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.

Horrible things of Roderic Borgia.

To shewe the horrour of that abhominable seat of Rome it shal not be impertinent to declare how and by what meanes a Spaniard came thither.

In the time of Innocent the 8. after that Borgia was placed in the number of the Cardinalls and Fathers of the Romane Church, his affection was incessantly set to mount higher, and to that ende hee inuented each day all the meanes hee thought good and meete to enioy the accomplishment of his desires. Finally he gaue himselfe to the diuellish Art of Necromancie: to the end that by the helpe of diuells and euill spirits he might enter into the way whch he sawe shut to him, as well by the ri∣ches as the great credit and prerogatiue of his companions. Af∣ter hee had certaine time employed his studie and diligently watched about the cursed and dammable Art of Necromancie,* 1.1 he began to inquire of his diuels, (wherewith he prooued very familiar) if they would not sauour him so much as in the pur∣suite of the Papall dignitie, they would giue him support and helpe. Wherevnto they readily agreed, but yet vnder this espe∣ciall rescription and couenant, that by certaine words he should deliuer an oath to shewe himselfe in all things a faithfull pro∣tector of Sathan. To which this Cardinall of a wicked minde consented: onely he required that when hee should come to do his homage and take his oath, the diuell would not ap∣peare vnto him in any hideous and fearefull forme, but rather vnder some humane forme, namely vnder the person of a Protonotaire: which hauing graunted him, at the time assigned and established, on a Sommers day the Cardinall beeing reti∣red into a place called Montcauallus, being alone in a chamber, the saide Protonotaire presented himselfe vnto him, like a man of meane age, honourably apparelled, who after cer∣taine talke helde betwixt them, hee assured the Cardinall that hee should bee Pope. Then Roderic Borgia beeing very ioyous, began to inquire of him how long hee should raigne. This Protonotaire deliuered him a very ambiguous answere, (namely that hee should raigne the space of eleuen and eight)

the Cardinall foolishly promised himself the time of 19. yeares in his Papall dignitie, although Sathans meaning was but 11. yeares and 8. monethes.

After Pope Innocent was dead, by pluralitie of voyces hee was established Pope. And because there should be no want at the solemnities, he named himselfe Alexander the sixt, be∣fore named Roderic Borgia,* 1.2 borne at Valence in Spaine, the Ne∣phewe of Calixtus late Pope, third of that name; As one that long time had had the handling of the office of Vice-chaun∣cellor, hee knew all the estate of the Court of Rome, and knew all the councels and enterprises of the Princes and Communal∣ties of Italie.

Being then placed where he desired, he subiugated almost them all by the meanes of his bastard called Valentin: which of a Cardinall he made a Duke, and surnamed him.* 1.3 Besides this, hee exterminated all the mightiest houses that were in the Towne, so that after he feared them no more. In which com∣bat (as Valerius reciteth) being munited and strengthened with the succours of the French and Swisses, he shead much humane bloud.

[ 1494] The Emperour Frederic the third, died at Vienna the 26. of August, vpon the eating (as is said) a great quantitie of Pom∣pions as hee meant to refresh himselfe, and was buried in the Church of S. Stephen.

The malladie of Naples, called the French disease, or the poxe, began about this time.

* 1.4Maximilian the Emperour Fredericks sonne, third of that name, held the Empire alone after his father, and was a fautor and louer of learned people.

The Almaines made a great discomfiture against the French men, nigh Salnis in Bourgongne.

The Religion and Couent of the obseruation of Lyons vp∣on Rosne, was founded in the suburbes of the said Towne, in the place of two Louers. The founder was king Charles the eight, and Anne of Britaine Queene of France, and the said Couent was named Nostre dame des Anges. That is, our Lady of An∣gells. If they had said of Asses, they had said better.

The last day of December the King of France, Charles the eight, arriued at Rome, and made a magnificke entry there∣into.

The kingdome of Granado was recouered by Ferdinand King of Spaine, which had about 80. yeares before beene taken from the Christians.

Batazetes came into Hungarie, where were slaine 7000. of them that met him.

Alphonsus King of Portugall fell from his horse and died, and in his place succeeded Emanuel his brother.

The order and Religion des filles Repenties began at Paris,* 1.5 by Friar Iohn Trisseran, Religions of the obseruation of Lyons, borne at Bourge in Bresse.

