A brief discourse OF THE VOYAGE AND entrance of the queen of spain into Italy: With the triumphs and pomps shewed as well in the cities of Ostia, Ferrara, Mantua, Cremona, Milane, as in other boroughs and towns of Italy.  
Also the report of the voyage of the Archduke Albert into Almaigne.  
Translated as well out of French as Dutch, by H. W.  
AT LONDON, Printed by John wolf, and are to be sold at his shop, in Popes head Alley near the Exchange.   

A brief discourse of the voyage and entrance of the queen of spain into italy, with the triumphs and pomps shewed in the cities of Ostia, Ferrara, Mantua Crimona and milan, &c.  
ON the xiiii. of September 1599. the Arche●●ke Albe●● of 〈◇〉, departed from Brussels accompanied with many Princes and Lords, as well of this country as others, taking his course towards germany. There to meet with the princess Lady Margarit of Austria, his cousin Germaine, daughter unto the late archduke Charles, future queen of spain, to lead and conduct her to the King her spouse, and in his return to bring with him his bride, the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Austria, princess of spain and duchess of Brabant.  
And sithence his departure, until one or two dayes journeys beyond Luxenbourgh, he with all his retinue, haue always spent vpon their own costs and charges. But entering in the land of the county Pallatin of Heydelberch, the said county deffrayed the charges of his Alteza with all his court and followers( which were in number above 2000. persons and 1000. horses therein comprehended the Mules and horses of baggage) through all the cities and towns of his jurisdiction, until he came vpon the borders of the Duke of Wittembergh, who also did the like throughout all his country, until he came at the beginning of the borders of the Duke of Bauiere, who also freed all his men and horses of all charges, until he came to Tyroll, where every one paid his own charges to Trent, where he found the queen, with the Lady Archeduchesse her mother: in which city only were born the charges of the persons of her majesty, and of their Altezas, with the Ladies and lords of the chamber, and some Princes of the train: and all the rest spent on their own purses.  
From Trent we followed on our voyage, and passed through four or five Villages belonging to the venetians, and were all generally defrayed by the said venetians which sent two Ambassadors well accompanied, to receive the queen at Dolce, a town on the river Artefis: on the which for the passage, they had made a fair, great, and large wooden Bridge, vpon chained and anckred boats well made, with two arches and triumphant gates on both ends, builded most magnificently, which was a faire sight, being for guard on either end, about 2000. footmen well armed and in good order, which as well at thentring as departing, made brave salutations, with great store of Artill●ris, Muskets and Calliuers, the which( for heeing between two mountaines) made a great noise and echo. And through out all the country where we passed, there were many faire squadrons of well armed footmen, and thirteen companies of Horsemen, well horsed and in rich equipage, which followe● our troope all the way unto the borders of the Duke of Mautua, and being there for the space of ten or twelve dayes our charges were defrayed, which was a great matter: for the one and other troope of the queen and his Alteza, was above 3500. men, and 2000. Horses, the which was all defrayed even unto the Horsekéepers and Cookes.  
Departing out of the territories of the venetians, wee arrived at Ostia, a little town of the Duke o● Mantuas on this side of the river Po. where the queen with his Alteza, and her Mother, the Princes and ladies, were passed over in certain chambred barks or Barges, the which the Duke to that end had caused newly to bee made, very triumphant, and especially that of the queens, which was very great, with two great sumptuous Chambers, hanged with cloath of silver, yea the Benches and stools, also the roof of the Chambers were likewise covered with cloath of silver, a thing truly most rich to behold. And being on the water, they found in the said Barges a sumptuous banquet of all manner of delicates and dainties, accompanied with divine music.  
All the rest of the court, followers and baggage, was passed over three great Bridges made vpon boats: which being passed over on the other side, the queen with the lady her mother was disembarqued, and mounted in Coaches with great store of Torches of white wax, at Reuere, at the castle and town of the said Duke of Mantua, who defrayed the charges of the one and the other court, the space of four dayes.  
