promises; which if they should have done, they were sure they should be more prosecuted by the Arms of Austria, which confined upon them, then by the French which were so far from them; and the Grisons did believe that the unexpected conditions, so contrary to that absolute Dominion which they pray ended to under the Valtolinians, and which they expected to obtain from the King of France, were but cunningly propounded to cause delay, which would at last end in a manifest exclusion of the promised restitution; so as they were highly offended; and, moreover, the Fort which Rohan did still keep well munited with French Garrisons in Rhetia, seemed to them to be but formal fetters of the public liberty, which they saw was reduced to greater subjection, whilst the Valtoline was possessed by the French: they likewise observed Rohans' residence in Coira, the Metropolitan City of Rhetia, where he carried himself imperiously with them, rather like a Princely Governor then like a Guest or Ambassador, seeming as if he laboured to overthrow the public Liberty. To these public distastes other private grievances were added, by reason of detaining the Pensions which the King was used to pay to the principal men of that Nation, to the end, that by their authority they might keep the people well affected to him; so as failing of those advantages, they did by contrary endeavours strive to divert those that did depend upon their authority, from the French: these people being therefore much incensed, and weary of this usage, they hatched ill will; and persevering but untowardly in the ancient League with that Crown, they consulted with themselves how they might throw off their present condition, which they thought was reduced to slavery, and shun the worse which they feared they should shortly be brought unto; but having well debated these things, and finding that they could not compass their ends, without being upheld by some great Potentate, they quietly dissembled the iniquity of their present condition, the best they could, expecting some opportunity whereby they might free themselves from this imminent subjection. On the other side, the Court of Spain and her Agents in Italy, knew as well the necessity, as the difficulty of recovering the Valtoline; especially in times of such insufferable troubles; and considering the jealousies and suspicions, and afterwards the hatred and enmities that the recovery thereof, if they should get it, would bring upon them from the Venetians, and from all the Princes of Italy, who for their own safety sake did not well endure the Spaniards superiority in that Valley; they considered also the continual wars which they must have upon this account, the expense of moneys, the shedding of blood, the great disturbance which that Valley occasioned to the King's Affairs, which like a Bone out of Joint did discompose the whole Body of the Austrian Monarchy. Things being in this posture, Don Frederick de Henriques, the Spanish Ambassador, happened to be in the Court at Ispruch, and a Deputy of the Grisons, who was named Granazza, one of great credit and Authority in that Commonwealth, between whom occasion being acdentally offered of discoursing of the Valtoline, something arose between them touching the composure of those affairs, which like seed sown in well prepared ground, took root, and produced the fruits of those Agreements which did afterwards ensue; for the business being well discussed and digested between them, they agreed that the French should be driven out of the Valtoline, by the joint Forces of the King of Spain and of the Grisons; and that the Catholic Religion, and the profession thereof, being allowed to the Valtolinians, without any mixture of Heresy, the King of Spain should adjust businesses between them and the Grisons; which if the Valtolinians should not agree unto, they should be no longer assisted by the King of Spain's Forces. They likewise agreed upon a perpetual Confederacy between the Crown of Spain and that Republic, with free leave for the King of Spain's people to pass thorough the Rhetian State, and upon obligation of serving the Crown of Spain in the Wars of Milan with a certain number of men, to be paid by the King of Spain; together with many pensions promised to the prime men of that Nation. Things being thus rather rough-cast then perfected, the Grisons, who were impatient of the Company of the French, took heart, and causing some Forces to come from the State of Milan, they made themselves masters of the Valtoline, and drove the French from thence; and being assisted from Germany, they recovered the Forts of Reno and Steinc, which were yet held by the French; and afterwards coming to a general insurrection, Rohan himself was taken prisoner, from whom, when they had got him into their power, they got by Agreement stipulated the restitution of as many Forts as were yet in his hands, and the withdrawing of all the French out of Rhetia, upon tie that he should remain Prisoner till all that he had promised were performed. This news being heard in Milan, the Spaniards were not so much delighted therewith, as they were afraid that the Agreement made at Ispruch would vanish to nothing, if during six week's time the King of France should get power or authority in that Diet; nor did they fear in vain; for that King leaving the way of War, as too tedious and costly, fell to Treaty, to keep those people in their loyalty; and to this purpose, besides moneys given about, he offered to give them the Valtoline freely, without any condition belonging to Religion or Justice; but nothing would do any good; for the Governor of Milan having sent Agents into those parts, with moneys, and power to offer much more than the French did, he prevailed, so as the Grisons stood firm to what was agreed on at Ispruch; for being weary of their ancient friendship with France, they desired to try new Fortune; which they assured themselves they should find more prosperous in the Confederacy with Spain. The Grisons knew that the possession of the Valtoline, which was the principal point of this Negotiation, was to be held more safely by the friendship from Spain, then from France; for their Confederacy with Spain secured them from any disturbance they should have in the Valtoline from Germany, or from the State of Milan, with the confining Principalities; whereas they could not keep from being offended, nor secure themselves of protection and assistance from France, by reason of the far distance thereof, in case they should be molested in that Valley by the neighbouring Austrian Forces, by reason of the difficulties and excessive charge which the recovery of that Valley did continually cost that Crown; and howsoever it was much better for them to be sure not to be molested by the neighbouring Forces of Austria, then after being molested to be protected by the far-off the French. The prefixed time being past, Rohan, who had several times endeavoured to escape, but still in vain, was forced to surrender the places held by him, and to free them from the French, with which he was set at liberty, and was forced to resign up to the Grisons all that he had got in those parts, and so ●…o be gone, elsewhere with little honour. The Grisons being thus fully restored to Liberty, sent their Deputies to Milan to conclude this so important Treaty: The Valtolinians sent their Deputies thither also; but the business growing excessive difficult, and the Governor not knowing how to decide it, they were all turned over to the Court of Spain; whither the Deputies being come, and being very well received by the King of Spain, and having their expenses discharged all the time they were there, the business was almost two years in hand. The Valtolinians pleaded the ancient Rights of their Liberty, the Grisons tyrannical oppression, their zeal to Religion, their constant loyalty to the Crown, and towards the Austrian name, their protection of Liberty, given by his Majesty's particular decree, and promised them by his royal word, the Pontifical Decrees, and the Sacred Canons, which forbid that Catholics should be under the subjection of Heretics, the Popes own Authority, who would not permit that the Empire of the Grisons should extend to that Valley, the Articles of Monsone, the offers made unto them by the King of France, if they would accept of his protection, their constant refusal thereof; and finally, the sufferings which they had undergone for doing so. They also desired that the condition of the Grisons, with whom his Majesty treated of joining in League, to the prejudice of their Liberty, might be considered: they being Heretics, Enemies to the Catholic Religion, falsifyers of their words, who term not standing to their Covenants, liberty, and the being obliged thereunto, Slavery; and that they would bear with any thing, so they might get the Valtoline again, which when they should have gotten, they would renew their confederacy with France, with the Venetians, and with any other Potentate that they should please to renew it, or to continue it with, and would carry themselves without any respect to any conventions; so as the present agreements would neither gain their affections to the Crown, nor would it secure the covenanted passages, but would be the loss of the constant Faith and Loyalty of the Valtolinians, and of the sa●…e passage through that Valley, which his Majesty had till now constantly enjoyed. All which reasons being alleged and reiterated over and over, and amplified, were not sufficient to hinder the things agreed upon at Ispruch. For the Court of Spain were confident that the Grisons would continue constant in the observance thereof, for the same reason which had brought them to make this new confederacy; which was, what was said, before their being sure, during the confederacy, not to be disturbed in their possession of the Valtoline by the Austrian Forces, from whence they could only expect molestation. So as the King might be sure, that whilst no novelty should happen, on his account, in the Valtoline, the Grisons would not violate the new confederacy; and so that, to shun any occasion of trouble in the Valtoline, they would forbear any of the least alteration of what was agreed upon. And the King thought that he had fully satisfied the Valtolinians, both in their spiritual and temporal interests, by the two conditions which were annexed to the Confederacy. The first whereof was, that the Catholic Religion should be sincerely observed there, without any mixture of Heresy. The other, that a Tribunal should be erected in that Valley of two grave men, and men of authority; the one to be chosen by the Governor of Milan, the other by the Grisons; to which Tribunal the Valtolinians were to have recourse, in point of any civil or criminal grievances which they should receive from the Grisons Agents or Officers. Thus the Valtolinians obtained entirely the chief point concerning Religion, for the preservation whereof, according to their own profession, they had first taken up Arms; and they did in a great part receive satisfaction in the other point, touching their politic Liberty; they not being to be oppressed for the future by the Grisons in these two points. And yet this settlement, for what concerned the cause of the Valtolinians, was variously discoursed upon: Some blamed it, as being unworthy the Religion and Majesty of the King, for the reasons alleged by the Valtolinians; and for that it seemed, drawn thereunto by the great advantages which he got by this new convention, he had abandoned, nay suffered his Clients the Valtolinians, who had deserved so well of him, and of the Catholic Religion, for which they had undergone so great and so many troubles, to be trampled upon in their Liberty and Religion by the tyranny of the Grisons. Others, though they wondered at the King's determination, did notwithstanding execute it, out of the necessity whereunto the King's Affairs were at the present reduced. But those that discoursed hereof more freely did not only approve of the King's Resolution, but without any regard almost had to the v●…in name of the Liberty and protection of the Valtolinians, did commend it as being done justly and wisely: Considering that the Liberty of the Valtoline, as it leaned upon the King of Spain, was of its own nature odious to all the world; and impossible to be maintained by humane force. They therefore concluded, that the King neither could, nor aught to permit, that his Royal Authority, and therewithal the Catholic Religion, for want of his assistance should be endangered in other more important places, by his up holding the Catholic Religion, and the politic liberty of that little Canton. The Affairs of the Valtoline being then adjusted, the Deputies were sent to Milan, that the conditions of the confederacy might be there stipulated, as they were afterwards: But whilst this so hard, and so important business, was discussed there, the Governor by his Forces, but much more by his Industry, ended the important enterprise of Bremi. This place (as hath been formerly said) was of a large circuit, and very commodiously seated, environed with ditches, flanked with Bulwarks, abundantly provided with Victuals and Ammunition, munited with a numerous Garrison, and briefly, reduced into a Fort Royal; and therefore held by the French to be a strong defence, and Rendezvous for Arms, capable to receive an indifferent Army; and holding it, for these respects, impregnable, they called it a new Rochel. The Governor before he would betake himself to this place of so great concernment openly, would have all his preparations ready, and that so secretly as the Enemy should not be aware of it: To this end, he distributed many Soldiers in the parts thereabouts, under the pretence of quartering, and under the colour that those places might be better garrisoned by reason of the neighbourhood of Bremi; he therefore sent some to Valenza, some to Alessandria, others to Montaro, and into Lomello, into which place he also sent Victuals, Munition, Straw, and other provisions, fit for the intended enterprise. And to make the Enemy the less apprehend this siege, he sent men to Filizano, giving out that from thence he would make himself master of Mount calvo: He also considered the custom of the Po; which swelling in May, when the snow falls down from the Alps, would be a great hindrance for the Army's abode in those places, which at that time are subject to great inundations; being therefore to anticipate the enterprise, he provided much Hay and Straw; which though it were very hard to get in any quantity then, Winter being well nigh ended, yet diligence overcame all difficulties. These things being thus ordered, he commanded that they should fall to executition, which was carried so silently, and so unexpectedly, as the Soldiers were before the Walls, even almost before they were discovered; their secrecy made them so confident of good success, as they prepared Scaling-ladders to attempt taking the Town by surprise, and so to make themselves masters of that Fort by stealth, before which it was thought that whole armies would be consumed before it could be taken. The Governor therefore ordered that four Bodies of Soldiers, commanded by the best experienced Camp-masters, should, by night, about the midst of March, 1638, at one and the same time fall upon the Town in four several sides; the first that were to give the two first assaults, were Don Antonio Sottelo and Count Ferrante Bolognio; the first coming from Mortara about the coming on of night, with 3000 Foot, and the other with as many from Valenza, and bringing with them all necessary instruments, they were each of them to possess themselves, in the several places appointed them, of the banks of Po joining upon the Town, and there to fortify themselves; and so by bereaving the enemy of any benefit of communicating by the River, exclude all succour by that way, which was thought would assuredly be sent from Cassalle: the business proved lucky, and better than was supposed; for Sottelo advancing to a certain place called Bonobo, lying between the River and the Town, which was seated very high, and fit for the business, made himself master of it without any opposition. Bolognino did yet more fortunately discharge his part; he went at the same time out of Valenza, and having assaulted the lower station called Corno, and which was fortified and garrisoned by the enemy, he at the very first drove out the enemy, took the place, and began straightway to fortify against the enemy; and then raising Trenches along the bank, went to join with Sottelo, who advanced with his Trenches likewise from Bonobo; and joining together, they at very first blocked up the Town from the River; and having each of them brought many sacks with them, which they filled with earth, and made sudden Trenches with them, and many Barks being come to them from Valenza with Faggots, and other Instruments for perfecting their Fortifications, they raised that work higher: on the same night Don jovan Vasques Coronado, and Don Carlo della Gatta, were ordered to accost the ●…own from two other parts, further from the River; the former coming with Sottelo from Mortara was to assault the ●…own on that part which is called Forbice vecchia; and the other coming from Lomello, was ordered to approach it by the Covent of the Capuchins; and when both of them were got thither they were to fall a scaling; wherein if they succeeded well, they were to give notice to Sottello and Bolognino, that they might do the like with the Ladders which they brought with them; and if the first Scaladoes should not succeed well, they were either by real or seeming assaults, to endeavour to divert the defendants from that part of the River where Sottello and Bolognino were; that so they might leave them the Fortification on the bank unmolested by the enemy's Garrison, on which Fortification the groundwork of the business lay: nor were they to forbear fortifying their stations, and to sense themselves from the Musket-shot of the enemy, before daylight, if they should miscarry in their Scalado; but both of them finding the defendants readier and more intent upon the defensive part, they failed in the chief intent of the Scalado; for as soon as they approached, a hail of Musket-shot was let fly at them, together with thunder of Artillery, and lightning of artificial fires, which though they kept the oppugners from making Scaladoes, or giving assault, yet could they not keep them from fortifying the stations wherein they were. Don Martin d' Aragona was the Head and Superintendent of all this Enterprise, to whom only the Governor had communicated the whole design from the beginning; so as he ordered all things as his Lieutenant; and diligently applying himself to all parts, ordered all things requisite for carrying on the work: Tiberio Brancacchio Campmaster was also ordered to go with his Brigade from Alessandria, with many Carriages, many Sumpture-Horses, and store of Artillery, to Valenza, and from thence to Sartiranna, to drive the Enemy from thence; who moving early, and being come to the intended place, after having made forty shot of Battery, took the Town, which the Captain of the Garrison yielded upon Articles: And Brancacchio going from thence, went by Orders from the Governor to join with Gatta; nor were the horse idle, but were distributed into such parts by which succour might be brought. Don Vincenzo Gonzaga was to guard the Passage over the Po with 1500 Horse, at Villata, where it falls into the Sesia: the custody of Frassineiro fell to Ferdinando de li Monti Captain of the Dutch Cavalry, with as many Horse: the guard of Lomello to Don Alvero di Quignones, that he might be ready there, as occasion should serve; but Marquis Cricky as soon as he heard of this so sudden, and so unexpected assault, sent nine Barks from Cassalle, where he than was, and in them 1200 Foot tumultuously and on the sudden put together, together with much provision and munition; not so much to supply the Town, as to defend the bank of the River, to the end, that the enemy, who he thought was possessed thereof, might not keep it, nor block up the way from succour; but the design being foreseen and prevented, they did not only not possess themselves of the banks, but neither did they bring in succour; for the Barks coming to shore at Sotelo's quarters, were encountered, and after a long fight departed, being hardly dealt with; and passing afterwards to where Bolognino was, three of them landed their Soldiers; and the others fiercely fight would have done the like; but meeting with stout resistance, after a long fight, fell together with the munition wherewith they were fraughted into the enemy's hands; two of the three Barks which landed Soldiers were sunk, and 70 prisoners were tak●…n, whereof two French Captains; and hardly 200 of those that were landed, being favoured by the night, got wounded into Bremi, the rest being slain or drowned; the defendants afterwards sallied out to recover the Sconce Corno, which was taken at the first by Bolognino; who finding the defendants negligent, drove them out; but Bolognino, with some 200 of his men, got it again within two hours: then the Governor came to the Camp; who viewing the stations, Works and Fortifications made by his men, commended them, to the great satisfaction of the Commanders and Soldiers; and having given several other Orders touching the fortifying of quarters, and the environing the Camp with a Trench, he retired to Sartiranna, from whence, as from the nearest place, he might give out Orders, visit the Camp, as he often did, and provide things necessary; but Fortunewould have her share in this enterprise; for an accident which happened helped much not only to the taking of this Town, but to the total of all affairs. The Marshal seeing the unfortunate success of those that were sent from Cassalle, thought to place a battery upon the shore opposite to the enemy's Trenches, to the end, that the shore being cleansed, the way might be open to bring in succour by water; and whilst, accompanied by three or four Horsemen only, he stood behind a Tree on the opposite shore, looking with a Prospective-glass, where the battery might best be raised, he was hit by a Sakers-bullet, which was shot from the enemy's Trench; and falling dead from off his horse, his body was carried into Cassalle, and after solemn obsequies, was carried into France; whither it was accompanied by almost all the flower of those few French who were yet in Italy; so the French being without a head in Italy, became like a body without a soul: on the contrary, this chance added force and courage to the enemy, who began to make their approaches, whereby to come to battery, and then to assault; the batteries were raised in five places; the one of six Cannon in Sottello's quarter, another of four in that of Vasques; the third, of four Cannon more in Bolognino's quarter, the other of three Guns apiece, the one in that of Carlo dela Gatta, and the other in that of Prince Borso: all which playing continually upon the Town, and falling with their approaches into the ditch, the defendants at last beat a Parley, and not long after concluded that they would surrender the? Town, upon Articles, that all the French should march out safe and free, and might have a safe conduct to convoy them to Cassalle; that they should go out with Drums beating, match lighted, Colours flying, Bullet in mouth, their Flasks full of Powder, and that they might carry with them what Baggage they would: There marched out about 1800, whereof 1400 bore Arms, the rest were sick o●… wounded; and they were attended by 3000 Horse to Cassalle, under Don Vincenzo Gonzaga. Upon these terms was Bremi surrendered, after thirteen days Siege; a place of so great concernment for the preservation of the State of Milan; well provided of instruments and munition for its defence, and of victuals for the defenders; and since it seemed strange, that such a place, so well provided, should be surrendered in so short a time; the French, who were not able to endure it, impleaded the Commander thereof, a man of low birth, and perfer'd by Cricky (whose Groom of the Stable he had been) to that charge; he was accused of cowardice and of treachery; and not long after by Order from the King he was beheaded publicly in Cassalle; but more for cowardliness then treachery. Many will have it, that having gotten much money by dead pay, as not having kept so many Soldiers as the King allowed for, he surrendered the Town for fear of losing the moneys he had got, in case the Town should be taken by assault; and that this was the treachery which he was accused of: This Town continued in the hands of the French from the end of November 35, till the end of March 38, wherein it was regained; when it was taken, it was better fortified; and the French having kept it so little a while, it was said that they had built, furnished, fortified and munited, it for the Crown of Spain: being taken it seemed also to be a curb to Cass●…lle, which was but 15 miles off, and that it kept all that part of the State of Milan from the inroads of the enemy; and that from thence the Spaniards might now make inroads into Montferrat and Piedmont; and what was of more importance, the French could not boast that they had any receptacle for their Armies in the State of Milan, to the conquest whereof they had aspired; great rejoicing and Bonfires were made for this in Milan; but afterwards, upon consideration that all the aforesaid advantages were not to be paralleled with the cost and care of keeping it; and that the pre●…udice would be much greater which would result to the State of Milan, if it should be regained by the French, than the advantage which was had by keeping it, it was not many years after dis●…antled and demolished. The End of the Fifteenth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. Book XVI. The Contents. THe Duke of Savoy being dead, differences arise between the Duchess Dowager, and the Princes her Husband's Brothers, touching the Guardianship of the young Children, and the Regency of the State. The Duchess in the Prince's absence is sworn Governess and Regent; being compelled by the King of France, she renews League with him. The Governor of Milan goes to before Vercelli, and after a long Siege takes it upon Articles. The Princes of Savoy assisted by the Spaniards and Piedmontese take many Towns, and make much progress; they go to before Turin, and having tarried before it some days, retire without doing any thing; falling, as before, to overrun Piedmont, they are received every where; till Forces being sent to the Duchess from France, under the Duke of Longueville, she recovers Chiavasco, and other Towns which the Princes had taken. The Prince Cardinal, fearing Corneo, goes to defend it; and Prince Thomaso, going once more with the Spanish Forces to before Turin, surpriseth the Town; and the Governor of Milan coming in unto him, they with all their Forces, attempt the taking of the Citadel, whither the Duchess was retired. The Siege is suspended by a Truce, which being ended, the French under their new General Count Harcourt, take Cheri; but being presently besieged by the Governor of Milan, they are forced through Famine to quit it, and retreat in face of the enemy to Carnignoula. BUt for all this, though the State of Millian was free from Wars at home, yet could it not long continue the quiet which it enjoyed by the recovery of Bremi; and as if it had been by fatal misfortune subject to a Series of troubles, being freed from defensive Wars, must be engaged in Wars offensive, not long after, for the Interest of others; The Duke of Savoys death, the minority of his Children, their Guardianship, together with the Regency of the State, which was disputed between the Mother and the Uncles of the Infants, caused Civi●… Wars in Piedmont; wherein France being zealously interressed for the Mother, and Spain for the Uncles, civil War was mixed with Foreign War; which being not long after the Duke's death brought by Spanish Forces into Piedmont, was there exercised with much fervour between the two Crowns; the which Piedmont being to afford field room, and the State of Milan Arms and fomentation, the Millinaeses suffered no small prejudice upon the same account wherein the Piedmonteses suffered much more; for the better knowledge whereof it will be necessary to take our rise a little higher. There hath always been a competition for the guardianship of the Pupil Princes who are to succeed in the States, between the Mother, and the nearest kindred of the Fathers-side; which competition, though by the Roman Laws it be generally decided on the Mother's behalf, yet being in substance variously practised by the Princes of the blood, is not as yet decided, but depending; for it hath sometime been given absolutely to the Mother, sometime to the kindred on the Fathers-side, and sometimes jointly to both; nor hath Piedmont been exempt from the like Competition; where though sometimes the kindred on the Fathers-side have been allowed the Guardianship of the Pupil Princes, yet this hath happened either by force of Arms, or by the Mother's death, or because the Father's kindred have been chosen to be Guardians; but this case not having happened in this our age, it was not evident in what condition the kindred was under the Supreme Regency of the Mother; and every one interpreted this obscurity to the Mother's advantage; yet the condition of times, and accidental Circumstance, have always had a great stroke herein; in these present ruptures, the Princes could not be more crossed, not only in their pretending to Guardianship and administration of State, but even in their returning to their own Country, from whence they were excluded; for to boot that they were far off when the Duke their brother died, whereby the Duchess met not with those oppositions which she might have had, had they been present; their being in much disgrace with the King of France made much against their pretensions at the present; for whereas they had formerly professed to adhere constantly to the King of France and his party, they had with little respect quitted him a little before their brother's death; and with much scandal to his Majesty, were gone over to the King of Spain's side; Prince Thomaso was the first, who being distasted by the Duke h●…s brother was gone from Savoy, where he was Governor, and passed privately with his wife and Children into Flanders, to the Infanta his Cousin-german; where taking up Arms, he stuck not to come into the open field as Captain and Conductor of the Spanish Forces, and to march with open Colours, as hath been elsewhere said, against the Ensigns of France; and the Prince Cardinal, going not long after his brother's departure, upon the same occasion, from the Court at Turin, went to Rome, where he openly disclaimed the protection of France, and turned over to the Emperor, and to the House of Austria; For which actions, the first being hostile, and the other so high an affront to the King of France, his Majesty was much offended, holding the one for an open enemy, and the other as totally alienated from him and therefore desiring that the affairs of Piedmont might totally depend upon him, he would not suffer that either of those Princes who were become followers of the Austrian and Spanish party should have any thing to do in the Guardianship of their Nephew, or in the Government of the State; which he would, as in justice it did belong, should totally and integrally depend upon his Sister. He therefore informed her, and his Agents did publicly protest, that if she should receive the Princes into Piedmont, much less admit them to share in the Regency, or administration of State, she would countervene the league which was made between him and the late Duke, and which was yet in force; and he desired that the Chief Towns should be assigned over to him, for the safety of the young Duke, lest the Uncles assisted by the Spanish forces might make themselves masters of the State, to the perpetual exclusion of their Nephew; Thus by reason of the Princes being absent from Court, and through the King of France his anger conceived against them, it was easier for the Lady Christiana, sister to the King of France, and Duchess of Savoy, to take absolute possession of the guardianship of her Children, and of the Regency of the State; to the which she was called by the Laws, and by the ancient customs of the House of Savoy, and not without some testimony of her Husbands Will. She therefore obtained that title by succession, and reduced the Forts, Arms, Revenues, and treasure of the State, into her power; which she did the more easily, for that to boot with her right to the regency, she was then fortified with both domestic and Foreign Forces which were then great and powerful in Piedmont for the Duke, a little before his death, and also the Marshal, knowing how great an advantage the Fort of Bremi was to them, had an intention to take Vigevano, a City in the County of Pavia, and to fortify it; and aspired to greater things: There were therefore about 18000 fight men in Piedmont, part French, and part Piedmontese, who were in a readiness for such an Enterprise. The supreme command of the French did, by the death of their General, the Duke, undoubtedly fall upon his Lieutenant-General the Marshal; and none would think but that he would adhere unto his King's Sister. The Piedmontese were commanded by Marquis Villa, General of the Duke's Horse; one in whom the Duchess might safely confide, he being a well experienced Commander, and of approved valour, and one whom she upon all occasions had favoured very much. The place of General of the Foot, being vacant by Count Verrua's death, was soon conferred by the Duchess upon john jacinto di Simiana Marquis of Pianezza, who was then Lieutenant-General of the Horse, a man both very wise and valiant. Her brother's favour being added to all this, she was immediately after her Husband's death sworn Guardianess of her Children, and Sovereign Regent in Vercelli, by all the Gentlemen and Officers of the Court, and by the military men that were the●…e present, and afterwards was sworn the same in Turin by the supreme Senate of Piedmont, and by the particular decree of the same Senate, and by all Magistrates, Feudatories, Subjects, and Vassals of the Ducal house; and in all this, no mention was made of the Princes, nor durst any seem thereat distasted; and yet the sequel proved, that though the former carriage, and present conditions of Dowager Duchess, naturally born to Govern, were satisfactory to all, and Universally acceptable, yet many of the Piedmonteses, out of an inward affection, and devotion to their natural Princes, were not well pleased that they should be excluded; but the evident knowledge that their exclusion proceeded not from the Dowager, and that she had no hand therein, did not only acquit her from so much rigour in the opinion of the world, but was a powerful lenitive to mollify the minds of those Piedmonteses who were well inclined to the Princes; and many of them considering, more wisely, how many inconveniences the plurality of Gaurdians had occasioned in other States, setting all other respects aside, were better pleased that the Regency should be restrained to one alone, then diffused into many; and it being agreed upon by all that the Mother's right was to be preferred before any other Competitour, they were not only not displeased that it should be in the Dowager, but did willingly give way unto it, as justest and safest for the State, and for the public quiet; One of the first things the new Regent did, was to send messengers to both these Princes, to acquaint them with the Duke their Brother's d●…ath, and how she had taken upon her the Guardianship of her Children, and the Regency of the State; and withal how displeased the King of France was with them both; and acquainting them how strong the French Forces were in Piedmont, she admonished them, and did earnestly, exhort them, that they would keep where they were at the present, lest if they should come into Piedmont, they might fall into some great inconveniency, by some orders that the King of France might give to his Commanders, which it would not be in her power afterwards to divert; and telling them how that all this was done, against her will, she exhorted them that they would endeavour to appease the King's anger, and by joining with him again get into his former good opinion, to the end that they might all of them jointly cooperate to the young Duke's quiet, and safety; and as a token of her good will towards them, she promised to make speedy payment of the Arrears, and for the future of their annual allowances, called in French Appenage, which were sequestered from Prince Thomaso, by the late Duke, after the battle of Avein, because he had carried Arms there against his confederate the King; and as for the Prince Cardinal, though they were not absolutely sequestered, they were detained, or but slowly paid, for his having passed over from one protection to another, nothing could disturb the calm commencement of the Dowagers Regency, as it was thought, but fear of the Spanish forces, if they should take upon them to maintain the Prince's pretences; and should strive to bring the Princes into Piedmont, and into the Regency of the State by mere force; which was not very unlikely, by reason of the requisite jealousy, which Piedmont being to be governed by the Dowager, who was so straight united to the Crown of France, might with good reason bring to the State of Milan; and she was much troubled that she could no further be friend them, by reason of the League which continued yet for some Months with the Crown of France; Fortune, which would also have her share in these Ruptures, did miraculously assist her herein; for the Spanish Agents who governed the affairs of that Crown in Italy, reflecting upon the condition of Piedmont as it was now altered by the Duke's death, and foreseeing the tempests which were likely to fall upon that State, considered also what might redound to the State of Milans, and to the King's affairs in Italy, by those alterations; Wherefore weighing the business well, and conferring together by Letters and Messengers, when they had discussed all thing considerately, they were all of one mind, that to avoid all inconveniencies, they must not distaste the Dowager in her regency, nor cause any jealousies in her. And the Court of Spain being acquainted with this their resolution, did approve of it, out of the great desire they had to see the Affairs of Italy quieted; the said Agents, doubting that the Dowager would be compelled by the King of France to renew the league, which he had contracted with the late Duke, and desiring to be assured of her, and to assure her, they propounded unto her, that the King would be obliged not to molest her in her Regency, but would assist her strongly, if she would join in League with him, and help to drive the French out Piedmont; and not allow passage, for the future, to the Forces of that Crown through her Dominions. And lastly, that he would endeavour to make the Princes her Brothers in law observant to her, so as she would give each of them what did of right belong unto them. It appeared clearly, that the Spaniards by their offers laboured more to accommodate their own Affairs, then to favour those of the Dowager; which, if she should accept of these offers, would run apparent ruin; since she could not but draw her Brother's enmity upon her, by adhering to his Enemies, without manifest danger. Wherefore being desired by Abbot Vasques, an Agent for the Governor of Milan, that she would send some trusty person to Genoa, with whom he might, by Order from the King, negotiate some Affairs, to the common good and satisfaction; when she heard by Cavalier Olgiato, whom she sent to Genoa, what Vasques proposals were, she answered freely. That she had always nourished thoughts of Peace, and that she would be always ready to quench any fire which might be kindled; wherein she would engage herself to the utmost of her power therein. But that she could by no means, nor did it any ways suit with her to enter into War against France upon the account of Spain, nor to separate herself from her Brother in the present conjuncture of times. And that since she had restored their Appenages to the Princes her Brothers in law, which was sequestered from them by the late Duke; and treated with them as civilly, and with as much affection as the present condition of Affairs would permit her to do, she knew not what they could pretend unto more, nor wherein else the King, upon this account, would interpose himself. And she was so stead fast to this, as she would not consent to stand neuter between the two Crowns, though she was much pressed thereunto by the Abbot; alleging that, during the League, it was not lawful for her to make such a promise: So as the Spanish Agents seeing they could get no more from her, who they saw could not effectually promise more, they were for the present satisfied with her good will and intention, which they knew must, for her own interest sake, keep her from desiring any alteration; nor did they think to alter their good inclinations towards her. This was the substance of the negotiation in Genoa, between Abbot Vasques, and the Cavalier Olgiato; before which meeting things being past contrary to all men's expectation, between the Dowager, and the Spanish Agents, with reciprocal satisfaction; it was publicly argued throughout Italy, that secret intelligence was held between them, and that a secret neutrality was agreed upon by the Dowager, between the Arms of both the Crowns. For the Governor of Milan, according to common resolution, did openly profess to be far from thinking of molesting her, no not upon the least occasion. It was also observed, that the Dowager did not in any manner disturb the Government in the business of Bremi, and that which passed in the Court at Rome, about these times, did corroborate this indulged opinion. As soon as the Cardinal heard of the Duke's death, and that the Dowager had taken upon her the Regency, to his exclusion, he thought himself much affronted, to be made subject to her Authority; and resolving not to submit to such exclusion, he went privately, accompanied with a few, out of Rome towards Piedmont. This so sudden departure caused great commotion in that Court; and every one thinking that it was not done without knowledge of the Spanish Agents, it was much talked of both in public and in private; and it was held to be the beginning of the troubles of Piedmont. Wherefore the Marquis of Castell Roderigo, who was then Ambassador from Spain at Rome, seeing all men's eyes turned upon him, upon this occasion, did publicly declaim against it; and with many asseverations protested to the Pope, that it was done, not only without his counsel or participation, but without his imagination; and that he and all the Spanish Forces were far from dreaming of any novelty in Piedmont; and that the Dowager should not be disturbed in her Regency by them, nor by the King of Spain. These things being known in the Court of France, and consequently well weighed by the Cardinal Richelieu, an attentive looker into the ends and counsels of other men, and especially into those of the Dowager, he thought it impossible that the Spaniards setting their own interests aside, and those of the Princes, so near allied in blood to their King, and who had lately declared themselves to adhere to that Crown, should be, without any compensation, so free of their favours to the Dowager in her Regency. Wherefore he could not believe but that she not being content with the King her Brother's protection, had also anchored the ship of her Regency upon the protection of that Crown. And therefore, though that Crown was very well satisfied upon the account of Bremi, (knowing that it was long ere she had been desired to assist in that defence; and that as soon as she was requested she made preparations, which should have appea●…ed before Bremi, had not the too hasty surrender thereof prevented their march,) yet were they not altogether free from being jealous of her sagacity, and of so many favourable Demonstrations made to her by the Spaniards. When the Cardinal was therefore come to Savona, he sent the Abbot Soldati to the Dowager, to acquaint her with his coming thither; whereat she being very much moved, she presently dispatched away to him by three several ways the Count di Camiana, the Precedent Morozzi, and Monsieur di Druen, with Orders to represent unto him, in her Name, the impossibility of her receiving him, or his Brother, whilst they adhered to the House of Austria; and that the Officers and Commanders of the King of France his Forces, which were very strong in Piedmont, did freely profess they would proceed with them in hostile manner, if they should come near Piedmont; and that if she should receive them she should go against the League, which would make them pretend that she should assign over the Towns unto them; and to pacify him the more, she gave order to those that she sent, to promise him in her name, that she would pay him his allowance or Appenages, whereof she sent him by these her Messengers some ready moneys in hand: The Prince was pacified, or at least seemed to be so, with these Proposals; and intending to winter in Genoa, stayed some days in Savona, and afterwards altering his mind, he returned to Rome; whither when he was come, he was disquieted with what had happened in Piedmont after his Brother's death; he began to solicit his interest with the Pope by word of mouth, and by Letters and Messengers with those Princes from whom he thought he might receive any advice or assistance; he made his complaints to them all of the injuries which he had received, and strove to justify his pretences; he alleged the ancient Institutions and Customs of Piedmont, by which he pretended the Guardianship of the Infant Princes of Piedmont, and the Regency of the State, during their minority, did belong to the next akin by the Father's side; That Thomaso, Uncle to Bonifacio, had thus exercised the Guardianship, joined therein with Cecily, Mother to Bonifacio; That thus Amadeo, Guietta of Burgundy being excluded, was Guardian to Philip, and the younger Sons of Thomaso di Conte Moriana; That Lodowick of Savoy, and Amadeo Conte di Genoa, had thus been Guardians to Amadeo who was afterwards called i'll Verde; wherefore he ought not to be now debarred the same privilege, being so near allied in blood and interest to the Duke his Nephew; That he and his Brother could not justly be banished their Country, not having done any thing that might deserve such a punishment; That contrary to all reason, they were declared to be Enemies to those States, the safety and preservation whereof, especially in such dangerous times, did only belong unto them; That the Mother was governed by the advice, and (to the horror of all men) begirt by the Forces of those who having great designs upon those Dominions, were known to be more desirous to get them for themselves, then to defend them for the Orphans; which the possession of Pinarvolo and Cassalle did sufficiently witness; That the Marshal had given proof of this in Vercelli, by the jealousies which he caused there at the instant of the Duke's death; after which Books declaring the presention of that Crown to the States of Savoy and Piedmont, were publicly sold in Paris: How could those Forces be therefore confided in, which pretend to the owning of those States to the which at the present they profess protection? that the exclusion of the Uncles did expressly tend to this, that the Mother might be governed as they pleased who had procured the Uncles to be excluded; with these and the like examples which were subject to many exceptions, and might be replied unto by many other examples, did the Prince Cardinal go about to justify his and his Brother's cause; and both of them thinking that they might ground their pretensions best in the Court of Spain, they laboured there, and with the Spanish Agents in Italy, to get their cause to be embraced by them, and powerfully assisted by their Forces; wishing them also to consider, how much danger would redound not only to their King's Reputation, but to his Affairs and Dominions, that the supreme arbitrement of Piedmont should depend upon the pleasure of the King of France, by his Sister's means; which King making himself master afterwards of the chief Towns confining upon the State of Milan, the Crown of Spain might get a new and a powerful neighbour; that it became not his Majesty to suffer that he and his Brother should be so persecuted, for the name sake only of having adhered to him; then he strove to persuade the●… that the business would be easy, by reason of the people's inclination, who desired, beyond comparison, rather to be governed by their natural Princes, then by a foreign Lady, who was suspected, by reason of her greatly enforced and necessary dependency upon the King her Brother, upon whom being of necessity to rely; a blind man might easily see the ruin of the house of Savoy, and the danger of having the people recommended to their protection, subjected to a foreign yoke; and that therefore it was most certain, that when the people of Piedmont should see their Princes accompanied by any considerable strength, they would unanimously abandon the Dowager, and adhere to them; but these reasons could not prevail with other Princes who were concerned at a further distance with the concernments of Piedmont; and much less with the Spanish Court and Agents, whom it concerned more nearly; were it either that they were weary of seeing the war renewed in Lombardy, or that fearing, according to the ancient Spanish maxims, that to wrestle in Piedmont would undoubtedly draw on war from France in the State of Milan, they desired rather to enjoy the present advantage, then hastily to provoke trouble; they therefore held it better not to disquiet the present peace, though it were doubtful, then to enter into new wars, which might be long, and costly, and of uncertain event: thus thinking it suited better with the common interest, not to innovate, then to maintain the Prince's presentions by Forces, they proceeded coolly and reservedly with them; and seemed more inclined to dissuade them from pursuing so dangerous a business, then to adhere unto them therein, whereby to make the Dowager jealous; they found yet the Princes of Italy lesser inclined to them, who being desired by the Cardinal that together with their so just cause, they would embrace the common concernment of Italy, which did so much depend upon the good or bad success of Piedmont; none of them would so much as appear to favour their pretences. The Dowagers affairs seemed therefore to proceed successfully on this side; if fortune had not pleased to put a spoke into her wheel here, the Dowager could ●…ave desired no greater safety to herself, nor to her Son's Principality; and the Princes, though exiled, might have shared in the happiness, as was thought by those who saw best into business; but the heavens had destined it otherwise; for the King of France, who was more obliged than the Mother herself, by reason of the protection he professed to take of the young Duke, to preserve the peace of Piedmont, which was so necessary for the present affairs of his Sister and Nephew, became the chief instrument of disturbing it; to the great admiration of all those who considering the inconstancy and vieiffitude of humane affairs, wondered that the Spaniards who had great reason to oppose the Dowager, should willingly offer her peace; and that the King of France should purposely disturb it. This King was with miraculous fortune and valour got rid of the wars and troubles whereinto the Austrian Forces had brought his Kingdom, as hath been said before; wherefore he prepared to revenge himself by falling upon the Emperor and King of Spain's Territories with as much fervour as they had done upon his; to this end, he had disbursed moneys to the Hollanders, and to Duke Weymer, to the end, that these passing back over the Rhein, might enter Germany with the men which he had furnished them withal; and re-enforcing the Swedish weakened party, might renew war with the Emperor; and these having at last recovered Schincks Sconce, and making ready a powerful Army which they joined with another Army that he had raised in his Kingdom, and entering Flanders might assault those Provinces, which were under the King of Spain, and embroil them as formerly they had done, but the Swedes and Hollanders covenanted with the King, that he should assault the State of Milan with a powerful Army, at the same time that they should fall upon Germany and Flanders; to the end, that the Austrian power being assaulted on several parts might be the more easily subdued, and that the King of Spain being molested in Italy might not assist the Austrians in those parts: he therefore substituted the Cardinal of la Vallette, in lieu of deceased Cricky, in the command of his Forces in Piedmont; and assigned him men and moneys, wherewith to renew the war in the State of Milan, which could not be done without the consent of the Dowager of Savoy, the French Armies being to pass through her State, before they could enter the State of Milan; she was therefore desired by the King not only to renew the League which was made with her husband, and which was then expiring; but that she would join her Forces in Piedmont with his, and resolve to make war upon the State of Milan. The Dowager being no less affrighted, then surprised with this demand, by which all her designs were overthrown, said, and did all she could to evade it. First, she represented unto his Majesty, how much better peace would be for her and her Son, in those his tender years, than war; how much the present times did differ from those when her Husband lived, wherefore she was to govern herself by other Counsels; that for the present the safety of her Sons States consisted chiefly in peace, and the ruin thereof in war; she therefore desired him not to put her upon so dangerous a point; that it better became the protection which ●…s Majesty professed, to preserve peace in Piedmont, and to keep 〈◊〉 ●…om the revolutions and combustions of war, then to put it to the hazard of dangerous events by fomenting war made by his Majesty elsewhere; that the entreaties of his Widow Sister, and the innocence of his little Nephew, aught to prevail more with his Majesty, than the fierce cruelty of the Swedes and Hollanders, or the ambitious and unquiet advice of his Counsellors, who pretend to vent their rage against the house of Austr●…a, at the cost of Piedmont; that his Majesty ought not to subscribe to the revengeful spirits of other men, in prejudice to an Orphan Prince, who had put himself under his protection; 〈◊〉 therefore desired that his Majesty would be contented to consent to a Truce with the Austrians for what concerned the affairs of Italy, or at least to a suspension of Arms touching those of Piedmont; to the end, that his Nephew and Client might enjoy quiet, and might avoid those dangers which the wars that his Majesty would interest him in would draw upon him; that he would therefore suffer him to increase in peace, and be well settled in his Principality, that so he might be better ' able to serve his Majesty in weightier affairs. These so just entreaties, accompanied by so strong reasons, might have prevailed with the King, but they could not move the solid resolutions of Cardinal Richlieu, who like the Primum mobile, would turn about the lesser Planets, and make their interests absolutely submit to those of the King. Being therefore resolved to revenge himself upon the Spaniards for their attempts made upon France; and being also moved by the ancient competitions and emulation which he had long hatched against the house of Savoy, he cared for nothing less than the peace and safety thereof, so as it might make way for his resentments; wherefore confiding upon the continual good success of his Counsels, and upon the prosperous conduct of the Arms of France, he was ashamed that the Dowager should so much distrust them; and professing that both she and her Son would be freer from mischief, whilst they were within the King of France his quarters, then in the peaceful quietness which the Spaniards offered her, he would compel her, not only to depend upon the King's party, but to join with the King in carrying on the war against the King's enemies, as the King would with her, against her enemies: but the Dowager persisting in being very averse from entering into any offensive war, the Cardinal told her freely, that she ought not to complain, if the first thunder of war, which was intended for elsewhere, should fall upon her Sons Dominions; so being much oppressed by the King's demands, and by the Cardinal's authority, she tried whether she could avoid offending either of the Crowns, by going a middle way; she therefore offered the King free passage for his men through Savoy and Piedmont, and very earnestly desired him that that might content him, and that he would suffer her Son to enjoy his Territories in peace; but the Cardinal not being herewith satisfied, she condescended (since she could not choose) to the desired League; but only as far as concerned defending of their common Dominions, not the offending of others in theirs. The Cardinal would go no less, but grew more severe in his demands; for thinking (as he said) that she had agreed upon some secret intelligence with the Spaniards, he would force her to declare herself openly to be their enemy; he therefore required that she would declare herself absolutely for an offensive League against any whososoever; whereupon the Dowager called all her Counsellors and chief Officers of her Court together, and acquainted them with this so important business; and though they all saw the great danger which the renewing of the League would bring upon the Duke's State, and upon the Dowagers Regency; yet following the late Duke's example, they thought they had better break with Spain, then provoke the Forces of France. Thus the Dowager being forced to take poison for a medicine, consented to the renewing of the League, in the same manner as it had been agreed upon by the Duke her Husband. This resolution, though it were▪ violently extorted from her, was notwithstanding the best the Dowager could put on in these times of ruptures, not so much for her own interests, as for those of Piedmont. For finding that the King of France was resoved to make the State of Milan the seat of War, to join with him therein, was nothing else but to suffer the calamities of War to fall upon the State of Milan, and to free Piedmont from them: Whereas by doing otherwise, she must have made Piedmont the seat of War; the two last Dukes afforded clear examples in both these cases. Charles Emanuel, joining with the Spaniards, would oppose the succour which the French intended to bring to Cassalle; whereby he did not only lose Pinarvolo, and other. Towns in Piedmont, but did keep the War a long time in his own Dominion, to the great prejudice of his people: and Victorio Amadeo, by joining with the French, carried the War into the State of Milan, and brought all the mischiefs that accompany War thither, freeing his own people from them. And yet because, in the conclusion of the League, Piedmont was assaulted by the Spaniards (as shall hereafter be said) the people, who began to make trial of the trouble and mischiefs of War, blamed the Dowager, attributing the cause thereof to the renewing of the League. Wherefore those Piedmontese who wished well to the Princes inwardly, strove to make her and her Government odious, which had till now been acceptable to all, and whispered amongst the common people, that she had renewed the League to maintain her power of Regency the better, and to keep the Princes the more securely far off. These whispers prevailed with those who knew not what violence she had undergone; nor what Wars and mischiefs would have resulted from the contrary resolution: For doubtlessly, if she had been assaulted by the French for refusing to renew the League, she had been forced to call in the Spaniards to her defence; who were very ready in such a case to maintain her against her Brother. So as they might then have more justly reproved her for calling in the Spanish Forces, which they so much desired. Moreover, the falling foul upon Piedmont was resolved upon in the Court of Spain, long before the League was renewed. For they no sooner heard of the League made between the King of France, and the Swedes and Hollanders, to the prejudice of the Spanish Crown, and particularly to the State of Milan; but the King of Spain thought it became him to provide for the necessary defence of those parts; and as for the Affairs of Italy, he gave order to the Governor of Milan, that he should immediately march with his Army against Piedmont, and should prevent the Forces of France and Piedmont; by which he was likely to be immediately assaulted in the State of Milan. To this effect, he sent him moneys and men; and promised him that he should be provided with all things abundantly from Germany, and from the Kingdom of Naples: So as the necessity which the Civilians call Causativa, by which the Dowager was compelled by the Cardinal to join with her Brother against the Spaniards, was turned to a necessity, which the same Civilians call Praecisa; & therefore she who was very unwillingly drawn to renew the League, and who by many subterfuges delayed the subscribing it, when she saw herself assaulted in Piedmont by the Spaniards, thought it no longer fit to defer it. The Governor of Milan had scarcely done with the troubles before Bremi, nor were the Soldiers well cured of the wounds which they there received, when these commands came to the Governor of Milan from the King; he thought that the State of Milan being now free from the French by the recovery of Bremi, his Government should hereafter be peaceful; but being surprised by new and unexpected orders, he was forced to turn his sails according to the unlooked for wind, which was contrary to his calculation. He therefore by means of moneys newly received, gave order for the raising of 4000 Swissers; and propounded Vercelli to himself for his first enterprise; to the end, that when he should be master thereof, his way might be open for further progress in Piedmont. This new War made by Spain against Piedmont was made in the King's Name, without any mention of the Princes or their Interests, which the King did not then think good to have to do with; were it either that he thought his Forces sufficient to invade Piedmont, without those of the Princes, or that he thought the making use of their name would do him but little good, and be of great expense to him; or that he thought it misbecame his Forces to imbrue their hands in civil Wars, and to foment discord between the Nephew and Uncles, equally allied in blood to him: However it was, the Governor, in obedience to the King's commands, sent speedily and secretly to all the Soldiers that were quartered in the Lomellina, that they should march towards Palestre; where having immediately thrown a Bridge over the Sesia, he made his Horse pass over it, that the passes about Vercelli might be taken, and so all supply kept out; and the Foot being come the same day, towards night, they were suddenly quartered in several places about the Town. The Spaniards and Burgondians were quartered between the River Sero and St. Bartolomeo, the Italians were quartered between St. Bartolomeo and the Zocolanti, or Franciscan Friars. The Dutch and Grisons, which were newly confederated, and which Grisons were never before known to fight in the Spanish Camp, were quartered between the Zocolanti and the Sesia: the Island which is made by the Sesia and the Sero, being the most dangerous place of all the rest, as most exposed to be assaulted by the Enemy, was allotted for quarter to the Marquis jovan Francisco Serra, a Genoese; to whom the Governor gave a Brigade of old Neapolitans, that he might serve with them as Campmaster in the present war: and because the place required a better Garrison to defend it, there were added some Companies of Spaniards, and Grisons, and some Millainese; and that so sudden and unexpected a moving might not appear strange and unjustifiable; the Governor leaving Cardinal Trivultio, at the Helm of the State when he marched into the State, published a Manifesto in form of an Edict, wherein repeating what hath been formerly said, he told; that the King of France, contrary to the Articles of Ratisbone & Cherasco, had through threats gotten Pinarvolo from the late Duke; and had afterwards constrained him to join in league against the State of Milan; which notwithstanding the King of Spain, bearing with that Duke's children's minority, and considering that those States were governed by a Dowager Princess, had pardoned the hostility committed against him by the Father, and the Grandfather, and not using any resentment against the Orphans, or the Widow, or State of Piedmont, had continued his love and Protection to that Ducal House; so as he had not only forborn all hostility, but had acquainted the Dowager, that if she desired peace and friendship with him she should not assist the French Armies with men, Victuals, or any other thing, nor continue the league with the King of France, but should continue a real Neutrality between the two Crowns; offering her, moreover, to assist her with all the Forces of his Crown, in case she should be troubled by her brother, for her Neutrality; that the Dowager not being permitted by her brother to embrace so justifiable, and so convenient a contract, was forced to enter into a league against the State of Milan, to the end that the King of France might afterwards possess himself of the Orphan's State; that therefore his Majesty being desirous to continue his Protection to the State, and knowing that there was no other humane means to free it from oppression; but to make himself master of the Towns of Piedmont, he was compelled to assault them, not out of any intent of keeping them, but to drive out the French, and to compel them to a good peace; by which when they should restore Pinarvolo, and all other the Duke's Towns, his Majesty would also restore whatsoever he should have gotten by his Arms in Piedmont; and that so the House of Savoy being put into peaceful and quiet possession of the States which it inherited from its predecessors, might enjoy them in peace and security; he professed therefore that he intended not to make War upon the Natural Subjects of the Country, nor to enter Piedmont as an Enemy; wherefore he exhorted the natural Piedmonteses, that as he would not suffer his Soldiers to injure them, they should also forbear wronging his Soldiers; & that keeping correspondency with his Majesty's Forces they would not oppose their so justifiable intentions, which aimed only at the welfare of their natural Prince, and of Piedmont: and he lastly declared, that if they should do otherwise, and assist the French Forces, he should be forced to alter his manner of making War, and make them partake of the miseries which war brings with it usually. This pretence of Protection, clad with gracious and affectionate appearance, was not generally thought real, and, in process of time, was known to be feigned by the Governor, to make his taking up arms appear less odious; for the King of Spain, his Court, and whole Nation, provoked by Wars made against him, sometimes by Duke Charles Emanuel, sometimes by Duke Victorio, who joined in league with France, to his prejudice, and now lastly by the present Dowager; who having renewed the league with her brother, was ready to make War upon him; not being able to suffer any longer so many hostile Acts, resolved at last to cast aside all his Royal respects which inclined him to the good of Savoy; and though he knew that the Dowager was compelled to that War, and that neither she nor her young son were guilty of their predecessors attempt, and much less of this whereunto they were forced; yet seeing that the King of France, who was more nearly concerned in his Sister and Nephew's interest, cared little for what of prejudice might redound to them thereby, so as he might make War offensive upon the State of Milan; neither did he the King of Spain, who was the party assaulted, think himself bound to suffer himself to be wrought upon by those respects of love and compassion which prevailed nothing with the King of France; The Edict being published, the Governor, in execution of the King's Commands, went to encamp before Vercelli; which was a City begirt with walls, strengthened by Bulwarks, and environed by a large Ditch, beyond the which were many fortifications, ordered and made with incomparable industry by Duke Charles Emanuel, when it was restored to him by Articles of peace, in the year 1617., after it had been taken from him by Don Pedro di Toledo: by which excellent fortifications which rendered it almost impregnable, it was in a manner new built. The Marquis Dogliano son in law to General Villa, a great confident of the Dowagers, was Governor of the Town; who together with his Father in Law opposed the Marshal, when after the Duke's death he would have taken it: two days before the arrival of the enemy's Army, there were two Troops of Horse entered into the Town, which were sent from Turin; which came in a very seasonable time: for the more secure the Town was by reason of the fortifications, the more need it had of Soldiers; for there were in it only three Troops of Horse, the two Troops that came last being therein numbered, and the Foot of the Garrison, together with the Citizens which were fit to bear Arms, were far short of that number which was requisite to defend all the works; but the Defendants, though they were but few, trusting in the relief which they shortly expected, betook themselves courageously to the business; they knew that the French Army was fallen down from the Alps, and was come into Piedmon●…, more in number by what was given out then indeed they were; but in effect, being joined to the Dowagers men they made near about 7000 Foot, and 3000 Horse. The French Army was commanded by the Cardinal Della Vallette, and by his elder brother the Duke of Candale; who though they Commanded the King's Forces in Piedmont with equal Authority, and with the like title of General, yet the Cardinal had the preeminency in Authority; both by reason of his being Cardinal, and for that the Cardinal Richelieu did more confide in him; but as the news of these Forces, which were presently to come to relieve the Town, did much encourage the Defendants, so did it make the Governor of Milan the more careful to fence himself against such a force, which he foresaw would fall upon him, when his Siege was at the fairest; and therefore having allotted their quarters to each nation he betook himself with all diligence to draw the line, which was about ten miles in compass; a work not only strong for the large compass thereof, for the greatness and height, but more for the deepness of the ditch which it was environed with, for the Artillery which was set in several convenient places, and for being very well tackled: the line was soon finished through the diligence which the Governor caused to be used therein; but though the work nor workmen were not disturbed from without, for the great store of rain which fell, kept the enemy from advancing fast, yet were they often assaulted from within by the Garrison of the Town; who whilst the Army being busied about their Fortifications, did not much mind the Siege, made out four Sallies at one and the same time; which being given in four several places, they were at last repulsed, though they fought valiantly; and in one of them, which was made on the Governors own Quarters, they left many behind them, whereof four Captains, and one Sergeant Major. The line being finished, they fell to make their approaches, and order was given to make batteries; the Spaniards and Burgonians wrought over against a great Tenaglia which was before them; the Dutch and Grisons wrought over against another Tenaglia which stood on the Front of their Quarters; and the Italians wrought also hard against a great Bulwark which was without the City, all of them striving who should be the first that should finish their task. And whilst these were thus busied, they ceased not to molest the City in several manners, particularly with Granades, which flying on high, and then falling into the City, broke down houses, and few many. They betook themselves also at the same time to the taking of certain little houses, which though they were without the Enemy's Fortifications, were not abandoned by the Defendants. The Dutch went against these on one side, and the Italians on another; and at last they took them, though not without much loss of blood to the assailants; amongst the rest Bartholomeo Palavicino was there slain, a Captain of Horse, whilst he was backing the Foot who fought against the little Houses; Count julio Cesare Boromeo, Campmaster, was also slain there. The Defendants were not discouraged at the loss of these two Houses, but sallying out the next day, they recovered that which the Dutch had taken, and slew almost all that had taken it, and took the Captain Prisoner, who was notwithstanding rescued by his own men before the fight was over, and