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.

An Aduertisement touching a certaine coniecture of the sup∣putation of time.

It would bee noted in this place, that the yeare after the In∣carnation of Iesus Christ, 161. Paulus Samosatenus beeing Bi∣shop of Antioche, began to disgorge his blasphemies against Iesus Christ, denying that he was the true and eternall sonne of God. Which most daungerous and pernitious heresie of all others, was afterward augmented by Arrius and Maho∣met, and is yet at this day by that Antichrist the Pope. More∣ouer, the Monkes which began as it were the same yeare vn∣der Paul the first, here vnto haue nourished and maintained the same heresie in theyr diuers maners of life, and theyr wicked doctrines whilest Antichrist raigned in the Temple of God,* 1.1 and dealt with preaching and teaching publikely in the Church, namely, by the space of 42. moneths, or of 1260. dayes, which is all one, which dayes if wee take them for yeares as they ought, adding thervnto the first number of 261. yeares, they will come to the yeare 1521. after the Natiuitie of Iesus Christ.

* 1.2But that you may vnderstand this secret; That yeare was discouered that great aduersarie of God, who lifted himselfe aboue all that ws called God, or worshipped as God. This yeare then, that error which so long time had beene maintei∣ned vnder the tyrant of Antichrist, began to bee shaken and to fall, because the truth and righteousnesse of Faith through the spirit of Iesus Christ were reuealed by the meanes of cer∣taine learned persons.

For in the said yeare 1521. Martin Luther beeing well fortified by the spirit of God, in the presence of all the E∣states of the Empire assembled at Wormes, confessed and maintained constantly and hardily the true doctrine of our Lord Iesus Christ, which the aforesaid heretikes denied. And since this confession, the true Church of our Lord Iesus Christ hath againe begun to renew it selfe, and his kingdome to take and gather more greater forces: And the kingdome

of Antichrist hath begun to diminish and approacheth his ruine. This which followeth is extracted out of the book of Christien Masseus.

The yeare of the Lord 1515. Frances King of Fraunce receiued of Leo a Iubile, (that is to say, pardons to sell) to be published through all France: which was also spread through all Christendome.

This was a bottomelesse depth of all euills; for vnder the shadowe of fighting against the Turkes, they heaped vp in∣estimable treasures. They which had this charge and com∣mission, perswaded the simple people, that whosoeuer would giue tenne French soules, should deliuer the soule for whom hee gaue them from the paines of Purgatorie. For they held this for a certaine rule, that God would doo whatsoeuer they would, according to that which is said. All that you doo on earth, &c. So that if there had wanted but one farthing lesse then the said tenne soules, they said all could profit nothing. Such like marchandise displeased many good men, and they began to debate this question touching the Popes power: whereof the old Bishops neuer heard speake.

Martin Luther was then in Almaine, who then began to cry very sharply against Indulgences, against whom one called Iohn Bekins opposed himselfe, and they two ente∣red into great disputations and contentions touching this matter.

Pope Leo the tenth thundred a great processe against Martin Luther, and condemned him as an heretike, and re∣iected him from the communion of the faithfull. He straight appealed vnto the Councell to come. After this, Leo com∣maunded that his bookes should be burnt at Rome, and on the other side Luther burnt at Wittemberge, his Canons and Popish Decretalls, saying: As they haue done to me so haue I done to them. Thus farre Masseus, The rest of this historie you may see in Sleidon. Baptista Mantuanus had before exhorted the said Leo to doo his office, thus speaking vnto him in the fourth booke de fastis. Yet there remaineth many things for thee to doo of great importance holy Father.

If they be great and waightie, thou must enterprise them with great courage. But there are there amongst others which are most worthy wherin thou shouldest employ thy selfe and tra∣uell therein. The first is warre wherewith Italie alreadie ty∣red, and the fields thereof bedeawed with humane bloud. An other is; That the Romane Court is infected with a daunge∣rous poison which spreadeth it selfe ouer all Nations. Lastly, there is a Faith which is oppressed, and on all sides offered a pillage, vnto all cruell and barbarous Nations. All these things cry after thee, and demaund succours of thee: helpe them, for the Commonwealth of Christ staggereth, and Faith is sick and alreadie nigh her death.

Leo hauing gathered a great summe of siluer for pardons which he sold, inriched his parents bankers, and listed them vp into great dignities.

