The historie of Philip de Commines Knight, Lord of Argenton

THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF PHILIP DE COMMINES, TREATING OF THE PRINCIPALL ACTES OF KING CHARLES THE EIGHT, SONNE TO LEWIS THE ELEVENTH. (Book 7)

THE PROLOGVE OF THE AVTHOR, containing that which he mindeth to treate of in this historie following.

TO continue the Historie written by me Philip de Commi∣nes of the reigne of King Lewis the eleuenth (whom God assoile,) I wil now declare the occasion that mooued King Charles the eight his sonne to make his voiage into Italie, wherat my selfe was present. The said King departed from Vienna in Daulphine the 23. of August, the yeere 1494. and returned into his realme about October, the yeere 1495. Before the enterprise was fully resolued on; the mat∣ter was often debated whether he should go or not: for the voiage seemed very dangerous to all men of wisdome and experience, neither did any allow therof, but the King himselfe, and one Stephen de Vers borne in Languedoc, a man of meane parentage, and vtterly vnacquainted with the wars, and all things thereunto appertaining. One other also being of the re∣ceit was a furtherer thereof till his hart failed him, namely the generall Brissonnet, who afterward by occasion of this voiage, was preferred to many goodly dignities and spirituall promotions, and created a Cardinall. The former had already got∣ten goodly possessions, for he was Seneschall of Beaucaire, and president of the Comptes at Paris: he had serued the King in his youth very faithfully, being a groome of his chamber, and by his meanes the generall was woon to fauor this voiage; so that they two were the onely authors thereof; for the which, fewe com∣mended, but many blamed them: for all things necessarie for so great an enterprise were wanting. The King was yoong, a weake body, wedded to his owne will, slender∣ly accompanied with wise men or good captaines, and so vtterly vnfurnished of mo∣ney: that before his departure, he borrowed of the banke of Soly at Genua a hun∣dred thousand franks vpon great enterest, from Mart to Marte ¹ . In diuers other places also he borrowed money as heereafter you shall heare. His army was vnpro∣uided of tents and pauillions, and winter was begun when he entred into Lombardy. One onely good thing he had, to wit, a couragious company of yoong gentlemen: yet not in such obedience as was requisite. Wherefore we must of necessitie con∣clude that this voiage was gouerned by God alone, both at our going foorth, and our returne home; for the wisdome of the authors thereof aboue mentioned, serued to no great purpose: notwithstanding they might iustly vaunt themselues to be the occasion of the great honor and renowme their Master wan thereby.

The Notes.

1 The interest of this money, as he saith in the end of the fourth Chapter, amounted in fovver moneths to fovverteene thousand franks. Further, there are at Genua certaine Marts in the yeere, from the one of the vvhich to the other, they let out their money: it is betvveene euery Marte fovver moneths.

How René Duke of Lorrain came into Fraunce to demaund the Duchie of Bar, and the Earledome of Prouence which King Charles held, and how he failed to enter into the realme of Na∣ples, whereunto he pretended title as the King did, and what right both of them had thereunto. Chap. 1.

THe yeere of the Kings coronation ¹ being the 14. or 15. of his age, the Duke of Lorraine came into Fraunce, to demaund the Duchy of Bar which King Levvis the eleuenth had withholden from him, and likewise the Earledome of Prouence, left to the said King Levvis by the last will and Testament of King Charles of Aniou his cosen germaine ² ; who died without issue. The Duke of Lorraine pretended title to it, as sonne and heire to the daughter of Rene King of Sicilie, Duke of Aniou, and Earle of Prouence, alleaging that the said King Rene had done him wrong ³ , in preferring King Charles of Aniou being but his brother the Earle of Maines sonne, before him being his daughters sonne ⁴ . The other answered, that by their ancestors testaments Prouence could not descend to the female. In the end Bar was yeelded to him, for the which the King demanded onely a summe of money. Further, bicause the said Duke of Lorrain was highly fauored, and friended by diuers of great authoritie in Fraunce, (especial∣ly by Iohn Duke of Bourbon, who was old, and desirous to marrie his sister) it was agreed that during the space of fower yeeres, in the which his title to the Earledome of Prouence should be examined, his estate should be wholy defraied by the King, and that he should haue charge of an hundred launces, togither with a yeerely pen∣sion of sixe and thirtie thousand franks during the said fower yeeres. I my selfe was present at the debating and ending of all these controuersies, being one of the com∣missioners purposely chosen for the determination thereof, both by the Kings nee∣rest kinsmen, and by the three estates of his realme: so was also Stephen de Vers aboue mentioned, who bicause he had gotten certaine possessions in Prouence, caused the King (as yoong as he was) in the presence of his sister the Duchesse of Bourbon, to say to Monseur de Comminges, and to Monseur de Lau, (who were both also in the commission) and to my selfe, that we should do our endeuor, that he might not lose the Earledome of Prouence; which words he vttered before the agreement aboue mentioned was made.

Before the fower yeeres expired, certaine Lawyeres of Prouence brought foorth the testaments of King Charles the first, brother to Saint Levvis, and of other Kings of Sicilie ⁵ of the house of Fraunce. These Lawyeres (among other proofes) allea∣ged that not onely the Earledome of Prouence; but also the realme of Sicilie, with

all the house of Anious other possessions, appertained of right to the King, and that the Duke of Lorrain had no right thereto (notwithstanding) others maintained the contrary. All these Lawyers depended wholy vpon Stephen de Vers, who nourished his Master in this language, that King Charles Earle of Prouence last deceased, sonne to Charles of Aniou Earle of Maine, and nephew ⁶ to King Rene: left Pro∣uence to King Lewis by his last will and Testament, and that King Rene before his death made the said Charles his heire, preferring him before the Duke of Lorraine his daughters sonne, bicause of the testaments of King Charles the first and his wife Countesse of Prouence: wherein they had willed that the realme ⁷ and the countie of Prouence should not be seuered nor descend to the heire female, so long as there was issue male remaining. The like Testaments they alleaged also to haue beene made, by their next successors in the said realme, namely by Charles the second. Du∣ring these fower yeeres space, those that gouerned the King, that is to saie, the Duke and Dutchesse of Bourbon, and certaine of the Kings chamber, namely Monseur de Grauille ⁸ and others, who at that time bare great sway in Fraunce; called to the Court to high authoritie and estimation, the said Duke of Lorraine to haue him for their support and aide: (for he was a hardie gentleman & more than a courtier,) not doubting but easily to rid their hands of him at their pleasure, as also they did when they found themselues strong ynough, and the force of the Duke of Orleans ⁹ and others (whom I neede not name) so weakned, that it was no more to be feared. But after the fower yeeres expired they could no longer hold the Duke of Lorraine, vnlesse they would put him in possession of the countie of Prouence, or assure him of it by writing at a daie, and continue still his pension of sixe and thirtie thousand franks: wherunto bicause they would not condescend, he departed the Court great∣ly discontented.

Fower or fiue moneths before his departure, a good ouerture was made vnto him if he would haue embraced it: for the whole realme of Naples rebelled against King Ferrande, bicause of his great tyrannie and his childrens, so far foorth that all the nobles and the third part of the realme yeelded themselues to the Church. Not∣withstanding King Ferrande being aided by the Florentines pressed them sore: for the which cause the Pope and the saide Nobles of the realme that had rebelled, sent for the Duke of Lorraine purposing to crowne him King, and so forward the enter∣prise was, that the Gallies and the Cardinall Saint Peter ad Vincula (who should haue conueighed him thither,) staied for him a long time at Genua: during the which space he was busied with these broiles in Court, and delaied his departure, notwithstanding that he had messengers with him from all the Nobles of the said realme, earnestly pressing him to come with speede. To be short, the King and his Councell shewed themselues willing by all meanes they could to aide and succour him, and gaue him sixtie thousand franks, (whereof he receiued twentie thousand but lost the rest,) and agreed also that he should leade with him the hundred laun∣ces that were vnder his charge, promising further to send ambassadors round about in his fauoure. Notwithstanding the King was now nineteen yeeres of age or more, and gouerned by those aboue named, who daily beat into his head, that the realme of Naples of right appertained to himselfe, which I write bicause diuers of meane estate raised great contention about this matter: as I vnderstood both by certaine of the ambassadors, sent to Rome, Florence, Genua, and other places in the Duke of Lorraines fauor; and also by the Duke himselfe, when he passed through Moulins where I then lay with Iohn Duke of Bourbon, bicause of the troubles in court. But his enterprise was now halfe lost through his long delaie. I went foorthwith to recieue

him, notwithstanding that he had deserued no such curtesie at my hands: for he was one of those that chased me from the Court ¹⁰ with rough and discourteous words: yet now he made the most of me that might be, lamenting much the gouernment of the estate. He abode at Moulins two daies with Iohn Duke of Bourbon, and then tooke his iourney towards Lyons.

To conclude, his friends were so wearied and weakned bicause of his long delay, that the Pope made peace, and the nobles of the realme also, who vnder suretie thereof went to Naples where they were all taken prisoners: notwithstanding that both the Pope, the Venetians, the King of Spaine, and the Florentines had vnder∣taken to see the treatie kept and obserued, and had sworne and promised the Nobles safetie. The Prince of Salerne escaped and came into Fraunce, refusing to be com∣prehended in the treatie as one well acquainted with King Ferrands humor: but the Duke of Lorraine returned into his countrey with dishonor, and lost his credit with the King, lost his men of armes, and lost also the pension of sixe and thirtie thousand franks which he receiued for Prouence: and euen at this present being the yeere 1497. he liueth yet in this estate.

The Notes.

1 King Charles was crowned ann. 1484. in Iune.

2 This cosin german must be referred to King Lewis.

3 For King Rene made Charles his brothers sonne his heire, omitting this Duke of Lorraine his daughters sonne.

4 The pedegree in the end of the worke will make this title plaine.

5 The author vnder the name of Sicilie comprehendeth the realme of Naples also, bicause both the realmes bare the name of Sicilie, the one beyond, the other on this side the far.

6 By nephew he meaneth brothers sonne.

7 Vnderstand this of the realme of Sicilie and Naples.

8 This de Grauille was after Admirall of Fraunce.

9 Madam de Beauieu Duchesse of Bourbon was appointed by King Lewis and the three estates gouernor of King Charles hir brother; but the Duke of Orleans, called after Lewis the 12. withstood the decree, and was in armes with diuers noble men, demanding the gouenrment as the first Prince of blood, as in my Supply is mentioned at large, against these they heere named, called the Duke of Lorraine.

10 For Philip de Commines was a follower of the Duke of Orleans, as himselfe wri∣teth in the last chapter of the last booke.

How the Prince of Salerne in the realme of Naples came into Fraunce, and how Lodouic Sforce surnamed the Moore and he, sought to perswade the King to make war vpon the King of Naples, and for what cause. Chap. 2.

THe Prince of Salerne fled to Venice (where he was well frien∣ded) accompanied with three of his nephewes, sonnes to the Prince of Bisignan ¹ . There they asked counsell of the Seniorie, (as the Prince himselfe told me) whether it would please them that they should retire to the Duke of Lorraine, the King of Fraunce, or the King of Spaine. They answered, that the Duke of Lorraine was a dead man vnable to do them good, and that

the King of Spaine should be too strong, if to the yle of Sicilie and the other places which he held in the Venetian gulfe he should ioine the realme of Naples; adding, that he was alreadie mightie vpon the sea: wherefore they aduised him to go into Fraunce, saying that with the Kings of Fraunce ² that had held the said realme, they had euer liued in perfect amitie and friendship, and found them alwaies good neigh∣bors. But I supose, they thought not the enterprise would haue fallen out as after∣ward it did. Thus these noble men aboue named came into Fraunce, where they were curteously receiued, but their entertainment was small. They followed their sute earnestly the space of two yeeres, addressing themselues wholy to Stephan de Vers then Seneschall of Beaucaire and of the Kings priuie chamber.

One day they liued in hope, another in despaire; but their friends vsed great dili∣gence in Italie, specially at Milan, whereof Iohn Galeas was Duke, not the great Iohn Galeas that lieth buried in the Charterhouse of Pauia, but he that was sonne to Duke Galeas and the Duchesse Bonne daughter to the Duke of Sauoy, a man of no great sense. The said Duchesse had the wardship of hir children, and my selfe haue seen hir there in great authoritie, being a widow, and gouerned by one Cico a Secretarie, and an ancient seruant of that house. This Cico had banished all Duke Galeas brethren for the said Ladies safetie and hir childrens; and among the rest the Lord Lodouic (af∣terward Duke of Milan) whom she reuoked being hir enimie, and in war against hir, togither with the Lord Robert of Saint Seuerine a valiant captaine, whom she had also banished by the said Cicos perswasion. To be short, at the request of a yoong man that carued before hir called Anthony Thesin, being a Ferrarian of very meane parentage, she called them all home through great simplicitie, supposing they would do the said Cico no harme, and the truth is that so they had sworne and promised. But the third day after their returne, they tooke him notwithstanding their oth, and caried him in an emptie caske through the town of Milan: he was allied by mariage to one of the Viscomtes ³ , and if the said Vicomt had been in the citie at that pre∣sent, some say they durst not haue taken him. Moreouer the Lord Lodcuic caused this matter so to be ordered, that the said Robert of S. Seuerin comming that way, should meete with this Cico as he passed through the towne in this estate, bicause he hated him extremely. Thus was he led prisoner to the castle of Pauie where he died.

They vsed this Lady very honorably in hir iudgement, seeking to content hir hu∣mor in all things; but all matters of importance they two dispatched, making hir pri∣uie but to what pleased them, and no greater pleasure could they do hir, than to communicate nothing with hir.

They permitted hir to giue this Anthony Thesin what she would, they lodged him hard by hir chamber, he carried hir on horsebacke behinde him in the towne, and in hir house was nothing but feasting and dauncing; but this iollitie endured but halfe a yeere. She gaue many goodly things to this Thesin, and the couriers packets were adressed to him, which bred great disdaine in many, wherein the L. Lodouic, vncle to the two children (aspiring to the Duchie, which afterward also he obteined) nouri∣shed them as much as in him lay. One morning they tooke hir two sonnes from hir, and lodged them in a great tower within the castell called the rocke, wherunto con∣sented the said Lodouic, the Lord Robert of Saint Seuerin, one called de Palleuoisin go∣uernor of the yoong Dukes person, and the captaine of the rocke ⁴ , who since Duke Galeas death had neuer departed out of the place, neither did many yeeres after this, till he was taken prisoner by the Lord Lodouickes subtletie, and his masters folly, be∣ing of his mothers disposition. After the aboue named had lodged these children in the rocke, they seized vpon the treasure being at that time the richest in Christen∣dome,

and made hir yeeld account thereof. Moreouer, they caused three keies therof to be made, one of the which she kept, but the treasure after that day she neuer tou∣ched. They made hir also to surrender the wardship of hir children, and the said Lo∣douic was chosen their guardian. Further, they sent letters into diuers countries espe∣cially into Fraunce (which my selfe sawe) written to hir great dishonor: for they char∣ged hir with this Anthonie Thesin, whom notwithstanding they sent away vnharmed, for the Lord Robert saued both his life and goods. These two great men entred not into the rocke at their pleasure, for the captaine had his brother in it with a garrison of a hundred and fiftie soldiers or better, & when they entred, the gate was straight∣ly kept, neither entred they accompanied at any time with more than a man or two, and this endured a long space.

In the meane time great variance arose between the Lord Lodouic and Robert of S. Seuerin, (for vsually two great men can not long agree:) but Lodouic wan the garland, & the other departed to the Venetians seruice. Notwithstanding, afterwards two of his sonnes returned to the seruice of the said Lodouic, and the state of Milan, (namely Master Galeas, and the Earle of Caiazze) some say with their fathers consent, others say no: but howsoeuer it were, the said Lodouic highly fauored them, and both hath been and yet is very faithfully serued by them. You shall vnderstand that their father the Lord Robert of Saint Seuerin was issued of a base daughter of the house of Saint Seuerin, but in Italie they make no difference betweene a bastard and childe legiti∣mate. This I write bicause they furthered our enterprise in Italy, aswell in fauour of the Prince of Salerne chiefe of the said house of Saint Seuerin, as also for diuers other respects, whereof heereafter you shall heare.

The Lord Lodouic declared immediately that he would by all meanes possible maintaine his authoritie, for he caused money to be coined, on the one side wherof the Dukes image was stamped, and on the other his own, whereat many murmured. This Duke was married to the daughter of Alfonse Duke of Calabria, and King of Naples after his father King Ferrandes death. His said wife was a Lady of a great courage, and would gladly haue increased hir husbands authority if she could, but hir husband lacked wit, and disclosed all hir actions. The captaine also of the rocke of Milan continued long in great authoritie, and neuer departed out of the place; for many iealousies were now arisen, so far foorth that when one of the children went abroad, the other abode within. To be short, a yeere or two before we entred into Italy, the Lord Lodouic hauing been abroad with the Duke, and purposing some mischiefe, waited vpon him at his returne home to the castle, according to his accustomed maner. The captaine came vpon the drawe bridge with his men about him, to kisse the Dukes hand as their maner is. The Duke at this time was somewhat without the bridge, in such sort that the captain was forced to step foorth a pace or two, where these two sonnes of Saint Seuerin, and others that were about them laid hold vpon him. They within drew vp the bridge, but the Lord Lodouic caused an end of a waxe candle to be lighted, & sware that he would smite off their heads ⁵ if they yeelded not the place before the candle were burned out; whereupon they deliue∣red it, and then he furnished it wel and surely for himselfe, but all in the Dukes name. Further, he endited the captaine of high treason, laying to his charge that he would haue put the place into the Emperors hands: and staied certaine Almains, charg∣ing them as practisers with the captaine about this enterprise, yet afterward dismis∣sed them without farther harme. He beheaded also one of his owne secretaries, charging him in like maner as a dealer in the matter, and yet one other who he said had been a messenger ⁶ between them. The captaine he kept long in prison, yet in the

end deliuered him, pretending that Duchesse Bonne had once hired a brother of the captains to kill the said Lodouic as he entred into the castel, whom the captaine with∣held frō executing the fact, for the which cause he now saued his life. Notwithstan∣ding if he had been giltie of so heinous a crime as a purpose to yeeld the place to the Emperor, who might haue laid claim to it, both as Emperor & Duke of Austrich (for that house pretendeth some title thereunto:) I thinke he would not haue pardoned him; for it would haue made a great alteration in Italie, and the whole estate of Mi∣lain would haue reuolted in one day. For when they liued vnder the Emperors, eue∣rie household paid but halfe a ducat for tribute: but now they are cruelly and tyran∣nouslie gouerned, both the Spiritualtie, Nobilitie and Commons.