the same House was again regained by them, not without much loss of blood: But as the Camp without was held work by the sallies from within, so did not they cease to molest the Enemy's Country which was without, by sending out Horse. Don Vincenzo Gonzaga routed a Troop of Tronsono's Horse; and others did the like. The news of succour which was coming did this mean while increase; and the Dowager being much concerned in the preservation of this Town, resolved to go herself in person to Crescentino, where the whole body of the relieving Aemy was to meet: Here she assisted at the general Musters, encouraging the Soldiers with her presence, and by her fair demeanour, and by her speech, wherewith she was richly endowed by nature; she encouraged the Captains, and chief Officers, giving them rich presents, and omitted not any thing which might incite them to expedition, and to behave themselves bravely in this business, which, the more to inanimate them, she called hers: but the Army was retarded by the abundance of rain, which kept them from marching; at last, after long delay, they marched on with ten piece of great Cannon. The Cardinal, and the Duke his Brother, who were naturally given to be extraordinary circumspect, slow and irresolute, in all their Military actions, did also much delay this succour; insomuch as they appeared not in sight of the besieging Army till 20 days after they had begun the Siege. The Governor had therefore the longer time to perfect his Fortifications, and to bring on his approaches, and to throw a Bridge over the Sesia, by which he might send to encounter the enemy, in case they should attempt to relieve the Town on that side; at last the first ranks of the French appeared on this side the River, and all the rest appeared soon after; but the Commanders stood some days idle, contemplating the strength of the Trenches, which finding to be almost unvanquishable, they also threw a Bridge over the Sesia, over against the Abbey of St. Lasaro, by which they sent men to possess themselves of that Abbey, which being defended but by 60 Soldiers, after the making of some shot, surrendered; here the French made their head-quarter, and began diligently to fortify it; viewing attentively on which side, and where, they might best bring the relief; and the Governor, though at the first appearance of the enemy he seemed very desirous to fall to an assault, lest in case of delay his Army might be assaulted by the enemy on the back, yet he was kept from doing so, for that all things were not ready for an assault. For though the Spaniards were already come to the brink of the ditch of the Tenaglia, on the front whereof there stood a Halfmoon, which was made undefensible by their Canonshot; and though the Dutch were also gotten to the ditch of the other Tenaglia; yet the Italians, who were in the middle between them, were not come within 45 paces of the Bulwark which they were to assault; and yet the Governor fearing to be disturbed if he made any longer delay, setting all considerations of whatsoever difficulties aside, gave Order that every one should be ready in their quarters, about two a clock at night. Thus the sign being given at the hour appointed, they fell on courageously; and finding the defendants awake and vigilant, the conflict was great, and hard, the defendants assisting themselves with Granades, Fireworks and Stones; and the assailants as valiantly overcoming all difficulties, continued constant in the enterprise. The Spaniards having first of all bereft the Halfmoon which stood before them, of all defence by their Artillery, got upon the Tenaglia, and killing some, and taking other some of the defendants prisoners, they became masters of it, and fortified themselves therein; the like befell the Dutch, who likewise took the other Tenaglia: The Italians met with more difficulty, as not being yet fully prepared; the Bulwark which fell to their share yet overcoming all difficulties, they advanced unto the ditch, and driving away the defendants betook themselves to the Bulwark, which not having been played upon appeared impregnable; yet being masters of the ditch they would not quit the enterprise; but digged a Mine, the fear whereof made the Bulwark be abandoned the next day; and the assailants took it, and fortified themselves there: the defendants were astonished at the loss of these three chief places; the rather for that they saw it was done whilst the French Army looked on; who without moving suffered these three so important Works to be lost; and yet when those within the Town were offered fair conditions by the Governor, they showed much courage and confidence in their answer: but, on the other side, they acquainted the French Army with what they had suffered, and in how great danger they were of being lost, if not soon relieved, not only in defending themselves against assaults, and in sallying out, but for want of bullet, to supply the which all the Pewter of the City had already been made use of; upon which news the French Army advanced to within Musket-shot of the City on Sandoval side, and intending to break down the enemies Bribge they sent a Fire-boat down the River, which being detained fell on fire to no purpose; yet resolving to bring relief, they cast their eye upon the Island made by Servo and Sesia; and thinking that, as indeed it was, to be the weakest part, they resolved to pass by there; and to keep the Spanish Camp from re-enforcing the Island, upon the coming on of night they made several seeming assaults upon sundry parts of the Line: nor did the Stratagem prove vain; for the enemy fearing that the succour would be attempted on a part which was guarded only by the common people, they sent for some men from the Island, thither; though the Marquis Serra, whose charge it was to defend the Island, did sufficiently oppose it; so about the fourth hour of the night a Body of 1500 Foot advanced, part French, led on by Colonel St. Andrea; and partly Savoyards and Piedmontese, led on by Colonel Senantes. The Cardinal deputed Monsieur di Castellano, a Marshal of the French Camp, and the Marquis of Pianezza, General of the Dowagers Foot, to order the whole action; who had leave to cull out the best commanded men both of the French and Piedmontese, to order the business, to discover the fords, and to pass their men through them, whilst the rest of the Army stood ready to keep off any diversion: the relievers waded over the ford, which came up to their middle; and the Marquis Serra prepared for defence industriously, notwithstanding his Forces were dismembered, they were stoutly resisted every where; and the attempt would doubtlessly have failed, if aguard of Grisons, who were placed between the Spaniards and Italians, had fought as stoutly as the rest did; but no resistance being there made (for they basely abandoned the station at the very first brunt) the relievers began to pass over the Line. Serra who was employed elsewhere when the business began, came to that place; and finding that the defendants had basely thrown away their Arms, and were directly run away, he encouraged those few that followed him, and gave in amongst the thickest of the enemy; where fight with much danger to himself, and encouraging others by his example, he stopped the current of the relievers; and though he was shot through the Arm by a Musket, he continued fight, till Francisco Tuttavilla, Lieutenant to the Camp master General, came in to his relief with a squadron of those who were under Bolognino; and who having no certain place allotted them to defend, were appointed to go where there should be most need: And Bolognino coming in with the rest after Tuttavilla, those relievers who had not yet past the line were repulsed. Moreover, the Horse which being distributed into several squadrons stood in guard between the City and the line, were faulty also upon this occasion; some whereof ran downright away, and part being deceived by the succourers, who in the dark night cried Viva la Spagna, passed by those Horse, and stole into the City; and about 1200 of them entered with the succour, which did prolong the life of the Town for a few days, but was not sufficient to do so long: For the Enemy having possessed themselves of the chiefest outworks, those of the Town were not able to recover them, though they endeavourd it. For they sallied to recover the Bulwark which was taken by the Italians; here the conflict was greater than in other parts and it had been recovered, had not Bolognino advanced with the most of his men; and, after a bloody contest, forced them to retreat; and the assaults given for the two Tenaglia's had the like fortune; from both which, after a fierce fight, the Assailants were beaten back. The Governor being angry to see the Town relieved, made some Officers be proceeded against and put to death; who through their carelessness were the occasion thereof: And when he saw the Defendants beaten back from the recovery of those places which his men had taken, he made that part of the Island be better fortified and put more men into it, by which the Enemy had got in, and made all the batteries be doubled, the approaches advanced, and all things necessary prepared to give another general assault. And because a squadron of Horse appeared beyond the River, which turned towards the foot of the Bridge that was thrown over on the other side, he ordered some Horse to go out against them, who forced the Enemy's Horse to retreat, and slew many of them. The French Army finding by these proceedings, the impossibility of advancing with succour, they fell to battery, and placed 16 piece of Cannon on the side just opposite against the City; which commanding the Island, played furiously upon the fortifications wherewith it was munited. The like was done from the City, not so much by Cannon, as by Musket-shot; which being given fire unto nearer hand, hurt many of the Garrisons of the neighbouring works and Trenches. Those who defended the Island did not only shelter themselves against these batteries, but raised a counter-battery, whereby they did much prejudice to some Regiments that were come to quarter nearer. In this interim, those of the City made out a good and gallant sally with 600 Musketeirs, against a little Fort which was raised in the Island, by which (if it had been taken) great relief might have been brought into the City. And to this purpose Marquis Villa, who held intelligence with those within the Town, was come to the River side, and was ready to introduce it; but neither did this attempt succeed; for those that defended the little Fort stood firm, and withstood the first affault, till fresh Horse came in to their assistance; who playing upon the Enemy on the flank, forced them after a long and obsimate skirmish to retreat, having slain above 50 of them, and taken eight of their Captains, whereof four died, and four remained Prisoners; by reason of this misfo●…tune, and for because the Spanish Horse scouring the Country, kept back victuals, and kept the Enemy's Camp from foraging, the Cardinal, and Duke of Vallette, who had made the battery only to satisfy the pressing desires of the Dowagers Commanders, began to think upon giving over; they were hereunto incited by the reinforcement of 4000 Swissers which were by the Governors' orders newly come unto the Camp; but they were compelled much more to abandon the enterprise speedily, hearing that Cardinal Trivultio was come from Milan, with 8000 good Foot, and that he was upon his march to assault them in their works; so as growing cautious, and circumspect, according to their custom, they were resolved not to be entrapped between the Cardinal and the Governor, who was now reinforced with new men; they therefore removed their Artillery, and past back over the Sesia, and going round the line by long marches, they intended to fall upon the enemy on the opposite part of the line which was over against the Pralvolo; which resolution, as it occasioned great consternation amongst the besieged, who thought themselves abandoned; so did it much comfort the besiegers, who were not long able to continue in that condition, by reason of the prejudice they received by battery, from which they could not well shelter themselves by reason of the stony & gravelly earth; and more by reason of the thunder of Cannon, and hail of Musket-shot, which absolutely impeded their works by day, and beat down those which they could make in the nights, which were now grown short; and it was thought by the Piedmontese, and by the Spanish Commanders, that if that battery had been continued a little longer, the Town would undoubtedly have been freed, and the Victory gotten. The Lords of Vallette, being freed from Trivultio's imminent danger, by passing over the Sesia, sent some of their Horse a little lower, to the end that being passed over the Sesia at Palestre, by which way victuals were brought to the Spanish Camp, they might block up that Avenue. Palastre was not only taken, but sacked, and great booty was gotten there; these Horse quartered in the neighbouring Towns, thinking that by their yet further keeping the Spanish Camp from Victuals, it would the sooner be forced to raise the Siege: they failed in this design, as well because the Camp was already provided with as much as might serve them for a fortnight, (in which time the enemy's horse would have been forced to seek new quarters) as also that though the passage by Palastre was blocked up, that of Novara was open, by the enemy's departure from the Abbey, which was more commodious for the conveying of Victuals. There happened many Skirmishes between these Horses and those who guarded the line on that part; and it being known that the French Army, though it was passed over the Sesia, would not give over the business; but rather that being recruited by new Forces come from France, they would quickly return, and joining with the Horse at Palastre, would resume it with more vigour; therefore the quarter by the Abbey was better fortified, whither that recruit of men were sent, who did defend the Island when it was in greatest danger; nor did their provisions cease here; the Governor did greatly desire to make use of this advantage of the enemies being gone, that he might the more safely give a general assault, without danger of being fallen upon by the enemy on the back: he therefore ordered all things with the greatest diligence that might be; to this effect, he solicited all his men to throw galleries over the Ditch; he made the battery by Cannon be redoubled, to make breaches; and provided for all other things necessary. So as all their endeavours were to get to the walls by the shortest way, though it were not very safe doing so; and whilst they were intent hereupon they heard that the enemy would quarter the next day at Prarnold, a Town on the right hand of the river under Vercelli, not above a mile distant from the line; wherefore though things were not very well in order, the Governor gave directions for a general assault to be given the next day; the Italians battery had not as yet made a sufficient breach in the Wall; and the Spaniards though they had sprung a Mine between the Bulwark de Nobili and that of S. Andrea, yet it proved uneffectual, by a strange accident; for twenty yards of the Wall which was blown up by the violence of the fire fell down entire and whole into the same place where it stood before, and did so join, as there appeared not any the least gap whereby they might enter; the Dutch were only in somewhat a better condition; for they had made themselves masters not only of the platform, but also of a half Moon which was in the Tenaglia which they had gotten a little before; these three Nations going, by the Governors' orders, to the assault, they fought with more courage than fortune: for the Italians, who under Count jovanni Boromeo coming with much courage to the breach which was made by the Cannon, and which was not yet perfected, were sorely gauled both on the Front and Flank, by four pieces of Cannon, by Musket-shot, and by stones, So as not being able so much as to get over the Ditch, which was partly full of water, and partly full of stiff Clay, they were forced to go about by the Gallery, at the Foot of the Wall, and to go round about above fifty paces, to find the breach, to which not being able to get without much prejudice (for they were every where exposed to the enemy's Muskets;) Don Carlo Della Gatta resolved to fall with his Brigade upon the Bulwark from whence the assaulters were played upon; this Bulwark was made of earth and Faggots, and was environed with a dry ditch; so as Gatta thought he might easily gain it; which if he had done, he held for certain that, the impediment ceasing, the breach might be easy entered; but he was deceived: for being shot in the leg by a Musket, he was forced to retreat; and though his Sergeant Major jovan Battista Brancaccio got, with some of the hardiest of that Brigade, beyond the middle of the Bulwark, yet they were stoutly resisted, and at last repulsed: as were they also who were gotten to the breach through so many dangers, under Boromeo; nor did the Spaniards do what they intended; for having in vain attempted that place where the Mine had played to no purpose, and failing of their hopes by reason of the green bulwark, by which they were played upon on the Flank, they sent 500 Foot to take it; who having fought a long while, they sometimes thought to gain it; as they had done, notwithstanding that it was stoutly defended, had not the Governor Dogliano, who saw the danger, sent a body of French seasonably thither under Colonel S. Andrea, a stout and understanding Commander of the same nation; who though he fell being shot by a Musket; yet having together with the rest discharged the part of a gallant man, the Assailants were forced to retreat; nor did the assault given by the Dutch prove more effectual; who when they had gotten the platform and the half moon, (as hath been said) went to assault the breach which they had made: For though it was noised that the Spaniards had scaled the walls, which made them desirous to appear no less forward than they, yet finding the Defendants very ready and resolute, it was not possible for them to advance. So as the Governor of Milan finding by the many disadvantages of the unseasonable assault, and by the good order and resolution of the Defendants, that it would be but loss of time to persevere in the enterprise, and that it was impossible to do more; after four hours fierce and obstinate fight, he ordered a retreat to be beaten, and that the assault should be given over, by which there was nothing got but the platform and half moon which the Dutch had taken, and the death of Colonel St. Andrea, which was reputed a great loss by them within the Town. But neither did the Dutch keep that long which they had gotten, for they were driven from thence within a few hours, being assaulted before they were fully fortified. And notwithstanding that they resisted stoutly, yet so furious was the assault, as (none coming to assist them) they were but hardly dealt with, and many of the chief of them were slain; amongst which, the Lieutenant of Prince Borso, who commanded them: The reason why no succour was sent, was, for that the Enemy's Horse hearing that the assault was given came from Parvolo, and by falling upon the Line endeavoured to assist the assaulted City, at least by diversion, by drawing the Enemy from assaulting the City, to defend their own Camp, as they necessarily must do. The Assailants and Defendants having vied who should show most Valour and Resolution, the Marquis of Caracena, with his Brigade of Spaniards, began to sink a Mine under that wall which played, and the Italians sunk another under the wall that was battered; and the Dutch, not being able to sit down by the affront which they had received, endeavoured the next day to regain the works which they had lost; and going in a great body to assault them, after a long contest, they lodged in the half moons parapet, advanced to the foot of the platform, under which they sunk another great Mine: And when fire was ready to be given, and that they were prepared for a general assault, the Marquis of Caracena, as he was ready to give fire unto his Mine, and to fall to an assault, might hear a parley beaten from within the Town, wherewith he presently acquainted the Governor; who commanding that all offence should be forborn, wished him to know of the Enemy what Articles they demanded? they demanded that Hostages might be given, and then that the treaty might begin; which being granted, the Treaty lasted long; at last the difficulty was reduced to the time of surrender: The Town demanded eight days, and the Governor would give but two hours, and both parties being stiff in their proposals; and answers, it was at last agreed, that the Assailants should enter the works that were yet in the Defendants hands, beyond the ditch, at two hours before sunset next day, and that the Defendants should march out of the City at two of the clock the next day, and deliver up the City to the Governor; with leave to carry away the bones of Duke Victorio, who was there slain and buried: In performance of which agreement, the works were presently quitted, and afterwards the City was delivered up unto Marquis of Caracensa, who took possession of it, at the end of 40 days after the siege was begun. The Soldiers marched out with their Arms and Baggage, Drums beating, Bullet in mouth, Match lighted, and Colours flying, and carried with them three pieces of Cannon, with a safe-conduct, to convoy them (and necessary carriages) to St. ja, as was agreed upon by Articles. And they marched out, if not glorious for their gallant defence and keeping of the City, at lest with much honour both to the Commanders and Soldiers, for the singular Valour which they had showed in defending the City. The Dowager was much troubled at the loss of Vercelli, she being thereby deprived, at the beginning of her Regency, of so noble and important a place, the very Bulwark and Frontier of Piedmont; and she was not well satisfied with the Cardinal of Valletta; who being at the time of the surrender in Parvolo, but two miles from Vercelli, if he had behaved himself otherwise then he did, it was thought the City might have been preserved; for he was taxed commonly with coolness and irresolution, in the whole carriage of this business. Vercelli being surrendered, the Spanish Army kept there, busying themselves in demolishing the line, and in repairing the walls which were beaten down by battery. And at the same time the French and Piedmontese retreated not far off to Costanza and Petegno, where they tarried till the Spanish Army returned to the State of Milan; which they did not till they had furnished Vercelli sufficiently with Victuals and Munition, and with a very good Garrison; At whose departure, the French and Piedmontese Army went to the parts about Cassalle, where they lay loitering all that Summer. For the Governor fell sick of a Fever which he had contracted through his painstaking during the siege, and which made him keep his bed two months; so as he forbore troubling the Enemy, & was not troubled by them. But Don Francisco di Melo, who was gone long before into Spain, being returned into Italy about the end of Summer, with the command also of Governor of the Forces in the State of Milan, went not long after the beginning of September into the Field with an Army; and passing over the Sesia at La Motta, made as if he would go to Trino, that he might draw the Enemy into those parts; but turning suddenly upon Bremi, he passed over the Po; and sending Carlo della Gatta to take Pomaro, he kept in Giroli till the business of Pomaro was ended: which whilst it was prolonged by the difficulty of battery, and by the necessity of reiterating Mines, the Cardinal went out of Cassalle, together with the General of the Horse, to spy what the Enemy did; and finding that they came to meet him, he retreated to Cassalle, leaving the Gene●…al of the Horse in the Field, that he might seem to make some resistance, between whom, and the General of the Spaniards Horse, some little skirmishes of very small moment past; and the Spaniards being on their way towards Alessandria, the French and Savoyards passed over the Po, and having taken Montemango and Rifrancore, they went to Filizzano; where throwing a Bridge over the Tanaro, they tarried till towards the end of October, daily skirmishing with the Enemy, till both of them, forced by the cold weather, and for want of Forage, returned to their winter quarters; the Castle of Pomaro being first taken, which was immediately demolished: whilst affairs proceeded thus slowly in Lombardy, there happened a Sea conflict, and that no small one, above Genoa, between fifteen French, and fifteen Spanish Galleys: those of Spain were conducted by Don Roderigo di Velasco, Captain of the Admiral of Sicily, whom all the rest were under; and they were full of Foot, who were to land at Finale, and so to go for the State of Milan; which being known by the French Galleys, which were come from Provence in equal number under their General, Count Poncurletto, well provided of rowers, and fight men, and who keeping upon the Seas of Provence went in pursuit of the Spaniards, but with intention not to fight them till they had landed their men; it happened that the Spaniards, for some occasion of their own, came to Anchor upon the shore of Finale; which when the French knew, they thought that they had landed their men there, and that therefore they might safely fight them, and take them whilst they returned empty to Genoa: the Spanish Admiral, who was more courageous than considerate, being aware thereof, refused not battle which he thought was presented by the Enemy, not considering how much the King's interests were concerned in that conflict: the French made towards the Spaniards, full of fervour, and hope; but when they were come near, and found them well provided of men, they were somewhat astonished; yet being so near as they could not retreat, they must be content and fall to work; but one of them which shut up the left wing, for mere fear, hoist sail before the fight began, and escaped the danger: they encountered some miles above Genoa, on the first of September, the day being fair and calm; they fought a long while with equal fortune valiantly on both sides: The Spaniards were more in number of fight men then the French, but came short of them in number and quality of Mariners, who were all Volunteers, and well furnished with pebble-stones, which (abandoning their Oars in the conflict) they threw in such abundance, as the Spaniards not being able to hold their Muskets in their hands, and much less govern them, they were for a while much impeded, and of no use: The French exceeded the Spaniards also in Targets, and in certain little Castles which stood on their Prows, lined some with course Canvas, some with Mattresses, whereof they provided themselves well, as being come with an intention to fight; whereas the Spaniards, who came casually to fight, were unprovided of any such defences; but the French had much more the better of the Spaniards, by the shameful running away of four of the Spanish Galleys, who, the first Volley of Shot being given, withdrew themselves, and in the heat of the conflict abandoned their companions; and yet the eleven Spanish Galleys which remained fought so valiantly, though upon such disadvantage, as when the hail of stones ceased, they slew many of the French, and begun to have the better of the business, had not a stratagem used by the French gotten them the victory; who began to cry out liberty, liberty; at the hearing whereof, the Spanish Galley slaves, who were partly Turks, partly people that were condemned to the O●…r, or sold for a prize, mutined and began to turn upon their Masters, who not being able to resist their enemies at home, and abroad, after an obstinate and fierce Fight were rather Conquered then Conquerors; and the French being but hardly dealt with, the Fight was rather parted, then given over; where in an hours space, there were slain 4000, between Soldiers, Mariners, and Galleyslaves; the French took five of the Spanish Galleys; and the Spaniards took three of the French Galleys; the French returned towards Provence, but with so few men of any condition whatsoever, as they could hardly rid any way, not sailing above 12 or miles a day; and set aside the greater number of Galleys that were taken by the French, and the Spanish Admiral's being taken Prisoner, who being sorely wounded died within two days, and that the French were Masters of the Field; they got nothing of advantage by the Fight; and they returned so slowly, as they left the Admiral of Spain by the way, not being able to carry her along. Not long after this conflict the young Duke of Savoy died, in the seventh year of his Age, on the third of October, 1638, within one year after his Father; whose death was the last thing that happened that year, and made more way for what happened afterwards. Charles Emanuel succeeded him, the only remaining male-issue of Duke Victorio Amadeo, being but four years old; wherefore the Prince's succession growing the nearer (for the women, according to the Law Salic, do not succeed in Savoy) their pretensions increased the more; and it seemed more justifiable that they should be admitted into the Regency with their Sister in Law; that in case this their Nephew should die, there might be no occasion of con●…ending with her for succession; but that changing the title of Guardian into that of absolute Prince, he of the two Princes who was to succeed might remain Duke without any interruption of right. These ends and intentions were corroborated by speeches that were quickly given out both in Italy and elsewhere, that the Child, who was of perfect health, was melancholy, and of a weak complexion, and like his Brother, not likely to live long, and that he was subject to great sicknesses; that the Dowager joined closer with the French; and did not only willingly keep them in Piedmont, but brought them in; that she treated of putting Towns and Forts into their hands; and that which irritated the people more against the Dowager, and took them off from the good inclination they bore her before, was, that the King of France his first Son being born a little before the Duke of Savoys death, the Dowager was in treaty of a marriage between the young Dolphin and her eldest Daughter, with the States of Piedmont and Savoy for her portion; as if the succession did belong to her after the death of the two last Dukes, excluding her two Uncles; and for the better confirmation of this rumour, it was also said, that the Court of France had fallen upon the same consideration, as might be known by certain printed Papers which were publicly sold in Paris touching this business; and that the Dowager had put this case to her favourites, the Civilians of Piedmont, which was very unlikely, not to say, a fiction; for, not to say any thing of the disparity of ten years in age, which was between these two young Princes, and of the various contingencies which might disturb this match; it was more than certain, that the Dowager could have no such thoughts during her Son's life; and in case he should die, her authority would be at an end, whereby it would be impossible to effect it; and yet these rumours had some impression upon the common people, who look not inwardly into things, and upon such as though they consider them and know them to be very vain, are notwithstanding born away with passion, and desire of novelty. The Prince's pretences being favoured by these rumours and new accidents, began to be embraced and protected by the King of Spain's Forces, whose Agents had been hitherto deaf to all entreaties, and far from embracing them; and the people having been found to be averse to those ends and intentions in the business of Vercelli, wherewith they adorned the war already made against that State, they began to believe, that if war should be made in Piedmont upon the score of putting the Government into the Prince's hand, the business would proceed the better; and that if the Princes would appear therein themselves in person, it would excite the people to be more fervent in driving out the French, and in suppressing the Dowagers party; they therefore applied themselves to maintain the Prince's pretences with their Forces, and to listen the more willingly thereunto. The Prince Cardinal, hearing of his Nephew's death, was once more privately stolen from Rome, and was unexpectedly come to Piedmont; and because at that very instant the Town of Carmagnuola was found to favour him, and soon after the very Citadel of Turin, it was thought that he was come with a firm belief to be admitted into them both; in which case, taking it for granted that he should undoubtedly be favoured by the people, and backed by the Spaniards, he was sure that the Dowager would be able to do little, and that his pretensions would be brought to a happy end; but such designs, being usually fallacious, proved to be so very much in this case; for being come within a few miles of Carmagnuola, he found the Treaty was discovered and prevented; so as being kept out from thence he turned towards Cheri, as a fitting place whereby to get into the Citadel of Turin: being come to Cheri he found there, that the Treaty of the Citadel was also discovered and prevented. The Dowager was not a little moved, when at the unexpected coming of the Prince she found so important Treaties discovered; and much more when she saw the Spanish Forces were advanced to the Confines of Alba and Asti; yet not at all dismayed, she failed neither in Courage nor Counsel; but drawing the Piedmontese Garrison presently out of the Garrison of the Citadel, she put thereinto a Regiment of Lorreiners, commanded by the Signeior di San' Martino, a Gentleman well versed in Arms, and an ancient servant of the Court of Turin, who had been often employed by Duke Victorio in the Government of Vercelli, and of other chief Towns; and she secured the former Governor, and the other complices of the treaty; she got the Cardinal della Valetta, to convey them to Sommarina del Bosco; she doubled the Guards of the City, and those of the Duke's Palace, and put all the Soldiers in Arms; which being done, she dispatched away Count Gabaleone, who was Commissary General of her Foot, to the Cardinal with Letters, and with a Company of her Guard; who coming into Cheri, and making himself master of one Gate, went to the Prince Cardinal; and giving him the Dowagers Letter, he told him how much her royal Highness wondered at his Highness coming in that manner to Piedmont; he acquainted him with her jealousy, by reason of the circumstances which preceded, and accompanied his coming, and with what had been then discovered; and finally, he let him know how unsafe it would be for him to tarry there, in respect of the French Forces threatening him with so imminent danger; he told him that, notwithstanding, he was very loath that any thing of bad should befall him; to witness the which, he offered him her Royal Highness Guard to wait upon him to some place of safety. To all this the Inhabitants of Cheri's entreaties were added; who fearing to be proceeded with severely, if they should be thought to receive the Prince, desired him that he would not be cause of so much mischief to them by his tarrying there; wherefore the Prince finding that his intelligences did no good, that the Dowager was fortified and well provided upon all occasions, himself unarmed, being accompanied only by two Gentlemen, a Secretary, and three Footmen, he thought fit to give way unto the times, and to wait a better occasion; wherefore staying but one night in Cheri, he departed thence the next morning, and went towards Annone; being still followed at a distance by the Dowagers Guard, conducted by Gabaleone; but with such respect, as he seemed rather to be honourably attended by them to the confines of the State, then compelled to go out; he tarried in the State of Milan, expecting the Prince his Brother, who was to come thither shortly from Flanders; and being displeased he writ back to the Dowager, that under vain pretences, and contrary to all Laws both Divine and Humane, he was banished from his Paternal Country which God and Nature had given him; and complaining of the imputations wherewith he was charged, that he held intelligence in the Towns of Piedmont, and of his being threatened with the French Army, he added, that as the small company which he brought with him into Piedmont did fully demonstrate the vanity of the imputations which were laid unto him; so it showed how little he feared the French Forces, building upon the people's love and favour, against any attempt of the French; he, finally, desired her not to credit such imputations, and not to show any resentment upon those who were maliciously blamed to have held treaties with him; but this his intercession prevailed not; for being found guilty, they were by the Senate condemned to be put to death; process was made against the Governor, who was kept prisoner in Turin, till such time as he was set at liberty by the Princes when they took Turin, as shall be said hereafter; and he died afterwards of a natural death, whilst he took up Arms in the Prince's behalf, whose quarrel he embraced as soon as he was at liberty. The Princes forbore not, for all this, to pursue their pretences; and being desirous that their justification might precede their taking up Arms, they made use of the anger which the house of Austria had conceived against the Dowager, for her having renewed the League, and for her having joined in Arms with the King of France; and by the favour of the Court of Spain, which had embraced their cause, they obtained a Monitory Decree, directed to the Dowager from the Emperor, as from the Sovereign Lord of Savoy; wherein she was fairly exhorted, to forego the League which she had renewed with France, and to appear before the Cesarean Tribunal, to justify the Guardianship of her Son, and the Regency of the State which she had taken upon her. The Senate, and Nobility and people of Piedmont, were also ordered by the same Decree, to persuade the Dowager that Caesar's Orders might be duly executed; but all this would not do, the Dowager would not admit of such Decrees or Citations; pretending them to be novelties, and attempts upon the Sovereignty of the Piedmontese Principality; no Emperor having ever formerly interssed himself in Guardianships. This mean while Prince Thomaso, about the end of February, in the year 1639, came from Flanders to the State of Milan, to prosecute his and his Brother's pretensions; whither as soon as he was come, they agreed upon the manner and way of making war upon Piedmont. The whole business was by the Emperor referred to Don Francisco di Melo, the King of Spain's Plenipotentiary to the Princes of Italy, with whom, after many discourses, it was concluded; that war should be made, to possess the Princes of Savoy in the Guardianship of their Nephew, and in the Regency of the State; and amongst other things it was agreed, that the King of Spain should assist them herein, and should work with the Emperor, to declare them to be their Nephew's Guardians and Regent's of the State, to the exclusion of the Dowager; that the Towns whereinto the Princes should be received by the people's free will should have Garrisons put into them by the Princes; and that those which should be taken by Force of Arms should have Garrisons put into them by the Governor of Milan: he being bound to restore them to whom they should be decreed by the general Peace; and that howsoever the Politic Government of Justice, and the Revenues, should belong unto the Princes, as Governors of the State: but the Governor, who was to make the war, refused to subscribe these Capitulations; for he said, he was ordered by the King of Spain, to make the War of Piedmont upon his Majesty's account; wherefore he could not alter the title without new Orders: but he assured the Princes, that he would connive at, and underhand allow them whatsoever was contained in the Capitulation. The Princes might clearly see by this, that the Spanish Agents were not to fight upon their interests, but upon those of the King of Spain; and that they were to make use of the favour and assistance which the Princes had with the people, for the more happy progress of the King's Forces in Piedmont; and they might have known it better by the very substance of the Agreement, though the Governor should have subscribed it: but the necessity which the Princes were brought into made them care the less for future danger, so they might escape the present; or were it that they did assuredly hope, that all the Towns, even those wherein the strongest Garrisons were, the Garrisons and Governors being Piedmontese, would willingly receive them, when they should appear with convenient Forces; for they were so confident of the people's favour, as they thought it would be always in their power to dispose of them as they listed; wherefore being desirous to forward the business, they thought good to give way to what the Spaniards desired. The Governor making use of the pretence of putting the Princes into the Government of the State, did not only think to drive the French out of Piedmont, but to make himself master of the chief Towns of that Principality; and so to make the Princes, and all Piedmont, depend upon the King. Things being thus established, the Princes plainly let the Dowager know their intention; which was, to come to Turin, to keep there, to serve her, to take order for their own and for the common affairs, to defend the Vassals, to free the State from the imminent danger of Foreign Forces, and to preserve it for the Duke, to whose Guardianship, as also to the Government of the State, they were chosen and deputed by the Emperor, even to the exclusion of her the Dowager; and yet they added, that they would be contented to take 〈◊〉 in, for a third, in the Guardianship and Regency; declaring finally, that nothing less would content them, and that they were resolved to do their utmost, and to lose their lives, rather than not compass this that was so justly due unto them. The Dowager, who neither in respect of the King of France his authority, nor for her tie of consideracy, could not only not receive the Princes who ad●…ed to the Spaniards, in part, nor in whole, into the Guardianship or Regency, but neither suffer them to tarry in Piedmont, thought this answer to be an intimation of War; but was not thereat any whit abashed, but gave order that Proclamations should presently be made throughout the State, that the people should take up Arms for the defence of their Lord the Duke, whose preservation was concerned in this War; and for the defence of their Country, which was shortly to be assaulted by Spanish Forces, led on by the Princes; she hoped by this means to prevent their intentions, but she failed therein; for the people (as the sequel will demonstrate) were much devoted to their natural Princes; and more inclined to be governed by them then by the Dowager, who was not now so well beloved by the people as she was before this innovation, by reason of her so great dependency upon the King of France, by her renewing the League, and by her removing of the Garrison and Governor of the Citadel. On the contrary, the people did much compassionate the Princes, by reason of the hard condition wherein they were, being banished their Country, deprived of their Revenues, and kept, as if they were public enemies, from the administration of those State Affairs wherein they were so much concerned. The Duke's unhealthfulness (as it was given out) and the small hopes of his life, did much work upon the people's affection, on their behalves; as on those whom they expected should quickly succeed in the Principality; and the rising Sun having already found many worshippers, the generality of the people thought they had but small reason to place any hopes in the Dowager, and were more inclined to the Government of the rising Princes, then to that of hers, which for the aforesaid reasons they thought would be quickly at an end: they also doubted that very much which the Princes themselves gave out, that in case the young Duke should sail, the Dowager had resolved to make her Daughter Queen of France, giving her the States of Piedmont and Savoy for her Dowry, to the irreparable prejudice not only of the succession of the Princes, but also to the people's liberty, wherein when the Ducal-house should be debarred succession, they ran manifest danger to be subjected to the French yoke, and be made slaves thereunto; wherefore thinking themselves more concerned to adhere unto the Princes then to the Dowager, they forsook her interest, and passed violently over to the Prince's party; and yet many others confiding in the Duke's health, and in the Dowagers authority, adhered constantly to her: the people of Piedmont were therefore no less confused, and differed no less in opinion, than were the Dowager and the Princes; between whom no composition being to be made, War must necessarily ensue. The Governor of Milan did, of all other things, chiefly design to end a petty business; which though it was but a small one, was of no small consequence; which was, to take Cengio, a little Castle in the Langhe, seated on the back of Savona, but strong, & fitly situated, not only for the predomination of the Langhe, but for the passage of Soldiers, who landing at Finale go into the State of Milan; and of those who upon occasion were to be sent from the State of Milan to Finale, in relief of that Marquisate, if it should be assaulted by the French Fleet, as it was then doubted it would be: the Governor thought also that the Princes would be much helped by this to enter Piedmont, assisted by the King of Spain's Forces: for this Castle was very necessary to Piedmont, for the keeping of the Langhe, which the Duke of Savoy did formerly affect; wherefore both the Governor and the Prince's thought assuredly, that the Dowager, who would be forced to succour this place with all her forces, would be necessitated to draw out the Garrisons from out the more inward parts of the State, and would leave them undefended, and open, to be assaulted by the Princes; Don Antonio Sotelo was therefore sent with some Brigades to clear the ways which led to that Castle, and to keep it from having new Garrisons put into it; and after him went Don Martind ' Aragona, who was intended to be the chief Governor of this enterprise, with a good body of men; who at his first coming there, as he was spying out the fittest places to plant his Artillery, was shot in the head by a Musket, whereof he immediately died; in whose place Sotelo was chosen by the rest of the Captains, who fell all of them very busily to effect this business; but the Dowager, and Cardinal Valletta hearing thereof, were not slow in providing to prevent it: The Cardinal marched with his French from Cassalle, and Marquis Villa from Turin with almost all the Dowagers Forces, and joining together they came within sight of the Trenches which the Enemy had made; who kept themselves patiently therein, suffering the Bravadoes which were often made by the others; but when the Enemy seemed to be weary, and tired, they came unexpectedly with much fury, out of their Trenches, and after a long Fight routed the assaulters, killing about 300 of them; and having pursued them a while, they retreated; and those of the Castle seeing no more succour appear, and finding the batteries already all in order, and that the Enemy were prepared to give an assault, they surrendered the Castle, at the same time that the Governor sent to take Cengio. Prince Thomaso went from Vercelli with 2000 Dragoons, about Sunset, and having marched all night, appeared about break of day before Chivazzo, a great Town upon the left side of the Po, twelve miles from Turin; he sent Count Serravalle before with eight Horse, under pretence of carrying Letters to the Governor of that place, kept there, till the Prince, who came after him with the Dragoons, became easily Master thereof; there was then no Garrison in this Town; the gates were guarded only by some few Towns men: for though it was a place of great consequence, yet being far from the confines of the State, and almost within the bosom of Piedmont, it was not judged to need a Garrison, the rather for that some squadrons of Horse were placed to guard the banks of the Dora Baltea, which were thought sufficient to guard all the places seated within that river: but the Prince past a little below them, so they were no hindrance to him; but passing successfully on, he made himself Master of the Town; at which unexpected accident the Inhabitants were much troubled; but when they heard [live Prince Thomaso, cried,] they passed from a great fear wherewith they were possessed to great joy and gladness: and flocked unto him with much applause; and were the first of the Piedmontese who rendered him ready obedience as Guardian of the young Duke: the Inhabitants of Chivazzo were not they alone who seemed to rejoice at this happy success, but even those of Turin did the like: wherefore it was the common opinion, that if the Prince had presently marched thither, he might likely enough have been received there with the same acclamation and applause, and acknowledged for Guardian of the Duke, and Governor of the State; the rather for that that City was wholly unprovided of Soldiers, they being all gone to succour Cengio; the Dowager therefore apprehending danger sent in great haste for the Cardinal, and Count Villa, from the Langhe, to provide for the hazardous condition of Turin, which was much the occasion of the loss of Cengio; for the relievers hearing of the Dowagers from Turin, went with all speed thither, and quitted the relieving of that Castle; the Dowager when she heard of what had happened at Chivazzo, sent the young Duke, and his sisters, from Piedmont into Savoy, as into a place of safety; whereat the Piedmonteses were much distasted. Marquess Villas wife, who had formerly been the Duke's Governess, went along with his person: and her children went along with her, as play fellows to the young Duke, and his sisters; or, as others would have it, as hostages for their father's Loyalty; Chivazzo being taken, the Prince, no occasion being known why, went not to Turin, but towards the City of Inurea, which presently yielded; and the Prince Cardinal joining with him, they went together to Biela; where they were likewise very readily received; then turning towards the Valley of Austa, they found the people there also very ready to render them obedience, wherein the Baron of Castiglione had a great hand; though the Marquis di Broz, who was Governor of that Valley, and very faithful to the Dowager, endeavoured the Contrary; for which he was imprisoned by the Princes: thus were they possessed of that Valley, and in a very short time reduced likewise the whole Country of Biela, and of Canevese, to their devotion; the Prince Cardinal tarried to carry on the acquisition of Piedmont, whilst Prince Thomaso went to join with the Governor of Milan; who marching with his Army out of Vercelli, was also entered Piedmont; and leaving S. ●…a and Pontestura behind him, he marched towards Crescentino, and by the way met the Prince, who was come from Chavezzo to meet him: they agreed jointly to fall at one & the same time upon Crescentine & Verrua; wherefore Don john di Garrai being returned victorious from Cengio, was ordered by the Governor, not to pass the Po, but to affault Verrua, at the same time that they should sit down before Crescentino. Verrua was affaulted by Garrai, and taken; and soon after the Castle was surrendered by the Governor thereof, who presently passed over from the Dowagers' party, and sided with the Princes: and the business of Crescentino succeeded as happily on the other side of Po, where there was not above 800 Foot in Garrison: some assaults were given, & the best resistance was made that could be: but when they saw the Artillery ready to play upon the Walls, they surrendered: the Walls were immediately thrown down by order from the Governor, to avoid the lessening of their forces, which must needs have been occasioned by frequent Garrisons: they resolved afterwards to go to before Turin; and therefore the Governor being past the Po, and joined with the body of the Army, they marched towards it, verily believing that the Dowager would not stay to be shut up in the City, and that they should be the more easily received by the Citizens, she being gone; and that the Cardinal of Vallette, and the Dowagers Generals, Villa and Pianezza, would not continue to defend the City which was ready to mutiny; against so gallant an Army: but they found the contrary; for the Dowager, not at all dismayed at what had happened; and knowing how necessary her presence would be to the preservation of that City, which was the Metropolis of the State; and that it was only her presence that kept the City from revolting, resolved to tarry there; the Cardinal of Vallette, and Marquis Villa, were already come thither with their Forces from Cengio; and though they heard that Verrua and Crescentino were besieged, yet they went not to relieve them; thinking it necessary for them to preserve their men to descend the Capital City, which they thought would ere long be assaulted by the Enemy; but hearing that the Princes advanced with the Spanish Army towards the City, they sent some French companies out against them; between whom and the Spanish Army there passed some sleight Skirmissies: the Army marched towards Rivoli, Colegno, Grasasco, Bienasco, and other neighbouring Towns; partly, to know the situation of the City; partly, to give time for the ripening of some intelligence which the Princes held in the City: as also to observe whether the Citizens were better inclined to the Princes, or the Dowager: persuading themselves that the abode of the Army wherein the Princes were, thereabouts, would move the people to insurrection: to move them whereunto the Princes Writ to the Chief Gentlemen, Ministers, and Magistrates of the City, declaring that they would receive the Gaurdianship of the Duke, and Regency of the State, from their hands, acquainting them with their pretensions, and objecting many things, whereby to make the Dowagers power and authority invalid. But nothing could persuade the City to favour them; for the Dowager had made extraordinary provision to curb such Citizens as were likeliest to mutiny; she placed Corpse de Guard in many parts, set forth severe Proclamations against any one who should but offer to stir, she sent many of those who were most suspected out of the Town, and imprisoned some: The Artillery of the Citadel was also turned upon the City; and she herself coming out amongst the people, with an undaunted and manlike Courage, did in her own person animate some with the suavity of her speeches, and terrify others with her bitter threats. So as the Prince, contrary to his expctation, finding such quiet in the City, resolved to draw the walls, and to straighten the Town; hoping that want of things necessary would sooner make it yield then force: He did draw near the City, though he was shot at from the walls, and though many Companies both of Horse and Foot sallied out of the City, which he easily drove back, and made himself mas●… of the Bridge, and Covent of the Capuchins. So as the Horse passing over the ●…oe, by means of the bridge, came to the new Ga●…e, from whence some Troops of French Horse came out against them, who were also forced to retreat into the City; where the Citizens seeming very unwilling to take up Arms against the Princes, there was no confusion wanting. And the Dowager being to provide against inconveniences both within and without, would not have been void of thoughts, if Affairs had continued long in that condition; especially since Prince Thomaso was already drawn near the walls, and was master of the field, and endeavoured to succour himself by Trenches, and by his approaches to come to grappling; having environed the Suburbs with Trenches, he sent a Troop of Horse toward ill Ponte della Dora, to drive away some squadrons of French Horse which were there to guard it, but they could not do it; for they were kept back, and forced to retreat by the Artillery of the Porta Palazzo. The Prince Cardinal came at this time to the Camp, who went to quarter with his Brother and the Governor in the Vallentino, a Palace of pleasure, within 400 paces of the City, upon the left side of the Po, a little above the Capuchins bridge, part of the Army quartered about this Palace, and part quartered in the Suburbs between the Po and the City. They then planted two batteries; one at the Casetta Verde, against the Porta Nova, and the other at Albergo, from whence they they began to play upon the City. But this was of more terror than prejudice to the people, whom the Assailants did not desire to harm very much, but to keep them well inclined to the Prince's party. Whilst things were carried on thus, before and about the City, the Princes and Governor found that the Defendants minded only the safety of the City, for the preservation whereof they had abandoned all out places; and being neither willing, nor able to lie long idle there, wasting time more in expectation of popular commotions, then in being intent upon taking the City by force; they resolved to send Count Galleazzo Trotti with 600 Horse, and 600 Foot to take Pontestura; who having easily mastered the Town, sat down before the Castle, whither the French Garrison, who at the first appearance of the Enemy had abandoned the Town, had retreated. And when the Governor of Milan found that a great body of men were sent from Cassalle to relieve it, he sent Don Luigi Ponse after Trotti, with a good number of Soldiers; who coming to Pontestura, just when Trotti being gone to encounter the succour which came from Cassalle, had repulsed them, began to pursue them, which he did to underneath the Walls of Cassalle; and in that interim, the Castle seeing the relief repulsed, yielded; from whence six hundred French marched out in good order, and went to Cassalle: Some Treaties of agreement were had, whilst the Camp lay before Turin; for though the Dowager were assured by her Captains and Officers that she could run no danger, there being a competent number of Soldiers in the City able to defend it, and by reason of the secure and ready refuge which they had to the Citadel; as also of the succours which they might confidently presume would speedily be sent from France; yet, were it either that she might divide the Princes from the Governor of Milan, or that she might allay the fervour of Arms by Treaty; she listened to the propositions of agreement which were propounded by Monsignore Caffarelli, the Pope's Nuncio than Resident with her, in the Pope's name, and they were these. That the Princes should acknowledge her to be Guardianess and Regent; So as they might have some Towns allowed them for security of their persons, and that each of them should Governor of some Province; into which Towns or Provinces no Foreigners might be introduced, as neither into any other part of the State. And that there should no account be made of the League made with France; nor that any of the parties should hereafter enter into Le●…gue with any Foreign Prince or Potentate, without reciprocal agreement. These Proposals tended, as all men might clearly see, to take off the Dowager from adhering to the French, to the end that being deprived of so great a stay, the Prince's Authority by the favour of the people might be greater than the Dowager did now allow it to be. The Dowager was aware of this, who answered, that they should have Towns, and Governments, and all reasonable advantages allowed them, if being reconciled to the King of France, who she assured them should very willingly receive them into favour, they would order things so as she might have no occasion to fear the Spanish Forces. These Proposals being diametrically opposite came to no conclusion; for the Princes perceived, that as they had endeavoured to separate the Dowager from the King of France, that she might be subject to their authority; so she, by her answer, showing that she understood their ends, did endeavour to separate them from the Crown of Spain, so to reduce them under her Authority, which was maintained by the French Forces; so as not being able to agree, and the Princes and Governor of Milan finding at last, that by reason of the good order taken by the Dowager the City made no commotion, and that they were there without will, or wherewithal to force it, they after having stayed there eight days, resolved to be gone, and to go against such Towns of the State as were neither well provided, nor could easily be succoured: The Prince Cardinal departed first, and went down the Po to Chivasso, and from thence to Inurea; and the Governor of Milan leaving eight Brigades of Foot, the Neapoli●…an Horse, the Dutch Curassiers, and Dragoons, and four pieces of Artillery with Prince Thomaso under Carlo della Gatta, passed with the rest of his Army over the Po at the Capuchins bridge, and went to Pontestura; and Prince Thomaso with the men that were le●…t him went by the bridge of Montcalleri, straight towards Villa nova; whither being come about break of day with a thousand Horse en croupe, he at the very first took a half Moon; and seeing the Sun was gotten well up, wherefore he could not pursue his intended surprisal, he passed that day in articling with Count Carlo Cacherano Governor of the Town, wherein he strove to persuade the Count that he intended only to keep the State for the Duke unprejudiced by the French Forces: But the Governor being firm, and not consenting to any thing he could say, the Prince ordered an assault to be given the next day two hours before daybreak; which was done unexpectedly, but with such rigour, as though the Garrison, which were Piedmontese, and some French, made stout resistance, yet the Prince took the Town, and made the Governor and Garrison Prisoners: The Town was sacked; only the Churches and what was carried thither was preserved: The booty was great; for the Town was great, rich, and well provided of all things; and the Townsmen, not thinking to be so used, did not much mind carrying their Goods into the Churches. The Prince leaving a Garrison there of 1500 Foot and 3 Troops of Horse, under Don Michele Pignarello, who was Campmaster, went with the rest of his men to join with the Governor, who was gone to Montcalvo; whither being come both at the same time, and john di Garray coming thither the next day, the Town was taken upon surrender, the Captain retiring to the Castle, where he intended to make what resistance was possible to be made; the which he valiantly did; insomuch as the Governor of Milan seeing how obstinate defence was made, and being solicited by the Prince to greater Erterprises, he left Don Luigi Ponse with 2000 Foot, and Marquis Caracena with 500 Horse, to continue the Siege; and taking the rest of his men along with him, he went, together with the Prince, to before Asti. The Commendator Balbiano was Governor of the Town, who being placed there by the Dowager appeared to endeavour her service very much, but was so careless therein, as he was suspected to hold secret intelligence either with the Spaniards, whom he had served in the Wars of Flanders, or with the Prince, whom when the Town was surrendered he served; for a Regiment of Piedmontese, which was of the Garrison of the City, being revolted over to the Prince, and the Citizens being either terrified with the sacking of Villa nova, or by the revolting of the Garrison, or being given to favour the Princes, they declared openly that they would not bear Arms against them; so as the Governor not resisting so great a commotion retreated with the other Garrisons into the Citadel, and left the City to do what it listed; and the Citizens sent the Keys immediately to the Prince, who was not well entered the City when the Castle was also surrendered. It fared otherwise with the Siege of Montcalvo, which held out against Batteries, Mines, and Assaults, before it yielded; but when the Captain, who was a Frenchman, was slain, the Soldiers yielded up the Town after eleven days stout Siege. This fortunate success encouraged the Prince and the Governor of Milan to undertake the Enterprise of Trino; but the Captains of the A●…my were against it, fearing the success, by reason that it was so strongly munited as it was thought impregnable: It was seated in a soil wherein was great store of water, and little less than Marish; it was extraordinarily well munited and fortified by Duke Charles Emanuel (who understood Fortification very well) when he took it in the second War against Cassalle; it was walled about double, and doubly ditched; the first and most inward wall was very high, and strengthened by twenty great Towers, upon which 20 pieces of Artillery were placed; the second circuit was a very large and high Platform, whereupon were eleven half moons; and this did not only keep the inward Wall unprejudiced by battery, but kept it from being seen by the Enemy: Between these two circuits there was a large deep ditch, and beyond the outermost another ditch as large and deep; Count Rovero was Governor thereof; but Monsieur Mer●…lez was Captain of the Garrison, one of the most ancientest French Colonels which had served the Dukes of Savoy, and therefore of great esteem amongst the Piedmontese. All the Council of War, hoping for little good by this, did dissuade from it; but the Prince and Governor of Milan, who were much encouraged by their late fortunes, feared not being forsaken thereby in this enterprise. The Dowager doubted that, Asti being taken, the Enemy's Army would come either upon St. ja, or Trino, both which were unfurnished of Garrisons; she therefore committed the charge of them to Marquis Villa, who went immediately away from Turin with 800 Foot, and 1000 select Horse, intending to distribute the Foot in those two Towns: As he came near St. ja he understood that Don Ferrante della Monti waited for him upon the way, who was sent into those parts by the Governor of Milan, with about 500 Dragoons, to keep out any relief that might be brought into Trino. The Marquis hasted his march, desiring to encounter Don Ferrante; but he failed of his desire; for he was retreated towards le Vertole, near to Crescentino; so as the Marquis coming without any opposition to St. ja, he left the 800 Foot there, and two Troops of Horse, leaving order with the Governor of the Town that he should keep half the Foot for his own defence, and should send the other half of the Foot, and the two Troops of Horse that very night to Trino; and he himself went presently towards Livor no, and Bianza, that he might find out Don Ferrante; but missing him, he passed over the Dora, and came back to Turin. The Foot and Horse were kept two days in St. ja, before they went to Trino; wherefore Don Ferrante, who had heard that Villa with his Horse was passed over the Dora, made towards the Foot and Horse that were going to Trino; and meeting with them in the Forest of Lucidio, assaulted them, slay many of them, took many prisoners, and wounded many; and those Horse which could escape got into thick Woods; and those few that escaped death got into Trino. This happy success being heard in the Camp just as they were consulting upon going to Trino, made them resolve upon the Enterprise; for the haste of sending these supplies did clearly show, that the Town wanted Defendants, as indeed it did; for the danger of Turin had drawn the flower of all the Garrisons of those parts to defend that Capital City: And the Prince and Governor of Milan, taking this present victory as an earnest penny of happy success in this so great Enterprise, thought themselves the more obliged not to refuse the invitation which fortune made them; going therefore from Asti, and passing the Po at Pontestura, they marched to Trino, which they resolved to assault on four sides; they took up four chief quarters; two of Spaniards, in one whereof lodged Don Antonio Sottelo, Don Luigi di Lincastro, and the Marquis of Tavera; in the other the Marquis of Caracena and Don Luigi Ponce; in the third, which was the Italians, were quartered Marquis Serra, and the Counts of Bolognini and Borromeo; in the fourth were the Dutch quartered, under Prince Borzo and Colonel Lener; and 14 pi●…des of Cannon being disposed in convenient places for battery, they began to play hotly upon the Town, and at the same time to make their appreaches; and by the diligence of the Pyoneers the approaches were already brought to the b●…ink of the ditch, over the which they threw two Bridges; and the Neapolitans, under Marquis Serra, had already taken a Mill that was very convenient for the assault, which was much desired to be given both by the Commanders and Soldiers; at this time Colonel For●…mestre came to the Camp with 1000 Foot; and Don Michiele Pignarelli with a Neapolitan Brigade; so as being encouraged by these recruits, though all things were not yet ready to give assault, yet as if good fortune had governed all things, contrary to all Military reason, assault was ordered to be given, which they thought it was the more necessary to do, for that they heard that Marquis Villa, and the Cardinal of Vallette, mustered men every where, wherewith they intended to relieve the Town: all the Camp-masters and Colonels, which were twelve, had places appointed them, where they were to fall on. The Prince, the Governor of Mi●…ain, Don john di Garrai, and Carlo della Gatta, assisted in the ordering of Affairs; and the defendants apprehended by these preparations that assault would quickly be given; and therefore endeavoured to fire the Bridges which were thrown over the ditches, and the other Works which did faciliate the assault; they persisted in a resolution to defend themselves; grounding their resolutions not so much upon the largeness and deepness of their ditches, and the marishness of the ground by which the enemy must pass to give the assault, as in the number of their Artillery; and yet all the assailants, as if they had been assured of Victory, not considering these difficulties, went all of them to assault the several places allotted them; and this they did with such brave courage, as having overcome the Ditches and other Fortifications of the first circuit, it was not hard for them to enter the City by the second; for all the people being employed in defending the outward Fortifications, where the chief resistance was intended to be made, the inward Walls wanted defendants; so as the former being gotten where the most defence was made, it was easy to enter by the other, where there were but few defendants; and therefore whilst Marquis Serra and Don Michiele di Pignatelli, who were to fall upon two Halfmoons which fenced the Circuit, and which were better fortified, and harder to be taken then the other Works; whilst I say, they were intent upon what they had to do, the Marquis of Caracena, first, and Don Antonio Sottelo, Don Lewis di Lincastro, and Count B●…rromeo, who had on the opposite part overcome the outward circuit, entered the City; and being entered assaulted those on the back, who constantly and manfully opposing Serra and Pignatelli, manfully persevered in defence of the place; the defendants nor assailants in these parts, not knowing yet that the Town was taken, and that the business was done; the City was sacked and the booty was great, for many had brought the best things they had thither, as to a place of safety, from the Towns of Piedmont and Montferrat, and many were taken prisoners; amongst which Rovere, the Governor of the Town, and Colonel Meroles, who yielded themselves upon discretion, when they saw the defence grew desperate; and so confident was Meroles, as being tempted before the assault was given, by the Prince, to surrender the Town, he would not hearken to it, but made the Artillery be discharged upon the Messengers; nor were the Citizens less confident, who fearing nothing less than to be taken, did not carry their things of best value into the Churches, where they might have been preserved from the fury of the Soldiers; who though they spared nothing, were very observant of the Churches; and bare great respect to what was thither brought, and towards those who had refuge to them; the paucity of the besiegers death made the business much more glorious, who were not in all 300, amongst which only two Spanish Captains; the justification of their cause, in civil affairs, added much to the Princes good success in what was Military; the Dowager being cited, as hath been said, to appear before Caesar's Tribunal, did never appear, no not so much as by her Proctors; wherefore the Emperor, by public Decree, named the Princes to be the lawful Guardians of the young Duke, and Administrators of the States, excluding the Dowager by name; which Declaration, as it encouraged the Princes to continue the War, so made it the people adhere the more unto them: this Edict of the Emperor's being published by the Princes throughout all Piedmont, they in the first place declared all that had been done by the Dowager as Guardianess or Regent to be void and null; namely the League made with the King of France; they commanded all the Magistrates and Officers not to tender her any longer obedience; and