The generall historie of the magnificent state of Venice From the first foundation thereof vntill this present. Collected by Thomas de Fougasses, gentleman of Auignon, out of all authors, both ancient and moderne, that haue written of that subiect. Englished by VV. Shute. Gent.

[illustration]

¶ GIOVANNI DELFINO, the 57. Duke of Uenice. [ 10]

GIouanni Delfino being absent was subrogated in his sted. He being cal∣led [ 20] from Treuiso, where he executed his Office, could not obtaine a∣ny safe conduct from the King, who lay in Camp not far from thence, for his free passage. We may hereby easily perceiue, how much this King was incensed against the Venetians: yet neuerthelesse hee came forth of the Citie at the same time, on the back-side thereof, being well accompa∣nied. It is not certainly knowne whether the Citie were assailed before or after the Dukes departure: Those whom we follow doe greatly varie herein: All Authors agree in this, that the King hauing made an approch, with his engines of batterie did [ 30] furiously assaile the Citie; and that at this assault diuers of his Captaines died there, and among the rest, one of his owne neare Kinsmen, and that the Citie was brauely defended by the Venetians.

The King being wearied that his affaires went no better forward, and out of hope at that time to take the Citie, leauing certaine troupes to continue the siege, hee re∣turned into Hungarie. The Venetians being incensed against Carrario, called home Marini Morosino their Magistrate from Padua, (for that Citie euer since it was freed from the Tyrannie of Mastin, had still a Venetian Magistrate,) they commanded moreouer that none should carrie them any salt, and the Citizens were forbidden to traffick any more with the Paduans. Then they leuied forces in Germanie, the [ 40] which being come through the territorie of Vincenza, were incamped on the banks of the Riuer Brente. This Riuer was swelled by reason of the raine, and growne so deepe, as it could by no meanes be Foorded, whereby the Almaine troupes were constrained to tarrie on the banks, till such time as the water being fallen, that they might passe ouer and ioyne with the Venetians, whereof those of the Camp being aduertized by their Spies, speedily sent certaine troupes of theirs to surprize the Al∣maines, who dreamed on no such matter. Their attempt was not vaine: For the whole companie by the vnexpected comming of the enemies, was broken and put to flight, and the greatest part of them slaine on the place.

In the meane time Marco Iustiniano, surnamed the Great, was sent to Treuiso to [ 50] command there in Giouanni Delfino's sted. Not long after, fiue and twentie Senators were appointed to ouer-see the affaires of the Warre: And shortly after truce being taken with the enemie for fiue Moneths, Ambassadours were sent into Hungarie to the King, to treate of peace, namely, Andrea Contareni, Michaeli Phalerio, and Boni∣tendio

the Secretarie: But they returned without effecting what they went for. In this interim, the truce being expired, the enemie tooke Serrauall. But the Com∣mon-wealth receiued a great losse in Dalmatia. For the maine warre being in Italie, the Senate were constrained to draw the greatest part of their forces forth of the Prouince, and not being able by reason of their Domestick warre, to raise the siege of Spalatra, Sacco, Trahu, and of diuers other small Townes not far from thence, they were all yeelded to the King. Enona wherein Giouanni Iustiniano commanded was brauely defended, and famine it selfe could not daunt the courage of the gene∣rous Venetian, to cause him in any sort consent to yeeld. It is reported that the scarcitie of all necessaries was so great in Enona, as the Souldiers abstained not from [ 10] eating all manner of meates, how vile and vnholesome soeuer. The enemie likewise surprized Zara, and it was supposed to be done by the practize of Carrario; yet ne∣uerthelesse the Castle held still out for the Venetian.

Now the Venetians holding the affaires of Dalmatia for lost, and those of Tre∣uiso hauing beene a long time in great hazard, they resolued againe to send Ambas∣sadours to the King to conclude a peace with him on such conditions as they could. Pietro Treuisano, Giouanni Gradonico, and the Secretarie Bonitendio were sent thither, who obtained peace on these conditions, That whatsoeuer the Venetians had till then possessed from the Fanatick Gulph, euen to Durazzo, should remaine to King Lewis: and that the Venetians should wholly giue ouer their right to Dalmatia: As [ 20] concerning the other Lands which lay neare to the Gulphe, and on the hither side thereof, the Venetians should haue the one halfe thereof; and that the King should redeliuer to the Venetians whatsoeuer hee had taken from them in Histria, in the Treuisan, and in the Countie of Ceneda: promising, not to suffer any Dalmatian to vse the trade of a Pyrate, nor to come into their Ports, & Islands, and that he would take order that the nauigation should be as free and safe along the coast of Dalmatia for the Venetians, as it had beene in times past. By reason of this peace more neces∣sarie than Honourable, the Venetian Princes left Dalmatia forth of their Titles. Their Officers, which they had there, being called home, were not permitted to bring thence their goods, albeit it was expresly mentioned in the treatie of peace, [ 30] that it should be lawfull for all Venetians who were then dwelling in Dalmatia, to ship away their goods and moueables, which they held in the Prouince. Herein the Hungarian infringed the Articles of peace, by not fulfilling the contents thereof: But the Venetians thought it best, in so dangerous a season, to dissemble that wrong, rather than to reuenge it by a new Warre.

Peace then being made with Lewis, three Ambassadors were sent into Germanie to the Emperour Charles; Marco Cornari, Giouanni Gradonico, and Lorenzo Celso. The Historians make no mention why they were sent. Two of them, hauing left Celso with the Emperour, returning home-wards without effecting what they went for, and passing through Germanie, were surprized by a Prince of the Countrie, and [ 40] basely carried away by force into a Castle, an absolute place of retreat for theeues. Celso vnderstanding what had hapned to his fellowes, came by an other way to Seigna, and from thence to the Sea-side, from whence hee safely sailed to Venice. Within a while after he was sent with an Armie for the guard of the Gulphe: About the spring-time of this yeare, the contagious sicknesse began againe: The Sommer following, Prince Delfino died, the fifth yeare of his Gouernment scarcely expired: and was buried in the Church of the Twinnes. [ 50]

Notes

• The Duke of Venice is denied a passe-port.
• Treuiso brauely defended.
• The Venetians incensed against Carrario.
• The Almaines defeated through their owne de∣fault.
• Peace refused on vniust condi∣tions.
• A Citie brauely defended.
• The Venetians enforced to sue for peace. A peace more necessarie than honourable for the Uenetian.
• The King infrin∣geth the peace.
• The Venetians wisedome.
• The Venetian Ambassadours taken prisoners in Germanie.