Maximilian by an Embassage affianced the Duchesse of Britaine, which thing greatly displeased Charles the 8. king of France. Wherefore he made warre against the Britaines and had a great victorie vpon them: and incontinently after, ha∣uing repudiated Margarite of Flanders (whom he had affianced (as is said) during his fathers life) tooke Anne the eldest daugh∣ter of Francis Duke of Britaine: so was the peace made with the Britaines. She had by him many children, all which died before their father.

Maximilian afterward (that is, the 16. of March) espowsed [ 1494] in the Towne of Insprulz Blache, Marie, an honourable virgin, daughter of Galeatius Duke of Millaine.

Alexander celebrated a Iubile, Anno 1500. whereat he de∣liuered this grace and fauour by his Bulles to such as had made no account to come thither, or such as could not come, that they might gaine and obtaine the Iubile by sending thither. He sought by all meanes to heape vp siluer as much as he could to satisfie his lusts. Wherefore hee set vs a new Colledge of Abbreuiators, to the number of 80. of which each place was folde at 750. Ducates. He inuited all Princes vnto his Iubile by his Bulls, and ordained that in euery Towne men might haue Stations.

He created in his time 36. Cardinalls, amongst which were 18. Spaniards, and of his kinsmen three: that is to say, Iohn

Borgia,* 1.6 Valentin Borgia, and Francis Borgia. Hee receiued the oath of fidelitie of Alphonsus king of Naples, which he tooke betwixt the hands of the said Iohn Borgia, touching the keeping of loyaltie to the seate of Rome, and to pay him his annuall tribute.

He fortified at his great charge the Castle S. Angels, repai∣red and beautified the Temple of S. Mary Maior.

That which followeth is extracted by Iohn Functius out of the workes of Volateranus. The Cardinalls which elected him (he speaketh of Pope Alexander) were the first that felt his ingratitude. For he oppressed them all by diuers calamities, banishing some, and imprisoning others.

He made warre vpon the Vrsins, which he vanquished and tooke prisoners by the meanes of his sonnes.

* 1.7After this hee desired nothing so much as to life vp vnto honours his bastards, as Innocent had done: yea this, farre more. For now this began to be held a thing much honourable, and worthy of great praise amongst the venerable Fathers. He made the youngest of his sonnes a Prince in Sicilie. The second cal∣led Caesar Valentin, he made Cardinall. And the eldest he made a Duke in Spaine: who not long after was slaine at Rome & cast into Tiber. As for the Cardinall Caesar, reiecting the order of Priesthood, after his brothers death came into the kingdome of France with a great summe of siluer, where he espowsed one of king Lewis his kinswomen of the house of Albert,* 1.8 and there was giuen him the Duchie of Valentinois in Daulphine. After this by the kings helpe and the alliance which was made with him, he acquired many Seignories in Italie: vnto whom also his father gaue the hand, who desired nothing so much in the world, as to see his sonne so great a Lord.

* 1.9His daughter Lucrece whose carnall company himselfe had (which was an horrible and detestable thing) was married vnto three Princes successiuely. First vnto Iohn Sforza Duke of Pi∣sance. After being repudiated by him, to Lewis the bastard sonne of Alphonsus king of Arragon. Finally after hee was slaine, shee espowsed Alphonsus d'Est, Duke of Ferrara, Men may easily knowe (by her Epitaphe made by Iohn Iouian Pou∣tanus,

in very elegant Latin, Verses) what was the chastitie, sanctitie, and religion as well of the father as of the daugh∣ter and sonne. For shee was renowmed to haue companie of them both. This also which followeth is drawne out of the booke of Hierome Marius, in his booke called Eusebius Cap∣tiue. What need we to recite the infamous and dishonest deeds of Alexander the sixt, seeing hee made alliance with diuells, gaue himselfe altogether vnto them, and subiected himselfe vnto them.

Hermolaus Barbarus a very learned man,* 1.10 died of griefe in exile at Rome, depriued of his Church and Patriarkship of A∣quilea, by the ingratitude of the Venetians, whom he had ser∣ued as an Orator and Embassador vnto diuers Princes of Chri∣stendome. The cause wherefore he was thus handled of the Venetians, was because hee had receiued the Patriarkship of the Pope without theyr priuitie. Therefore not content, they banished also his parents, and confiscated their goods. See Iohn le Maire.