The Lord Lodouic seeing himselfe seized of the castell, and all the force of the countrie at his commandement, determined to attempt further; for he that posses∣seth Milan possesseth the whole estate, both bicause the chiefe of the countrie be resident there, and also bicause those that haue the charge and gouernment of the other places be all Milanois borne. Sure for the quantitie of this Duchie, I neuer saw a pleasanter nor plentifuller peece of ground. For if the Prince would content him∣selfe with the yeerely reuenues of fiue hundred thousand ducats; his subiects should be but too rich, and the Prince liue in suretie: but he leuieth yeerely sixe hundred and fiftie thousand or seuen hundred thousand, which is great tyrannie: and therefore the people desire nothing more than change of their Prince. Which the L. Lodouic considering, togither with the other reasons aboue rehearsed, and being already mar∣ried to the Duke of Ferraraes daughter, by whom he had many children, determined to accomplish his intent, and endeuored to win friends not onely in the said Duchie, but also abrode in Italie. Wherefore first he entred into league with the Venetians for the preseruation of their estate, whereunto he was great friend to his father in lawes preiudice, from whom the said Venetians not long before had taken a little territorie called the Polesan, enuironed with water, and maruellously abounding with all kinde of wealth. This country being distant but halfe a league from Ferrara, the Venetians possesse yet at this day. There are in it two prety townes, which I haue been in my selfe, the one named Rouigue, the other Labadie. The Duke of Ferrara lost it in the war that himselfe first mooued against the Venetians: for notwithstan∣ding that before the end of those wars, Alphonse Duke of Calabria (his father King Ferrande yet liuing) the Lord Lodouic with the force of Milan, the Florentines, the Pope, and the towne of Bolonia came to his aide: by meanes whereof the Veneti∣ans were brought altogither vnder foote, or at the least to great extremitie, being vtterly vnfurnished of monie, and hauing lost diuers places: yet the said Lodouic con∣cluded a treatie to their honor and profit; for euery man was restored to his owne saue the poore Duke of Ferrara, who was forced to leaue vnto them the Polesan (which they yet hold:) notwithstanding that he had mooued this war at the request of the Lord Lodouic, and of King Ferrande whose daughter he had married. The re∣port went that Lodouic receiued threescore thousand ducats of the Venetians for making this treatie. Whether it were so or no, I know not, but sure I am that the Duke of Ferrara was once perswaded that it was so: for at that time the said Lodouic was not married to his daughter. From that day forward amitie euer continued be∣tweene the Venetians and the said Lodouic. No seruant nor kinsman of Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan sought to impeach and stop the Lord Lodouic from seizing the Du∣chie into his own hands, saue onely the Duchesse his wife, who was yoong, but a very wise Lady. She was daughter to Alfonse Duke of Calabria before mentioned, sonne and heire to Ferrande King of Naples. In the yeere 1493. the said Lodouic sent to King

Charles the 8. now raigning, to perswade him to come into Italie to conquer the realme of Naples, and to vanquish and subdue those that possessed it: for so long as they florished and were of force, he durst neuer attempt that which afterward he accomplished. At that time the said Ferrande King of Naples and Alphonse his sonne were puissant, rich, of great experience in the wars, and accounted Princes of hautie courages, though afterward their actions declared the contrarie. The said Lodouic was also a very wise man, but maruellous timorous, and humble when he stood in feare, and void of all faith, if the breach thereof might turne to his profit. I speake as one that knew him throughly well, bicause I haue dealt with him in many matters. But to proceede, in the yeere 1493. (as before I said) the Lord Lodouic began to tickle this yoong King Charles, being but two and twenty yeeres of age, with the ambition and vaineglorie of Italie, shewing him what right he had to this goodly realme of Naples, which I warrant you he skilfully blazed and painted foorth. In all these ne∣gotiations he addressed himselfe to Stephan de Vers, then newly made Seneschall of Beaucaire, and maruellously enriched though not satisfied, and to the Generall Bris∣sonet, a rich man, skilfull in matters of the receit, and great friend at that time to the said Seneschall, by whose meanes the Lord Lodouic perswaded the said Brissonet to become a priest, promising to make him a Cardinall, but the Seneschall himselfe he promised to make a Duke. And to set all these practises on foote, the said Lodouic sent in the same yeere to Paris a goodly ambassage to the King, the chiefe whereof was the Earle of Caiazze sonne and heire to the aboue named Robert of Saint Seuerin, who found there the Prince of Salerne his cosin: for the said Prince was chiefe of the house of Saint Seuerin (as I haue alreadie made mention) and liued in Fraunce, being banished by King Ferrande of Naples, as before you haue heard, and therfore trauelled earnestly that this voiage to Naples might go forward. With the said Earle of Caiazze came also Charles Earle of Belleioyeuse, and Master Galeas Viscount of Milan, who were both in very good order and well accompanied, but openly they vsed salutations onely and generall speeches. This was the first great ambassage that came from the Lord Lodouic to the King. True it is that he had sent before this, one of his Secretaries to negotiate with the King, to send his deputie into Italie to re∣ceiue homage of his cosin the Duke of Milan for Genua, which was granted him against all reason ⁸ : notwithstanding I will not denie, but that the King of especiall fauor might assigne one to receiue it of him; for when this Duke Galeas was warde to his mother, I being then ambassador for King Lewis the 11. receiued his homage in the castell of Milan, hauing an expresse commission from the King so to do. But Ge∣nua was then out of the Duke of Milans hands, and held by Master Baptist de Campe∣fourgouse; but at this present the Lord Lodouic had recouered it, and gaue to certaine of the Kings chamber eight thousand ducats for the inuesture thereof, who by re∣ceiuing the monie greatly preiudiced the King. For before the graunt of the said in∣uesture, they might haue seized Genua to the Kings owne vse, if they had would ⁹ : but seeing they meant to take monie for it, they ought to haue demanded more: for Duke Galeas paide at one time for it to King Lewis my Master fiftie thousand ducats, whereof the King (whose soule God pardon) gaue me thirtie thousand crownes in reward. Notwithstanding they said they receiued these eight thousand ducats with the Kings consent, and Stephan de Vers Seneschall of Beaucaire was one of those that tooke the monie, happily to entertaine the better the Lord Lodouic for this enter∣prise, which he so much both fauored and furthered. After audience giuen openly at Paris to the ambassadors aboue mentioned, the Earle of Caiazze had secret commu∣nication with the King. The said Earle was in great credit at Milan, but his brother

Master Galeas of Saint Seuerin in greater, especially in martiall affaires. His Master could now dispose of the estate of Milan as of his owne: for the which cause he offe∣red the King great seruices and aide as well of men as mony, affirming the enterprise to be of no difficultie. This done, he and Master Galeas Viscount tooke their leaue and departed, leauing behinde them the Earle Charles of Belleioyeuse to entertaine the sute, who incontinent put himselfe into French apparell, and trauelled so ear∣nestly in this busines, that many began to like of the enterprise. The King sent into Italie to Pope Innocentius, to the Venetians, and to the Florentines one named Pe∣ron of Basche, who had been brought vp in the house of Aniou vnder Duke Iohn of Calabria, and was maruellously affectioned to this voiage. These practises and run∣nings to and fro continued the space of seuen or eight moneths, and those that vn∣derstood of this enterprise, communed among themselues diuersly of it, but none thought that the King would go in person into Italie.

The Notes.

1 Antonel of Saint Seuerin Prince of Salerne, and Bernardin Prince of Besignan, were brethren. Guicciar.

2 He meaneth by Kings of Fraunce those Kings of the house of Fraunce, that had held the realme of Naples, to wit, the Dukes of Aniou.

3 Viscomte in both these places, and diuers others, is a proper name, not a name of honor, and signifieth as much as Biscomte, that is, tvvise Earle, bicause the Viscomti were Lords of Angiera and Milan.

4 This captaine meant no treason to the children as the others did, but consented to this deede, bicause he thought the children in more safetie vvith him than vvith their foolish mother.

5 The sense in mine opinion were better to read it qu'il luy feroit, then qu'il leur feroit, that is, that he vvould smite off the captaines head, if the place vvere not yeelded, for they vvithin vvere out of Lodouics povver.

6 The French had it in this sense. And another vvho said that he had been a messen∣ger betvveene them: but vndoubtedly the place is corrupted and to be read as I haue amended it.

7 The Duke of Ferrara had married King Ferrandes daughter named Elenor.

8 Duke Galeas ought to haue come into Fraunce to haue done homage to the King in person, but bicause Lodouic vvould not let him depart out of his custodie, he found means that it should be done to one sent thither by the King as his deputie for that purpose.

9 Genua vvas forfeited, and vnder colour thereof, the Lord Lodouic had recouered it, but bicause it vvas held of the King (for the Genuois had giuen themselues to Charles the sixt, anno 1394. vvho sent thither for gouernor Iohn de Maingre, and aftervvard to Charles the seuenth, anno 1446.) it could be forfeited to none but to the King, but by giuing avvay this inuesture, he gaue avvay his right.

How King Charles the eight made peace with the King of Romanes and the Archduke of Austrich, restoring to them the Lady Margaret of Flaunders, before he made his voiage to Naples. Chap. 3.

DVring this delaie aboue mentioned, peace was treated of at Senlis betweene the King and the Archduke of Austriche, heire of the house of Burgundie: for notwithstanding that they were in truce, yet a breach happened betweene them, bicause the King refused the King of Romaines daughter sister to the said Archduke (being verie yoong,) and married the daughter of Frauncis Duke of Britaine, to enioie peaceablie thereby the Duchie of Britaine: all the which at the time of this treatie he held, saue the towne of Renes and the said daughter being within in it; the which was gouerned by the Prince of Orenge hir vncle, who had made a marriage be∣tweene hir and the King of Romaines ¹ and openly solemnised it in the church by a Practor. All the which happened in the yeere 1492. To this treatie aboue men∣tioned came a great ambassage in fauoure of the Duke of Austriche from the Em∣peror Frederick, who offered to be a mediator for the peace: the King of Romains sent thither also, ² and so did the Palzgraue, and the Swissers to pacifie this contro∣uersie, being all of opinion that it would kindle a great fire: for the King of Romains seemed aboue all measure to be iniuried, hauing at one time hir taken from him whom he accounted his wife, and his daughter sent backe to him which many yeeres had beene Queene of Fraunce: but in the end the matter was quietly shut vp, and peace concluded. For all parties were wearie of war, especially Duke Phi∣lips subiects, who had sustained so many troubles, partly bicause of wars with this realme, and partly through their owne priuate diuisions, that they could no more. The peace was concluded but for fower yeeres, whereunto the King of Romaines agreed, to the end he might repose his subiects, and receiue againe his daughter: whom some that were about the King and the said daughter, made difficultie to re∣store. At this treatie I was present my selfe with the rest of the Kings Commissio∣ners being these, Peter Duke of Bourbon, the Prince of Orenge, the Lord of Cor∣des, and diuers other noble personages, and promise was there made to restore to the said Duke Philip all that the King held in Artois: for so was it agreed when this mariage was treated of in the yeere 1482. that if it were not accomplished, all the landes that were giuen with this Ladie in maraige should returne againe with hir, or be restored to Duke Philip. But the said Archdukes men had alreadie surprised Arras and Saint Omer, so that onely Hedin, Aire, and Betune remained to be resto∣red: the possession and seniorie whereof were presently deliuered them, and they put officers into them: but the King held still the castels, and might place garrisons in them till the fower yeeres were expired, which ended at the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist in the yeere 1498. at which time he was bound to restore them also to the said Archduke, and so he promised and sware to do.

Whether the alteration of these mariages agreed with the lawes of holy Church or no, let others iudge: for many Doctors of diuinitie said yea, and many nay: but were these lawfull or vnlawfull; sure all these Ladies were vnfortunate in their issue.

Our Queene had three sonnes successiuely one after another in fower yeeres: one of them ³ liued almost three yeeres and then died, and the other two be dead also. The Lady Margaret of Austriche was afterward married to the Prince of Castile onely sonne to the King and Queene of Castile, and heire both of Castile and diuers other realmes. The said Prince died the first yeere of his marriage in the yeere of our Lord 1497. leauing his wife great bellied ⁴ , who immediately after hir husbands death fell in trauel before hir time, and was deliuered of a dead borne childe; which misfortune the King and Queene of Castile and their whole realme lamented a long time. The King of Romanes immediately after this change aboue mentioned, married the daughter of Galeas Duke of Milan, sister to Duke Iohn Galeas before named, the which marriage was made by the Lord Lodouics onely procurement: but it displea∣sed greatly both the Princes of the Empire, and many also of the King of Romanes friends, bicause she was not of a house noble ynough in their opinion to match with their Emperor. For as touching the Viscounts of whom the Dukes of Milan are de∣scended, small nobilitie is in them, and lesse yet in the Sforces; for the first of that house was Francis Sforce Duke of Milan, whose father was a shoomaker ⁵ dwelling in a little towne called Cotignoles, but a very valiant man, though not so valiant as his sonne, who by meanes of the great fauour the people of Milan bare his wife, be∣ing bastard daughter to Duke Philip Marie, made himselfe Duke, and conquered and gouerned the whole countrie not as a tyrant, but as a good and iust Prince: so that in woorthines and vertue, he was comparable to the noblest Princes that liued in his daies. Thus much I haue written to shew what followed the change of these mar∣riages, neither know I what may yet heerafter ensue further thereof.

The Notes.

1 Annal. Burgund. vvrite, vvith Philip the King of Romaines sonne, but the best vvriters agree vvith our author.

2 Maximilian vvas chosen King of Romaines, anno 1486. Funccius.

3 Of this childes death he vvriteth, lib. 8. cap. 13.

4 Of this Princes death he vvriteth at large, lib. 8. cap. 17.

5 Francis Sforces father (as some write) vvas first a cooke in the campe, after he be∣came a soldier, and lastly for his valor vvas made a captaine and a knight.

How the King sent to the Venetians to practise with them before he enterprised his voiage to Naples, and of the prepara∣tion that was made for the said voiage. Chap. 4.

NOw to returne to the principall matter: you haue heard of the Earle of Caiazzes & the other ambassadors departure from the King at Paris, and of diuers practises entertained in Italy, and how the King as yoong as he was, greatly affected this voiage, notwithstanding that as yet he discouered his meaning but to the Seneschall and generall onely. Further, he required the Ve∣netians to giue him aide and counsell in this enterprise, who answered him that he should be welcome into Italy: but that aide him they could not, bicause they stood in doubt of the Turke, (yet were they in peace with him:) and as touching counsell, it should be too great presumption in

them to giue counsell to so wise a Prince, hauing so graue a counsell about him; but they promised rather to helpe him than hinder him. This they tooke to be a wise an∣swer, and so was it I confesse. But notwithstanding that, they gouerne their affaires more circumspectly than any Prince or commonaltie in the world; yet God will al∣waies haue vs to know that wisedome and forecast of man auaile nought, when he is purposed to strike the stroke. For he disposed of this enterprise far otherwise than they imagined, for they thought not that the King would haue come in person into Italy, neither stoode they in any feare of the Turke, notwithstanding their forged excuse: for the Turke then raigning was a man of no valor ¹ : but they hoped by this meanes to be reuenged of the house of Arragon, which they hated extremely, both the father and the sonne, bicause by their perswasion (as they said) the Turke came to Scutary ² . I meane the father of this Turke, called Mahumet Ottoman, who tooke Constantinople, and greatly endammaged the said Venetians. But apart to Alphonse D. of Calabria they had many other quarrels, for they charged him, first, as the onely author of the war the D. of Ferrara mooued against them, wherin they consumed such infinit treasure, that it had well neere cleane vndone them (of the which war a word or two hath been spoken before.) Secondarily, that he had sent a man purposely to Venice to poison their cesterns, at the least, as many as might be come vnto, for diuers of them be enclosed and locked. They vse there none other water, for they are inuironed with the sea, and sure that water is very good ³ , as my selfe can witnes: for twice I haue been at Venice, and in my last voiage dranke of it eight moneths togither. But the chiefe cause of their hatred against this house of Arragon was none of these aboue rehersed; but for that the said house kept them frō growing great as well in Italy as Greece, on both the which countries they had their eies fixed: notwithstanding they had lately conquered the Ile of Cyprus vpon no title in the world ⁴ . For all these considerations the Venetians thought it their pro∣fit, that war should arise betweene the King and the house of Arragon: but they sup∣posed that it could not haue ended so soon as it did, & that it shuld but weaken their enimies, not vtterly destroy them: and further, that if the woorst fell, either the one partie or the other to haue their helpe, would giue them certaine townes in Pouille, lying vpon their sea coast: as also in the end it hapned, but they had well neere mis∣reckoned themselues. Lastly, as touching the calling of the King into Italy, they thought it could not be laid to their charge, seeing they had giuen him neither coun∣sell nor aide, as appeered by their answer to Peron of Basche.

In the yeere 1494. the King went to Lyons to attend to his affaires, but no man * 1.1 thought he would passe the mountaines. Thither came to him the aboue named Ma∣ster Galeas of Saint Seuerin, brother to the Earle of Caiazze with a goodly traine, sent from the Lord Lodouic, whose lieutenant and principall seruant he was. He brought with him a great number of braue horses and armours to run in, and ran himselfe, and that very well, for he was a yoong and a gallant knight. The King en∣tertained him very honorably, feasted him sumptuously, and gaue him his order. This done, he returned into Italy. But the Earle of Belleioyeuse remained still with the King to hasten the voiage. At Genua they began to arme a great nauie, whither the King sent the Lord of Vrfé Master of his horse, with diuers others. In the end he re∣mooued to Vienna in Daulphine, about the beginning of August in the same yeere, whither the nobles of Genua resorted daily to him: wherefore to Genua he sent Lewis Duke of Orleans, now King of this realme, a yoong gentleman of goodly per∣sonage, but much giuen to his pleasures, of whom in this history ample mention shal be made. It was then thought that the said Duke of Orleans should haue led this

armie by sea to land in the realme of Naples, by the conduct and direction of the aboue named banished Princes of Salerne & Bisignan. The whole nauie was fower∣teene ships of Genua, besides a great number of gallies and galleons, and the King was as well obeied there in this case, as he should haue been at Paris: for Genua was vnder the state of Milan, where the Lord Lodouic gouerned all, hauing none to gain∣say him, saue onely the Duchesse his nephewes wife, daughter to King Alphonse, (for about this present his father King Ferrande died.) But the said Lady preuailed little or nothing, both bicause men sawe the King in a readines either to passe into Italy himselfe, or to send his forces, and also bicause hir husband was a very simple man, and disclosed all hir dooings to the Lord Lodouic his vncle, who had already caused a messenger to be drowned sent by hir, to hir father.