Martin Luther a great Theologian, began to preach the true and pure doctrine against the hypocrisie of Papists, and from thence forward the Popedome ceased not by litle and li∣tle to fall into ruine.

[ 1514] Francis de Ʋalois Duke de Angoulesme as the nighest and meetest to succeed in the Crowne, was King 57. yeares after the death of Lewis the 12. whose eldest daughter called Clau∣dia, he married.

Selim hauing driuen away and after poysoned his olde fa∣ther because he liued too long, was Emperor of the Turkes in the yeare 1510. Vnto this wickednesse he added the murde∣ring of his bretheren and the strangling of his Nephewes. He vanquished and droue the Sophie away: and in many bat∣tailes ouercame the two Souldans, Campson, & Tonombeus, with the Mammelus and Arabians: hee added to his Empire, Egipt and Arabia,* 1.3 and tooke the great Caire. Afterward returning the into his Countrie an Vlcer engendred in his loynes, which still encreasing as a Canker, killed him the 7. yeare of his raigne. See hereof Munster in his Cosmographie, Paulus Iouius, and Ritche the first booke.

Soliman the onely sonne of Selim aforesaid, succeeded him in the Empire of the Turkes, Anno 1518. Soliman three yeares

after tooke Belgarde in Hungarie, which was the Fortresse and defence of the Christians, and from thence about other three yeares he tooke Rhodes by composition, hauing in his Armie 200000. Turkes, and 400. Gallies: and two yeares after that he destroyed the Country of Hungarie with fire & sword, van∣quished the King of the Country, and tooke Bude. But the 14. of his kingdome comming to besiege Ʋienna in Hungarie with a great puissance, he was put backe by God his grace, and the force of the Almaines. By nature he was hautie and glorious, hauing so great dominions and victories. Hee pretended that the Empire of Rome and of the West appertained vnto him: For he said he was the true successour of Constantine, who trans∣ported the Empire from Rome and vnto Constantinople. His ordinary reuenew is of sixe millions of skutes (some say seuen) for each yeare: and whensoeuer it pleaseth him to make warre, he gai∣neth more thereby then he leeseth, because of the great store of siluer he taketh of his subiects. He hath more treasure and precious stones then all other kings together, as Paulus Iouius saith: who also attributeth the losse of Rhodes to the carelesnes and negligence of the Pope.

Maximilian deceased in Austriche the 12. Ianuary, af∣ter the obteining of the Empire 27. yeares.

Charles 5. the sonne of Phillip Archduke of Austrich,* 1.4 of the age of 19. yeares was chosen Emperor of Rome the 25. Iune, [ 1519] and succeeded his graundfather Maximilian▪ The Pope would haue hindered his election, because he was king of Naples, and that the kings of Naples were bound to the Pope to denounce that Empire, whilest they should be kings of Naples: but it was in vaine.

Zuinglius is called from Glarone to Zurich, to read & teach Theologie.

The bookes of Luther are burnt the Popes partakers [ 1520] in Almaine: Luther also for his part publikely burnt at Wittem∣berge the Popes Canon lawe, as also a new decree whereby hee was condemned: and after yeelded a reason of his so doing.

The Emperour at the instance of Frederic of Saxonie, sent [ 1521] the 6. of March to Luther, that vnder his faith and safegard he

should come to a Iourney held Wormes,* 1.5 whither hee came against the aduise of his friends: and entering there the 16. of of Aprill, he came out againe the 26. of the said moneth.

Ferdinand the Emperours yonger brother Prince of Au∣strich, tooke to wife Anne, the onely daughter of Ʋladislaus King of Hungarie and of Boheme, the sister of Lewis, the last King of the line of Hungarie.

Luther apposed by Eckins the Lawyer at the Iourney at Wormes, constantly maintained the truth. The Emperour writ Letters to Princes,* 1.6 wherby he declared his aduise that Luther should be abandoned to whosoeuer would sley him. He is ex∣cōmunicated & anathematized by Pope Leo. The Sorbonists of Paris assailed him: so did Henry the 8. King of England by his owne writing. Wherevpon the Pope gaue him the title of De∣fendor of the Church.

A Decree at Wormes published by the Emperours Letters Patters against Luther and his fauorites.