that they should appear at Asti, to receive from them the confirmation of the Offices and Charges confirmed upon them by the Dowager: they commanded the people not to pay her any thing that was due to the Duke's Exchequer; and the Senate, Counsellors of State, and Magistrates, that they should make no Confederate meetings, upon pain of losing their places, and other arbitrary punishments; all these things being added to the so sudden loss of so many principal places in Piedmont; whereinto Spanish Garrisons were put by the Prince's permission, made the King of France not only endeavour to restore them to their former condition, but under this pretence to desire the Dowager, that as the Princes had put all the places which they had won into the hands of the Spaniards; so she would be pleased to put those that yet remained in her possession, into his hands; wherefore that she might not distaste the King, upon whose Forces she wholly did depend; and for that she did believe that by putting them into the hands of the French, she might preserve them from the Spaniards, the Dowager condescended to the King's demands; and gave way that Cherasco, Savigliano and Carmagnuola, should have French Garrisons put into them, upon condition that the Revenues, Justice and Sovereignty of them should belong unto the Duke, and that the Towns should be restored without any pretence to be made by the King, for any expense he should be at by keeping the Garrisons there, and that the like should be done with those that should be recovered from the Spaniards, which should be restored immediately after their recovery to the Duke, without any defalcation to be made for the expense of their recovery; and it was, moreover, covenanted that no peace nor suspension of Arms should be made in Italy for above one year, wherein the Duke should not be restored to all Towns taken by the Spaniards, or held by the French. The Dowager before these conditions were agreed upon, and before the Towns should be assigned over, would acquaint the Princes with them, informing them how much the Duke was prejudiced by bringing the Spaniards into his Towns, and exhorting them to a good agreement, whereby all these evils might be rooted out; and she offered them all fair dealing, with preservation to hers and her Son's dignity and safety; but she received no other answer to all this, but the same which had been made unto her at Valentino. The Spanish Army went from Trino to St. ja; where the Captain of the Town not awhit dismayed by the good fortune which the Prince's Forces had had, nor terrified at what had befallen Trino, refused to accept of honourable proposals made by the Princes; and showed great readiness and resolution to defend the Town, though he saw himself every way begirt by Spanish Garrisons, and quite cut off from that part of Piedmont which held out for the Dowager; therefore the Governor of Milan went with part of his men to Livorno, and from thence to Pontestura, where he fell to fortify that place, lest the French might succour Cassalle by that way, and the Prince remained with part of his men before St. ja, knowing that the place was in want of victuals, wherewith it could not be full furnished from any part, so as it would soon be forced to come to a Parley. He did, notwithstanding, so besiege it at a distance, as the Dowagers Commanders despairing to be able to relieve it, they resolved to try diversion; Marquis Villa went therefore out of Turin with a body of Horse and Foot, and with 12 piece of Cannon he went to Montcalleri, and from thence advanced to Asti, that he might make the Prince rise from before S●…. ja: But finding that the Prince did not remove, and that he had not Forces sufficient to take that City, he returned to Turin: where joining with the Cardinal of Vallette, their joint Forces amounting to 8000 Foot, 4000 Horse, twelve piece of Cannon, and 40 cart loads of Ammunition, they resolved to go directly to relieve St. ja; marching at a slow rare, according to Vallettes custom, they found the River Dora so swollen by rain as they could not throw a bridge over it; so as they were fain to tarry there two days; in which interim, the Prince coming with some Forces to the opposite shore, some sleight skirmishes passed between them: And the Cardinal and Villa being hindered by the River, and being stoutly opposed by the Prince; and hearing that the Town was surrendered two days before the time prefixed, for surrender, in case succour should come, the Cardinal of Vallette, to the end that his endeavours might not prove altogether vain, fell upon Chiavasso, which resolution though it was then thought to be but to little purpose; yet since it succeeded, was very lucky for the Dowagers party. They sent to Turin for four other pieces of Cannon, wherewith they planted their battery against the Gate which looks towards Crescentino. The Prince and Governor of Milan were come to relieve the Town with 4000 Horse, and 6000 Foot, and were gotten to the Chapel called L' Eremita, within a mile of the enemy's Camp; where taking up their quarters, they put themselves in battle array; and began not only to annoy the enemy's quarters with their Artillery, and with sleight excursions, but being come within shot of Musket, they fell to skirmish, wherein some of the Spanish Horse that charged were beaten back. And just as the battle was ready to be given, to which both the French and Piedmontese prepared themselves with much Courage, came the Duke of Longueville, whom the King of France had sent with 2000 Horse, and 4000 Foot, when his Majesty heard that the Spanish Army was encamped before Turin; a recruit which came very seasonably both to the Camp and to the Dowagers whole party, which did droop very much. At the Arrival of these men, which was just upon the coming on of night, and the Spaniards Courage cooling, they retreated; the next day the Spaniards finding how hard it would be to relieve the Town, by reason of the recruit which was come to the enemy, they began to prepare to be gone, which they did without any disturbance. The Cardinal of Vallette, and Duke of Longueville, did then send to Seback, who was a Dutchman and Governor of the Town, wishing him, that since there was no hope of relief, he would surrrender. To which he answered, that he desired first to have leave to send to visit the Spaniards quarters; the which being granted him, and he being told by those he sent, that the Prince and Governor of Milan were gone; he promised to yield the Town, if it were not relieved within three days; and no relief appearing within the prefixed time, he surrendered the place, and marched out with 1500 Dutch, leaving such French and Piedmontese there, according to Articles, as had fought against the Dowager in the Prince's behalf. The loss of Chiavasso, which being recovered, opened the way to receive and send out any thing to Turin by the Po, made the Governor of Milan fortify Crescentino, which he had dismantled a little before; to the end that Navigation by the Po, which (Chiavasso being recovered) was free from Turin to Cassalle, might be blocked up by fortifying Crescentino; but whilst the two enemy's Armies were busied before Chiavasso, the Prince Cardinal was not idle, nor were his endeavours ineffectual: For coming out of Asti, only with his own attendants and some others, he overran the other part of Piedmont, where there being no foreign Garrisons, he was received by all the inhabitants with great applause, Ceva, Cuneo, Mondoni, Beve, Saluzzo, Fossano, Droveto, Busca, and Demonte, did willingly come in of themselves to his own person, or to those that he sent to them; and all the chief Towns of those parts and places of any condition, besides the mean people. All this was done without shedding of blood, and without shot of Musket, merely out of the people's devotion, and by Treaty of the Governors of the several Towns: And putting Governors and Garrisons into them, he retreated to Fossano, lest Chiavasso being taken, the French might turn upon those parts, and retake the Towns that had surrendered to him. Nor did he guests amiss, for the adverse Army turning upon those parts, Saluzzo, at their very first appearance, sent Commissioners to surrender itself in a friendly manner. The Duke of Longueville went then with his men to Carignano, and from thence to Racconiggi, ten miles from Fossano; but he had no mind to go to Fossano, thinking it stronger than it was; nor would he meddle with it though Villa and Pianezza strove to persuade him it was not so strong as he thought: They therefore left him in Racconiggi, and went with the Dowagers men towards Fossano, to make Longueville see the easiness of the Enterprise; who when they appeared, the Inhabitants thinking that the whole Camp came, surrendered the Town that very night; but the Prince Cardinal was first retreated to Cuneo, the strongest place of all those parts, and peradventure of all Piedmont. From hence Villa and Pianezza went to Bene, which Town, though it were strong enough, yielded the next day. The Governor Vargas, who was a Spaniard, retired with the Garrison into the Castle of Bene, resolving to hold it out to the last: Villa and Pianezza divided the care thereof between them; Pianezza quartered in that part of the Town which was nearest the Castle; and Villa kept in the field with the Horse, to keep off succour. Pianezza began to make Trenches; and whilst things were in this posture, Duke Longueville appears with his men; who leaving the Castle to be taken by Pianezza, kept also in the field: The mean while Pianezza, who was come with his approaches to the Castle wall, fell to make 2 Mines under 2 Bastions, whereunto, after nine days, giving fire, and a sufficient breach being made, he fell to assault, which was withstood weakly; for the Defendants thinking to save their lives, by retreating into the Keep, minded getting thither more than fight; but they were so hotly pursued, as that most of them were put to the Sword; and Captain Vargas being wounded and taken Prisoner, the Castle was taken with much effusion of blood. These two places being taken Cuneo remained, which was separated from the acquisitions made by the Prince Cardinal, and were likewise the worse for being separated from it: Prince Thomaso fearing it, especially since his Brother was there, went with a body of men from Asti to Mondovi, to try whether by lending some help he might free them both from the imminent danger wherein they were: But hearing that Duke Longueville was coming to assault him with Forces much stronger than his, he retreated to Ceva, from whence he joined with the Governor of Milan, who was with his Army in Asti: Wherefore Mondovi being abandoned by the Prince yielded to the Duke, who without any opposition made there a rendezvouz of Arms for his own, and for the Dowagers Forces, which were under her two Generals, joined with Longueville in that Enterprise. The French and Dowagers Generals hearing afterwards in what weak condition Cuneo was, they resolved to go thither; they had great hopes of taking it; for the Prince Cardinal would either go out of Cuneo, or he would not; if he did, Corvo, who was Sergeant Major there, offered to yield the Town to them; and if not, they were sure to take it, by reason of the small provisions that were there; and if they should take it, it would put an end to the Civil War, since the Prince Cardinal, who was the Head of the controverted Guardianship, would be therein taken Prisoner; whereof Duke Longueville made himself so sure, as he writ thereof to the King, as of a thing done; but they were much deceived, for Cuneo was not taken, and Turin was lost, which the Prince Cardinal did cunningly foresee; for Prince Thomaso whilst he was in Mandovi, going to see him at Cuneo, and having earnestly desired him, not to suffer himself to be enclosed in that unprovided place, which was not such as he ought to adventure his person therein, and therewith the whole affair, he absolutely refused his advice; for he held undoubtedly, that if he should go out, the Town would be lost; and on the contrary, that the Governor of Milan would either come with all his Forces to relieve him, or that else he would go to Turin, which he might easily take, all the Dowagers and French Forces being now in these parts; and the Siege of Cuneo being to be abandoned for the necessary defence of Turin, the freedom of his person, and the like of the Town would ensue; but these very thoughts falling into the minds of those who fought on the Dowagers behalf, they likewise knew what dangers Turin, and the Citadel, and the Dowager that was therein, would be subject to; if when they should go with almost all the Forces of Piedmont to an enterprise so far off, the enemy making use of the occasion should come strongly against Turin, whilst it was unprovided of defence: it was therefore thought necessary that the Cardinal of Valletta should go with all his men to defend the parts thereabouts; which resolution was approved of, and pursued by the Cardinal, and was as good, as necessary; and if it had been as well performed as it was plotted, it had quite ove●…throvvn all the Prince Cardinal's Counsels; fo●… both Turin and the Dowager would have been preserved from danger; and Cuneo would have been taken, with evident hazard of the Prince Cardinal's person; but the misfortune in performance marred the design, and made good the Prince Cardinal's opinion; when the Cardinal Valletta was gone, Duke Longueville went to Cuneo; and on the sudden, in the night season, assaulted the out Works, and forced the defendants, with much loss to them, to forsake the Works and betake themselves to defend the Walls and the Gates, which the assailants had well nigh taken as they pursued them: he therefore had happily begun his business, and had fair hopes of ending it successfully; but before the Trenches were begun to be made, the whole thread of the business was cut off by a Letter of the Cardinal of Valletta's, wherein he signified to Longueville, that the Enemy came very strong against him, and that he could not possibly withstand them, unless he were recruited with eight hundred more Horse; though the Duke was somewhat amazed at this demand, yet he readily sent the desired Horse, that the Cardinal might have no occasion to fail in what was by common consent agreed upon; but the want of these Horse forced the Duke to abandon Cuneo, and to retreat to a Town near to Fossano, called St. Albano; whereby one part of the Prince Cardinal's judgement was verified, that Cuneo would be abandoned to relieve Turin; and the other part proved as true, not long after; for Prince Thomaso having had speech with the Governor of Milan in A●…sti, and having persuaded him to relieve Cuneo, and his Brother, at least by diversion, got of him 600 Spanish Foot under Marquis Caracena, and 2500 Horse under Carlo della Gatta; with express promise that all the rest of the Forces should immediately follow him; so he went forthwith from thence, and came speedily to Villa nuova; where getting 500 other Foot under Campmaster Tuttavilla, he passed over the Po about the evening, and came by night to Vallentino. Villa nu●…va, Carmagnuola, and Turin, make a just triangle; wherefore when news came to the other two Cities, that the Prince was come with a great body of men to Villa nuova, they were both much terrified, and began to cry out for help: The Dowager sent Count Piveas●… forthwith to the Cardinal of Valletta, desiring that he would hasten to defend her and the City of Turin; and the Cardinal fearing, no less than she, to be assaulted in Carmagnuola, not knowing what to do, did not stir. The Prince kept in Vallentino till midnight, giving out fitting Orders for the surprisal of Turin, and in maturing intelligence with those that guarded it; and having ordered all things well resolved to assault the Town on four sides: The Marquis of Caracena was appointed to assault the Castle Gate with the 600 Spanish Foot, which were the very best of that Nation; that beating it down with a Petard, he might make himself master of it. Tuttavilla was sent to scale the Wall between the Bastion of S ta Maria, and that of Citta nuova. Colonel Alardo was ordered to fall upon the Posto di nostra Signora towards the Citadel; and Count di Vich was sent to fasten a Petard to Porta nuova; and each of them had sufficient Orders, Instruments, and Men, given them for what they had to do; each of them did punctually perform what they were appointed, at one and the same time, which was at fi●… a clock at night; and the darkness of the season was a great furtherance to the enterprise; and yet Caracena could not fasten his Petard; for he found the Bridge drawn up, and the Ladders wherewith he was to scale the Walls were too short; he notwithstanding fell to break the Steccadoes which lay along the Curtain toward the Bastion Verde; and entered thereby into the Garden of the Pallazzo Ducale. Tuttavilla, who was abandoned by his guide, who could not endure the noise of a Musket, marching alone with his Squadron, and groping in the dark, light upon a Halfmoon which was defended by 500 Soldiers; and after having skirmished a while with them, he at last made himself master thereof; then entering the ditch, to fall to the Scalado, he also found his Ladders too short; wherefore being called upon by Caracena, he resolved to go to him, and being joined, they entered the City by the Garden, and form two Squadrons upon Piazza San' jovanni. The Dowager hearing that the enemy was entered the Town, withdrew with her Guard into the Citadel, being waited upon by the Lord Chancellor, some of the chief Magistrates of Turin, and by a great many Ladies and Gentlemen. Caracena and Tuttavilla went to the Castle Gate, they broke the Portculles, and applied a Petard to the Gate, which being thereby thrown down, the Horse entered, which waited there to be let in. Fontana, Captain of the Gate was thought to hold private intelligence with Prince Thomaso, as also Amerino, Captain of the Swissers who were deputed to defend the Steccado; who being corrupted by moneys made no resistance, but presently passed over to the Prince's party; for which he was questioned by the Cantons. Count Vischio, by reason of the great darkness, and opposition made by the defendants, lost his Guide, and his Petard; so as not being able to execute his Commission, he entered the City by the Bastion Verde; by which the Spaniards and Italians also entered, the Castle-Gate not being as then opened; nor could Colonel Alardo do what he was appointed, being stoutly opposed, but he entered by the Castle-Gate, which was now opened; so as before full day the City was reduced into the power of the Prince, not any of the Citizens appearing in defence; for the Dowager had commanded, that upon pain of death, none of them should stir out of their doors; but when they heard that she was retreated into the Citadel, and that the Prince was entered the City, they ran out to the streets and Piazzas, with unusual expressions of joy, and flocked about the Prince, with incredible applause; but their congratulations, which lasted many hours, were not any hindrance to what was necessary for defence; for they presently fell to block up the ways which led to the Citadel, to keep the City from being from thence assaulted; which was diligently observed all the rest of the day: at night Lights were put in all the Windows, and the Citizens stood with their weapons in their hands, together with the Soldiers, to defend the streets, fearing some sallies out of the Citadel; and the Prince made the Rampires be raised, to keep the City from being prejudiced from the Citadel. The next day things were better secured, by the entrance of the Governor of Milan, with the rest of the Army; who, together with the Prince, viewing all parts as well within as without the City, by which the City might be entered, they munited it with Soldiers and other necessaries. To end the work, complete the Victory, and to put an end almost to the War, there remained the blocking up of the Citadel on the outside, and the keeping it from any succour by continual circumvallations, which required not the guarding of above three miles; for the Citadel was more than half begirt by the City. Five days after the City was taken, the French and Piedmontese Army appeared coming from Cuneo, who when they heard the sad news of the loss of Turin, marched speedily to relieve the Citadel; and finding no Trenches to keep them off, nor any Forces in the Field to oppose them, they secured the Citadel: they quartered their men without, opposite to the City, towards la Porporata; and none but the chief Commanders went into the Citadel, to kiss the Dowagers hand, and to consult of what was to be done. The Dowagers affairs begun to better a little by so seasonable a succour, and the French began to be much encouraged; the Spanish Army was in the City, and all the Citizens that were fit to bear Arms were very diligent to defend it; moreover, the Trenches which were over against the Citadel were in good order, and did shelter the City indifferently well from the shot which were made from thence. The Marquis of Caracena having assisted therein with no less diligence, than danger; who foreseeing how much the defendants might be damnified by the Garden of the Carmelites which commanded the Trench and streets of the City, if they should be possessed by the Enemy, prepossessed himself thereof, and munited it well, and put a good Garrison into it; and therefore though both the French and Piedmontese, who were in the Citadel, did much desire to assault the City, and to drive the Enemy from thence; yet the Cardinal of Vallette opposed it, and by his Authority of Supreme Command of the French Forces, curbed the general desire; yet being overborne by the General order of Longueville and of the other Commanders, and for that he would appear to have some hand therein, rather than out of his own addiction, he consented that 300 of the best men of the French Army should assault la Citta Vecchia under the Marquis Nerestano; who accosted the walls, and fell on furiously; but being stoutly opposed were forced to retreat, with the loss of many of them; amongst which the Marshal Nerestano, and the Camp-masters Alincourt, and Valiaci, together with other officers, and gallant Soldiers, and with little loss to the assaulted; by which, as well he, as the rest of the Captains, having found by experience how much harder it was then they had imagined to recover the City, and the Dowager being put to great straits in the Citadel, they thought it fit that she should go from thence, and should go, together with her Court, to Susa; which was so necessary as it was presently done; she went out with an undaunted spirit, bearing in her bosom two consolations amongst so many misfortunes; the one that if she had been suffered to Govern according to her own will she had not fallen into such misfortune; the other, that the King her brother, who had brought her into that condition, would doubtlessly bring her out of it, at her departure she left the Citadel in charge with the Duke of Longueville, who received it, as deposited by her, in the King of France his name; for she confiding but a little, upon this occasion, in the Piedmontese, and in so great perplexity, and cross fortune, not having Forces sufficient to defend so important a place, threatened by so near and powerful an Army, and not having wherewith to fight, nor to subsist for above two months, she thought she could not do better, then to put it into the protection of the King her brother; being come forth, and attended by a competent number of hers, she came to Susa, where she waited, looking in vain where this so great storm would finally fall; a treaty of Truce was afterwards introduced between the Abbot Vasques, in the Governor of Millain's name, and Mousieur d'Argenson, on the behalf of the Duke of Longueville; which was desired by Longueville, not so much for the scarcity of provision in the Citadel, as for the precise orders which he received from the King at his departure from Court, and which were often after reiterated; by which he was enjoined that he should rid his hands as soon as he could of the Wars of Piedmont, to the end that they being over he might go into Flanders, or Germany; but Prince Thomaso was totally against it, thinking any whatsoever Truce injurious to his cause, and to the whole business; and for that he knew, for certain, that the Duke had orders to rid his hands of the business as soon as he could; so as departing with the forces he brought, and Vallette's men being diminished, the French Forces grew very weak; for there was great scarcity in the Citadel; he moreover (that he might keep the Governor of Milan from consenting thereunto) added, that the Truce would be destructive, not only in relation to the Citadel of Turin, but to Cassalle; it being certain that by the Truce some respite would be given to them both; and did further allege, that the Truce would be prejudicial to the affairs of Flanders, Germany, and Spain, as well as to those of Piedmont, by reason of the aforesaid orders given to Longueville, to go to some of those parts; and that the King of France, when he should have respite from the Wars of Piedmont, would intend those other Wars the more; but the Governor, who did not believe that Longueville had any such orders, desired to return to Milan, and be free from the troubles of Wars, and perhaps also, being distasted, that such a Garrison should not be put into the Citadel, when it should be taken, as he would have; and that so the victory should not appear to be his, but another's; he therefore was for listening to the Truce; so they chose Deputies to Negotiate the business; the Dowager chose Marquis Villa. Prince Thomaso chose Count Messerati; the Cardinal of Vallette, and Duke Longueville chose Mousier d' Argenson; and the Governor of Milan chose Abbot Vasques; all the●…e meeting in Vallentino, the Truce was concluded, which was to begin on the fourth of August, and to end on the twenty fourth of October; the conditions to be these: That the City, and Citadel, should remain in the Condition they were at the present, with power to either of them to make what Fortification they listed; so as that neither of them should advance their works beyond a Line, which should be drawn by common consent between the City and the Citadel; that the Armies should withdrew into their own Towns and Provinces, and should forbear all Hostility; that none should go from his own quarters, into the others, without a passport; that Cassalle should continue in the same condition it was in at the present; only that it might be Lawful for the French to change 600 sick and infirm Foot of the Garrison of the Citadel, for as many strong and able men; and that it might be lawful to change Prisoners. The Truce being thus concluded, Arms were forborn. The Governor retired to Millian, carrying some of his Army along with him, leaving some in Piedmont, and quartering some of them upon the Confines; Prince Thomaso was not only unsatisfied with this Truce, but thought himself thereby injured, thinking that the Governor of Milan had abandoned him when his business was at the fairest, and when he was as good as in possession of the Citadel; nor were the Emperor, and the Infanta of Flanders less displeased thereat then he, both of them apprehending that when the affairs of Piedmont should be quieted Longueville would come down with his Forces either into Flanders, or Germany; so as they complained grievously thereof, all three, to the Court of Spain; which being no less ill satisfied therewith then they, feared that when the War should be at an end in Piedmont, it would for certain break out in greater fury in Catalognia; wherefore the Governor of Milan was very hardly spoken of in that Court; and the King of Spain being scandalised both for his own affairs, and those of others, and the Governor roundly checked, and a strict account required of him for it, it was generally thought, in Italy, that the contention touching the putting a Garrison into the Citadel of Turin had made the Governor of Milan make Truce fearing that it might occasion much strife; but the Governor alleged nothing in his defence but the diminution of his Forces, which was occasioned by the many Garrisons which he was necessitated to leave in the Towns which were taken in Piedmont, whereby not being able to keep the Field, he thought it better to desist with honour from that enterprise by the way of Truce, then to do it with shame, as he foresaw he must ere long be forced to do. But the expiration of the Truce showed how little justifiable this his plea was; for though the French Army was recruited with new men during the time of Truce, and that no supply was sent to the Spanish Camp, yet the Governor of Milan march●…d into the Field with more men than the French did, as shall be said. But as the Governors' plea in his own defence would not bear water; so the Emperor and the Infanta's fear of Longuevill's Forces proved vain. For those Forces were left behind in Piedmont, to the end that that Country might not be unprovided of men; and Longueville was sent into Alsatia, with only the Dutch Regiment, to succeed Duke Weymer in being General of the French, which Weymer then died; and yet the King of Spain, either to resent this action of the Governors, or to satisfy Prince Thomaso, commanded the Governor that for the future he would be advised by Prince Thomaso. The Truce was not well concluded, when the King of France, and the Dowager were held to be the breakers of it; he by her will having brought French into Susa, Avigliana, and Cavor: Wherefore 600 sick men of the Citadel of Turin being by the Articles of the Truce to be changed for as many strong and able men, the Governor of Milan would not allow of the change; against which the French objected, that the reciprocal Articles of the Truce did not oblige one party between themselves; they therefore said, that the King and Dowager making jointly one of the parties, they might do any thing between themselves, without offence to the League; and on the contrary, they complained that the Truce was broken by both the Princes: for that the Prince Cardinal by authority of his pretence had made no less acquisition after the Truce, than his brother had done by all his Forces; since going without any Forces from Cuneo to the Maritime parts, he had obtained Villa Franca and the haven thereof by voluntary surrender; as also the Fort S. Sospiro, and the City and County of Nice, where he was received by the people with much applause; and that driving out the Governor of that Castle, which by art and situation was impregnable, he soon after forced the Castle to surrender: And that all the people had sworn fealty to him, as to the Duke's Guardian, which was verily a great acquisition; that City, Castle, and Haven being one of the chief keys of Piedmont, upon which the French had always an eye, and were always intent upon the recovery thereof, as part of Provence, which of ancient right did belong to the Crown of France; and this purpose 4000 Foot were at that time sent from Provence under that Governor, and the King's Fleet kept hover upon those Seas; but that the Prince Cardinal had subverted these designs, who without Arms or any opposition, by the bare authority of his presence, and by the people's ready obedience, had obtained a Fort which had already wearied the Forces of France, backed by a powerful Fleet at Sea of the Turks, which was sent to the taking thereof. The present conjuncture of times did assist the Cardinal much in this affair for the French Fleet, which kept flo●…ng upon those Seas, and the people of Provence who came upon those Confines, made those of Nice much afraid that they should lose that Fort, if it were not secured by some powerful Chiestain, in those days wherein they could look for no help from Piedmont, by reason of the great alterations that were there, and wherein the Dowager being necessitated to assign over her principal Towns into the hands of the French, they feared she would be forced to do the like with Nice: So as they thought they could not do better for the House of Savoy, in these perilous times, for the preservation of that important place, then to deliver it up to the Prince Cardinal, who for his own concernment would not suffer it to fall into the hands of others; and who by the assistance of the Spanish Forces might defend it from the French. The people of Provence came near to Varo, where they did and received some prejudice; but hearing of the Truce which was made at Turin, they returned back; and the French Fleet which was feared would assault the Town at the same time, either had no such intention, or, as the people said, and thought, was kept from acting any thing by a thick mistress The French pretended that this action of the Prince Cardinal in taking Nice after the Truce was made, was undoubtedly a more open and manifest breach thereof, than the Dowagers bringing in of French into Susa; especially since it was done by one party, to the great prejudice of the other: And they thought that Prince Thomaso had also broken the Truce; who when it was made, obtained a Declaration from the supreme Senate of Piedmont, for the putting of Caesar's Decree in execution, touching the Guardianship and Regency, to the prejudice of the Dowagers Affairs which were chiefly in question; though she, in defence of her right, and to keep her Son's sovereignty indemnified, which she thought was entrenched upon by Caesar's Decree, made the supreme Senate of Savoy declare both the Emperor's Decree, and that of the Senate of Turin-hall. But because the Governor of Milan, and the French, did truly observe the Truce, the rest did nothing to discompose it, but only complained; all the time of the Truce the Fortifications of the City of Turin went on, and the French furnished the Citadel with whatsoever it wanted; during the Truce some composure was also treated on between the Dowager and the Princes: For the Princes presupposing that their advantage in Forces should make the Dowager willing to divide, if not the name, at lest the substance of Guardianship and Government with them; and being desirous also to make the people see by these overtures of Treaties, that what they did was out of necessity, and not of choice, they sent Messarati, a great Confident of theirs, to Sus●…, ●…o propound some terms of accommodation to the Dowager; which were: That she should be Guardianess and Regent, and they her Assisters or Coadjutors; that all writings and dispatches should be signed both by her and them; that the Governors and other Officers should be jointly chos●…n by her and them; and that the public Revenues should be also disposed of and managed by them jointly. These Proposals were neither wholly rejected nor wholly accepted, but thus moderated by the Dowager: That the signing which was desired by the Princes should be granted them in things of greatest importance; as in Leagues, Agreements made with Foreigners, Alienations, Marriages, in making perpetual Leagues, and the like: And touching the choosing of Officers, that they should have leave to except against any that they should not confide in, in the Offices of greatest concernment: And as for the Revenues, that proposal was totally rejected: No mention was made here, that the Dowager should quit the League made with France, nor that the Princes should pass over from the King of Spain's party to the French; a chief point, and which was the basis and foundation of all agreement; from whence it might be seen, that these Negotiations had rather semblances then substance. But the French, who saw how hard it would be for them to maintain the Citadels of Turin and of Cassalle, the one being in an Enemy's Country, and the other far from any places which were held by the French, and environed with Spanish Garrisons, they began to bethink themselves how advantageous it would be for them, if they could win over Prince Thomaso to side with their King; by which they should not only secure both the Citadels, but should regain many places of Piedmont, by means of the people's favour, who they saw were much inclined to Prince Thomaso: They thought therefore to draw him over to them by large gratifications; they made very advantageous offers to him, wherein in process of time, and upon occurrences, they enlarged themselves. The King was gone from Paris to Dolpheny, the more to countenance his Sister, and the Affairs of Piedmont; and when he was come to Grenoble he was desirous to speak with her, and sent for her to come to him: She very willingly passed the Mountains, and went to see the King, with great hopes of receiving comfort from him in these her so many and so sad afflictions; but instead of comfort or consolation, she found herself wounded with yet a more mortal accident than all the rest. Cardinal Richelieu being (as he always was) desirous to improve the Grandezza of the Crown of France, not content with such Towns of Piedmont whereinto the Dowager had consented (as hath been said) that French Garrisons should be put; nor being content with the very Citadel of Turin, which was lately assigned over by the Dowager into the hands of the French, made the King desire her that she would permit that a French Garrison, under a Piedmontese Governor, might be put into Mommiliano, the only refuge, and, as may be said, the sacred Anchor of the Principality. She had no readier answer for this so unexpected demand then her tears, which poured abundantly down from her eyes; which, as they mitigated the King's desire, so did they the more exasperate the Cardinal Richelieu's acrimony, who was the Author of the demand; who treating thereof afterwards with the Dowager, tried first to win her consent thereunto by Reasons, saying, That since she was to fear her husband's Brothers, and that she could not trust much in her Subjects, she ought to resolve upon nothing but upon throwing herself into her Brother's arms, and absolutely rely upon him: And when he saw he could not work upon her by his reasons, and found that her denial proceeded from her Counsellors, who were by her, who persuaded her never to yield to any such demand, he strove to terrify them with threats and angry looks, that they might alter their minds, and persuade the Dowager to grant what the King demanded; but his persuasions to her were in vain, and his threats and severe looks as vain to the rest; for the Dowager not at all astonished or dismayed at her former adversities, nor at this present demand, which was fuller of horror then all the rest, resented the unjustness of the demand with a more than manlike courage; and her Officers and Advisers, not daunted with the severe threats of one that was likely to put them in execution, kept constant in their Loyalty to the Dowager, and to their Duke: Moreover, the Savoyards, who had some inkling of this business, being very averse unto it, entered the Town with a Garrison, resolving to lose their lives rather than it should fall into the hands of the French. The Cardinal being more than meanly incensed at this denial, began to sit upon the skirts of the Dowager, and, in revenge, desired occasion to ruin her affairs, which he was not long in meeting with; for Prince Thomaso having sent Count Messerati to the Court of France, to treat with the King and Richelieu upon the large offers which were made him, he found them at Lions, in their return from Grenoble, and brought back word from the Cardinal, That not only the offers which were made unto the Prince should be confirmed, but promised greater things touching his pretensions with the Dowager, and that he should be maintained and upheld therein, so as he would drive out the Spaniards that were in Turin; and that even the Dowager should be excluded from thence; for he would order it so as she should keep in Savoy, and that she should be forced to all his pretensions, except such as the King could not with honour consent unto: But all these offers would not prevail with the Prince, were it either that he doubted they would not be made good, having small reason to expect that more account should be made of his concernments than what he appa●…ently saw was made of the Kings own Sisters; or were it that he was advised to the contrary by the Prince Cardinal, and by Messerati's self, who was totally inclined to the Spanish party: But resolving not to break off the Treaty altogether, the Prince answered, That he would not accept of any of those offers, unless he might be permitted to remain a friend to the Spaniards, or at least be a Neuter between the two Crowns; which not being granted him (for the King of France his only end in making him so great offers was, that, together with him, he might make War upon the State of Milan) the Treaty broke off; and yet the greatness of these offers, which at the present seemed to effect nothing, like seed sown in good ground, produced afterwards new and more high pretensions, which brought forth at last the fruit of those dissensions and alienations which were at the present expected; for the Prince, being proud to have such offers made him by the King of France, began to be scandalised, that though he was a Prince, and Child of Spain, and had been honoured so in appearance, yet in reality he was treated but as a private Cavalier, without any settled allowance, whereby he might maitain his Court and menial Servants, but was fain to use means daily to the Governor of Milan for his maintaining of them; and much more, that the had no independent Authority or Command, as became a Prince of his condition; and though when the Truce was made, and wherewith the King of Spain was not well pleased, the King had ordered the Governor of Milan that he should do nothing for the future without consult●…ng with the Prince: yet were it either that the Governor had some private Orders to the contrary, or that he was tied by his Order only to consult, but not to execute, or that he abhorred to have his authority bounded by the Prince his pleasure, he acted not according to the Prince his opinion, but as he listed best himself, from whence dis-satisfaction grew daily. The Prince began to demand that he might have an Army depending upon none but himself, which he might manage as he would himself; and that he might have a certain perfixed allowance settled for the maintenance of himself, and of his Court. These were high demands; and such as were not easy to be granted, the scarcity of men and moneys in these times being considered, and the present condition of affairs; but though the passages between the Prince and French had made the Court of Spain jealous of him, yet they made him as necessary for them, since they saw the French endeavoured so much to draw him over to them; so as neither the Agents in Italy nor the Court of Spain durst exasperate him by denials: his demands were therefore referred by the King to Count Sirvela, who going to the Prince assured him of the King's good opinion, and said he was very willing to give him satisfaction; but because the Prince, when he came out of Savoy and sided with the King of Spain, had sent his Wife and Children to the Spanish Court, as Hostages of his fidelily, and had given her Commission to put him and his whole Family into the protection of that Court; and that his Wife in performance thereof, by the consent of Precedent Costa whom the Prince had given her for her Counsellor, had subscribed a public writing to that purpose in Madrid, which the Prince would never ratify, though he had been often desired to do it; therefore the Count who was very willing to give him all satisfaction, demanded the ratification of that writing, before he would enter into any treaty with him. The Prince, who when he had nothing to rely upon but the King of Spain's favour was slow in ratifying it, was now more obdurate therein when he was so sought unto by the King of France; so as no treaty was commenced, the Count thinking it stood not with the King's honour to proceed otherwise; and perhaps he had received such instructions from the Court, to prolong the conclusion of the treaty by propounding such difficulties. The Governor of Milans carriage to the Prince cooperated to these proceedings, who was more liberal to him in furnishing him with monies than he had been formerly; and did more frequently follow his advice in the managing of War; and granted more unto him than he had formerly done; especially in things wherein the main business was not concerned, to the end, that obtaining that in effect which he could not do by express covenanting, he might adhere the more constantly to the King's party; so as what by reason of the better satisfaction which he received, what by the progress which the Spanish Forces made in Piedmont, and by the yet greater which he hoped they would make, he bore the better with it. Let us now reassume the thread of Affairs which ensued, from which the Treaties of Peace, and the Interests of Parties have a little deviated us. The Truce being concluded, and the Duke of Longueville being gone (as hath been said) into Alsatia, the Cardinal of Valletta●…ed ●…ed in Rivoli, being much distasted and angered at the heart, by reason of the unfortunate success which had happened in his Generalship, the blame whereof he saw was laid upon him; and his Brother, the Duke of Candale, who was joined with him in the Government of the War, died seven months before him in Cassalle; so the Arms of France in Piedmont wanting a Commander in chief, the King of France sent Henry of Lorrein, Count d' Harcourt, thither to be his General; he who by his Fleet at Sea had happily recovered the Islands of Provence from the Spaniards; who being come to Piedmont a little before the Truce was to end, being desired by the Nuntio to prolong it, seemed very willing thereunto; yet the effects showed that he dreamed of nothing less, then of consenting to any the least delay; but he appeared otherwise, that he might lull the Governor asleep, and make him negligent in making provisions; to the end that when the Truce should be expired they might fall to War again, as he was resolved to do: his reason of not proroguing the Truce, was, the necessity of relieving the Citadel of Cassalle, which was ready to be lost if it were not speedily relieved. On the contrary, the Governor of Milan, though by his Speeches and Demonstrations he seemed to be wholly averse to the prorogation; yet he desired nothing more, in his heart, then that the Truce might be prolonged, out of his thirsting after the same Citadel of Cassalle; which being but weakly garrisoned, and being every where begirt with Spanish Forces, he knew that by a long Siege it would fall of itself into his hands; and thought that it was reduced even to extremity: but Prince Thomaso who desired more to make the Citadel of Turin sure, then to gain that of Cassalle; and who, contrary to his will, had given way unto the Truce, was unwilling to have it prolonged, neither did he believe it would be; for that the new General, as well as the Governor, foreseeing how prejudicial the prorogation would be to the Citadel, he was sure it would never be granted: he therefore admonished the Governor not to suffer himself to be fed with vain hopes, nor to trust the enemies fair speeches, who as soon as the Truce should be expired would assuredly march into the Field; wherefore he exhorted him to be prepared, lest he might be assaulted at unawares. The Governor was of another opinion, either out of his desire of seeing the Truce prorogued, or being detained by the inconveniences which lying in the Field bears with it, or by reason of the great expenses for necessary preparations, which believing that they would be superfluous if the prorogation should succeed, as he believed it would, he desired to spare; and finding that Harcourt could not be rid of the Nuntio, who continually solicited him to prolong the Truce, he argued that he had a good mind thereunto; but being at last ascertained by the Prince, that the French who were quartered abroad in several parts of Piedmont during the Truce, now that it drew near to an end, went to join with their General, who lay in Carmagnuola, he began to be un-deceived; wherefore going from Milan, he went, but not with all his men, to Pavia, and from thence to Asti, where he tarried observing the enemies proceedings; who giving still good words, and holding on the treaty more than ever, would not suffer the Governor to despair of a good conclusion, which he strove to make him believe was now nearer than ever: at last Harcourt making an express Messenger appear at the very expiration of the Truce, who feigning to be sent from the Court, brought him precise Orders from the King not to prorogue the Truce, but to carry on the War, he bad farewell to all Negotiations, and also to the Nuntio, who out of hope of obtaining a prorogation did study it much. The French when this feigned Post appeared were ready drawn out in order; so as the General, at the same time that he dismissed the Nuntio, commanded them to march toward Montcalleri, they being about 9000 fight men, whereof about 7000 Foot, and the rest Horse, those Piedmontese being numbered in, who were come to join with him under Marquis Villa. The Governor understanding (contrary to his expectation) that the Treaty was over, went from Asti to Villafranca, where he heard from the Prince, that the French marched to Cheri; and therefore he counselled him to draw near to St. Paolo, and to the Towns within a mile of Villafranca, by the ne●…ghbourhood whereof he might secure Cheri, and oppose any design of the enemy, without exposing his men to danger being so near Villanova; he sent him word that he would come out of Turin with 2000 Foot, and 600 Horse, and that he would come to Cheri by the way of the hills, so as the enemy being assaulted by one of them before, and by the other behind, he might undoubtedly be discomfited. Cheri is a Town of large circuit, abounding in all things, full of Inhabitants; and being one of those which made up the circle of the siege of Cassalle, Harcourt having cast his eye upon it, thinking that if he should take it, he might open a sure and fit way to send relief to Cassalle, which was now his chief intent. There were but five hundred Dutch in Cheri, who were sent thither, when the Truce was expired, by the Prince under Colonel Formestre, together with some troops of horse, too small a number for so great a circuit. The Governor of Milan sent the Prince word from Villafranca that he would advance, and wished him to do the like from Turin; to the end, that enclosing the Enemy between them, they might easily rout them. But fortune often makes a laughing stock of the best grounded designs; the Governor being come to the foot of a hill, which was the midway between him, and Harcourt, and which kept the French and those of Cheri, from discovering the Spanish Army: The Governor deferred passing over this hill till the next day, which if he had done the same day, as undoubtedly he might, Harcourt would not have dared to attempt Cheri, for fear of being assaulted by the Governor, whom he would have seen upon his back; and the Inhabitants and Garrison of Cheri, encouraged by the Governors being so near, would have done more than they d d in their own defence: but no opposition appearing, Harcourt came to the Town; from whence-six Troops of Horse issued forth, and skirmished four hours space with 400 French Horse, which were the first that appeared. But af●…er a long fight, the main body of the French Army came up unto them, which forced the others to retreat to Cheri, upon whom the Gates of the Town being shut, lest the enemy's Horse might enter a long w●…th them, they ran as fast as they could towards Turin, whither they got safe and unpursued. The French being come to Cheri, were notlong in planting their Cannon against the walls, but it was more than needed; for those of Cheri seeing none appear to assist them, and wanting men enough to defend the Town, they feared to be plundered: So as the same night, without the consent of the Dutch Captain, they by Marquess Villas means articled to surrender the Town; the next day Prince Thomaso, who marched with his men towards Cheri, might see the Dutch that were come out of Cheri come towards him, and the Governor who had passed over his in another part, heard of the surrender. They both were astonished at the news of so sudden a surrender; and having lost the hopes of their expected victory, they halted upon the Hills, expecting to hear from one another, what they were to do next; But Harcourt hearing that the Governor advanced, left his baggage, artillery, and all encumbrances behind in Cheri, and marched with his men into the field, and advanced to fight him; which when the Governor heard, he made two squadrons of Horse, and some Musketeers, advance, that they might fall upon the enemy's Van; and immediately ordered Don john di Garrai, to draw out the Soldiers in order; and whilst the Horse which were sent before by the Governor skirmished with the enemy's Van, Carpano Captain of the Spanish Horse, and Tavanes Sergeant Major of the French Army, were hurt; but Harcout hearing that Prince Thomaso was fallen down from the hills and was come to assault him on the back, lest he might be taken between them, made his Rear his Van, and with speed retreated to Cheri, whose Inhabitants were doubly blamed upon this account; First, for having been too hasty in surrendering, when two reliefs were so near; Secondly, for not having advertised the Prince of the enemies going out of the Town, when they went to encounter the Governor, for than he might have advanced, and might have recovered the Town, might have taken the baggage and artillery which were left therein by the French, and might have fall'n upon the enemy jointly with the Governor. The Governor, when he saw the occasion was over, went to Santena, a Town within three miles of Cheri, upon the way by which you go from Cheri to Carmagnuola; and mustering all his men together he resolved to besiege the enemy, from thence, who were in Cheri. And knowing by those that he had taken, that they wanted victuals very much; he made account, that since they could receive none but either from Carmagnuola or Montcalleri, he might hinder any from coming from Carmagnuola, by his keeping at Santena, and might also keep any from coming from Montcalleri, by sending a Garrison of a thousand Foot thither, and some Horse, and that consequently the Town would quickly be relinquished for want of food; which Harcourt foreseeing, he thought by one and the same means to free his men from Famine, and (which was his main end) to send relief to the Citadel of Cassalle, which stood in great need thereof. He therefore sent 400 Horse out of the Town, with men en croup, who passing by the hills of Montferrat which lead to Cassalle, met with no opposition, except at the village Gazzino, where some Troops of Prince Thomaso's Horse were commanded by his General Don Mauritio, who though they made some resistance, yet the French made their way valiantly thorough them, and got with little loss into Cassalle; and Marquis Villa came forth also with almost all the Dowagers Horse, and thereby not only freed the Town from Famine, which began to be very great, but thought also to get food for the Town; but he intended first to fall upon the Prince, who overran the parts about Montcalleri, and raised contribution: And to the end that he might not be hindered by the Enemy's Army, the rest of the Horse marched out at the same time and faced the Enemy, thinking by this means to keep them within their quarters: But being met by the Enemy's Horse, he was forced to retreat once more into Cheri; nor did the same Horse fare more fortunately in the sally which they made out by night not long after, with intention to fall at unawares upon the Horse quarter, which being commanded by Gonzaga, lay in Poirino, a Town not far from Santena; for the first Charge being stoutly withstood by Aisaldo, who was Captain of the Horse guard, the rest of the Horse had time to put themselves in order; who charging the Assailants, after a long dispute and much resistance put them to flight, and took Aisaldo from them, who being wounded in the head was carried away Prisoner by them. And for all this, those that remained in Cheri wanted bread; so as the French were forced to go elsewhere to get victuals, if they would keep there: They therefore endeavoured to get some from Chiavezzo, which though it was somewhat far off, and divided from Cheri by the Po; yet the water being then so low as that it was foordable, they thought that by great conducts they might secure the passage; and because Cheri suffered more in want of Grist then Grain, and Chiavezzo wanting Grain, they sent Loads of Grain thither, and brought as many Loads of Grist from thence; whereby they thought they might sustain themselves, and prolong the Siege; which they might have done, if a provision had not been found against it; for the Governor had sent before to break down all the Mills of the parts thereabouts, and placed Garrisons in the Towns near the highways, by which the Convoys passed, and made the Country people be ready with their Arms in hand, to oppose any of the Enemy that should pass that way; so as the Convoys being often routed, provision of bread grew very scarce in that Town; yet Marquis Villa, according to his promise, brought some relief from Carmagnuola to the great Famine that was in Cheri, which he did luckily and without oppotion; for the Governor having removed his Quarters from Santena to Poirino, the way which leads from Carmagnuola to Cheri was left almost open, which whilst the Governor tarried at Santena was quite blocked up: But this relief being but very slender, it being no more than what was brought en croupe behind 600 Horse, and the French having no hopes of any more from elsewhere, it was impossible for them to tar●…y longer there, especially in respect of straw which the horses wanted extremely. Almost all the French Horse which were in Piedmont were in Cheri, which if they should be lost, neither the Citadel of Turin, nor Chiavezzo, nor any Towns of Piedmont, could be longer kept; and the very Citadel of Cassalle was held as good as lost if these horses, which were the sinews of the French Forces, should be lost: And many things made against the coming of new recruits from France; for the King, besides provisions made for the Wars of Flanders and Germany, was wholly bend upon the Enterprise of Catalognia, which was at that time in insurrection against the King of Spain, and had sent all the Forces that he could raise in his Kingdom thither; so as no wise man could dream of any supplies: To demand conditions of the Enemy was the to●…al ruin of the King of France his Forces, and of both his and the Dowagers honour; for the Prince and the Governor knowing very well what advantage they had would not have been satisfied with mean conditions; and if they should have yielded to any conditions, they would have demanded the Citadels of Turin and Cassalle, Chiavazzo, and whatsoever was then upon the point to be lost; nay, they would hardly have pardoned the Soldier's lives; so as they would have pretended to as plenary a victory by way of agreement, as if they had won it by force of Arms. It therefore was more honourable to venture life in maintaining the Towns they yet had, then ignominiously to abandon them to the Enemy. Harcourt was thus generously minded; who being in these straits would rather run the hazard of his life and fortune, then be forced to yield to ruinous conditions: nor did this his Generosity prove vain; for Fortune, which always favours the courageous, seemed to be desirous to preserve this gallant Commander for more glorious Victories. He was to do one of three things, to get from thence, and to escape an ignominious and ruinous surrender; he must either get into Chiavazzo by the same way by which he had caused victuals to be brought, and from thence to the Citadel of Turin; or else go towards Bat●…igliera, a Town which stands upon the skirt of the hill, and from thence go through the Langhe to Alba; or else (which was the most dangerous undertaking) get into Carmagnuol●… by the way of Santena, which the Governor of Milan had lately abandoned: The greatest danger of the last lay, that whereas if he should betake himself to either of the other two, he went still further from the Enemy; by the third he should fall into his very jaws; yet Harcourt liked the last best; for if he had endeavoured to get into Chiavazzo by the first way, he must pass through the narrow ways of the hill; and in case he should be pursued by the Enemy, he must be forced to abandon his Cannon and his Baggage; if he should go the second way, which was exceeding troublesome, he could carry neither victuals nor ammunition with him; and being to march still through an Enemy's Country he exposed himself to apparent danger of being routed, if the Governor of Milan should follow and overtake him: He therefore chose the third way as the securest, though fullest of danger. And because he had made a false March to be beaten when he stirred not, several nights before his coming, it happened that when he caused it to be beaten the night that he went away, the Enemy either did not hear it, or believed it to be feigned, as were the former; so as he had time and conveniency to be well advanced with his men before the Enemy knew he was gone; but though he should have pursued him he could not have speedily overtaken him, for several reasons: But howsoever ●…e sent his Horse after him to gall him on the Rear; but it was late ere these got to him; and when they came they found the Enemy engaged with the Prince, who coming from Montcalleri fell upon them, believing that the Governor would do the like at the same time on his side. The Prince gave a furious and gallant assault, with various fortune for a while; but the French finding that the Spanish A●…my was got up unto them, they placed their Artillery loaded with Musket-bullets, in the Rear, and turning them upon the enemy's horse, they hurt them not a little; and therefore being forced to forbear, partly in expectation of the rest of the Army; partly to keep from being further prejudiced, they advanced no further; the Prince his own person was much endangered, by the valiant resistance made by the French; but at last he made himself master of a Bridge which they had abandoned; the coming on of night, which was very dark, and the Country being full of underwoods', and Rivulets, kept the Governor from falling upon the French, whilst they were in Fight with the Prince; for he thought it better to make the Victory sure, by deferring the Combat till the next day, then to undergo those dangers and disasters which battles by night are subject unto; but Harcourt reflecting upon the danger he should be in, if (carrying till broad day) he should be assaulted on both sides, he fell upon the Prince at midnight so furiously, as though he was stoutly resisted, he got the better of the business, he regained the Bridge, over the which he passed his men before the dawning of the day, and secured both them and himself; when day was up, the Governor found that the assured victory which he had promised himself over night had escaped his hands; which if it had fallen out otherwise, it had undoubtedly put an end to the War: as this success redounded much to harcourt's. Glory; so did it occasion much murmuring against the Governor, in general, and in particular, by your Prince, who complained, as if the Governor out of private rancour and indignation, had by affected delay and slow marching shunned falling upon the Enemy (who if he had been taken in the midst between them, he must of necessity have been overthrown) as if he had not only not cared to put an end to the War, so to keep the Princes from obtaining their pretences, which he seemed not to wish well unto; but as if he had exposed the Prince his person to the Forces of a more powerful Enemy, to the end that he might be defeated, and have his own person endangered: the Piedmontese joined all, generally, with the Prince in his Complaints, and not a few of the Captains of the Spanish Army; who could not know why, when the Governor might have followed the Enemy in a strait line, he had pursued him in an oblique one; and yet there wanted not some who defended this action, alleging in excuse of what had happened, that the Governors' slowness was not to be ascribed to affectation, or to any sinister intention to the Prince, but to a good rule in War, which says, it is better to make a bridge of gold for an enemy to march away over, then by incensing him to make him desperate, and put the whole affair in hazard; they praised him, for that he had been contented to free Cheri from the Enemy, without unshe thing a sword, or endangering his men; applauding the genius of the Spaniards, who are known by so many experiences to shun pitched battles as much as they can, and never to come unto any, but when forced by necessity; after this the Governor sent towards Alba and Nizza, to drive all the French out of the lower Moniferrat; and to this purpose he sent the Camp Master Emilio Ghilino, to drive them from Vezzeme, and Bubbio, two Castles near this part of Moniferrat, where the French were as yet; who defending themselves better then it was thought they could have done, he sent the Marquis of Caracena thither afterwards with his Brigade, and with some pieces of Artillety; who drove the French from both those places; and reduced them to his power within three days space: thus the Governor having put strong Garrisons into the Towns of Piedmont, and left 5000 Foot and 1000 Horse with Prince Thomaso, undercamp Master Bolognino; the winter coming on, he retired with the rest of the Army to the State of Milan; and having quartered them in several parts of that State, he prepared all that Winter for the next years War; this mean while the business was not given over between the Citadel and the City of Turin; for as soon as the Truce was expired, those of the Citadel began to draw near the Enemy's Fortifications; by new Trenches, and works under ground; and having sprung a Mine, a fierce Skirmish ensued, by which those of the Citadel advanced to very near the Trenches of the City, and could not be driven from thence till the next night, when the Prince's Soldiers, having also sprung a Mine under the Enemies new advancements, they also made a great assault; wherein though they were stoutly resisted, and were repulsed more than once, yet they got the better of the business, and made those of the Citadel not only forsake the station wherein they were; but forced them to retreat a little more backward than where they had been before: they than fell to make use of their Artillery; those of the Citadel endeavoured to beat down the great Tower in the great Piazza, from whence they were played upon in the Citadel; and those without strove to beat down the Keep within the Citadel, from whence the houses of the City were beaten down by the Artillery of the Citadel; and each of them obtained their ends, but not alike; for the Tower, after above 2000 Cannon shot, was beaten down to the ground: and the Keep of the Citadel was only beaten down so low, as the City could receive no prejudice from thence; but notwithstanding, the City and Citadel continued plying one another with Musket, and Cannon shot, whereby many were slain, and many hurt, and (amongst the rest) Mounsieur di Cavogne, Governor of the Citadel, received a sleight hurt in the face; and in this manner did things continue here all the Winter; In which interim they forbore not to fortify the City against the Citadel: Harcourt being with them who were preserved at the Bridge gotten to Carmagnuola, quartered his men in those Towns of Piedmont which held yet for the Dowager; amongst which were Saluzzo, with all the Marquisate, Alba, Fossano, Chirasco, Savigliano, Bene, Carmagnuola, Chiavasso; and yet Harcourt was not idle; for he furnished the Citadel of Turin with such things as were chiefly necessary, for some months; and when the Governor of Milan was retreated, he vexed some Towns which held for the Prince; he took Busca, a Town between Cuni and Savigliano, and passing to Rossona, and Drovero, they yielded to him upon conditions, before his men came to him: he went then to Rovello, which having easily taken, he quartered there all that Winter; but the French were generally hated by the Piedmontese, who taking up Arms denied to pay them usual contributions; and abhorring their government, declared themselves for the Prince; who that he might not spend that Winter idly, sent the horse which lay idle in Turin to scour the parts about Chiavasso, where, together with much other hurt which he did, he straightened that Town very much, which the French desired to relieve, but could never do it; the Governor of Milan met also with a no inconsiderable encounter, wherein he lost five Troops of Horse, which were quartered in Constanza, and kept the territories of Canava from being overrun by the Garrison of Cassalle: which Troops whilst they lay careles●… there, were assaulted, a●… unawares, by four hundred Horse▪ which came out of Cassale, who slew some of them, took other some prisoners, and suffered but very few of them to escape: and yet all this while, peace and agreement was treated on between the Dowager and the Princes, not without desire to see it Effected. The End of the Sixteenth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. Book XVII. The Contents. YOu shall read in this Book the Treaties of Agreement between the Dowager and the Princes; and the Interest between the Princes and the Governor of Milan; how the Governor goes with a powerful Army to Cassalle; how it is relieved by Harcourt; how he fought the Governor before he could bring in the succour, and had the better of the Fight, and did not only relieve but perfectly free the place. Harcourt, being victorious, goes presently to Turin; he takes the Capuchins Bridge over the Po; fortifies himself there; and afterwards begirts the City with a vast line, and endeavours to get it by famine, Prince Thomaso being in it; but ere long he seeth the Governor upon the Hills with a powerful Army, coming to relieve the besieged Prince; the Governor finding it impossible to bring the succour by that way, tries to get a pass over the River, towards Montcalleri: and having gotten it, he passeth over the Po; where quitting the Hills, he takes up new quarters; and thinking to make the French abandon the enterprise by famine, he possesseth himself of the Avenues by which Victuals were brought to the Camp; so as they would have been quickly made to remove, had not Prince Thomaso, who was impatient of delay, made the Governor to fall upon the Enemy's Trenches, and to relieve him so; which falling out unfortunately, and the Governor not thinking himself any longer safe in his quarters beyond the Po, returns to his quarters upon the Hills; where he 〈◊〉 assisting the besieged in what he was able, till the City was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; which happened two months, and eleven days after the un●…te 〈◊〉 given to the French Trenches, that the besieged City might be relieved Prince Thomas●… comes 〈◊〉 of Turin, and retreats to Inurea; 〈◊〉 ●…e it defined by Monsig●… Mazzarini, who was come Ambassador from the King of France into Piedmont a little before Turin was surrendered, to join with the Frenchie but Count Siruela coming to him from the Governor of Millian, he makes new capit●…lations with him, to join with the Crown of Spain's and the C●…ns Della Rivera, being sent by the same Governor, to the same purpose, to the Prince Cardinal, the Ambassador Mazzarini having notice thereof, forc●…th Prince Thomaso to join with the French upon conditions; one of which was that the Prince should go to Paris within one month's space▪ which condition was not observed; for the Prince instead of going to France, passeth secretly to Nice, where he and his brother ●…e connfirm their union to the crown of Spain, to Rivera, the Ambassador Mazzarini who went to Nice, to confirm the one Prince, and to draw the other over to the French party, laboured the contrary verymuch; at the same tim●… the Governor of Milan it sent for into Spain, and is succeeded in that Government by Count Siruela; the French go to Montcalvo, take the Town as their first arrival, and afterwards the Castle, which yields without expecting succour. THough the Princes saw their cause brought to an advantageous condition through the assistance of the Spanish Forces, and by the Popular favour, and that they had the better of the Dowager, who had not as yet been assisted by the French, answerably to her need; yet finding it very hard to recover the chief Towns of Piedmont, some of which were fallen into the Frenchman's hands, some into the Spaniards; and the Citadel of Turin, which was the head and foundation of the State, at the present possessed by the French, which if it should be recovered was likely to fall, contrary to their will, into the hands of the Spaniards; they did inwardly resent it, and began at last to find that, by experience, which before these commotions it was impossible for them to comprehend by Reason; that they were not likely to be concerned in the good of any victories they had got, or hoped to get; and that by overcoming, they overcame not for themselves, nor for the Duke their Nephew, whose protection