This nauie did no seruice, notwithstanding that the charges thereof amounted to three hūdred thousand franks, for all the treasure that the K. could leuy was imploied that way, by means whereof he was vnfurnished as before I said, both of good coun∣sell, of money, and of al things necessary for such an enterprise: yet God of his meere grace (as manifestly he declared) gaue it good successe. I meane not that the King was not wise of his age, but he was but two and twenty yeeres old, newly crept out of the shell. The two aboue named that gouerned him in all this voiage, to wit Ste∣phen de Vers Seneschall of Beaucaire, and the generall Brissonnet, now Cardinall of Saint Malo, were men of meane estate, and of no experience, whereby so much the more appeered the woonderfull worke of God: our enimies on the other side, were accounted wise, of great experience in the wars, rich, accompanied with wise men and good captaines, and in possession of the realme. I meane King Alphonse (lately crowned by Pope Alexander a Spaniard, borne in the realme of Arragon) who had the Florentines ioined with him, and great intelligence with the Turke. He had also a son bearing armes, called Dom Ferrande, a courteous yoong gentleman, of the age of two or three and twenty yeeres, who was welbeloued in the realme, and a brother also named Dom Frederic, who succeeded the said Ferrande in this our age, and was a very wise man, and led their army vpon the sea. He had been long trained vp on this side the mountaines, and of him you had often assured me my Lord of Vienna by your knowledge in Astrologie, that he should be King, so that he once promised me fower thousand franks of yeerely reuenewes in the said realme, when that came to passe, which promise was made twenty yeeres before the prophesie tooke effect.

Now to proceede, the King altered his minde ⁵ through the Duke of Milans ear∣nest sollicitation made both by letters by the Earle Charles of Belleioyeuse his am∣bassador, and by the two aboue named. Notwithstanding the Generall in the end began to draw backe, seeing all men of wisedome and vnderstanding to mislike this voiage for many respects, and especially bicause the Kings forces lay abrode in camp in August, vnfurnished of monie, and all other things necessarie: but the Seneschall alone carried the credit from them all, so far foorth that the King shewed a counte∣nance of displeasure to the Generall three or fower daies, but he soone recouered his fauour againe. At this present died one of the Seneschals seruants of the plague, as men said; for the which cause he durst not repaire to the Kings presence to his great griefe, for no man sollicited the voiage: but on the contrarie side the D. & Du∣chesse of Bourbon were there, laboring all that in them lay to ouerthrow it, where∣unto also the said Generall encouraged them, by means whereof one day the voiage was dashed, and another reuiued. In the end the King resolued to go, and I my selfe mounted on horsebacke with the foremost, hoping to passe the mountains the more commodiously with small companie: but I receiued a countermand, whereby I was

aduertised that all was altered againe. The selfesame day were borrowed fiftie thou∣sand ducats of a merchant of Milan; but the Lord Lodouic deliuered the money vpon assurance made to the said merchant for the repaiment: my selfe stood bound for six thousand, and others for the rest; but this monie was lent without interest. The King had borrowed before of the banke of Soly at Genua a hundred thousand franks, the interest wherof amounted in fower moneths to 14. thousand franks ⁶ . But some said that the two aboue named had part both in the principall, and also in the interest.

The Notes.

1 This Turke was Baiazet the second.

2 Scodra in Latin a towne in that part of Dalmatia, now called Albania.

3 This is rainewater he meaneth.

4 VVhy they had no title appeereth by the Pedegree in the end of the worke.

5 For he was not minded at the first to haue gone in person.

6 That is after the rate of starling money, 14. pound in the hundred for fower moneths.

How King Charles departed from Vienna in Daulphin to conquer the realme of Naples in person, and what his nauie vpon the sea did vnder the leading of the Duke of Orleans. Chap. 5.

TO be short, the King departed from Vienna the 23. of August in the yeere 1494. and marched straight towards Ast ¹ . At Suze Master Galeas of S. Seuerin came to him in poste, from whence the King remooued to Thurin, where he borrowed all the Du∣chesse of Sauoyes iewels, who was daughter to the late Lorde VVilliam Marques of Montferrat, and Duke Charles of Sauoyes widowe, the which he engaged for twelue thousand ducats. A few daies after, he went to Casall to the Marques of Montferrats widow, being a wise yoong Lady, daughter to the King of Seruia. The Turke had conquered hir countrie, and the Emperor, whose kinswoman she was (hauing as I suppose, taken hir into his protection) had bestowed hir in this house of Montferrat. She lent also hir iewels, the which were in like maner engaged for twelue thousand ducats. Heereby you may perceiue what successe this voiage was like to haue had, if God alone had not guided the enterprise. The King abode at Ast a certaine space ² . That yeere all the wines of Italie were sower, which our men much misliked, neither could they away with the great heate of the aire. To Ast came the Lord Lodouic and his wife with a goodly traine to visite the King, where they abode two daies: and then the said Lodouic departed to a castell of the Duchie of Milan, a league from Ast called Nom, whither the Kings Councell repaired daily to him. King Alphonse had two armies abrode in the countrie, the one in Romaine ³ towards Ferrara, vnder the lea∣ding of his sonne, accompanied with the Lord Virgill Vrsin, the Earle of Petilhane, and the Lord Iohn Iames of Trenoul, who is now become French. Against these the King sent the Lord d'Aubigny ⁴ a valiant and wise Knight, with two hundred men of armes French, and fiue hundred men of armes Italians, being in the Kings seruice, vnder the leading of the Earle of Caiazze so often before mentioned, who was there as the Lord Lodouics lieutenant, and feared greatly the discomfiture of these forces:

which if it had happened, we had repaired homewards incontinent, and he should haue had his enimies vpon his necke, whose intelligence was great in the Duchie of Milan.

The other armie was vpon the sea, vnder the leading of Dom Frederike King Al∣phonses brother, and lay at Ligorne and at Pise; for the Florentines tooke part as yet with the house of Arragon, and furnished them of certaine gallies. Moreouer, with the said Dom Frederike was Breto de Flisco, and certaine other Genuois, by whose intelligence he hoped to cause Genua to reuolt ⁵ . And sure they had almost obtai∣ned their purpose at Specie and Rapalo neere to Genua, where they landed a thou∣sand of their faction, by meanes whereof they had vndoubtedly atchieued their en∣terprise, if they had not been very speedily assailed. But the selfesame day or the next day, Lewis Duke of Orleance arriued there with certaine ships, and a good number of gallies, and one great galliasse being mine, the patrone whereof was one Master Albert Mely, and it caried the said Duke and the principall of the armie, and manie goodly peeces of artillerie; for it was very strong, and approched so neere the shore, that the very artillery almost discomfited the enimies, who before had neuer seene the like: for artillerie was at that time strange and new to the Italian nation. The soldiers landed also that were in the other ships: and from Genua where the whole armie laie, came a band of Swissers by land led by the Bailife of Digeon, who had ioined with him certaine of the Duke of Milans forces (vnder the leading of Ma∣ster Iohn Lewis de Flisco brother to the forenamed Breto, and of Master Iohn Adorne:) the which (notwithstanding that they were not at the skirmish) shewed themselues valiant soldiers in defending a straight against the enimies. To be short, bicause our men came to hand-strokes with the enimies, they were discomfited and put to flight, and a hundred or sixscore slaine, and eight or ten taken prisoners: among the which was one Fourgousin sonne to the Cardinall of Genua. Those prisoners that were dismissed, were all stripped to their shirts by the Duke of Milans bands, and other harme had they none, for such is the law of armes in Italie. I saw all the letters that were sent both to the King and to the Duke of Milan making report of this skirmish. Thus was the enimies Nauie repulsed, which afterward approched no more so neer. At our mens returne, the Genuois thought to haue raised a tumult and slew certaine Almaines in the towne, certaine also of them were slaine, but the matter was soone pacified.

I must heere speake a word or two of the Florentines, who had sent twise to the King before his departure out of Fraunce meaning onely to dissemble with him, with their first ambassadors (being the Bishop of Arese ⁶ , and one named Peter Sonderin) the King commanded me, the Seneschall, and the Generall to negotiate. Our demands were onely these: First, to giue the King passage through their coun∣trie: and secondarily, to serue him with a hundred men of armes, paying them af∣ter the Italian intertainment, which was but ten thousand ducats the yeere ⁷ . These ambassadors depended wholie vpon Peter of Medicis a yoong man of small wise∣dome, sonne to Laurence of Medicis who was dead, and had beene one of the wisest men in his time, and had gouerned this citie almost as prince, as did also at this pre∣sent his sonne: for their house had continued thus already two mens ages, namely Laurence the father of this Peter, and Cosme of Medicis the first roote and founder of this house, a man woorthie among the woorthiest. And sure of their trade (be∣ing merchandise,) I thinke it hath beene the greatest house that euer was in the world: for their seruants and factors haue had so great credit vnder their name that it is woonderfull. I my selfe haue seene the proofe thereof both in Flaunders

and England. For I knew one called Gerard Quanuese by whose onely helpe (in a maner) King Edward the fowerth kept the crowne on his head when ciuill wars were in the realme of England: for he lent him at times more then sixscore thousand crownes, little for his Masters profite, notwithstanding he recouered his principall in the end. Another also I knew named Thomas Portunay, who was pledge at one time betweene the said King Edward and Duke Charles of Burgundie for fiftie thou∣sand crownes, and at an other time in another place for forwerscore thousand. I com∣mend not the wisedome of merchants in thus doing, but I commend Princes that vse merchants well and keepe daie with them, for they know not when they shall need their helpe, and sometime a little money doth great seruice.

It seemeth that this house of the Medicis fel to ruine as mighty houses do in realms and Empires, for the great authoritie of this Peter of Medicis predecessors did him harme: notwithstanding the gouernment of Cosme the first of this house was milde and gentle, such as was agreeable with a free state. But Lavvrence this Peters father (whom we now presently write of) bicause of the great variance before mentioned in this historie, that was betweene him and them of Pisa and others (diuers of the * 1.2 which at that time were hanged;) tooke a garde of 20. men for the defence of his person, by the commandement and leaue of the Seniory, who commanded nothing, but at his pleasure: notwithstanding he behaued himselfe in this great authoritie very discreetly and soberly, for (as I before said) he was one of the wisest men in his time. But this Peter who succeeded his father (supposing the like authority to be due to him of right) became terrible by meanes of this guard, and vsed great violence in the night, beating men as they went in the streetes, and abusing their common trea∣sure, so had his father done also, but so wisely, that they held themselues in maner contented therewith.

In the second ambassage the said Peter sent to Lions, one called Peter Capon with diuers others, by whom he excused himselfe, as before he had done, for not accom∣plishing the Kings requests, saying that King Levvis the eleuenth had commanded the towne of Florence, to enter into league with King Ferrande in the time of Duke Iohn of Aniou, and to depart from their league with the said Duke: wherefore seeing by the Kings commandement they were entred into this league, which endured yet certaine yeeres; they could not abandon nor forsake the house of Arragon. But if the King hapned to come into their countrey, they promised to do him great seruices, which offer they made bicause they thought (as the Venetians did) that the King would not come into Italy. In both these ambassages there was some one enimy to the said de Medicis, especially in the latter this Capon, who oftē aduertised vs by what meanes the citie of Florence might be brought to rebell against the said Peter, and deliuered also his message in far woorse termes than indeed it was sent; and further, gaue aduise to banish all the Florentines out of Fraunce, and so were they ⁸ . Thus much haue I written, to the end you may the better vnderstand that which afterward ensued: for the King became mortall enimy to the said Peter, and the Seneschall and generall had great intelligence with his enimies in the citie, especially with this Ca∣pon, yea and with two also of the said Peters cosin germaines being both of his owne name.

The Notes.

1 The King came to Ast the 9. of September 1494. Guicciar.

2 The King abode at Ast till the 6. of October. Annal. Franc. & Aquit.

3 Alphonse in person leuied men in Abruzzo to haue fought with Duke Aubigny, but

in an assembly held between him and the Pope at Vicouare the third of Iuly, it was agreed that he should passe no further, but giue the charge of the armie to his sonne. Guicciar.

4 This Duke Aubigny was a Scottish man and a Steward, and of him the now King of Scots is by his father lineally descended.

5 Genua was euer diuided into the factions of Fregosi (called here in many places Four∣gousi) Adorni, Dorei, and Spinoli.

6 The Italians haue Aretio, which is a towne betweene Florence and Perouse, but Guaz∣zo de Regio which is a little towne neere to Parma.

7 That was after the rate of one hundred ducats for euery man of armes: for the Ita∣lian men of armes haue not their archers as the French, and therefore their wages is lesse by the halfe.

8 They gaue this counsell, to the end the Florentines being barred their trafficke in Fraunce, might murmur against Peter of Medicis: for what misfortune soeuer happeneth, the Prince is alwaies blamed as cause thereof.

How the King remaining yet in Ast, resolued to passe foorth towards Na∣ples at the earnest sute of Lodouic Sforce. How Philip de Commines was sent ambassador to Venice: of the Duke of Milans death; after whose decease the said Lodouic seized vpon the Duchie, to the pre∣iudice of a sonne the said D. left behinde him. Chap. 6.

I Haue told you alreadie what happened vpon the sea at Rapalo. Dom Frederike retired to Pisa and Ligorne, leauing his foote∣men behinde him whom he had landed. The Florentines waxed maruellous wearie of him; for they be and euer haue been bet∣ter affected to the house of Fraunce, than to that of Arragon. Our armie that was in Romaine (notwithstanding that it were the weaker) furthered greatly our affaires; for it made Dom Fer∣rande D. of Calabria by little & little to retire: which when the K. perceiued, he resol∣ued to passe forward, being earnestly sollicited therunto by the Lord Lodouic, and the others aboue named. The said Lodouic at his first meeting with the King spake thus vnto him: Sir, feare not this enterprise, there are in Italie but three mightie estates, one of the which taketh part with you which is Milan; another mooueth not, to wit, the Venetians, so that you haue onely to do with the force of Naples. But diuers of your ancestors haue ouerthrowen vs all three being ioined togither. Sir, if you will credit me, I will helpe to make you greater than euer was Charleman: for we will easily chase the Turke out of the Empire of Constantinople, hauing subdued the realme of Naples. And sure he said true of the Turke that now raigneth ¹ , if all things had been well ordered on our side. Then the King began to gouerne all his affaires by the order and direction of the said Lodouic, wherewith certaine of our men, I meane some of the Kings chamber, and such like, were not a little disconten∣ted, which was great folly; for without him we could do nothing: and this that they did, was onely to flatter the Duke of Orleance, who pretended title to the Duchie of Milan ² . But the Generall especially was highly offended therewith; for now he

thought himselfe a great man, and some breach was happened betweene the Sene∣schall and him: for the which cause the L. Lodouic mooued both the K. and the saide Seneschall that the Generall might be sent home, which his words caused the saide Generall openly to babble against him, and to say that he would deceiue the whole companie: but silence would better haue becommed him. Notwithstanding as tou∣ching him, neuer wise man made account of him in matter of estate, both bicause he vnderstood not what it meant, and also bicause he was light of talke: but sure he was well affected to his Master. They concluded in the end to send abrode diuers ambas∣sadors, and my selfe among the rest was appointed to go to Venice, but my dispatch was delaied awhile, bicause the King was sicke of the small pocks, and in danger of death: for an ague was ioined with his disease, but it endured not past sixe or seuen daies. Then I departed leauing the King in Ast, and verily beleeuing that he would passe no further: in sixe daies I went to Venice with my mules and carriage; for the way was maruellous faire. But I departed from the said towne of Ast in great feare, doubting the Kings returne home: notwithstanding God had otherwise disposed of this enterprise, for he went straight to Pauie, and passed through Casall, where the Marchionesse of Montferrat lay, which was a good Lady, and great friend to vs, but deadly enimie to the Lord Lodouic, and he also to hir. When the King arriued at Pauie, some small ielousie began to arise; for they would haue lodged him in the towne and not in the castell, but he would not lodge but in the castell, and so he did. Those that were neere about him haue told me, that he was there in some danger. Wherefore the selfesame night the watch was r'enforced, whereat the Lord Lodouic maruelled greatly, so far foorth that he communed thereof with the King, deman∣ding if he had conceiued any suspicion of him. To be short, their behauiour was such on both sides, that their amitie could not long endure: but we babbled much more than they, not the King himselfe, but certaine of his neerest kinsmen ³ . In this castell of Pauie was Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan, and his wife daughter to King Alphonse in very pitious estate: for hir husband being sicke, was held in this castell as vnder garde, and hir sonne who is yet liuing, with a daughter or two. The childe was then about fiue yeeres old, and him euery man might see, but no man might see the Duke: for my selfe passed that way three daies before the King, and could by no meanes be suffered to come to him. Euery body said he was extreme sicke: notwithstanding the King spake with him; for he was his cosin germane ⁴ , and he hath told me that their communication was onely generall talke, bicause he would in no wise offend the Lord Lodouic; notwithstanding that he were very desirous to haue aduertised his said cosin of diuers matters. At the same time the Duchesse fell vpon hir knees before the said Lodouic, desiring him to haue pitie vpon hir father and brother. He answered that it could not be. But to say the truth, she might better haue intreated for hir hus∣band and hir selfe, being at that time a goodly yoong Lady.

From thence the King remooued to Plaisance, where the said Lodouic receiued let∣ters that his nephewe the Duke Milan lay at the point of death, wherefore he tooke his leaue of the King to go to him. The King desired him to returne, and so he pro∣mised to do. Before he came to Pauie the Duke died, whereupon he rid incontinent, as it were in poste to Milan. Al these newes I vnderstood by a letter that the Veneti∣an ambassador resident with the said Lodouic sent to Venice, wherein also he aduerti∣sed the Seniorie that he meant to make himselfe Duke, whichboth the Duke of Ve∣nice and the Seniorie vtterly misliked, so far foorth that they asked me whether the King would not defend the childe; which though reason required that he should: yet I made the matter doubtfull, considering how necessary an instrument the said

Lord Lodouic was at that time for the Kings affaires.