* 1.7Adrian Pope sixt of that name, borne at Ʋtrict, in the coun∣try [ 1522] of Holland, come from a poore house, passed his youth in studie at Louaine, norished and brought vp amongst the poore of the Colledge called du Pourcean. From a Doctor in Diui∣nitie and Doyen of S. Peter de Louaine, he was called to be a Pe∣dagoge and Schoolemaister of Charles the fift, after Emperor. Erasmus hauing bene cast off as a suspected person, because of the doctrine, which after Luther published; afterward being sent Embassador towards Ferdinand King of Spaine, he obtei∣ned the Bishoppricke of Derthuse.

The Emperour passing into England to goe into Spaine, made alliance at Windsore with Henry the 8. to espowse Marie his daughter (then of the age of seuen yeares) when she should be of full age.

Iohn Rouchlin, restorer of the Hebrew tongue in Almaine, this yeare died.

* 1.8Rhodes besieged in the moneth of Iune by Soliman Empe∣rour of the Turkes, the seuenth moneth following is taken by composition, to the great damage and dishonour of the Chri∣stians.

Christierne King of Danemarch; Noruege and Snede,* 1.9 for feare [ 1523] that for his great tyrannie, and ill gouernment, he might fall in∣to some daughter of his person, this yeare fled into Zeland, with his children and his wife Isabel the Emperours sister, brought vnto great necessitie.

We may learne by such examples to feare God his iudge∣ments, when hee chastiseth both Countries and Kings for our instruction.

Charles Duke of Bourbon, Constable of France, willingly departed, partly drawne by the Emperors faire promises, & tur∣ned himselfe against the French King, to the great misfortune both of his owne person and of France.

The bookes of a Phisitian & Magician were burnt at Rome, some of which were brought vnto Adrian, whereof hee made great account: and they were after his death founde amongst his secret papers. And some thought he came to his Popedome by an euil art. Paralip. Chron. Abb. Vrsp.

The Pope Adrian after like others, he had persecuted the truth of the Gospell in the person of Luther and Oecolampadius, died of a death suspected of poison in September, the se∣cond yeare of his Popedome.

Clement Pope, seueth of that name, a Florentine,* 1.10 of the Sect of Knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem, Prior des Cappes, suc∣ceeded Adrian. He before was called Iulius, but admonished by his familiar Cardinalls, he tooke the name of Clement, Functius. Some write him the Nephew, others the sonne of Leo, others his bastard brother, of the house of Medices.

At Zuric there was a disputation three dayes whether the Masse and Idolls should be abolished.

The 20. of Ianuarie following, the Iourney of the Swis∣ses [ 1524] was held at Lucerne,* 1.11 where they wholy cōfirmed the Popes doctrine, and condemned that of the Gospell. The Swisses in common complained of them of Zuric.

Bourbon besieged Marceill in vaine, from whence hee re∣tired into Italie, where he was pursued of the French King, who tooke Millaine, and in winter besieged Pauie vppon Tesin.

* 1.12Anthonie Duke of Lorraine sharpely persecuted such as bare any fauour to Luthers doctrine.

About the ende of this yeare, certaine Countrey-men or peasants of Snabe beganne to rise and rebell against the Count de Loupae their Lord, and after their example their neighbours did the like, vnder the colour of certaine charges, wherewith they complained to be burdened.

This stirre was after verie pernitious, and brought great troubles and effusion of blood.

[ 1525] * 1.13A battaile giuen at Pauie betwixt Charles de Lauoy, a Gen∣tlemen of the Country of Hainaut, the Emperours Lieutenant, and the French King, wherein the said King was taken in the combat, and from thence carried by sea into Spaine.

* 1.14Zuinglius agreed not with Luther in an Article of the Sup∣per. He said that in the words of Iesus Christ there is a figure, such as there is found in infinit places of the scripture the like.

Luther denieth it, and saith that the bodie of Iesus Christ is within the bread & wine, and that it entreth into the mouth. The Saxons follow Luther, and Swisses, Zuinglius.

Of long time hath Sathan with his darke cloudes obscured the doctrine of the Supper: and now by contentions and de∣bates hee also seeketh to take away from men the true taste thereof.

The sedition of peasants remained not only in Almaine, but spred it selfe also in Lorraine, nigh to Sauernes. Duke An∣thonie accompanied with his brother Claude de Guise, and of some of the French troupe which were at the Iourney at Pa∣uie, fought with them and slew a great number, keeping not his promised faith vnto them.

The Sorbonist Doctors of Paris whilest their king was in, draue out of France Iames Faber d'estaples, partly vpon enuie, and partly vpon suspition of Religion.