At the end of which we departed from Reuere, towards Ferrara, down alongst the river, with great multitudes of boats, her majesty and their Altezas, going in the barks aforesaid, with the same music. And by the way, her majesty desiring to see some low country dances, his Alteza caused his musicans to play. And there were danced many Allmaynes, Roundes, Carrantaes and Voltas in the great Chamber of the Barge, wherein shee took great pleasure and delight: and most especially in the Voltas which the Duke of Aumale danced, with some of the D●msels which were attendants of the Lady the illustrious Infanta, conducted by the countess of Busquoy with these triumphs and pastimes wee arrived about four of the clock after dinner, at the island of the bridge of the dark lake, three Italian miles from Ferrara vpon a Thurseday the twelfth day of the month of november: where the queen and their Altezas remained that night, the rest of the Court advanced themselves that night to Ferrara, from whence the Friday ensuing the 13. of the said month, the Pope sent the Cardinals Aldobrandino and S. Clement his legates nobly accompanied by many Prelates, Gentlemen, and companies of horsemen, lances and harguebusers, to receive the said queen at the said bridge of the obscure Lake, even as she came out of her coach to travail towards Ferrara. And sent her by the said Cardinals a present of a coach of Crimson velvet, embroidered with gold, with six white horses harnessed accordingly,& 2. Coatchmen appareled in she same livery with the Iron work all gilded, a present truly of great value: In that coach her majesty( abandoning hers) ascended, with the Lady her Mother. And so accompanied with many Nobles and train of Ladies, followed on her way, until within a shot from Ferrara, the Duke of Sessa came to receive her in the behalf of his catholic majesty, his Lord, presenting her with a Litter of fine Crimson colour cloth of gold imbrodred with silver, with the Iron work of silver gilded, and two white mules harnessed accordingly, with every Mule his keeper, appareled in the same stuff: also he presented her with a Coach of the same stuff, and so garnished as the Litter, with six like horses and the two Coatchmen in like equipage, a present truly most royal and of inestimable value.  
This done, she was received by the Cardinals Sforz● and Montalto, who after they had done the requisite ceremonies, conducted her in a house purposely made of boards, where she was mounted on a white Palffraye, caparassoned with a foot cloath of white cloath of silver embroidered and faced with gold: and the Lady the Archedutchesse her mother vpon a black palfrey, harnessed with a footcloath of purple velvet, garnis●ed with gold fringes, with al other things accordingly: the Palf●yes were sent to them, from his holiness, by the said Cardinals Sforza and Montalto, and as they were busy in mounting, the city made many signs of joy, discharging many great pieces of ordinance, as falutations at three times, which done, the queen came out on her Palffray, between the said two Cardinals, followed by the Lady her mother and his Alteza, and approaching the gate of Angels, she was encountered and met with eighteen other Cardinals, the which after the due teremonies, conducted her through the city to the castle the Popes palace, where being dismounted, was between the said two Cardinals( with the other eighteen, and with the Princes and lords of the Court, and others) conducted before the feet of his Holinesse, the which with due reverence she kissed, as also did the Lady her mother, and his Alteza: which done, she was set not far from his holiness, on the right side, and the Lady her mother and his Alteza somewhat lower on the lest side: from thence( after some talk) every one retired himself for that might to his rest.  
The next day being saturday, the xiiii. of the said month, her Matestie with her mother and his Alteza, heard( about eleu●n of the clock) the mass red by his holiness, after the which they dined with him, and all that day nothing else was done, but the preparations for the marriages for the next day onely at night, there was excellent music in the queens chamber.  
On Sunday the xv. day, between viii. and ix. of the clock in the morning, the queen( richly attired in clotah of silver, damasked& garnished, with a number of jewels and precious stones) was between the two Cardinals Aldobrandino and Farneze, conducted to the Cathedrall Church, right over against the palace, followed by the Lady the Archedutchesse her mother, and her Ladies all nuptially attired in white. Before her went his Alteza appareled most richly, and the Duke of Sess● appareled in black, and before them, the constable of Castile governor of Millan: the Prince of Orange, the Dukes of Gandia and Aumale, the earl of Berlaymont, with all the other Princes and lords, as well of the court as otherwise, every one appareled most richly: and whilst she entred the church, was sung in excellent music of four voices the ditty of Aparuit Regina.  
A while after, his Holinesse entred, mounted in the pontifical chair tarrsed on mens shoulders, with the pontifical Diadem on his head of inestimable value, before him went the Cardinals on foot pontifically appareled. Being entred and set in another white chair of cloth of silver over against the Alter( while the Cardinals tendered their accustomend obedience to his Holinesse, i● kissing his knee,) the chapel sung some psalms, and his Holinesse sung some Oremus, which ended, his holinesse changed his apparel and diadem: And being attired again and vpon his head set an episcopal mitre of fine beaten gold, began solemnly to selebrate the mass, and after the gospel and Offertorium, his Holinesse set himself in another pontifical chair, covered with cloth of gold, right over against the great alter, and before him were brought( by the said Cardinals Aldobrandino and Farneze) the queen and his Alteza, and after that his Alteza had caused to be red the procuration which he had to marry the queen in the name of his catholic majesty, his Holinesse married them, publicly with his own hands, the benediction given, the psalm Beatus vir qui timet Dominum, was sung in music.  