Iohn Picus Prince de Randole, a mirrour of true Nobilitie, [ 1495] in the flower of his youth died at Florence.

Wee finde many things written of this Pope by notable Authors of his time: as certaine excellent Latin Verses well worthy to be noted, which recite the praises of this holy Fa∣ther. Whereof this is the sence following. Alexander sells Cros∣ses, and Aultars, yea Iesus Christ himself. He first bought them, and may well sell them. Rome passeth from vice to vice, and from flame to fire vnder the gouernment of this Spaniard. Tar∣quinus was the sixt king of Rome, Nero the sixt Emperour, and this Pope the sixt of his name: alwaies Rome hath bin destroy∣ed by the sixths.

This was he who for the summe of 200000. Ducats which he receiued of the Turke called Baiazet,* 1.11 poysoned Gemen his brother who fled to Rome. This is he (say I) who being willing to maintaine his tirannie, called to his helpe Baiazet Emperour of the Turkes, against the king of France Charles the eight: and sought to make the Kingdome of Naples, yea the very Citie of Rome, the Frontiers of the Turkes Empire.

Lewis the 12. as the nighest, succeeded to the Crowne of France after Charles the 8. He sent his Armie into Lombardie vnder the conduct of Iohn Iaques Trivulse, and of Sieur Au∣bigny, which tooke Alexandria and Pauie: so that then Lewis Sforza abandoned Millaine for feare and retired into Almaine. The King vpon these newes passed into Italie,* 1.12 and made his triumphant entrie into Millaine: from whence hee departed hauing diminished the charges of the people and left the said Trivulse as Gouernour.

Lewis Sforza returned within a yeare after, and againe tooke Millaine, and from thence being againe chased by a new Armie from France, hee tooke his flight towards Nauarre: after his comming from whence, being pursued by the French, hee was taken and led a prisoner into France.

This king ordained in France that (O salutaris hostia) should be sung in the eleuation of the Host.

Friar Hierome Sauanarola of Ferrara, of the order of Do∣minicains, preached at Florence. He was burnt at the instance and by the commaundement of that monster Alexander Pope the sixt, because hee preached against him, and his more then notorious wickednesse.

He composed certaine meditations vpon the 50. Psalme and certaine others. See the Booke of Martyrs.

* 1.13The Pope caused to bee cut out the tongue and both the hands of Anthonius Mancinellus a learned man: because he had written a very elegant Oration against the wicked maners and villainous and dishonest life of him.

The warre of Maximilian against the Swissers is renowned in this time.

[ 1499] Batazetes the Turke, tooke by force a Towne in Macedonia called Dyrrachium: and the yeare after in Morea hee tooke Methone which belonged vnto the Venetians: as also certain time before he had vsurped Naupactus in Epire. He also behea∣ded the Bishop of the said Towne of Methone.

Italie was greatly afflicted by the Turkes: as soone as warre against the Venetians was on a flame.

[ 1500] Charles after Emperour, sonne of Phillip Arch-Duke of

Austrich, and of Iane daughter of the king of Castile was borne at Gaunt on the Bissext day, the 25 of Februarie, on S. Mat∣thias day.

The Marrhans (these were Iewes which made themselues Christians fearing to leese theyr goods,* 1.14 such are commonly in Spaine, and secretly obserue the Iewish ceremonies) are recon∣ciled with the Pope, hauing with great summes of money ac∣quired his good grace. Naucler.

The Towne of Basill, the ninth day of Iune made alliance [ 1501] with the Cantons of Swisse, in the Towne of Lucerne:* 1.15 And the tenth of August, they of Schaffusen made also a perpetuall alli∣ance with the Cantons of the Swisses, in the said Towne of Lu∣cerne.

They of Noremberge were discomfited by Cassimere Mar∣quesse [ 1502] of Brandebourge, with great effusion of bloud nigh their Towne.

King Lewis the 11. tooke the kingdome of Naples vnder the conduction of Sieur d'Augbini, Frederic,* 1.16 his wife and his sonnes prisoners, were carried into France. He recouered Bo∣longue, vsurped by Bentiuoli, and yeelded it vnto the Pope: After in proper person going against the Venetians, which vsurped many Lands of the Duchie of Millaine, valiantly van∣quished them nigh Agnadel: tooke Bartholomew Balnian, the conducter of that Armie, and carried him prisoner into France. Hee tooke againe the said vsurped Townes and many others, yeelding vnto the Pope such Townes as the Venetians had taken from him.