The King aduertised hereof, made the cause to be staied vntill his returne.

Frederic Duke of Saxonie dyed, and Iohn his brother was his successor.

Carolostadius writ against Luther, vnto whom hee answe∣red at large.

The Pope Clement whilest the King was a prisoner writ Letters vnto the Parliament of Paris, greeuously to persecute the Lutherans.

Touching the seditions of the peasants multiplied in di∣uers places. See the Historie of Sleidan.

Luther taketh a Nunne to wife, whereby he receiueth ma∣ny reproaches at his aduersaries hands.

In Ianuary a peace was made at Madril in Spaine, betwixt [ 1525] the King and the Emperour, vpon condition, aboue all to ban∣die himselfe against the Turke, and the heresie of Luther. The King after he had seene his two children as hostages, returned into France.

The Emperour espowsed in Spaine Isabel the daughter of Emanuel, and sister to Iohn, king of Portugall.

The Turke departed from Belgrade, and hauing passed from Danubie and Sauo, hee drew strait into Hungarie, and bad battaile vnto king Lewis, who died in the fight, and his wife Mary the Emperours sister, saued her selfe with swift running.

Iohn Sepuse, Vaiuoda de Transiluania,* 1.15 after being allyed with the Turke against Ferdinand, was appointed king of Hungaria, as his vassall and Tenant. Whilest they debated their rights by dint of the sword, there fell out a very damageable warre both for them and their neighbours.

Francis king of Fraunce returned from Spaine, allyed him∣selfe with the Pope & the Venetians to defend Italie by sea and land, against the Emperour, and to recouer the kingdome of Naples: and published a writing, whereby he shewed his rea∣sons. And the Emperour caused to be published an other to the contrary.

Swisse infected with Anabaptists. At Saint Gaull, one [ 1527] of that Sect, before his Father and Mother, and others his Pa∣rents, cut off his brothers head, saying hee had beene so com∣maunded of God by reuelation, Ioachim Ʋadian a learned man, Consull of the said Towne, with other Iustices, inconti∣nently caused the head of the said paracide Anabaptist to be cut off.

They of Berne made knowne to their next Bishops their

disputations, touching the reformation of Religion: and pub∣lish Articles.

* 1.16Bourbon willing to passe for the Emperour into the king∣dome of Naples, tooke his way towards Rome, which he got by assault, Bourbon was there strooken with a Bullet as he sca∣led the wall, and there left his life. The Towne was pilled the sixt day of May. Clement was besieged a long time with his Cardinalls in the Castle of Saint Angelo. And finally the seuenth moneth after, hee was deliuered by his raunsome of 40000. ducats, after some.

The birth of Phillip, the Emperours sonne; was this yeare 1527.

The King of France hauing made a league with the King of England, sent into Italie the Lord de Landrece, to succor the Pope: he tooke Alexandria, and after Pauie.

The seuenth of Ianuary, they of Berne held disputation, wherein Zuinglius, Oecolampartius, Bucer, Capito, Blanrer had by the holy scriptures surmounted and vanquished such as were of the aduerse partie. Finally, they confirmed by the authoritie of the Magistrate through all theyr lands, the said Articles, abolished the Masse, and threw downe Images and Aultars.

The Kings of England in France demaunded of the Em∣perour many things by their Heraulds: The King of Fraunce his children, offering siluer for them. He of England first three hundred thousand skutes for the borrowing of fiue hundred thousand of interest, because the accords made betwixt them, in the yeare 1522. had by him bene violated and broken. Fi∣nally three yeares pension, which by paction betwixt them the Emperour was bound to pay him: that is to say, 133000. skutes by yeare. If hee refused, their Heraulds were to de∣nounce warre.

At Strasbourge, by the Popes aduise euery man assem∣bled in his Tribe. The Masse was laide downe, vntill the Pa∣pists should shew by the holy scripture, that it is a seruice agree∣able vnto God.

It may then lie downe long enough. For contrary it is who∣ly opposite vnto the Supper of Iesus Christ.

Sedition at Basil, betwixt the Burgesses and certaine of the Senators for the cause of Religion. The Burgesses hauing taken Armes, cast downe the Images in Temples: which was the cause that the Senate agreed to what they demaunded: yea and that twelue Senators which fauoured Papistrie should be deiected out of the Senate: And that from thenceforth, when any question fell out to ordain any thing, concerning the com∣mon wealth, that a Councell of 200. should be called there∣vnto to haue their aduise therin. The Masse then was abolished through all their Seignorie, and Images publikely burned as the Instruments of Idolatry.