To be short, he made himselfe to be receiued at Milan as Duke, which was the onely end (as some said) why he had caused vs to passe the mountaines. Manie also charged him with his nephewes death, whose kinsfolkes and friends in Italy were in armes to haue taken the gouernment from him, which they would easily haue done, had not the Kings comming stopped them. For they were already in Romaine (as you haue heard.) But the Earle of Caiazze and the Lord of Aubigny made them to retire. For the said Lord of Aubigny had with him a company of a hundred & fifty or two hundred men of armes French, and a good band of Swissers. Dom Ferrande and his forces retired towards their friends, dislodging euer halfe a daies iourney be∣fore our men, and marched towards Furly ⁵ , which belonged to a Lady being a ba∣stard of Milan, and widow of the Earle Hieronime, nephew to Pope Sixtus ⁶ . This Lady fauored them as the report went; notwithstanding after our men had taken by assault a little towne of hirs, being first beaten halfe a day with the canon: she reuol∣ted to vs, being indeed well affected to vs before. Further, the people of Italy began in all places to take hart and to desire change and alteration: for they sawe that which before they had neuer seene, I meane the feate of artillerie, which they were vnacquainted with, & which in Fraunce was neuer more practised than at that time. The said Dom Ferrande approched still neerer and neerer to his realme, and went to Sesenne, a faire citie of the Popes in the Marque of Anconne; but the people spoi∣led his carriage & stuffe whensoeuer they tooke his men at aduantage. And through all Italy they would haue rebelled, if the wars had been ordered on our side without spoile: but all was done cleane contrary, to my great griefe, bicause of the honor and renowme the French nation might haue obtained by this voiage. For at our first arriuall the people honored vs as saints, supposing all faith and vertue to be in vs: but their opinion endured not long, partly bicause of the disorder and spoile our men vsed; and partly bicause of the slanderous reports our enimies made of vs in all places, charging vs that we forced women, and robbed and carried away money, and whatsoeuer we could lay hands on, of heinouser crimes they could not haue ac∣cused vs in Italy, for no nation is so ielous and couetous as the Italian. As touching women they belied vs, but the rest was not altogither vntrue.

The Notes.

1 He meaneth bicause he vvas a man of no vertue, as before is said.

2 VVhat right the Duke of Orleans had to it, the petegree in the end of the booke will declare.

3 He meaneth the Earle of Ligny, the King and vvho vvere sisters children.

4 King Charles his mother vvas Charlotte, and this Dukes mother Bonne, both daughters to the Duke of Sauoy.

5 It vvas corruptly in the French Sorly for Furly, vvhich the old Romaines called Forum liuii.

6 Octauian sonne to Hieronime of Riare, vvas Lord of Furly and Imola, vvith title of Vicar of the Church, but he vvas vnder the gouernment of Katherin Sforce his mo∣ther heere mentioned. Guicciar.

How Peter of Medices yeelded fower of the Florentines strongest pla∣ces to the King, and how the King restored Pisa being one of them to their ancient liberty. Chap. 7.

THe King (as before you haue heard) was at Plaisance, where he caused a solemne funerall to be made for his cosin germaine the Duke of Milan; for other thing wist he not what to do, the new Duke of Milan being departed from him. They that best vnderstood the course of these affaires, haue told me that the whole cōpany desired to returne home, aswel for that they were vnprouided of all things necessarie, as also bicause of diuers doubts that were arisen: for certaine that at the first seemed to haue great good liking of this voiage, began now vtterly to disallow thereof, namely the Lord of Vrfé Master of the horse, who was not with the King, but lay sicke at Genua: whence he wrote him a letter, giuing him therein to vnderstand of diuers doubts and iealousies whereof he was aduertised. But (as before I haue said in diuers places) God mani∣festly declared that he himselfe gouerned this enterprise. For suddenly in the necke of this letter, newes came to the King that the Duke of Milan would shortly return, and that the Florentines began to fauor vs in hatred of Peter de Medicis, who go∣uerned them as if he had been their Prince, to the great discontentation both of ma∣ny of his owne neere kinsmen, and of diuers also the best citizens, namely the Capons, the Sonderini ¹ , the Nerly, and in maner the whole citie. Wherefore the King de∣parted from Plaisance and marched towards the Florentines territories, meaning either to cause them to declare themselues for him, or to take their townes being vnfortified, and lodge his men in them all the winter, which was already begun. Diuers small places yeelded vnto him, so did also the citie of Luques enimie to the Florentines, shewing him all pleasure and seruice that in them lay. Now you shall vnderstand that the Duke of Milan had two purposes in his head; first he sought by all meanes possible to staie the King from passing further that sommer ² . Secondari∣ly, he hoped to obtaine of him Pisa (a great and a faire citie) togither with Serzane, and Petresancte, which two places had been subiect to the Geneuois not long be∣fore, and were woon from them by the Florentines in Laurence de Medicis time.

The King passed through Pontreme one of the D. of Milans townes, and went to besiege Serzane the strongest and the best castle the Florentines had, but vnfur∣nished bicause of their great diuision. To say the truth the Florentines neuer beare armes willingly against the house of Fraunce: for they haue euer faithfully serued it & taken part with it, both bicause of their great traficke in Fraunce, & also bicause they haue euer been of the Guelphes faction ³ . If this place had been well furnished the King must of necessitie haue broken his armie: for the countrie is verie barren & ful of hils, & victuals there were none to be gotten: besides that the snow lay maruel∣lous deepe vpon the ground. After the Kings siege had lien before it three daies, the Duke of Milan came thither no composition being yet made betweene the Flo∣rentines and the King ⁴ , and passed through Pontreme, where the townesmen and the soldiers of the garrison fell at such variance with our Almaines (led by one Buser) that certaine of the saide Almaines were staine: of the which braule sprang a great inconuenience, as heereafter you shall heare. For although I were not my selfe pre∣sent

at the doing of these things: yet vnderstood I of them both by the King, the Duke, and diuers others. The Florentines began now to practise, and appointed fif∣teene or sixteene to go to the King, saying, that they would no longer continue in this great danger, nor sustaine the displeasure of the King and the Duke of Milan, who had continually an ambassador resident at Florence. And Peter of Medices consen∣ted to the sending of this ambassage; for to say the truth, he could not remedie it, considering vpon what termes they stood: for if they had done otherwise, they had been vndone, being vnprouided of all things, and vtterly vnacquainted with the wars. When these ambassadors came to the Kings presence, they offered to receiue him into Florence and their other places, neither cared the greater part of them how the world went, so that we would come to Florence to chase away Peter of Medices; which matter they earnestly pressed, bicause they had good intelligence with the aboue named that gouerned then the Kings affaires.

On the other side Peter of Medices practised by a seruant of his owne named Lau∣rence Spinelly, who was his factor at Lyons, and an honest man in his vocation, and had liued long in Fraunce: but of the state of our Court he could vnderstand no∣thing, no hardly they that had beene Courtiers all their liues, bicause of the often changes and alterations. This Spinelly negotiated with those that heeretofore had borne all the sway, namely, the Lord of Bresse afterward Duke of Sauoye, and the Lord of Miolans chamberlaine to the King. Soone after the aboue named ambassa∣dors were returned to Florence, Peter of Medices accompanied with certaine of the citie, came himselfe to the King to make answer to our requests: for they within the citie sawe vtter destruction before their eies, vnlesse they yeelded to all the Kings de∣maunds; whose fauour they hoped to obtaine, by offering him some greater seruice than any of the other townes that had already receiued him. At his arriuall Monseur de Piennes a Flemming borne, and Chamberlaine to the King, and the generall Bris∣sonnet were sent to treate with him, who required him to yeeld vnto the King the ca∣stell of Serzane, which presently he did. They required him further to lend the King Pisa, Ligorne, Petresanct, and Librefacto: whereunto he also agreed incontinent, neuer communicating the matter with his collegues, who supposed that the King should onely haue lodged in Pisa, and these other places to refresh himselfe, but not haue held them still: well, by this meanes they yeelded their whole estate and force into our hands. Those that negotiated with the said Peter haue told both me and others since, scoffing and iesting at him, that they woondred to see him so lightly condescend to so waightie a matter, granting more than they looked for. To con∣clude, the King entred into Pisa, and the aboue named ambassadors returned to Flo∣rence, where the said Peter caused the Kings lodging to be made in his owne house, which was the goodliest of a citizens or merchants house that euer I saw, and better furnished than any mans house in the world of his estate.

I must heere speake a word or two of the Duke of Milan, who now wished the King with all his hart out of Italy, notwithstanding that both already he had made his profit by him, and sought also still so to do: for he was in hope to obtaine of him, the places yeelded by the Florentines, and pressed him earnestly for Serzane, and Petresancte, which he said appertained to the Genuois: he lent him also at that pre∣sent 30. thousand ducats, and he hath since told both me and others, that these places were promised him. But when he sawe that he could not obtaine them, he departed in great displeasure from the King, pretending that earnest busines called him home, which was the last time the King saw him: notwithstanding, he left Master Galeas of Saint Seuerin behind him, whom he ioined in commission in all matters with the

Earle Charles of Belleioyeuse. The said Master Galeas while the King lay in Pisa, sent (by his Masters aduise) for the chiefe citizens of the towne to his lodging, where he perswaded them to rebell against the Florentines, and to desire the King to restore them to their ancient liberty, trusting by this meanes that Pisa would fall into the Duke of Milans clawes, vnder whose obedience it had been ⁵ in the time of Iohn Ga∣leas the first Duke of Milan of that name, (a great and wicked tyrant though very ho∣norable) whose body lieth buried in the charterhouse of Pauia by the parke ⁶ , so high aboue the high altar, that men go vp to it by a ladder: certain of the monkes shewed me it, at the least his bones, which smelt, as naturally they should. Further, one of the said monkes who was borne at Bourges, called him Saint, as he talked with me; and I asked him in his eare why he called him Saint, considering he might behold pain∣ted round about him the armes of many cities which he had wrongfully vsurped ⁷ , and seeing the image of him and his horse being of fine marble stood higher than the altar, and yet his body lay vnder his horse feete. He answered me softly, Sir, in this countrey we call all those Saints that haue done vs any good, and he built this goodly charterhouse church, which in very deed is the fairest that euer I saw, for it is all of fine marble. But to proceede, the said Master Galeas sought to make himselfe great, and so I thinke did the Duke of Milan also, bicause he had married his base daughter: for he manifestly declared that he would aduance him, as his owne sonne, bicause at that time his owne children were all very yoong. The said Pisans were I confesse cruelly handled by the Florentines, for they vsed them like slaues. They had subdued them about a hundred yeeres before, euen in the selfe same yeere that the Venetians conquered Padua, which was the first victory that they obtained vpon the firme land. And the fortune of these two cities was almost alike, for they had been ancient enimies to those whom now they serued, many yeeres before they were conquered, and almost of equall force with them. These Pisans consulted togither about this motion, and seeing themselues counselled by so great a personage, and be∣ing also of themselues desirous of libertie: a great number of them both men and women, came crying to the King as he went to masse, Libertie, libertie, desiring him with weeping eies to graunt it them. One of the Masters of the requests (who was a counsellor of the parliament in Daulphine named Robot) going before the King, or executing his office said vnto him, (were it bicause he had promised the Pisans so to do: or bicause he vnderstood not what they demanded) that it was a lamemtable case, and that of right he ought to graunt them their petition, adding, that neuer men were so cruelly handled. The King not vnderstanding well what this word meant, but bewailing in his minde the miserable estate of the Italian nation, and the cruelty that both Princes & commonalties vse towards their subiects (notwithstanding that in reason he could not graunt them their liberty, seeing the towne was none of his, but lent him vpon friendship at his great need:) answered that he was contented to grant their request, & so the counsellor aboue named declared vnto them: wherupon the people incontinent began to proclaim holiday in token of ioy, and went to their bridge which is a very goodly one built ouer the riuer of Arne, & threw down to the ground, & afterward into the riuer a great lion standing vpon a strong pillar of mar∣ble called maior, representing the Seniorie of Florence: vpon the which pillar they caused to be erected the image of a K. of Fraunce holding a naked sword in his hand, & treading the maior or lion vnder his horse feet. But after, when the K. of Romains entred the town, they did with the Kings image as now with the lion: for such is the nature of the Italian nation, to turne euer with the strongest. Notwithstanding these Pisans were then & yet are so cruelly handled that they are to be holden for excused.

The Notes.

1 It was Fodormi in the French, but corruptly.

2 He meaneth that the Duke of Milan found delaies to cause the King to stay all the winter in the Florentines territories, hoping that their townes would yeeld vnto him (as indeede they did) and that then he might obtaine of the King such as he would.

3 The factions of the Guelphes and Gibellines began in Italie vnder the Emperor Fre∣derike the second anno 1240. The Gibellines held for the Emperor, the Guelphes for the Pope.

4 This composition he speaketh of afterward in this chapter.

5 It was sold to this Iohn Galeas, and he sold it ouer to the Florentines.

6 This parke was made by the said Iohn Galeas after he had conquered Pauia: it was twenty miles in circuit, walled round about, and stored with all kinde of beasts, but now by meanes of the wars it is destroied: by this parke he built also the castell. In this parke was Francis the French King taken prisoner.

7 This Duke conquered in Italy 29. cities, among the which were Pauie, Bolonia, Verona, Senes, Perouse, Luques, Verceil, &c.

How the King departed from Pisa to Florence, and of the flight and ruine of Peter de Medices. Chap. 8.

AFter the King had soiourned at Pisa certaine daies, he departed to Florence, where they declared vnto him the great wrong he had done their estate, by restoring the Pisans to libertie against his promise. Those that were appointed to make answer heere∣unto excused the fact: saying, that the King had not well vn∣derstood with what conditions Pisa was deliuered vnto him, neither vnderstood he another treatie he made with the Flo∣rentines ¹ : whereof you shall heare after I haue spoken somewhat of Peter de Me∣dicis ruine, and shewed how the King entered into Florence, leauing a garrison in Pisa, and the other places lent him. The said Peter after he had yeelded to the King the places aboue mentioned with the consent of certaine of the towne, returned to the citie, supposing that the King would not hold them still, but restore them at his departute from Pisa, where he would but repose himselfe three or fower daies. Yet am I of opinion that if it had pleased him to winter there, they would willingly haue agreed thereunto, notwithstanding that Pisa be of greater importance to them than Florence it selfe, saue that their persons and goods be resident in Florence ² . At the said Peters returne to Florence, euery man frowned vpon him, and not with∣out cause: for he had dispossessed them of their whole force, and of all that they had conquered in a hundred yeeres, so that their mindes seemed already to foretell them the euils that afterward fell vpon them. Wherefore partly for this cause (which I sup∣pose to be the principall, though they neuer vttered it) partly for the great hatred be∣fore rehearsed, which they bare him, and partly also to recouer their libertie, wherof they thought themselues bereaued by him: they determined to banish him the towne, forgetting all the benefits of Cosmus and Laurence de Medicis his ancestors. The said Peter hauing no certaine intelligence of this their determination, yet doub∣ting

it, went to the palace with his ordinarie garde to aduertise them of the Kings comming, who was about three miles from the towne: but when he came to the palace gate and knocked, one of the house of Nerly (being the father and many sonnes whom my selfe knew well, all of great wealth) refused to let him in, saying, that if he would enter alone he should, otherwise not; and he that made him this re∣fusall was armed. The said Peter returned incontinent to his house, and armed both himselfe and his seruants, determining to make resistance against his enimies in the towne. Whereof he also aduertised one Paule Vrsin, who was in pay with the Floren∣tines (for the said Peter was by his mother of the house of Vrsins, and both his father and he had euer giuen entertainment to certaine of them) but immediately after, they heard the people crie, Libertie, libertie, and sawe them come towards his house in armes. Whereupon (following good aduice) by the helpe of Paule Vrsin he departed the towne, which was a miserable departure to him: for in power and wealth both he and his ancestors, since the time of Cosmus de Medicis the first of that house, had been in maner equall with great Princes: and this day fortune began to frowne vpon him, so that he lost both honor and riches. At this present my selfe was at Ve∣nice, and by the ambassador of Florence there resident, vnderstood of all these newes, which greatly displeased me; for I had loued his father well. If the said Peter had followed mine aduice, all this had neuer happened: for immediately after my arriuall at Venice I wrote vnto him, offering to make his peace with the King; for I had commission by mouth both from the Seneschall of Beaucaire and the Generall so to do: and I am well assured the King would haue held himselfe contented with passage through their countrie, at the most with Ligorne, and (that being obtained) haue agreed to all the said Peters demaunds. But he by the perswasion of the aboue named Peter Capon, answered me in maner with scoffes. The said ambassador the next day deliuered a letter to the Senate of Venice, the contents whereof were, that the said Peter was banished the towne, bicause he sought to make himselfe Lord thereof by aide of the house of Arragon and the Vrsins, and diuers other matters they char∣ged him with that were vntrue. But such be the chaunces and changes of this world, that he that is in aduersitie, hath not onely his enimies to pursue him, but his friends also become his foes, as appeered by this ambassador named Paule Anthony Sonderin, (one of the wisest men in Italie) who but the day before talked with me of this Peter as if he had been his soueraigne Lord, yet now declared himselfe his enimie. True it is that it was by the Seniories commandement; for of himselfe particularly he made no declaration. The next day I was aduertised that the said Peter came to Venice, and that the King in great triumph was entred into Florence. Moreouer, the Senate of Florence commanded their ambassador to take his leaue of the Seniorie of Ve∣nice, and returne home with all speede. The letter himselfe shewed me, and then de∣parted. Two daies after his departure arriued Peter de Medicis in his doublet and his hose, or in one of his seruants clokes. The Venetians stood in great doubt to receiue him; so much feared they the Kings displeasure. And notwithstanding that they could not of their honor refuse him, yet made they him stay two daies without the towne, being very desirous to vnderstand of me, how the King would take it, if they receiued him. I for my part desired to do him good, and the King had written no∣thing to me against him: wherefore I answered them, that I thought he was fled for feare of the people, not of the King. Whereupon he entred the towne, and the next day after he had been with the Seniorie, I went to visit him. They lodged him well, and permitted both himselfe and fifteene or twenty of his seruants that accompa∣nied him, to weare their weapons in the towne ³ . And notwithstanding that Cosmus

aboue mentioned had stopped them in times past from taking of Milan, yet vsed they him very well, and reuerenced him for the honor of his house, which had beene of so great estimation and renowme through all Christendome. When I sawe him me thought he seemed a man of no great stuffe, he discoursed to me at large of all his misfortunes, and I, as well as I could, comforted him. Among other things, he told me that he had lost all, and that aboue all his other mishaps this most grieued him, that a factor of his in the towne had refused to giue him credit for cloth but to the value of 100. ducats to apparell his brother and himselfe, which was a strange thing, considering his estate and authoritie: for by the space of threescore yeeres the estimation of his house had been so great, that greater it could not be. Soone af∣ter, by meanes of the Lord of Bresse afterward Duke of Sauoye, the said Peter recei∣ued good newes; for the King wrote vnto him, willing him to repaire to his pre∣sence. Notwithstanding the King was first departed from Florence, as now you shall heare, but somwhat I was forced by the way to speake of this Peter de Medicis.

The Notes.

1 This is ironicè spoken, bicause the King brake this second treatie also, mentioned in the very next chapter, notwithstanding that he vnderstood it well ynough.

2 It stood them in such steede, bicause it was strong, and the key of their countrie, and standeth neere the sea very commodiously for their traffick.

3 For through the Venetians dominions no man may weare his weapon without leaue.

How the King entred into Florence, and through what other townes he passed till he came to Rome. Chap. 9.