they pretended; but that they submitted themselves, the Duke, and the Principality of their family to the disposal of others; they might also conceive how little reason they had to rely upon the Spanish Forces which were managed with ends differing from theirs, and aimed at things much more differing; especially if that were true which the Prince complained of so bitterly, that the Governor of Milan had abandoned him, in the dangerous conflict which he had at the Bridge Dellarotta; they also seemed to have reason, not only not to confide in, but to abhor the favour of, the Spaniards, which looked more after their depression, than their exaltation; as they might find, moreover, by the Truce concluded so unseasonably, and contrary to all expectation, before Turin; and much more by their pretending to put a Spanish Garrison into the Citadel of Turine these things did certainly cause much greater Commotion in the Dowager, who was powerfully assaulted by her enemies, weakly protected and defended by her friends, b●…reft at the same time by both of them of her chiefest Towns, and even of the City and Citadel of Turin: besides, forced by the Cardinal of Richelieu to yield to unreasonable conditions, or else to be fiercely prosecuted by his bitter malice: all wise men thought therefore, that the frequent Negotiations which passed all Winter long between the Dowager and the Princes, would have produced the desired, and so necessary agreement; but they were deceived. The Princes were at the present in much Authority and Grandezza, and were, with no expense to themselves, brought by the Spanish Forces almost to what they desired. The Prince Cardinal was possessed of the City, Fort, and almost of the whole County of Nice, of Cunco, Mondovi, of the Marquisate of Ceva, and almost of all Piedmont, from Carmagnuola to the Sea. Prince Thomaso had the City and County of Asti, Trino, together with the Canevese, the Valleys and Cities of Inurea, Biela, and Aosta, and the City of Turin: They executed all Jurisdiction in all these places; they chose all Officers and Governors; they received all usual Revenues and imposed Taxes; the people did not only freely follow them, but readily obeyed them; they had moneys from Spain to maintain the present Wars, and their Courts; and, what was most considerable in these ruptures, they were much sought to by the King of France, by whom, before this War, they were not only kept from the Guardianship and Regency, but banished out of Piedmont, as public Enemies: Wherefore considering their former condition, their present State, and what they were to be, if, abandoning such noble acquisitions, they should submit to the Dowagers Regency; it was impossible that they should forsake their present fortune, to receive afterwards, as a great favour from the Dowager, their children's Portions, which were so short of the splendour they lived in now: Neither did their ends and hopes cease here; for believing that the Governor of Milan would undoubtedly put them the next Spring in possession of the Citadel of Turin, they thought they should have achieved their utmost pretences, and be become absolute Arbitrators of all things; and that they should be in a condition, not only of not receiving Laws from the Dowager, but of doing what they listed in Piedmont: Neither did these their hopes appear to be idle; for besides that they might hope well by what was past, they saw the French were very thin in Piedmont, and that they had but small or no hopes to be recruited from France. On the contrary, the Spanish Forces in Italy, by what recruits were already come, and by what was expected the next Spring, were very powerful; so as not being likely to meet with any that would withstand them, they promised themselves assured Victory. And no comparison being to be made between what they were offered either by France or the Dowager, and what they at the present enjoyed, and might promise themselves for the future, from the people's favour, and the assistance of Spain, they could not parallel the slender hopes of what was to come, with their present advantageous condition; so as they could not listen to any accommodation; and if they did, it was but to feed the people with vain hopes, to sell their conjunction the dearer to the Spaniards, and for other particular ends of their own. On the other side, the Dowager, though it might be thought that her unhappy present condition might make her accept of any thing, yet, finally, she could not allow but of what stood with the joint safety and dignity of herself and Son. Several Proposals and Articles passed between them all the Winter, by which the Princes questioning her lawful Authority, they aimed at bringing all to a Triumvirate, consisting of her, and of themselves, to the Arbitrament whereof all things should be referred; a specious Proposition in appearance, but which finally comprehended nothing but the absolute exclusion of the Dowager from all Sovereignty and Grandezza, and the bereaving her of all Liberty; for the Princes being sure to join in any whatsoever resolution, she must necessarily be excluded from all choice, and must submit to their joint opinion: What would her Authority be then in this Triumvirate? What would her Guardianship and Regency be? How could she secure herself of her own and her Sons Affairs? Was not this to put herself, the State, and her Son, into the absolute discretion of the Princes, between whom and her there were so many differences and diffidences? It was better for her assuredly to be at her Brother's will, and to run any fortune together with him, then to join with her Brethren in Law, who were her Rivals, and so bitter Competitors. And as the Proposals made by the Princes were not in reason to be accepted of by the Dowager, so neither could the Princes, being in so advantageous a condition, allow of the Dowagers Proposals, though they were more justifiable. The Dowager pretended, That as the Principality of Savoy was Monarchical, so the Regency in her must be Monarchical; so as detesting that it should degenerate into an Oligarchical Triumvirate, she would be sole and Sovereign in the Regency. The considerations wherewith the two Crowns proceeded in these Affairs, were such, as no cure was to be found for these present evils, without a general Peace; for the King of France pretending that Piedmont should be absolutely at his disposal, his intention therein was to carry the War freely, and without any let, into the State of Milan. On the contrary, the King of Spain, endeavouring to keep the French Forces as far as possibly he could from his Dominions, was necessitated to uphold the Prince's pretensions, and to use all means to exclude the Dowager and French from Piedmont; and so under colour of making War there in the behalf of the Princes, to make himself master of all the chief Towns, and to keep the French from the State of Milan; and this design proceeded so successfully, as the King of France, distrusting a good end of his designs, by reason of the great obstructions he met with, forwent the rigour of his proceedings hitherto against the Princes, and was induced to make great offers to Prince Thomaso, to the end, that by his joining with him, he might miss those oppositions which the people of Piedmont and the Spanish Forces made to the progress of his Arms; and the King of Spain was forced to consent largely to the will and interest of the Princes, and to command his Agents that they should not distaste them, lest being distasted they might pass over to the French party; and might bring the Arms of that King into the Confines of the State of Milan; so as a general peace seemed to be the only means to piece up all these rents; but though all treaties of accommodation were in this desperate condition, yet the Dowa●…er from the profundity of her sad fortune found out so adequate an expedient, and so proportionate to the present conditions, as if it had succeeded well (as it was very likely to do) the Civil Wars had been wholly ended, and Foreign Wars, unfomented by the Civil, would have been much ceased, if not quite extinguished: She was very apprehensive that she should be wholly excluded all administration, if Prince Thomaso should accept of the offers made him by the King of France and Cardinal Richlieu; and foreseeing that that would be as displeasing to the Prince Cardinal, she sought to close with him; wherefore telling him that he was the more obliged to endeavour the quenching of Civil Wars, which arising from domestic dissension would undoubtedly cease, when the others were at an end, by his being nearest to succeed in the Principality: She therefore exhorted him to give way to her just Regency upon fair and reasonable conditions; she offered to give him her eldest Daughter, the Princess Maria Lodovica for Wife; she who it was so much doubted might carry the succession of the Principality to the Blood Royal of France, if she should be married to the Dolphin. The offer was not mean, nor of small consideration; for the Prince Cardinal did not only ascertain the succession of the Principality in his own person, which in case the Duke should die, he feared might receive incumberances thereby; but did assure to himself the favour and good will of the Dowager, who from being his Brother's Wife, becoming his Wife's Mother, was interessed in a nearer tye of alliance with him; so as he might promise himself she would be much governed by him, and that he should have a great stroke in the Regency, and in the administration of the State. I is to be observed that the Ca●…dinal was very de●…irous of issue, and no●… finding any Princess in these times more suitable to his ends, he was very well pleased with the offer, and did readily entertain it, which did much facilitate the Articles of Agreement; which being dictated by him ve●…y conformable to the Dowagers intentions, were sent to her from Nice, and were for the most part accepted of; and those whereof there was any dispute were reduced to so near a composition, as there were great hopes all things would be well agreed; for it was not very impossible but that the Prince Cardinal might come over to the King of France his party, when by this m●…rriage he should be become his Nephew: But Prince Thomaso hearing of this Treaty was very much incensed, and endeavoured by all means to discompose it; he thought that though in reason he had not equal pretence with his Brother to the Guardianship, he was not yet inferior to him in authority, by reason of his Military worth, by reason of the good will the people bore him, and by what he had done in the present debates: they were both likewise comprehended in the Emperor's Decree; so as he thought it not fit to give way to any accommodation, whereby he should be debarred all authority and command: it was also thought that he liked not that his Brother should ma●…ry; he and his Children being thereby be●…est of so●…neer hopes of succession; be therefore took it ill that any accommodation should be treated of without his cog●…izance; and fearing that if it should be concluded, he should fall to the ground between two stools, he presently sent Marquis Bagnasco, and the Commendatore Pasero to Nice, to dissuade his Brother from making any such agreement, by the same reasons by which the Prince Cardinal had dissuaded him to accept the offers which the King of France offered him; and to enter his protestation against it; in case he should make it. When they came thither, they found the Prince Cardinal absolutely resolved to embrace the Dowagers motion, the desire of quiet prevailing with him, and marriage whereunto he was exceedingly inclined; but being put in mind and made to see how fair a course of fortune, both to himself, and Brother, he broke by that resolution; how great a prejudice their dis-union would be to the common cause: what great offers the Prince had refused generously, to keep from abandoning him; how little reason he had to confide in the Dowagers promises; and how little good he could expect from the marriage, though it should succeed: they exhorted him to follow his Brother's example, and to persevere constant to the Spanish party, by whose favour and forces being so far advanced, he might hope that when the Citadel of Turin should be gotten (as certainly it would be) they should be put into such a condition, as he should not only obtain the marriage for certain; which was now uncertainly promised him, but much greater things. The Cardinal being won upon by these reasons, and professing that notwithstanding this, he would value his Brother's interest as highly as his Brother had formerly done his; he began to proceed but coolly in signing those very Articles of Agreement which he himself had sent to the Dowager; excusing himself, that he had sent them to let her see how well he was inclined to her, and that he would use all means possible to bring his Brother to be included the●…ein; but that it became him not to divide the family further, whilst the uniting of it was in treaty. Thus he sent the Articles to Turin; where they were reform by the Prince, and much altered in the most essential parts; for being desirous to have a share in the Government, the Prince inclined to the Triumvirate, wherein he being to make one, he was to have his share in the administration of the weightiest affairs; whereunto the Dowager would not consent for the aforesaid reasons; and yet being desirous to preserve the Dominions which he saw would be manifestly ruined by these dissensions, she who was always a wellwisher to peace and quiet, strove to keep the treaty on foot; which being handled with much patience and accurateness would by her solicitous endeavours have been brought to perfection, had it not been sometimes interrupted, sometimes prolonged by the Prince's delays, who were not yet well resolved what to do. The occasion of the delays and demurs made by the Princes was attibuted, by some, to their constancy to the Austrian party, by whose favour and forces being so far advanced they thought they could not in honour abandon them, as they must have done if they should condescend to the Dowagers desires; others said it was because the Princes could not give over their aforesaid advantages, nor their yet greater hopes, if they should prosecute the common cause by Arms; which and by what means it happened, it will not be far from our purpose to touch upon briefly. The Princes kept the Treaty still on foot with the French, and by their means with the Dowager; and Prince Thomaso did publicly admit of Monsieur d' Argenson, one in great authority with the King of France, who was often busy about him, beating the iron whilst it was hot, that he might bring the Prince to end the business. The Governor of Milan and the other Spanish Agents did resent this; and many thought that this which seemed to be a wavering from the Spanish party, would at last break out into an open alienation. But the Princes, who did not much confide in the Spanish Forces and Counsels, did not resolve by abandoning the Treaties with France to deprive themselves of the favour and assistance which they had thereby; for they making their accounts also, found that the same continuation was not only a great cause of keeping the people faithfully devoted to them and their party, but served to show their greatness, which certainly was the more conspicuons and resplendent; whilst the world might plainly see, that at the same time that they were effectually protected and upheld by the Crown of Spain, they were sued unto and entreated, and had large offers made them by France, which they waged War against, to adhere unto the Crown of France: and which was yet of greater importance, the continuance of the said negotiations did not only serve as a curb to the excessive power of those Arms which protected them, to keep them within their due limits, but as a preservative against any machination, which might peradventure be plotted against them and Piedmont by the Spaniards; and finally the fear of losing them, made the Governor of Milan much more willing to give them all possible satisfaction. The Princes therefore being neither able, nor having reason to neglect such advantages, they excused the continuing of the Treaty with the French, by the necessity they were in of keeping the people constant to them by these feigned demonstrations, by the hopes which they conceived of an approaching peace, and of the sorrows of a not far off War; and to assure him the more fully of their firm intention of persevering constant to the common cause, they used to communicate freely unto him all that passed between them and the French; and telling him that they could ground no certainty thereupon, they strove to make him believe it was impossible it should be ever effected; and thus they endeavoured to quit all jealousies, and to make the Governor of Milan b●…ar with their French negotiations; but their freedom in communicating their occasions to him did rather irritate then appease the Governor: For he thought that the exact notice which they gave him of what great offers were made him, was a secret threatening of him that they would embrace them, if at any time they should not be satisfied in their pretensions; which partly concerned their private interests, partly the public concernments; the private consisted in what hath already been said; that Prince Thomaso might have an Army given him, which might wholly and integrally depend upon himself, which he might manage as he lifted upon all occasions; and that moneys might be assigned to both of them for maintaining their Courts; and that neither of them should have any dependency upon the Governor: the public aimed at being absolute Arbitrators of the Regency of the States: As for the first, though Prince Thomaso, by denying the ratification which hath been formerly spoken of, did himself hinder the resolution therein; yet the Governor being desirous to satisfy him, took order for providing him speedily with monies, and was fully bend to consolidate him in that regency, wherein at the present he had put him, and to advance it. But the Prince not thinking all this sufficient, and thinking it unworthy of his own greatness to keep in the King's Army without command, several distastes did many times arise, by the which the Prince appearing to be daily less satisfied with his present condition, the Governor did not only desire to satisfy him in his own particular concernments, but added a great willingness to content them in their public pretensions, so to keep them from foregoing the King of Spain's party. To this purpose, he added his yet more powerful endeavours to those great ones which were used by the Princes; for finding that all the Princes ends aimed at the taking of the Oitadel of Turin, he held them in hopes that that should be the first thing that he would take in hand the next Spring; by which hopes being said and dazzled, they could not listen to the Dowagers proposals, nor to those of France; neither of them being able to make them any such offers. So these reciprocal hopes and jealousies continuing between them all that Winter; when the next Spring of the year 1640. begins, the Princes seeing the Governor busy in drawing the Army into the field, they quit their pretensions of having men and moneys assigned them, as inferior to their conceived greatness, and minding this which was the public and greatest importance, they began to solicit the Governor to make good his promised assault; who sometimes held them on with the same hopes, and sometimes raised difficulties, which made against their desired ends. But now that the Spring was come, not being able to dissemble any longer, he declared his mind unto them, and showed them the necessity of taking the Citadel of Cassalle first; that going with his Army to Turin, he might not leave that place behind him, from which much mischief might redound to the State of Milan; that otherwise he must divide his Forces, and must leave part of them in that State, and go with the rest to the taking of the Citadel of Turin; that they might see how prejudicial such a division would be to both those erterprises; that they should suffer him therefore to acquit himself first of Cassalle, which when it should be over, he promised them faithfully he would apply himself wholly to the business of Turin Citadel. The Princes strove by forcible arguments to make him alter his mind; showing him that the good success of Turin would not only be a great furtherance to the main of their affairs, but even to those of the King of Spain; they told him that he who would make himself master of the Citadel of Cassalle must first begin with that of Turin; which being lost, the other must needs be lost also by the French; who being driven out of Turin could not keep in Piedmont, but must be forced to pass back over the Alps, and leave not only Cassalle to the arbittrement of the King's Forces, but also the whole affairs of Piedmont; so not only Cassalle, but Chiavazzo, Carmagnuola, together with all the other Towns held by them, must be abandoned; that therefore many other greatly good successes did depend upon this. They represented unto him the weakness of the Enemy; who were reduced to a very small number; not exceeding 4000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, ill appointed, not able to keep the field, nor to defend the Citadel of Turin, much less to cause any jealousy to the State of Milan from Cassalle; moreover that the Kingdom of France, which was not only troubled with the Wars of Flanders, but with those of Catalonia, and intestine risings, was wholly diverted from the Wars of Italy; that Normandy was up in Arms against the King, whose example would certainly be followed by many other Provinces; that there was therefore no fear, that new Forces should come from thence to Piedmont; and on the contrary, that the Spanish Camp being redoubled by so great recruits which were coming from several parts, might easily compass any whatsoever enterprise; much more that of the Citadel of Turin which was already half taken; they therefore earnestly persuaded him to betake himself to the taking thereof; but contrary reasons persuaded the Governor from the going to take the Citadel of Turin, and to go to the taking of that of Cassalle; first his jealousy of the Negotiations still continued between the Princes and the French; to this was added the competition touching who should put the Garrison into the Citadel of Turin; which not being yet decided, the Governor foresaw that the Princes would bring it in play when the Citadel should be taken; so as he was refractory therein, which when it should be taken would afford occasion of disorders and dissensions, which might afterwards make the Princes go over to the French, when they should not be masters of the Citadel; on the contrary, the felicity which he promised unto himself in the taking the Citadel of Cassalle, made him believe that it became him not to weaken the flower of his Forces, which he had assembled with so much trouble, and with such expense to the King's Exchequer, in the taking of the Citadel of Turin; which Forces when they should be employed in the taking of Cassalle would undoubtedly win unto the King a place of such importance for the safety of the State of Milan; and by which acquisition so great preeminency and advantage would accrue to the King's affairs over the neighbouring States; and (which was not lest to be considered) the acquisition whereof would make so fair a way to the general peace; he was moreover dissuaded from taking that of Turin, lest the Princes when they should be possessed thereof, assenting to their self interests, and to the Common concerns of the I alien Princes, would do what they could to keep that of Cassalle from falling into the Spaniards hands, and that they would hinder it by underhand dealing; wherefore preferring the good of the King's affairs before that of the Princes, he resolved to employ his fo●…ces which were then fresh and entire in the enterprise of Cassalle; believing that the hopes of being afterwards assisted in that of Turin, might keep the Prince's faithful to the Spanish party; and make them cooperate in that of Cassalle; and what was of mo●…e importance, the Governor knew how much the Court of Spain was concerned in the business of Cassalle; not so much out of the desire of getting it, as for that they thought the French would have slackened the War of Catalonia, for the preservation of Cassalle; or the Court was not well satisfied with the orders given to assault Piedmont, and that they were too exactly observed, and could have desired, that the Governor, contrary to their orders, had begun with the enterprise 〈◊〉 Cassalle, so to draw the forces of France into those parts; so as though he was honoured with the title of a Grandee for the taking of Vercelli; yet he had some orders of Revocation to the contrary, which Revocation not afresh to incur, and that he might at the same time help to secure the State of Milan, and also free Catalo●…, he could not but prefer the business of Cassalle before that of Turin; amongst these public reasons, there wanted not some private ones; arising from a certain ambition in the Governor, to signalise his name in the Court of Spain, by the acquisition of that place which he knew was so much desired there; and look how much he saw that enterprise had proved unfortunate to his predecessors in that Government, the more diligent he was therein, hoping that his glory would be the greater in bringing it to a happy end, there were also certain other private emulations between him and the Princes, which did not make the Governor any thing at all well affected to their interests; for an being Infanta of Spain they treated somewhat briskly with him, punctually expecting from him all those observances and respects which are due to the Infanta from the subjects of that Crown; to that height, that in the Campagnia where great Princes use to keep open table, and to honour their Commanders with sitting at meat with them, they never invited him to dine with them, nor ever did he negotiate with them but bareheaded, and standing; and when he was indisposed in his feet, he treated with them either by messengers or letters; this his aversion was much increased by the Prince's arrogating unto themselves all the honour of the good that had succeeded; not attributing it to the King's forces, but to the love of the people of Piedmont; not to the Governors' valour, or Counsels, but to their own: alleging for proof thereof, what great difficulties he met with before Vercelli, when he attempted it without them; on the contrary, the Governor, who came not short of them either in counsel or Military valour, alleged; that the people's affection would have been curbed, and kept back by the Dowager, without the assistance of the King's forces; just as befell the Prince Cardinal, when being entered into Piedmont, he would try what the Authority of a Prince of the blood unarmed could do: and when the Princes came first with a powerful Army before the Walls of Turin, the Dowagers Authority was such, as she did so hold the people within bounds, as none durst ever speak, much less declare themselves in favour of the Princes, or raise any sedition, so as to let them see that he was able to undertake, and to effect great erterprises without them, he was desirous to apply himself to this, wherein the Princes not having any thing to do, the business might be acknowledged to be wholly his: and consequently the honour which he undoubtedly expected from the happy success thereof, might belong wholly to him, and not be communicated to any others, private and public interests being thus joined, the Governor having all things in readiness sent Carlo Della Gatta, general of the Neapolitan Horse, at unawares to preoccupate the ways that led to Cassalle, to keep the Monferrat Soldiers who were dispersed abroad in that State, from entering thereinto; and he sent the Count di Monte-Castello after Gatta to take L'occimiano, both which having observed their Orders, they appeared on Palm▪ sunday, the year 1640 before that City; and took the Town St. Giorgio without fight, which had a Garrison in it only of 40 Soldiers under a French Captain; and the Governor being recru●…ed with new men from Germany and Naples, came thither with the whole Army the next Eas●… day; his Army consisted of 12000 Foot, and 5000 Horse, to which soon after were added 2200 Foot come from Spain. The Garrison of the place did not exceed 1200 Foot, and 300 Horse: The French Army, which was that that could only ●…lieve it, being very weak, was thought unable so much as to attempt it; so as the Governor made himself sure of Victory: To this was added the intelligence which was said to be held between the Governor and some of the chief of the Town, not without the Dowagers knowledge (as was thought) who was not well satisfied with the French Garrison; being come within sight of the City, he thought to fall to work, to the end that when he should have taken the City, as he thought he should e●…sily do, he might quarter his Army more commodiously under covert, and by a short line to be drawn without the Citadel he thought to save the time and labour of making large Trenches, as his predecessors had done, when they were to lodge their Army in the Campagnia: he therefore made only two quarters; the one at the foot of the Hill; and the other upon the Plain towards Frassinero, two good miles distant one from the other. To the latter, whither he sent above 1000 Horse under Carlo della Gatta, and 400 Foot, under the Camp-masters Serra, Trotto and Gliglino, was added 900 Swissers; that of the Hill was divided into two bodies. The Marquis of Car●…ena, who succeeded Don Francisco di Selva in being General of the Horse, commanded the one, and Don Lewis di Lincastro the other; and the Governor, who lodged in one of them, commanded them both: here were eight thousand Foot, and four thousand Horse; they than began their approach against the City, which was besieged on three sides; on two, between the Citadel and the Castle; and on the third, near the Po, which they called Degli Italiani, entrusted to marquis Serra, and they also took a certain House called lafoy Furnace, which proved very commodious for the Siege; but fortune which would deri●…e ●…ssured hopes of the Governor and his great Forces, appeared very little favourable to him from the very beginning; for the great rains which fell for many days together, were of great prejudice to him, not only in the commencement of his works, by which he was to make his approaches, but in preserving those which we already made; for it destroyed them all: and the water having sunk down the ways had also made the fields unmanagable; so as the two quarters, which were far one from the other, could not communicate together. To these hindrances was added many fierce sallies, which (though they were with equal fierceness repulsed) they did not a little disturb the Works and hinder the Workmen: Whilst the Army did thus little good, expecting fairer weather, the Governor that the Soldiers might not be idle, sent Thomaso Alardo with his Regiment of Dragoons, and 400 Foot to take Resignano, who having at first taken the outworks, had also begun a Mine, which when it was finished, he gave fire unto, and did thereby much good; for throwing as much Wall as sufficed to give an assault, he went thereunto, but unfortunately; for some of the Soldiers would not fight, and others were crushed by many Gabbions of earth which fell from the earth-work of the Wall that was blown up, falling down, when they hasted to get upon the breach; those who were forwardest in advancing were repulsed with the death of the valiantest amongst them; and many Spanish Captains were wounded, and Toby Palavicino, who fought valiantly, though they were forsaken by their Soldiers. This mean while it was given out, as it proved true afterwards, that Harcourt, taking the greatest number of the French Soldiers that he could out of the Towns of Piedmont, accompanied by Marquis Villa, who brought 1500 Horse with him, and by the Marquis Pianezza, who brought 2000 Piedmontese Foot, to whom also some Montferrians were gorten, had got together a body way of an army, with which he betook himself to bring succous by the of Villanuova, and that he brought with him twelve pieces of Cannon, and some Carriages of Victuals and Munition. The more unexpected this news was to the Governor, they made the greater impression in him; calling therefore a Counsel of War, it was consulted whether they should march out against the enemy, and fight him in the open field, or rise from before Cassalle and go speedily to Turin; giving out that the business of Cassalle was but a feigned attempt, to draw the enemy thither, so to keep up the Soldier's reputation: The great advantage in number of Soldiers, far more valiant than the enemy, who were said to be most of them Vagabonds, driven from their houses by Famine and War, made for the first opinion; that (therefore) Victory was not to be doubted, if they should come to battle; and that body of men being destroyed, wherein were all the Forces which the enemy could make in Italy, not only Cassalle, with the Citadel thereof, would fall into their hands, but also the Citadel of Turin, together with all the other Towns of Piedmont; which being unfurnished of Garrisons, and not able to hold out, nothing could be imagined; but that they would yield at the very news of the approach of the conquering Army. To the easiness and advantage of this Course necessity was added; for the enemy not being far off, and the Army which was before Cassalle lying in the open fields, divided into two quarters, with a great interval between them, not fortified either by Trench or Rampire; it was impossible for them to resist the joint Forces of the enemy, without marching jointly out into the field; that therefore since the great store of rain, and the shortness of time, would not permit them to fortify the Camp, it was without all question necessary to join all their men into one body, to march with them into the field, to encounter the enemy with their accustomed bravery; being certainly assured, that not being able to withstand them they would rather run away then fight, and so afford them occasion of a signal Victory, which drawing many other Victories after it would put an end to the War, and would render his Excellencies name immortal. Two things stuck with the Governor touching this so good and glorious resolution; First, the doubt of the conflict, that it might make way for the relief; presupposing that when the conflict should be begun the enemy would send relief to the Citadel by another way, and having gotten their intent would withdraw themselves from the battle; whereby the taking of the Citadel, which was thought would be soon done, would be prolonged; the other, the Governors own genius, who did naturally abhor pitched Battles; and perhaps precise Orders from Court, which forbade coming thereunto, when it might be avoided; both which were powerful occasions of the loss of a famous Victory, which would assuredly have been gotten if they had fought, and would have ruined the enterprise; for if the Governor presupposed so much courage in the enemy, who were inferior to him in Forces, as they might lessen their men, when the conflict was begun, to send part thereof to relieve Cassalle, why had not he courage enough to send some of his men to oppose the succour? and yet Harcourt made it be seen that dangers are overcome by encountering them, not by avoiding them; and on the contrary, that to examine dangers and inconveniences too narrowly, and to keep within Trenches expecting that good fortune should fall into one's mouth, was nothing but to neglect the fairest occasions of overcoming; to ruin enterprises and pull dangers and dishonour upon ones self. The Governor being therefore not pleased to encounter the enemy, nor shamefully to abandon the enterprise which he had begun with assured hopes of compassing it; he chose a middle way, which though frequently used in extreme ruptures is usually dangerous, and which in this proved directly ruinous; and it was not to expect the coming of the enemy in open field, that he might keep from being forced to fight; but within a line of circumvallation, which he gave Order should be presently begun, and finished as soon as possibly might be; so giving over making of approaches, the face of affairs was in an instant changed; and this new work being to encompass Mountains and Plains, it required many Pyoneers to bring it to perfection, and more men to guard it; wherefore great store of Workmen were sent for from the State of Milan, and the choicest of the Militia of that State; and all this not seeming sufficient, those were sent for back who were gone to take Rosignano, and 1500 of those who were left in Garrison in Turin; Prince Thomaso was also desired to come and assist in the enterprise with his Cavalry, who though he very much resented, that the Governor by going to before Cassalle had deluded his expectation of going to take the Citadel of Turin, which he had so faithfully professed all Winter long he would do; yet hoping for mighty affairs by taking the Citadel, he held it not fit to break with the Governor upon this occasion, nor by foregoing the Spanish party not only lose all his future hopes, but all that he at the present enjoyed in Piedmont by means of the people's favour: taking therefore all things in good part, and making a virtue of necessity, he suffered that the King's business should precede his; and not thinking it fit to abandon the City, he sent his bastard Brother Don Mauricio of Savoy to him with 800 of his best Horse; who passing over, after the taking of Turin, from the Dowager (who had made him Captain of the Duke's Guard) to the Prince's party, was by Prince Thomaso made General of his Horse: all which diligence proved altogether vain and insufficient; for Harcourt made such haste as he prevented the perfecting of the line of circumvolution; and besides they had not men enough by many to defend the vast circuit thereof: it is true, that the Hill above Cassalle being thought to be impassable, by reason of the deep stiff clay, they were not over careful of minding the Trenches there; nor were there sufficient Garrisons provided for defending that part, for the Governor held for certain that the very situation thereof was enough to keep the enemy from falling on that part. The Army being in this condition before Cassalle, Harcourt comes with the two General's Villa and Pianezza to Rosignano; where mustering his Forces, he found them to amount to the number of 6000 Foot, between French, Piedmontese and Montferrians; and to 3000 Horse, part French, part Piedmontese; and the Governor continuing in his opinion, that the enemy could do nothing of moment by the Hills, and that therefore he would advance by the Plain, he placed all his men to guard that part of the Trench towards the Plain, where the Gatt●…la falls into the Po; where he thought the enemy would come, thinking that being stoutly resisted there, and despairing to make his way on that side, and much more by the Hill, he would absolutely give over the business; for it being impossible for him to maintain his Army, which wanted all manner of things in those parts, what could he do else but return to Piedmont, but he was deceived; for Harcourt coming from Rosignano, and appearing within sight of the Plain about noon, he made his Foot tarry upon the skirts of the Hills, and being desirous to know the position of the enemy's Camp, and of the line of circumvolution before he did any thing, he descended into the Plain, together with the Signeior della Turenna, della Motta, Odancorte and di Plessi Pralin, with Villa and Pianezza, and with Roccacerviera, Serjeant Major of the Battle, backed for his more safety by some Troops of Horse, and advanced a little into the Plain, where he stayed till he had informed himself sufficiently, and so returned to the Hill, some Canonshot were made at him, and he was saluted by some Dragoons, but received no prejudice at all by them. The night coming on, the Spaniards thought that the Enemy had found such difficulties in the Plain as he would forbear attempting any thing; and they thought themselves safe enough on the Hills side, for the Reasons already said: Wherefore thinking that the Enemy despairing of any good success would attempt nothing, they consequently held themselves sure of Victory; and applauding the Governor for his wisdom and military wariness, they approved of his counsel, who had chosen to sit still and overcome; so they minded nothing but reciprocal congratulations: But Harcourt, not at all deterred by any difficulty he found on the Plain, after some consultations, thought to assault the French towards the Plain on three sides that very night, a good part whereof being spent in consultations, and in ordering their marches, and one of the Guides b●…ing run away, who was to have guided them to the furthest place where they intended to fall on; at last, when day began to clear up, changing his resolution, Harcourt resolved to try whether the natural difficulties of the Hills would not be more easily overcome, than the oppositions upon the Plain: he therefore made a Bridge be thrown over the Gattola about break of day, in that Valley, by which beginning his course, he afterwards made his men pass over the Bridge before day, thinking to make them ascend the opposite hill, and there to re-attempt the enterprise: which design being soon discovered, the Governor sent the Dragoons, with some Foot Companies, to descend that hill which the enemy strove to get up; but the provision was but weak and in vain; for Harcourt finding that he must either mount there, or shamefully give over the enterprise, advanced almost all his Forces against those Dragoons, and succeeding therein, drove them, after a long dispute, from the station which they had taken but a little before; and being master thereof, endeavoured to make twelve pieces of Cannon be drawn that way. The Governor, by the bad success of his men began to fear the worst; and going from his quarter, he commanded Don Mauricio to advance with half his Horse, to defend a certain station beyond the line, seated upon the hanging of a hill, behind an Hermitage, where 400 Musketeers were placed, that he might oppose the enemy who was to ascend by that way, and not suffer him to get any higher. Harcourt, when his Artillery was got up the hill, made four batteries of them, wherewith he began from Sunrising to play upon the opposite Plain, with much prejudice to the quarters which lay below, and to the enemy's Squadrons; then leaving the Piedmontese Horse and Foot under Villa and Pianezza, to the end, that holding the enemy play there they might diver them from succouring the hill when the French should ascend; he marched by the climbing of the hill in this order. il Signore della Motta Odencourt mounted on the left side with six Regiments of Horse, and as many Foot, together with some Troops of Dragoons. Harcourt himself got up with the rest of the Foot on the right hand, the rest of the Horse under the Viscount of Turin, marched up in the Rear; they all got well up, having not only overcome the difficulties of the situation, which the Governor thought was not to be done; but the opposition which was made at the Hermitage, which was abandoned at the very first assault; and than that of the Horse under Don Mauricio, which were placed behind the Hermitage, which not being backed by any Musketeers, after some resistance made, was at last forced to retreat; so Harcourt having overcome this impediment also, pursued his march the more freely, and got to above the Trenches. The hills were but badly fortified; for the line of circumvolution not arriving at the height thereof, it was commanded by the part above it; and the Work was made in such haste and disorder, as both the line and the ditch which munited it were in many places overlooked by the ground that was without; and there were but few defendants, for the Governor (as hath been said) thought that part sufficiently secured by its situation; but some of the chiefest Spanish Commanders thought that the enemy would not adventure an assault even from hence; so much did they confide in their own Forces, and made so little account of the enemy; amongst which was Don Antonio Sarmiento, one of no small authority, but better at the Gown than Sword; and yet he did not only meddle in giving Counsel, but in issuing out Orders in the Camp; and thinking that Harcourt durst not give an assault, but that he endeavoured by feigned attempts to divert the Camp from that side, by which he thought to steal in the succour, he persisted so much in this opinion, as he would not alter his mind, though he saw Harcourt gotten to the top of the hill: And seeing a certain lower part of the line subject to be damnified, and not caring to defend it, he sent the Soldiers that had the guard thereof, into the field, and placed them in an eminent part without the line, thinking that defence might be better made there; but he was mistaken, and it proved to be of very bad consequence. Harcourt being gotten to the top of the Hill, and seeing his advantages, and the disadvantages of the Enemy, he began to hope well, and that he should be Conqueror that day, wherefore he cheerfully disposed of his men for an assault; and he himself, and Count de Plessis Pralin, who commanded that station, went to assault the upper part of the Trench; who having chased away those who were placed by Sermiento to guard the more higher outward part, they went to assault the upper part of the line, hoping to have the like success there; but it proved otherwise; for two Brigades of veterane Spaniards, who were long accustomed to War, being set to defend that place, the Assailants were thrice repulsed; but at the fourth assault, which was more fierce than the former, the Defendants were forced to yield; and at the same time that part of the lower Trench which was unfurnished of Defendants by Sermiento (as hath been said) being assaulted by Turenna, was easily broke through; so as the line being thrown open in two parts, the French, like a swift Torrent, (which having broken down the bank doth overflow the fields) burst in into the Spaniards quarters; and at the same time, Villa and Pianezza, did not only assist by way of diversion, in the plain, as they were ordered, but valiantly advancing they also broke into the Trench in the plain, which was much better munited then that upon the hill; a Fort munited with a good ditch stood opposite to them, which without any defence made, was taken by the Foot. So as they having forced the line below, at the same time that the other had broken into that upon the hill, they entered the line; and speedily making a Bridge, with materials which they found upon the place, to make the Horse pass over the ditch, which Villa made them forthwith do; so they passed in, and Turenna joined seasonably with them, who having but a few with him, pursued the disordered Enemy. The French being entered (as hath been said) on the hills side, divided themselves into three parts; one, which was the greatest, and which was led on by Count della Motta, fell on the left hand upon the Spanish quarters, which were upon the skirts of the hill; the other two, which were led on by Harcourt and Count Plessis, took to the right hand; and being come over against the Citadel were met by part of the Garrison thereof, and by many young men of Cassalle, who stood in ranks under the Artillery of the Citadel; and all of them jointly fell to pursue the Enemy, who abandoning their Trenches in great confusion, retreated partly because the French were entered the line of Circumvolution, on the hills side, and the Piedmontese on the plain; partly, because the Governor, hearing what had happened upon the hill, was gone to his quarters: So as finding themselves abandoned by their Commander in chief, and hearing the bad success upon the hill, they feared to be assaulted on the back, and confusedly gave over all defence: And such was the confusion, as they did not only not know what they had to do, but were so entangled within themselves, as the Pikes, without any distinction, mingled with the Musketeers. So being pursued by Villa and Turenna with their Horse, they were at first ill handled. The Dutch and Burgodians who kept the lower Trench, the assault or confusion not being yet come to them, kept their stations, and valiantly received and answered the Enemy. Marquis Caracena helped much to the extricating them out of this confusion, who coming in, where he saw the crowd of people intermingled and in disorder, out of mere madness and anger fell upon the French on the flank with a squadron of Horse that was at hand, routed them, and afforded conveniency to the others to rally, and put themselves in a posture of defence; and having freed them from the Enemy, seut them to recover a certain station which guarded a Bridge over the Gattola, and which was taken a little before by the French: Nor herewithal content, he rallied together many others that were scattered up and down the fields; and in the interim whilst he behaved himself courageously, every where, amidst greatest dangers, he received a mortal shot by a Musket thorough the left side, and was carried out of the field almost dead to a poor Cottage. But two other Champions came in to the rescue of the imminent ruin of the Camp; Carlo della Gatta, and Marquis Serra Gatta, being sent for by the Governor from his quarters at Frascinero, a little before the fight began, came in with a thousand Horse; and being come to the Camp when things were in greatest confusion, he advanced with his thousand Horse, and with some other that came in unto him, as near as he could to the Citadel, with keeping without reach of Cannon, where he drew up a powerful squadron in the open field, under the shelter whereof all that were disbanded and disordered, had safe refuge; and Marquis Serra being with his Italians in their quarters near the Po, heard the unexpected news of the rout, and therewith received strict and penal orders to retreat; and that since things were in disorder and ruin past all remedy, he should go with his men to beyond the Po over the next bridge, so to keep himself from the danger of the Enemy, who would quickly be upon his back. But he, though he were much astonished at the unexpected advertisement, did not forego the field, nor did he despa●…r of safety; but encouraging his men, he drew them into a squadron, and made himself strong in the field; and sending his Artillery to beyond the Po, stayed with his men in rank to keep back the Enemy who made towards him; so as many Soldiers who ran away escaped death under the shelter of his squadrons, as others had done under those of Gatta, not only Troops and Companies, but whole Brigades saved themselves under these two refuges. The Campmaster General, Don jovan Vasques Conrado, came under the shelter of Gatta and the Neapolitan Horse; as also the Brigade of Naples which was all Spaniards: Don Vincenzo Munsuriu's Brigade, that of Lombardy, that of Martino Maxica, and Battavilla's Brigade of the Burgondians, together with the Artillery which were drawn from off where they played against the City, and those which defended a little Fort, not far from the Burgondian battery; behind Serra came the Governor himself, with the greatest part of his Court, and part of the Artillery, who in stead of his threatened punishment gave Serra a thousand thanks for not having obeyed his orders. Serras own Brigade, those of Trotto and of Emilio Ghiglino, the Regiment of Swissers, and a Brigade of Papenheim's Dutch: And those that came under the shelter of Gatta went safe with the Artillery to Frassinero, and from thence to Bremi, by a bridge which was thrown over there; and those who received shelter by Serra past over the Po with their Artillery by a Bridge near his quarters, and got with all quiet safety to Allessandrino: so the retreat amidst so great a discomposure proved safe, and honourable, even to the admiration of the Conquerors; who doubting lest those who were rallied under these refuges might have regained the Victory, were contented with the relief which they had brought, which was the chief end of that days action: and ordered their men only to keep the Enemy from rallying, but not to provoke them to battle; and truly the counsel was not bad, for when the confusion was quieted, and the disorder over, the Spaniards had yet so many left alive, as, though they had not been able to keep out the relief, they were sufficient to have routed the conquerors, and to have taken the victory from them, so many Brigades as have been named remaining untouched; besides those who escaped away unhurt, and but little prejudiced, elsewhere; for the Dutch Regiment under Prince Borso, and the two Spanish Regiments, who had fought so valiantly upon the hill, were retreated safe and unpursued, making their advantage of the night, to Pontestura; the like befell some 400 who were placed upon the hill, without the Trenches, who rallied together in an upper plain near Saint Georgio, under Don Alonzo Vargas; moreover the foot of Frassinero's quarter, which had not fought at all, nor were not assaulted, were fresh, and untouched, about 5000 of the Horse were also undamnified; so as the Victory being gotten rather by industry, and valour, in having won the hills, then by much havoc and ruin of the conquered Army, the Governor might have kept the field with the remaining Forces, and have done what he pleased; but these things are thought upon when the danger is over, and when confusion is past, which bereaves the wisest of Reason; the Governor, who thought he had ventured too much already, thought rather how to save his men that were not yet routed, then to expose them to further hazard; out of these respects, the Governor chose neither to reassume the enterprise; nor to do what was thought by many of the Commanders would prove successful in the siege of Cassalle; who grounded their reasons upon the coming in of many men into Cassalle, and but little victuals, so as it must necessarily be brought soon to surrender: these advices were therefore far differing from the Governors' genius, who was cautious in all his actions, and too much cowed in this; the quarters under the hill fared otherwise, where there was no fight, nor battle, but downright plunder on the conquerors side, and running away on the conquered; the conquerors found the Enemy's quarters almost void of men, but full of booty: especially that of the Governor, wherein were not only great store of Silver-plate, and of other moveables belonging to the Governor, and so many other Lords and Commanders that lodged there; but also moneys, which were to be used in the enterprise, which all fell into the hands of the French; so as the Soldiers who were greedy of handling money, loved not to handle Iron, especially not having to employ it, for all the Enemies were fled; the Governors' Cabinet was also Sacked, wherein many secrets were found, and amongst the rest the of King Spain's cipher, with all writings of account; some of those that fled from hence got safe into Pontestura, not being pursued by any; but many of those very many which fled to the Bridge near Margherita, over the Po, were drowned; for they crowded so fast one upon another, as they fell by the sides of the Bridge into the River; and the great number of men, and cattle, and some carriages, did so overload the bridge, as one of the Boats whereon it was built, sank; and so great was the number as well of men, as cattle, and carriages, that were there drowned, as they filled up the vacancy of the Bridge; and those who were not yet passed over saved themselves by passing upon the dead Carcases: there were not above a thousand of the Soldiers slain in the battle; 2000 were wounded, and taken prisoners, amongst which some of the chiefest of the Army; those who perished in the Po were most of them victuallers, and the poorer sort of people who follow after the camp. Harcourt sent, generously, all the Governors' servant, who remained prisoners, to their Master; and Marquis Villa redeemed all those that belonged to Marquis Caracena, and to Vasques, and sent them to their Masters; the writings also were sent back for some sleight rewards disbursed, to those that had them in custody. Harcourt being victorious by so happy and so important a relief to a place of such concernment, with a number so far inferior to those that were fortified within their works, did not forget himself with this happy success: but having scarcely refreshed his men, and furnished the Citadel with some Victuals, he went two days after the victory towards Turin; and being desirous to purchase yet more glory, he thought he should have done nothing, unless he should also set the Citadel of Turin at liberty, and put the Dowager into the condition she was in, as she did earnestly request the King, his Agents, and Commanders, and as the King had strictly ordered his Commanders: this could not be done without the perfect recovery of the Citadel of Turin; whereunto he courageously betook himself, and whereunto he was much enheartned by the smallness of the Garrison that remained in the City, from whence the Governor had sent for a good part to before Cassalle, and Prince Thomaso had sent away 800 Horse: and he thought that but small succours would be brought from without for he held (for certain) that the Governor, from whom succour could only be expected, would not hazard the remainder of his men after having been so baffled and beaten in the relief of Turin, to the so great prejudice of the State of Milan; he moreover was put in greater hopes, by the scarcity as well of Victuals as of Warlike provisions, which he had learned by discourse was in that City; for he calculated that the French, Spanish, and Piedmontese, which one after another had been fed in that City, must have consumed all the Victuals that were there; and the Po being blocked up all the Winter, on the one side by Chiavazzo, on the other side by Carmagnuola, he thought it impossible it could be furnished by that river; and much less by land, by reason of the great scarcity of cattle that was in those parts; he thought there was greater want of Warlike provisions, by reason of the great profusion which necessarily must have been made thereof the preceding Winter, in the many Mines, Batteries, Assaults, and Fights between the City and the Citadel; he also built much upon the Citizens good will; not so much out of the inclination which many of them might privately have unto the Dowager, as of the meaner sort of people, who living upon their handy work, which was fed by continual concourse and traffic, they could not hold out long, the Gates of the City being shut up, so as it was thought impossible that they should hold out a siege long; all which things though they had an appearance of truth, yet the sequel showed that they were badly calculated; for none of them cooperated to that Victory which was thought so sure; for the City (as was afterwards known) was provided with victuals more than needed; and as for warlike provision, (which was that which they wanted most) they wanted not witty new inventions, whereby they got enough thereof; they might want Defendants to free the City from siege, but not to defend it; the people, and all the Citizens, kept always constant in defence of the City, and stuck close to the Prince; and, what made most for the main affair, the Governor of Milan, contrary to Harcourts' supposal, appeared within a few days with a powerful Army before the City ready to relieve it; for having a little digested the misfortune at Cassalle, he feared (as it fell out) that the Enemy would forthwith come before Turin; and knowing how weak the Garrison was, and what scarcity of Warlike provision there was in the City, he immediately sent 1500 Soldiers thither, part Italians; under Marquis Sirrah, and Vercelline Viscount; and part Burgondians, under the Baron di Vattevilla, all of them choice and Veteran Soldiers; to which about 4000 others of several nations being added, which remained under Bolognino in defence of the City, they amounted to well near 5500 Foot, who were all to obey Don Antonio Sotelo General of the Artillery of the State of Milan; who was sent thither with supreme authority to command all the King of Spain's Forces; many loads of powder, and other warlike tackling, were added to this succour; & the Governor Writ fervently to the Prince, encourageing him to persevere in defending the Town, and promising him that, to boot with these succours, he would come thither himself shortly with a powerful Army to relieve him; and set him at liberty; and telling him that what had happened at Cassalle was but a trick of Fortune, and had rather dispersed then discomfited his men; that he stayed now to rally them under his Colours; to the end that with them, and with others which he expected very shortly from other parts, he might come and relieve him and the City; All those that were sent by the Governor got luckily into Turin; and Don Mauritio got thither also, who was returned with the Prince his Horse from Cassalle, though somewhat lessened by Harcourts' Cannon which thundered from the hills; but little powder could be brought in for want of Wagon horses; and the ways being afterwards blocked up, and possessed by the En my, the rest could not enter without much prejudice to the Enterprise; especially for that Prince Thomaso had sent 400 Horse before the ways were blocked up, to be a conduct to that Munition, which Horse was not suffered to return for the aforesaid blocking up of the ways; so the Prince was not only deprived of that provision, but also of those Horse, which had he had them, he would doubtlessly have made greater impressions upon the Enemy by sallies than he did; but now he was forced to be more circumspect in his night Assaults: 3000 Citizens, able to bear Arms, were added to the King's men, who were employed in descending the City, and also many Country people, who were come thither for refuge, who were a great help in their handiworks; so as the Prince, though he wanted fight men and warlike ammunition, yet finding that the Governor was mindful of him, and of preserving the City, and taking that assistance which he had already sent as a Token of what he would do in the future, he was not wanting to himself, in doing what he could, in so short a time, to defend the City. Turin stands in a large and pleasant Plain, twelve miles Eastwards from the Alps; the Po runs almost within a Bow-shot of it on the East side, and on the North the Dora comes almost to one Angle of the City; and a little beyond la Dora runs lafoy Stura, both which Rivers fall into the neighbouring Po: on the South side runs the Sagone, rather a Torrent then a River, which falls also into the Po over against Cav●…reto. The City thus situated is divided into three parts, the new City, the old City, and the Citadel. The new City joins to the old on the South, they are only divided by a Wall, but are both enclosed within a Wall; and as the new Town advanced a little further than the old towards the Po, so not thrusting out so far towards the Alps it leaves a spacious Plain, whereon the Citadel stands; which being further from the Po then the City wants not only the conven●…nces which she might receive by the neighbourhood thereof, but not being able to command the River cannot debar it from Navigation. The Citadel is a Pentagon: The circuit of both the old and new City is flanked round about with Bulwarks and with Ditches. The Prince when he was master of it did not believe he should be forced to defend it from without, but employed himse●…f totally against the Citadel, and neglected securing the City on the out side, but learning, by what had happened at Cassalle, that instead of minding the taking of the Citadel, it behoved him to take care of descending the City, he fell with all speed and diligence to fortify it from any assault that might be made from without; and leaving smaller matters, his chiefest care was to defend the Bridge over the Po, which, as whilst it was in his hands it kept the way open for the bringing of succour, which he expected would be brought from the Governor; so when it should be taken by the enemy, it kept out any succour that might be brought by that way; for then the reliever must find some other way to pass his Army over the River, which was almost impossible to do in the face of a powerful enemy. This Bridge is made of Stone, and is the best that crosses the Po; at the left side of the foot thereof, towards Turin, stands a little Burrough; the other which stands on the right side lies under a little hill, upon which there is a Church, and a Covent of Capuchins; and this side being all hilly, other higher hills stand above that of the Capuchins, one above another. The Prince munited this Bridge at both ends with Trenches; nor herewithal contented, he munited very well the aforesaid Church and Covent; and, Moreover, built a little Fort upon another higher hill which overlooked the Monastery: he put 300 Foot into these Fortifications, and Victuals, and Ammunition sufficient for fifteen days, within which time he hoped the Governor would appear with his Army. These Works were not fully finished, when the French Army appeared on three sides; the first that appeared having blocked up the Passes of Susa, Lanza and the Canevese, advanced to the City towards the Dora, and the new Park, which answers upon that Angle of the City which is called the green Bulwark, and which includes the Duke's Palace and Gardens, in defence whereof the Prince had made a sudden Trench, form like a pair of Shears; the other quartered on the upper hill, above the Church and Covent of the Capuchins; and the third, passing the Po at Montcalleri by a wooden Bridge that is there, advanced to the Palace Valentino; whereof, after a small Skirmish, making themselves masters, they the next night took the Burrow, which (as we said) stands between the City and the Bridge; and not meeting with any resistance there, they assaulted the Bridge where they found some resistance; but having mortally wounded the Captain, who did defend it, they made themselves also masters thereof: the Garrison retiring towards the Monastery, as to an advantageous place; which was not able neither to keep there long; for the little Fort which (as hath been said) was built, and fortified by the Prince above the Monastery, was at the same time assaulted and taken by those who had taken up their quarters upon the hill which was above that Fort: whence playing upon the Covent which was beneath, they easily took it, though they were manfully fought with; for at a third assault the assailants entered the place, and from thence went to the Church, whither the defendants had retreated; where, without any respect to the holiness of the place, they put all to the sword that were there, except the Officers; and sacking, moreover, not only such secular things as were brought thither as into a place of safety; but without any distinction laid hands upon such as were sacred, and dedicated to divine worship; by which good success waxing more bold, and meeting with no opposition (for the Prince being desirous to keep his men within the Walls, would not go out) they did not only give themselves to better the Fortifications which they there found, but joined another Fort which they themselves made, to that which the Prince had erected above the Monastery; which commanded all the other Fortifications, even those of the Bridge: they likewise fortified the heads of the Bridge better; and extending their Trenches towards the Burrow, they placed a very strong Garrison there of 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse, which were commanded by Count Plessis Pralin: the rest of the Army was distributed into several quarters about the City; the Inhabitants whereof were the same day so enclosed within their walls by theenemies Army, as they could not hear news of any succour from the Governor; unless it were by various inventions which they found, and which did often deceive them, by which they informed the Governor of what straits they were in, and sometimes received hopes of succour. The Governor was much troubled at the scarcity of powder that was in the City; wherefore he sent Carlo della Gatta with 2000 Horse to Inurea, that he might endeavour by a greater force to bring in that Ammunition which was left there, but it proved in vain; for lafoy Gatta being come with that Ammunition to Cassalle, five miles from Turin, and having found conveniency to inform the Prince of all things, he was willed by him to retreat; for that it was impossible for him to get into the City, he being first to overcome La Stura and La Dora, which were then munited with strong French Garrisons; but in his return passing through the Canavese, he found the Town of St. Mauricio taken again by the French, and ready to be sacked, which he freed with the death of all the French, whom he put to the sword. Harcourt kept this mean while in the Vallentino, expecting that the people should rise in the City, as the Prince and the Governor did, when they came first before it the preceding year. But this proved in vain; for for all that he could do, there was not any one amongst the Soldiers who was discovered to comply with the Dowager, or were blemished so much as with any such thought, but all of them during the whole siege proved faithful to the Prince. Wherefore Harcourt failing every day more and more of effecting his desire by that way, he tried another; Lafoy Dora falls a little above the City, by a cleft into a Channel which conveys water to the Mills, which serve the people with grist. He therefore gave order that that cloven should be damned up with earth by night; so as the Mills not being able to go for want of water, the City which abounded in Corn, began to want bread: For there were only two hand-mills within the Town, which could not possibly supply so great a multitude with grist; so as the City was in a short time like to be famished for want of bread, though it abounded in Corn. Harcourt resolved to reduce the City yet to greater extremities, and to make it altogether despair of succour, with hopes whereof being fed, it patiently suffered all hardships: For at last he began to draw a line of Circumvolution; which beginning from the bank of the Po, about a Musket-shot above the Vallentino, ran along the plain towards the West, and came to the Church Della Crocetta, just over against the Citadel; and then winding about the Citadel, came to the great Edifice called La Porporata; and continued to the Dora, crossing with it came to the little house which is called Bianchina; and then declining by the Madalene, to the mouth of the same River; where being broken off by the source or course of water, it was reassumed again, and terminated in the neighbouring banks of Po; a compass of eight miles, which being furnished with small Forts and other works was divided into six quarters; wherein the French and Piedmontese Armies were thus distributed. Count Plessis Pralin, the first Marshal of the Camp, was quartered from the bridge to the Parco. This quarter contained within it the Burgo, and the fortifications of the bridge, and of the Capuchins hills: From Vallentino, where the line began towards La Crochetta, and so forwards towards Lafoy Porporata, La Dora, and Le Cassine divia d' Albera, was General Harcourt quartered, and with him the Viscount Di Turenna, Camp-marshal of the French Horse: The Circumvolution made a great bow from one bridge upon the Dora, to another bridge below the Parco, and near the Po; to which La Dora served as a string: wherein Ill Signeior della Motta Odencourt, field Marshal, was first quartered; who commanded a small body, part Foot, part Horse; who were left by Duke Longueville, and were subordinate only to General Harcourt. But afterwards the Porparata was assigned him for his quarter, together with a good part of the line on both sides, and with him were Villa and Pianezza quartered with the French and Piedmontese Horse. The Citizens of Turin saw themselves thus surrounded, and as it were imprisoned, and were not able of themselves to break the line, which did not only threaten their liberties, but their lives and fortunes. And in these great straits all their hopes lay in being relieved by the Governor; which they were day by day informed should be ere long: For he having rallied his men, and reinforced his Camp, was come from Vercelli to Crescentino, and by a bridge thrown over the River there, marched strait to Cheri, where having stayed some days to get his men together, he endeavoured by all possible means to get near the City, to free both it and the Prince from siege; in which time the Prince desirous either to try the Enemy's Forces, or to give a trial of his, sallied very strong both in Horse and Foot by night out of the City, and fell upon La Motta's quarter, which was at the Magdalene beyond the Dora; and charging him whilst they were all a sleep, his men entered even into the Rendezvous of Arms of that quarter, wounding and killing many before they could put themselves in a defensive posture; which proved not such, but that after having done them much prejudice, the Prince might get to within the shelter of the Cannon of the City, whereinto he