This done, the queen was brought back again to her Tabernacle, his Alteza remaining at the Popes feet, to the which immediately the Duke of Sessa approached, and after the Lecture of his commission and power that he had from the illustrious princess of spain, she was likewise by his Holinesse, with like ceremonies married in the name of the said princess, to his Alteza, and the bendiction given, the aforesaid psalm was repeated. His Alteza being lead back to his Tabernacle, and the Duke of Sessa in his plare, his Holinesse came to the Altar again to finish the elevation of the mass, after which and having communied, he set himself again in the said pontifical chair. And after some Cardinals were communied, he likewise communied( with his own hands) the married, to wit. The queen, his Alteza, and the Duke of Sessa, together with the Archeduchesse the Quéens mother: being all com●●ned, his Holinesse ended the mass, after which done he sate himself in a chair somewhat lower before the Alter, where having caused the queen to kneel before him, he presented her the Rose, which presently after was given to the hands of the earl of Berlaymont( he only being among the rest there present, knight of the order) who carried the same before the queen, until her return to the palace.  
His Holinesse having at the end of these rites and ceremonies given his benediction to all the assistants in general, they went out of the church with the same ceremonies and order wherewith they entred. All that day there was nothing done but masking by water and by land,& about the city showing great signs of joy. At night from vii. until xi. a clock was dancing, intermixed music with four voices, in a great hall of the court, where were present all the nobility and beauteous Ladies and damsels of Ferrara: A thing most excellent and admirable to behold, being present at these feasts the queen and his Alteza, but they danced not.  
The next day being monday, the xvi. of the said month, for the queens chamber was played an excellent Comedy, for an end of the feasts of Ferrara: all the time of our abode at Ferrara both the courts and their trains were defrayed of their expenses by his Holinesse. The feasts, good entertainment and usage done, and the honours and favours by his Holinesse shewed to the queen were scarce ended, when order was given for following on of our voyage towards Mantua, which was begun on the Wednesday the xviii. o● the said month of november, and notwithstanding that we had great travell and trouble to pass and repass on the one& the other side of the river Po; so for the rainie welber, as for the little commodity and means which were found for passage of such a great number of horses and Mules, laden with the baggage of our troope, yet coming at Stellade a town of his Holinesse, the welcome and good usage was such, but especially at Mantua, that all our troubles& labours were forgotten, and recompensed with the good théere,& pastime, which was given to the whole court and train for the space of iiii. or v. iorneys: insomuch that we thought no more vpon our passed toil, onely disposing ourselves to be merry, and to enjoy the triumphs and honour which the said illustrious Duke shewed us, whereof that théefest was at the entrance of the queen, which was on the xx. of november being Friday,& it was two houres after sun set, before she arrived at the Lake which environeth the city, where shee was to go a shore about an Italian mile from the city, being there expected and received by the said illustrious Duke, with all the nobles of the city, and of his court and train. Her majesty being mounted in a coach, with the Archduchesse her mother, they conducted ●er with an infinite number of lights to the city, the entry whereof was beset with many squadrons of men of war, as well horse as foot, excellently well armed, and in good order and equipage.  
At the entry of the city gate, on the right hand, the queen found( for her welcome) a present of a faire L●tter, after the usage of the ancient Romaines, without cover, garnished with cloth of silver, white like snow, born by two white horses, harnessed accordingly,& on each horse sat a little boy of about v. or vi. yeares of age, attired in like livery, with each a garland of bays on their head. The horses were led by four Gentlemen, at every horse two, appareled of the same stuff: in which the queen with great ceremonies( after she had been received by the Magistrate of the city with an oration) was mounted& set vpon a little bench( with a cushin of the same stuff,) which was at the vpper end of the litter, somewhat raised, together with the Lady her mother vpon such another bench somewhat lower at the lower end, under a canopy of the same stuff as the Litter was, with six pillars of massy silver, and the same canopy was born by six noblemen of the country, to wit: the marquis Fredrick Gonzaga, the Lord Francisco Gonzaga knight of S. james: the earl Ludouico Bagny: the Lord Hipolito Baldrini, the Lord Claudio Gaggio, and the Lord jeronimo Kendali, all Lords of title, the meanest of them being worth 20000. Crownes of rent yearlye. Before which went 36. pages, all Gentlemens children, of the noblest and chiefest of the country, having each a torch of white wax in their hands, all appareled in the self same liuerte of the Litter, lighting the queen as she was born in her triumphant Litter unto the palace, which also was richly hung& beautified, as any might be, of the richest potentate at this time in the world: all the night long theri●tie was full of an infinite number of lights.  