THe next daie the King entered into Florence where the said Pe∣ter had prepared his owne house to receiue him, but the Lord of Ballassat who was sent thither before to make the Kings lod∣ging, vnderstanding of the saide Peters departure: fell to spoile all that he found in his house, pretending that his banke at Ly∣ons ought him a great summe of money. Among other things he tooke one whole Vnicornes horne, valued at sixe or seauen thousand ducats, and two great peeces of another, with a number of other goodly things, which others seeing did the like. Into another house in the towne the said Pe∣ter had conueied all his goodliest stuffe, but the people spoiled that also. The Senio∣rie had part of his richest iewels, twenty thousand ducats in coine that lay in his banke in the towne, diuers faire pots of Agate, and such a number of goodly Camayeux excellently well cut, (all the which my selfe once saw) as is woonderfull, togither with three thousand medales of gold & siluer weying 40. pound weight, the number and goodnes wherof I thinke all Italy could not match. All that he lost that day in the citie, amounted to a hundred thousand crownes and better. The King be∣ing in Florence (as you haue heard) made a treatie with the citizens to their great good liking as I suppose. The conditions were these: They gaue him sixe score thou∣sand ducats, whereof they paied him fiftie thousand presently, and the rest at two paiments very shortly after, they lent him all the places aboue mentioned, they changed their armes being the red flower deluce, and gaue the Kings armes. And he

for his part receiued them into his safegarde and protection, and promised & sware vpon the altar of Saint Iohn to restore their places vnto them within fower moneths after he should be entred into Naples, or sooner, if sooner he returned into Fraunce. But the matter fell otherwise out, as heereafter you shall heare.

The King staied not long at Florence, but went to Senes, where he was honora∣bly receiued; and from thence to Viterbe, where Dom Ferrand (who as you haue heard retired towards Rome) was once minded to haue lodged & fortified his campe, and to haue fought if he had seene his aduantage, as I was aduertised both by King Alphonses ambassador, and also by the Popes legate being at Venice. And sure I looked euer when King Alphonse being accounted a valiant Prince, should haue come thither in person, leauing his sonne in his realme: for in mine opinion the place had beene greatly for his aduantage, considering he should haue had his owne realme, the dition of the church, and the places and territories of the Vrsins on his backe. Wherefore I was maruellously astonished when I receiued letters from the King that he was entred the towne of Viterbe, and likewise the castle, which soone after his entrie into the towne a commander yeelded vnto him ¹ , by meanes of the Cardinall Petri ad Vincula (who was gouernor thereof) and of the Colonnois. And then began I to my selfe that God was fully purposed to accomplish this enterprise, so far foorth that I repented me that in my letters I had aduised the King not to refuse an honorable composition, for they offered him ynough. But to proceede, Aquependant, Monteflascon, and all the places round about yeelded before Viterbe, as I was aduertised both by the Kings and also the Seniories letters (who were daily informed by their ambassadors of all that hapned) diuers of the which they shewed me, or caused one of their secretaries to report vn∣to me. From thence the K. marched to Rome, through the Vrsins territories, which were all yeelded to him by the Lord Charles Vrsin, who said that he had commande∣ment from his father ² (notwithstanding that he were then in K. Alphonses seruice) so to do, & that so long as Dom Ferrand should haue passage granted him through the dominions of the Church, and should be in the said dominions; so long he would ac∣companie him and no longer. Thus liue they in Italy both Princes and captaines in continuall practise with their enimies, and turning euer as they see fortune encline. Further, the King was receiued into Brachane, the said Virgile Vrsins principall ca∣stle, which was faire, strong, and so well furnished of victuals, that I haue heard the King oftentimes commend both the place and the good entertainment he found there. For his army was in such extremity and penurie of victuals that in greater it could not be. To be short, who so shall consider how often this army was vpon the point to returne home since the time it first arriued at Vienna in Daulphine, and by what means and ouuertures the iourney was still continued: I thinke he will confesse that God was the leader thereof.

The Notes.

1 Vn commandeur, is one that hauing Ecclesiasticall liuings may not marrie, and yet is not compelled to be a priest, as the Grandeprior in Fraunce, and all the Knights of Saint Iohns of Ierusalem.

2 His father vvas Virgile Vrsine, of vvhom heerafter more mention is made.

How the King sent the Cardinall Petri ad Vincula to Ostie; what the Pope did at Rome in the meane time, and how the King entred into Rome maugre all his enimies. Chap. 10.

FRom Brachane the King sent the Cardinall Saint Peter ad Vin∣cula to Ostie, wherof he was Bishop: the place was of great im∣portance, and held by the Colonnois, who lately had recouered it from the Pope, whose forces not long before had taken it from the said Cardinall. It was of no defence, notwithstanding it hath since held Rome in great subiection a long time by the said Cardinals aide ¹ , being great friend to the Colonnois, who ioined at that time with vs, partly by meanes of the Cardinall Ascanio brother to the D. of Milan and Vicechancellor, and partly in hatred of the Vrsins whose eni∣mies they be and euer haue been. These two factions breed great troubles in the Church dominions, as do in Fraunce the factions of Luce and Grandmont, and in Holland of Houc and Caballan ² : but were it not for this diuision, the said domi∣nions were the best countrie for the subiects in the world, for they pay no subsidies, and other duties but few. Further, they are alwaies well gouerned, for the Popes are euer wise themselues, and haue wise men about them: but bicause of these factions many great and cruell murthers are often committed, as within these fower yeeres we haue seene a number on both sides. For since the time I now write of, the Cou∣lonnois became our enimies, though to their great dishonor: for they possessed of the Kings gift in the realme of Naples, namely in the Earledome of Taillecouse, and other places which the Vrsins had held before, 20000. ducats and better of yeerely reuenues ³ . Further, all their other demands were granted them, as well charge of men of armes as pensions. Wherefore they fell from vs very traiterouslie, and vpon no occasion. But you shall vnderstand that they had euer been partakers with the house of Arragon & other enimies of Fraunce, bicause they were Gibelins, and the Vrsins had euer been friends to Fraunce bicause they were Guelphes. To Ostie the King sent with Cardinall Saint Peter ad Vincula, Peron de la Basche steward of his house, who landed but three daies before at Plombin, and brought with him by sea twentie thousand ducats, parcell of that money the Duke of Milan lent the King. Vpon the sea with the Kings army (being very small) remained the Prince of Salerne, and one called the Lord of Sernon in Prouence whom tempest draue into Corsique ⁴ , with their nauie all to rent and torne, where they staied so long in repai∣ring it, that it did no seruice, notwithstanding the great treasure emploied thereon, for before it arriued at Naples, the King was entred the towne.

At Ostie with the said Cardinall were fiue hundred men of armes, and two thou∣sand Swissers led by the Earle of Ligny (the Kings cosin germaine by the mother,) the Lord of Alegre, and diuers others, who thought to haue passed the riuer of Ty∣bre there, & to haue inclosed Dom Ferrand within Rome by aide of the Coulonnois, the principall of the which house were at that time Prospere and Fabrice Coulonne, and the Cardinall Coulonne, accompanied with two thousand footemen, whom the King paied by the hands of the aboue named Basche. The said footemen they had leuied at their owne pleasure, and mustred at Sannesonne, a towne of their owne.

You shall vnderstand, that many matters concur heere, and of euery one somwhat

is to be said. Before the King entred into Viterbe, he had sent to Rome Monseur de la Trimoille his chamberlaine, the president Ganay keeper of the seale, and the generall Bidaut, to enter into intelligence with the Pope, who practised continually after the manner of Italy. They being in Rome, the Pope in the night receiued Dom Ferrand with his whole forces into the towne, whereupon our ambassadors and some fewe of their seruants were staied: but the selfe same day the Pope dismissed them. Notwith∣standing he held still in prison the Cardinall Ascaigne his vicechauncellor, and bro∣ther to the Duke of Milan, and Prospere Coulonne, some said by their owne accord. Of all these accidents I was aduertised incontinent by the Kings letters, but the Se∣niorie more amplie by their ambassadors. All this hapned before the King entred in∣to Viterbe, for neither party staied aboue two daies in a place. But as touching our affaires they prospered better than we could wish, and no maruell: for the Lord of Lords gaue them successe, as all men might manifestly perceiue.

This army that lay in Ostie could do no seruice bicause of the foule weather; further, you shall vnderstand that the force which the Lord of Aubigny led, was re∣turned to the King, and himselfe also, neither had he further charge thereof. The Ita∣lians were also dismissed that had been with him in Romaine, vnder the leading of the Lord Rodolph of Mantua, the Lord Galeot of Mirandula, and of Fracasse brother to the L. Galeas of Saint Seuerin, the which with their said company being to the number of fiue hundred men of armes, were well paied by the King, for they serued him as before you haue heard. The King after his departure from Viterbe, remooued to Naples ⁵ , which the Cardinall Ascaigne held. Further, it is most certaine that while our men lay in Ostie, aboue twenty fathomes of Rome wals fell to the ground on the same side they should haue entred. The Pope seeing this yoong King come thus suddenly with such successe, agreed that he should enter the citie, (for to saie the truth he could not otherwise choose) and desired a safe conduct ⁶ , (which the King willingly granted) for Dom Ferrand Duke of Calabria, and onely son of K. Alphonse, who in the night retired to Naples, the Cardinall Ascaigne conueying him to the gate ⁷ . Then the King entred the citie in armes, as a Prince hauing power to dispose of all things at his pleasure, and diuers Cardinals with the gouernors and Senators of the towne came foorth to receiue him. He lodged in Saint Markes pallace, which is the Culonnois quarter, who were his friends and seruants at that time. But the Pope retired into the castle of Saint Ange.

The Notes.

1 This Cardinall was afterwards Pope Iulius the second, and prooued a deadly enimie to the French. Further, this towne of Ostie distressed Rome, by meanes that being the very entrie into the riuer of Tyber, it kept all victuals from comming to Rome by vvater, for the vvhich cause the olde Romanes called the towne Ostia, bicause it vvas the very doore or mouth as it vvere of the riuer.

2 The factions of Houc and Caballan began in Holland 1444. Berlandus. Reade Meyer lib. 16. fol. 300. pag. 2.

3 The King gaue to Fabrice Colonne the countrie of Albe and Taillecousse, vvhich vvere before Virginio Vrsins, and to Prosper the Duchie of Tracette, and the citie of Fondi.

4 This Corsique being corrupted in the French, vve haue restored according to Pan∣lus Iouius. Guicciar. hath Corse.

5 This is not the citie of Naples, but a little tovvne called in the Annales of Fraunce Neple, in Latin Nepesum, of the Italians Nepi.

6 Ferdinande Duke of Calabria refused the pasport. Guicciar.

7 Ferdinande vvas sonne to Hypolitie sister to Duke Galeas of Milan, to the Lorde Lodouic, and to this Cardinall.

How King Alphonse caused his sonne Ferrande to be crowned King, and then fled himselfe into Sicilie: with a discourse of the euill life that his father the olde Ferrande and he had led. Chap. 11.

WHo would haue thought that this proude King Alphonse (hauing beene trained vp all the daies of his life in martiall affaires) that his son and al these Vrsins, whose faction was so great in Rome, would thus haue abandoned the citie through cowardise, espe∣cially seeing they knew and vnderstood perfectly, that the Duke of Milan began to wauer, and the Venetians to stir and to treate of a league, which had then been concluded (as I was certainly informed) if they had made any resistance at Viterbe or Rome, to stay the King but a few daies: but God meant to shew that all these proceedings, passed far the reach and compasse of mans braine. And heere note by the way, that as the citie wall fell downe, so did fifteene fathoms also of the vaumure of the castell of Saint Ange, as I haue beene aduertised by diuers, especially by two Cardinals there present. Now I must returne to speake a word or two of King Alphonse.

So soone as the Duke of Calabria called the yoong Ferrande, was returned to Naples, his father King Alphonse iudged himselfe vnwoorthie longer to raigne, bi∣cause of the euils he had committed, and the manifold cruelties he had vsed against diuers barons and Princes of his realme. For you shall vnderstand, that whereas his father King Ferrande and he had taken (notwithstanding their safe conduct) to the number of 24. of them, and had held them in prison from the time of their rebellion against the said Ferrande ¹ till the hower of his death: this Alphonse immediately after his fathers decease for a surplusage of all crueltie, caused them miserably to be murthered, and with them two other whom his father had also taken vnder safe con∣duct, the one Duke of Sesse ² a man of great authoritie, and the other Prince of Ro∣sane, who had married the said Ferrandes sister, and had issue by hir a sonne, a very goodly gentleman. True it is that the said Prince had wrought great treason against him, for the which he had well deserued death, if he had not been taken vnder safe conduct: but King Ferrande to rid himselfe of all feare, tooke him (that notwithstan∣ding) being come to him by his commandement, and laide him in a maruellous stin∣king prison, and afterward his said sonne also being betweene fifteene and sixteene yeeres of age. Thus had the Prince of Rosane liued a prisoner when King Alphonse came to the state, about fower and thirty yeeres. But the said Alphonse immediately after his coronation, commanded these prisoners to be led into an Iland neere to Naples called Iscle ³ (whereof heereafter more mention shall be made) and there villanously to be slaine, all saue one or two whom he held still in the castell of Na∣ples, namely, the said Prince of Rosans sonne, and the noble Earle of Popoli. I haue diligently inquired after what sort he caused them thus cruelly to be murthered; (for many supposed they had been yet liuing, when the King entred into the good towne and citie of Naples) and diuers of their principall seruants haue informed me, that

he caused them villanously and horribly to be slaine by a Moore of Afrike, not spa∣ring these ancient Princes: some of the which had beene prisoners about fower or fiue and thirtie yeeres. Further, the said Moore immediately after the execution done, departed into Barbarie, to the end no man should know what was become of them. To be short, neuer was man more cruell than this King Alphonse, more wic∣ked, more vicious, more filthie, nor a greater glutton. Notwithstanding his father had been the more dangerous: for no man could be acquainted with his humor, nor know when he was pleased or displeased; so that at feasts and bankets he tooke and betraied men: as for example, the Earle Iames sonne to Nicholas Picinio, whom after that sort he tooke and murthered villanously, being ambassador to him from Duke Francis of Milan, whose base daughter he had married. True it is that the said Francis was consenting to the murther (notwithstanding he were his father in law) for they both feared the said Earle Iames, bicause the Braciques ⁴ in Italie were wholy at his deuotion. After the like maner also tooke this Ferrande the Princes of his realme aboue mentioned, and as touching pardon or mercie neuer was any to be obtained at his hands, as diuers of his neerest kinsmen and friends haue often told me; neither had he at any time pitie or compassion vpon his poore people, to ease them of pai∣ments and subsidies. Moreouer, he vsed within his realme all trade of merchandise himselfe, so far foorth that he deliuered swine to his people to feede, which they were constrained to fat to further their sale: and if any of them happened to die, they were forced to make them good. In those places where the oile oliue groweth (name∣ly in Pouille) he and his sonne bought it all vp at their owne price: and in like maner the corne yet greene vpon the ground, which they sold againe as deere as was possi∣ble; and if the price thereof happened to fall, they constrained their subiects to buie it: besides that, during the time of their sale, all other were forbidden to sell. If any of their noblemen were a good husband, and thought to spare some good thing for himselfe, they would foorthwith desire to borrow it; and if he made refusall, he was constrained to deliuer it perforce: so that they vsed to take from them the races of their horses (wherewith that countrie aboundeth) and to cause them to be broken & kept to their own vse: yea and that such numbers as well of horses as of mares and colts, that they were esteemed many thousands, which also they sent to feede in di∣uers places in the pastures of their noble men and other their subiects to their great losse and dammage. Both of them had forced many women; and as touching the Church, they had it in no reuerence, neither would obey the lawes thereof, so far foorth that they sold Bishoprikes for monie; as for example, the Bishoprike of Ta∣rente sold to a Iew by King Ferrande for thirteene thousand ducats, to bestow vpon his sonne, who (he said) was a Christian. Abbeies they gaue to faulconers and others, to bestow vpon their children, with this condition, that some of them should enter them a certaine number of hauks, and keepe them flying to their vse, and other some entertaine a number of soldiers, at their owne proper costs and charges. The sonne neuer obserued Lent, neither seemed to thinke there was any, and many yeeres togi∣ther neuer confessed himselfe, neither receiued the holy sacrament. To conclude, it was impossible for any man to commit more hainous crimes than both they had done; yet some reported the yoong Ferrande to be woorse than them both, notwith∣standing that he were humble and curteous at his death; and no maruell, for he was then in great distresse.