retreated with little loss to himself, and more to the Enemy. This action revived the spirits of the besieged, and much more the bringing back of the water of Dora to the Mills, which was done by the Citizens; a great band whereof, backed by a squadron of Musketeers, went out of the City, and coming to where the water was damned up, broke as much of the earth which closed the orifice, as made way enough for water to turn four wheels; and the next night the current of the River broke down the rest, so as the water came plentifully into the Channel, much to the comfort of the City, which thereby got bread enough. To these two happinesses, which amidst so many evils appeared to be great ones; a third, yet greater, was added at the same time. The relieving Army appeared at the last upon the highest of the Capuchins hills, on the twentieth day after the Enemy appeared, and the one and thirtieth after the business of Cassalle. In this Army were 4000 Horse, 700 Dragoons, and 12000 Foot; to whom were added no small recruits both of Foot and Horse, sent by the Prince Cardinal, and 600 Mountainers, who being by the War driven out of their houses had desperately taken up Arms. This so goodly Army was not only a terror, but a wonder to the French; who (thinking that the whole Spanish Forces had been defaced by the Victory gotten at Cassalle) could not believe that they could be so soon got together, and brought to dispute the business with them; and being but few in number themselves, and not sufficient to munite so great a Oircumvolution, they much doubted what the success would be; the Governor was fully resolved to do nothing herein, but was furthest out of the reach of fortune, and what might be gotten with least danger and effusion of blood. Wherefore be resolved to bring the relief by that part of the hills which was situated a long the River of Po; and particularly there where the Enemy had fortified above the Covent of the Capuchins and the bridge; and where when they should have taken the Fort which was built by the French, and which was above them all, they might command all the lower fortifications and the bridge; in which case he might have an open way to come with his men to the City, and not only bring what relief was requisite to the besieged, but by discomfiting the Enemy would have raised the siege; and would have largely revenged himself for the blow he received before Cassalle. This design would have succeeded happily, if the Governor had been so diligent in executing it, as the Prince was in assisting him: For guessing by the appearing of the relieving Army from those hills, and the rather by some lights, that the Governor would assault the upper Fort that very night; he went out when it grew duskish, with all his men, out of the Town, and drew near the bridge, intending to assault it when he should hear the assault given from above; by which being likely to make a great diversion, he might have much assisted the Governor in his assault. But the Governor who would consult with his Commanders what was to be done concerning the main affair, before he would do any thing, put off the execution till the next day; by which delay the Prince being frustrated in his expectation, retired to the City; and the French were very careful to lay bare the Fort, that very night taking the earth from it towards the Enemy's Camp, and so made it unacceffible and impregnable. And because they saw all the Enemies force drawn up thither; they called all the best Soldiers and Commanders of the Camp, as if Harcourt foresaw how much the getting or losing of Turin lay in the keeping or loss thereof. The Governor seeing, the next day, how hard the taking of that place was made by that night's work, he forbore assaulting it, and kept four days upon those Hills, upon which having raised some batteries, he played upon the lower fortifications; and the French, that they might free themselves of that molestation, sallied out one night very strong upon the Enemy's Works, to the end that if they got no other good else thereby, they might at least cloy the Ordnance, and free themselves of the mischief they received thereby; but meeting with stout resistance, they were repulsed with loss, and forced to retreat to their own fortifications. And yet the Governor knowing that the laying of them levelly with the ground made but little for the main business, and that to beat down Forts, which would be continually repaired by the neighbouring Army, was to no purpose; and that the City being straightened on many sides, he resolved to change his quarters, and to go to Montcalleri, which is a great Town upon the right hand of the Po, a little above Valentino, where there is a wooden bridge over the River, which is strong and safe enough; which the Governor thinking to make himself master of, that he might pass thereby over the River, when he could not do so by that of the Capuchins; he when he came first upon the hills, sent a Regiment of Dragoons to take the Town and Bridge. The Town was abandoned at the first appearance of the Dragoons, and the Bridge was at the same time burnt; so as the taking of the Town made nothing at all for the Governors' purpose; for he must find means to make another good and solid Bridge, whereby to pass over his Army, if he would effect the intended succour; he therefore ordered Carlo della Gatta, to go with a good strength of men to Montcalleri, and to throw over another Bridge a little above that which the French had burnt, where two Islands were made by the Po, which were very commodious for the passage. La Gatta went thither, and past over 500 Soldiers in boats to the other shore, under Sergeant Major Lomelino, by which those who defended the further shore being beaten back, he began a Fortification upon the bank which he had won; that it might serve to keep back the enemy, if they should oppose the throwing over of the Bridge; but as soon as Harcourt heard of the enemies being passed over, and of the Fortifications which they made there, considering of what importance it might be, if the enemy should enter on that side, and accost their Trenches, he forthwith sent the Viscount di Turenna to disturb the Work; who went with a great body of Musketeers, and was followed by Harcourt's self, with a great strength of men to back him, if there should be occasion. The place where Lomelino fortified himself was environed, for the most part, with a great ditch full of the water of the Po; the Soldiers being afraid, and not daring to pass over it, Turenna, to upbraid their cowardliness, threw himself, with some of the chiefest that were about him, into the ditch, and undauntedly passed over it, though the water came up to his breast; the Soldiers being thereby encouraged did all follow him; and surrounding the enemy who were busy in fortifying themselves, and others coming in by where the ditch came short, a fierce Skirmish began, wherein the assaulted, not able to save themselves by retreating fought stoutly; but Turenna, who fought amongst the foremost, receiving a sleight hurt in the heat of the conflict, was reported to be dead, at which the assailants grew so enraged, as being recruited by new men which continually came in, they began to fight desperately, killing not only those who fought, but those who yielded; and being superior both in number and in force, they slew them all, part whereof perished by the sword, and part were drowned in the water. Lomelino's self, who was taken prisoner, could find no mercy with the enraged rout, who refusing great sums of money to save his life, allayed their anger in his death; by which cruel action the Spaniards being highly incensed, they likewise grew cruel, so the conflict began to be very bloody. The French were much rejoiced at this happy success, who having already kept the Spaniards twice from passing over the River thought themselves sure of Victory; and made public fires of joy in the Camp, witnessing it with three Volleys of Muskets, and with discharging their great Guns; but the City was as sad, and the Spanish Camp grew very diffident, both of them finding how hard a business it would be to pass over the River; wherefore it appearing impossible for them to relieve the City as they intended, they began to consult how to do it by diversion, by going to Carmagnuola, thinking that the French would not suffer Carmagnuola to be apparently lost, for the uncertain hope of taking Turin; and the Prince himself, seeing how hard it would be for them to pass over there, advised them to go higher up, toward Villa franca, 22 miles above Turin, where the River being foordable, they might throw over a Bridge without any opposition; but Villa franca was judged to be too far off, and that the march would prove incommodious, as well in their going, as in their returning; and so great a march so near the enemy was not likely to be made without being forced to fight; wherefore that resolution was not taken; and yet the Governor had so great a desire to relieve the Prince, as he attempted to pass over once more, a little below Montcalleri, where the Po dividing itself into three branches makes other two small Islands, more commodious for passage then the former two above Montcalleri, which had been unfortunately attempted; and though the River was much swollen by the fall of waters, and that the further shore, over against these Islands, was well munited with Trenches and Garrisons; yet he resolved to send the same Gatta, with greater Forces than before, to make a trial. Gatta, being come to the shore side placed some pieces of Artillery there; and embarquing some Soldiers in some Shallops, he passed them over by night into the Islands; who when the Soldiers were landed, they began to send over materials for Fortification in the same Sciffs; so as they made Trenches, with great diligence, in the second Islands, before day break, and before the enemy were aware; but at last being awakened by the going off of a Musket, which unfortunately took fire, they presently put themselves in defence. This going off of the Muske●…, instead of disturbing them in their Works, made them work the harder; so as, about break of day, the Islands were wholly covered with Trenches, and in a good posture of defence: both the Generals hasted immediately to the two several shores, to provide against so sudden and so unexpected an accident; upon which the main affair of the whole business was thought by both parties to depend; by the Spaniards, for encouraging the enterprise; by the French, for the disturbance thereof. The French strove five times to fortify their shore with new & better Fortifications; but were still beaten off by Musket-shot from the Islands, and by Cannon, charged with small bullets, from the opposite shore, with great slaughter to their men; notwithstanding that the chiefest of the Army were sent for thither to defend it; nay, though Soldiers were drawn thither out of the Citadel, and the Governor of the Citadel invited to come and hinder the passing over; but, at last, giving over the defence of their shore, Harcourt withdrew his men so far inward, as they were out of the reach of the Spaniards Muskets which were placed on the side of the Island, and made them stand ready to play upon those whom they should see first appear upon the assaulted shore. The Spaniards, when they saw the shore abandoned, failed not to throw over their Bridge, and to fortify the head thereof; where they began a Halfmoon; about the making whereof whilst a hundred Soldiers were very busy, a good strength of Horse and Foot appeared on the shore to hinder the work, and to drive away the Workmen; who according to Orders which they had r●…ceived retreated over the Bridge back into the Island; and the Bridge not being yet well fastened, broke, so as 25 of them fell into the River, and were unfortunately drowned; yet a h●…il of Muske●…-shot, mixed with the thunder of Cannon, continuing from the Islands, which made much slaughter amongst the French who were upon the Plain beyond the River, Harcourt was forced to cause a Retreat to be beaten, and not only to abandon the shore, but even the Plain, which was full of dead bodies; and retreated to within the line of circumvolution, leaving the Passage free to the enemy; who fastening the Bridge better, passed over the Po victoriously, and became masters of the Plain, which they had valiantly won, and much to their glory; as many of the French, if not more, were here slain, as were Spaniards in the first attempt; and many of them were wounded, amongst which the Governor of the Citadel, and many of the Soldiers of the Citadel were slain; so as expecting to be assaulted within their Trenches, the French fell diligently to finish their line of circumvolution, making new Forts thereupon for their more safety; and Harcourt having found by experience what scarcity of bread the besieged underwent by taking away the water from their Mills; he attempted once more to take it away by a greater diversion; he therefore immediately caused greater banks to be thrown up against the mouth of the Channel; which being the worst of evils that the City could undergo, the Citizens, and the Prince endeavoured to disturb that work; and to put the water into its wont course: but they could not do it, for a great many of the French assisting in the work defended the Workmen, and kept the enemy from hurting them, and from impeding the work; but going thither afterwards with greater forces, they made a gap which brought water to three Mills; but this lasted but a while, for the bank was quickly made up, and the Mills went dry as before; yet some Hand-mills being in this interim made, the scarcity was by continual labour lessened; and the City was somewhat better provided of bread; but the people were more afflicted, when hoping by the Armies so glorious and so victorious passage over the River, to see it apply itself presently to their relief and freedom, they saw it lie idle in the Plain which it had won, and that it did not any thing to show that it c●…red for the welfare of the besieged, which made them all complain grievously. That which kept the Governor from acting, was, that he might fortify himself in the place which he had taken, against the ●…allying out of the enemy; and that it might not be in the power of the enemy to draw him out to battle there, where having the Po upon his back, he had no where whereby to retreat, in case of of ill fortune, but by that narrow Bridge, which he had caused to be thrown over; but when he had fortified he was not over diligent in assaulting the enemy's Trenches, as if he intended not to hazard his Army under the enemy's Fortifications; preferring therefore cautious, before courageous counsels, and the preserving of the King's Territories before the●…e re●…et of Turin; he aimed at keeping the French Army from Victuals, and at forcing it to quit the siege rather by Famine, then by the Sword: and thus, without adventuring or hazarding the King's Forces to free the City, and the Prince, and yet to preserve his Army against any unthought of accident which might happen, the French Forces being in Piedmont. The Prince's intentions were diametrically contrary to these; who thinking it reasonable that for the preservation of himself, his Sisters and the City, all the King's Forces and Interests were to be hazarded, held it also necessary to be done so for the safety of the State of Milan; for all Piedmont being to be lost by the loss of Turin, he held that that State would be but badly preserved after such a loss; and he the Prince not being a bare Captain or Governor of a Town, he thought he ought not to suffer himself to be reduced to such extremes, as that he might afterwards be necessitated to beg his life, or at least his liberty, of the Conqueror; that therefore it became him, when he might see from a far off that it was impossible for him to hold out, and that he could not be relieved, to prevent surrendering, by Articles suiting with his condition. These complaints went accompanied with tacit protestations, that he would accept of the large promises made him by the King of France, if he would yield to the treaties of agreement which were yet on foot; alleging and giving out, that if the Governohr would carry on affairs, aiming only at the King's private interests, he ought not to wonder, if he the Prince, passing by the common concerns, should advise and govern himself, according to his private ends, and those of his house. These were the debates and altercations which passed between the Prince and Governor during the whole Siege, whilst the Prince complained that he was abused in his expectation, not seeing any effect of so many promises, nor of his hoped for succour; and the Governor, that he was drawn into precipices, as concerning the common cause, by the Prince, and by the too courageous attempt propounded by him; which tended not to the good leading on of the succour, but to the apparent ruin of the Army, and of the whole enterprise; which would certainly be brought to a good and honourable issue, by safer and more cautious Counsels. Thus the Prince, who was naturally stout and courageous, detested the Governors' comportments, and accused him of timerousness, and sometimes of double dealing; and the Governor, the more he saw the Prince desirous to hazard all, upon the fortune of a general assault, the more he thought his Counsels and Proposals to be destructive: he therefore would not be drawn from his resolution of delivering the almost famished City, by famishing the French Army: he therefore sent his Cavalry to overrun the Country, and forage the highways by which Victuals might be brought to the enemy's Camp; and he found his counsel to be good; for he daily heard news of the intercepting of Victuals. This his design was also more authenticated by Letters written from the Dowagers Agents to the General, which were intercepted, wherein he was told that he was not to build much upon any help from Savoy, unless he would keep the ways open for succours from else where; and the sequel did approve of the Governors' counsel; for Victuals growing very scant in the French Camp, their Soldiers would come to the Walls of the City, and beg a piece of bread, which sometimes was given them even by the Prince his permission; and for that the City wanted Grass and Forage for Horses more than bread, a bartering was agreed upon between the besiegers and besieged for Grass and Straw, for bread; a great sign of the extreme want the besiegers were reduced to. The Prince complained grievously of the Governor, and propounded sometimes one thing, sometimes another, that he might be once free of the misery he was in; but he was not at all moved therewith; he was more moved by the treaties of agreement which were still kept on foot between the Prince and the French Agents, and with the great offers that were made the Prince, if he would adhere to France, and forego Spain, and if he and his Brother would quit all claim of Regency to the Dowager; wherefore it became the Governor to be very careful of distasting the Prince, lest being alured by the French offers, and scandalised at his proceedings, he might embrace the former; wherefore the Prince proposing, finally, that since he continued constant in overcoming the French by famine, it would be better for him to leave a competent Garrison in Montcalleri, which might secure that Bridge, which kept the way open between his Camp and the parts beyond the Po; and to go with the rest of the Army to Giuliascho and Collegno, Towns three miles on the back of Turin, upon the way which leads to Pinarollo, and Susa; for that by residing in Collegno, which is situated upon the Dora, he would not only block up the aforesaid ways of Susa and Pinarvole; but those of the Canavese and of Piedmont; by which the enemy's Camp would be formally besieged, and would be forced for fear of famine to rise in a short time. The Governor, were it either that he approved of this advice, or that he desired to like whatsoever the Prince proposed, (provided that he were not thereby to hazard his men;) resolved to follow it, the rather for that he was counselled so to do by the Count Sirvela, who was Ambassador in extraordinary from the King of Spain, to the Commonwealth of Genoa; a Gentleman of excellent parts, and who was then in the Camp, and by whom the Governor was much ruled; and who, having by the King's appointment been aiding to the carrying on of the main affair in all this Campagnia, had had his share therein. The Governor therefore had already constituted Don Luigi Ponze, Diego Lion, Commander of 2000 Foot and 800 Horse, who were to be left for the safety of that quarter, when he should go with the rest of his men to those Towns: This advice was also furthered by news from France, that the King being at last moved by the imminent danger of this enterprise, if speedy succour should not be sent, had taken order to send good recruits both of men and victuals to the Camp in Piedmont. But on a sudden, (nor was it known upon what occasion) the Governor cut his resolution in two, which certainly would have been better for the full accomplishment of the enterprise, if it had been entirely executed as the Prince advised: He sent Don Carlo della Gatta with a good number of Horse, and with about 4000 Foot to Collegno, to the end that quartering and fortifying himself there he should do what▪ the whole Camp was to have done if it had gone thither, which was, to block up all the avenues from succour and victuals. Gatta passed successfully on with his men to the place appointed, by the way of Mille Fiori; though a thousand Horse went coasting along by him, which came out of the line of Circumvolution: For the Prince sallying at the same time out of the City, had fallen upon the Enemy's quarters toward the Dora; and the Governor was gone to give a feigned Alarm to Vallentino; and the Garrison of Cheri, being recruited by the Tradesmen, had at the same time assaulted the fortifications which were above the Capuchins. So as the French being diverted into many parts could not much impede Gatta in his passage; who coming to Collegno, drove out the French Garrisen, and being master thereof, began immediately to fortify it better: The Governor also instead of taking Grugliaseo, look Bianesco, which stands upon another way which leads from Pinarvolo, but a little lower than Graliasco; and consequently nearer the quarters of Montcalleri, by which the besieging Camp was somewhat more straightened, and almost as much besieged as the City. The taking of Collegno caused much jealousy in Harcourt, who apprehended that his Trenches might rather be assaulted on that side then elsewhere; and they being weaker than the rest, he put stronger Garrisons into them, and fortified them better towards Collegno; the same day that G●…ta came to Collegno he met with a fair occasion of intercepting a great conduct of Victuals, as he did; and of routing a Regiment of the Dowagers which served for a Convoy thereunto: he also defeated 500 Horse, and 500 Foot of Count Verrua's; which were coming from Susa to the Camp, and either slew almost all of them, or took them Prisoners, except the Count, who got safe with some Horse to the Camp Vincenzo della Marra, a Neapolitan Gentleman, took also 60 load of Corn and utterly defeated the Convoy; and the Governor having sent the Horse of his quarters towards Millefiori had a gallant Skirmish with the Enemy, where the Corpse de guard, which were therein was totally put to the sword; at the same time, or a little before, the French having thrown a Bridge over the Dora, between the Meadows called Vanchiglia, and the New-Park, which made very much for Communication between the quarters of the Burgo, and of the Capuchins, with those beyond the Dora, the Prince took a fancy to try whether he could deprive the enemy, or no, of that conveniency, and free the City of the inconvenience which might result by the communication of those quarters by means of that Bridge; he to this purpose Sallied out by night very strong, both in Horse and Foot; and though he cut the Ropes in sunder which fastened the bridge on this side, yet the enemy easily mended it, and put it into its former condition, and made some fortifications for the safety thereof; the Prince being desirous to attempt the same again, he sent Don Mauritio with 300 Horse, thither, and Marquis Serra with two squadrons of Foot, one Spanish, one Italians; these sent Fra. jovan Pallavicino with some Foot to discover the Bridge; who finding it newly fortified, whilst some sleight Skirmishes passed between him and the Enemy, they might see five companies of Horse come from the Borgo, and advance towards them, to cut them off from joining with their companions; against which Don Mauritio's Cavalry advancing, Fra. jovanni had conveniency to withdraw to a place of Safety, and incorporated himself with Serra, who went not only to shelter Don Mauritio's Cavalry with his squadrons of Musketeers, but to fall upon the enemy's Horse, which were forced with much loss to face about, and get into a place of safety: and though some other squadrons of Horse came from Vallentino to relieve him, yet they came not time enough; for they were detained by the Cannon which played from the works of the City, and by musket-shot which poured down from the Walls; but the Bridge not being ruined neither by this second attempt, the Prince threw another Bridge over the same River, that he might pass over to the other shore when he pleased, and receive any succour that might come by that way; a difficult business; for all the Bank beyond the River was defended by a Battery levelled against the Mills; but the knowledge that Marquis Villa (who together with Pianezza was quartered there) was gone with most part of the Piedmontese Horse elsewhere; and the Enterprise being intended at the third hour of the Sun, when the night Guards being relieved grow remiss, encouraged them to the Enterprise, which was wholly given to B●…lognino, who going forth with Horse and Foot, threw over the Bridge with little loss, over which the Foot passed the next day; part of them were sent towards the Park, against some Foot which guarded a Redout, which was over the against the old broken bridge of the Park; which Redout being assaulted, and the Defendants cut in pieces, was taken; the other part went to assault a body of men who guarded a half Cannon, placed over against the new bridge; who being routed, the half Cannon fell into the assailants hands, which they began to draw towards the Dora; but Pianezza hearing thereof strove to repair the loss. He therefore headed two squadrons of French Horse which were in that place, and the ordinary Troop, and spurred on a pace to assault the Enemy's Horse; and skirmishing fiercely with them, (the half Cannon and those that carried it away put to flight;) the Foot with some of the Horse past back over the Dora, the rest were chased by Pianezza towards the Park; yet were the takers but little prejudiced; for the Enemy having in the heat of the pursuit left the half Cannon behind them, they immediately took it again, and brought it to the banks of the Dora, where it was under good shelter; and being impossible to be recovered, it was carried in triumph into the City. But the French were as well damnified by the Garrison within the City, as by the Army without; for together with the continual pressure of victuals, the Garrison of Collegno having ransacked the Country as far as Pinarvolo, had spoiled the mills which were not far from that Town; and put the Town in such a terror, as it kept the Gates shut for many days. And Gatta going with 1000 Horse afterwards into those parts, fell upon St. Secondo, a Town near Pinarvolo, where he killed 200 Dragoons, and took their Captain Prisoner. The Prince Cardinal's Horse likewise, which were sent (as hath been said) to the Spanish Camp, being come from Beinesco under Count Broglio, fell upon Rivalta, cut the Garrison in pieces, and made themselves Masters of the Town; by these successes affairs proceeded well for the relief of the City, and but ill-favoredly for the besieging Army; which was yet much more straightened by famine, and which was very grievous within the time of Circumvolution, no victuals being possible to be brought thither, so closely were all the Avenues blocked up; insomuch as they were forced to make use of that small remainder of Victuals which was in the Citadel, whereat the Governor thereof complained much, who being forced to obey the Generals command protested that he would give over his charge merely for want of victuals, and that he must be forced to surrender the Citadel, when the Army through famine should be necessitated to raise the siege; but Harcourt cared but little for all those words and protestations, as knowing that if the siege should be raised, the Citadel must inevitably be lost; ●…nor herewithal content, he laid hand upon the victuals which were le●…t for the sustenance of the Garrison in Chiavazzo which did but ill supply the want of the famished army; so as Harcourt who thought to have furnished Turin by siege, did famish his own camp, the the Citadel, and Chiavazzo; and had he continued long in this condition, the City had not only been freed by famine, but the Citadel and Chiavazzo would have been taken by the relieving Army; and the Camp was already brought to that low condition, as the daily allowance of bread ceasing, some few ounces of Rice taken from the Citadel, were in lieu thereof distributed amongst the Common Soldiers; nor fared the Captains any better; and yet Harcourt persevered constant in his resolution of taking the City; nay, being offered composition by the Nuntio, he would not listen to it: but as if he had been Conqueror, demanded that the City might be absolutely delivered to him, which he would keep in the Duke's name during the Dowagers Regency; and as if he had been certain of what was to ensue, he protested he would continue the siege, till such time as the Horses that were in Turin should have eaten all the Hay and Forage that was in the City, and the men all the Horses; he moreover continued making great offers to the Prince: in so much as such constancy being altogether contrary to the Genius of the French, who are impatient of suffering, it caused much wonder in all men, who confessed that the French did therein not only outdo themselves, but did even outdo the Spaniards, who are excellent good at suffering; but it was now almost impossible that the business could hold out any longer: for the Soldiers having undergone all the extremes which it was possible for humane nature to tolerate, many of them fell sick, many died, and many ran away, some into the City, some into the Spanish Camp: and every one of them relating their share of the great extremities that the besiegers were in, they occasioned (which was miraculous) so various, differing, and contrary opinions between the Prince and the Governor, as the result thereof proved almost the utter ruin of the common affairs, and the safety of the French: the Prince, who grew daily more and more impatient of delay, and infinitely desirous to see himself freed from siege by a general assault, thought it was now high time to assault a body of an Army which was languishing, afflicted, and macerated by famine, sufferings, and assiduous labour, and which seemed not fit to manage Arms, and could but ill bear with the Governors phlegmatic patience, who ruling rather like a Cunctator then Dictator, persisted the more in his resolution of overcoming by sitting still, for that he saw the Enemy reduced to the utmost brink of necessity, and that the main aff●…ir consisted in having patience for a few days: But the news which was divulged of the great succour both of men and meat which was sent from France, and was already arrived in Piedmont, troubled the Prince above all things else, fearing that if it should come before the Siege was raised, all the Governors' calculations would be subverted, and the siege would be reduced to its former condition, with little hopes that the Governor, who would not move when he had so fair an occasion of overcoming, should hazard his men in keeping off the succour, or in relieving the City, when he should see the Enemy's Camp recruited with men, strengthened, and invigoured by the great supply of victuals. The scarcity that was in the City of gunpowder, did make the Prince more desirous to see an end of so great anxiety before so necessary a sustenance of defence should fail: And amongst all these agitations of mind, great jealousies and suspicions were not wanting, making him believe, or lest doubt, that the Governor by whom he thought he was abandoned at the Ponte della Rotta, should be as careless of relieving him at the present; not out of any wariness, or any mystery of War, but rather for that hatching his accustomed tancour in his breast, he looked with an ill eye upon his weighty interests, not caring to assist him in his so great straits. These considerations made the Prince impatient in expecting what the issue of the Governors' designs would be. But it was thought he was most grieved to see how happily the Governors' designs proceeded, which was no less hateful to him then to the Enemy, and was more mad thereat then Harcourt; foreseeing by the manner of his proceeding his own utter undoing, the ruin of his family, and the loss of his people's liberty for which he fought. The Prince knew as well as Harcourt, that if he the siege should in any way raised, that if the siege should in any way be raised, the Citadel would undoubtedly be thereupon surrendered. He also knew that if the siege should be raised by famine and not by the sword, the Governor would enter into the City victorious, with his forces entire, and would doubtlessly use such supercheries as Victors usually do; and would set forward his pretensions to the Citadel, which he the Prince being so short of him in forces, could not obviate. Therefore not only he, but all the Piedmontese was so filled with horror, as they were in doubt whether that it would be better for them, that the City should be relieved by that way, or not at all relieved. And not knowing what to do in so great extremity, they could think of no better way to evade it, then by using their utmost means that the Spaniards and the French might be brought to fight together; hoping that if the French should be beaten, they might be masters of the City; and that if the Spaniards should be worsted, they might be masters of the Citadel; and that the Piedmontese, who were in the midst between them, might be able to oppose the Victors, and to preserve their ducal Family and their own liberties; in which bustling the Prince might probably promise himself, that the remainders of the French Army, as also those of the Citadel, being of Enemies become his Friends, might join with him in excluding the Spaniards; and he was almost certain, that the Governor, to shun greater inconveniencies, would give way that the Citadel should rather remain in his hands, then in those of the French. The Commendator Pas●…ro, one of much experience, and in great authority with the Prince, was cried up for the Author of these counsels; which being divulged about the Court were approved of by the Piedmontese nobles, as those who being naturally more inclined to the French then to the Spaniards apprehended, that to fall under the Spanish Empire; was the worst of evils that could befall them. They therefore thought that, to keep from that misfortune, they had best embrace any thing how slender so ever, and expect better fortune. The Prince being oppressed by the nearness and by the greatness of the danger, which though it was foreseen when a far off, yet was it never so inevitable nor formidable as now. Being therefore resolved to do all that was possible, he sent a Letter to the Governor on the seventh of july, wherein he signified unto him, that he could hold out no longer, and that if he were not relieved within four days at the furthest, he would without more a do accept of the French offers, and would surrender the City: Which Letter was very unfortunate for the Prince, and for the business in order to the relief, and to the raising of the siege, was the ruin of the common affairs, did overthrow the Prince's cause; and on the contrary, raised the French Army out of the extreme precipice and danger whereinto it was more than manifestly brought. The City was not effectually in so great straits as the Prince would fain have made it been believed to be; for it had great store of Corn, nor did it want grist as before, that default being much supplied by hand-mills which were daily made: And though, in conforminy to what the Prince had writ, the Governor was also informed by Don Antonio Sotelo, of the aforesaid wants, who though he was chief of the King's men, and affairs that were handled in the City, had upon many occasions appeared ap●…e to please the Prince, then careful of the King's concernment; yet the Governor had received contrary intelligence from other Captains, and in particular from Marquis Serra; who looking more narrowly into affairs, knew that the City might hold out longer; and woe his mind freely to the Governor, and did assure him that there were those who had offered to maintain the City with bread for two months, at no exorbitant rates: Which offers the Prince refused, as thinking them impossible to be performed; and though there was more want of powder then of bread, yet it was found that the City held out, and made stout sallies upon the Enemy's quarters, twenty days after the eleventh of july, and yet had received no recruit in powder; and the danger of the French succour, which was said to be very near, proved vain; for La Gatta being stronger in Collegno then the relievers, who were not above 4000 Foot, and some Horse, it was impossible for to pass that way, or to force the Garrison. The Governor seeing himself taken off from continuing his designs, and bereft of the victory which he so longed after, and was near getting, by the Princes so precise pressures, and resolute pro●…estations, he was much astonished, and was the more confused, for that by letters, which he received at the same time, he was informed (as hath been said) that the City was in a far different condition from what it was represented to be in by the Prince; so as suspecting the Prince's pressures must needs aim at some hidden end; amongst many things which he thought upon, at last he light upon one or two; either that the Prince had closed with the French, or was upon agreeing with them. And that therefore, that he might the better honest his surrounding of the Town, he put him upon the point of speedy relief, that so he might provide for himself, abandon the King of Spain, and b●…ake himself to the King of France; or else that he would revive his claim to putting of a Garrison into the Citadel. The Governor had always proceeded so reservedly with the Princes, as without either assuring them of his intent, or making them despair, he had still held them in expectation that they should be pleased; and they were always confident to have what they pretended unto either with his will or against it; wherefore he was forced to vary his determination in the Enterprise, though it proceeded on very successfully, and to put the certainty of Victory upon the uncertain chance of a die: He therefore began greatly to doubt what peradventure was true; he knew no better way how to avoid this exigency then by feeling Paseroe's Pulse with offering him six thousand Pistols to procure the Prince to delay his expectation of succour for fifteen days, to the end that he might the better attend the keeping out of that relief which was expected by the enemy from France; hoping, nay firmly believing, that if that succour could be kept out, the Siege would be raised before the desired time of delay should be expired; and that by this means he should not need adventure his Forces in relieving the City. The care of this was committed to Marquis Serra, who was chiefly trusted by the Governor in carrying on this Siege; but this Negotiation not being to be ended so soon, by reason of the difficulty of giving and of receiving advertisement, and for that it becomes those that negotiate in such affairs to wait the conjuncture of times; the eleventh day being come before the Negotiation was ended, the Governor, who had precise Orders from the King not to give the Prince any occasion of foregoing his party, he suffered himself to be pulled on by necessity, and by the Prince his inclinations, (as one doth sometimes who rides an unruly horse) and resolved, to please him; he therefore agreed upon the doing of it in this manner. The Governor was to go from his quarters of Montcalleri, and Gatta from his of Collegno upon the break of day, on the eleventh day, upon the sign being given by certain fires, and should fall upon the enemy's Trenches. Gatta was to assault those which were between the Porporata and a certain Channel which is called Martinetto; and the Governor, those which do terminate on the banks of Po near Valentino: that the same night 1000 Horse should be sent to the Prince by a Ford over the Po, which being joined to his Horse might enable the Prince to sally strongly out of the City that same night, and face the enemy's Horse. The Prince was to go with this recruit of Horse, and with the Spaniards which were with him, towards Valentino, to facilitate the Governors' entrance on the innerside; and to the end that these three, which were the chief, actions might succeed the better, the Governor was to place eight piece of Cannon upon the hills beyond the Po, and to play therewith upon the tops of the Trenches, and drive the enemy from thence, and so facilitate the assault that was to be given on that side. Divers provisions also were made to the same purpose, thus; The Dragoons and Croats were to be sent to scour along the other parts of the Trenches, to keep them in awe with feigned assaults, and intent upon defending themselves. Don Silvio of Savoy was to advance towards la Stura, with the Horse that were without, and was to fall upon the Quarters beyond the Dora, or at least to seem as if he would do so. The Mountainers beyond the Po were to assault the Forts upon the Capuchins Hills, with the Horse which were of the Garrison of Cheri. These three diversions were to be made at one and the same time, to the end that the besiegers being assaulted on these three sides might not come to assist the Trenches which were to be assaulted by the Governor and Gatta; things being thus ordered, an accident happened which made the Governor alter the hour appointed for the assault; he heard that the succour from France was come to Giavenna, a Town five miles from Collegno; and searing that if Gatta should go to give the assault by break of day he might run danger of being fallen upon by the French, who were the Convoy for the succour, on the back, he ordered him to forbear falling on till noon; when if the French should not move, he should; and according to Orders should give the assault; but if the French should be already moved, he should keep within his quarters till he should receive new Orders. Gatta heard, by his Scouts, that the French would not move that day; whereof he advertised the Governor; and being come four hours before Sunset to the Trenches, he fell courageously upon them with 4000 Foot, and 2000 Horse; his first assault was bravely received, and at last he was repulsed, and had some of his men slain, amongst which Campmaster Emilio Ghiglino, la Motta, who was in defence of that part with his Regiment discharged the part of a valiant Soldier, and judicious Commander; but coming with more vigour to a second assault, the Foot scaled the Trenches, and making way for the Horse, the Horse and Foot jointly entered, who, had they been more considerate, this very action had freed the City; for the breach which was made being made good by Garrisons and Fortifications, the Line was open, and at the disposal of the Governor, who without forcing the Trenches at Valentino might have entered by this breach and have destroyed the besiegers, and broken the line of circumvolution; and if he had not resolved to put himself to this hazard by keeping that breach in his possession, he might have sent what succours he had pleased into Turin; so as the besiegers losing their hopes of the Siege would have risen of themselves, and have given the business over; but whilst Gatta, when he had broke into the Trenches ran with his Horse towards the City, according to his Orders received from the Governor, to join with the Prince, and cared not to guard the breach which he had made, and whilst some of the Foot that were entered fell to plunder the enemy's Huts and Pavilions, and other some to pursue in disorder those that fled; the French who were driven from descending the Trenches had time to get under the shelter of the Artillery of the Citadel, and to rally, and re-order themselves; and being assisted by many others who were come from other parts of the line to help here, they made a good body, and turned upon the enemy, who were in disorder and busy in plundering, whereof they slew and wounded many; and it happened that Don Michele Pignatello, Captain of the Rear, who entered therewith, when those that were entered before were ill handled by the French, was assaulted as he would have defended himself; and though he resisted stoutly, yet having no Horse, for they were all gone towards the City, he found he could not well keep the field; so spying a little Fort not far off, between the City and the line of circumvolution, he entered thereinto with the best of his men, thinking to defend himself there; but the Fort not being able to receive so many men, those who got in resisted as long as their powder lasted, and afterwards betook themselves to their Pikes; but the defendants valour was overpowered by the multitude of French, who still increasing in numbers took the Fort, and put all the defendants to the sword, except Pignatello, and some Officers, who were taken prisoners; what with these, and some others that were amongst the Tents, 500 of the Spanish Army were slain, but not without revenge; for many more French perished, amongst which two Camp-marshals, twelve Lieutenants, four Captains and seven Officers, and Colonel St. Andrea was taken prisoner. The worst that befell the besieged was, that the French making use of the error committed by the relievers presently made up the breach of the Trench which Gatta had abandoned, and kept out 70 load of powder, part whereof fell into the hands of the Enemy, and part was carried to Collegno. The Prince had no notice given him that the hour of assault was altered; for the shortness of time and difficulty of giving advertisement could not permit it; he therefore waited all that night in Arms with his men, expecting an assault should be given at break of day, and that the re-inforcement of Horse by Vanchiglia should appear; he continued in this posture till noon; but failing at last of his so long expectation, and not expecting that any thing that had been promised should be performed, he much unwillingly retreaed to the City, and dismissed his men who were very weary, that they might repose themselves after their long watching, and p●…ins which they had taken the preceding right: when not many hours after he heard of the assault given by Gatta; and not long a●…ter he might see the Soldiers appear victorious, who brought him certain news of the succours being entered; wherefore he suddenly summoned all his Soldiers to their Ensigns, and though he had not above 300 Horse with him, he notwithstanding resolved to go towards Valentino, to facilitate the Governors' entry on that side, according to agreement; he took Tavora's and Serras Brigades along with him, and the Burgondian Soldiers, and advancing with his Cavalry towards the Trenches be took the hedge which encompassed the Fort which shelters the way that comes from Montcalleri and Pioppi; he sent others to get ground upon the Fort which defends Valentino towards the City; and a number of Ci●…izens, who went out with the Prince, joining with some of Serras men, took a redoubt first, and then got in even to the Palace of Valentino, which they took and plundered. Gatta at this time joined with the Prince, together with 2000 Horse which were entered before; so as being thus strongly recruired he advanced towards the Trenches which were then assaulted by the Governor on the out side, or ready to be assaulted; and being gotten to Pioppi he took a Farm-house and a neighbouring Chapel which environed the Fort which was assaulted on the out side; and though he saw the soldiers very desirous to fall upon the same Fort on the inside, yet he held it better to restrain their forwardness, till he might see the succourers Ensigns ●…dvanced in that Fort; for the Governor, at the same time that Gatta assaulted the Trenches, was gone from his quarters to Montcalleri, and went to assault Valentino; but not with any intention of adventuring the rest of his Forces the●…e: his chief end was to entertain the Enemy in descending that part, so as they might not oppose Gatta, who when he should have broken into the line of circumvolution was to join with the Prince, and fall jointly on the Trenches on the inside, and assist the assault from without, to the end that the Trench being thrown down both within and without, they might raise the Siege, and ruin the besiegers. The eight Cannons on the Hill beyond the Po had from the break of the day played uncessantly upon the Parapets of the Trenches about Valentino, which were to be assaulted; and having broken down a Bulwark which was near the banks of Po, towards which the Governor sent Don Lewis di Lincastro, with his Brigade and with many Ladders, Bridges and little Huts, after whom he also sent the other Campmaster Don jovan Artiaga, with his Brigade, and with some of Prince Borso's and Don Iovan Pignatello's Brigades, against a Fort which flanked the way from Montcalleri, and which was the same upon which the Prince expected to see the victorious Ensigns set; but these and the rest being somewhat at a loss, they occasioned some confusion: yet they went on to an assault; but though the assault were twice reinforced they could do no good upon it, but were at last forced to retreat; wherefore the Governor, finding that the aids from within were not answerable to his Forces without, began to apprehend Gatta's success, since he could not hear that he was entered; so as night drawing on, and having lost 500 Foot in that assault, and six Captains, he caused a retreat to be beaten, and gave over the enterprise; a more unfortunate or disastrous succour then this hath not been read of; for it ended very unfortunately, not only for that Gatta had no ways aided the Governor in his assault, nor for that he had not guarded not kept open the breach he had made, and whereby he entered; but for that having carried neither powder nor victuals with him, it served to no purpose; for without these those that were entered were neither able to force the Enemy's quarters, nor to defend the City; so as their entrance did but little good, nay rather harm, since they were to be said by the City's Victuals; those who entered, being as it were so many imprisoned sampson's, employed in nothing but in turning about Hand-mills, to supply themselves with Victuals and the City with Grift: nor did the mischief cease here; for the Governors' Army being deprived of so noble a part of his men, who being broken into the Trenches were there shut up, was rendered unable for bringing any more succour; and on the contrary, the French Army was hereby freed from all danger; it languished before for hunger, and was only said with slender hopes whether the succour which was expected from France would force its way, or no, through the Pass, and opposition which was made at Collegno; where their fear was certainly greater than their hopes: but Gatta's assault removed all difficulties; for that he might give, it he had left but a small Garrison in Collegno, and the Gates almost open; so as the French succour made use of the occasion, and almost beyond all expectation came the next day after Gatta's entrance to the Enemy's Camp, and having recruited it with Victuals and Men did in an instant free it from the misery it was in, being almost ready to ask mercy of the Enemy, or to retreat as it did at Cheri, and made it frolic and courageous, and of being almost conquered it became Conqueror; and having no cause to fear the Spanish Army, it became doubly formidable; as well by the increase of its own Forces, as by the weakening of the Spanish Army. The Scene of affairs being thus strangely altered, new and more fervent rancours and reciprocal complaints arose between the Prince and the Governor, and between their Soldiers and Captains; each of them laying the fault of this disaster upon other. The Governor, that he was too much importuned to this action by the Prince, and said that if he had continued a few days longer in his own course he had assuredly gotten a famous Victory, without effusion of blood; he also complained that the Prince had not assisted from within the assault which he gave without, which was the occasion of all the misfortune; on the contrary, the Prince exclaimed horribly upon the Governor, for that he had not sent him any Horse by Vanchiglia, that he came not really, and with all his Forces to assault the Trenches; that he had altered the time appointed without giving him any notice; and he also complained of some lesser failings, which he said did concur to the misfortune of the success. It would be too tedious to relate the bitter accusations which they laid one upon another, or rather the redargutions which passed between the fautorers of them both; to insist upon which too accurately belongs not to the Office of a good Writer. The Governor, seeing this unfortunate success, and the loss of those men who were entered the City without Ammunition, bit his finger's ends for madness, was grieved at the very heart, and blamed himself for having suffered himself to be removed from his first resolution; and considering that the mischief would be yet greater, and irrecoverable, unless he could find some means to send Ammunition of War into the City, he cast about how he might do it; and having long thought upon the business, he could not light upon a better way then to convey it over by the Ford of the Po called Margerita, over against Vanchillia; he therefore sent some loads underneath the Hill, which coming into the Valley which answers upon that Ford, they came to the River; but the Governor having made signs to the Prince by some fires, that he should send Horse to the River to receive them (for all commerce between the besieged and the Spanish Camp was so blocked up as they could not converse but by such signs) that now happened which doth often times fall out, that the signs not being understood, but very little good was got thereby; so as none appearing from the City at the Ford, the Carriages returned back by the same way that they went: And on the other side, fearing what might ensue if no help were found out against this default, got together as much Saltpetre and Sulphur as he could, whereby he provided, though but in a scant measure, for the necessary and daily defence: But the Governors' Forces being so disjoined as they could not be of any help one to another, and finding that the Enemy's Forces were not only refreshed, but recruited, he began to bethink himself rather how to secure those men which he yet had, then how to relieve the City, or how to recover his losses; so as giving over his first design of famishing or besieging the French Camp, nay, doubting the safety of his abode at Montcalleri, he would provide himself of a more secure quarter: Repassing therefore back again over the Po, over the which he had passed a little before with such glory and honour, he went to his first quarters upon the Hills, where he thought he might keep more safe from being assaulted, where he might better defend himself, and watch any occasion which should be offered of relieving the City; which Harcourt perceiving he took a course, that fearing less to be assaulted on the other side beyond the Po, he might draw many of his Forces closer toge●…her, and joined them almost all in defence of the bridge and Capuchins Forts, where he made new Forts and new Trenches, that he might the better resist any attempt that the Enemy might make upon those confining parts: Nor herewithal content, having by experience known how easily the Enemy had made way to relieve the City, what danger his Army had incurred by Gatta's entrance, he strove to prevent the like disasters for the future: He therefore began a second line of circumvolution, which was two thirds lesser in compass then the former; which though it needed a lesser number of Soldiers to de●…end it, yet he drew a good part of the Garrison out of the Citadel to guard this second line, which beginning from the furthermost angle of the Citadel struck straight toward la Dora, and crossing the Dora ex ended itself a little further, and then falling towards the Po enclosed the new Park, and then crossing the Dora again drew near the banks of Po, and running along thereby to Valentino joined in a crooked line to the Citadel, from whence it began. The Citizens were much afflicted at this second line, whose numbers being increased both in Men and Horse, they were forced to let them partake of that Bread and Forage which was hardly sufficient for themselves: Finding therefore, for certain, that things could not continue long in this condition, they began to think of a remedy: Many entreated the Prince to attempt getting out of the City, and to get with a good strength of Horse to the Governor; and to try whether he could prevail more with him by his presence then by his Letters, to do some gallant action for the freeing of the City more than he had yet done: They wished him also to consider, that when his person should be safe, come what would come, the common Affairs would not be so much damnified as if he should meet with any misfortune in his own person; and out of this respect only he was solicited by Letters from the Governor. But the Prince re●…used absolutely to do so, not being able to abandon his Sisters in the common danger, who had followed their Brother's fortune with such constancy; nor to forsake that Country where he was born a Prince, nor those people who to maintain his Cause had put themselves into those troubles: And this Proposal being absolutely denied, it was resolved that Gatta (who whilst he kept idle in the City, by reason of the Soldiers and Horse that were entered with him, was rather an encumbrance than a help) should a tempt forcing the Line with the same Horse that he brought with him, at the same place of the Porporata by which he had entered, and should go join with the Governor; whereby the City was to receive a double advantage; which should thereby be eased of the great burden of maintaining so many Horse, and the Relievers should be made better able to assist it. This motion was presently embraced, and put in execution, every one thinking that it might be easily effected; for the Enemy having drawn almost all his Forces towards the hills had left all the other parts slightly guarded. Gatta went out in the dark of night with the Neapolitan and Dutch Horse, being guided by some Troops of Croats, and one of the Prince Cardinal's Troops, led on by Count Broglia, which carried spades and mattocks to throw down the Trenches, and which might level the way for the rest, who kept with Gatta under the Bastion della Consolata, expecting News when the way should be levelled. These went out, and luckily threw down the first Line, and afterwards (though with some more difficulty) the second; but they met with a very great impediment beyond it, which was a great ditch newly digged behind the Trench, whereinto the water of Dora was brought; and for their further misfortune, the earth of the Trench which was beaten down falling into the Ditch, and mingling with the water made it muddy, and harder to be passed over: Wherefore being astonished at this difficulty, which they saw was not to be overcome, whilst they were thinking what to do, they were discovered by the Enemy; and though some of them escaped by wading through the ditch, many, notwithstanding, who attempted the same stuck fast, and not being able to recover themselves were taken Prisoners, or were stifled in the mud, amongst which Captain Lamas was one of the first; the greatest part fled towards the City, some whereof saved themselves, some were slain, or taken prisoners by the Enemy. Gatta seeing this misfortune gave over his intended voyage, and went into the City again; which not being any ways eased by its disgorgement returned to its former straits; which the Citizens endeavouring to get out of, and finding that the scarcity of Grist, which was increased by the many mouths which were added to the eating thereof, was that which would hasten their deaths, they attempted to open another channel to the Dora, a little below the old and accustomed one, which was notwithstanding much hindered by the Enemy. The Engineers disputed very much whether the lowness of the Dora would not hinder the design, but it proved easy; though not without much danger and labour, and expense of time; for they could not work but by night, by reason of the Enemy's Musketeers; yet in a month's space they perfected the work, but could bring water only to four Mills, which was a great consolation to the City; but this comfort lasted not long; for the Enemy after having endeavoured by divers Batteries to beat down the Mills, which were notwithstanding frustrated by the diligence of the besieged; Harcourt made an outlet for the water on the opposite side of the River, by which the water was turned away and the Mills were left dry; it remained that some provision might be found out to furnish the City with Ammunition of War, since by the abundance of Hand-Mills which were made they provided sufficiently for Grist. The Governor agreed with the Prince to send him 200 load of Ammunition at a certain hour of night, which was to be conducted by Don Vincenzo Gonzaga, accompanied by a good body of Horse, which was to bring the supply to la Motta's quarter; whither the Prince was to send Horse to receive it: but neither did this design prosper; for the nights being very short, and Gonzaga being to ford over la Stura and la Dora, after he had forded over the Po, before he could come to the place appointed, he knew he could not get thither before the Sun would be up; so as perceiving day break a little after he had gotten over the Po, and fearing lest he might be met by the way, he returned back. This night the Prince was come in his own person out of the City to receive so necessary and so desired a recruit; and with him was Don Antonio Sottelo with all the Horse, backed by Marquis Serra with Foot; and being come to the place appointed he was discovered, and assaulted by the Enemy's Horse. The Prince withstood the assault manfully, and after a sore contest repulsed the Enemy, wherein la Serra behaved himself gallantly, who sheltering the Horse with his Musketeers afforded them conveniency of forcing the assailants to wheel about, who being pursued left above 200 of their men behind them, and five Captains wounded; not above ten of the Prince his Forces being left behind, amongst which a Dutch Captain, who being stripped was, to the admiration o●… all men, found to be a woman; who having always kept company amongst Soldiers in man's habit, was never known to be what she was, but always conversing like a man, and fight as valiantly as any man, was in a few years gotten from being a Foot Soldier to be a Captain of Horse; when she was taken, her life was offered her if she would demand it; but she scorning so low a behaviour, chose rather, with an undaunted spirit and high words, to die honourably, then to live a life which she should have obtained unworthily. The day beginning to clear, and the Prince seeing no Ammunition appear, he ordered a retreat, which was orderly and gallantly made even in the face of the Enemy, though not without much grief for not being succoured by their long expected Ammunition; but ere long the besieged were provided of Powder and all things necessary for defence, by an unusual and never before practised or known way, conveyed with safety and speed from the Camp to the City. Commerce being blocked up, as hath been often said, between the Camp and the City, so as there was great trouble of giving and receiving advice upon reciprocal occurrences and necessities; a certain invention was found out, by a hollow Bullet, whereinto Letters were put, and the hole stopped up with a stopple made of a piece of Wire; which being put into a piece of Artillery, was shot from the Camp into the City, and from the City into the Camp, the sign being formerly given by a great smoke, to them who were to receive it; that they might watch where the Bullet fell: by this means the Prince and Governor conversed freely, such conveyance being to be sent hourly; which were afterwards, by way of mockery, called flying Posts; and as it is not hard to add to things which have been formerly found to succeed well, this lucky and useful invention was improved in the conveying of Ammunition for War in bigger Bullets, capable of fifteen pound weight of Powder, which being more carefully squeezed together and put into a Mortar-piece, were by the force of fire blown into the City over the Heads and Trenches of the besiegers who were very angry thereat; and finally, this invention served to furnish the City with Saltpetre, and with Salt, for want whereof it suffered much; especially, since men being glad, for want of other meat, to eat the flesh of horses, this food eaten without Salt caused much sickness and mortality in the City: above a thousand of these Balls or Bullets were thrown into the City, which furnished the besieged with above 15000 pound weight of Powder. Thus did the besieged behave themselves, sparing their Victuals by parsimony, and increasing their Grist by Hand-mills; and provided for their defence by this new device of flying Bullets, comforting themselves with hopes of being one day freed from so many afflictions; amongst these adventures it fell out, that Monsieur d' Argenson, and Monsieur di Govone, who was Governor of the Citadel, as they went from the Camp to Pinarvolo were taken prisoners by two Troops of Horse, carried to Cheri, and were by order from the Governor sent to Milan. Argenson was Precedent of the Senate at Grenoble, a Gown-man, but very well credited in Affairs both of Peace and War; and of such authority, as little of any moment was done without his approbation, not only in the Camp, but neither in all Piedmont. The Prince and Governor were very well pleased with the taking of these two Gentlemen; for having it in their thoughts to surprise the Citadel, which was but weakly garrisoned, a good part of the G●…rison being drawn out and placed (as hath been said) in guarding 〈◊〉 ●…ard Line; they thought that the Citadel would be the more ea●… 〈◊〉 now that it wanted a Governor; and now the competition 〈◊〉 ●…he Garrison, which had formerly been the occasion of all the scandal, and of the ill Government of the present War, and which, as it were, spoiled and disordered all the common designs, could be no longer an obstacle; for the Prince having upon this occasion desired the Governor, that he would give over his pretensions. The Governor, who saw all things in so desperate and ruinous a case, was better content that it should fall into the Prince his hands, then into those of the French; and resolved at last, though too late, to please the Prince therein; but this too late remedy served but little to the expiring enterprise. The Prince when he had obtained his desire, said (for what reason it is not known) that it was not now time to make the in●…ended attempt; which made the Governor interpret the proposed enterprise in a sinister sense, as if the Prince, verily believing that he should have his desire denied, had intended to take some fair pretence of concluding the treaty of agreement with the French, which was never yet laid down; so the design of surprising the Citadel vanished, diffidence and misunderstandings did daily increase; all was full of jealousy, which discomposed all Negotiations: Yet the Governor took no notice of any thing, by reason of the precise Orders which he had from the King; he continually provided the Prince with all things necessary; and particularly with Powder, though not without great expense; he listened willingly to any thing that the Prince propounded touching the relief of the City; but he interposed such difficulties in all attempts, as retarded the execution till the occasion was over; nay, to seem no less desirous of relieving the Prince, than the Prince was of being relieved, he would sometimes propound other courses which might appear better and more convenient than those proposed by the Prince; which afforded matter of dispute between them, which of their opinions were the best; so as whilst the business was arguing, the opportunity of putting either of their opinions in execution was let slip: by which it might be conjectured that the Governor being unwilling to adventure more than he had done on the eleventh of july, enter●…ain'd the Prince's proposals more in words and appearance, then in reality; not so much doubting the weakness of his own Forces, as distrusting the Prince his corresponding with him in the executing what should be attempted, as he had experienced in his assaulting Vallentino. Amidst these diffidences which passed between the Prince and the Governor, a sad accident happened in the City, which might easily have ruined the whole business, had not a sudden remedy been found. The Soldiers began to fail of their pay, and it was impossible for the Governor to pay them; so as the want of pay being added to their necessitous living, many began to speak big; the Grisons being more seditious than the rest gave apparent signs of Mutiny; and the other Nations were likely to have followed their example, had not the prime Author and Head of this sedition been imprisoned by his Colonel, condemned to die, and presently made to pass the pikes in the presence of them all. The terror of which example, though it did for the present quiet them all, yet the same necessity remaining, more univerversal sedition was likely to have arose: But the mere fame of Marquis Serras wealth, which won him credit through all the Towns of Europe, did the like in Turin; so as the mere news that he desired to take up money upon interest, brought him in all the ready money that those of Turin had; who thinking it more secure in his hands; then in their own houses, lent it him, to secure them from the Soldier's sedition, and from firing the City. He having by this means borrowed about 150000 Ducats, did by making ready payment pacify the Soldiers not only for that time, but during the whole siege; but the jealousies did still increase between the Prince & the Governor; who finding himself daily pressed by the Prince to new undertake, and being threatened by him that he would close with the French, unless the Governor would do as he would have him; he bethought himself also of treating with the French, so to make the Prince jealous: He held the imprisonment of Precedent Argenson to be a good expedient herein; in whose writings which he had with him, when he was taken prisoner, an instruction was found from the King of France, sufficiently contrary to both the Prince's interests, and in particular, to Thomaso's person: And this Precedent being one who knew most of the secret practices belonging to Italy and Piedmont, the Governor sent Abbot Vasques to treat with him in the Castle of Milan, where he was prisoner: The Abbot was wary and quick-witted, and very fit to carry on such a business, and a great Confident of the Governors; and (which was most requirable in this present occurrence) very ill inclined to the Princes, and to the House of Savoy; and it was known, that Argenson being in Vallentino the year before, when the last Truce was there treated on and concluded, and wherein Argenson was employed on the behalf of France, and the Abbot on that of Spain; the Abbot in some familiar discourse which passed between him and Argenson, said (were it in jest or in earnest) that it would do well for the two Kings, and for the preservation of peace and common union, if they would destroy the House of Savoy, and divide the Territory thereunto belonging between them; since it was found by experience, that the Princes of that Family were the fomenters of the continual War and Dissensions between the two Crowns. To which speeches though the Precedent answered somewhat roundly, that his King's intention was not only to maintain, but to support and further aggrandise that House; yet it was thought that the Governor being encouraged by these instructions which were found with the Precedent, failed not to sound the business, and to introduce some Treaty which might not be very good for the Prince; if for nothing else, yet that he might at least deal with the Prince, as the Prince dealt with him. What the result thereof was is not known, the business being wholly conjectural, and which had no foundation but only the Abbot's going to the Precedent. But