Vpon a Wednesday which the Papist call Ashwednesday, the Idolls were burnt at Basil.

Lantrec being dead, and Andrew Danre of Genoua reuol∣ted, the French King began to hearken vnto peace.

Margarite the Emperours Aunt, and Loyse the Kings mo∣ther, assembled at Cambray,* 1.17 and dealt for a peace in the mo∣neth of August in this sort. The Emperour left to the King, Bourgongne, if he engendred any male childe of his sister. The King gaue for the deliuerance of his children to the Emperour, twentie hundred thousand Skutes, the debt of England being comprehended therein.

The Article againe is added to extirpate the Lutherans.

The Emperor returning from Genes, and arriuing at Aus∣bourge, denounced vnto the Protestants that they should let their preaching cease, and goe to Masse with him. They refu∣sed both he one and the other: shewing there was no reason to constraine them to do it, vnlesse the cause were debated.

The 24. of February after he had sworne,* 1.18 namely that he should all his life defend the honour & dignitie of the Romane seate, he is with great pompe & magnificence crowned Empe∣rour at Boulogne.

Ellenor the Emperours sister and the Kings spowse, came from Spaine into France with the Kings two children, Frauncis,

and Henry, after they had bene foure yeares in hostage in their Fathers place.

The Pope Clement and the Emperor besieged the Floren∣tines, because they set out of their Towne such as were of the house of Medices. In the ende Ferrand de Gonzague brought them to composition, and they receiued for their Prince, Alex∣ander de Medices: vnto whom the Emperour promised his ba∣stard daughter Margarite.

In this time Tiber at Rome ouerflowed his bankes, and the winde so beat back the surges and waues therof, that the whole Towne was greatly terrified therewith.

* 1.19The like and more greeuous tempest, came also in Hol∣land & the Countries adioyning, the sea hauing burst her banks and leuies, and tooke away all it met withall, the length of the flat Country.

[ 1531] Ferdinand the Emperours yonger brother, the fift of Ia∣nuary, at Cullen is proclaimed king of the Romanes: And the eleuenth of Aprill following crowned at Aix, notwithstanding the Duke of Saxonie protested by his sonne that he would not agree there vnto.

The Turke returned the second time against the Towne of Vienna in Austrich: but the Emperour and Ferdinand went against him in battaile, and forced him to retire.

The eleuenth of October, Zuinglius of the age of fortie foure yeares, younger then Luther by foure yeares, was slaine at a battaile of the petit Cantons, against them of Zuric: and about the ende of Nouember Oecolampadius of the age of 49. yeares, passed also from this life into an other, in the Towne of Basil.

Mary, the widowe of Lewis King of Hungarie, is ap∣pointed by the Emperour her brother in the gouernment of the lowe Country, in the place Margarite his Aunte, lately deceased.

A Comete appeared almost through the whole moneth of August.

Loyse mother of the king of Fraunce, and sister to Charles Duke of Sauoy, dyed this yeare.

A warre recommenced betwixt the Swisses, namely they of Zuric and fiue Cantons, but in the end a peace was con∣cluded.

The Towne of Munster receiue the Gospell.

Christierne King of Denmarke now banished from his Countrey by the space of tenne yeares:* 1.20 hoping to recouer his kingdome was taken by sea, and laid in prison.

His sonne which the Emperour his vncle entertained, dy∣ed of the age, able to be imployed in warlike affaires.

Soliman Emperour of the Turkes came with a great Ar∣mie to Belgrade: and from thence drawing on the left hand, he besieged the Towne and Castle of Giunte: but Nicholas Iurixe being then within made him leaue his siege.

Iohn de Leiden a Cutler an Hollander, secretly, and Harman [ 1533] Staprede Minister, Rotmans companion, publikely beganne to dispearse about the Towne of Munster, the seede of Anabap∣tisme. Rotman after he had resisted him in the beginning, and caused them by the Senate to be driuen out of the Towne, de∣clared himselfe to be an Anabaptist, in a disputation appointed in the Towne house. See the Historie of Anabap. of Munster.