The readers may happily thinke that I vtter all this of some priuate hatred against them, which in good sooth I do not, but rehearse it onely to continue my historie, in the verie beginning whereof I haue declared, that this enterprise could neuer haue

been atchieued by those that were the chiefe managers thereof, had not God alone gouerned it, and giuen it good successe, to the end he might make this good yoong King being so slenderly prouided both of good counsell and all other things ne∣cessarie: his deputie to chastise these Princes so wise, so rich, of so great experience, so well accompanied with wise and noble personages whom the defence of the realme touched as neere as themselues, so allied and friended; yea and the which saw the storme a far off, and yet neuer could prouide for it, nor make resistance in any place. For out of the castle of Naples there was not one man that staied the King a daie and a night: whereupon Pope Alexander now liuing saide, that the French men came thither with wooden spurs, and chalke in their harbingers hands to make their lodgings without further trouble: which similitude of wooden spurs he vsed, bicause yet at this daie, when the yoong gentlemen of this realme rid about the streets on horsebacke, their Pages thrust little sticks into their showes or pan∣tofles, wherewith they prick forward their mules. And to confesse the truth, this was so easie a conquest, that our men very seldom armed themselues in all this voi∣age. Besides that, from the Kings departure out of Ast, till his entrie into Naples, it was but fower moneths and ninteene daies. An ambassador would almost haue been as long in iourneying thither. I conclude therfore agreeably to the opinion of diuers holie religious men, and others, and to the voice of the people (which is Gods voice) that God ment to punish these Princes so visibly that euery man might be∣hold it, to warne thereby all other Princes to liue well, and according to his com∣mandements. For these Princes of Arragon lost both honor and realme, with great riches & goodly furniture of diuers and sundry sorts, the which is so dispersed heere and there, that a man can hardly tell what is become thereof: besides that, they en∣ded their liues three in a yeeres space or little more (but I trust their soules be in Pa∣radise.) For you shall vnderstand that this old Ferrande (bastard to King Alphonse, a wise, vertuous and honorable Prince) was maruellously disquieted when he saw this French war first mooued against him, which he could finde no meanes to pacifie. For he was wise and knew that he and his sonne had liued ill, and were maruellously hated in their realme: diuers also of those that were neerest about him haue informed me, that as he raced a certain chappell, he found a booke whereon these words were written; Truth vvith hir secret counsell ⁵ ; the which contained all the euils that afterward fell vpon him. There were but three that sawe the booke, for immediately after he had read it, he threw it into the fire. Another thing that greatly troubled him was this, his sonne Alphonse and Ferrand his sonnes sonne, could neuer be per∣swaded that the King would come into Italy. Wherefore they vsed proude and threatning words against him, and spake very contemptuously of him, saying, they would go as far as the mountaines to meete him. But one that stood by, wished that neuer King of Fraunce might come into Italy, for he had seene a poore man of the house of Aniou scourge it shrewdly, meaning Duke Iohn sonne to King René. King Ferrand had trauelled very earnestly the yeere before, by his ambassador called Camillo Pendolfo, to stay the King in Fraunce, offering to pay him yeerely a tribute of fiftie thousand ducats, and to holde the realme of him by homage and fealty. But when he saw that he could by no meanes obtaine peace, nor pacifie the estate of Milan, he fell into the disease whereof he died: notwithstanding in the midst of his pangues he confessed himselfe, and as I trust repented him of his sinnes. His sonne Alphonse who had been so terrible a Prince, so cruell, and so long trained vp in the wars, before the King departed from Rome, resigned his crowne, and was stroken with such feare, that in the night he neuer ceased to crie, That he heard the French

men comming, and that the trees and stones sounded Fraunce. He neuer was so hardie as once to issue foorth of Naples, but vpon his sonnes returne from Rome, put him in possession of the realme, and caused him to be crowned, and to ride about the streets of the citie accompanied with the nobliest perso∣nages that were there, namely, with Dom Frederick his brother, and the Cardinall of Genua (between whom the new K. rode) and with the ambassadors there resident. He caused also all other solemnities belonging to the coronation to be accompli∣shed, & then fled himselfe & sailed into Sicily with his mother in law (sister to K. Fer∣rand of castile now raigning, to whom the said realm of Sicily was in subiection) to a house that she had there: which was strang news through the whole world, especially at Venice where I then was. Some said he went to the Turke; others thought his de∣parture to be, to the end his son who was not hated in the realme, might the better win the harts of the people. But mine opiniō was euer that he fled for very cowardise: for a cruel man was neuer hardy, as appeereth in histories by Nero & others, who be∣fore their death fel into great feare and desperation. To be short, this Alphonse made such haste to be gone, that he said to his mother in law the selfe same daie that they departed (as diuers of his seruants haue told me,) that vnlesse she would depart with speede, he would leaue hir behinde him. And when she desired him to staie but three daies onely, to the end she ⁶ might be a whole yeere in his realme: he an∣swered that rather than he would tarie any longer he would throw himselfe head∣long out at the windowes, asking hir if she heard not how euery man cried Fraunce. Thus he embarked in his Gallies with his said mother in law and departed, carieng with him all sorts of wines, (whereunto he was maruellously giuen,) and of all kinds of seeds for gardens. But as touching his mooueables and goods he left no order for them, but the greatest part remained in the castle of Naples: notwithstanding certaine iewels he carried also with him, and a little money. And in this estate sai∣led he and his mother in lawe to hir said house in Sicilie, whence he departed and went to Messine, whither he called and led with him diuers religious men, vowing himselfe to be no more of this world. Aboue all other orders of religion he loued especially those of the Mount Oliuet (who are clad in white) as they themselues told me at Venice, where the body of Saint Heleine lieth in their cloister. Moreouer, he began to lead a maruellous holie life, & to serue God howerly both daie & night with the said religious men as they do in their couents. He vsed also great feasting, abstinence, and almes, and soone after fell into a sharpe sicknes of excoriation and the stone, in such sort that the said religious men reported that they neuer saw man so tormented. Notwithstanding he endured patiently all these pangues, being ful∣ly resolued to haue spent the rest of his life in an Abbey at Valence the great in Spaine, & there to haue registred himselfe a religious man. But he was so tormented with this disease, that he died soone after: and it is to be hoped bicause of his great repentance, that his soule is ioifull in Paradise: his sonne also died soone after him of an ague ioyned with a fluxe, and I trust they are both in better case then they were in this world. But marke heere by the waie that in lesse than two yeeres space, fiue wore the crowne of Naples, to with the three aboue named, Charles the 8. King of Fraunce, and Dom Frederick (brother to the said Alphonse) now raigning.

The Notes.

1 That is since the time that they rebelled, vvhen they sent for the Duke of Lorraine, vvhereof mention is made in the first chapter of this seuenth booke.

2 Iouian Pontan in the vvars betvvene Duke Iohn of Aniou, and this old Ferrand,

maketh the Duke of Sesse and prince of Rosane but one.

3 The Italians haue Ischia, vvhereof Plinie vvriteth thus, lib. 3. cap. 7. Ischia insu∣la est è Regione Veliae alio nomine aenotris dicta: others vvrite that it vvas first na∣med Aenaria. Iouius vvriteth that the Ile is named Aenacia, and that Ischle is the name of the castle in the Ile: it is thirty miles from Naples, Guicciar. Sabellicus saith Procyta alias Ischla, but Plinie maketh Procyta and Ischia tvvaine.

4 These were soldiers so named of Bracio de Fortibraci, a great captaine in his time.

5 Hovv this booke vvas strangely reuealed by a vision of one Cataldus (who had been bishop of Tarente more than a thousand yeeres before) to a yoong childe, vvho thereof en∣formed the King, read Alexander in diebus genialibus, lib. 3. cap. 15.

5 This she, Guicciar. vnderstandeth he, meaning that she desired Alphonse to tary three or fovver daies, to the end he might haue been King a vvhole yeere.

How the yoong Ferrand after he was crowned King of Naples, went and encamped at Saint Germain, to resist the Kings com∣ming, and of the treatie that King Charles made with the Pope at Rome. Chap. 12.

NOw to the end all these things may be plaine and euident: you shall vnderstand that K. Ferrand being crowned, became as it were a newe man, supposing all old iniuries and offences to be forgotten by his fathers flight: wherefore he leuied all the force he could, aswell horsemen as footemen, and came to Saint Ger∣main, which is the very entry into his realme, and a strong place, and of great defence, through the which the Frenchmen had passed twise before ¹ . There he encamped and manned the towne, and then his friends began somwhat to recouer their spirits. The towne is strong, both bicause of a little riuer ² which somtime is passable on foote, somtime not, and also bicause of the hill hanging ouer it.

The King was yet at Rome, where he remained about twenty daies busied with a number of matters. He had with him at the least eighteene Cardinals, besides di∣uers others that repaired to the citie from all parts. The names of these Cardinals were the Cardinall Ascaigne, the Popes vicechauncellor, and brother to the Duke of Milan, the Cardinall Petri-ad-Vincula (the which two were deadly enimies to the Pope, and great friends each to other) the Cardinals of Guese ³ , Saint Denis, Saint Seuerin, Sauelli, Coulonne, and diuers others, all the which would needs haue pro∣ceeded to a new election, and deposed the Pope, being within the castle of Saint Ange, against the which the artillery was twise bent, as I haue heard the noblest per∣sonages there present report, but the King of his goodnes euer withstood it. The place was not of defence, for the seate thereof is vpon a little hill made by force of man: besides that, these Cardinals alleaged that the wals thereof were fallen down by miracle, and charged the Pope that he had obtained this holy dignitie by simo∣nie, and they said true; but Cardinall Ascaigne himselfe was the chiefe merchaunt that solde it, and receiued a great summe of money for his part, togither with the Popes house where he lodged before he was Pope, being then Vicechauncellor, and all the furniture thereof, and his said office of Vicechauncellor, with diuers places of the patrimonie of the Church. For there had been great controuersie between them

two for the said dignitie ⁴ . Notwithstanding I thinke they would both willingly haue agreede to chuse a newe Pope of the Kings naming, yea and a French man; so that I know not whether the King did well or euill in concluding peace, though all things considered I suppose he tooke the best course: for himselfe was yoong, and vnprouided of men sufficient to manage so waightie a matter as the reformation of the Church, though I confesse his power to haue been sufficient thereunto. Sure if he could haue reformed it, I thinke al men of wisedome and vnderstanding would haue accounted it a good, a woorthie, and a holie worke. But there were too many things requisite to so high an enterprise, notwithstanding the Kings will was good, and yet is if he had good assistance.

The King being in Rome made a treatie with the Pope, which could not long endure, for it was vnreasonable in some points, and serued for the chiefe colour of the league, whereof heereafter you shall heare. By the said treatie peace was con∣cluded betweene the Pope and his Cardinals, and all other their adherents and partakers. And it was agreed that the Cardinals should receiue all rights and du∣ties belonging to their Cardinals hat as well absent as present: and that the Pope should lend the King fower places, to wit, Terracine, Ciuita-vechia, Viterbe (which the King already held) and Spolete, but this last he neuer deliuered notwithstanding his promise. All the which places the King sware to restore at his returne from Naples, as also he did notwithstanding that the Pope had abused him. By this trea∣tie he deliuered also into the Kings hands the Truks brother: for the safe keeping of whom he receiued yeerely of the Turke sixtie thousand ducats, and held him also by meanes of his said brother in great feare ⁵ . He promised further to put no Legate into any fortified place or towne of the Church without the Kings consent. Certaine other articles there were touching the consistorie or college of Cardinals which I ouerpasse. For the performance of all these conditions, the Pope deliuered his sonne the Cardinall of Valence in hostage to the King, who accompanied him as his Legate, and the King did vnto the Pope the dutie of a sonne, with all humilitie and obedience. Further, the Pope created two Cardinals at his request, the one the generall Brissonnet, so often before named, lately made bishop of Saint Malo, and the other the bishop of Mans, of the house of Luxembourg, who was heere in Fraunce.

The Notes.

1 He meaneth in their voiages to Naples vnder the house of Aniou.

2 This riuer is called Liris or Gariliano.

3 Gurcense Gazzo, and I suppose our author write it Gurse, but the letters of the anci∣ent copie being defaced, the vnskilfull corrector at the first Printing gessing but at the vvord, changed R into E. Guicciar. hath Gurce.

4 The Pope before his papacie had been Vicechauncellor. Ascanio and he stroue for the dignitie, but in the end Ascanio relented, being recompensed as heere is mentioned. Not∣vvithstanding, seeing an occasion against the Pope offered by the Kings comming, his ran∣cor brake foorth a newe.

5 Gemes or Gemin Ottoman heere mentioned, brother to Baiazet the second, rebel∣ling against his brother fled to the Soldan of Aegypt for aide, but being vanquished he fled to Rhodes, from whence he was sent into Fraunce to King Lewis the eleuenth, to the end he might not escape; for the Turke for his safe keeping paid yeerely to the knights of the Rhodes, 40000. crownes. K. Lewis gaue him to Pope Innocent the 8. So her remained till this present, that he was deliuered to K. Charles, at Rome in the Popes hands.

How the King departed from Rome towards Naples, what hapned in the meane time in diuers parts of the said realme: and through what places he passed till he came to Naples. Chap. 13.

THese matters being thus ended, the King remooued from Rome, in great amity & friendship with the Pope in apparance, at which time eight Cardinals departed also out of the citie highly displeased with this treatie, namely the said Vicechaun∣cellor Ascaigne, and the Cardinall S. Peter-ad-Vincula, with sixe of their faction. But many thought that Ascaigne did but dissem∣ble, and that in deed he was in good amitie with the Pope; not∣withstanding I am able to affirme nothing thereof, for his brother had not as yet declared himselfe our enimie. From Rome the King remooued to Iannesanne, and from thence to Belistre, where the Cardinall of Valence escaped away.

The next daie the King tooke Chastelfortin by assault and put all that were with in it to the sword, bicause the place belonged to Iames Comte who was reuolted from the King, notwithstanding that he had taken his pay: for the Comtes haue euer been partakers with the Vrsins. From thence he marched to Valmonton a town of the Co∣lonnois, and from thence remooued and lodged about fower miles from mont Saint Iehan, which is a towne held of the Church, but belonging to the Marques of Pes∣caire and very well fortified: notwithstanding after it had beene beaten seauen or eight howers with the cannon; it was taken by assault, and all that were within it or the greatest partslaine, and there the Kings whole force ioyned togither ¹ . Then he marched towards Saint Germain sixteen miles thence, where this newe King Ferrande (as you haue heard) laie in campe with all the force he could leuy. And indeed this was his onely refuge, and the place where he must fight or neuer, bi∣cause it was the verie keie as it were of his realme, and a place much for his aduan∣tage as well bicause of the riuer as of the mountaine. Further, he had sent men to defend the straight of Cancello, lying among the mountaines sixe miles from Saint Germain: yet notwithstanding all this preparation before the Kings arriuall at S. Germain, he raised his campe and departed in great disorder abandoning both the towne and the passage.

Our vaward was led that day by the L. of Guise, the L. of Rieux was sent to this strait of Cancello against the Arragonnois, but they also before his comming aban∣doned the place: and then entered the King into S. Germain. K. Ferrande rid straight to Capoua, where they refused to giue his soldiers entrance, but receiued his per∣son with a fewe that attended vpon him; he staied not there, but desired them to continue true and faithfull subiects to him, promising the next daie to returne, and so departed towards Naples fearing the rebellion that afterwards happened. All his force or the greatest part should haue tarried him at Capoua: but the next daie when he returned he found them all departed. The Lord Virgile Vrsin with his cosin the Earle of Petillane, went to Nola, where they and all their company were taken prisoners by our men. They alleaged that they had a safe conduct and that we did them wrong, so had they indeed, but their safe conduct was not yet in their hands: notwithstanding they paied no ransome, but much they lost when they were

taken, and sure in mine opinion they had wrong done them.

From Saint Germain the King remooued to Mingamer, and to Triague, and lod∣ged at Calui, two miles from Capoua, whither they of Capoua came and yeelded themselues by composition, and the King entered into the towne with his whole ar∣my. From Capoua the next daie he marched to Auersa, being in the midway be∣tween Capoua and Naples, and fiue miles distant from each of them. Thither came they of Naples and yeelded themselues in like maner by composition, hauing re∣ceiued assurance of the King that their ancient liberties should not be infringed nor empaired. The King sent thither before him the Marshall Gié, the Seneschall of Beaucaire, the president Ganay keeper of the Seale, and certaine Secretaries: whereof King Ferrande being aduertised, and seeing the people and Nobles of his realme in armes against him (who also at his first arriuall thither had spoiled his sta∣ble being maruellous great) tooke sea and sailed into Iscle, an Iland eighteen miles from Naples ² : then the King was receiued into the towne with great ioy and tri∣umph. For all the people came foorth to meete him, yea, and those first that were most bound to the house of Arragon, namely all the Carraffes, who held of the saide house of Arragon to the value of forty thousand ducats of yeerely reuenues, partly of inheritance, and partly of gift from the Prince; for the Kings of Naples may giue away their crowne lands, so do they also other mens, and I thinke there are not three in the realme whose lands be not crowne lands or other mens.

Neuer people shewed so great affection to Prince or nation as they shewed to the King: the reason whereof was, bicause now they thought themselues deliuered from all tyranny, so that they voluntarily yeelded vnto vs. For al Calabria became French incontinent, whither Monseur d'Aubigny and Peron of Basche were sent themselues alone without any force. All the countrey of Abrousso ³ yeelded likewise, the town of Aquila (which hath euer been great friend to the French) being the first beginner. In like maner all Pouille turned sauing the castle of Brandis, which was strong and well manned, and Gallipoli which had a garrison in it, otherwise the people would haue turned also. In Calabria three places held for King Ferrand, two of them were Mantie and Turpie (ancient partakers with the house of Aniou) the which at the first had set vp the armes of Fraunce, but bicause the K. gaue them to the L. of Persi, and would not receiue them as percell of the demaines of his crowne ⁴ , they reared vp againe the armes of Arragon. The third was the castle of Reges, which held also for King Ferrande. But it was our owne fault that ought held, for we sent no forces thither: no, I am well assured that into Pouille and Calabria, there went not men sufficient to haue defended one castell for the King. Tarente yeeded both ca∣stle & towne, so did also Otrante ⁵ , Monopoli, Trani, Manfredonne, Barle, & all the other places, the aboue named onely excepted. Moreouer the people came from their cities three daies iourney to meet our men and to yeeld themselues. To be short, the whole realme sent to Naples, and all the Princes and noble men repaired thither to do homage to the King, sauing the Marques of Pescaire ⁶ whose brethren and nephewes came notwithstanding. The Earle of Acri, and the Marques of Squil∣lazo, fled into Sicilie bicause the King had giuen their lands to the Lord of Aubig∣ny. At Naples also arriued the Prince of Salerne newely come from the sea, but hauing done no seruice. Thither came also his brother the Prince of Bisignan and his sonnes, being accompanied with the Dukes of Melfe, of Grauine, and the olde Duke of Sora, who not long before had solde his Duchie to the Cardinall Petri¦ad Vincula, whose brother yet at this day possesseth it ⁷ . To Naples also repaired the Earles of Montorio, of Fondi, of Tripalda and of Celano (who had long been

banished out of the realme, and was now newely returned with the King.) The Earle of Troy was there in like maner (who was a yoong gentleman of Scotland, brought vp in Fraunce) and the Earle of Popoli whom we found prisoner at Naples. The yoong Prince of Rosane before mentioned, after his long imprisonment with his father (who had lien in prison fower and thirtie yeeres) was at the length deliue∣red and went with King Ferrand, whether willingly or by constraine I know not. To Naples came also besides these aboue named, the Marques of Guefron with all the Caldoresques, and the Earles of Matalon and Merillano, the which had, both they and their ancestors, euer gouerned the house of Arragon. To conclude, thither repaired all the nobles of the realme, the three aboue named onely excepted.

The Notes.

1 For the Coulonnois and certaine of the Kings captaines had been sent about to come vpon King Ferrandes backe. These tooke the tovvne of Aquila, and all those parts, and heere ioyned againe vvith the King, bicause they looked for the battell.

2 Guicciar. saith thirtie miles.

3 Samnium or Samnites.

4 These vvere lands held in Capite of the King of Naples.

5 Hydruntum first yeelded to the French, then reuolted againe. Guicciar.

6 Alphonse Daualo, Marques of Pescare. Guicciar.

7 Iohn de Rouuere prefect of Rome vvas the cardinals brother, and he it vvas that held this Duchie.

How King Charles was crowned King of Naples, of the faults he com∣mitted in the defence of the realme, and how an enterprise attempted on his behalfe against the Turke, was discouered by the Venetians. Chap. 14.