it may well be affirmed, that the Prince did contract no small jealousies by this expedition, which he thought tended much to the prejudice of his interests; which he did manifest by taking away the managing of the common concernments from the Nuntio, who was a great Confident of the Governors, which he put into the hands of those that adhered unto the French, all things necessary for bodily sustenance growing this mean while daily more and more scarce in the City; and the Forces in the Spanish Camp decreasing, affairs were brought to great extremity to both of them: And though about 2500 Foot were come to the Spanish Camp from the Maritime parts, yet did this recruit last but a while, more falling sick then were well; and the number of those that ran away being added to those that were sick, the Camp was in a short time much lessened. On the contrary, the French Camp did daily increase in numbers and Forces; and though there was much mortality amongst them also, yet was the arrival of new recruits greater than the mortality. The news of Harcourt's good and generous actions being divulged in France drew many noble men and Gentlemen from that Court to Piedmont; many Lords came nobly attended thither at their own expense, and many greater recruits came thither. Marquis Villeroy with 1500 Burgondian Foot, and 400 Horse, Count Tonniere from Dolpheny with 400 Horse, all of them of the noblest of that Country, which he commanded under the title of Constable; and Monsieur di Castellano from Provence with four Foot Regiments, and 400 Horse. So as in so great a dis-equality of Forces, it was thought impossible to relieve the City: And yet the Prince, who was indefatigable both of body and mind, and very vigilant upon all occasions, having by several night sallies found the Enemy to be dowfie and negligent in their guards, did likewise observe a wooden bridge, which was newly thrown over the Po by the French, between Vallentino and the Capuchins bridge. And judging it very convenient for his ends, he designed to bring in succour by it; this bridge was guarded by only two small Forts, near the foot of the bridge which was on the left side of the River towards Valentine, the other end being totally unguarded. They therefore that would come thither from the City must make way by the lower Valley, and then take some little works not far from the aforesaid petty Forts, and afterward the Forts themselves. These difficulties did not at all trouble the Prince, who thought they might all he overcome, if all the Forces which could be raised in the City would go o●… unexpectedly by night and fall upon them: He therefore desired that when he should have overcome all those difficulties, and should be master of the bridge, that the Governor should be ready with all his Forces, on the other side, to pass over the River by that bridge, and join with him in suppressing the French Camp; wherein he did not doubt of success. And to the end that the weakness of the Governors' Camp might not keep him from taking this resolution, he ordered Don Silvio to join with the Governor with 1000 Foot and 600 Horse, and that the Marquis Bagnasco should do the like with a thousand other Foot; by means of which recruits, and of 2000 Foot that were come from Milan, he thought the Governor could not under pretence of weakness refuse the proposal. He therefore acquainted him with his advice, with his reasons for it, and with the manner and form how it should be put in practice, desiring and exhorting him, that he would assist him on his side with all possible force and punctuality, and join freely in this attempt; which, as it might justly be thought to be the last, so he did promise unto himself it should prove the happy end of the siege and of the war. He also writ unto him what was to be done for the happy conduct of the enterprise, which was, that he was to come privately with all his men about the going down of day, and that he should be two hours before day at the foot of the hill, that was nearest the Bridge, where he should tarry till he saw the six squibs fly, which he would give fire unto when he should be master of the bridge, that then he should advance to the bank, and join with him by the bridge; concluding that he should let him know sometime that day, whether he would do this or not; for otherwise he protested he could hold out the siege no longer, but was resolved to close with the French. This proposal, to boot that general diffidences made against it, and the Governors' wont aversion to hazard more than he had already done, seemed full of difficulty and danger, and impossible to be effected, and destructive to what both the Governor and the Prince was to do. For as for the Prince, he being to fight by night against an Enemy, recruited by new and gallant Forces, and many of the Nobility, against several Trenches and Fortifications, the attempt would be more than rash; and as for the Governor, though fortune should so favour the Prince his bold attempt, as that he should make himself master of the bridge; yet the other misfortunes remained, which were to be met with in passing over the River; for the bridge by which they were to pass over was not made of sound timber, but only sustained by small rafters, and so straight, as not above three foot could march over it a●…brest, without sides or parapetets, exposed on the one side to the Muskets of the bridge near the Capuchins, and behind to the Arillery placed upon the Capuchins Covent. So as give it for granted that the bridge were both sound and firm, those that should pass pass over it must needs be torn in pieces by the Musket-shot and by the Artillery; and those few who by miracle should get to the other shore, not being sheltered by those very little Forts, they must necessarily be welcomed over by the Enemy's Musketeers, who would undoubtedly be come thither and would kill them; so as they should not come to relieve others, but to be slain themselves. Out of these Reasons, the Prince his design which was carried on rather out of a great desire of freeing himself, then by any well weighed reason, was not approved by the Governor: But because the closing with the French, and surrender of the City, was added in case of refusal, the Governor resolved to satisfy the proposal rather in show then in substance. The Prince was therefore informed, that he should be satisfied according to his own manner; and to this purpose the Governor moved the same night with his men towards the place appointed. The Prince believing in the Governors' correspondency betook himself cheerfully to the business; he gave order that a thousand Dutch, who guarded the Trenches opposite to the Citadel, should at the sign of going off of a Cannon assault the Citadel; to divert the Enemy in so important a place, he disposed of the ecclesiastics, and others of the weak vulgar, in defence of the Walls; he went out of the City himself with the rest of the Garrison, and with such Citizens as were fittest to manage Arms; and being full of hopes, he appointed several parts for falling on to his best experienced Commanders; he deputed others to defend those ways by which the Enemy might break in to disturb them: all these Commanders did their devoir; the line of the inward Circumvolution was broken, and the other Fortifications taken; then coming to the Bridge, they also easily mastered the other smaller Forts; so as the Prince seemed to have wholly p●…rformed his pa●…. The last thing that was to be done was to give fire to the squibs, whereby to call in the Governor; but he came not; some said, because he was killed who was to fire the squibs; but this appearing to be too unlikely, others said, that the Prince knowing that the Governor was too far off to come in time enough with his men to his succour, thought it was superfluous to give fire to the squibs; which appeared to be less likely than the former alleged reason; the truth was, that the little Forts were not well taken, when all the French flocked in so fast as they were abandoned as speedily as they were taken; those that defended one of them ran away; and those of the other, who made some resistance, were cut in pieces, so as there was no time to call in the Governor by firing; the squibs, who had he been come to the Bridge which was recovered by the French; could not have gotten thereby over to join with the Prince. The whole French Camp moved at the first going off of the Cannon, which was the sign given by the Prince to his men to fall on; and General Harcourt, accompanied by a good body of men, hazarded himself in the business; but being entertained by Marquis Serra, who was appointed to defend that station, though he met with stout opposition, yet more men coming in unto him, he made his way thorough the Enemy; in which conflict Serra fought valiantly; but having lost his Serjeant-Major, six Captains, and many of his best Soldiers, he was forced, for safety of his life, to throw himself down headlong into a Valley that was below. General Harcourt did at this time also run great hazard of his life, being shot with a musket-bullet thorough the brims of his hat, and thorough the lock of his hair; and yet having rid his hands of Serra, he hasted to recover the Bridge, whither at the same time came also Viscount Turenna, Plessis, Pralin, the Dowagers two Generals, Count Tonniere, and the chiefest of the Camp, from several places, who presently recovered the little Forts; and when it was clear day, the Assailants being played upon by the Cannon from the Capuchins Covent, the Prince, after a long and stout resistance, got gallantly out of the Conflict, and retreated with his men towards the City, having left behind him about 250 of his men, (whereof some were slain, some taken,) and having slain as many of the Enemy. Thus the attempt which was so orderly, so vigorously, and so hopefully made by the Prince, vanished: But the Prince not at all dismayed by this unfortunate success, quitted not the Enterprise; he invited the Governor to make the same attempt the next night, either after the same manner, or how the Governor should otherwise please; but he foreseeing the unlikelyhood of the attempt, was further from it then before; wherefore the Prince not having received an answer suitable to his mind, seeing no hope of succour, but that his condition grew daily worse, to keep himself from being reduced to the utmost extremity, resolved not to defer surrendering the Town any longer, but yielded it up at last upon these Conditions: That on the 22. of September the Prince should put the City into Count Hancourt's hands, who was to receive it in the King of France his Name, who would re establish it in the Regency of the Lady his Sister, under the Sovereignty of her Son the Duke of Savoy: That the Prince should be permitted to go whither he would; and, That it should be at the Infanta's will, either to tarry, or go out of the City, and follow the Prince: That the Spanish Garrison might have leave to return to the Governors' Camp: That the City should enjoy her Privileges; and, That Justice would be therein administered as formerly, in the Duke's Name: That the Citizens should peacefully enjoy their Goods and Fortunes; and, That Hostages should be reciprocally given for the performance of what was agreed upon. Nothing was concluded touching the differences depending between the Dowager and the Princes, notwithstanding that during the Siege it was tr●…ated on by the Marquesses of Pianezza, and Villa, the Dowagers Lieutenant-General in Piedmont, and Abbot Mondino, General Gunsiero, and by Count Muzane, in the Names of Prince Thomaso, and of the Cardinal: Nor was there any mention of the Princes their adherence to the Crown of France: But three months were appointed for the discussing and concluding of these things. Cardinal Richelieu seemed not to be any ways satisfied with this Agreement, when he heard thereof, being desirous that Harcourt should never have conseted that the Prince should have had his liberty, without obliging himself to join with the King of France his party: But Harcourt, were it either that he found his Army much weakened, or that he was transported with the greediness of Victory, or that, as a Prince of Noble descent, he commiserated the misfortune of a Prince as highly descended, and with truly generous and singular moderation, he thought it greater glory to use a mean in Victory, then to triumph fully, after the dangers and troubles which he had undergone in this Siege; he shunned delay, and deferred the discussion of this point, which peradventure was of more importance for his King's Affairs, till another time. The Articles being concluded, such abundance of rain fell, as the Rivers overflowed the Campagnia, and hindered commerce; so as the delivering of the City was necessarily deferred for two days: but it was resigned on the 24 of September, four months and fourteen days after the siege was begun. The Prince marched out of the City, if not gloriously, yet worthy of praise, being rather content to let fall so principal a part of his pretensions, then to dispute it further, to the manifest danger of his State, and of the Principality of his house, it being certain, and afterwards confessed by the Prince himself, that though he might often have taken the Citadel, he cared not to do it, left (as it was very probable) it might fall into the hands of others, whereby the exclusion of the Duke his Nephew and of his whole Family, might ensue; the Infantas, his sisters went along with their brother; who though they were very much desired by the Citizens, and by the Nobles of Piedmont, as also by the French, and particularly by Harcourt, to tarry in the City, with proffers and promises to be honourably treated, yet they would, as they had still hitherto done, follow the Prince in his Fortune; almost all the Nobles that were in Turin, and an infinite number of Citizens, accompanied the Prince when he went out, witnessing the like obsequiousness and constant devotion towards him at his departure, as they had done during the siege. He went that night to Rivoli, and the next day to Inurea, where he intended to reside. The Spanish Garrison went to the Governor to Cheri, he being retreated thither with his men from the hills, who parted soon from thence to Asti, resolving to make a Magazine of Arms there: and he quartered his Horse, and part of his Foot, in the parts about Montferrat, to refresh themselves after their sufferings in the siege. Many of the French Nobility went into France, and part of the Soldiery were distributed in the Towns near Piedmont, and part kept in Turin, whereof some few Horse and Foot were sent to reinforce Cassale. The City of Turin remained under Harcourts' Government; who after having governed it two months with much equity, moderation, and satisfaction to the people, resigned it over to the Dowager; who coming from Savoy into Piedmont made her solemn entry into Turin, on the 18. of November; where she was received not only with triumphant Arches, and new Gates of Stone made in the Walls, but with unspeakable and universal applause of the People, who had not forgot the clemency and benignity of her Regency. A true example of the instability of popular affection, which feeding always upon novelty are as exactly cloyed with the present Governors, as ready to embrace new ones: nor was the Dowager wanting to herself upon this occasion; she received them all graciously; and as if she had forgotten all that was past, she conferred her favours indifferently upon them all. The first thing she did after her return, was, to abolish the Decree of the Senate which was made in favour of the Princes their Regency, alleging that it was extorted contrary to all right and reason, by the violence of the Spanish Forces; and the Cesarean Decrees were also declared null, as repugnant to the Sovereignty of the house of Savoy, which was never wont to receive Laws in the like case from the Cesarean Tribunal: and successively she was, by the joint Vote of the same Senate, sworn Governess of her Children again, and Regent of the State. For the entire establishment of Affairs, it remained that the differences between the Princes and the Dowager, and King of France, should be agreed, which in the surrender of Turin was reserved to be treated of during the Truce which was then agreed upon, a little before the said surrender. Monsieur julio Mazzarini was come from France with Title of the Kings Plenipotentiary; who having been often with the Prince and his Agents, in Valentino and Borgo, during the siege had handled these Treaties long. The Ambassador propounded that the King of France should forthwith restore such Towns as were in his possession to the Dowager, as Regent, if the Spainiards would do the like with their Towns which they had taken of hers; and that if the Spaniards should not do this, the Prince should oblige himself to adhere unto the King of France his party, upon very satisfactory Conditions which should be given him, and this was wholly agreed unto by the Prince before he went from the City, upon condition that he should first give notice to the Spanish Agents of the offered restitution, and that he should desire them to restore what they had taken; which in case they should do, the Prince should not be bound to forgo their party. He further protested, that he would first send to Spain, to demand his Wife and Children which were kept in that Court as Hostages of his fidelity; and it was agreed, that all this should be carried on with much secrecy; lest being known it might prove an impediment to his re-having his Wife and Children from that Court. The Prince going out with this clogged and conditional agreement informed the Governor of Milan, immediately, how ready the King of France was to restore what he had taken: and desired him that he would do the like on his King's behalf: and he sent Count Messerati into Spain to make the same request for the restoring of the Towns, as also of his wife and children; the Agents in Italy, and the Spanish Court, were much troubled to hear of this restitution; and it was conceived that the Prince was absolutely agreed with the French, which it was always doubted he would do; Count Sirvela was sent by the Governor to speak with the Prince in Inurea; to sound his inclination, and to feel his pulse; who though he were greatly scandalised with the Governor; yet being moved by his loss of Turin he could not forget the great hopes which by reason of his former successes he had drunk in; not that he had already agreed with the French, but, though he appeared otherwise, was far from it; and could not think of foregoing his former hopes of so great a part of Piedmont, which he enjoyed whilst he adhered to the Spaniards, nor yield to the Dowagers absolute Sovereignty, as if he had agreed with the French he must do. The Ambassador was sure the Prince Cardinal would be of the same mind; who was possessed of the so important places of Nizza and Cuneo, and of so large and fruitful a Country: he knew, on the other side, how highly the Court of France was offended with him, what Orders had been issued out from thence against his person; how Cardinal Richlieu had abused others; wherefore not holding it fit to confide in that Court, after several complaints passed at the first meeting between the Prince and Count Sirvela, and much dispute touching their particular interests, it was not hard for Sirvela to induce the Prince to persevere in adhering to the Spaniards; but, because Sirvela would come to no agreement with the Prince, before he should ratify the Writing which was subscribed in his name by his Wife at Madrid, whereby the Prince put himself and his whole Family into the King's protection, swearing fealty to him: The Prince made the said ratification; and for what concerned his private interests, he was content to stand to what should be agreed upon by the Prince his Brother at Nizza. The Affairs of Spain went well by this Negotiation of Sirvela; for though the Princes did not assist much in the present War, but occasioned great expense by their adherence, yet by their union they kept Piedmont a friend to Spain: The Towns which were therein held by the Spaniards required lesser Garrisons, and (which imported more,) this Union kept the French Forces from the State of Milan. The Governor therefore sent Count Riviera to Nizza to treat with the Prince Cardinal; but Sirvela had not negotiated much, when the French Agents growing apprehensive, began to press hard upon Prince Thomaso to declare himself for their King, since the Spaniards were very backward in restoring the Towns they held; and the French accompanied, these their pressures with threats. The Prince procrastinated this business as much as he could, pretending that he was to wait the resolution of the Court of Spain, as well touching the restitution of the Towns in Piedmont, as also the like of his Wife and Children; pretending likewise that to hasten this business too much was to ruin it: but two months and more being past; the French being impatient of longer delay would admit of no more words, but were so continually buzzing in his ears, as the Prince seemed enforced to yield to their importunities, or else to break with them; and being in a weak place, not provided to defend himself, and not finding the Spanish Forces in a condition to protect him, nor believing that the Governor would adventure any further in maintaining him then he had done formerly; and on the contrary, not finding any great certainty in Sirvela's proposals; he knew he was but in a bad posture to withstand the imminent thunder of the French, in case he should not yield unto their wills; whereupon not knowing what better course to take, he came to this agreement with them, about the beginning of December. That he would put himself into the protection of the Crown of France; that he would come himself in person to Paris, by the middle of january, at the furthest, to wait personally upon his Majesty of France, and to assure him of his readiness to serve him, with leave notwithstanding to return; That he would send to Spain to demand his Wife and Children, and the restitutions of the Towns of Piedmont into the hands of the Duchess, as Mother and Governess of the Duke her Son; which if the King of Spain should refuse to do, he would join with the Forces of France in Italy against the Spaniards; That if restitution should be made that obligation should cease, with a salvo, notwithstanding, to his protection from France, and his adherence thereunto; The King of France should be bound to preserve the succession of Savoy and Piedmont in the Male-line of the house of Savoy; That he should restore the Towns held by his Forces for the Duke under the Regency of the Dowager; so as the Spaniards should do the like with those Towns which were in their possession; That he would help to make a match between a Son of the Princes and a Daughter of the Duke of Longevile's, one of the richest Ladies of France; and that he would cooperate in composing the differences between him and the Dowager, together with many Pensions to be given to him the Prince, to his Wife and Children. Upon which account some moneys were disbursed unto him in present to prepare him for his journey: moreover, some promises were made him, that he should have some Territories given him out of such Lands as should be gotten in Italy, whereby he might have where with to maintain himself and his posterity in a condition becoming their qualities; it was agreed, out of the same respects, that this Convention should be kept secret; and the Truce was prorogued for all February next. The Prince also promised (but not under his hand) that he would cause the Castle of Asti to be delivered up to the French; and he was not permitted to acquaint the Prince his Brother with any of these agreements, so severely did the French press him in this agreement; but his aversion to observe this agreement was as great as was their urging him thereunto, to witness which the Castle of Asti was not delivered up, though 500 Horse with men en Croupe came to it by night to receive it; who having told the Sentinels that they brought Letters for Don Emanuel, Brother to the Prince, and Governor of the Castle, were not admitted, but were bid to come when it should be clear day; when being discovered they were saluted as enemies by Canonshot both from the Castle and Citadel; and the Garrison of the Castle, which were Piedmontese, was recruited by the Spaniards. The Prince Cardinal having heard how great a blow he had received by the loss of Turin, and how little the Governor had done towards the preserving thereof, desired to find some way to preserve himself from ruin, which he saw was not far off: he therefore sent the Abbot Soldato, one in whom he did much confide, to the Court of France, to lay the foundations of an union there, which he thought to make with that King; offering to join with him upon some conditions. The chief whereof were three; That a Lieutenancy might be permitted him, in the County of Nizza, and to keep the Towns thereof without any dependency upon the Dowager; that the Guard anship and Regency should be absolutely in the Dowager, except in matter of Peace and War, Confederacies, Alienations, and the like; That his Majesty should be bound to restore all the Towns to the Duke which he held of his, within three years' space, together with any others that he should recover. The other conditions were of lesser concernment, and such as reflected only upon the Prince Cardinals own occasions. The King abhorring that the Princes should hold so principal places, whilst he should be prescribed terms of restitution, denied both the Articles, not without some disdain; so the Abbot returned to Nizza re infecta; and the King having quickly notice of the Agreement made in Piedmont, not doubting but that they would be made good, was very well pleased therewith, as was the whole Court; and desired very much to see the Prince come; who sought nothing more than to evade the performance of those Agreements, which he professed he had unwillingly consented unto; wherefore the time prefixed for his going into France being come, he did not much mind the taking of that Journey, though he was much solicited thereunto by the Ambassador Mazzarini, and by the other French Agents; but in lieu thereof, he passed thorough the States of Milan and Genoa, to Nizza; where being equally distasted, as was his Brother with the negative which was brought from France, they treated of the common affairs. This so sudden departure of the Prince, and so contrary to the late made agreement, did, and not without reason, in●…use jealousy into the Ambassador Mazzarini; who presaging the sinister influences, which that conjunction, as an ominous Constellation of so great Planets, would cause, went to Nizza, to see whether he might prevent the imminent influence which he foresaw. But all was in vain, for the Princes were already almost agreed with the Spaniards; so as being pressed by Mazzarini, the one of them to persevere in, the other to enter into convention with the French; they answered, that the Spanish Agents were at last persuaded to restore the Towns; but that as the King of France offered to restore those that he held to the Regency of the Dowager, so the King of Spain offered to restore what was held by him to the Regency of them the Princes. The King of Spain had not really done this, nor was there time enough passed to have a positive answer in the point come from Spain; nay, it was at this very time agreed upon between the Princes and the Spanish Agents, that the Towns should be garrisoned by the Spaniards in the same manner as they were at the present, till the general peace should be made. The Proposal was an artificial trick agreed upon between the Princes and the Spanish Agents; for that all of them believing that the French would not accept of it, the Spaniards might shun the odium which would be laid upon them for desiring to keep what they were possessed of; as also for that the refusal might make the Princes adhere the more constantly to the Spanish party. And on the behalf of the Princes, to the end that the same refusal might serve the one for a pretence of foregoing the convention which he had entered into; and the other from thereinto entering. The Ambassador as soon as he was come to Nizza, hearing the proposals, perceived their ends in it; wherefore he immediately answered, that it was ridiculous, impossible, and a thing procured by the Princes themselves. Many were the debates hereupon; the Princes endeavoured by fair words to persuade the Ambassador to what he could not believe; and if the Ambassador should not agree to the restitution out of his mistrust of them, they might have occasion not to confide in him, who would not trust them; but that if the business were rightly weighed, it must needs by very advantageous for the Duke, for thereby the Towns would be taken out of the hands of Foreigners, and put in those of the Natives, and would so come to be possessed by the Duke: A chief essential point, which so it might be done, the manner mattered not; for means would not be wanting afterwards to accommodate that touching which the form of estitution appeared now strange. And therefore if he could think of any middle-way which might satisfy both the Crowns, they desired, him to propound it; for they would be ready to part with any thing that should of due belong to them, so as the restitution might be made to the Duk●…; at last, adding entreaties to their reasons, they endeavoured by all means possible to persuade him not to give over the Treaty, which was almost already brought to a conclusion, showing how much the King did not only study to preserve the Dukes Grandezza, but to increase it. Wherefore the Ambassador, who was the King his Plenipotentiary, ought not, nor could not differ in opinion from his Majesty, but was bound to observe it; all these persuasions could not work upon the Ambassador, who knew that the King would not permit that the Princes should have any thing to do in any of the Dukes Towns. For this would not be to compose differences, but to occasion greater dissensions, to fortify factions, which the King thought made against his Nephew the Duke, to foment discord, and rather to increase then to appeal War in Piedmont: To shun which inconveniencies, the King desi●…ed that the restitution should be made by himself, and by the King of Spain, into the Dowagers hands as sovereign Governess and Regent; which being the groundwork wherein the Dukes Grandezza and safety did consist admitted of no allay; much less of what was propounded by the Princes, and held to be diametrically opposite to the safety of his Nephew's Dominions. Wherefore the Ambassador not thinking that the business would admit of a reply, said, that since the King of Spain would not restore the Towns into the Dowagers hands, according to agreement, the Prince was absolutely obliged to join with the King of France, in the recovery of them: He therefore parted from Nizza incensed, and with but little hopes that the agreed capitulations should take effect. The Princes were not at all dismayed at his departure; but as if they had had the better end of the staff, and had justified to the world that the agreement had not been impeded by them, they made use of the Ambassador's backwardness and departure, to justify their inclination to peace; to which purpose they published Manifestoes, and endeavoured to lay the fault of breaking the agreement upon the Ambassador; alleging that when the Spaniards made no mention of restitution, the French were wholly for restitution; but that as soon as the Spaniards mentioned restitution, the French had nothing to say. At last the Princes seeing the State of their Affairs reduced to the condition they desired, thinking all Treaties broken with their advantage, and to their reputation, and all conventions made with the French abolished, they agreed, on the fifth of May, the year 1641. in Nizza with the Ambassador Riviera, and drew up in writing what they had spoken of; the sum whereof was; That the King should keep all the Towns he had in Piedmont till the ge●…ral peace should be concluded, which should not be made without including the Princes: That Prince Thomaso should have an Army raised for him of 4000 Foot and 500 Horse, whereunto he should be bound to add 1500 Horse more, and 2000 Foot of his own: That the Prince should be General of this Army in the King's name, to whom he should take the same Oath that Generals use to do: That this Army should be paid by the King, by the hands of his Officers: That the Prince should be bound with this Army to join with the Governor in defence of Piedmont, the State of Milan, and Montferrat. That the Prince Cardinal should have a thousand Spanish Foot given him to defend the County of Nizza, and 7000 Crowns a month allowed him for the maintenance of another thousand, which the Cardinal should raise of his own men. That neither of these Princes should treat directly nor indirectly with the French, with the Dowager, or any others, without consent of the King or his Agents: Together with many other Heads which concerned their own private Interests. This Agreement being confirmed by Prince Thomaso with Count Sirvela in Segli, a Village five miles from Genoa, as the Prince returned from Piedmont, was afterwards ratified on the 15th of April in Gaila, a Town of the NOvarese, by the same Sirvela, who was chosen Governor of Milan. The first point, concerning the restitution of the Towns, was moderated in a writing apart, in point of the time of retention; wherein it was agreed, that in case the general peace should not be concluded within six years, all the Towns except Vercelles should be delivered up to the Emperor, who was to keep Dutch Garrisons therein until the general peace. The change of the Governor of Milan did much good in the making of this agreement; for whilst it was in treaty, the Princes having made several complaints to the King of Spain against the Marquis of Leganes, the King sent for him into Spain, and had appointed Count Sirvela to succeed him in that Government; who was as great a confident of the Princes, as Leganes was the contrary; and the Prince's confidence being much increased by the change of the Governor, they betook themselves more heartily to the Spanish party; and the rather for that at the same time Count Harcourt returned to France; and not long after Ambassador Mazzarini and l' Argenson, all of them the Prince's chiefest Enemies; and after them many other Commanders; so as the French Army in Piedmont was not only much lessened in Authority, but in Forces; so as that fear ceasing in the Prince which had compelled him to that Capitulation, he thought he was now in a better condition of safety and liberty, and that he might dispose better of himself and of his affairs; he and his Brother being therefore resolved to join with the Spaniards who sustained them, and to part from the agreement made with the French, which reduced them to nothing; Prince Thomaso gave over holding intelligence with the French about the end of the Truce, who solicited him to go to Paris, and declared that he could no longer stand to the Capitulation, out of many reasons; particularly, for that the things agreed upon were not kept secret, they themselves having divulged it in the Court of Spain, to the which he attributed the detaining of his Wife and Children; and to aggravate their omissions the more, he complained that that divulging was a trick used by them, to the end that he the Prince being the more irritated against the Spaniards, for that their denial, might adhere the closer to the French; but that the King of Spain being contented to restore the Towns, notwithstanding the publication of what was to be kept secret; as also to the restoring of his Wife and Children; so as he would still adhere to him, he could not forego such an occasion without offending the Laws of Nature, which obliged him more straight to so dear pledges, than any thing else could oblige him to the King of France; that it would certainly be too mad a resolution, and for which he deserved to be for ever blamed, if when he might re-have his Wife and Children, and the Towns without any noise or trouble he should choose to recover them by force of Arms, by a thousand dangers and calamities, by the tedious dangerous and uncertain delays of War; to the irreparable prejudice of the Duke, and to the desolation of the people, and of his Country, to the preservation and welfare whereof, he as a Prince of the blood was bound by all Laws both Humane and Divine; that therefore there was no place left for the French Convention, seeing the King of Spain was ready to deliver up unto him his Wife, Children, and the Towns; and that if the offered restitution should not, for some circumstances, be liked of, there was place left for some accommodation; wherefore utter breach was not to be desperately run upon: with these and the like reasons the Prince endeavoured to honest his cause, and to justify his foregoing the former Convention; he complained also that the Ambassador Mazzarini had waylaid him in his return from Nizza to Piedmont, to take him prisoner; which he also discovered was plotted in the Court of France; not so much by what was discovered in Argensons instructions, as by the rumours raised by Cardinal Richlieu, when he heard that Turin was surrendered, with his the said Princes freedom, and by many complaints which had thereupon been made against General Harcourt; the same Cardinal appearing to be more troubled at his the Prince's freedom, then joyed at the taking of the City; for greater proof of his distrust in Cardinal Richlieu, he also alleged that he had received advertisements from many Princes that were his friends, at Paris, to be well advised●…ere he came thither; for that when he should have put himself into other men's power, he should not easily know how to get out of it. And, moreover, that he had found by the Negotiations had in that Court, touching his adherence to that Crown; that the Cardinal was absolutely determined utterly to ruin his Kinsman, the Count of Soisons, who was then accused of having plotted some novelties against the Government of that Kingdom; whereof the said Prince being found neither conscious, nor complice, he had reason to doubt, that since the Cardinal durst dare so much against a Prince of the Blood Royal, he could not expect more safety for his own person, nor for the interests of his Nephew the Duke; for which reasons he thought he had just occasions not to go to that Court. Amidst these debates, Count Turenna, chief of the French Forces in Piedmont, and Marquis Villa, head of those of the Dowager, fell both of them before Montcalvo; and having easily taken the Town, they betook themselves to take the Castle, whither the Spanish Garrison having forsaken the Town, had withdrawn themselves. The taking whereof rested wholly on Marquis Villa, for Turenna was retired to Piedmont; and though the enterprise was thought would prove long and dangerous, by reason of the strength of situation, multitude of defenders, abundance of Ammunition and Victuals which were in that Castle, yet, contrary to all men's imaginations, Marquis Villa had it surrendered to him within a few days; which had it been a little longer held out by the Captain would have been relieved by the new Governor, who was raising men to that purpose: whilst these things were adoing, the Governor took about a thousand Foot from his own Army, to give a beginning to that of Prince Thomaso's, that they might be at the Prince's disposal, they being to be defrared by the Governor; part of these were sent to garrison Inurea, under the command of Count Vercelline Visconnte, where it was thought the French would first fall on; the rest were sent to quarter in the State of Milan, for the ease of Piedmont; moneys were likewise given him for the increasing of his Horse, and for raising the 2000 Piedmontese Foot; and as, on the one side, the Prince turned the moneys given to this purpose to other uses, not making his obligation good; and did also refuse to take his O●…h unto the King; so neither, on the other side, did the Governor supply the rest of the men which he was to g●…e unto the Prince; were it either in respect that the Spanish Army was so small as that he could not make his word good to the Prince, without almost wholly disbandoning it, or for the Prince his breach of Articles, particularly in refusing the Oa●…, the Governor not thinking it safe to trust the greatest part of the King's Forces in ●…his hands, who refused to take the accustomed Oath. And yet each of them did bear with the other in their equal unobservance; and the Governor kept the Army ready to defend the Prince, and did apply himself to please him, as he could, in the carrying on of the War; yea sometimes to the prejudice of the common-cause. The thousand Foot were also sent to the Prince Cardinal, commanded by well experience●… Officers, and the 7000 Crowns a month were readily paid him, for the raising and paying of the thousand Piedmont which were to garrison Nizza, the Castle whereof, as all the rest of that Country, was abundantly provided with victuals, munition, and with all things necessary for their defence from Naples; with promise that they should, upon all occasions, be so still. moneys were paid to both the Princes, notwithstanding the present necessity thereof to keep the Courts, which they did in greater lustre than ever their Father had done. The End of the Seventeenth Book. THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. BOOK XVIII. The Contents. THe Crown of France and French Commanders being but badly satisfied with Prince Thomaso, for his nonobservance of the Capitulation made by him, go to drive him out of Inurea; which being better defended then assaulted holds out till the Governor sends succour: who going afterwards to before Chiavasso forces the French almost to quit the Enterprise, that they may relieve Chiavasso; and Don Vincenzo Gonzaga coming to the French quarters before Inurea, forceth them, much to their prejudice, to give over the Enterprise wholly; and the Prince enters joyfully into the City. The Dowagers Generals recover Ceva, Mondovi, and the Castle of Carru, and then joining with the French go to before Cuneo, and take it. The Spaniards take Montcalvo. The Prince of Monaco drives out the Spanish Garrison, and introduceth the French, to the great prejudice of the Spanish Affairs; the misfortunes whereof are by a short digression related. Cardinal Richlieu dies. The Conde Duca falls from all authority and greatness in the Court of Spain. The differences between the Dowager and the Princes are at last composed. The Princes for sake the Spanish party and adhere unto the French. Prince Thomaso joining with the French, after some small actions done to the prejudice of Spain, goes with the Duke of Longuevile with a strong Army to before Tortona, which after a long time is taken; but some months after is retaken with much ado by the Spaniards: in which interim Prince Thomaso recovers Asti, and all the Towns that were held by the Spaniards in Piedmont, except Vercelli. THe not observing of the Agreement made with so much study and industry between the King and Prince by the Ambassador Mazzarini angered not only the French Agents and Commanders in Piedmont, but also the Court at Paris; which being held on by the long hope and desire of seeing a Prince appear as a Trophy of the Kings Grandezza, who had been so totally alienated from him, and finding themselves abused therein were much unsatisfied; and Cardinal Richlieu, who it was not known whether he would receive him graciously or not, was not only offended to be so basely deluded, but thought it a great affront, to that he should be seen by the world to be so much mistaken in his trust; and that he had thereby failed of removing that obstacle which had been so repugnant to the happy concourse of the King's designs: Likewise the King not being able to tolerate that his favour and protection should be so little valued, was scandalised, that a Prince who had neither Towns nor Territories, nor any Authority but such as had been obtained by Treaties, and which was dependent should so neglect him and his protection; when in all reason he should have held it his greatest happiness to be received thereinto, as into a safe Harbour; he did also much resent it, that the Prince in defence of his breach of word, should allege the anticipical publishing of the Agreement made in the Court of Spain; he termed this conceit an abortive product of the Intellect, and a show of his sinister affection who had form it. The French Forces were (as hath been said) much diminished at this time in Piedmont; but General Harcourt was shortly expected to return from France with a gallant re-inforcement of Foot and Horse: those few French who were yet there were quartered about Chiavasso, not far from Inurea, at which their aim was; and though the Commanders, to cloak their design, feigned some other intents; yet the Prince being jealous of their neighbourhood, as conscious of the wrong he had done them, went to Milan, and endeavoured to have from the Governor (upon whose favour he did much build) a certain number of men, which being added to his own Forces might be sufficient to assault on the sudden one of the French quarters, which lay in disorder beyond the Dora, not far from Inurea, hoping, as he gave out, to rout it with a dry head. Turenna, upon the absence of the Prince, took occasion to assault Inurea. To effect the which, he sat down before it, not waiting for General Harcourts' return, who was come near Piedmont: it was generally thought that he was put upon this by the Ambassador Mazzarini, who having boasted in his Letters sent to Paris, that he had brought the Prince over to throw himself at the King's feet, was troubled that he was cheated in his chiefest Negotiation. Turenna having passed over la Dora at Montalta, about the midst of April, 41, took up his quarters upon the neighbouring hill which commanded the Town; and the Horse passing over not long after, and the rest of the Foot, they took up another quarter towards Vercelli: Don Silvio di Savoy was Governor of the Town, who was left there by his Brother the Prince, when he went for Milan; as soon as he saw he was assaulted, he gave notice thereof to the Prince; who was not then well satisfied with the Governor of Milan, who had denied to send him the men he had desired, wherewith to fall upon the French quarters: but finding now how necessary it was to defend a place of such importance to the Prince, he needed no entreaties, but was very ready to assist him; he therefore sent for his men immediately from their quarters, which whilst they were assembling, the oppugners having notice thereof caused some Cannon to come, and played upon the City for two days space on three sides; and having made 400 shot, they gave a fierce assault; there was but few of the Prince his Soldiers at this time in the Town; the chief burden of the defence lay upon the stout Garrison which was brought thither by Count Vercelline Visconte, Campmaster, and a gallant Soldier; it consisted of Italians and Spaniards; the latter under Don Pietro Gonzales, Lieutenant to the Camp-master-general, a gallant and well experienced Soldier, subordinate to Visconte; by whom the assault which was five times reinforced being stoutly withstood, it was five times more re-assumed in the space of four hours, and as oft repulsed; wherein there died about 600 of the assailants, amongst which many of the Nobility; and about 100 of the defendants. The Governor advanced this mean while with the succour; and the Van of the Army being come to Bolegno, three miles distant from the French quarters, Harcourt, who was now come to the Camp, hearing thereof, resolutely resolved to encounter it before the main body of the Battle and the Rear should join with it; he therefore went towards them with the most of his men, and they being fewer in number, he would easily have scattered them, had not the Governor and Prince Thomaso commanded Cavalier Aiazza to go with four Troops of Horse, and some Foot, from the Village Birvolo, whither he was come to fall upon the French on the flank, charging him to do all he could to entertain them, till the Artillery and the rest of the Foot should come up, who were not far off; but Marquis Villa coming out against Aiazza charged him so home as he forced him to retreat to Birvolo, where through the advantage of the situation the Foot who were pursued recovered Aiazza, whom Villa had taken, and the rest of the Spanish Army coming in very seasonably this mean while, the face of affairs altered; for the French being played upon on the one side by the Artillery, and fiercely fallen upon on the other side by Prince Thomaso, and the Marquis Caracena who was arrived with fresh men, they were forced to retreat to their quarters. The Fight was fierce and bloody, wherein above 400 of the French were slain, of which many Officers and Captains; about 50 of the Spanish Army were slain, and as many hurt, whereof four Captains; it was thought that if the French had assaulted the Van one half hour sooner, they had certainly routed them; and had the day lasted but one half hour longer, the Spaniards would have gotten a famous Victory, and have ruined the Enemy totally; for they were in great confusion when the night parted the Fray. Governor Sirvela sent a relief of 800 Foot into the Town; and being desirous to make himself master of Chiaverano a Castle two miles distant from Inurea, and as far from Colegno, he sent men to take it; who beating down the gate with a petared met with such resistance as they were at first forced to retreat; but afterwards reinforcing their assault they took the Castle; the Prince desired, and pressed very much that they might go to assault the Enemy in their quarters; but Sirvela, Caracena, and the rest of the Commanders, were of another mind, intending to carry on affairs with more safety; but that somewhat might be done whereby the Town might be freed, and the Prince not seem to be abandoned, they resolved to try whether it might not be done by diversion, they therefore went to before Chiavazzo, the loss whereof would be of greater importance to the Enemy than the getting of Inurea; so as it was likely they would give over the one to defend the other; this counsel was so well taken as that Inurea being reasonably well relieved, they might spin out the defence thereof, and not endanger the loss of it by their going to Chiavazzo; the design did not fail, though the Prince was not much pleased with it, being loath that the other Town which was of so great importance to him should be endangered; but finding the Spaniards loath to hazard all upon one chance, he consented to the diversion; passing over the Dora therefore at Rivarotta, the Army marched to Chiavazzo, the Prince going foremost with 1000 Foot, and Don Vincenzo Gonzaga with 1000 Horse; being come to the Town, the Prince desired to try the taking of it by Scaladoe, whereunto the Governor was hardly persuaded, yet he gave way unto it, that he might not seem to reject all the Prince's proposals: but it succeeded not well, for the Assailants were repulsed, and many of them were slain, and wounded, to the number of above 400; so as the enterprise proving harder than was thought, they began to repent their diversive resolution; but knowing that if they should give it quite over they would be laughed at, and that the enemy would not rise from before Inurea when that Army should be gone from Chiavazzo, they began to make approaches; whereby they came in three days to the Ditch; which being full of water, they found it redious and troublesome to pass over it; yet they got over upon galleries and planks; and coming to two Bulwarks they fell to mining; the Defendants Sallied out upon them stoutly, but were beaten back, leaving many dead behind them, and some Prisoners, amongst which the Governor of the Town's Lieurenant, who led, on the Sally; the Horse were not this mean while idle, but scouring the Country they took the Victuals and ammunition which were bringing to the Camp before Inurea; as, on the other side, those which were brought to the Spanish Camp were hindered by the Cavalry of Cassalle, which passing over the Po; made inroads oftentimes as far as to S. ja, and Vercelli, when the Spanish Army was gone to Chiavazzo, the French being out of fear of being assaulted on the back began to make several assaults upon Inurea, and to play with their batteries upon the walls; but so valiant were the Defendants, as they rendered all their attempts vain; nor being content with defending themselves they made out several Sallies; one whereof was done so resolutely as they passed on even to a battery of three pieces of Artillery, which they had takes, had they not been assaulted by the French, whose Horse was come up to them when they were come to the Battery: and then seeing it would be rashness to oppose so great a Force, they retreated to within their walls, still fight, and in good order; whereby the French finding how hard the business would prove; and hearing that Chiavazzo was very near being taken, and that it would be assuredly lost unless it were speedily succoured, Harcourt was forced to abandon the one, that he might not lose the other; so as after 35 days siege, wherein he had lost about 3000 men, he resolved to quit it, and to go relieve Chiavasso; the Prince and Governor perceiving that the French Army was marching towards them, and that they had therefore obtained all that they had pretended to by their diversion; they passed over the Po upon a bridge of boats which they had purposely prepared, and retreated with their Artillery, baggage, and with all their men, cutting the bridge behind them, and dragging the boats to the other shore, to the end that they might not be pursued by the Enemy: all was done in good order, without the loss of one man through the great diligence & skill of Prince Thomaso, and of the Marquis Caracena, to whose care the retreat was committed; but understanding whilst they made their retreat, that Harcourt, when he went to Chiavazzo, had left the bridge over the Dora, before Inurea, well munited, that he might return to his former quarters, when he should have freed Chiavasso, and reassume the in●…e mitted siege; or else that he might withdraw his baggage and ammunition which he had left in his quarter, to the end that he might the more speedily relieve Chiavazzo; to keep him from doing either of these, Don Vincenzo Gonzaga was sent with 500 Horse towards the bridge, that foording over the Dora at Verolengo he might get speedily into Inurea; nor was this in vain; for Gonzaga was not well come to Inurea, when he might see the enemy's Van upon return, and make towards the bridge; part whereof being already passed over was assaulted by Don Gonzaga's Horse, which were enforced by many choice Foot of the Garrison, and after a long and stout dispute, he forced the Enemy to give back, and to forsake their quarters, with the loss of much victuals, munition, and instruments of War, which were found there; which being brought into the Town, Inurea was well furnished with what they wanted most, at the cost of the Enemy; wherefore Harcourt thinking it impossible to reassume the siege, gave order that the bridge should be broken, and retreated to Visea and to other neighbouring Towns; the Spanish Camp passing over the bridge at Verva went to Livorno, where hearing of Harcourts' retreat, the Prince went joyfully to Inurea, and the Governor, with Cardinal Trivultio, and other Commanders, to Milan: whither being come they sent their Army to their quarters: Harcourt being gone from before Inurea, though his Forces were weak by reason of the men that he had lost there, and because the recruits which were usually sent from France, every spring, were not yet come, he applied his mind to the surprisal of Alessandria, which was proposed unto him by Signior Covogne, Governor of Cassalle, as an easy enterprise; and which now that the Enemy's Army was sent to their quarters, might be effected with a few men, and maintained by small Forces; he therefore sent Marquis Villa towards it about the end of june with the Dowagers Horse, which amounted to about 800, and with 1000 French Foot which Harcourt gave him of his men: and Harcourt to back him went to Battigliere a Town in the territories of Asti, and from thence to Cerisola: where hearing that the business was not to be attempted, for that Cardinal Trivultio was entered that City with a good body of men, and that therefore Villa was gone towards the parts about Alba, he fell to consider what was next to be done; he aspired after great actions, and such as might equal his former; but he wanted Forces equal to his desires: Marquis Pianezza, General of the Dowagers Foot, propounded the taking of the Fort of Ceva, alleging that it would require but a few days, and small Forces, and was notwithstanding of great consequences, to pursue the rest of the Campagnia; with more considerable progress; and that notwithstanding Harcourts' self might be free with the whole body of his Army, fit to oppose any attempt of the Enemy, and to secure the Country the mean while, till supplies might come from Frances whereby when he should be recruited, he might be●…ake himself to more important erterprises; he said moreover that Marquis Villa would approve of it, by reason of the great advantage that would thereby redound to the Dowagers affairs; and for that being already upon the way to Ceva, he would advance thither the more easily with his Horse, and with the French Foot which were with him; and lastly, he p●…ofer'd to go thither himself in person with 1500 of the Dowagers Foot; ' desiring only one Regiment of French, and three small pieces of Artillery, assuring him that without further incommodating his Army, he and Villa would speedily dispatch the business. Harcourt was pleased with the proposal, and gave way unto it; so Pianezza went towards Alba to join and settle the business with Villa; who approving of the design took upon him to go with 800 of the choicest Musketeers, and with the greatest part of the Horse, but without baggage, to prepossess himself of the Town, and of the victuals that were there, and to block up all Avenues from the bringing of any succour to the Fort, whilst Pianezza should advance with the Foot, Artillery, and Munition; Villa at his first arrival made himself master of the Town, and of some neighbouring places, which might have been a hindrance to him in taking the Fort: and Pianezza having overcome the difficulties of the ways which were bad enough for the bringing of Artillery, came within three days to the Town of Ceva, and joining with Villa the next day, which was the fourth of july, began to attach the Fort; their men were divided into two parts: Villa placed himself with one part under a certain Tenaglia which had been abandoned by the Enemy; and Pianezza with the other part, on the right side of the said Tenaglia against a bulwark which was near the gate; and ordering their Cannon they betook themselves to take away their defences, and then to fall upon the wall, and to make mines; whilst these things were doing, Harcourt kept about Alba to oppose any succour which should be brought to the Fort, or to prevent any design that the Spaniards might have, of falling upon any other place: but it was more than needed: for 〈◊〉 Governor keeping still in Milan, and the Prince in Inurea, thoug●… Cardinal Trivultio was gone to Allessandria, where the chief Heads of the Army were met, and where the people of those parts being m●…t were ready at any beck of the Commanders; yet the many provisions which were there taken proved to no purpose; they being to expect resolution from Milan, which not being according to the Prince his Genius, the time for action was spent in sending & re-sending the consultations, answers and replies, between Milan, Alessandria and Inurea. Wherefore the siege continuing without disturbance, Marquis Pianezza had been very diligent in working the Mines on his side; and though he had met with some obstacles, yet he overcame them and went on. So as his Mine being per●…ected, before that of the other side, he feared lest the Enemy might blow it up; be summoned them to surrender, threatening that otherwise he would give fire to his Mine, which when it should be once done there would be no more place for parley: And answer being made that they desired first to see some effects, Pianezza drew up his men immediately that they might fall on, as soon as the Mine should have played; which having made a breach of 25 paces br●…ad, the besiegers made a furious assault; which being manfully withstood by the Defendants, order was given for redoubling it with greater vigour: But the Defendants having done their best at the first, they feared what might ensued if they should be re-assaulted. Where●…ore seeing all things ready for giving a new assault they did beat a parley, and articled to surrender; whereupon about 200 Spaniards and Piedmontese marched out, and were according to Articles convoyed to Bagnasco. This business was of great consequence to the Dowagers affairs; for to boot with the great advantage she got from that whole County, the taking of this place drew after it the like of the City, Citadel, and County of Mondovi: For the Fort of Ceva being taken, and afterwards the Town of Mulasana, the Marquesses resolved to go to the taking in of Carru, a strong Castle in those parts which held still for the Princes; and Pianezza marching thitherward, with some squadrons, advanced towa●…ds the City of Mondovi, in●…ending rather to frighten it, than out of hope to take it; nor did this prove amiss, for those Citizens being terrified when they saw the victorious Forces advance towards the City they f●…ared they were come to take it; they therefore threw open the Gates, and willingly surrendered it. He pursued his march afterwards towards Carru, which despairing of re●… surrendered within twenty fours. Ceva, and the City and County of Mondovi being taken, all the neighbouring Country returned to the Dowagers obedience, together with the Fort Carru: Whereby the City of Conio, being almost quite separated from all the other Towns of Piedmont, which were ●…eld either by the Princes or Spaniards, it was thought it would not be hard to take i●…; especially since it could not be succoured by the County of Nizza, on which it confined; not so much for that the Prince Cardinal had no Forces to draw into the field, as though he had had any, or that he should be furnished with any from Spain by sea, yet the ways were so bad which led from the se●… side to Pie●…mont, and the passages so difficult, as it was impossible to convey men thither: So as no Forces were to be feared from that side; and Harcourt being willing to make use of the occasion threw himself immediately before it, with his own and with the Dowagers men. The enterprise was very hopeful, nor of less advantage and consquence, by reason of the situation, which being placed at the foot of the Apennine, where being cut off from the Alps it divides the County of Nizza from Piedmont. Conio is seated in an eminent place, enclosed between two Rivers, which falling down by two Valleys, form by the Apennine, and running some few miles by the plain which lies beneath, enclose that Town between. Of these two Rivers, the one, which is called Ghez, runs so close by one side of the Town, as it serves it for a safe and deep ditch, and by the height of the steep banks makes it unaccessible; the other, which is called Stura, being about a bow shot from the Town, is not of so much safety to it; wherefore the Fortifications are the stronger on that side. These Fortifications, according to the ancient custom, were very great and good; but being much ruined by time, they were well secured by many Rampires, with some half moons and outworks, after that the Duke of Longueville (as hath been said) had been before it: So as, at the present, it was sufficiently well fortified. In the uppermost part of Conio, there stands a Citadel, which is well munited by the nearness of the two Rivers, which join together a little beyond it, and by Fortifications; the Garrison consisted of 1400, part whereof were paid by the Prince Cardinal, part by the Spaniards. The first were commanded by Count Broglio, the others by Leiutenant Colonel Catteneo; to these were added all the Citizens, and many of the Country people who were fit to bear Arms. Count jovan Baptista Vivaldo was Governor of the place, which was sufficiently provided of Ammunition and Victuals; it was much esteemed for the opinion which was held of it, that it was not to be taken; this Fame it had gotten, not only by the situation thereof, but for its having withstood four Royal Armies, led on by excellent Champions. Wherefore Harcourt, who thought the glory he had won in his former action, somewhat eclipsed by his unfortunate success in the siege of Inurea, aspired not only to regain his former reputation by this action, but to purchase much greater, if he should effect that which many famous Commanders had failed in: He ordered Marquis Villa to prepossess himself of the avenues, taking with him 1500 of the Dowagers Horse, and 1500 of the King's Horse; who at the very first rou●…ed a Corpse de guard of Carbines, commanded by the Commendadore Pagliero; then going to St. Dalmatio, to block up the ways which le●…d from Nizza, and passing within Canonshot of Conio, 300 Horse from the City fell upon his Rear; which facing about, and being led on by Count Camerano, Son to General Villa, a young man, but of great expectation, beat them back to beyond the River Ghez. The like befell 400 Country people, who as they arrived at the Town fell upon them behind; but being pursued by the same Camerano, they were routed, so as Villa quartered safely in Borgo St. Dalmatio; the next day as he would have passed over the Stura, so to go to Nostra Lignora del l'Olmo, he found the Bridge prepossessed by about 400 of the Country neighbours, who broke the bridge and defended the passage; but Villa causing the bridge to be remade before their eyes, made his Horse pass over through a ford not far off, and his Foot over the bridge, and fell upon the Country people, slew many of them, and went to quarter at Nostra Lignora d' Olmo, and at the old Town. The mean while General Harcourt advanced with the whole Army, and within sight of the City; where he taking up his quarters before he began his siege, he heard that the Prince had mustered all his men together in the Canavese, and the Governor his in Alessandria, whereby they caused apprehension in Chiavasso, Turin, Carmagnuola, and in the neighbouring Towns; wherefore he ordered Marquis Villa to go to the parts about Turin with the Dowagers Horse, and some French Foot Regiments, not so much to oppose the Enemy's attempts, as for the safer and easier conduct of the Artillery, which were to be brought from thence to Conio; which when they came to the Camp, they began to make Trench es. The first was drawn on against the Bastion di Nostra●… Signora d' Olmo, where Castellano, Camp-Marshal, was to fall on, the second against the Bastion del Caraglio under Count Plessis Pralin; against whom those within the Town made a fierce sally, which proved very bloody, and prejudicial to the besiegers, and wherein they lost many men, amongst which two prime Gentlemen, Leva and Fausone. H●…rcourt caused a third Trench to be afterwards opened against the Bastion St. Anna, whilst Plessis Pralin's men were already got to the Counterscarf of the Ditch to lodge there, but he was valiantly repulssed by the Desendants. Wherefore Motta's men joining with Pralin, after a long and bloody fight, they took the place, where Signior della Moretta was slain; yet the Defendants lost no Courage, nor the oppugners: They sprung several Mines in several places, and many sallies were made by both parties, to hinder each others works; wherein the Defendants showed much valour, particularly Count Broglio; the business was very doubtful on both sides, and dangerous; which was increased on the besiegers side by news of Prince Thomaso, who pressed the Governor of Milan extraordinarily for speedy succour, and who, it was said, would speedily appear with powerful Forces. Treaties of Agreement were therefore willingly listened unto, which were introduced by Ripa, Bishop of Mondovi, with the Prince Cardinal, whom by Letters, and by the means of Abbot Soldato, he advertised what danger Piedmont was likely to run, if the French should become masters of that place. He therefore moved that the Town might be surrendered upon fair condition to the Duke, under the Dowagers Regency; which would be much better for the Family of Savoy, then to suffer it to fall into the French hands. The Cardinal was not averse to the Proposal, he therefore sent Abbot Boschetti immediately away from Nizza to Limone, the furthermost Confines of the County, to hold on and to conclude this Treaty, which could not but be very acceptable also to the Dowager; since thereby the Princes and the French should be excluded from possessing the place, which without any hazard should fall to her and to her Son. Wherefore she sent Instructions to her Referendario Philippo, who was in the Camp, to hasten the conclusion thereof; and not only the Dowager, and Prince Cardinal, but Harcourt, without whose consent the Dowager would do nothing, gave way willingly thereunto; thinking that the case being so doubtful, much glory would redound to him by the surrender of the Town, though it should not fall into the King's hands, since by his means it should be taken from the Prince Cardinal, and be put into the Duke's hands. Many were the debates and many the Proposals which were made to the Prince Cardinal, to make him condescend to the surrender; but he would accept of none, being assured by the besieged, and by many of his Court, that the siege would finally prove vain: Harcourt therefore wished it might speedily be concluded; for when the Town should be ready to surrender he would hear of no Treaty, but his threats were in vain; for the Prince Cardinal was resolved not to admit of any treaty, not so much out of the strength and impregnability of the place, as out of the great hopes he had of powerful succour. Prince Thomaso, who was as desirous to preserve the Town, pressed the Governor of Milan exceedingly for forces to relieve it; but could never get him to come directly to the relief of Conio; for the Spanish cautiousness would not permit him to hazard so great a strength of men so far within Piedmont, and leave so many of the Enemy's Towns on his back; especially being to pass over so many Rivers with Artillery, Baggage, and Victuals, to overcome difficult passes, to fight continually, and to defend himself from being infested by Marquis Villa, who beating the Campagnia with his Horse, would gall him, now on the one side, now on the other, and would continually incommodiate him; and, which was of greater consideration, he was to affront an enemy, stronger than himself, and who was entrenched; wherefore the Governor and other Captains, not thinking it fit to hazard themselves in so dangerous a business, they resolved to try whither they could free Conio, or no, by diversion, as they had done Inurea; they therefore gave the Prince a good strength of Horse and Foot, who went from Asti, together with the Marquis of Caracena, to Ceri, whereby they infused jealousy into Carmagnuola, and Chiavasso; but Marquis Villa marred these designs, who either foreseeing, or fearing these drifts, put forces into both those places; so as the Prince being frustrated in his intention, turned back upon Chirasco, a place of greater concernment, and fitter to relieve Cenio by reason of the nearness thereof. Cherasco is one of the strongest places of Piedmont, not so much by nature as by art, but not equally on all sides, and which had been long neglected, as being no frontier Town, and wherein was at this time but a weak French Garrison, it being one of those Towns which were assigned over by the Dowager to the King of France, in the year 39 so as the Prince thought he might securely take it; but Marquis Villa did here also deceive him; for fearing that the Prince being kept out of the other two Towns would come before this, he sent word immediately to Signior di Savigni, who was Governor thereof, that he might call in all the Country people thereabouts; and he also sent him a Troop of Dragoons, and 500 foot were sent to him from the Camp; nor did Villas diligence cease here, for fearing also Savigliano, and the quarters of the Camp, in case the Prince should adventure to fall unexpectedly upon either of them, he sent men into Savigliano, and went himself at the same time into the Campagnia with the rest of his men, advancing so near Cunio, as he could not be kept from thence, if it should be needful for him to go to the Camp; the Prince going from Cheri with 1500 choice Foot, and with all the Cavalry of the Camp except the Neapolitans, marched towards Chirasco; and not having notice of the new recruits sent by Villa, he betook himself with much courage and hope to the enterprise; he divided his Foot into two parts, and making the greatest part of his Cavalry get off Horseback, he ordered assaults to be given by night on sundry parts; but all the Squadrons which were sent met with