The issue of the Pope Alexander was fearefull, and with manifest token of the iust iudgement of God, and therefore would diligently be noted. As on a certaine day he had made readie an exceeding great banket for certaine rich Senators and Cardinalls, and had recommended to his sonne Valentin, that he should giue wine to drinke vnto one of the said Cardi∣nalls wherein there was poyson put: It came to passe that hee that had the charge to deliuer the wine, vnwittingly gaue to the Pope of that flaggon wherin the poison was: who being of great age, was taken with a languishment and grieuou•• paine.

He had by the space of eleuen yeares and certaine mo∣nethes excessiuely oppressed Italie, and troubled the world. Being then deteined in his bed (as Iohn Baleus saith) hee com∣maunded one of his men called Madena (which amongst all them of his Court and house was his most faithfull and famili∣ar) to goe into his gardrobe or wardrope, and to bring him a certaine litle booke enriched with gold and precious stones: which was in an Armorie which he specified. But this litle booke conteined all maners and kindes of Illusions and En∣chauntments of Negromancie: whereby the old man thought to enforme himselfe, to be certified of the closure and ende of his life.

* 1.17The seruant obeing the commaundement of the Pope his maister, and going vnto the place specified: as (after hee had opened the doore) he was readie to haue entred into the cham∣ber, he sawe a certaine person sit in the Popes Chaire there, who was altogether like vnto his maister: At the sight where∣of beeing surprised with an horrible feare & astonishment, and and as it were halfe dead, without taking the booke, ranne backe againe towards Alexander, vnto whom he rehearsed what hee had seene: namely that in his Wardrope hee found such a Pope as himselfe set in a Chaire.

Alexander after he had vnderstood the thing, and seeing his seruant to be exceedingly affraide, suffered him to rest a while: After hee did so much perswade him, that he returned into the said Wardrope to see if againe hee could finde the said Pope. The seruant then being entred, found in the said chamber him whom before he had seene: and that more is, being asked by him that sate there what cause brought him into that place, and what businesse hee had there, Hee be∣ing taken with a sore trembling, and as it were out of breath,* 1.18 aunswered, hee came to take a certaine garment for the Pope. At which words, the diuell beeing then in the Chaire, making an horrible noise siad, what Pope? I am the Pope.

But after that those things were reported vnto Alexander, his euill began to encrease, and death approached.

A short day after, a man apparelled like a Carrier or Lac∣key, came and fiercely knocked at the chamber doore where∣in the Pope was deteined sicke, saying hee must needes speake with him. The doore being opened and hee admit∣ted parley with the Pope, all others drew aside, and the Pope and hee spake together, as two vse to doo in secret cau∣ses, yet men might see a great and maruellous strife and debate betwixt them two, and that the Pope was not content.* 1.19 For hee said vnto him. How goes this? my terme is not yet accomplished. Thou knowest that thy promise was nine∣teene yeares, whereof I haue liued but eleuen and eight mo∣neths. Vnto which words the Lackey hardily answered: you vnderstood not well the speech, but are greatly abused. For I said not nineteene yeares as you imagined: but I said you should remaine Pope eleuen yeares and eight moneths, the which are come and passed, and therefore you must needes die.

But although the Pope was very actiue to require and to pray instantly that he would haue regard to his life,* 1.20 and to the terme that hee had graunted him in his Popedome, yet it was as to speake to a deafe man, and to pleade in vaine. For all his alligations, remonstrations, exceptions, and re∣quests profited nothing: so that they which were in the cham∣ber and heard this maruellous debate and difference, might iudge that Sathan was more expert in the Art of Arithme∣tike then the Pope was, and they might easily conclude that Alexander erred in his account.

Finally to close vp the matter, euen as Sathan went and departed from the place, in like manner also with great cries, sighes, and fearfull sobbes, the Popes soule (as it were follow∣ing his steppes) dislodged and miserably departed from his body.

Thus miserably and vngodly died this Pope Alexander, leauing to his sonne his Seignory, altogether wasted and rui∣nous, and to the Italians, their Comonwealth all confused, per∣uerted & wasted: to the end he might be a publike example to

all ages, how things euill gotten melt away, and are wickedly and vnluckily spent.