The next day following, the Lord Duke of Mantua, for that he would not seem to want diligence, in gining the queen all pastimes possible, he conducted her to a castle of his, near to the city, strong, faire, and sumptuous, and environed with many shicke Woods, having been a while in the castle they went a Hunting, where ●aving killed some certain number of boars Stags,& Does, they returned to the city, an hour after sun set, and no sooner arrived but immediately were set to supper,& not so soonerise, but presently after were occupied in beholding the pastimes of a Castle builded in the midde●● of the palace, with artificial fire works, which was be●●● and assaulted on every side with pieces of ordinance: also other fireworks which were shot in the air, together with many mines made under ground, all which in the night gave a great light with a great noise of thunder, most pleasant and delightful to behold, and this pastime endured until two of the clock in the morning.  
The morrow after being Sunday, the 22. of november there was done nothing except at night: about 5. of the clock there was vpon a great round theatre( wherein every one might stand) played an excellent Comedy, which dured from the said five of the clock until 3. houres aftermidnight, without any one being wearied with seeing or hearing, for the great singularities of inexplicable artificies which were shewed in the same: which unto all seemed so admirable, so rare and so excellent, that in the judgements of them all, it should seem impossible,( as long as the world shal stand) to represent a Comody more excellent and pleasant, where( over and above the said artificies and admirable rarieties,) there was between every interlude, heard most rare music of many partes, with diuers instruments, accompanied with angelical& delicate voices, insomuch that it seemed rather a divine, thē human thing, or at least wise, that the voices of heaven had intermired themselves with the entire perfection of that of men, and the spirits of this age. Being in fine a thing so rare, that it is impossible to set the same in writing, except the author thereof, or the inventor of the artificies should do it himself: The said comedy, besides the castle of artificial fireworks, and besides the trsumphall arkes which were in good number excellent well made, and over and above the present of the litter, did cost above 25000. crownes of gold is I haue been credibly informed by a principal Officer of and said Duke of Mantua, who besides the feast inges, spent in the defrayment of our troops above 50000. crownes, as well in passing through his country towards Ferrara, as in repassing towards Mantua, having shewed himself the most liberallest of all the other Princes.  
These feasts ended, the queen with all hir Court and retinue took their course towards Bozzulo, a walled town of the Lord julio Caesar Gonzaga, kinsman to the said Duke of Mantua, wherein was a strong and faire fortress the which( at the queens arrival) being on a Tewseday at night the 24. of the said month) saluted her with many pieces of Ordinance, from this town: the one and other court was begun to be defrayed by his catholic majesty throughout al the towns and villages of his said majesty to Millan,& al this while we were defrayed of our expenses.  
The morrow after being the xxv. of the said month, we took our way towards Cremona, whether arriving the xxv. in the evening the queen was met by all the nobility of the city: and after an Oration spoken at the gate by a Gentleman of Millan, she was mounted vpon a white Palfrey harnessed in mourning wise: on her left side went the cardinal Aldobrandino. legate and Nephew to his Holinesse, and behind her the Lady the Archdutches her Mother, also mounted on a white Palfrey, harnessed in the same manner, accompanied with his Alteza, the illustrious Archduke Albertus: and thus mounted, was her majesty conducted under a Canopy of cloth of silver, embroidered and fringed with gold, born by six persons with long gowns, unto the cathedrall church, passing under diuers triumphal arches, excellent well made& beautified with diuers significations, there getting on the one and the otherside of her majesty 40. Gentlemen, al Merchants of the city, appareld in white damask embroidered with little flowers and leaves of gold, and thereon they wore their Caped ●oakes of black veluer, wrought and embroidered brodered with gold on the edges, bearing each of them a gilded curtelas on their shoulders, in form of Archers: besides these there were yet 36. noblemen of the city, which went a foot before her majesty, with their Hats in their hands, all their garments laced with gold lace of the breadth of three fingers, with cloaks like the other Gentlemen, which truly was a brave show. Her majesty having done her deuotions in the said church, mounted at her return with the Lady the archbuchesse her mother, in a coach,& so came to the palace, where the was no sooner arrived, but the Magistrate presented her majesty with a little coafer of silver gilded, which was thought to be full of Kings and jewels.  