such hindrances as they could not fall on at the same time; so as they did but little good, and gave the defendants opportunity to make the greater resistance where they were assaulted, and the Townsmen who showed themselves faithful to the Dowager took up Arms, and ran courageously to make defence; so the Prince being repulsed, not without much loss, retreated to Sommariva, where he tarried some days; but being egged on by honour, and by the prejudice which would redound to their party if the Town should be lost, he would try his fortune once more, which, the place being newly reinforced, did not favour him; yet both parties fought valiantly for many hours, the assailants mounted the Walls several times, and were still beaten back: they sometimes entered the Town, and were repulsed; and in these interchanges of fortune, the defendants having the better of the business, about break of day the Prince was forced to retreat having lost above four hundred men: The more unfortunate these diversive attempts proved, the more successfully did the Siege of Conio proceed; for Harcourt not being at all diverted by these the Enemy's attempts, and joyed that Chirasco was out of danger, which otherwise might, peradventure, have made him forego Conio, to relieve it, he continued more constant in the Siege; he therefore laid aside all treaties of agreement, and betook himself more roundly to the taking of Conio: but neither were the Prince nor Governor discouraged for their bad success, nor did they forbear attempting to relieve the Town by diversion. The Governor sent Don john Vasques, Camp-master-general with the Foot, and Don Vincenzo Conzago with the Horse to assault Rossignano, who when they were come near it, hearing that above 200 Montferrians were entered the Town, forbore doing any thing there; and went by Order from the Governor to Montcalvo, where whilst there was fair hopes of doing good, the Prince, who was with almost all the Horse, and with 600 Foot, in the parts about Villanuova, advertised the Governor that he heard there was not above 600 Foot in Chiavasso, wherefore he thought it fit to attempt the taking of it; for it being a place of almost as great concernment as Conio, it was not unlikely but that the Enemy might forego the one, not to lose the other; but the Governor who had oftentimes found the Prince's Forces to be more forward than fortunate, was not willing to yield to the proposal; the rather for that he was very near taking Montcalvo: yet being much solicited, he (though much against his will) bade the Prince take up his quarters about Chiavasso; and that if he should hear that no new recruits were entered the Town he should send him word, and he would come in to his assistance with all his men; hoping that in the mean while he might take Montcalvo. The Prince upon the Governors' promise went with 600 Foot which he caused to come from Inurea, and together with him went the Marquis of Caracena with the Horse, and took up their quarters; and finding that the Town was not reinforced, he advertised the Governor thereof, desiring him to join with him in the Enterprise. The business of Montcalvo was not yet perfected, though it advanced prosperously every day; wherefore the Governor, who that he might not prefer the certainty of the business of Montcalvo before the uncertainty of that of Chiavasso, had against his will permitted the Prince to go to before Chiavasso, the more he saw the Siege of Montcalvo draw near an end, the less fit he thought it to abandon the one, for the uncertainty of the other; wherefore feeding the Prince with delays, he entertained him so long with words, with sending and re-sending Messengers, till he might see Montcalvo taken; but the Prince being frustrated of all hopes, and finding that the Governor continued his delays, arose from before Chiavasso, and retreated to Inurea; being sufficiently scandalised that the Governor should rather suffer him to ri●…e from before Chiavasso, than Vasques from before Montcalvo, which he alleged did not only redound to the prejudice of his the Prince's honour, but to the like of the whole present War; for he said that the straightening of Chiavasso would certainly have forced Harcourt to abandon Conio, whereas the loss of Montcalvo, being of much less importance, would have contributed nothing thereunto. The Prince being gone from Chiavasso, the Marquis of Caracena forded over the Po with his Horse, and went to St. Sebastiano, were he quartered his Horse in the Towns of Montferrat near Verrua. The Siege of Conio was not in this interim at all intermitted, but continued with more vigour on both sides: Sallies, Assaults, Mines, Galleries were made use of; great were the endeavours of the Assailants, and great that of the Defendants; neither yielded to other in courage nor valour; their vigilancy and diligence were equal; every one was so ready to die, as death itself being afraid at their countenance seemed for very terror to shun them; but Harcourts' singular fortune, which appeared averse unto him in the enterprise of Inurea, and which was not undertaken by his advice, would make him an amends in this, which was done by his consent: being therefore very much gladded that neither the business of Chiavasso nor of Chirasco, had necessitated him to forego the Siege of Conio, he endeavoured the more to put an end to that enterprise, that he might come time enough to relieve Montcalvo; he therefore placed a Battery on the edge of the Ditch, ordered a Mine at the Bastion del Ulmo, solicited Count Plessis to finish another Mine which was begun against the Bastion of Madonna; which when they were perfected, he caused a parley to be beaten for the surrender of the Town; but the defendants being resolved to see the effect, 25 Foot of Wall was presently blown up; and yet the besiegers could not come conveniently to the breach, for the Bastion was Platformed wit sand and stones; so as it was not without blood that they quartered themselves at the foot of the Wall that was blown up. Harcourt not being here with dismayed, would gain the top of the Bastion by a new assault; and the other Mine at the Bastion del Olmo being ready to play, the defendants resolved to parley; and after some debates Articles were drawn up, and Hostages were given; and after 53 days Siege, on the 15th of September, Harcourt entered the Town triumphing and victorious. The Victory was the more singular, for that this Town had not been taken in many age●…: it was surrendered upon honourable conditions, and the Garrison marched out, which was reduced to the number of 400 Foot and 200 Horse. Harcourt having dispatched this enterprise went speedily to relieve Monicalvo, which he would without doubt have done, had it not been surrendered two days before his arrival. Conio being taken, the Dowager ordered Marquis Pianezza to go with all speed to recover Rovello, a strong Town, and held by a Garrison of the Cardinal, as Conio was. This place confined upon the County of Pinarvolo, and was very convenient for the French interests, by reason of their desire to dilate that Confine; and the Dowager thought it necessary to the prevent the French from throwing themselves before it; nor was she therein deceived; for Orders being come from the King that Conio should be restored to the Dowager, Harcourt, knowing how desirous Richlieu was of getting that Town, detained the King's Order, and used several pieces of cunning that the Siege might not succeed, or that it might be deferred; but Pianezza's diligence prevailed, who made himself master thereof, and put a Garrison of Piedmonteses into it; so as the restitution of Conio, as it was ordered by the King, was not disturbed: by the demolition of this Castle, it was assigned over to the Dowager the next year by the Duke of Bullion, who succeeded Harcourt in the place of General; and not long after Demont was likewise assigned over to her, a Town in those parts, which was possessed by the French; which actions being glorious to that King, who shared not therein in what his Forces had done, nor in the arbitrement of fortune, but did all out of his goodness and Royal Magnanimity; it is incredible what gladness it caused in the Piedmonteses, and in all the Italians; and these ●…ctions serving as a testimony that he would restore all the other places which were held by his Garrisons, in Piedmont, there was none that doub●…ed but that he in his own time would restore all ●…e ●…est. Conio, and the two other adjacent Towns, being taken, the Prince's authority was totally excluded from out this side of the Mountains; and their power being confined to the County of Nizza, it was thought it would not be of any long consistence; not long after the Armies were retreated to their quarters, the Prince of Monaco, having driven the Spanish Garrisons out of that place, brought in the French; and deprived the Spaniards of that station situated in the utmost Western Liguria upon a Rock, which thrusting out into the Sea shapes a kind of Haven which is of great consequence and conveniency to the Spaniards: The occasion of so great a novelty and alteration is diversely related. The Prince thereof complained of the subjection he was held in by the Garrison, of the little account that the Spanish Agents made of him, of the losses which he suffered by adhering to that Crown, not having received those emoluments from the Kingdom of Naples which were assigned unto him for his adherence to the Spaniards, which he formerly was used to receive; and, moreover, that when the Garrison wanted their pay, he was sometime forced to appease them by satisfying them out of his own purse, and to shun the plunder which was threatened by the Soldiers, as also to avoid the danger of the place, which being by occasion of the present Wars much diminished in the Garrison thereof, the King's Agents minded not the reinforcing thereof, nor the putting a sufficient number into it for necessary defence; especially at this time when the King of France his Fleet lorded it over the Mediterranean, and lay not far from Monaco; and whereby he found the designs which the French had upon that place, it being ●…o weakly Garrisoned; so as out of these respects he was forced to free himself from these apparent injuries and damages at home, and from the imminent dangers threatened from abroad; on the contrary, the King's Agents, partly, denying the blame that was laid upon them, partly lessening it, and excusing it, partly by the calamities of the present times, pretended that all this had happened by the Prince of Monaco's own instability; they complained that both he and his predecessort having enjoyed privileges and ●…enenues for above 120 years from the King of Spain's liberality very punctually; that he, now when he saw the Crown reduced to such straits, should without any occasion abandon it, and betake himself to the French, merely to better his condition; and that when in reason he ought to bear with some inconveniencies of the present times, considering what great affluence he had formerly received, and aught to show himself more constant in his devotion to that Crown, he was passed over to the Enemy's party, not without prejudice to the Crown of Spain. But these are things, the verification and discussing whereof would require more time, and the decision thereof not appertaining to the Author of this History, it will suffice to have lightly touched upon the accusations and excuses. Yet the same Agents who had some knowledge of the fact before it was done endeavoured to prevent the danger; but the success was so sudden, as all provisions and remedies came too late; and truly the more unexpected this blow came, the soarer and more insufferable was it: But greater blows than this, which the Crown of Spain received at these times, both in Italy and elsewhere, made this appear the less; for the Kingdoms of Spain we●…e so shaken, first by the Insurrection of Catalonia, and afterwards by that of Portugal, a●… they never were the like since that Crown arrived at so much greatness. The Catalonians after their Insurrection had recourse to the King of France, and by submiting to that Crown had got assistance against the King of Castille, whose Forces were entered Catalonia to reduce it: So as the French Forces entering that Province also, they often routed the Castilians, and having finally made them almost all retreat to the neighbouring Kingdom of Arragon, they rendered the recovery of Catalonia very difficult, which was almost wholly lost; and the King not being well provided of men to quell the Catalonians, and to drive the French out, who had almost made themselves Masters thereof, he was forced to make use of the Portugal Garrisons to subject the Catalonians. So the Portugueses being quite rid of the Castrlian Garrisons, made use of this occasion to withdraw themselves from the Castilian Empire, which was to them so hateful and so insufferable. They thereto made Don john, Duke of Braganza, their King, who was descended, by the Mother's side, from the ancient Kings of Portugal; and the Castilian Forces not being able to subdue both these Insurrections, they were necessitated to insist first upon that of Catalonia, whereinto the French poured in men at their pleasure; wherefore the Portugal Insurrection was but weakly withstood, so as it grew daily greater. The new King was better established in his new Kingdom, as well by reason of the people's love, as of the friendship and favour of other Princes; who out of Emulation to the Spanish Grandezza fomented the Insurrection of the Portugueses: So as what by the natural Forces of Portugal, and by what he received from foreigners, the new King kept the Castilian Forces conveniently from the Confines of Portugal. To the loss of the Kingdom of Portugal was added the loss of all the Kingdoms and Provinces of the East Indies, and of all the Seas and Islands belonging to that Crown, and in the Western parts of Brasil; for being governed and garrisoned only by the Portugueses, and none but Portugueses being suffered to sail towards those parts, nor to tarry there by the way of Traffic; as soon as the news of the new King's exaltation to the Crown, who was of the Royal lineage, was come into those parts, they all jointly & with great applause acknowledged him for their King, and readily swore Allegiance to him. The Spaniards also at this time lost many considerable places, and battles, of no small consideration in Flanders; the Fleets of the said Crown were almost dissipated by naval Conflicts, by contrary Winds, and by other casual disasters; their Forces being afflicted by several misfortunes in Lombardy and Piedmont had lost their former lustre The Austrian Empire suffered also very much in Germany; and not being able to hold that mutual correspendency, nor to receive such aid as had wont to pass between it and the Crown of Spain, both those Crowns lost much of that Authority and Grandezza whereby they had made themselves so considerable, and so formidable with the greatest Princes of Christendom, for almost one whole age; and because Germany being lacerated by continual Wars, and impoverished in people, could not furnish the Wars of Italy, and the State of Milan, with Soldiers, as it had wont to do; nor Spain whose Exchequer was exhausted could subminister that quantity of monies to the German Empire as it formerly had done, nor take order for great Levies of Dutch for Italy; the Spanish forces in Lombardy and in Italy were necessarily reduced to great weakness and discredit; insomuch as the Potentates of Italy, to whom they were so formidable before, as doubting nothing more than to be overrun by them, they were wholly bend upon pulling them down: being now totally free of that fear, and as much terrified with the apprehension of the French forces, which they saw were gotten to a fatal greatness in Spain itself, in Flanders, in Italy and in Germany; they studied how to maintain that Spanish Empire which they endeavoured to suppress so much before; all of them holding it for undoubted, that the lessening thereof would prove the lessening of their own States; amongst these the Venetians, who formerly had always been more averse to the ends and interests of the Crown of Spain then any others, changing their counsels with the alteration of affairs, began to be their first and most zealous protectors; they being the only bank which could keep out the stood of the French fortune from overflowing and drowning Italy, and their own Dominions; which they willingly hazarded some few years before, when the Duke of Rohan falling down by the Valley of Sarfina from the Valtoline into the State of Milan, when the Duke of Savoy and Marshal Cricqui being past the Tessino infused such terror into the State of Milan; the same Rohan being now to pass over a little patch of the Venetian State of not above two miles long, before he could come to the State of Milan; the Commonwealth which had been so favourable to him before in the getting and keeping of the Valtoline, were so averse unto him, upon this occasion, as they would by no means permit him to come over that very short space of Ground; which had they done it would have much increased the danger of that State; not only the Spanish Agents, but all the Potentates of Italy, were very well satisfied with this action; who knew not so much by her present, as by her past, nay, contrary carriage, how intent and watchful that Commonwealth was over the welfare and preservation of the public peace, and liberty; the same respects made the Governor of Milan more wary in engaging themselves in battle, finding that by the want of ready levies of men in Germany they wanted the conveniency of supplies to their armies, when they shall by any accident be routed, or otherwise worsted; to this was added, that Spain itself by reason of the Wars that were then very hot there, required men both from Germany and Italy; so as not being able to send men into Italy, the Spaniards were doubly weakened in Lombardy; both by the want of those Soldiers which they could not expect neither from Germany, nor Spain, and by those which they being to send into Spain, could not employ them in the Wars of Italy. Let us return to the affairs of Piedmont, where the Armies being retired to their quarters, the cessation of Military actions afforded opportunity to the concluding peace between the Dowager and the Princes, which had been often broken before, and often reassumed: but the occurrences of affairs having taken away many difficulties which had formerly obstructed it, both parties grew weary of the War; which the Dowager saw grew daily more prejudicial to the people, and to the Duke her son's State; and the Princes likewise found that their hopes grew daily less; the Prince Cardinal who was naturally more inclined to peace and quiet then to the troubles of War, desired daily to marry, out of the great desire he had of issue, whereby he might continue the Principality in case of succession, which appeared not to be far of, if not by the conceived weakness of his Nephew, at least by frailty of humane condition; and not knowing any Princess in those times more conducible to his ends, than his Niece, he desired very much to have her for wife; and the Dowager, who had formerly promoted the treaty thereof, forbore not to allure him to peace and union by this alliance. Conio being lost, and therewith all that part of Piedmont, from whence he received so much revenue, and seeing himself confined to within the confines of the County of Nizza, he doubted he could not maintain himself long in that State, notwithstanding that he was possessed of the impregnable Fort of Nizza, and of those of Villa Franca, and S. Sespiro; all which were sufficiently provided with Warlike provisions from the Kingdom of Naples; and that he might hope they might daily be supplied therewith from thence; yet the present Agents being very slow in furnishing him with moneys, (which he wanted more after the loss of Conio, then before) he began also to fear, that he might want provisions when he should need them; and which was of more concernment, he being to introduce foreigners into them in case they should be assaulted, and particularly Spaniards, there was such reciprocal distrust between him and the Spanish Agents, that he held the Forts to be as good as lost, if ever he should be compelled to bring them in; wherefore to free himself from the imminent danger that he foresaw both he and his family was in, and to obtain his ends, which were inclined to peace and marriage, he earnestly desired agreement; on the other side Prince Thomaso, who knew the Genius and inclination of the Prince Cardinal, feared lest the marriage might be made, whereby he should be excluded from all pretensions: which if it should so happen, he could have no pretence of taking up Arms against the Dowager when she should be united to his brother; so as he had but small certainty of his present condition, and was very doubtful of the future; Moreover he was ill satisfied with the assistance of Forces which he received from Spain; but he was chiefly terrified at the prosperous success of the French, and the contrary of the Spaniards; who failing in all men's expectation, as much as the French bettered, did prognosticate the unfortunate fall of those who thought to better themselves by them; these auguries and prognostications did so work upon the Prince, as the dangers, and ruins which were yet far off seemed to him to be present; he therefore thought it better to secure his fortune on that side which was uppermost, and to get at last free from the slavery and danger which he foresaw he must undergo by adhering to the losers; it was also thought that an accident which happened at this time in France weighed down the balance of the Prince his resolution; some Princes of France, who were not well pleased with the present Government of that Kingdom, and consequently not with Cardinal Richlieu's Authority, were gotten into Sedan, a very strong Town of the Duke of Bullion's; the first whereof was the Count of Soisons●… 〈◊〉 Prince of the blood, betwixt whom and the Cardinal there had been 〈◊〉 disgusts; this Prince thought to kindle such a fire in France, by the 〈◊〉 of other discontented Princes, and by the assistance of the Span●… Forces who were to come from Flanders, and join with him in this enterprise, as that thereby the Cardinal's authority should undoubtedly b●…●…d in the dust; the business which had been long a framing there broke our at last, and a battle ensued thereupon in open field between the Count's Forces and those of the King; those of Sedan had the better of the King's men in the conflict; and by a very famous victory the conspirators were likely to have compassed their ends, had not the King and the Cardinal's fortune exceeded the Victory, by Count Soiso●… death who was slain in the battle by a Musket shot which defeated the Colleagues; for the rest of the Princes of that faction wanting that ●…eaning-stock; and being dismayed at his loss who was their Chie●…n, and of the Blood-royal, stood no longer to the business; but running, some one way, some another, abandoned the Comm●… cause, and every one endeavoured their own safety. 〈◊〉 Soiso●… was Brother to Prince Thomaso's wife; and leaving no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him, the succession fell to his sister; wherefore the Prince was thought to be conscious of Soisons' conspiracy, and that he expected what the event thereof would be, and accordingly would dispose of himself in his adherence either to Spain, or France; and that it had been the Count's persuasions which had prevailed with him to forego the Capitulations made with Mazzarine; wherefore when he saw the unfortunateness of the success, and that his brother in Law was slain, he was forced to take new resolves; either because he could build no more upon the conspiracy of Sedan, so to join with the Spaniards; or else for that his half-brothers estate being fallen to his wife, he could not forsake so great a Fortune, but close with France, from whence he continually received great offers; nor was the Dowager wanting in promoting the business; but making use of what had happened in France, she represented unto the Prince with what opportunity to advantage his interests with that Crown, and desired him that he would not injure his wife and Children by refusing it; to this was added, that the Spanish Agents, either for want of money, or by reason of the news that was given out, that the Princes who were ready to conclude with France, were somewhat slow in disbursing moneys, fearing that they might not only be ill employed, but to the King's prejudice; the Princes were therefore forced to agree with the Dowager, not being able to maintain the Towns they were possessed of from being taken either by the French, or Spaniards, to the irreparable loss of their Family: and, which was worse; if the French, whose fortune they feared, should become masters of the Towns which were possessed by the Spaniards in Piedmont, they saw they must be exiles from their Country, and rely upon the Spaniard for maintenance: Prince Thomaso being out of these reasons resolved to agree, made: his mind be known to the Dowager by the Protonotory Bergera, who was after Archbishop of Toledo, desiring that the City of Inurea might be assigned to him for the security of his person, and that he might be Lieutenant General of that Province, and of that of Biela; upon which he promised her to remit the Dukedom of Aosta freely unto her; and for what concerned the guardianship, and Regency, he would not differ from what he had agreed unto, and that he would absolutely join with the French; the treaty was readily reassumed with the Dowager, and with France; Precedent Leone, the Count di Mussano, and el Patrimoniale Moneti, were chosen Deputies by the two Princes to treat thereof in Turin, and Moneti was chosen Precedent; the businesses as far as concerned Prince Thomaso's interest, were as good as adjusted: greater and almost insuperable difficulties arose touching the interest of the Prince Cardinal, who though he desired agreement more than his brother, who being unwilling to dispossess himself of the Towns in the County of Nizza, persisted in his pretensions to the Lieutenancy of that County totally, and wholly independent upon the Dowagers Regency, together with the retention of all the Towns therein, and particularly of the Castle of Nizza, a place of great consequence; which pretensions being too repugnant to the Dowagers Regency (whereunto she would not by any means consent) there was much a do to salve all. At last, but after many month's debate, the Princes condescended to the Dowagers Regency, so as all things were accorded upon these Articles; that the Dowager should be Governess of the Duke, and sovereign Regent of the States of her Son Don Charles Emanuel. That she should choose a Council of State, consisting of such persons as were worthy and capable of such an honour, wherein the Princes might intervene when they pleased: That in the Letters Patents wherein it was wont to be said, with the opinion of our Council, it should be said, with the assistance of the Princes our Brothers, and with the approbation of our Council: That in business of great concernment the Princes should likewise subscribe, that the Prince Cardinal should be the Duke's Lieutenant General in the County of Nizza, and Prince Thomaso in that of Inurea and Biela: That the Governors and Officers of Justice, War, and of the Finances, should be chosen by the Dowager, such as should be Subjects to the House of Savoy, and capable of those employments; but those of the County of Nizza, such as the Prince Cardinal might confide in: That those who were already chosen by Duke Victorio, by the Dowager, and by the Princes, should be confirmed or removed as the Dowager should please; but so as the Princes should be therewith satisfied. And to this purpose, there was a writing made a part, declaring that all those who had adhered to the Princes should be provided for, excluded, or changed: That the Oath of Allegiance to the Duke should be renewed, with an expression, that if the Duke should die without issue Male, the Prince Cardinal should succeed, and so successively the Heirs Male; and that the said Princes should take the Oath of Allegiance to the Duke: That for what concerned the order of the Annuntiata, and of the religious orders of St. Mauritio and Lazaro, the accustomed constitutions and rules should be observed: That the goods and reprisals should be interchangeably restored, and that all the Subjects should be received into the Dowagers royal favour, and into the grace of the Princes: That to boot with what hath been said, two thousand Foot, and a thousand Horse, should be allowed to Prince Thomaso, for the Garrison of Inurea, and for the defence of the Provinces allotted him; to boot with these Capitulations made between the Dowager and the Princes jointly, there should another agreement be made, in particular, between the Dowager and the Prince Cardina●…; the Articles whereof contained in a writing a part were; the Marriage between the Prince Cardinal and his Niece the Princess 〈◊〉 Lodovica: That the Dowagers Goverours should come into the ●…owns of the County of Nizza, with a competent number of Soldiers: That the Governors who should enter should be permitted to dismiss as many of the old garrison as they should please: That the new Governors should, notwithstanding, swear unto the Prince that they would not admit of any successor in the Government of the Town, who should not be a Subject of the royal House of Savoy, and that the successor should do the like in the charge committed unto him, before he should enter the Town, and so should those do in the Government of the Town; that as well the Governor, as his successors, should swear not to restore the Town to any but him the Prince, or to the Heirs Male of the House of Savoy, in case the present Duke should die without Heirs Male lawfully begotten. The Prince Cardinal not contented with all this, demanded 30000 Ducats of the Dowager, to distribute amongst the Spanish Soldiers, whom he was to cashier, and many other advantages for those Officers who were to go out of the Forts. The Dowager, though she were reduced to great straits by the present time granted all unto him readily; not only out of Princely Liberality, but out of singular Wisdom, as not aiming at any thing, but at the assuring those so important Towns to her Son upon any whatsoever conditions, and to reunite the House of Savoy, which was so divided within itself, to real peace and agreement. The same day the agreement made by the Princes with the King of France was confirmed and subscribed by the Princes, and by Monsieur d'Aque Buone the King's Ambassador; whereby the Princes were received into the favour and protection of the Crown of France. And the Marriage being approved of between the Prince Cardinal and the Princess Maria, and the Princes gratified with pensions and donatives, the King of France upon the making of a general Peace was to cause Prince Thomaso's Wife and Children to be restored unto him, and to approve of the allowing Prince Thomaso the 2000 Foot, and 1000 Horse, provided that he should be obliged to serve the King therewith. And that the King should assure both the Princes of his assistance in their successi●…●…n case the Duke should die, and keep his promises made to the Pope●…●…ents, and to the other potentates of Italy, touching the restitution of the Duke's Towns wherein he had any Garrisons. On the other side, the Princes promised and obliged themselves to dismiss the Spaniards which were in their service, that they should openly declare themselves to be of the King's party, and to renounce all treaties with the Spaniards, and that the Prince Cardinal, in particular, should renounce the protection of the Empire, and that Prince Thomaso should be bound to serve the King in person, in War, against the Spaniards, as his Majesty should be pleased to appoint. All the other Articles which were to be agreed upon, on the 14th of june, the year 42, together with many other writings which were signed the same day, were forthwith sent to France, that the King might approve of those which related to the agreements between the Dowager and the Princes; and ratify those that were made between the Princes and his Ambassador. By these Capitulations (which were afterwards performed with satisfaction to all, as shall be said) an end was put to the Wars of Piedmont. In the Articles which were made between the Princes and the French Ambassador the Princes were bound to dismiss all the Spanish Soldiers that were with them; but it was not expressed when; whereunto they thought themselves engaged after Ratification made with the King. But this was the hardest point of all others to execute, and which caused much trouble, especially since the whole Garrison in Inurea were Spaniards; yet Prince Thomaso found means how to be easily rid of them. At the same time when these Affairs were upon concluding, instead of General Harcourt the Duke of Bullion was made Commander in Chief of the French Forces, he who had hatched the aforesaid Rebellion in the Town of Sedan; but after the Battle, and death of the Count Soisons, upon humbling himself to the King he was pardoned, and was taken into the King's favour, who when he was come into Piedmont; and had joined with the Dowagers Forces, marched into the field, and passing into Alessandria was come as far as Filizzano, and Corniente; Don john Vasques, who was Governor of Alessandria, and who was retreated with his men into that City, fearing that he would pass over the Tanaro, sent all his Cavalry, and 1000 Foot, under Don Vincenzo Gonzaga, toward that river to oppose the Enemy; some skirmishes passed betvveen these and the Enemy on both sides the river; but Bullion making as if he would go somewhere else, which was said would be either to Pontestura or Trino, the Governor went from Milan to Vercelli, to hinder any design of the Enemy, and to keep him from sitting down before either of those places. Upon this occasion, Prince Thomaso advised him to take up one quarter before Pontestura, wherein he might put 2000 Foot, and 1000 Horse, offering him his Spanish horse and foot, which, as he said, lay idle in Inurea: The Governor accepted his offer, being unwilling to disfurnish other places; wherefore the Prince sent both Horse and Foot from Inurea, towards St. ja, but ordered the Horse that when they should be come to such a certain place, they should halt, and suffer the Foot to advance. But it being quickly known that Bullion was retreated from Tanara, the Governor sent back the Foot to Inurea, and the Prince refused to receive them, under pretence that there was a Truce made between them (the Princes) and the Dowager, and that to shun that this reception might seem a novelty, he did not think fit to let them in: They therefore retreated to Vercelli, so that by this cunning trick the Prince quitted his hands of the Spanish Garrison. Nor did the Prince Cardinal want means to free himself from the like encumbrance; for either having received, or seeming to have received notice, that Don Francisco Tuttavilla, Captain of the thousand Spaniards which were granted him for the defence of himself, and of the County of Nizza, had treated with the Garrison of the Castle to his prejudice; he sent for him into the Castle, and seeming to resent the action he commanded him to go immediately out of the Castle, together with his men, who were there ready to depart, and that he should go out of Piedmont; which being done, both the Princes were masters of themselves; and might the better make good their agreement. This dismission was done very seasonably; for had it been longer delayed, it had hindered not only the execution of this so important business, but had hazarded the whole agreement, by reason of a sudden accident which happened in Cassalle. Bullion, who after he could not get over the Tanaro was returned to Montferrat, had quartered his men in the Towns thereabouts, and going himself for pastime to Cassalle, out of a desire to see that Citadel, which was held to be impregnable, when he was come into the Citadel, contrary to his own expectation, and the like of all others, was by order from the King seized upon by the Governor of the Citadel, and sent back well guarded into France. This happened just ten days after the agreement made by the Princes, and five days after they had cashiered the Spaniards; which made it be generally conceived that this was done by way of resenting what had happened at Sedan, notwithstanding the King's pardon: this seemed to be an example to the Princes, who did always distrust that the Articles made with the Court of France would not be made good unto them; and it was commonly conceived that had not the Princes declared so absolutely in the behalf of France, by dismissing those men, they would have demurred upon those Conventions; but being quite deprived of the Spanish assistance, though they knew not what might succeed, they were forced to rest contented, and to expect from whence this blow proceeded, and what it aimed at; but all doubts and apprehensions soon ceased, it being known that the Duke's imprisonment proceeded not out of any old account, but out of ●…ew jealousies, that he was complice in a new conspiracy made against the Cardinal Richlieu, by Monsieur St. Mark, Grand Escuyer de France, and favourite to the King; so as all occasions of diffidence ceasing, and the King's ratification being come from France, with satisfaction to all, they fell to do what was at the present to be done; but there was a knot found in the Prince Cardinal's business which was hard to be untied, which proceeded from whether the Marriage should precede the resignation of the Towns in the County of Nizza, or the resignation the Marriage; whereof there being great distrust on both sides, some solution must be found for it; which after much discussion, was; that the Marriage should be celebrated in Nizza, by a Proxey to be of purpose deputed by the Princes; which Proxey was to swear, upon pain of life, that the Marriage should be consummated as soon as the Towns should be resigned; and that the Governors who were to receive them in the Dowagers behalf should swear unto the Prince, before they entered the Towns, to redeliver them to the Prince, if they should find the Princess her Proxey backward to celebrate the Marriage. Things being t●…us adjusted, the Prince Cardinal sent jovan Dominico Doria, Marquis of Cerie, to Turin with sufficient authority to celebrate the Espousals by words, for the future, between him the Prince, and the eldest Daughter of Savoy; after which celebration, the Marquis Pianezza was chosen Proxey by the Princess to celebrate the Marriage by words in present; and the Dowager deputed Carlo Vittorio Scaglia, Count di Verrua, to receive the Castle of Nizza; and jovan Baptista Solaro, Count di Monestervolo, to receive that of Villa franca; and Count Alessandro Borgarello that of St. Sospiro. The Proxey and the Deputies went from Turin towards Nizza; and with them went Monsieur Zecchinelli, the Pope's Nuntio, who carried the Pope's dispensation with him, for the celebration of the Marriage, and power to receive the Cardinals-Cap from the Prince; when they were come to Nizza, they all took their solemn Oaths to observe what they had sworn to in the Capitulations; and subsequently the Towns were delivered up, and the Marriage was celebrated on the 21 of September, the year 1642, with infinite satisfaction to all parties concerned, with incredible applause of the people, who being overjoyed to see the Princes joined in a good peace and hoped that being freed from the calamities of War th●…y should enjoy the fruits of peace. Count Verrua being entered into the Fort and Castle of Nizza, and the others into the others of that County, they dismissed all the old Garrisons which they found in them; so as they remained in the full and absolute power & dominion of the Duke & Dowager; and the Princes when they had dismissed the Spaniards, before they published the agreement which they had made with the Dowager, and with the King of France, they sent to the Governor of Milan, demanding the restoral of the Towns that had been taken to their Nephew the Duke; and the Governor being desirous to know from them, before he gave his answer, if when restitution should be made, they would continue in Peace, or in War, with the Duke, he could receive no clear answer, but one that was uncertain, and very dubious; and the Princes thinking that if he should not be sure of peace ●…e would make no restauration, and that he would be hardly brought to do it when he should be assured of it, wit●…out waiting any longet for answer from the Governor, nor from the Court of Spain, from whence resolution was to come, they published the agreement; and Prince Thomaso marching into the field as a Soldier of the King of France began to manage those Arms against the King of Spain which before he had managed for the King of Spain against France; he therefore headed the French who remained in those parts after Bullions imprisonment; and being followed by Marquis Villa with the Dowagers men he fell to recover the Towns which were held by the Spanish Garrisons: he began with Crescentino, where he met with grea●…er resistance than he expected; for the Governor seeing that the French Army after Bullions imprisonment was retreated into Piedmont, and that being divided into several quarters it lay about Verrua, feared Crescentino: wherefore he sent the Marquis of Caracena with all the Horse, except those of Naples, to recruit it with Men and Munition; which Caracena having very well performed, passing over the Po at Pontestura, he went by Orders from the Governor to St. Salvadore. Sergeant Major Alonso Vasques was Captain of the Garrison, who did not only vigorously sustain the Siege, but troubled the Enemy with many sallies; and though the place were not much fortified, nor very hard to be taken by him who should be master of the field, yet it held out stoutly for 15 days, in which time the Governor doubting Trino, and St. ja, he had time to put good Garrisons, and other 〈◊〉 into them, the charge whereof he committed to Marquis Caracena, who stealing secretly out of Vercelli reinforced Trino twice by a way which leads not far from Crescentino, whilst the Prince was hottest about it: The like he did in St. ●…a, where he found no opposition. These provisions were very seasonably made; for the Duke of Longueville appearing at last, after mid August, in Piedmont, who was appointed to succeed Bullion in the place of General of the ●…rench Forces; and having brought many men with him, wherewith he was to carry the War into the State of Milan; now that the Princes were passed over to the French, it behoved the Governor, who had not equal Forces to face him in the Field, to munite the Towns of the State, and those of Piedmont, with good Garrisons; and yielding the Field to the French, to watch where this gre●…t cloud would settle at last: it was generally conceived that Prince Thomaso was drawn to side with the French, by strong promises that they would get him some Territories in the State of Milan, which should be peculiar to him and to those that should descend from him; and the sequel showed that the County of Tortona, and peradventure that of Alessandria, together with all on this side Po, towards the State of Genoa, was promised him; that, moreover, he was intended to be made General of all the French Forces in Italy: but that Court not thinking it fit to bestow upon him a charge of so great importance at the very first, especially the Hostages of his Wife and Children being considered which were in Spain, it was judged more convenient to give that employment to the Duke of Longueville, who was joined by affinity and correspondency to the Prince: wherefore that Court thought fit to mitigate the Prince his pretensions by that choice, whereby they had sufficiently provided for his interests; especially the Orders being considered, which, as hath been said, were given unto Longueville, to carry on the War according to the Prince his designs and ends; but the Prince not being content with these provisions, and expecting better satisfaction, to the end that the Soldiers might not lie idle in the interim, in a time proper for War, the Duke whilst the Prince remained in Inurea, went with his own men only, to the taking of Nizza and Acqui; to the end that when those places should be taken, way might be made for the intended design upon Tortona; which when it should be effected, the State of Milan was to be assaulted, according to the P●…ince his ends and interests. Nizza was not much stronger than Crescentino, and whosoever was master of the field might easily take it; nor was it very well garrisoned: Wherefore Baron Batteville was sent to recruit it with 200 Soldiers, who entering the Town, after the places thereabout were t●…ken, the Garrison was increased to the number of 450, an insufficient number to defend it, and yet Batteville did all that was to be done therein; but a greater breach being made in six hours' space then the Enemy intended, by reason of the bad condition of the earth, and several Mines being ready to play, they began to treat of surrender; and Longueville being resolved not to yield to any other conditions, than those that were granted to Count St. Paul, by Marquis Leganes, when he took it the year before; the defendants were en●…orced to accept of such conditions as the Enemy was pleased to impose upon them; which were, that the Garrison should be sent, through France, to the County of Burgundy, which was under the King of Spain. ●…he Governor had intended to relieve this place another time, by sending 100 Horse, and as many Dragoons, thither before the surrender; but the resolution being divulged, and the Conductor, who was no friend to Batteville, carrying the business but ill-favouredly, it succeeded not; for the relievers being come near the Enemy's Camp, they found the Enemy ready to repulse them; so they returned to Alessandria, from whence they were come, not having done any thing: a greater disaster befell a Regiment of Horse which were sent to Montaldo, (a Town within six miles of Nizza) to incommod●…ate the Enemy in their Forage; for being fallen upon by a greater number of Horse, it was routed with loss of seventy Horse, and the Captain had much ado to save himself. Not long after Nizza was taken Don Mauritio of Savoy went with a good Body of Horse, and some Foot Companies, by night, from Inurea to Arbo, a Town in the Territories of Biela, near the Sesia, whither 500 Horse were sent to be quartered, under the Lieutenant General of the Milan Horse, whom he assaulted three hours before day on two sides; the quarter was put into great confusion; and though the Lieutenant-General, with some of his best men, made head against them, yet the rest fled awa●…, and saved themselves by foording over the Sesia: The Lieutenant having but few with him, and being abandoned by the rest, got over also by the same ford into the State of Milan, leaving all his baggage, and many of his Horse, behind him to the Enemy; there were not many slain, for the ford being near the quarter, saved many of them. Don jeronymo Salvaterra was taken prisoner, and Don Luigi Benavida, both of them being wounded; and if Don Mauritio had been aware to have placed some to have guarded the ford, the victory would have been much greater: The Marquis Caracena, who was then in Vercelli, thought to have served the Enemy with the like sauce; for hearing that the Prince's Horse were quartered in five places above Biela, he rallied the Horse that were run from their quarters, and joining them to those that were in Garrison in Vercelli and St. ja, he marched with them and with 400 Foot about Sunset, thinking to fall upon the Prince his Horse which lay about Biela. But he fared not as did Don Mauritio, by reason of the disparity of the Countries through which they marched; for Caracena marched through an Enemy's Country, and Mauritio thorough his friends quarters. Wherefore the latter passed with great silence and secrecy, whereas Caracena found the Country up in Arms, and the bells of the Towns by which he marched ringing aloud; so as not being able to get to the place he intended before noon day, his resentment proved vain, save only that he light upon 60 Horse which were given to Biela, which he routed, and took some of them prisoners. Nizza being taken, Longueville sat down before Acqui, which he within a few days took, and went to quarter at Gui, intending, as was imagined, to go to the taking in of Tortona; but he was dissuaded by Prince Thomaso, who thinking to succeed in the surprisal of Novara, as he had plotted it, invi●…ed the Duke to join with him in that enterprise. Wherefore the Duke returning to Cassalle joined with the Prince, who stayed for him at Balzola and Morano; and passing together over the Sesia, they marched towards Novara: But whether it were that he could nor come at his appointed time to the Gates of Novara, by reason of the excessive rain which had fallen for two days, or that they had heard that the Marquis of Caracena, fearing what the issue of this march would be, was entered Novara with above 500 Horse, and a great many Foot: And that the Governor of Milan, who was then in Alessandria, had sent some foot from Garrison to Garrison by Valenza and Mortara, so speedily as that these recruits coming before the Enemy arrived, the Prince began to doubt his design; he and the Duke retreated to Confienza, and passing over the Sesia distributed their men in Constanza, Dezava, Carenzana, and in other Towns thereabouts. Where having tarried a few days, and moneys being sent from France, they went to the former designed enterprise of Tortona. The French Forces, and those of the Dowagers in this Camp, rose to the number of 5000 Horse, and 10000 Foot: Marquis Villa led on the Van, Longueville followed with the Body of the Battle, and Prince Thomaso brought up the Rear; and passing over the Po to Cassalle, and over the Tanaro to Filizzano; Villa advanced presently to possess himself of all the places near the City, to keep out Men, and Munition; which when it should be done; this so important City would undoubtedly have been reduced within four days: For Tortona being far from Piedmont, none could imagine that the Enemy should leave the Towns unrecovered, which were held by the Spaniards in the heart of the State, and advance to this, especially since the winter drew on, and by the difficulty of bringing relief which was to be brought so far through an Enemy's Country; wherefore as if it had been out of all danger, it had in it a Garrison of only 100 Soldiers, and no Commander of note. But the enemy's diligence was prevented by the Governor Siruela, who not knowing what to think of the haste which the Enemy made, and not being able to comprehend where they intended to go, though he wanted Foot to secure so many places, subject to be assaulted by so great Forces; yet after having sent succour to Allessandria from Valenza, he sent 800 Foot to pass over the Po at Bassignana, and to keep in Piovera; and ordered Don john Vasques Coronado, who was in Allessandria, that if the Enemy should tarry in those parts, he should send for those 800 Foot, and with them succour Annone, Rocaurano, and Aste; but if he should see them make towards Tortona, he should forthwith send them to assist that City; which was wisely foreseen by the Governor; and being punctually observed by Vasques, excellent effects did the●…eby redound to the King's Affairs. For these 800 Foot being luckily got into the City before Villas arrival, some few of them only who were near in the Rear, not being able to escape Villas diligence who took them, the Town was enabled to hold out the siege long, which consumed more than the moiety of that flourishing Army; which if they had quickly taken, they might easily have made themselves Masters of all on this side the Po, towards the Apennine; and would, (their Forces being entire) have had opportunity to have effected the Prince his vast designs: Not long after Bernardine Galeotti a Neapolitan, and Prestino, who was an excellent Engineer, being sent by the Governor, stole into the City; passing over the Mountain which was not as yet guarded nor possessed by the Enemy, and were both of them a great help to defend the City. The Army being drawn near the City, and having at the very first taken the Suburbs, they planted their Artillery against the walls, trying if the Citizens would willingly surrender, which they not doing, they began their battery; wherewith having made a breach, Galeotti found the City was not to be defended, wherefore they retired so hastily to the Castle, as they had not time to carry their victuals along with them, nor to break down the mills which were near the walls, things which did afterwards much accommodate the enemy, who entering the City the fifth day, when the Garrison had abandoned it, and the City by the Bishops interposing, surrendered upon condition: So as the Enemy began immediately to begird the Castle with Trenches, and possessed themselves of the Church & Monastery of S. Dominico, which stood between the City and the Castle, the Garrison not having fortified it, to keep from 〈◊〉 men in the defence thereof, having hardly enough to defend the Castle: And yet either foreseeing, or already finding how prejudicial the taking of that Convent would be unto them, they ●…ndeavoured to recove●… it the next day by a stout sally, but were forced to retrea●…. The Duke sent the Horse afterwards to scour the Country, who without resistance took the Castle Nuovo di Scrivia, which Prince Thomaso chose for his quarters, and having placed a quarter also in Pontecurone, he took Voghera, which threw the Gates open; then turning upon the Towns and Villages there●…bout, he got good store of Victuals, and brought it together with much more booty into the City: but those who dwelled upon the hills resisted, and preserved their goods and persons, with much prejudice to their opposers; the first and most important resolution of the opposers was to take Serravalle, a Town situated upon the way that leads to the Sea, which being a place of great consequence, whereby commerce with the Sta●…e of Genoa was either blocked up, or maintained, the business was committed to Marquis Villa, who going from the Camp with the Piedmont Horse, and five French Regiments of Foot, which in all made 1500 Horse, and 3000 Foot, he marched thitherward; and took first Stasono which did willingly surrender, and came afterwards to Serravalle, where taking the Town without resistance he betook himself to the Castle, whither the Garrison was retreated, and where there was not any provision; and yet it held out, and afforded the Governor Siruela time (who was very desirous to preserve that place) to get together as many men as in so great straits he could from the Garrisons of the State of Milan and of the Towns in Piedmont, having called Count Galliazzo Trotti from Asti, and Don Vincenzzo Monsurio from Vercelli, who by reason of the neighbourhood of the State of Milan got into Allessandria without any hindrance, with all their men: Fra. jovan Pallavicino, Campmaster, met with more difficulty, and danger, who was sent for by the Governor from Villa nova, with order, that leaving men and munition sufficient to keep that place from surprisal, he should come into Allessandria with the rest, where the Governor stayed expecting him: to which purpose he sent him ●…00 Horse to be his convoy. Villa nova is near upon 40 miles from the City of Alessandria, in the midst of Piedmont, near to Towns strongly Garrisoned by the Enemy; so as he was to march through the Enemy's country; which Pallavicimo did with much valour and speed; and though he passed very privately to keep from being discovered by the Enemy, yet was he pursued by the Garrison of Carmagnuola, which overtook him at the bridge of Villa Franca, and strove to keep him from passing over it; hoping to effect their desire by re●…son of 200 carriages which he brought along with him laden with warlike ammunition, and also one Cannon, so as they promised themselves clear victory, with the slaughter of all his men, and the getting of all his munition; but Palavicino not at all abashed at their approach placed himself with his ranks in order before the carriages, and facing about made head against the Enemy, and held them play till the Carriages and the Cannon passed over the Bridge, after which his men began to march in good order, with their faces still towards the Enemy, and still fight; who passing over after them did still pursue them, till Pallavicino be●…ng come with his men to Gombino, a Town two miles distant from the Bridge, made himself master thereof, and fortified himself in an advantageous place, where he stayed with his men in order, expecting that the Enemy should advance; but they not daring to assault him upon such disadvantageous terms, left pursuing him, and retreated towards Carmagnuola, suffering Pallavicino to pass freely into Allessandria, whither he came safe with his men and carriages; this so great recruite being so luckily come to the Governor was of great consequence; for with them, and with some other men that he had, he made up a body of 5000 Foot, and 300 Horse; with the which marching into the field on the eighth of Octber, he came to Fregarvola, a Town near Bosco, intending to go from thence to Serravalle, whither he had sent some Foot already, that they might endeavour to get one after another into the Castle; and though his men were fewer in number then the Enemy; yet the Enemy being distributed into several quarters, the Governor doubted not, but that he being more in number then any one of the Enemy's quarters, his design might take effect: Nor was he therein deceived, for it fell out better than was expected; the Duke of Longueville who was before Tortona with but a few men, hearing of this expedition, and fearing that the Enemy might fall upon some part of the Trenches which were ill provided of Defendants, and might enter into the Castle, and so into the City, and cause some important mischief, sent speedily back for all the Horse which were dispersed abroad in several parts, and brought them nearer Tortona; and moreover sent for Marquis Villa from Serravalle; who writ back that he thought it better to quit Tortona, and be masters of Serravalle, then to abandon Serravalle, and come to before Tortona; for that the way by Sea being block up on that part to the State of Millaln, Tortona would not be able to hold out long, and way would be made to further progress; he therefore advised him to give over that Siege, and to join with him in the taking of Serravalle; but Longueville persisting in his own opinion, redoubled his order with more efficacy; Wherefore Villa leaving Serravalle, though unwillingly, forwent that Castle, and the Town which he had already taken: So the Governor having by the mere fame of his march luckily freed Serravalle, which was held as good as lost, he sent a sufficient Garrison thither to guard it, and furnished it with munition; keeping afterwards in the Town of Bosco, he stayed there, to keep the victuals and munition from coming to the enemy's Camp, which were sent from Piedmont by Montferrate; believing that the Enemy not being able to maintain that siege long for scarcity of victuals and munition, must of necessity give over the enterprise; and to this purpose, he acquainted the Commonwealth of Genoa, how unjustly they intended to invade the State of Milan, and how prejudicial that would be to the Genoeses; wherefore he exhorted that State not to afford any conveniencies to their enemies; the Commonwealth hereupon took into consideration, how that all the Castles which she held beyond t●…e Apennine were open, except it were Novi, which was only environed with old we●…k walls; and that sharing more of the sterility of the ne●…ghbouring mountains, then of the fruitfulness of the valleys of Lombardy, they are of themselves not only unable to feed Foreign Armies, but even not only to provide for themselves, and that they ●…eeded to be provided with victuals from their neighbouring Towns. Wherefore since they were more furnished with victuals from Novi then from home, the inhibition desired by the Governor would be superfl●…ous, and no ways helpful to his pretended end, but would be ve●…y prejud●…cial to those people, who would be thereby provoked to Military Licentiousness, by the pillaging and plundering the whole Country in resentment of the affront; nor would the mischief cease here; for the King of France would be offended with the Commonwealth for this action, which peradventure he would esteem little less than Hostile; wherefore the Commonwealth having acquainted the Governor with these reasons sent a competent number of Soldiers to Novi, under Philip Palavicino, one well versed both in Civil, and in Military affairs; and enjoined him that he should endeavour the quiet of those confines, and to keep them from the inroad of disbanded Soldiers, and not to suffer any innovation whereby the liberty of that market might be prejudiced; so the French whose quarters lay near that Market, coming thither to buy victuals at any rates, the prizes rise to such a height, as it drew great store of Victuals from the 〈◊〉 of Millian, which was no little ease to the French Army; which the Spaniards not being able to suffer, who were for the most part quartered beyond Tortona towards the Po, could not make use of that market, as the French did; they complained of the Commonwealth, as if she had favoured the French more than them; not seeing, nor being willing to see, that almost all the victuals which were brought to Novi came from the State of Milan, and that they not being able by any means their own scourers of the Country could use, to keep their own subjects from bringing victuals to Novi, they were cause of that mischief●… to themselves which they pre●…ended to receive from the Commonwealth; thus the French Army, without loss of any time, continued to besiege that Castle, about which having taken up their quarters, and drawn a line about it, they made four approaches toward it: two towards the City, and two towards the Mountain and Turenna's Regiment being quartered over against a certain half moon, he was forced by a gallant sally which was made to quit it; the like to which befell another Regiment which was quartered upon the edge of the Ditch, it being bea●…en back by another fierce sally: several other sallies were likewise made with various Fortune, but for the most part with advantage to the opposers. And Bosco being inconvenient to the Governor Siruele, by reason of its ●…ar distance; for he could not from thence hinder a convoy of powder which was sent from Cassalle, though he had sent the Marquis of Caracena to intercept it; he thought he might keep out relief better by removing to Pozzola, which lay upon the road way to Tortona from Novi, and Monferrate, not above six miles from Tortona, which was divided from thence by the Scrivia; he therefore went thither with all his men; but not being able to tarry there long by reason of the scarcity of water and forage, and because he thought the Castle could not hold out long, he thought it necessary to give over the thought of bel●…guering the Enemy's Camp, and to relieve it by open force; he therefore resolved to go from Pozzuolo, and to march towards Sale, which lies a little lower towards the Po, on the le●…hand of Scrivia; he marched in battle array, in case he should be assaulted by the Camp from before Tortona, as he was threatened to be; he was also moved to remove his quarters, hearing that Marquis Villa was gone from the Camp, and having passed over the Scrivia was marched towards the Tanaro, to receive there a good quantity of powder, which he knew was to be brought from Cassalle; which the Governor 〈◊〉 of, he had before sent order to Valenza that they might be careful to intercept it; and those of Valenza were not negligent in observing his Orders; for having assembled both Horse, and Foot from the neighbouring parts, they went in pursuit thereof; and lighting upon the Convoy, they fell so furiously upon the Convoyers, as to save the●…r lives, and not being able to save the Powder, they threw a great part of it into the Po; and being come near Bassignana, they left the rest upon the banks of the Tanaro; and Marquis Villa being come to that River, and seeing the Country people busy in sharing the rest, he set Musketeers along the shore, for fear of whom the Country people fled, and left the Ammunition; and Villa spying a Bark which lay hulling in the River, without any Boat-men, he made some of his men swim towards it, who took it, and brought over the Ammunition in it; and laying it upon carriage-horses which they had brought to that end, they brought it safe to the Camp before Tortona, whither Villa came safe also before the Governor of Milan got from Pozzuolo to Sale; who since he had missed of meeting with Villa in his return, as he intended to have done, he sent some of his men to recover Cas●…el nuovo di Scrivia; from whence a Troop of Horse that lay there in Garrison going out to discover the Enemy, they skirmished with them, and were repulsed by them; and the keeper of the Castle at his return found the gates shut upon him by the Townsmen; so as failing of that refuge, he went to Pontecurone, to join with the Horse which were quartered there; and the Governor passing over the Scrivia with the rest of his men, went to castle nuovo; which made all the Country towards Tortona on this side the River be abandoned by the Enemy's Horse and Foot which were quartered in those parts, who came all to the line of circumvolution about the Castle: whereupon the Governor went to Pontecurone, and finding it empty he made there a Rendezvous of Arms, and placed some Troops of Horse there which were newly come from the State of Milan; and hearing that there were only 100 French in Garrison in the Castle of Voghera, he sent Forces to drive them out; which was done without any difficulty; for the French at the very sight of the Spanish Colours surrendered the place, and retired, as the rest had done, to the ●…renches about Tortona: all on this side the Scrivia towards Tortona being taken, and the Governor being master of the Field, he betook himself wholly to relieve the Castle, the Condition whereof he could by no means hear, so diligently we●…e all the Avenues guarded; which made him much doubt the preservation thereo●…, not knowing how long it could hold out; and it was given out by the Enemy that it would soon be surrendered: And yet because he would not be failing to himself, nor leave any thing undone which might make for the presesvation of so important a place, he was very diligent in getting provisions, whereby to keep the Castle from ●…urrendring; wherefore he hasted to relieve it; he knew he could not effect his design by any way but by that of the Mountain, wherein he was to meet with two great difficulties; the first, that the Enemy foreknowing it, would fortify the Trench on that side the more strongly, and would place his whole Forces there, since he could not apprehend fear in any other place: The other difficulty proceeded from the inconveniencies which were found in the situation of the Mountain. The Castle of Tortona stands upon the top of a Hill, which being severed from higher Hills declines gently for the space of three miles on the East side of the City, which lies just at the Foot thereof; so as the Governor, if he would relieve the Castle, was to begin from the highest and furthermost tops of the Hills, and by the ridge thereof appro●…ch the well munited Trenches which shelter the Castle on the Hills side: Nor was this all the difficulty; about a mile before you come to the line of Circumvolution, the Hill declining by degrees shapes out a gutter, which falls into a Valley, whither he who will advance must fall down, and then climb up again to the opposite top: This gutter or slit was very incommodious and dangerous, if the Enemy should have munited the edge thereof, as it was probable they had done; therefore the resolution of bringing relief was fuller of danger then hope: But the Governor, who thought the loss of this Castle to be the worst of evils that could befall, was resolved to try his Fortune; he therefore took up two quarters on the very top of the Hill, and possessed himself of Montgualdone and Sarzano; and falling down from thence, he came without any opposition to the Gutter or Slit; where he found Longueville and his men on the opposite height well prepared to defend that Pass; nor herewithal content, he fortified himself with a good Trench, and with Artillery, upon the edge of the top of his hill; so as from thence he commanded all the Enemy's Troops, and all the avenues by which he might be assaulted. The Governor being come to the slit, began also to fortify the top of his hill; and contemplating the Enemies advantageous position, he began to find, that he could not send to assault it, but by ways which by the fall of waters were made slippery, and which were so 〈◊〉, as but a few could march on front; so as to attempt an assault against a long, stout, well munited row of men, would be a great piece of folly; there remained but one thing to be done, that he might not seem to have moved in vain, and to have done thus much to no purpose; which was, to send some men to try an assault upon some Corpse de guard which were without the Trenches, placed upon the hanging of the slit, near a little solitary Chapel which was there, to see whether the Enemy being provoked thereby would forego his advantages, and fall rashly down into the Valley, whereby fight in an equal place, way might be made for the intended succour; as this conce●…t was idle, so proved it unuseful; for though Marquis Villa came out of the Trench with his Horse, backed with some Squadrons, and falling upon the assaulters, be●…t them back to a certain little house which they had formerly possessed themselves of, and which stood in the middle between the two Camps; yet no more was done; but all the Corpse de guard being sent for back, returned to the Trench; and the French Commande●…s showed themselves more wary in maintaining the advantage of their 〈◊〉, then ready to hazard the unce●…tainty of Ba●…tle either upon equal or unequal terms; and therefore the Governor finding that the Enemy was not minded to forego his advantage, he attempted, but in vain, to put 300 men by night into the Castle. Both the Armies kept their stations that night, the next day the rain increased; so as the Spanish Army not being able to convey in their Victuals, and their Soldiers being exposed to the rain, the Governor was forced to think of retreating; he therefore made his Horse advance, and left Don Vincenzo Gonzaga with a good strength of Horse and Foot, to keep the station where his Army was quartered till his Soldiers might be marched off: who met with many great obstacles in their retreat; for being to pass over the Gru, (a little rivulet at other times, but which ran now with very much violence being much swollen by the fall of waters,) they were fain to climb up a hill beyond it, and to draw up their Artillery by it, which by reason of the rain was become hardly passable; wherefore they resolved to march both Horse and Foot by the current of the Gru; wherefore the General of the Horse, Marquis Caracena, sent some Horse that night to guard the lower part of that rivulet, to defend the Army in its march, by whom he was afterwards informed, that many Horse were come out of the City of Tortona, marching towards Vighizvolo, by which the Army was to pass with their Artillery; wherefore the Marquis doubled the aforesaid Guards, charging them to mark well the Enemy's way, and to give notice of every the least proceeding: The Guards returned, averring their former advertisement, and, moreover, that the Horse and Foot marched toward the same stations that the Spanish Army had left; whereupon the Spanish Army haulted, to consult upon what was to be done: the joint opinion was, that they should continue their begun march, for that the advertisement might be false; and if otherwise, they might by continuing their march get to Vighizvolo before the Enemy; only Caracena opposed the general resolution, averring that the Horse which marched in the Rear should be so long held skirmishing by the Enemy's Horse which advanced by the Valley, as the rest of the Enemy's Horse which marched by the hill might come up unto them, and fall upon them, and that not being able for want of Foot to defend themselves, they the Spaniards would be routed, that the Enemy would pursue their Victory, and advancing forwards would also rout the Foot: he concluded therefore, that it would be better to bring all their men into one body, and keep in that station which was very strong, as being between two hills, which were higher than those on which the Enemy was; and that keeping the Gru before them which ran between the two Armies, it was impossible they could fight them upon such advantage without passing over the Gru, which he desired the Enemy would dare to do; for by so doing their utter ruin would undoubtedly ensue, and the loss of all their men, whereby they the French might obtain a signal vi●…tory; and if, as it might be believed, the Spaniards might think this too