The estate of the Church with the discourse of times, from the apostles vntill this present: also of the liues of all the emperours, popes of Rome, and Turkes: as also of the Kings of Fraunce, England, Scotland, Spaine, Portugall, Denmarke, &c. With all the memorable accidents of their times. Translated out of French into English by Simon Patrike, Gentleman.

The Common-wealth of Florence.

* 1.1Although in the time of the Emperor Henry the seuenth, the Florentines receiued Robert King of Naples to bee their Protector to resist the Gibellins or Imperialistes, (so much hated they the Emperours of Almaine) yet about this time Cosme by surname Medices, flourished in that Towne in great pre∣heminence, prudence, and authoritie: and was held as a Prince and chiefe of the Towne.

He led the Senate at his pleasure, inriched the poore Citi∣zens, builded many places, for more and more to maintaine his authoritie.

* 1.2But after that Cosme was dead in the yeare 1464. hee left a sonne called Peter, who also was mightie in the Towne. Vn∣to whom succeeded in the administration of the Common∣wealth Lawrence de Medices his son: who with his brother Iu∣lian augmented the Seignorie of Florence. And because this greatly displeased certaine Bishops, Cardinalls, and other Lords, they made a conspiracie together, and came to Florence the yeare 1478. which with one of the noblest of the Towne called Francisquinus de pactis, dissembling their hatred entred into the Tmple: and as they lifted vp the Host they slewe Iulian, and wounded Lawrence, who escaped their hands. But the Malefactors thought they had done an act greatly plea∣sing to the Citizens to recouer libertie, but they were decei∣ued:

for they were all taken, and neither Priest nor Bishop pardoned.

Frodesque Saluiat Archbishop of Pise, who said the Masse, was giuen to the slaughter-man and hanged at an high window in his habit: for hee had sung Masse in his coate of Male. The Pope being grieued at these dooings, excommunicated Lawrence de Medices, and stird vp Ferdinand king of Sicilie, Alphonsus Duke of Calabria, and Frederic Duke of Ʋrbin, a∣gainst the Florentines to be reuenged of them. But Lawrence seeing he was not puissant enough to sustaine such enemies, by the consent of the Citizens got him to a shippe, and se∣cretly came into Sicilie to the King Ferdinand himselfe, and promised him tribute if he and his would leaue that enterprise begunne at the Popes instance. Which was done, & the towne with all the countrie by that meanes was deliuered from the de∣struction of the enemies.

The Pope heereat was more inflamed then before: but the Venetians gaue aide vnto the Florentines against the Pope, after they had made peace with the Turke: who du∣ring these stirres besieged Rhodes and got it, the yeare 5488.

In this time began the superstition to toll a Bell at noone as a pardon, called the (Aue Maria pacis) which the King had entreated of the Pope.

The yeare of Christ 1475. the great Iubile alreadie ordai∣ned [ 1475] and commaunded by Paul the second, was confirmed by Sixtus, and obserued at Rome this yeare.

Charles the sonne of Phillip Duke of Bourgongne, agrreed with King Lewis the 11. Frederic the Emperour refused to e∣rect Bourgongne for a Kingdome, whereat Charles was moo∣ued, therefore he besieged Nisse, (which is a Towne placed in the territories of Colongne) and held it during a yeare besieged. Hee did it to gaine vpon the Empire the Diocesse of Colongne: but the Emperour prepared a great power to meete him and to leuie the siege. In the ende they accorded: so that Maximilian the sonne of Frederic should take in marriage Marie the onely daughter of the saide Duke of Bour∣gongne.

After these things the said Charles fought twise against the Swisses vnluckily enough for this cause.

About the years 1460. Sigismond Duke of Austrich enga∣ged to Charles Duke of Bourgongne his lands which he had, as well on this side as beyond Rhene: namely Sungaw Brisgaw, the blacke Forrest, and the Townes scituate vpon Rhene, for 7000. Florents. Great mischiefes came herevpon. For the Duke of Bourgongne appointed ouer those Lands as Gouernor general, Peter de Hagenbach, who exceedingly tormented them of Mulhuse and Swisses.