KIng Ferrand at his departure from Naples, left the Marques of Pescare with certaine Almains to defend the castle ¹ , and sailed himselfe for aide into Sicilie to his father. Dom Frederic lay still vpon the sea with a few gallies, and came twise to parle with the King vnder safe conduct. His demands were that some part of the realme might remain to his nephew with the title of King ² , and that he himselfe might enioy all his owne lands and his wiues. His request in respect of himselfe was not great, for his partage was small. The King offered him possessions in Fraunce both for him and his nephew, and I thinke would willingly haue giuen them a good and a great Duchie: but they would not accept this offer, neither would he grant their demands. For what treatie soeuer had been made, they would haue broken it, when they had seen their aduantage, being still resident in the realme. The Kings artillerie was bent and shot against the castle of Naples, within the which were onely the Almaines, for the Marques of Pescare was departed thence. And if we had sent but fower cannons to the Ile of Iscle ³ we had taken it, & then al had been ours: for from thence returned al the mischiefe ⁴ ; but if that had been once woon, all the other places they held, being not past fower or fiue, would haue yeelded. But our men fell to feasting, to iusts and banketing, & were so puffed vp with pride, that they accountcd the Italians no men.

Moreouer, the King was crowned and lodged in Capouane, and went sometime to Mont Imperial ⁵ . True it is that he shewed great grace and fauor to the subiects of the realme, for he abated their charges. And I thinke verily the people of themselues would not haue reuolted from vs (notwithstanding their great inconstancie) if we had contented a fewe of the nobles: but them no man regarded; besides that they were very roughly vsed at the gates. Those that were best dealt with, were the Car∣raffes the house of Arragons greatest friends, for their estates were but somwhat di∣minished: but the offices and pensions of the rest cleane taken away; yea the parta∣kers with the house of Aniou woorse handled than the Arragonois. Further, into the county of Merillano a commandement was sent, for the which the president Ganaye, and the Seneschall newly created Duke of Nola, and Lord great cchamberlaine of the realme, were burthened to haue taken money. By the said commandement euerie man was confirmed in his possession, and the partakers with the house of Aniou bar∣red from their lands, vnlesse they could recouer them by proces. Further, as touching such as had made entries vpon their own head, (as for example the Earle of Celano) aide was giuen to the parties greeued, to dispossesse them againe by force. All estates and offices were bestowed vpon two or three Frenchmen, and all the prouision of victuales within the castell of Naples ⁶ , when it yeelded (being maruellous great) giuen to euery man that demanded it, at the least all that the King knew of.

In the meane time the Almaines by practise yeelded the castle ⁷ , in the which they obtained infinit riches, the castle of Oeuf ⁸ was also taken by battery. By these faults aboue rehearsed a man may manifestly perceiue that this great conquest was atchie∣ued by the meere grace of God, and not by their wisdome that gouerned the enter∣prise: but these foule faults were the works of men puffed vp with pride and vainglo∣rie, and not vnderstanding from whence all this their honor and good successe sprang. Wherefore they proceeded according to their nature and experience, by meanes whereof their good fortune changed as suddenly and as visibly, as men may see the day spring in Island or Norway ⁹ , where the daies in sommer are of greater length than in any other place, in such sort, that within a quarter of an hower after the one daies shutting in, the next day light beginneth to appeere. Euen so in as short space did euery wise man perceiue the alteration of our good and prosperous successe, whereof all Christendome should haue reaped great profit and honor if we had acknowledged it to proceed from him, who was indeed the giuer thereof. For the Turke then raigning (and yet liuing) might as easily haue been chased out of Eu∣rope, as King Alphonse was out of his realme, both for that he was a man of no valor, and also bicause the King had with him the said Turkes brother, whom he feared aboue all men liuing. But his said brother died soone after the Cardinall of Valences escape: whereupon the report went that he was poisoned when the Pope deliuered him to the King. Further, there were so many thousand Christians in Greece readie to rebell, as a man would hardly beleeue, for from Otrante to Valonne ¹⁰ are but 60. miles ¹¹ , and from Valonne to Constantinople but eighteene reasonable daies iourneies, as diuers that haue trauelled the way haue enformed me. Betweene them are no strong places, at the most not aboue two or three, for all the rest be razed. Those countries are maruellous populous, and they that inhabite them be Albanois, Sclauons and Greekes, who vnderstood of our Kings good successe by their friends that were at Venice and in Pouille, vnto whom also they sent letters, and looked dai∣ly, but for messengers to mooue them to rebell. Whereupon the King sent thither the Archbishop of Duras ¹² an Albanois borne, who found a maruellous number ready to reuolt, being sonnes or nephewes of many noble and valiant men of those

parts, namely the sonnes of Scanderbeg, the nephewes of the Emperor of Constan∣tinople, and the nephewes of the Lord Constantine, (now gouernor of Montferrat) who were also Nephewes or cosins to the King of Seruia. In Thessalia more than fiue thousand would haue rebelled, yea and Scutary should haue been surprised by intelligence that the Lord Constantine had within it, as himselfe aduertised me at Ve∣nice, where he lay hidden many daies in my lodging. And sure he would easily haue atchieued his enterprise: for Macedonie and Thessaly were his inheritance ¹³ , which was the patrimony of Alexander the great, Valonne also is part thereof, and vpon his dominions Scutary and Croye ¹⁴ border, the which in his youth his father ¹⁵ or vncle engaged to the Venetians, who lost Croye, and yeelded Scutary to the Turke by treatie. The said Lord Constantine lay himselfe within three leagues of Scu∣tarie, and the enterprise had been executed, had not the said Archbishop of Duras staied at Venice too long after the Lord Constantines departure. I daily pressed him very earnestly to depart, for he was a man light of talke, and vaunted in all places, that he would do some feate woorthie of immortall fame and renowme. But as the deuill would, the selfe same day that the Venetians were aduertised of the Turkes brothers death, whom the Pope had deliuered to the King: they determined to send word thereof to the Turke by one of their Secretaries. And bicause they knew well that he should be highly rewarded that first brought this newes to the Turke: they commanded that no ship should passe that night betweene the two castles, which make the very entrie into the gulfe of Venice ¹⁶ , where also they caused watch and ward to be kept, bicause they feared the departure of some of the small boates, as gripes and such like, whereof there were a great number of the ports of Albany, and of their Iles adioining to Greece. But the selfe same night this poore Archbishop would needes depart to this enterprise of the Lord Constantine, (who taried his com∣ming) conueighing with him great store of swords, bucklers, and iauelins, to furnish those with whom he had intelligence (for they are not permitted to haue weapons in those countries:) but as he passed betweene the two castels aboue mentioned, he was taken and put into one of them, both he and his men: notwithstanding the ship that caried him was suffred to passe. Letters were found about him which discouered the enterprise, & the L. Constantine hath told me since, that the Veneti∣ans aduertised thereof both the Turkes garrisons that lay in those parts, & the Turke himselfe also, & had it not been for the gripe that was permitted to passe (the patron wherof was an Albanois, who informed him of all that was hapned) he had himselfe been taken, but he escaped by sea, and fled into Pouille.

The Notes.

1 He meaneth Castelnouo: for there are in Naples fower castels. The castell of Ca∣poana where the King lodged: Castel nouo situate partly in the sea, partly on the land with a citadelle by it: Castel del ouo situate on a rock in the sea with a great tower called of the French Prince faulay, and betweene the castels Nouo and Del ouo is a fort vpon a rocke in the sea with a strong tower. The fourth is castel S. Ermo, and aboue Naples is an abbey that looketh into the towne called S. Martin, in maner of a castell.

2 Guicciar. saith he desired Calabria for his nephew without title of King.

3 The King sent to Iscle, but the Frenchmen finding the towne desolate through negli∣gence neuer assaulted the castell.

4 He meaneth bicause all Ferrandes partie was retired thither.

5 The French Corrector supposeth that this should be en mantean Imperial, bicause some write that he was crowned Emperor of Constantinople at Rome: but I thinke rather

he meaneth Mont de la Crote, or the hill Vesuuius, whither the King often walked for recreation, and per aduenture bicause of the singularities which he sawe there, named one of these hils Mont Imperial.

6 He meaneth Castel nouo.

7 The Almaines yeelded the castell vnder condition, that they might haue King Fer∣randes mooueables that were within it.

8 This castell was so named, bicause it was built in forme of an egge.

9 For Island and Norway, the vnskilfull corrector had chopped in Holland and Au∣uergne, making the author report a meere vntruth.

10 Oricum in Latine as some write, as others Apollonia.

11 Others write but 55.

12 Dyrrachium.

13 But the Turke held them from him.

14 Troy in times past the strongest towne in Epirus.

15 His fathers name was Commenus.

16 He meaneth two castels standing at the entrie into the calme sea, which is within the naturall banke that defendeth the towne from the rage of the sea without the banke, the said castels be hard by Venice.

A discourse somewhat out of the course of the historie, wherein Philip de Commines author of this present worke, treateth amply of the estate and gouernment of the Seniorie of Venice, and of those things that he saw there, and were done there du∣ring the time of his ambassage to the said Seniorie for the King. Chap. 15.

I Will now leaue the King in Naples, hauing atchieued his en∣terprise, and will speake somewhat of the Venetians, and the cause of mine ambassage thither. My departure from Ast to Ve∣nice was, partly to thanke them for the good answers they had made to two of the Kings ambassadors sent thither, and partly to keepe them still his friends, if it were possible by any meanes: for bicause of their great forces, wisedome, and good gouern∣ment, they might easily haue mated his enterprise in Italie; but they being his friends, none in the countrie were to be feared. The Duke of Milan helped to dispatch me, and wrote to his ambassador there resident (for he hath one there continually) to ac∣companie me, and to giue me instructions to whom I should addresse my selfe. His said ambassador receiued monethly of the Seniorie an hundred ducats, and had his house well furnished, and three barges (at their charge) to conuay him vp and downe the towne. Their ambassador hath the like allowance at Milan, saue that he hath no barge; for at Milan men ride altogither on horsebacke, but at Venice they are caried by bote. In my iournie thitherward, I passed through their cities, namely Bresse, Veronne, Vincense, and Padua, with diuers others; at euery one of the which I was very honorably entertained, bicause of the personage I represented: for alwaies ei∣ther the potestate or the captaine came to receiue me, accompanied with a goodly traine: but they both issued neuer foorth of the towne; for the captaine vsed to come

no further than the gate. After I was entred the towne, they conuaied me to my lod∣ging, commanding the host that I should be plentifully serued, and all my charges they defraied, entertaining me with very honorable words. But if a man consider what he must bestowe vpon drums and trumpets, he saueth not much though he lie vpon free cost, notwithstanding the entertainment is very honorable. The same day I entred into Venice, they sent as far as Chafousine ¹ to receiue me, which is a place fiue miles from the towne, where men leaue the botes that conuay them downe the riuer from Padua ² , and enter into other little botes very proper and neate, couered with tapestrie, and furnished within, with goodly hangings and veluet cushions to sit vpon. Thus far the sea floweth, and this is the neerest passage from the firme land to Venice: but their sea is maruellous calme (vnles a tempest happen to arise) which is the cause that so great plenty of all kinde of fish is taken there. I woondred to be∣hold the seate of this citie, so many steeples, so many religious houses, and so much building, and all in the water; but especially that the people had none other passage to & fro in the town but by botes, wherof I thinke there are to the number of 30000. but they be very small. Further, about the citie (I meane within the compas round about of lesse than halfe a French league) are 70. houses of religion, as well of men as women, all in Ilands sumptuously built, richly furnished within, and hauing good∣ly gardens belonging to them. Those within the citie I comprehend not in this num∣ber; for within, there are, besides these, the fower orders of friers, and threescore and twelue parishes, besides a number of chappels of the companies of occupations, commonly called Confrairies ³ . And sure it is a strange sight to behold so many great and goodly churches built in the sea. To the said place of Chafousine came fiue and twenty gentlemen to receiue me, sumptuously apparelled in silke and scarlet, the which welcommed me with an oration, & conuaied me to the church of Saint An∣drew neere to the towne, where as many other gentlemen met me, being accompa∣nied with the ambassadors of Milan and Ferrara: and heere also they receiued me with an oratiō, & afterwards led me into other botes which they call flat, being much greater than the former, two of them were couered with crimosin sattin, and decked within with arras, ech of them being large inough to haue receiued 40. persons. They placed me between these two ambassadors, (for the midst in Italy is the honorablest place) and conuaied me along through the great streete called the great chanell ⁴ , which is so large that the gallies passe to & fro through it, yea I haue seen hard by the houses ships of foure hundred tun and aboue. Sure in mine opinion it is the goodliest street in the world and the best built, and reacheth in length from the one end of the towne to the other. Their buildings are high and stately, and all of fine stone ⁵ . The ancient houses be all painted; but the rest that haue been built within these hundred yeeres, haue their front all of white marble, brought thither out of Istria an hundred miles thence, and are beautified with many great peeces of Porphire ⁶ and Sarpen∣tine ⁷ . In the most part of them are at the least two chambers, the seeling whereof is gilded, the mantletrees of the chimneies very rich, to wit, of grauen marble, the bed∣steds gilded, the presses painted and vermiled with golde, and maruellous well furni∣shed with stuffe. To be short, it is the most triumphant citie that euer I sawe, and where ambassadors and strangers are most honorably entertained, the common∣wealth best gouerned, and God most deuoutly serued; so far foorth, that notwith∣standing they haue diuers imperfections, yet thinke I verily that God prospereth them, bicause of the reuerence they beare to the seruice of the Church. In the com∣panie of these fiftie gentlemen I passed to Saint Georges, which is an abbey of refor∣med blacke monks where I lodged. The next day they returned againe to me, and

led me to the Seniorie, where I deliuered my letters to the Duke, who presideth in all their assemblies, being honored as a King ⁸ , and all letters are directed to him, but of himselfe he cannot do much. Notwithanding this Duke is of great authoritie, yea greater than euer was any of his predecessors ⁹ ; and no maruell, for he hath beene Duke these twelue yeeres ¹⁰ : and for my part I euer found him a vertuous and a wise man, of great experience in the affaires of Italie, and a courteous and gentle person. This was all that I did the first day, saue that they led me into the palace, and shewed me three or fower chambers, the feelings whereof were richly gilded, and likewise the beds and presses: and sure it is a very stately and sumptuous building for the greatnes thereof: for it is all of square marble, and all the front vermiled with gold, and likewise the edges and borders of the angles, about the bredth of an inch. There are moreouer fower goodly hals within it richly gilded, and a number of faire lod∣gings, but the court is very small. The Duke out of his chamber may heare masse at the high altar of the chappell of Saint Marke ¹¹ , which is the goodliest and richest church in the world, bearing but the name of a chappell: for it is built throughout of the curious worke called Musaique, or Marqueterie ¹² ; the art also whereof they vaunt themselues to be authors of: and sure they haue diuers workmen thereof, as I my selfe can testifie. In this chappell is their treasure so famous through the world, being onely things appointed for the furniture of the church; among the which are twelue or fowerteene Rubie ballais, the greatest that euer I saw: for two of them waigh the one aboue seuen hundred, and the other aboue eight hundred carrets, but they are vnpolished. There are twelue other stones like to little pillers set in gold, and garnished and bordred with excellent good stone. Moreouer, twelue crownes there are of golde, wherewith in times past at certaine feasts in the yeere twelue women decked themselues (whom they called Queenes) the which went about these ylands and churches: but the said Queenes, and the greatest part of the women of the citie, were stolen and caried away perforce by theeues that came out of Istria or Friole ¹³ , being borderers vpon the Venetians, the which lurked priuily behinde these yles: but their husbands pursued these theeues, and recouered their women, and offered all these crownes to Saint Marke, and built also a chappell vpon the place, whither the Seniorie resorteth yeerely the same day they obtained this victorie. Sure this is a goodly furniture for the church: for besides these things aboue rehearsed, there are diuers other iewels of gold, and a sute of Amethists and Agates, & a few Emeraulds. But this is no such treasure to make account of as ready monie; and yet of monie they haue no treasure: for the Duke himselfe told me be∣fore the Seniorie, that it is among them a capitall crime to make mention of treasure in coine. And sure in mine opinion they do therein very wisely, for feare of diuision that thereby might arise among them. Afterward they shewed me their treasure, namely their Arsenal ¹⁴ , where they arme their gallies, and prepare all other furni∣ture necessary for their nauie, which vndoubtedly is the goodliest thing at this day in the world, and the best in order for that purpose.

To be short, I abode there eight moneths vpon their charge, as did all the other ambassadors there resident. And sure thus much I dare boldly say of them, that they are men of such wisdome, and so inclined to inlarge their dominions, that vnlesse they be looked to in time, all their neighbors shall repent it too late: for the Kings comming into Italy, and the wars that haue been betweene him and them since that time (which yet endure) haue made them much skilfuller in fortification and defence of places euer they were before. Besides that, they haue of late enlarged their Seniorie, for they haue seuen or eight cities engaged to them in Pouille, which I

doubt me they will neuer restore. At the Kings first comming into Italy they could not be perswaded that places might be taken so easily, and in so short space: for they made not war with such expedition ¹⁵ ; but both they and diuers others haue forti∣fied since, and do daily fortifie many places in Italy. They cannot grow mightie vp∣on a sudden as the Romaines did, for their bodies cannot endure such labor and trauell as theirs could, bicause they are vnaccustomed therunto, by reason that none of them go into their wars vpon the firme land ¹⁶ (as the Romaines did) saue their prouisors and paimasters which accompanied their generall ¹⁷ ; assist him with their counsell, and prouide all things necessary for their armie. True it is that their ar∣mies vpon the sea are led ¹⁸ by their gentlemen, who are captaines of their gallies and ships; and consist wholy of their owne subiects. Moreouer, another good order haue they as touching these prouisors whom they send in person with their armies vpon the land, whichis, that they imploie in that seruice no man of such courage and vertue as may seeme woorthy to be their Prince (as the Romaines did) whereby they auoid all factions in the citie, which sure is a great point of wisedome. And vn∣doubtedly against ciuill contention they haue maruellously well prouided diuers and sundry other waies, for they haue no Tribunes of the people, as they had in Rome, which partly were cause of their ruine. But the people at Venice beare no swaie, neither are called to counsell in any matter ¹⁹ : for all their officers ²⁰ be gen∣tlemen, saue their secretaries ²¹ . And the greatest part of their people be strangers. Moreouer, they vnderstand by T. Liuius what imperfections were in the state of Rome; for they haue his historie, and his body lieth buried in their palace at Padua. For these reasons and diuers others which I could alleage, I say yet once againe, that they are in the way to be great Lords in time to come.