The queen so iourned but one night in the city of Cremona: the morrow after taking her way to Pirregneton, a strong hold of his catholic majesty, situated vpon the river of Lida, vpoir the which( being very broad) the inhabitants had made a great long and broad bridge of boats and boards, anckerd in the river, which they had pierced to that effect, to pass all the people and baggage at one time. The queen at he● entrance and going out, was saluted onely with shot of Cannon. The next day following being the xxviii. we went on our journey to wards Lodi, the entrance whereof( which was on the xxir. of the said month, although not altogether so sumptuous and pomptous as the precedents) was nevertheless most magni●cent, aswell for the triumphal arches set up at the gates and in the streets of the Cittle, as for the ●eecipt and honour done to her Maies●ie by the Noblos of the same, all the which received and met her without the gate on foot, appareled with long gowns of black Veiuer, furred with precious black skins, to the number of 50. persons going before: be ●●●de them marched xii. others in long gowns of black 〈◇〉, representing the high iustice and counsalle 〈◇〉 catholic majesty, a● going in good ●●der, with each a gilbed staff in their hands, ●●wed with red flames: before them went iiii. Bedels, clothed in yellow cloath, laced with read and White, the one of them bearing a great silver dish, and in the same six gilded keys, interlaced with a string of gold& silver, and read silk: and after that the one of them had made a short oration in Latin, they presented the said keys to the queen, who having kindly accepted them, was in a Coatche conducted into the city, and first into the Cathedrall Church, from whence,( after the Te Deum, in music,) she was lead to the palace, without any other ceremony worth the writing, staying there but one night.  
The morrow following, we continued our voyage towards Marignan, a strong castle belonging to the Marques of Marignan, and from thence to Millan, where she entred on S. Andrews day, between ii.& iii. a clock after dinner.  
The entrance of Millan( although superfluous and of great cost) was not such as the great report went of it, as not having the entertainment, nor the feasts, to all in general, as in the other cities, and especially in Mantua, which with great reason, according to every ones iudgement, is to bear the Bell away from them all, as having truly made a piece of matter of wonderful excellency, as well by the Comedy, as by other things.  
The most notablest thing that was in Millan, was a triumphant gate at the entry of the city, builded new of Free ston, which shall remain there for a perpetual memory of her entrance: the other triumphant Arches about the city were ordinary, made of Wood, painted with diuers figures and devises, whereof the best and fairest was at the entrance of the Cathedrall Church, which the friars of the said Church for her majesties welcome had set up.  
The queen entred vpon a Palfrey, under a sumptuous canopy of cloath of silver, with gold fringes: at her left side we●t the cardinal Aldobrandino, brhinde followed the Lady her mother and his Alteza on horsehacke: before her went the constable of Castile, and on the sides went on foot 200. Gentlemen, Marchants of the city, apparelle● in cloath of silver, bearing gilded Ma●es after the Germain fashion, their staues garnished with cloath of silver& fringed with gold, and the nailes gilded: besides these, there went on foot 100. of the noblest of the city, most richelie appareled in cloath of gold, and 60. others in read Crimson Veluer and silk, all wrought with gold, six whereof bore the canopy.  
Her majesty entering with this pomp, was conducted to the Cathedrall church, and passing thorough the place to enter into the church, shee passed between two statues of brass erected on horseback, the one whereof represented his catholic majesty deceased, who in passing presented to the queen the crown: the other was the picture of the King now living, who as Lord of the feasts( in passing) receiveth and reacheth our his hand to his Quéne and lady, From thence( the Te Deum being sung) she was conducte● on foot to the palace, being 20. paces from the church.  
Six companies of horsemen, which went in the avant& ●éeregarde, newly armed and in rich equipage of different liveries( whereof the chief was Don Alanso de Id●●ques) which greatly beautified the entry. About midnight, there was from the palace shot off a great piece of Ordinance, to advertise those of the castle of their duty and demonstration of ioy: at which warning the eastell began to play continually for the space of a long hour, with great pieces of ordinance, all charged with bullets, which( for it was night) made a great and horrible noise.  
Since, there was not any other feastings made in milan, except some Comedies of small importance. For the rest, I beseech the courteous reader, to content himself to pass away the time with reading of this: which if it bee thankfully and ●●ndly taken, will encourage me●d take the pains to make the discourse of the other entrances at milan, as yet not spoken of.  
FINIS.