Who would not tremble at such a iudgement of God, to see such as lately professed the Gospell of the Lord, to fall into so great wickednes?

George Prince of Saxonie,* 1.21 for the Gospell banished three score and ten Bourgesses of the Towne of Lipsic, because they would not communicate in the Sacrament of the Supper, vn∣lesse it were vnder both kindes, of bread and wine.

The Pope Clement signified the Councell vnto the Duke of Saxonie, that it should be at Plaisance, or else at Boulongne, or at Mantua, Imperiall Townes: The Duke sent his Embassa∣dors towards the Protestants about the last of Iune: who an∣swered by writing, that they woulde haue a Councell free and wel ordeined in Almaine, where the difference in Religiō might be decided by newter and equall Iudges, yea and that by the bookes of holy scriptures.

In fauour also of the French King hee made foure French Cardinalls: Odes de Chastillion, Phillip de Bologne, Claude de

Gnyuri, and Iohn the hunter.

In the moneth of March the Emperour of Italie sailed in∣to Spaine.

There was a marriage at Marceille delt in, betwixt Henry the King of France his sonne, a Prince of the age of fifteene yeares, and Katherine de Mecides Pope Clements Neece, by the King of Fraunce his meanes, and the saide Cle∣ments.

During the Emperours absence the Lantgraue passed in∣to Fraunce, and in the name of Ʋlrich Prince of Wirtemberge engaged and pawned vnto the King (borrowing of him readie Siluer) the Earledome of Montbeliard, to the ende to restore the saide Prince his cousin into his Seignories and Coun∣tries: vpon this condition, that if within three yeares it were not redeemed, it should remaine hereditarie vnto the King∣dome of France.

[ 1534] Henry King of England, hauing put away the daughter of Ferdinand king of Spaine, the said Henry his brothers wife, tooke Anne Bullen: wherevpon the Pope commaunded him to take againe the said Katherine. See Sleidan.

The Pope Clement by the counsell of Curtius his Phisiti∣an,* 1.22 hauing chaunged the Regiment and maner of his liuing, in his age, dyed in the ende of September of a disease of the sto∣macke.

Iohn Baptist Folengius in his Commentarie vpon the 105. Psalme, speaking of Pope Clement his death saith thus. Some say that in our time Clement the seuenth Pope of Rome, dyed of so dishonest a death as he was eaten with Lice. Others thinke he was but poysoned.

In the moneth of Nouember, at Paris, were many Pla∣carts fixed vnto postes in diuers places against the Masse and other Articles of the Popish Religion: Wherevpon was exer∣cised great crueltie and horrible butchery against such as they called Lutherans.

* 1.23Paul Pope, third of that name, an auncient man, was cho∣sen the 11. of October, and created Pope of Rome, and crow∣ned the third of Nouember. He raigned 15. yeares, whereof

we will handle hereafter.

In the moneth of Ianuary the King of France came to [ 1535] Paris,* 1.24 ordeined there a generall procession where the Idoll Saint Geneuiefue was carried about in great pompe: there al∣so made hee an Oration to the people against the Lutherans (as they called them). And for a solemne Sacrifice to ap∣pease Gods anger, hee caused sixe poore Christians to be burned, which confessed the name of God in sundrie pla∣ces of the Towne. For this cause was hee ill beloued in Al∣maine.

In the moneth of Aprill the Emperour embarking at Bar∣celonne went into Affricke, where he tooke the Towne of Thu∣nis, and the Fort of Golete:* 1.25 hee after made tributarie the king Muleasse.

Barbarosse the Turkes Lieutenant, who occupied that kingdoms escaped, and assembled a certaine number of vessels in Argell: And the Emperour retired into Sicilie.

In the moneth of Iuly, the King of England beheaded Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester, and Thomas Moore his Chaun∣cellor, because they would not agree to the Edict and statute made for the abolishment of the Popes authoritie, who chal∣lenged to be head of the English Church. Fisher whilest he was prisoner was chosen Cardinall, which nothing amended his cause with the King,

About the ende of the moneth of October, Francis Sforce Prince of Millaine, deceased without any heires.

The sixt of December the Protestants assembled at Smalcalde. Guillaume de Bellay, Lord de Langeny Embassador for the king of Fraunce came thither: who the 19. of Decem∣ber excused the king for the executions hee had made of the Lutherans: saying they were seditious people, and held a farre other Religion then that of the Protestants.