dangerous, and so keep idle where they were, they might draw up their Artillery; which might be done in one day or two, and the Baggage might march securely in the Rear. This advice was generally disliked, all of them persisting in their former resolution of marching along the Gru; but the Marquis knowing the certain danger they should run into by that march, said resolutely he would not go that way, and gave order to the Horse to march the way he should direct them; and was so resolute therein, as the rest changed their minds, and came over to his opinion; and ere long, by an accident that happened, his opinion was clearly found to be the best, and the only safe one; a thick cloud arose upon daybreak, which took away the sight of the Campagnia and of the hill; which vanishing away a little after Caracena's opinion was approved of, several Troops of the Enemy's Horse and Foot were discovered on the hill; which made them all aware, what imminent danger the Army would have incurred had not Caracena persisted in his opinion; wherefore the whole Army very much applauded the Marquis, as their deliverer from so great a danger, and acknowledged themselves infinitely obliged to him; and not long after they might see the French Troops which lay towards Vighizvolo join with those upon the hill, by which Caracena's counsel appeared to be the sole safety of that Army, which was at that time of such importance for the preservation of the State of Milan. Both the Armies kept their stations, not acting any thing: the French not daring to assault the Spaniards began to retire towards the Camp, two hours before Sunset; which the Spaniards perceiving they also removed, and went towards Pontecurone, whither it came without any encounter, but weary; the Artillery was drawn by the Dutch of Prince Borso's Regiment, and by some others of the same Nation, by strength of Arms, up the hill, and safely brought to Pontecurone, for which they had good store of drinking money given them: a retreat, which the fuller it was of danger and difficulty, the more praiseworthy was it. The Besiegers thinking that the Castle would immediately be surrendered, now that the relieving Army was gone, whereby they were deprived of all hopes of relief, sent to demand the Castle; but it was manfully answered, that affairs were not yet brought to terms of surrender. In this interim a great supply of Victuals and Ammunition was brought to the French Camp by the way of Acqui; nor was Piedmont content only to send considerable succours to the enterprise of Tortona; but the Dowager making use of this occasion designed to take such Towns from the Spaniards as they were possessed of, and to free Piedmont absolutely, whilst it was unprovided of requisite Garrisons. To this purpose she got together a considerable body of men, composed of the Military remainders in Piedmont, and drawn out of the Garrisons thereof, and of Montferrat; to whom she added those that were sent by Marquis Villa, when he parted from Serravalle; and this was approved of by the French and Piedmonteses; for by sending of these men into the field, one of two things was likely to result: either the recovery of ●…e Towns, or the withdrawing of the Spaniards from defending ●…ortona; and because the recovery of the Towns was the thing chiefly intended by the Dowager, her opinion was approved of by Marquis Pianezza, who propounded the enterprise of Verrua first, and next that of Vercelli; not so much in consideration of their slender Garrisons, as for the safety and conveniency which would redound to Piedmont thereby, and for that nothing else would more div●…rt the defending of Tortona. And the manner of effecting both these enterprises being discussed, the French Ambassador who could hear no more acceptable news than the recovery of Verrua, which opened the way to France for the relief of Cassalle, joined willingly with Pianezza in his opinion: Wherefore some Horse were sent to Verrua, to possess themselves of the Avenues thereabouts, that they might keep out the Spanish succour which might be sent thither from the confining Towns of Trino, Pontestura, or Villanuova. The good success of this enterprise consisted in expedition; wherefore Pianezza having sent men by the Po to this intended enterprise, and ladders and other necessary instructions along with them, he marched towards the Town; where he applied ladders that very night, by which he forced the Defendants to fly unto the Castle, so he easily became Master of the Town, which did facilitate the taking of the Castle. But before he would attempt it, he would try how the Defendants minds stood; he therefore beat a Call, summoning them to surrender: whereupon they par●…ed, and the next morning yielded upon honourable conditions, by which the place was restored by the Spanish Governor to Pianezza, who received it in the name of the Dowager and the Duke. Verrua was a place of gre●…t consequence, by reason that it commanded the Po; which when Marquis Pianezza had so easily gotten, he bethought himself of greater enterprises, as to recover Verce●…li, where the Garrison was much diminished, by reason of the necessary defence of Tortona the Marquis cast his eye upon two Tenag●…ias, that of St. Andrea, and that of the Citadel; which not being guarded answerable to their great●…ess seemed easy to be taken, if they should be attempted by night; and when they should be taken would be a safe quarter against the City. But this business required more men, wherefore it had been forme●…ly thus ordered in Turin, that all the French should join with Govognes', Governor of the Citadel of Cassalle, who coming from thence with part of the Garrison should take the Tenagl●…a of the Citadel, and Pianezza with his P●…edmontese was to take that of Sr. Andrea; but whilst this enterprise was in hand, it was inter●…upted by no sleight accident: The French Ambassador ●…earing that Verrua was surrendered to Pian●…zza, who held it in the Dowagers name, began to complain, pretending that since the French concurred in the enterprise as well as the Piedmonteses, the French were to have entered there in Garrison; where●…ore he much resented that Pianezza should do so grea●… an injury to the King of France's Forces: Whereunto the Marquis answered, that he was the Duke of Savoy's Soldier, not Soldier to the King of France, that the Town appertained to the Duke, that the Spanish Governor had surrendered it to him, as to a servant of the Dukes, as ●…e had done in other the like cases, particularly in the recovery of Ceva, which was recovered by the joint Forces of France and Piedmont; wherefore he ought not have done otherwise upon this occasion; but some distastes falling out hereupon, the Ambassador sent Monsieur di Malici, Marshal of the Camp, and Governor of Pinarvolo, to command the French that were with Marquis Pianezza; who being disgusted at this affron●…, turned over not only the French, but the Piedmonteses also, to Malici, and r●…turned himself to Turin: For which Longueville was angry with the Emb●…ssador, and told him that this change of Commander was contrary to his instructions. Pianezza before he departed, acquainted Malici and Covognes', with what was resolved upon Turin touching Vercelli, who being advanced with their men to within five mile of that City, suddenly altered their minds, the cause not being known, and turned upon St. ja, hoping to take it by a Scalado; but they failed therein: for Monsuri●…, Campmaster and Captain of the Garrison, having had notice thereof, was vigilant and defended himself manfully, not only against the Scalado, but against several assaults, and repulsed the Assailants much to their loss of blood: Who not knowing whither better to go, marched towards Tortona, to bring that real help thither, which they could not do by diversion, being sent for thither, as they said, by Longueville; which resolution though it proved not so prejudicial as the assaulting of St. ja, yet it did no good; for being come to Acqui, where they heard that Don Vincenzo Gonzaga was come from Bosco to oppose them, and to keep them from going to Tortona, they haulted, waiting for an answer from Duke Longueville, to a desire made unto him by Marshal Malici, that he would send him a Convoy which might conduct him safe thither. Longueville and Prince Thomaso, were not well pleased (as was said) with their coming, for they despaired of good success in this enterprise, which proved every day more difficult; and therefore desired any just occasion of quitting it with honour: They therefore were no sooner acquainted by Marquis Pianezza of what was resolved in Turin concerning Vercelli, and with what ease they thought they might take it; but they thought they had light upon the occasion which they wished for, of changing the●…r languishing hopes of taking that Castle, with the recovery which they for certain promised themselves of the Citadel of Vercelli, upon which they pitched their thoughts, and were resolved to fall upon it when they first heard the City was taken; and they were troubled that the others leaving Vercelli were coming towards Tortona: Wherefore they writ to the Marquis, wishing him to keep still at Acqui; the Governor Siruela growing apprehensive of that City, by reason of what had happened in Piedmont, and by the advancing of the French and Piedmonteses towards Vercelli, he sent some Forces from Pontecurone to strengthen it; he had also sent Don Vincenza Gonzaga, with a body of Horse towards Bosco, to fall upon the succour and munition which passed from Montferrat to the Enemy's Camp; who when he was come to the place intended, and heard that Colonel Mauzino was passed over the Scrivia, and that he was gone with some Troops of Horse to seek forage, went to meet him, and lighting upon him at Bazzaluzza, gave order to assault him; which Don Diego di Villaroi, Captain of the Horse, who marched in the Van, presently did. And the Governor coming after with the rest, a fierce skirmish ensued, wherein many of those that were assaulted were slain, many fled, and many were taken prisoners; amongst which Colonel Manzino himself, with many Officers and Soldiers, to the number of two hundred; few of the Assailants were slain; but Don Carlo Caracciola a Captain of Horse, whilst he was fight valiantly according to his custom, was shot in the head by a Carabine, and killed. The Castle of Tortona, this mean while, was straight besieged, and the besiegers being fall'n into the ditch, and got to the wall, fell to make Mines, and the workmen were very much pressed by the Commanders, fearing lest being much lessened in men, & despairing of succour from Piedmont, by reason of opposition made by Gonzaga, they should be forced to give over the enterprise; and the approach of Winter, against which they had no defence, made them despair the more; another no small inconvenience befell them by Serravalle Garrison, which fell by night upon the nearest and greatest of the mi●…s which furnished the Camp with Grist; and though they were played upon by a neighbouring company of Musketeers, yet they at last won the Mill, and slew all the Musquetiers, set fire upon the Mill, and retreated with little loss to Serravalle; the strong defence which was made by the Defendants made the taking of the Town be much doubted; and the Governor not being able to make the Enemy remove, did what he could to incommodate them by keeping away secure, by turning the water from their Mills, by sending in slender succours secretly to the besieged, that they might hold out the longer; hoping in what the Enemy feared, that the approaching Winter which began to be very bitter, it being now the midst of Novemb. would keep the enemy from working: but the besiegers diligence did much obstruct the stealing in of succour into the Castle; so as though some relief was stolen in, yet being discovered by the Scouts they were forced to fl●…e; at last, the Mines being ready to play, the enemy were wished to yield before fire should be given to them: who returned no answer, but that they expected commands from Spain; fire was therefore given to the Mines; some of which, particularly those which were towards the City, wrought good effect; so as a strong assault being given, wherein many of the assailants perished, they at last lodged in the breach which was made in the Bulwark by the Mine: yet the Engeneer Prestino's diligence rendered that advantage vain; who caused a defence of boards and rafters to be made, which cut off the Bulwarks on which the enemy were lodged from the Castle; and the Defendants having munited that work on their side with a trench began to stand man for man, and to fight the oppugners upon equal terms; which they might the better do, for that the Mines on the outside the Castle did but little hurt. Three hundred of the choicest Foot that were in the Spanish Camp were at this time convoyed into the Castle, conducted by Don Diego Alvarado, Serjeant Major of the Neapolitan Brigade; by which recruit the Defendants being encouraged, and furnished with ammunition, which every one of those that came in brought in a Wallet ride about their necks, sallied stoutly out upon the enemy, and forced them to abandon the breach whereon they were; the oppugners seeing so good a succour got into the Castle began to despair of the enterprise, gave over mining, which they saw did but little good, fell to their batteries again, more out of rage, than out of any good they expected thereby; but it so happened, that as they had got but little good by all their attempts which they had hitherto advisedly made; so by this, from which they expected little or no advantage, the whose victor was occasioned; for they made one shot against the Keep of the Castle, which beat down part of it, and the ruins thereof fell upon the remainder of the victuals, contrary to all expectation; so as the Defendants having lost all their victuals, nothing but surrender was to be thought upon; thus forced by necessity they parlyed, which ended in a surrender upon honourable conditions, having leave to carry away five piece of Cannon; a thing not heard of upon the yielding up of places furnished with greater store of Artillery; and it was also expressly covenanted, that they might have five days allowed them to expect if any relief or succour should be sent them; which time being expired, and no relief appearing, they marched out in number above 1000 Soldiers, with Arms, Baggage, Colours Flying, Match lighted, and with their five piece of Cannon, which served to trumpet forth their valour, and they were attended to the Confines of Allessandria, being very well received in all places, and much praised for the resolution they had showed during the whole Siege; Galleotti, in reward of the great valiour he had showed in defending the Castle, was made Campmaster; which honour he did not long enjoy; for he was unfortunately slain not long after with a Musket shot; the Spanish Garrison marching out, the French entered on the 26 of November, which was the day of surrender; who found the walls so torn and rend by the Mines and batteries, as not being easily able to mend them, they made what shift they could to defend them, with faggots, rafters, and other things; the Conquering Army retreated to the neighbouring Towns, where having tarried some days, they at great rates got all the victuals they could from the neighbouring parts, wherewith they furnished the Castle, and departed to Piedmont, but were much wasted and consumed; and as they marched through Monferrat, they were yet more lessened by the great store of rain that fell, and by other sufferings; a good part of the Horse being gone to the Confines of Montferrat, were strucken with a panic fear at the meet same that the Governor of Milan was with an Army upon their backs; So as running directly away they light upon a path that led to the Orba, a little rivulet, which being swollen by the fall of waters ran very swiftly; those who came first to the water side, not being able to go back (so fast were they followed by those that came after) were forced into the water, where entangled amongst themselves, both the first and the last were miserably drowned; the foot fared no better for being dispersed, some here, some there, they were pilladged, and slain; the few that got to Piedmont were quartered in several quarters, and rallied; so as, were it not for the getting of a deserted City, and a Castle which was half beaten down, the business proved prejudicial to both sides, and reciprocally ruinous. But it is true, that the taking of this City, and the recovery thereof by the Spaniards, was the occasion of the Piedmonteses recovery of many places which the Spaniards had taken in the former Wars; which was no little advantage to the French and Piedmonteses; for otherwise it would have been more troublesome and chargeable for them to have done it: The Governor of Milan, though he had done all that was possible for the preservation of the Castle that was lost, so as the loss the eof could not be ascribed to any default of his; yet being very much troubled that it should fall out in the time of his Government, and that that had befallen him which had not happened to any of his Predecessors, since the State of Milan was joined to the Spanish Empire, he was grievously vexed, and being desirous to repair so great a loss he minded nothing but how to recover it; he therefore thought every hour a year till the Winter were over, that he might wipe away that stain which he thought lay upon him for that loss; which he the rather hoped to do by the death which befell in France to the Cardinal Richlieu, whose Authority and Counsel, as they had kept the Enemies of France in terror whilst he lived, so they ceasing with his death, every one thought that so excellent an Architect failing to the good Government and prosperous conduct of the Affairs of that Kingdom, they would decline apace from that height to which they were brought whilst he lived. He died about the end of November, in the year 42, of a natural death, after a long and noisome or troublesome disease; he was very stiff for the advancement of the Regal Sovereignty, as also of his own Authority; and this to that degree, that so he might arrive at any thing which might advance either the one or the other, he did not abhor doing any thing, though it were not clad with honesty nor justice; so as he knew, better than any other, how to make use of that saying of julius Caesar; That if reason were to be violated, it were to be violated for reason of State; and therefore he was termed by some the new Tiberius of our times: he rose to such authority in the Court, and had so great a power over the King's genius, as he was to have many encounters, and to shock not only with the Princes and Grandees of the Kingdom, and with the Queen Mother, but with the King's only Brother, who was then Heir to the Kingdom: insomuch as the Queen Mother not able to tolerate such preeminence and authority, which did even outdo hers, went out of the Kingdom, and would never return, unless the King would remove the Cardinal; which the King not doing, she lived an exile from France many years, and died in Cullen, a little before the Cardinal; whither, having run through many Countries, she at last retired herself; and the Brother, having gone several times out of France, for the same Reasons, and several times returned, not able to bear with so great a predominancy in the Cardinal, conspired often against him; and how much the Princes and Grandees of the Kingdom were distasted with this transcendent authority, was shown by frequent Conspiracies against it, and against the Government of the Kingdom; not without danger sometimes to the King's person. The people also, and the Provinces of the Kingdom, not able to bear with the many grievances which were laid upon them, for maintaining the immoderate expenses of War abroad, did often rebel; but all these Conspiracies and Seditions did rather increase, and confirm his greatness, than any ways lessen it; and the King himself was not able longer to endure it; because all the Lords and Office●…s of the Kingdom, as well Gownsmen, as those of the Sword, either dazzled with the Cardinals so great splendour, or attracted by hopes of favour, or drawn by fear of hatred and revenge, which they saw they could not shun, followed the Cardinal, and did, as it were, worship him; it was thought, that the last Conspiracy of the Grand Escuyer de France was not plotted without the King's tacit consent, as being desirous to be rid of that over-shadower of his Regal Majesty; and though the vanity of this opinion may be convinced by how easily the King might have suppressed him, if he had listed, and by that the Conspirators held intelligence with the Crown of Spain, & had been promised assistance from thence; yet it is very certain that the King being weary of such a Minister of State would, have been well enough contented to have had his wings clipped, had not the managing of the great affairs which passed at the present through his hands made his service too necessary to his Majesty at this time; howsoever it was, the Cardinal died, if not in the greatest voluntary and free favour of the King, which he had so abundantly enjoyed before; yet in his forced and necessary favour, which did the more authorise it; Foreign Princes also, who were Friends and Confederates with the Crown, had no less reason to complain of his rigorous actions, than the French: he having made them prove the acrimony of his genius, which was inclined by all means to his King's advancement and greatness, as if not fully, may, in some sort, be comprehended by the context of this History; and yet all things succeeded so prosperously both within and without the Kingdom, as that though he entered into the conduct of public affairs when they were sufficiently full of trouble, variety of Religions, Factions and Contumacies, as well of the Princes as People; and consequently in a tottering and dangerous condition, he restored the Catholic Religion fully, and suppressed Heresies, and restored the Kingdom to perfect peace; won credit to Military Discipline; and re-ordered the public Government excellently well in order; he kept all Enemies not only out of the Kingdom, but assaulted them vigorously at their own homes: he did not only secure the Confines of the Kingdom, but did much dilate them by the acquisition of considerable Provinces; and finally, he rendered the name of France glorious, and remarkable above all other Nations; he died full of glory, and worthy to be honoured for his singular service done unto the Crown, with the glorious Title of Pater Principis, & Patriae. Many attributed the felicity of so many actions to his extraordinary good fortune; but because her wont inconstancy repugns such continual good success, we must needs confess, that Cardinal Richlieu's actions were not carried on by the will of Fortune, but governed by a more than humane wisdom. The King, not without reason, bewailed the death of this great Minister of State; for he said well who said, that the bounds of the Forces of the Kingdom consisted in the Authority of his every where credited and feared Counsels; and doubtlessly, the effects of so great a loss would soon have been felt, had not the same Cardinal's providence, whilst he was yet alive, repaired so imminent a danger, by leaving a new successor to that Government which was like to be vacant after his death; which was julius Mazzarini, whom we have often mentioned, who being at the King's intercession created Cardinal not long before; and brought by the said Richlieu, whilst he was yet alive, into the Government of the most important business of the Kingdom; which showed that he knew him to be the ablest man, and most capable of all others, to enter upon the conduct of Public Government; and therefore preferring the public good before his private conveniences, and before the interests of those that were nearest to him in blood and alliance, he propounded him to the King for his successor, though he were a Foreigner, and an Italian by birth; who after Richlieu's death, having by the King's good will, taken the Reins of Public Government into his hands, with fortunate presage, and more fortunate success, gave proof that the Kingdom wanted not Government neither at home nor abroad, nor found it any change of Governor; so uniform do the Affairs of the Kingdom run now, as they did before (as shall be said in its proper place) and, if it may be lawful to say so, not only equally well, but advantageously better. Two months after Cardinal Richleiu's death, the Conde Duca fell from his grace of being Favourite in the Court of Spain; wherein he had continued for the space of 22 years in absolute authority, but with universal hatred: which hatred, added to the great misfortunes with befell that crown under his conduct, was the occasion of his fall; for the King, moved by the exclamations of so many people, who were discontented with the Government of this Favourite, and with the blame laid upon his public and private comportments, from whence they professed all their disorders and misfortunes had proceeded, resolved at last to remove him; and taking from him the management of public and private Affairs confined him to Locches, not far from Madrid; but not long after he was confined to Thoro, a City in old Castille, where after some years he died. Truly it cannot be denied, but that this Gentleman was very zealous of his King's greatness, and was extraordinarily accurate in ordering public affairs, wherein, foregoing all Sports and Pastimes, he was very assiduously diligent and careful. Moreover, he was not to be bribed; nothing in him was vendible; he seemed wholly intent upon the Kings grandezza, and upon the good Government of public Affairs; but these excellent gifts were, I will not say, corrupted with as many vices, but distempered by the excess of the same virtues; for he, taking the advancement of the Kings and the Crowns Prerogative to be the most refined Maxim, and the end of all good and perfect Government, seemed so intent thereupon, as not at all minding the people's satisfaction or interest, he cared for nothing else: not knowing that the people's satisfaction is the true basis and surest founda●…ion of Principality; and that no Empire that is violent is long lived; so as this, which he thought to be the true and perfect Rule of Government, did degenerate▪ into manifest Tyranny. Hence proceeded his immense desire of extinguishing the Liberty and Franchise which the Spaniards call Fueros, by which the Kingdoms and Provinces of Spain, under pretence of liberty and exemption, have always been willingly obedient to the Crown of Castille; whereof they do boast much, and have been always careful exactors: but this State-minister not caring to distaste them in this which was the foundation of their ready and willing obedience, as Vassals to his Majesty, endeavoured to annul those their Customs or Fueroes, and to reduce the people of Spain into the form of mere Provincials, absolutely as subjected to the Crown of Castille; which did so embitter their very souls, as made them fall into rebellion. Many have said, and it is generally believed, that this Minister of State did use the Catalonians with all extremity of rigour, purposely to make them rebel, to the end that upon that pretence he might deprive them of all privileges as guilty of High Treason, and reduce them to mere subjection, till by his continual vexations he wrought his ends upon them, and gathered the bitter fruits of his Tyrannic●…l Counsels. The like be●…ell the Kingdom of Portugal, which being by rigour and bitterness compelled to rebel, chose the Duke of Braganza, the only branch of Regal blood in Portugal, for their King; which when the Conde Duca heard of he hasted joyfully to the King, as rejoicing at this rebellion, and c●…aved thanks from him for the good news he brought him, that he was now become absolute King of Portugal, and Master of all the Territories and Fortunes of the Duke of Braganza, which were very great in that Kingdom. Nor did this his tyrannous ●…allon confine itself only to the people and Provinces which we●…e subject to the Crown, but it extended to confederate friends and Princes; who having been treated by the former Kings with all Love and Respect, and alured by benefits and honours largely con●…er'd upon them; he began in an imperious manner to distaste, and af●…erwards to whip them sound: His Government was grown so hateful to the very Castilians themselves, as he grew detested and abhorred by them all; the Grandees of Spain being in several sorts distasted and ill tre●…ed were not able to endure it, went voluntarily to the Court, and retired themselves from their own jurisdictions, so as the King was almost left solitary alone at Court; it was observed that the two greatest Princes of Christendom were, at the same time, and by several ways, deprived of their chiefest favourites, and almost robbed of that lustre and splendour which Princes use to receive from the numerous attendance of the greatest Personages of their Kingdoms. One of them by the excellency of Virtue, which drew them after her possessor, and with drew them from the King; the other, by the hatred which all men bore to the Favourite, which made the great ones keep far from Court. Wherefore when the Favourites fall was hea●…d of, as the King returned ●…rom the Escurialle to the Court, he was met by ten Grandees a league before he came to Madrid, which caused the King who had not for a long time before been so attended, ask what the matter was, and if any strange accident had happened at Madrid? to which Don Melchior di Borgia answered, in all their Names; that now the time was come wherein his Majesty should know the true devotion which the Grandees Spain bo●…e to the Crown and to his person; and that if they had not waited upon him formerly as they ought, it was out of those reasons which were well known to his Majesty. Nor were they the Grandees only that were distasted with the grea●…ness of the Conde Duca, but the Nobility and all other inferior persons lived discontentedly, by reason of their hard usage; and those few who enjoyed any favour at Court came so hardly by it, as they thought it hardly thanks worthy. So as the Fountains of Regal bounty being shut up, and those of hardship and ●…igor only open, the public Government was become nothing but severity, which made men only not dissatisfied, but mad and desperate; and though he were not ignorant of all this, yet did he not alter his way of proceeding; but being sure that all this happened for his being wholly intent upon the King's service, he did rejoice and glory in it; and if the Castilians fell not into rebellion, as did the Catalonians and Portuguese, or into conspiracies as did the French, it must only be attributed to their great continency, and to their obsequious devotion towards their King, which made them, by a singular example of Love and Loyalty, rather suffer the indiscretion and unbridled Will of the State-Minister, then under pretence of reforming the public Government venture upon disturbing the public Peace, to the prejudice of all men. All men, and himself acknowledged that fortune crossed all ●…his undertake; and just as he was far from favouring other men's desires, so fortune appeared to delight in thwarting his. But though it may be true that his unfortunate Genius had a great part in ruining his designs, yet it cannot be denied that much of his miscarriages proceeded from his choice of those whom he deputed to work his own and the public ends; for he always preferred his own confidents before those that understood more than they; and depriving himself and the Kingdom of their worthy parts, he commonly committed the carriage of the most important Affairs to the hands of unexperienced men, as may be seen by some unfortunate successes by us related. And so faulty was he herein, as having not long before his fall, declared one juliano to be his natural Son, and Heir to his County of Olivares, and Dukedom of St. Lucar, whom, as if he had been born again, he called Henry by his Father's name; and never having made any the least account of this juliano before, had suffered him to live a Vagabonds life in Taverns and Bawdy-houses, exposed to all those miserable adventures to which men that are so given are subject, even till by good fortune he had escaped an ignominious death, to which for enormous faults he was adjudged by Law; this his declaring of his Sonship was publicly confirmed by Regal Authority, to the loathing and detestation of all men, but more particularly, to his nearest of Kin: Which hatred and detestation grew the greater, for that this new Henry having gotten nothing by his formerly led life but customs answerable thereunto, he had nothing in him of gentile or handsome, but a rusticity of manners, and an incapability not only of what was Lordlike, but even of what was civil, or like a Gentleman. To this his Declaration that this Henry was his Son, was added the undoubted succession of his Paternal Inheritance, which contained very large Territories and Titles, deriving from the supreme dignity of Grandee, together with an infinity of riches. So as this new Henry was raised to the highest pitch of greatness in Spain; and being desirous to match him nobly, he endeavoured to marry him to one of the prime Ladies of the Court, to the Daughter of the Constable of Castille, a chief Lord of Spain, who boasts himself to be descended from the race of five Kings; & not being able to effect his desire, by reason of the Constable's detestation of the match, not thinking that the immense wealth, nor the great titles honours, which this new 〈◊〉 had accumulated, was a sufficient recompense for the sordidness of his past life, and of his unhappy inclination, by which his blood and those that should descend from him should be contaminated; which the Conde Duca pe●…ceiving, he got the King to command the Constable to consent to the Marriage without reply; which the Constable would not give way unto, unless it were absolutely declared in the Matrimonial Covenants, that he was compelled thereunto by the King's Command. Nor did Olivares his vast ends and desires cease here, for he was ambitious to introduce him into the management of the principal Affairs of the Crown, albeit that his said sordidness, and the incapacity of his Genius was unfit for any employment: So as at the very first step, he destined him to be Precedent of the Indies, removing the Count of Castriglio, a worthy Gentleman, and meritorious State Minister, of much Power and Trust, from that place. He aspired also to procure him the honour which the Spaniards call Aio del Principe, to whom the Government of him that is to succeed, to be King of so many Kingdoms, and the instructing of him in noble and generous Sciences, belongs. Thus he by degrees aimed at the making him his Colleague, and to succeed him in his place of Favourite, which he could not believe that himself should ever forego, no not when he was even upon his downfall; an example very unlike to that of Cardinal Richlieu. This Favourite being removed, the King would take the Government of the Kingdom upon himself; which though all men were infinitely glad of, yet did not the change prove very happy, but the remedy came too late applied to the malady with which it was already gangrened, and become almost incurable. Let us now return to the Affairs of Italy, which we have left off by so many digressions of Affairs in foreign Courts. February, in the year 1643. was not well begun, when the Governor of Milan march●…d into the field with his Army, which consisted of 5000 Foot, and 1500 Horse, and going out of Alessandria went to quarter in Figarvolo and Bosco, and sent the Marquis of Caracena from thence, with 2000 Foot, and 1000 Horse, by Pozvolo, to possess himself of the passes above Tortona; who coming before day to the Scrivia, over against Tortona, advanced two files of Musketeers, whereby he made himself Master of the Capuchins Covent, which stands a little without the Gate that leads to Serravalle; the French not being aware of him, by reason of the thick mist which kept them from discovering the Enemy, but finding, when the mist was over, that the place was taken, they presently endeavoured the recovery thereof, but in vain; for Caracena advancing with 200 Horse, and with some Musketeers, drove them back into the City; whither Don john Vasques Coronado being come by the way of Castelnuovo with the other 3000 Foot and 1500 Horse, he possessed himself of some houses near the opposite Gate which looks towards Milan; and not long after, the Governor came thither with his Guards, and Don Vincenzo Gonzaga with the Neapolitan Horse: here they called a Council of Wa●…, whither Caracena was called for from his quarter, which was on the opposite side: in which council they took not only into consideration how they were to carry on the enterprise, but whether they should begin it or no; in both which points the Captains of the Army did disagree: but the Governors desire prevailing, and for that they had already proceeded so far as there was no away left to avoid it, all other considerations were laid aside; the rather for that Marquis Caracena, opposing the difficulties and delays which were objected, touching only the taking of the Town, cleared all that could be said, by assuring them that he would give the City into their hands within less than two days. The quarters were therefore disposed of; that of the Capuchins which was already taken was assigned to Caracena, and to Vasques that on the opposite side over against the Gate that leads to Milan, to which two Spanish Brigades were added. Caracena was also appointed to choose a place for battery; which being chosen he began to batter; and a great part of the Wall being beaten down within two hours, the City capitulated. The Garrison which was left in the City by Longueville, and Prince Thomaso, were fifteen hundred Foot; amongst which were many good Officers; Monsieur di Frolenville, Governor of the City, commanded over them; a Gentleman well experienced in War, who not finding himself able to defend the City with so few men, abandoned it; and keeping the Covent of St. Dominico in his hands, retreated into the Castle: four Batteries were immediately erected by the Governor against this Covent; from which the defendants not being well able to defend themselves, they tried to free themselves of that trouble by sallies; in one of which the assailants had well nigh taken that station of St. Eufemia, from whence the Covent was most annoyed; but the frequent sallies did not incommodate the opposers so much as the season. The Country was laid desolate by the former Siege, from which no Forage was to be had for horse, for the space of twelve miles, and there was great scarcity of all things necessary for humane life; and, moreover, the store of rain that fell, and the earth being covered with Ice and Snow, hindered the making of provision; and the excessive cold weather made the Soldiers unable to work; they seemed to be more besieged by the season of the year, than the enemy was by them besieged. The Governor had foreseen these difficulties, and had in a great part provided against them, having made all things necessary be brought to the neighbouring places, and brought them commodiously to the Camp by Mules, which were provided on purpose; he sheltered the Soldiers from the cold by store of clothes which were already prepared for them; he had made great provision of Hay and dry Straw for the Horses, of Bread and Ammunition for the Soldiers; and what was wanting in these provisions was supplied by the constant suffering of hardship, which could not last long. The Army was not a little comforted by provisions of Victuals, and other things which they had from Novi, from whence and from the State of Milan victuals were sent in more abundance then formerly, as also from the State and City of Genoa; which did much pacify the anger of the Spanish Officers, who complained of the Commonwealth, for not keeping the like assistance from the French Army the year before; and served to let them see that the Commonwealths good will was not lessened towards that Crown: Wherein the dexterity and discretion of Gasparo Franzone, sent in Commission at that time thither from the Commonwealth did much good, who behaved himself to the satisfaction of all parties, for the Spaniards were sufficiently provided with all things necessary from Novi; and the French were also the like upon many occasions which they had of stealing succour into the Castle; and upon many other occurrences, they found the Commissary not averse to their Interests. The Enterprise therefore (though with many and infinite difficulties) was continued till a better season, which they might prosecute more commodiously, according as the several inconveniences lessened; and this the rather for that they were comforted in these their sufferings by being certain that they should not be disturbed by any considerable succours: they knew that there were no Forces in Piedmont to draw into the field; and the last years Army (as hath been said) was almost quite extinguished; and the same rigour of the season withstood bringing of new supplies from France, to boot with the urgent occasions of Wars in Catalonia, Flanders and Germany, wherewith that Kingdom was oppressed. Moreover, the Governor judging that the Castle was not over-well provided with Victuals, thought rather to take it by Famine (after the first skirmishes and batteries) then by the sword; and the defendants were of the like mind; who being left by the Duke of Longueullle, and by Prince Thomaso, in great hopes of being relieved, and wanting Ammunition wherewith to maintain fight they held it better to spare those few that yet were left, till such time as the undoubted succour should come; to the end that they then might assault the besiegers on their backs, and facilitate the succourers approach to the Castle; so as the Governor forbore batteries, and they forbore sallies. Thus a kind of tacit truce and suspension of Arms seemed to be agreed upon between them. The Governor when he first resolved upon this enterprise, though he could not be disturbed by new succours from without, for the aforesaid Reasons; and therefore though he had begun the line of circumvolurion on the outside, yet thinking it better at the present to straighten the Castle with Trenches, so to keep them from sallying out, he gave over the line, and applied himself wholly in muniting, and fortifying himself against the Castle: but he failed in his account; for the Governors falling upon Tortona being known in Piedmont and in France, both th●…se places resolved to prepare for defence of that place which they had gotten; wherefore they began to make ready a great and gallant succour: Men and Moneys were sent by Sea and Land from France for this enterprise; those which were sent by Sea landed in Oneglia, that they might go from thence to Piedmont, where in a short time there was a strong and well munited Army put together, which caused the Governor to alter his mind, who thought that the Victory would consist chiefly in keeping out succour; wherefore he began to re assume the working of the other line of circumvolution which was already commenced (as hath been said) about the Walls of the City, which was full four miles in compass, and was begirt with Ditches, flanks, with Forts munited with Stoccadoes, and Fortifications both within and without; the Work surrounded both the Castle and the City, serving to keep the City from being ass●…ulted from without, and the Castle from relief, if any should be brought: the outermost houses of the City towards the Castle were well munited, and the Streets mouths which led unto the Castle were stopped up with earth, which served for a fence against the Castle on the inside; and not content with all this diligence, and provision, the Governor strove to keep succour●…s far from the Castle as he could. To this purpose he sent 500 Horse towards the Frontiers of Montferrat, not only that they might keep back the succour which might come by Piedmont, but also that by laying the Country waste, they might keep the relievers from accommodations, if they should advance by that way; nor did these diligences prove vain, for Monsieur Plessis Pralin, the King of France his Lieutenant General in Piedmont, and the Marquis Villa appeared together about the midst of March, in the year 43, with 2500 Horse, and 5000 Foot, and advanced to St. Salvadore, within five miles of Alessandria; and Prince Thomaso passing over the Dora with 1000 Horse, and 2000 Foot, threatened Novara, and the adjoining parts; wherefore the Governor, for the better security of those parts, had sent the Marquis Caracena thither, with a good strength of Horse and some Foot, most whereof were taken out of the meaner sort of people of that State, that he might observe what way the Enemy went, and cross his designs; but the Prince returning quickly to Cassalle, and joining with the French and Piedmontese Army, told them they must cast a Bridge over the Tanaro; wherefore Caracena, by Orders from the Governor, went from the Novarese to Alessandria, to open that way, and to keep the Bridge from being cast over; but the Prince finding himself opposed by Caracena desisted from his design; and passing back over the Po at Cassalle, he went with the joint forces towards Palestre and Vespolano, and Caracena went to Mortara, where some skirmishes passed between the Horse of either party, in one whereof Cavagliere Aiazza being engaged with 150 Horse was taken prisoner; but Caracena fearing lest the Prince, to relieve Tortona by diversion, might fall upon some Town in that Marca, past back into the Lomelina and the Novarese, in pursuit of the Prince, to oppose his proceedings in those enterprises, whereunto he saw him most inclined. The Prince knowing that he was followed and observed by strong Forces approached sometimes near Novara, sometimes near Bremi, sometimes near Mortara, as if he intended to fall upon all, or some of these places; but durst not fasten upon any: but fell to overrunning the Country, where plundering and pillaging the best things that were there, he much prejudiced the Inhabitants, and took away much Corn and Cattle, which for the most part he sent to Cassalle. Caracena being somewhat inferior in Forces, durst not face the Prince, who having more men was master of the field, and seeming as if he would march along the left side of the Po to Giarvola, threatened to pass his men over there to the other side; and so to go to the relief of the besieged Castle; which the Governor having notice of, he got as many men as he could from Serravalle, and other places, dissolving the quarter at Pontecurone, and sent a great body of men, with six pieces of Artillery towards the shore over against Giarvola, to resist the Prince, if he should venture to pass over the River: which the Prince perceiving, he retreated again to Cassalle, intending to make way for relief by the Tanaro: which the Governor doubting, he sent Caracena and Gonzaga, with almost all the Horse, and between three and four thousand Foot, to defend that River; wherefore the Prince resolving not to venture upon that Pass, threw himself at last before Asti, imagining that the Governor would either quit the Siege of the Castle, and come with all his Forces to defend Asti, or else would not at all move from the Castle: if he should not move he assured himself he should take Asti, by reason of the weakness of the Garrison, and the Inhabitants inclination to love him; and if he should move, he should certainly relieve the Castle, and City of Tortona, and might peradventure take Asti also; there were but 1000 Foot, and 200 Horse in Asti, under the command of Captain Pietro Gonzales, a valiant Commander: the Governor fearing the loss of that City, left a competent number of Soldiers before the Castle of Tortona, and recommending the care of that Siege to Don jovan Vasques Coronado, went with the greatest part of his Forces into Alessandria, that he might offer at relieving Asti at a nearer distance; the Prince at his drawing near that City endeavoured to steal over the Tanaro; and to this purpose having got a barque which served to pass travellers over the river, and a Mill which was fitted to the Haven, he by means of these past some Soldiers over to the Abbey of S. Bartholomew; that they might raise a little Fort to guard that shore, where he left four Companies in Garrison: the Governor having notice thereof sent Don Vincenzo Gonzaga that way with 3000 Foot, and 200 Horse; who when he came to the Abbey slew some of the Defendants, and drove other some away, took and destroyed the Fort, and made himself master of the Ba●…que, and of the Mill; and the next day the Governor came to the same Abbey, and climbed up a hill together with the same Gonzaga, and the Marquis of Caracena, and Serra, from whence he discovered the City, and the Prince encamped before it; and having by the consent of his companions sent 400 Horse over the Ford of Tanaro, to relieve Asti, giving the Captain express order, that as he went towards the Ford he should observe what signs should be given him from the hill; and perceiving that the Prince marched with all his horse to withstand their passage over the Ford, the Governor made signs immediately to the Captain of the Horse, that he should retreat, who obeyed him; the Governor by this unfortunate attempt lost all hopes of relieving the Town; and not daring to forgo Tortona, wherein he was so much concerned, for the preservation of Asti, which he could not possibly effect without coming to a battle; which Gonzales foreseeing, or as some others say, being advised by the Governor so to do; and finding it impossible for him to defend so great a circuit of Wall with so few men, after some shot was made, he agreed with the Prince to abandon the City, retaining the Cattle, and the Citadel, so as 200 Horse which he had with him might be suffered to pass safely into Alessandria; which being agreed upon, and performed, the City came into the Prince his power, who presently fell to make Mines under the Castle, and Citadel; so as the Castle being played upon by the Artillery, and molested by Mines, and some assaults, which were valiantly withstood, surrendered after three days space, upon condition that Gonzales might go with 200 men which he had with him into the Citadel; whereupon the Prince got the Castle, and fell to besiege the Citadel, which not being able to hold out for want of Victuals did ere long sur●…ender upon honourable conditions, by which Geonalea with the Garrison went safe into the City of Alessandria, and the Prince by the full victory of that City became also master of the Tanaro; the Governor foreseeing that Asti being taken the Prince would presently fall to relieve Tortona, and to that purpose that he began to send quantity of provision into Nizza, and Asti, ordered Marquis Caracena to go with Horse and Foot to the taking in of Acqui: whereunto Caracena thinking that it was needless to use Cannon by reason of a breach that was in the wall, which though it were filled up with earth and bavins, he went to give an assault on that part: but not being able to force it, he tarried there till Cannon were brought from the City of Alessandria, which as soon as the Citizens saw they surrendered Acqui, their lives being saved, the women's honours preserved, and respect being born to Churches: that the Citizens might suffer less prejudice, only the Spaniards were suffered to enter, who sent much of the meal that they found there into Annone, and much whereof during the Siege was carried into the Castle: about which Caracena not willing to busy himself, especially since he had sent back the Cannon into Alessandria, he sent Colonel Stoz with great part of his men, to oppose a body of Horse which was sent by Plessis, and Villa, to relieve the besieged place; which relief being repulssed by Stoz, Caracena passed on to Rivalta in Montferrate, where he fell to lay the country waste, as well to feed his Horse with the unripe corn, as to incommodiate the succorers in their march, as much as he could: 800 Neapolitan Horse were at this time come unto the camp, which the Governor sent to Pozzvolo, and the parts adjacent, that they might keep off whosoever should come to relieve the place besieged: he moreover caused deep ditches to be digged about the line of circomvolution, and, finally, ommitted not any thing that was necessary for the obtaining of the victory, which he so much desired. Soldiers came also daily to within the line from the State's Militia, and many Millainese Lords, amongst which Prince Trivultio, who in the siege the year before came to the camp with 1500 Foot and 200 Horse, all of them being his own Vassals, and at his own charge conducted; and not at all wearied with so great an expense, he was one of the first that came now to the recovery of the lost City: Prince Thomaso came also with so numerous a succour, as was thought could not be withstood; and foording over the Scrivia four Miles beneath Tortona, he came to within four Miles of the City; and kept his men in the Towns of Alvernca, and Castellari, which are at the Foot of the hill; the next day being accompanied by Marquis Villa he went up the hill with four hundred Horse, to discover the most convenient stations, which when he had done, he caused his men to come up the hill with the Artillery, and placed them in Ranks, together with the Artillery against the Line, and made as if he would presently fall to an assault, but did not; the Spanish Army was ranked on the other side, with in the Line, with their Artillery, ready to receive and repulse the threatened assault, but resolved not to stir out, nor to forgo their advantage, nor to hazard that victory which they thought they were sure of as long as they kept within the ●…renches; at last after four days, the Prince drew off, and foregoing the thought of relieving the City, and consequently the victory which he had so much striven for, he came down the hill on the same side that he had come up, making his Rear his Van, & his van his rear; being come upon the plain, he made some shot towards the Castle, which served for a sign to the Desendants to wish them to surrender; which they did the same day upon Honourable conditions, of carrying with them four pieces of Cannon; they marched out to the number of 1300, and were convoyed to Rivatella whither the Prince was retreated. The Prince retreated some days after towards Asti, and in his passage much prejudiced the parts of the S●…ate of Milan through which he went; the Soldiers sacked the Noble rich temple and Covent del Bosco, erected formerly by Pope Pius the fifth, who was born there, and had endowed it with many ●…ich revenue●…, and had furnished the Vestry wonderful richly; The Prince lay idle with his Army some days in l'Astigiana to refresh them; and finding how prejudicial it would be to make any acquisition in the State of Millian, he thought it would be better to rec●…ver the Towns of Piedmont which we●…e yet held by the Spaniards; and to join with other Forces which the Dowager then raised to recover her own Towns: for when she saw Prince Thomaso gone with the Army to relieve Tortona, she gathering together all those that remained to defend Piedmont, sent them under Count Broglio, together with her own guards, and those of her Sons, to recover Villa nova; which was reinforced, by orders from the Governor, by two hundred Horse, which were sent thither from Trino and Pontestura, as soon as he discovered the Dowagers intentions: so as it seemed to be sufficiently secured; wherefore the Dowager, as soon as the Prince was returned with the Army from Tortona, sent Marquis Villa thither with his own Cavalry only, to keep the French from concurring in the enterprise; Villa when he was come to the camp weighed the condition of the place, which being seated in a plain, far from any woods, from whence only he could have bavins to make Trenches, that place appeared untakable; being therefore content to besiege it at a distance, he employed himself in keeping out succour, and in laying the Country waste, so to bring the Townsmen to surrender; and the Commander of the Town coming within a few days to Parley, the surrender was agreed upon, on condition that the Articles should be allowed of by the Governor of Milan; and being commanded by the Governor to make good the Town, for that he would come quickly to relieve him, the treaty broke, and the siege continued; during which time the French Army was recruited with new men brought by the Viscount Turin; so as those being added to the Dowagers men, the Army was made 15000 Foot, and 5000 Horse. Prince Thomaso was to command them all, for Longueville was already returned to France; wherefore the Prince, hearing that for certain there wa●… but 600 Foot in Garrison in the City, of Alessandria, and his own recrui●…es considered, thought it not fit to let slip the opportunity of making himself master of that City either by Scalado, secret intelligence, or by storm; for he thought his Forces so far superior to the Garrison, as he should meet with no resistance; and hoping that when he should have taken it, it being almost upon the confines of Piedmont, he might keep it more easily than Tortona, which was far from thence, he joined his Forces to those of France, and of the Dowagers, in the plain of Cassalle, and betook himself to the enterprise with firm opinion of good success; being come to the Walls of Allessandria, he quartered himself in the Orchard near thereunto, on both sides of the Tanaro, and sent Viscount Turen to take up his quarters on the East side. The Governor Siruela began ●…o doubt Valenza, by reason of the joining of the Forces in the Plain before Cassalle, and by the Prince his sp●…edy march; wherefore he went from Pavia where he than was thither ward, giving order to his men to follow him: But having heard before he came to Valenza, that the Prince was gone with all his Forces to before Allessandria he was much more surprised, by reason of the small Garrison which he knew was in it; wherefore he sent for Count Galliazzo Trotti and ordered him that he should endeavour by all possible means to get quickly into Allessandria with all the Horse that he could muster. Trotti failed not in obeying his orders, and having gathered together about 1500 Horse, went about it, he knew that it was not safe to enter by the Gate which was nearest Valenza, because the Prince was encamped before it; he therefore resolved to enter by the Gate which looks towards Genoa, on the opposite side. But doubting Count Turen, who he knew was encamped on that side, he marched towards Tortona, seeming as if he went to guard that City; and when he was advanced so far by that way as none could observe him, he returned on the right hand and went towards Castellazzo, where he passed over the Bormio, and deceived Turen, who conceiving that ●…is march towards Tortano was but feig●…ned, and that he would soon return by the same way▪ & foording over the Bormia there would endeavour to get into Allessandria, set himself to guard the ford over Bormio, which is usually fr●…quented by those which pass to and again from Tortona, which ford lies four miles below that of Castellazzo, hoping to light upon him the●…e in his return. But Trotti who had passed over Bormio a little higher ●…ame without any obstacle, about break of day, to the walls of Allessandria so unlooked for, as he was played upon by the Cannon as an Enemy, till Colonel Stoz, who was very well known, advanced, and assuring the Defendant that it was succour, was received with infinite joy and Jubi●…e. Trotti being entered with so great are enforcement, Don Antonio Sottello, Governor of the City, being as it were revived from the dead, went out and fell upon the Prince his quarters, where there happened a long and bloody skirmish, which continued till the coming on of night; when the Prince finding for certain that so great a succour was entered, and consequently failing of his hopes, thought it best to make use of the obscurity of night, and to retreat; so the City of Allessandria was miraculously freed. Count Siruela ended his Government honourably with the recovery of Tortona, and the freeing of Allessandria from so near and so imminent danger, who was succeeded by the Marquis of Velada, who was come from Flanders, where he had been General of the Horse, and was therein succeeded by the Marquis Caracena; who having qui●…ted the place of General of the Horse in the State of Milan, wherein he had successfully served, went to take the like charge upon him in Flanders. As the beginning of this Government met with no favourable succe●…s ●…o fared 〈◊〉 not much bette●… afterwards, Villa nova was surrendered to Marques●… Villa; not without some imputation to the Governor of the Town, who being cited to Milan to give an account of 3000 sacks of Corn, which together with the Town were delivered to him, by which he might have maintained the Town longer, he durst never appear; wherefore he was thought guilty of fraud in delivering up the Town: This loss was ere long followed by the like of Trino; for Prince Thomaso retreating from Allessandria to Cassalle, after having stayed a while in those parts, causing no little jealousy in the Towns of the State of Milan, confining upon Piedmont, he at last sat down before Trino, the Garrison whereof he knew was lessened a little before by the new Governor. But having quartered his men at his first arrival in the neighbouring Towns, and keeping as it were idle for three days, he gave occasion for the entering of two succours; the one of two Companies of Horse, and one of Foot from Vercelli, the other of 300 Dragoons from Bremi; so as the Prince beginning to believe that if more relief should be suffered to enter, the enterprise which he thought would have been easy would prove otherwise, he began to begird the Town at a nearer distance, and drew his line round about it; and whilst this was in doing, the opposers advanced by a covered way to a half moon, who being repulsed by a fierce sally made by the Governor Batteville, were forced to retreat a little with much loss: But the line being afterwards perfected, the Prince, with his Brother Don Mauritio, and Viscount Turen, divided the out-fortification between them, and fell to take the half moon; which when they had taken, they betook themselves to the City's Bulwark, and made a great mine underneath it, which made a great breach, by which the Prince did verily believe he should enter the City. Wherefore before he came to an assault, he intimated to Batteville, that he would have him surrender; which Batteville refusing to do, a fierce assault was made, which being thrice given was thrice repulsed with loss to the Assailants. But the Prince preparing for another assault, Batteville who found his Munition grow low, his men weary by their long pains taking, by their continual watching, and not able to make any longer defence, surrendered upon honourable conditions, in case he should not be relieved within five days: Which being expired, and no relief appearing, he marched with his men out of the Town, which was delivered over to the Prince, and furnished with a French Garrison, as were all the other Towns of Piedmont which were regained. The Prince went from Trino with his Army much lessened, by the running away, sickne●…, and death of many, occasioned by the badness of that air, the malignity whereof had influence not only upon the meaner sort, but upon the chief Commanders; for Turen, Marquis Villa, and his Son Count Camerano, fell sick, and were forced to return for cure to Turin. Nor did the Prince himself scape free, for falling sick of a Fever he tarried many days in Inurea, so as the care and government of the Army fell to Monsieur Plessis Pralin, who being recruited with more men from France sat down before Pontestura; where meeting with no resistance save only some sallies which the Garrison made upon his quarters, he proceeded slowly in the siege; but having afterwards gotten into the Town by a breach made by Cannon, & taken it, he soon a●…ter took the Castle (upon conditions of fair war) whereinto the Garrison was retreated; which Castle was afterwards demolished by the French that they might not be forced to munite it, (as would have been requisite) with a good Garrison. Thus did the Spaniards lose the Towns in Piedmont, which they had gotten with much effusion of blood, and expense of moneys, hoping to make themselves thereby sole Arbitrators of that State, and to keep the French out of the State of Milan: But by the misfortune of the Affairs of that Crown, they failed in these designs; for the Forces which were sent thither from Spain, having occasioned the coming of the French thither, the Spaniards saw the French not only possessed of many Towns, and even of the Castle of Turin, but of those which were taken by the Spaniards, and which they recove●…ed, just as befell the Citadel of Cassalle; so the Spaniards saw the French become Arbitrators of Piedmont and Montferrat, and saw them come even to the Confines of the State of Milan. The new Governor finding his Forces too weak to make resistance minded more the defence of the State of Milan, than the maintaining of what the Spaniards had gotten in Piedmont; wherefore he gave himself wholly to view the Forts, to furnish them with all things necessary, and to reinforce them with strong Garrisons, in case they should be assaulted, as he feared they would be; there rema●…ned nothing to the entire recovery of Piedmont, but Vercelli and St. ja▪ Vercelli had so strong a Garrison in it, and was so abundantly furnished with all provisions, as it was judged vain to attempt it without a puissant Army; and St. ja, now that both Armies were retreated to their Winter quarters, was rese●…ved for one of the first enterprises of the next Campagnia; so as the Military affairs being by the sore Win●…er reduced almost to a taci●…e Truce; Prince Thomaso growing to confide more in the Court of France, now that Cardinal Richlieu was dead, resolved to go thither; from whence he retu●…ned much satisfied with not only honourable favours, but with employments of great authority, being made General●…ssimo of the French Forces in Italy, with power to use them in what enterprises he should please, for which he had good pay assigned him, and good store of men. The pay came to 200000 pounds Sterling; and the men to 12000 Foot and 3000 Horse. The Prince being returned went into the field the beginning of the next Spring; and entering into the lower Montferrat, entertained himself in the Langhe in affairs of small impor●…ance; then going to Cassalle he sent Don Mauritio with a good strength of men towards Arona; and following afer himself with the rest, he endeavoured to take it; which he easily might have done, had not Campmaster Fra jovanni Pallavicino, who marched with incredible speed, prevented him with Morta●…a's Brigade. Count Riviera accompanied Pallavicino in this march with a few men, and being both of them come in 24 ●…ours to Anghiera, fi●…ty good miles from Mortara, they found Don Mauritio before Arona, busy in digging Trenches and raising Bat●…eries; and ●…he Prince meeting with so great opposition, and hearing that the Governor drew n●…er with all his Force●…, resolved to give over the enterpri●…e, and returned with all his men into Piedmont: whither w●…en he was come, he sat down before St. ja, and having made his Approaches, and his Batteries, he gave himself wholly to the taking of it; but he was detained by an accident of no small importance; for the City of Alessandria having kept her Gates locked one whole day; about two a clock at night, sent out 1500 Horse, under Don Vincenzo Gonzaga, and two Foot Brigades: the one of Fra. Iovanni Pallavicino's, the other of Don Gregorio Britto. Gonzaga was to take the City of Asti, and Pallavicino and Britto the Citadel; Gonzaga failed of his intent; but Pallavicino and Britto fared better; for coming by night to the Citadel, they assaulted it at unawares, and took it before the Garrison, which was but weak, were well awake. The Dowager and the Prince, hearing of this so sudden and so unexpected success, sent both of them speedily to repair it. The Dowager, with fortunate speed, sent the Companies of her guard and of her Sons, commanded by the Counts of Aglie, Feusasco, Piusasco and Tana, who coming hastily to the City with their Soldiers, which were 300 Horse, and some Foot which they took up in their march, entered the City in sight of the Enemy who having taken the Citadel meant to take the City, which they easily might have done, had not the Citizens and the Garrison, who were encouraged by this recruit, put themselves in a posture of safety, not fearing to be overpowered, as they had hourly reason to doubt before; they therefore breathed a while, expecting the Prince his coming; who not being able to march so fast, by reason of the number of men which he brought with him to relieve the languishing City, came thither just then when the Enemy, by reason of his appearance, thought it good to draw off from the City, to the necessary defence of the Citadel. The Prince having reduced the City to her former condition of safety, did so munite it, as that it was not only able to defend itself, but to threaten the Citadel; and retreating to Camerano he gave himself to impede any attempt which might be made by the Spaniards, who notwithstanding conveyed both men and munition into the Citadel, which were sent them from the Governor, who was come into Alessandria: but the Siege of St. ja, although somewhat disturbed by this accident, was not given over; for the Prince having substituted the Governor of Cassalle, Covogne, in his place, it was strongly continued; the Town was much played upon by batteries, and sallies stoutly repulsed; insomuch as Don Diego Alverado, who was Governor of the Town, having made honourable resistance, when he saw the Town was no longer to be maintained, surrendered it upon honourable conditions. The Prince having rid his hands of this business, betook himself wholly to the recovery of the Citadel of Asti, which being besieged, and battered in vain, held out, and did not only annoy the besiegers with their great and small shot, but even the City itself; but not being able to do any more, it yielded to the Prince; who, since the defendants had suffe●…ed themselves to be reduced to the utmost extremity, would not receive them, but upon discretion; which he used, notwithstanding, very modestly, suffering the common sort to go forth friendly, and detaining their Captains and Officers only till such time as two piece of Cannon, which were drawn out of the Citadel, were restored by the Governor, and some prisoners of War that were in his hands. The City and Citadel of Asti being freed, the Prince went with some 5000 Foot into the Langhe; and having left Marquis Villa, with the Dowagers Horse, for a relief on his back, he advanced to the Ligustick Sea, even near to Finale, intending to fall upon that Marquisate both by land and sea, when the French Fleet should be come from Catalognia to Provence, and to make himself master of it; and the Prince being already come to the Gates of the Town was lodged in the Church called Pia, within Musket-shot of Finale, and had taken up some other convenient quarters. The Garrison was but weak in Finale, a good part thereof being sent two days before by Don john di Castro, Governor of that Marquisate, to defend Cingio, fearing lest the Prince should assault it; and it wanted provision of bread, but both these wants were supplied by Genova the Spanish Ambassador: victuals were sent thither by Sea, and the Governor sent Fra. jovanni Pallavicino with 1300 Foot from Milan, who with no less speed and fortune than he had done at Arona, passed over the Mountains near Genoa, and being come to Voltri went by the sea side to Finale, where he entered with his men before the face of the Enemy. The Prince had not brought victuals with him to feed his men in that barren Country, for he expected to be furnished therewith by the French Fleet; which not appearing, the Prince seeing the Town well recruited and provided, himself and his men in great scarcity of victuals, and hearing that the Militia gathered together apace round about, knew he could not tarry there without much danger; wherefore he gave over the enterprise, and retreated into Montferrat, freeing that Marquisate from the danger it would have fallen into, had the Prince tarried therebut one day longer; for the very next day after his departure the Fleet appeared at Sea; which hearing that the Prince was gone towards Montferrat, returned also to Provence, from whence it was come. This being the last thing that was done by the Spaniards, French and Piedmonteses, in the year 1644▪ (for the Armies were sent to their Winter Quarters, after this business of Finale;) We will end this our second part: and in the third, will treat of the Wars which were raised elsewhere, between the Pope, on the one side, and the Commonwealth of Venice, the great Duke of Tuscany, the Dukes of Modena and Parma, on the other side; which having happened at the same time that these by us related did, we, that we might not confound order in the Affairs of the two first Books, have reserved for the following part; where looking back they shall be related and pursued with all truth and sincerity. FINIS.