About this time Charles Duke of Lorraine died of the pestilence at Nancy, which gaue occasion to Charles Duke of Bourgogne, to see if hee could conquer Lorraine by force, ta∣king the cause against Rhene the successor of Lorraine, that Charles his predecessor was bound vnto him in a certaine sum of money: and by the same meanes though also to vsurpe the royall title of Sicilie and Ierusalem. Peter de Hagenbach Count of Thiersteine, greatly molested the subiects of Sigismond, Duke of Austrich, who had lately after long warres made peace with the Swisses. Wherevnto they of Strasbourge Sicistad, Colmar, and Basill had sealed. And the money due vnto the Duke of Bourgongne, was committed into the hands of a Changer or Banquer of Basill, and the paiment signified to the Duke of Bourgongne by an Herauld. After they proceeded against Peter de Hagembach, who being taken prisoner was solemnly disgraded of his order of knighthood, and publikely beheaded after he had gouerned the said lands engaged three yeares and an halfe. The Duke of Bourgongne hearing hereof, determined to reuenge the death of his Gouernour, and assembled an Ar∣mie, being also aided of the Duke of Millaine and the Duchesse of Sauoy, and tooke Lansanua a confederate of the Swisses: From thence hee besieged the Towne and Castle of Granson, solliciting them to yeeld: when they had yeelded, the Duke caused to hang 80. and to drowne in a lake nigh the Towne 200. Such an act greatly stirred the Swisses, and not only them, but also whole high Germanie: which with the Armie of the Duke of Austrich, (of which the conducter was Herman d'

Extingen) chased from Granson the Duke and slew one part of his Armie, lost his Artillerie and his furniture for warre,* 1.3 which was very magnificall. After they tooke downe their compani∣ons which the Duke had hung vp, and hanged in their places as many Bourguignons.

Gelatius Maria Duke of Millaine, on S. Stephens day, in [ 1478] the Church of S. Stephen being at Masse, was slaine by a Citi∣zen of Millaine called Andrew de Lupagnano, who making a shewe to speake vnto him stabbed him in the stomacke. He said the cause was for that the Duke deteined from him vniust∣ly certaine possessions, that he kept his wife, and further, hin∣dred that iustice could not be done him touching an Abbey: for which he had paid at Rome during vacation, and the Duke would haue had an other to haue had it.

Sixtus cast the Manfrois Lords of the Towne of Imola, namely the father and the sonne out of the Seignorie, and gaue it to one of his houshold.

Likewise he deiected the Gouernours of Forliue, and con∣stituted there a familiar friend of his.

Charles Duke of Bourgongne returned the second time a∣gainst the Swisses: Before, he had taken from the Duke Rene of Lorraine Nancy:* 1.4 wherefore the Duke of Lorraine ioyned with the Swisses. And when the Duke of Bourgongne was be∣fore Morat, they of the Towne came out and altogether inua∣ded the the Armie of the Bourguignons, and put them vnto flight. In so much that 17. thousand Bourguignons or 20000. after Fasci. Temp. or 22000. after the Sea of Hist, were there slaine. The spoile was there left to the Duke of Lorraine for recompence, who also after recouered Nancy. See Nau∣clerus.

The third time the Duke of Bourgongne being greeued to haue beene vanquished by so weake a Prince as the Duke of Lorraine was, returned and againe besieged Nancy.* 1.5 Hee had 14000 combattants, and still looked for other Bands of souldi∣ers. Vpon this the Duke of Lorraine and the Swisses came vpon them, parted in two Bandes. The Bourguignons were discomfited and put to flight: some slaine in the woods, and

others drowned. There was also slaine the Duke of Bour∣gongne, hauing receiued three mortall woundes, one on the head, an other in the thigh, and the last in the fundament. See Naucler.

The Bourguignons would not beleeue he was slaine, but that being escaped hee retired into Almaine, and hee had vowed to make his penance there seuen yeares, There were amongst the Bourguignons which solde precious stones, horses, and other such like things, to be paid at his returne. Yea euen in Bruchel in the Diocesse of Spine, there was an olde man which men thought to bee the Duke of Bourgongne, making there his pe∣nance, whom euery one desired to see, and therby got he good almes. Nauclerus saith hee sawe the said poore man in the said place.

The king of France vnderstanding of the death of the Duke of Bourgongne, tooke Monididier, Roy, Peronne, Abbenille, Monstraeul, Arras, an Hesdin. See the Hist. of France.

Maximilian sonne of the Emperour Frederic the third, af∣fianced Mary the onely daughter of Charles Duke of Bour∣gongne, with whom he had Bourgongne, Brabant, Flaunders, Lux∣embourge, Hainaut, Zeland, Artois, Guelders, with other Sergno∣ries and lands.

The said Maximilian had of his said wife one sonne called Phillip; and a daughter called Margarite. They had two other children Francis and George, which died in their youth.

Phillip espowsed Iane Queene of Chastile, of whom hee had Charles the fift Emperour, and Ferdinand, and foure daugh∣ters, Leonor, Isabeal, Mary, and Katherine.