I must now declare the cause of mine ambassage to them, which was, to thanke them for the good answers they had made to two ambassadors sent thither by the King: and for the good comfort they had giuen him, in willing him vpon their word to proceede with his enterprise. All the which was done before he departed out of Ast. At my arriuall I discoursed vnto them of the ancient league that had beene be∣tweene the Kings of Fraunce and them. And further, I offered them Brandis and the towne of Orante, vnder this condition, that when we deliuered them better townes in Greece, they should be bound to restore these. They vsed very honorable termes both of the King and his affaires, supposing that he could not enter far into Italie. And as touching the offer I made, they answered that they were his friends and ser∣uants, and would not sell him their friendship, (and in deede as yet we had not the places offered.) Further they said, that they had force sufficient in a readines to moue war against him, if they were so disposed, but they would not so do; notwithstanding that the ambassador of Naples daily sollicited them thereunto, and offered them in consideration thereof, whatsoeuer they would demaund. Moreouer, King Alphonse (who then raigned) confessed that he had many waies misbehaued himselfe towards them, and declared vnto them the great danger themselues should be in, if the King obtained his purpose. The Turke on the other side sent an ambassador to them with all speede, (whom I my selfe saw diuers times) the which at the Popes request threatened them, vnlesse they declared themselues the Kings enimies. They gaue euery one of these good answers, notwithstanding at the first they stood in no feare of vs, but laughed at our voiage: and the rather bicause the Duke of Milan sent them word by his ambassador, that they should not trouble themselues about this enterprise: for he would finde meanes to send the King home with emptie hands. The like message sent he also to Peter of Medicis, as himselfe told me. But when both

they and the Duke of Milan sawe all the Florentines places, especially Pisa in the Kings hands, they began to feare & to consult how to stop him from passing further: but their matters were long in debating, and in the meane time while ambassadors passed to and fro betweene them, the King marched forward. The King of Spaine in like maner began to feare, bicause of the yles of Sicilie and Sardinia. And the King of Romaines enuied our Kings good successe: for diuers there were that put him in doubt of the crowne imperiall, saying, that the King would take it, and had required the Pope to giue him leaue so to do, but this was most vntrue. Notwithstanding for these doubts, these two Kings sent honorable ambassages to Venice, I being there, as you haue heard. The King of Romaines, bicause he was their neighbor, sent first: the principall of his ambassage was the Bishop of Trente, accompanied with two knights and a doctor of the law: they were very honorably and solemnly receiued, and their lodgings made and furnished as mine. Moreouer, they had ten ducats a day allowed them for their diet, and their horses which they had left behinde them at Treuis, were kept vpon the Seniories charge. Soone after arriued also a worshipfull knight of Spaine ²² well accompanied and well apparelled, who was in like maner honorably receiued, and his charges defraied. The Duke of Milan, besides his am∣bassador there resident, sent thither the bishop of Come, and Master Francis Bernar∣din Viscount, all the which began at the first to negotiate togither couertly and in the night by their Secretaries: for they durst not as yet openly discouer themselues against the King, especially the Duke of Milan and the Venetians, bicause they doubted what successe the league which was in communication should haue. These ambassadors of Milan came to visite me, and brought me letters from their Master, pretending that they were come, bicause the Venetians had sent two ambassadors to Milan, whereas they were woont to haue but one resident there: no more had they in the end; and this was but a colour of their lying, deceit, and false dealing: for they were all assembled togither to conclude a league against the good King, but so many strings could not be tuned on a sudden. They desired me afterward (if I could) to informe them what the cause was of the King of Spaines and the King of Romanes ambassadors arriuall, to the end they might aduertise their Master thereof. But I had intelligence already from diuers places, both by the said ambassadors ser∣uants and others, that the ambassador of Spaine had passed through Milan disgui∣sed, that the Almaines gouerned their affaires wholy by the Duke of Milans coun∣sell and aduice, and that the ambassador of Naples deliuered howerly packets of letters from his Master. For you must vnderstand, that the treatie of their league was begun before the King departed from Florence, and I spent monie largely to haue intelligence of all their doings, and wrought by good instruments, so that I knew already all their articles, which were propounded but not agreed vpon: for the Venetians are very long in their resolutions. For these causes I seeing the league in such forwardnes, would no longer pretend ignorance therein, but answered these ambassadors of Milan, that sith they vsed such strange termes to me, I thought good to say thus much vnto them, that the King would not lose the D. of Milans friend∣ship if by any meanes it might be kept, and that I as his seruant would do my dutie to my Master, and excuse him of the euil reports which peraduenture had been made of him to the Duke their Master, who I thought was misinformed: saying further, that he ought well to bethinke himselfe, before he lost the recompence of the great seruice he had done the King: for the Kings of Fraunce were neuer ingrate; adding also, that the speaking of a foolish word ought not to dissolue their friendship, the continuance whereof was so necessarie for them both. Wherefore I desired them to

open vnto me their griefes, that I might aduertise the King thereof before they pro∣ceeded further: they sware all vnto me and protested, that there was no such matter as I imagined; but they lied, for they were come thither to treat of the said league.

The next day I went to the Seniorie to commune with them about their league, and to tell them my opinion thereof. Among other things I alleaged, that by the league concluded betweene the King and them, and the late King Lewis his father and them, they might not maintaine the one the others enimies: wherefore they could not conclude the league now treated of without breach of their promise. Then they caused me to withdraw my selfe a little, and at my returne the Duke saide vnto me, that I must not beleeue all that I heard in the towne: for all men liued there in libertie, and might speake what them listed; and that as touching them they neuer meant to enter into league against the King, neither heard euer of any such matter: but on the contrarie side they sought to conclude a league betweene the King, and these two other Kings and all Italy, against the Turke, at the common charges of them all, and that if any in Italy refused to pay that he should be rated at, the King and they would constraine him thereunto by force. Moreouer, they said that they trauelled to conclude a good peace for the King, to wit, that he should receiue of Dom Ferrand presently a summe of money, which they offered to lend, so that they might haue engaged for it, those places in Pouille which now they possesse, and that the realme should be held of the King by the Popes consent ²³ , and pay him yeerely a certaine tribute. And further, that he should hold in it three places, and I would to God the King would then haue giuen eare to this offer: but I answered them that I durst not deale therein, bicause I had no commission nor authoritie so to do. More∣ouer, I desired them not to be hastie in concluding this league, bicause I would ad∣uertise the King of these their ouertures. I required them also (as I had done the others) to open vnto me their griefes, and not to dissemble them as they of Milan had done. Then they told me plainly that they were greeued bicause the King held certaine of the Popes townes, but much more bicause of the Florentines places, especially Pisa, saying, that the King himselfe had written both vnto them and diuers others, that he would take nothing in Italy, but the realme of Naples onely, and af∣terward go against the Turke: but now it plainly appeered that he would conquere all that he could in Italy, and leaue the Turke in peace. They said further, that the Duke of Orleans (whom the King had left behinde him in Ast) put the D. of Milan in great doubt and feare, and that his seruants vsed maruellous threatning words against him. Notwithstanding they promised to conclude nothing before they re∣ceiued answer from the King, at the least not before a conuenient time to receiue answer were expired, and they dealt more honorably with me than they of Milan had done ²⁴ . Of all these matters I aduertised the King, and receiued a cold answer from him: from that daie forward they began daily to assemble togither, bicause they knew their enterprise to be discouered. The King was yet at Florence, and if he had found any resistance at Viterbe (as they thought he should) they would haue sent men to defend Rome: yea or if King Ferrand had not abandoned Rome, as they thought vndoubtedly he would neuer haue done: but when they heard of his depar∣ture thence they began to feare. Notwithstanding the ambassadors of these two Kings pressed them earnestly to conclude, saying, that otherwise they would depart, for they had been there fower moneths daily negotiating with the Seniorie. In the meane time I labored all that might be to ouerthrow their league.

But when the Venetians saw all these places yeelded, and were also aduertised, that the King was entred into Naples, they sent for me, and told me these newes,

seeming greatly to reioice thereat: notwithstanding they said that the castell was very wel furnished, and I perceiued by them, that they hoped assuredly it would haue held good. Moreouer, they licensed the ambassador of Naples to leuie men at Venice to send to Brandis; and they were euen vpon the point to haue concluded their league, when suddenly they receiued letters from their ambassadors, that the castell was yeelded also to the King. Then they sent for me againe in a morning, and I found fiftie or sixtie of them assembled togither in the Dukes chamber, who lay sick of the collicke. He told me these newes with a cheerfull countenance, but none of the rest could dissemble so cunningly as himselfe: for some of them sate vpon a lowe bench leaning vpon their elbowes, other some after one sort, and others after another; their outward countenances bewraying their inward griefe. And I thinke verily when word came to Rome of the battell lost at Cannas against Hannibal, that the Sena∣tors which remained in the citie, were not more astonished nor troubled than these: for none of them once looked vpon me, none of them gaue me one word but the Duke alone; so that I woondred to behold them. The Duke asked me if the King would performe that which he had alwaies promised both by his letters and by me: I assured him that he would, and opened certaine ouertures of peace, and offered my selfe to trauell therein, trusting to put them out of all doubt, and so departed.

Their league was as yet neither fully concluded, nor fully broken off; for the which cause the Almaines would needes haue departed in great heate. The Duke of Milan would not yet condescend I wot not to which of their articles: notwithstan∣ding in the end he sent word to his ambassadors to seale with speede to all; and thus at the length was their league concluded. During the space that these practises were thus entertained among them, I had from time to time aduertised the King of them all, pressing him earnestly to resolue either to tarrie in the realme, and to make proui∣sion of greater forces of footemen and money; or in time to retire homeward be∣fore his enimies were all assembled, leauing the principall places well manned. I ad∣uertised also the D. of Orleans (who lay in Ast with his houshold seruants onely, for his companie was with the King) of all that was done, willing him to put men into the towne, and assuring him that they would incontinent assaile him. I wrote also to the Duke of Bourbon (whom the King had left regent in Fraunce) to send men to Ast with all speede possible to defend the towne, bicause that place being lost, no aide could come to the King. In like maner I aduertised the Marchionesse of Montferrat of all these proceedings (who was a great friend to vs, and deadly enimy to the Duke of Milan) to the end she might aide the Duke of Orleans with men, if neede so requi∣red: for Ast being lost, the Marquisats of Montferrat and Saluces were also lost.

Their league was concluded one night very late ²⁵ . The next morning the Senio∣rie sent for me earlier then they were accustomed. And when I was come and set downe, the Duke told me, that in the honor of the holy Trinitie, there was a league concluded betweene our holy father the Pope, the Kings of Romaines and Castile, them, and the Duke of Milan, for three purposes. The first, for the defence of the estate of Christendome against the Turke; the second, for the defence of Italy; and the third for the preseruation of their own estates, whereof he willed me to aduertise the King. They were assembled to the number of a hundred or more, and looked vp with cheerfull countenances, and sate not as they did the day they aduertised me of the taking of the castle of Naples. The Duke tolde me moreouer that they had writ∣ten to their ambassadors that were with the King, to take their leaue and to returne home, their names were Master Dominic Loredan, and Master Dominic Treuisan. I was maruellously troubled with this newes, for I stood in doubt both of the Kings

person, and of all his companie, supposing their armie to haue been readier than in deed it was, as did themselues also. I feared further least the Almaines had been at hand; and not without cause; for if they had, vndoubtedly the King had neuer de∣parted out of Italy. I was resolued not to speake much in this heate; but they so prouoked me that I was forced to change my minde; and then I said vnto them, that both the night before and diuers other times, I had aduertised the King of their league, and that he also had sent me word that he had intelligence thereof both from Rome and from Milan. They looked all maruellous strangely vpon me, when I said that I had aduertised the King thereof the night before: for there is no nation vnder the sunne so suspicious as they, nor so secret in their affaires, so that oftentimes they banish men vpon suspicion onely, for the which cause I said thus much vnto them. I told them moreouer that I had sent word thereof both to the Duke of Orleans and to the Duke of Bourbon, to the end they might put men into Ast: which words I vttered hoping to delay their going thither. For if they had indeed been as ready as they vaunted and supposed themselues to haue been: they must needs haue taken the towne, for it was vnmanned both then and long after. Then they told me that they meant not to attempt ought against the King, but onely to defend themselues, adding that they would not haue him thus to abuse the world with words, in saying that he would nothing but the realme of Naples, and afterward go against the Turk: and yet do cleane contrary, and seeke to destroy the Duke of Milan, and the Floren∣tines, and hold also the places of the Church. Wherunto I answered that the Kings of Fraunce had euer inlarged & augmented the dition of the church, and defended it, and that the King my Master would rather do the like than the contrarie. Wher∣fore these (I said) were not the reasons that mooued them to enter into this war, but that they desired to trouble the estate of Italy, thereby to make their owne pro∣fit, as in the end I thought they would; which words they tooke in euill part as after∣ward I was aduertised: notwithstanding it appeereth by those townes in Pouile which they haue in gage of King Ferrand to aide him against vs, that I said true. At this instant I would haue risen to depart, but they caused me to sit downe again, and then the Duke asked me if I would make any ouerture of peace, bicause the day be∣fore I had offered so to do, but that was vnder condition that they should haue staid the conclusion of their league fifteene daies, to the end I might aduertise the King thereof, and receiue his answer thereunto. Our communication being ended, I re∣turned to my lodging, & then they sent for the ambassadors of the league one after another, and as I came foorth from them I met with the ambassador of Naples, who ware a faire new gowne and shewed a cheerefull countenance, so had he great cause to do, for these were good newes for him. After dinner all the ambassadors of the league accompanied with their seruants met togither, at the charges of the Seniory, vpon the water (which is all the pastime of Venice) I thinke they were in all fortie boates, euery ambassador hauing his boate garnished with a flagge of his Masters armes. I saw all this company passe vnderneath my window with goodly melodie. And the ambassadors of Milan (at the least one of them) who had been woont verie often before to beare me companie; made a countenance now as though he knew me no more. By the space of three daies I neuer stirred out of my lodging, neither any of my seruants: notwithstanding that, not one man in the towne gaue me or any of mine a foule word at any time. The same night they made great pastime with squibs, which were set on fire a high in the steeples and turrets of the towne, and a number of torches were lighted in the top of these ambassadors houses, and diuers peeces of artillery discharged. I was in a couered barge vpon the water to behold

all this triumph, about ten of the clocke at night, especially before these ambassadors lodgings, where was banketting and great cheere: notwithstanding this was not the greate festiuall day, on the which their league was proclaimed: for the Pope had giuen commandement that the proclamation thereof should be deferred till Palm∣sunday, and that euery one of the confederated Princes when it should be proclai∣med, and the ambassadors that should be present thereat, should beare in their hands an oliue branch in token of peace and confederacie as he said. He commanded further, that vpon that day it should be proclaimed both in Spaine and in Almaine. Moreouer, at Venice they made a scaffold of wood, which they raised a great height from the ground, as they vse to do vpō Corpus Christi day, & it was richly hanged, and reached from the palace to the end of the market place of Saint Marke. Vpon this scaffold (after the Popes ambassador had soong masse, and giuen full absolution to all men that should be present at the said proclamation) they went on procession, the Senators and the ambassadors being all very well apparelled: for vnto diuers of the said ambassadors the seniorie had giuen crimosin veluet gowns, especially to the Almaines, and new gownes also to all their seruants, but they were very short. After their returne from procession, a great number of pageants and deuises were shewed, representing first Italy, and then all these Kings and Princes, and the Queene of Spaine. And as they returned from beholding the said pageants, at a Porphire stone where all their proclamations are made, they proclaimed the said league, and the Turks ambassador hard it, standing close at a window, and hauing his dispatch, saue that they staied him to behold this triumph. At night he came to talke with me by meanes of a certaine Greeke, and was with me fower howers in my chamber, be∣ing very desirous that his Prince and the King my Master might enter togither into amitie. I was twise inuited to this feast, but I excused my selfe. I remained in the towne about a moneth after this proclamation, being aswell entertained as at my first arriuall. Afterward the King sent for me, and I tooke my leaue and departed, be∣ing safely conueied by them, and vpon their charges to Ferrara, where the Duke came foorth and receiued me, and feasted me two daies, and defraied me. The like did Master Iohn de Bentiuole at Bolonia, whither the Florentines sent for me. Wher∣fore I departed thence and went to Florence there to abide the Kings comming, of whom I will now returne to speake.

The Notes.

1 Liccia or Lizafusina Italians.

2 The riuer is called Brenta.

3 I thinke he meaneth not the Confrairiez des Sainctz which be but fiue, as Conta∣ren. writeth lib. 5. but rather I suppose, bicause our author saith many Confrairies, that euery companie in Venice hath a chappell, as in London they haue hals.

4 I suppose it to be that which they call Riuo alto.

5 There are in Venice 200. palaces able to lodge Kings.

6 A kinde of red marble full of white spots called Leucosticos or Porphyrites: it is knowen to euery man.

7 A greene stone, I suppose it to be also a kinde of marble, which is greene as Porphire is, red and spotted also with white for the most part as that is: it is called Ophytes.

8 Of the Dukes office reade Contaren. lib. 2.

9 This Dukes name was Augustinus Barbaricus or Barbadicus, he was chosen anno 1486. and was after some the 77. after others the 74. Duke.

10 Reckon these twelue yeeres not at the time that the author was at Venice, but at the

time that he wrote this historie: for at his being there, he had beene Duke but eight yeeres.

11 Saint Marks church is described by Contaren in the very end of the fourth booke.

12 Mousaique or Marqueterie, Musaea, Musaica, or Musina in Latine, works wrought of stones of diuers colours and diuers mettels into knots and deuises so curiously, that they seeme all one, and not to be wrought in togither by art.

13 Forum Iulii.

14 This Arsenall is described by Contaren lib. 4.

15 He meaneth, bicause they vnderstood not the feate of artillerie.

16 The Venetians armies vpon the land are all strangers. Contaren. lib. 5.

17 Their Generall vpon the land is also a stranger.

18 Contaren. ibidem.

19 Vnderstand any matter of waight.

20 Vnderstand their principall officers.

21 Their Chauncellor also is no gentleman, neither may a gentleman be Chauncellor or Secretarie. Contaren. lib. 5.

22 The King of Spaine vsed this colour for breach of his league with King Charles, bicause there vvas a clause that they should not be bound to any thing preiudiciall to the Church, and the realme of Naples vvas held of the Church. Further, another clause there vvas, that he should not resist King Charles his conquest, if it appeered by law the crowne of Naples to appertaine to him, vvhich he sought not to prooue, but proceeded by force.

23 This is added, bicause the realme of Naples vvas held of the Church.

24 He meaneth, bicause they dealt plainly vvith him, but they of Milan had dissem∣bled. Notvvithstanding the French had it thus: They shewed greater honor to me than to them of Milan: but in mine opinion it vvas the Printers fault, vvho for que ceulx de Milan, had put qu'a ceulx de Milan: for sure the sence is much better thus.

25 Their league vvas concluded in Aprill. Guicciar.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1494.
• * 1.2

  Lib. 6. cap. 5.