A true RELATION Of the reducing The City of Naples To the OBEDJENCE Of the KING of SPAIN, WHICH Happened on the 5, of April 1648.  
Being Palm-Sunday.  
TOGETHER, With the Imprisonment of the Duke of Guise, and liberty of the Duke of Tursis.  
WITH The Resolution and Declaration of the Spanish General, concerning the French Fleet, and their proceed thereupon.  
LONDON: Printed by J. C. for I. I. MDCXLVIII.   

A true RELATION OF The reducing of the City of NAPLES to the obedience of the King of SPAIN.  
THe troubles of the City of Naples, begun and continued for these ten month's space, with so great a destruction & revolution of almost the whole Kingdom, to the great distraction of the King of Spain's forces, and prejudice not only of that peace of Italy, but even of the universal peace so necessary to all Christendom, which troubles were fomented partly by the French, who in all diligence were preparing a succour of four thousand foot, and eight hundred horse; partly by the private intelligence and practices with the Turk to invite him to the ruin of all Italy. It pleased his divine Majesty, to end in a happy and much desired peace, and this with so much cas● and speed, that he whose understanding is not blinded, cannot choose but confess, that Kingdoms, and States, are only his gifts, who is the God of Hests, I may not omit to relate unto you, the glorious catastrophe of this Tragedy; for though a more eloquent pen may undertake it, none shall tell it more ingenuously, and truly than I will do.  
His Excel. therefore the Could d'Ognate Viceroy of Naples, having been advised that the French Fleet, was preparing in all diligence to come and secure the people, and that the Spaniard was not in a sufficient forwardness to prevent it, and that the levies made at Rome, marched on but slowly, and that even great part of them was of necessity to stop in the way to reinforce the chief holds in Abruzzo, supposing the perpetual invasions the French made in that province, having already taken some places, and still reinforcing with new supplies of Soldiers, Commanders, and ammunition. And further perceiving that the men he expected from Milan● came not, he was extremely afflicted, apprehending that he should not manage his Majesty's affairs with that happiness as he had promised unto himself.  
Yet desiring at least to make his service appear remarkable by some glorious enterprise; having visited all the fortifications & works the Spinads had, & the Castle of Saint Elmo, providing each with all sort of ammunition; on Thursday the second day of April, he embarked with the field Master General, Dionysio d● Gusman, and other Commanders to go visit the Island of Nisita, where he made account the French fleet would cast Anchor; leaving there two pieces of Artillery, and fifty Spaniards; a sufficient provision, as was esteemed, for that time. This served as an issue to draw thither the bad humours, and so to free the more noble parts of the body, for the Duke of Guise resolving to secure that place where the Fleet he so much longed for, was to anchor, hastened with 300. Horse to the Captain of Pussilipo, right against the aforesaid Island, that he might there build a Fort which might command it.  
This absence of the Dukes out of Naples, seemed unto his Excellency a most fit opportunity to put in execution the enterprise he had designed. Wherefore not confiding in the weakness of his arms, but in the assistance he expected from heaven; he resolved in the mean time to give an assault upon some of the Fortifications made by the people. According to which resolution, he gave order, that the Commanders should be furnished with necessary provision, and he demanded a list of the Spaniards, which could be spared for this purpose; the which he found to be fare inferior in number to what was necessary for such an enterprise.  
On Sunday at night, the fifth of the said Month, his Excellency acquainted his Highness, Don John d' Austria with his design, who much approving so generous a resolution, sent for the N●bility, and laid before them their obligation, and the example his Excellency gave them, who was come to Naples, out of pure obedience, to serve his Catholic Majesty, at a time it seemed to every one impossible to reduce that people, and part of that Kingdom to their duty, exposing his life to so many dangers, for his King and his subjects, who were there present. And he represented also unto them, the want he had at that time of men, and other provisions, for such a business; wherefore in correspondence of their affection towards him, he required of them all to meet again secretly in the same place, at midnight, with their Arms, and such trusty men, as they could lead on an enterprise, where his Excellency would appear in the head of them.  
They all ●ff●red their lives in his highness' service, as became loyal and faithful vassals of his Majesty. And though in regard the number was so small, the Enterprise seemed not only hard but Rash; yet the Duke of Guise's absence gave him hopes of a prosperous success. But he did most of all rely on the assistance he expected from his Divine Majesty, whose help he commanded all to implore, and for that purpose ordered prayer to be made in all the Church's; forbidding all his Soldiers under most grievous and exemplar punishments all sorts of excess, and deboistnes.  