* 1.6The Iacobins Inquisitors, deputed against heretikes (as they call them in diuers sorts) molested certaine Theologians of the order of Carmes, in certaine causes of the faith. Amongst which they said one was called Iulian de Bresse, an excellent Preacher of the word of God, and an other Peter de Neuolaite, for whom Mantuan writ an Apologie conteining three bookes.

But all this was pacified by the Pope Sixtus at the pur∣suite of Christopher Martignon, which Sextus (as tutor and de∣fender

of Monkes (as Stella witnesseth in the Popes liues) that he might take away all occasion of enuie and riots amongst them,* 1.7 ordained that all Mendicant and begging Friars should bee equall in such priuiledges, as all Popes had graunted vnto them.

The Vniuersitie of Tubinge in the Diocesse of Constance, by Apostolicke authoritie was instituted at the instance of the Count of Wittemberge. Naucler.

The Swisses beganne now to receiue wages of the king of [ 1479] Fraunce, Lewis the 11. casheering the French Archers,* 1.8 be∣cause they pilled and spoyled, and did many other mischiefes. Naucler.

Platina composed the Popes liues in Latin, and dedicated them vnto Sixtus the 4.

Wessalus of Frise, in this time writ against the Pope, his doctrine and traditions.

Mahomet the second died of poison as was suspected. Nau∣cler. or else of a Collicke passion, of the age of 50. yeares, & af∣ter Naucler. of 53. Baiazetes his son succeeded him. Paul. Iou.

Margarite the daughter of Maximilian was brought into France and espowsed vnto the Dolphin Charles the 8. in the moneth of Iuly at Ambroise, who afterward was sent backe a∣gaine. Naucler.

Mary Duchesse of Bourgongne, Maximilians wife, Madam Margarites mother, being on hunting fell from her horse and died. Chron. Euseb. and Naucler.

The Pope Sixtus Canonized S. Bonauenture.

The last of August died Lewis King of France,* 1.9 a very su∣perstitious man. He pilled the people to inrich Churches. Hee worshipped and kissed bones and relickes of Saints, to obtaine health. For hee maruellously feared death: In so much that in the end of his dayes hee gaue excessiue gifts to his Phi∣sitian each moneth, if at the least they might but prolong his life.

Sixtus made many warres wrongfully against Ferdi∣nand King of Pouille, because hee gaue ayde vnwilling∣ly to his sonne in lawe Hercules d'st Duke of Ferrara,

which was besieged of the Venetians, against the Venetians, which he excommunicated. Also against the Florentines (as is said): although that the matter better vnderstood hee absol∣ued them and restored them to their honour, and Lawrence de Medices likewise.

Sixtus being deteined sicke in his bed of a Feauer, vnder∣standing that a peace was made betwixt the Venetians and o∣ther Potentates, suddenly yeelded the spirit. Naucler.

* 1.10Innocent 8. of that name, borne at Genes, the sonne of one [ 1484] called Aaron, called before Iohn Baptist Cibo, of a Cardinall, Priest of the title of S. Cicilie, was created Pope of Priests and Monkes, after of Sixtus. Ʋolaterane saith he was once a poore childe, yet faire, and was nourished amongst the seruants of Ferdinand king of Sicilie, where he learned all the fashions of the Court life.

Comming from thence to Rome, he remained long time in the house of Phillip, Cardinall of Boulongne. After this he was made Bishop of Sauonne, and thirdly of Melphe by the Pope Xistus and also Dataire, finally Cardinall, & after Pope as hath bin said. He was of a great stature, a white man, and of faire re∣presentation: but of an heauie and dull spirit, and far from all studie of good Letters: In so much that sometimes when he was Idle from publike affaires hee seemed as though he slept. Al∣most frō the beginning of his Popedome he conspired against Ferdinand king of Sicilie, with the Princes of the kingdome.

See how Popes vse to recompence the amitie of such as nourish and educate them.

Hee called one named Robert d' S. Seuerin to be chiefe and Captaine of the Armie which he sent against Ferdinand. This holy man said that for the Churches dignitie and the defence of Saints, it was lawful to take Armes, that peace might follow of it. Yet seeing himself deceiued, he was forced to make peace vpon this condition, that his yearely tribute should be paid him, and that such as rebelled should not be in daunger. But the king Ferdinand kept neither the one nor the other condition: although hee sent one named Peter de Ʋincence an hardie and bold man, who was Auditor of the Chamber with his Secreta∣rie to sollicite his causes.