This Pope had with his said sonne a daughter called Lucrece, with whom both he and his sonne lay, as Pontanus and Samaza∣rius haue left written.

Phillip Archduke of Austrich, the son of Maximilian and of Mary, the onely daughter of Charles Duke of Bourgoine, tooke to wife Iane the onely daughter of the king of Arragon, and by reason of her right, going into Spaine, passed through France in the yeare, 1501. After returning into Flaunders, to appeease certaine stirres of warre betwixt them of Gilders and Brabant, he tooke many Townes of Gelders, with the Duke of Suffolke a young Gentleman, which he nourished in his Court with his children. The said Phillip yeelded homage vnto king Lewis the 12. for the Counties of Flaunders and Artois, before Guy de Rochefort, grand-Chauncellor of France, and Lewis de Luxem∣bourge Count de Ligni, Embassadors sent for the purpose vnto Arras.

* 1.21Pius third of that name, a Tuscan by Nation, borne at Si∣enna, Nephew of Pope Pius the second, on his sisters side Laoda∣mie, before called Francis Picolhomineus, that is, a litle man, suc∣ceeded the said Alexander, being elected by the Cardinalls af∣ter great strifes and debates.

Ʋalentin Borgia hauing seized vpon all the treasures of his father Alexander, after his death with twelue thousand souldi∣ers occupied Vatican where the Pope should be elected, ten∣ding to this end, to constraine the Cardinalls to choose such an one for Pope as should like him.

* 1.22The Cardinalls to shun this danger, withdrew themselues first incontinently into the Temple of Minerua, where straight they were besieged by him. But as a bruite went through the Towne that the Cardinalls were taken, and that he commit∣ted many murders and sackagements through the towne, they were all taken with a great feare. After this, the shops were shut, and each one ranne to Armes. The issues and endes of streets were stopped with bankes, peeces of wood, and chaines of Iron: no more nor no lesse then if the enemie had againe

bene nigh the walles. Borgia then seeing that he had enterpri∣sed a thing so hard to execute: and also being required by the Cardinalls to cease frō such doings, promised that, which a litle after he obeyed.

After Pius was chosen, Borgia hauing passed his choller, thanked the Cardinalls that they had chosen such an one, as he had greatly wished. Hee then incontinently as he was made Pope, made a cōspiracie against the French which had occupied a part of Italie; For he tooke in very euill part that their king had brought Pouille & a great part of Italie vnder his subiectiō. This Pope hoped that a day would come, when he should doo some great damage vnto the French, after he had drawne them into Ambushes that he had laid for them; and with the helpe of such as had conspired with him, he hoped to driue thē cleane out of these Lands. But whilest he went about this, he died, the 27. day after his election, they yeare 1503. of an vlcer, which he had in his thigh, wherwith he had long time bene troubled, without doing any thing at al of that which he had enterprised. For beside the war he purposed against the Frēch, he determi∣ned to haue reformed the Church to haue celebrated a Coun∣cel, and haue gotten an Armie against the Turkes, after the ex∣ample of his Vncle.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Conuention betwixt Sathā & Borgia.
• * 1.2

  Alexand. 6.
• * 1.3

  Cesar Borgia the Popes ba∣stard.
• * 1.4

  Maximilian
• * 1.5

  Repenties.
• * 1.6

  Maximilian.
• * 1.7

  Alexander setteth vp his bastards.
• * 1.8

  The Duke of Valentinois.
• * 1.9

  Lucrece the daughter, wife & daugh∣ter in lawe of the Pope.
• * 1.10

  The crueltie and ingrati∣tude of the Venetians.
• * 1.11

  This act brought great damage to I∣talie.
• * 1.12

  Lewis Sforza.
• * 1.13

  Mancinellus.
• * 1.14

  Marrhans.
• * 1.15

  Basil Schaffu∣sen.
• * 1.16

  The Veneti∣ans vanqui∣shed.
• * 1.17

  An horrible illusion of Sa∣than.
• * 1.18

  The diuell saith he is Pope.
• * 1.19

  A strife be∣twixt the Pope and diuell.
• * 1.20

  Alexander prayeth that his terme may be longer.
• * 1.21

  Pius. 3.
• * 1.22

  Sackagemēt of Borgia.