At midnight, the Nobility met together, with those they brought along with them; and they disposed themselves for the attempt, and marched quietly along to jesus Church; and his highness would needs accompany them, who together with the Count and other Commanders entered into the said Church, where after that they had prayed a while, the Count went forth to see whether all was ready for the assault, according as he had appointed, his highness remaining ●till in the Church.  
And his excellency having found all things in order, he told them the sign at which they were to begin their assault, and so returned back into the Church, and soon after he gave the sign, to fall on the trenches and other works. The onset began at the gate called Porta Alba, where they found some resistance of the People, & some blood was spilt on both sides. But finally ours broke through, and Marched on to the other gates, which they gained without any resistance; and then they heard them cry out from within the City, Viva Spagna▪ At which acclamation, his Excellency entered the City with his men, and his Highness expected at the Gates, guarded by the Nobility unto whom he gave express command not to enter without his Order.  
Upon his Excelences arrival, the same acclamations increased, and many of the more civil sort of people accompanied him with their swords drawn, crying out all in one voice; God save the King, our Sovereign.  
Then the Cardinal, Archbishop Filomarino, met him in Coach, and his excellency also lighted; But presently both of them got up again on Horseback. And soon after came the chief man amongst the people, called the Elect of the People, who casting himself at the Condes feet, crying out with a loud voice, that in the name of all the people, he came to tender him obedience, as to the King's Viceroy, whom God preserve. His Excellency understanding who he was, bade him rise, and get up on horseback.  
And passing by the Prisons, he commanded all the prisoners to be set free, except only the French, the cause of whose imprisonment he would first know, before he would let them enjoy the favour.  
Being come to the Marketplace, his Excellency found such a multitude of people, that he could scarce break through, and it seemed a rashness to adventure it. But His Excellency made his way, the people crying out with acclamations of joy and praise, upon the King and Count  
And so he came to the great Tower to the Carmelites, where jennaro Annesse, the People's chief Commander, made a show of resisting; but presently demanded that three of the Nobility whom he asked for by name, would come. But these being absent, as remaining still with his highness, the Archbishop went up first, and then the Count; and after a short time, those within came all down; and they presented to His Excellency the keys of the Tower, who gave them to keep to Don Alvero della Torre.  
His Highness was now acquainted from His Excellency of the happiness of the success, and that he might freely come forward. He did so: and being arrived, with the Nobility nigh the Tower, Genna●o Annese, as he was instructed by the Count, cast himself at his feet.  
But his Highness having set at liberty, the Duke of Turci and his Nephew, who were Prisoners, entered with all his treasure into the Carmelites Church, and caused the Te Deum to be song. After which, his Highness mounted on Horseback, and accompanied with all the Nobility, he road about the City, with an incredible joy to all the people, who cried out, not only in the streets, but also out of the windows, Viva Spagna, bestowing freely on the Soldiers a refreshment.  
The Ceremony ended, the Archbishop went home, and his Highness, and his followers retired to the Palace; still accompanied with the signs of a common joy, and acclamations of the people, which lasted for divers days, crying out, God save the King of Spain, and the Count of Ognale, who hath brought us this Peace. Before his Highness was come to the Duke of Guise's house, the people had sacked it, without doing any further harm to any creature.  
The notice of this happy success being brought to Capua, Lewis Roderigo, Governor of the Arms in those parts, marched out with 1500. Foot, and took S. Maria de Capua; where having understood, whither the Duke of Guise was fled, he gave order to Don Prospero Tutt●villo, and D. Tomaso Guiriaso to lay wait for him with some Troops of Horse, who lighting on the Duke, took him Prisoner, and brought him to the Fort of Capua, with 25. of his followers.  
Upon the news, many Cities round about returned to their King's obedience; and it is hoped the rest will do the same, even in Abruzzo where the French have most footing, and have strengthened some places, having taken 2. days before the City of Aquila, from whence they battered the Fort, the which was otherwise well provided except of men, four thousand together with the Governor being marched out to succour Pescara, a Fort of very great importance.  
This is the story of an exploit, which may be accounted miraculous, not only in regard of the aforesaid circumstances, but also for happening on Palme-Sunday, the day of our Saviour's Triumph; by whose particular protection, the Catholic King hath obtained this favour.  
Together with the imprisonment of the Duke of Guise, and liberty of the Duke of Tursis.  
THis Relation was sent from the Vice King of Naples, to the Spanish Ambassador, now Resident in England.  
FJNJS.