After these things Innocent wearie of warring, delighted in nothing but a dastardly idlenesse, ful of sloath: which brought with it nothing but diuers concupiscences, fraudes, pleasures, pompes, gourmandizes, dissolutions, pailliardizes, and Idola∣tries. He erected a new Colledge of Secretaries, for his owne profit, augmenting, the number of them which were there be∣fore. He builded a new Pallace and an house of pleasure,* 1.11 of a new fashion. He was the first of all the Popes which in an in∣vsuall maner aduanced his bastards vnto honour and riches. For hee gaue certaine Townes nigh Rome vnto his bastard Francis, and greatly inriched his daughter called Theodorine, which he married vnto a very rich man of Genoa.

Charles eight of that name King of France, succeeded his father Lewis the 11. being of the age of 14. yeares. The three Estates were solemnly assembled at Tours for the Kings person.

Hee was very conscionable, yeelding vnto the King of Spaine the Countes of Roussillon and Parpignant. Hee conque∣red the kingdome of Naples: and the Princes and Gentlemen went thither of their owne charge. At Rome the Pope decla∣red him Emperour of Constantinople. The King Alphonsus and his sonne Ferdinand for feare retired into Sicilie, and Charles en∣tred triumphantly into Naples. Then the Lords and Townes in Italie banded themselues against the King to enclose him at his returne, yet he got through with a great victorie ouer them at Fonnone, (for he had fewe people against many) and as vanquisher returned into France.* 1.12 But at the end of the yeare Naples reuolted vnto the said Ferdinand.

King Lewis the 11. would not that his sonne Charles should learne any part of the Italian tongue, but onely this Prouerbe (Qui nessit dissimulare, nescit regnare) that is, hee that cannot faigne and dissemble knowes not how to raigne.

A poore lesson, better beseeming a Tyrant then a King.

M. Iohn an English man, a Priest in this time,* 1.13 was burnt at Paris, in the place called the Swine Market: because in the morning of the day then called Corpus Christi, in the great Church of our Lady, in the Chappel dedicated vnto S. Crispin

and Crispinian, he tooke from a Priest that sung Masse his Host, and cast it on the ground.

The Pope Innocent absolued the Venetians which had bene excommunicated by Sixtus for acts before recited: and solde pardons and Indulgences as well for the liuing as for the dead. He inriched with great presents many Temples through Italie. He gaue vnto the Augustins of Bergoine, a Church of sil∣uer of an exquisite and maruelous worke.

He by his Bulles permitted to them of Norway that they ought to sing Masse without wine. Moreouer seeing that Par∣dons, nor the Iubile, nor the warre against the Turkes serued him any thing to gather siluer: hee inuented a new maner of gathering siluer. For he found inclosed in an old wall, the title which was set vpon the Crosse of Iesus Christ, written in three languages, Iesus of Nazareth, &c. with the Iron of the Launce wherwith Christ his side was pearsed. Being hindred by a long disease he could not accomplish that which he purposed in his courage. But the yeare of our Lord 1492. he deceased out of this world. There was a Poet called Marcellus, who made an Epitaph in Latin Verses,* 1.14 whose sence is this. What needest thou seeke witnesses to know whether Cibe be male or female? Behold onely the great troupe of his children, they will yeeld a certaine testimonie thereof. He begot eight sonnes, and as many daughters. It is not without cause that Rome calls him Father, &c.

The Towne of Arras was againe taken by the Flemmings in the nigh time. The keyes of one of the Towne gates was counterfeited and giuen to foure of the conspiracie, poore Me∣chanikes: the one of which was called Grisard, who had an or∣dinarie garde of the gate, and vsed customably vpon the wall to sing with an high voyce. What houre is it? It is not time. What houre is it? It is not day. This was to aduertise the enemies when they should approach. And when they were nigh hee sung an other Song. Marchez la duron duraine, marchez la duron durean. So the Towne of Arras was by him deliuered into the Emperours hand without any effusion of bloud.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cosme.
• * 1.2

  Peter, Law∣rence, Iulian.
• * 1.3

  The Dukes first ouer∣throwe at Granson.
• * 1.4

  The second ouerthrow of the Duke of Bourgongne nigh Morat.
• * 1.5

  The third o∣uerthrow of the Duke Charles.
• * 1.6

  Iacobins a∣gainst the Carmes.
• * 1.7

  Mendicants made equall.
• * 1.8

  The Swisses receiue the Kings wages.
• * 1.9

  The death of king Lewis the 11.
• * 1.10

  Innocent. 8.
• * 1.11

  Townes giuē to the Popes bastards.
• * 1.12

  Naples re∣volted.
• * 1.13

  Iohn the English man burnt at Paris Corpus Chri∣sti.
• * 1.14

  An Epitaphe of Innocent.