Moreouer if they thought good of it, hee had a great desire to send Theologians and learned men into Amaigne: or else if they woulde they might sende theyr learned Di∣uines into Fraunce to communicate together of certaine points

of Religion.

The Senate of Auspurge receiued the doctrine of the Gos∣pell.

[ 1536] The 24. of Iuly the Town of Munster is besieged and by might taken by the Count d'Obersten, Captaine of the Ar∣mie, and by their Bishop.

About the end of the moneth of Ianuary, Iohn de Leiden Head of the Anabaptists, Coipperdolin and Chrechring his com∣panions, being tyed to postes were slaine at Munster: the Head alone confessing his fault and something repenting.

Henry King of England had by his wife Anne Bullen, a faire daughter called Elizabeth.

The Emperour entred into Prouence with his Armie, but wanting victualls for his Campe, he was constrained to retyre to Gene. A great number of his souldiers dyed, and amongst others, his Lieutenant Anthonie de Leue.

Francis the King of France his eldest sonne, dyed at Tour∣non vpon Rosne, of the age of 18. yeares. Sebastian de Moncucul, an Italian was drawne with 4. horses: For giuing him poyson (as it is said).

Perone besieged by Henry Count de Nassau, and by Adrian d'erouy, Count de Reux.

There arose a great sedition in England against the King: For that bee had plucked downe and banished the Popes au∣thoritie.

[ 1537] The Emperour by Sea returned from Genes ouer into Spaine.

Alexander de Medices Duke of Florence, is slaine by Lawrence his kinsman, promising him the enioying of a Ladie his neighbour of excellent beautie.

Iames the fift, King of Scotland, espowsed Magdaline king Francis his eldest daughter.

The Emperours Armie in Artois vnder the conduction of Florent de Bure tooke by force S. Paul, besieged Terouanne, but could not winne it.

The eleuenth of October was borne Edwarde, King

Henry his sonne of England, of Iane Semer, which he tooke to wife after Anne Bullen.

Anne de Mont-mourancy is created Constabled France, [ 1538] which is a soueraigne degree of honour, which office had bene vacant 15. yeares since the reuolt of Charles de Bourbon.

The Emperour and the king Francis assembled Nice, where the Pope was to make a peace betwixt them: and al∣though they accorded not in the principall, yet they concluded a truce betwixt them for tenne yearers.

Margarite the Emperors bastard-daughter, after the death of the aforesaid Alexander, is married vnto Octauian the Popes sonne in lawe.

Henry of England caused the Relickes of S. Thomas of Can∣terburie to be taken out of his Schrine, and made them pub∣likely to be burnt.

The Emperour and king Francis met at Aignes mortes in Languedoc, and entertained one an other.

Charles d' Egmond Duke de Gueldres, deceased very olde, and William Duke of Cleues possessed his Countrey as well by the dead mans will, as by the Nobilitie of the Countrey.

Castelubro a Towne of Illyrica, in the gulfe of Ambracia, is taken from the Turke by the Emperour and the Venetians, allied together.

Touching this Pope Paul, amongst a great number of his acts I will recite but this litle following; that the world may know how great their sanctitie is, which the Papists maintaine with an his voyce to be Peters succors, and the Vicars of Iesus Christ.

This Paul was an Astrologian, a Magician, and Diuine, and amongst his most familiars, had one called Denis Seuila a Magician, whom therefore afterward hee made a Cardinall, with one named Gaurice of Portugall, Cecius and Marcell Ne∣gromancians and wicked villaines: Of these did hee enquire the fortune of himselfe and his bastards. He got his red hatte in this maner. Hee had a sister called Iulia Farnese, which hee deliuered to Pope Alexander, that hee might be a Cardinall and Bishop of Hostia, and to finde meanes to pay his debts.

For those good Popes commonly are so inflamed with whore∣dome, that they make no difficultie to promise redde hats and Bishopprickes to such as will bring them their sisters, or else that which is more horrible, their young bretheren, to violate. Many by such practises obtaine great riches, & fatte Benifices. And (as Agrippa saith) there is no shorter way then that to come therevnto.

This murderer poysoned his mother and a Nephewe, to this end that all the succession of the Farneses, might fall vpon him. Moreouer seeing the other of his sisters (whose carnall company he had sometime had) followed too openly the ma∣ners and conditions of them of the house of Farnese, and that shee loued more the company of others, then his, hee poysoned her also.

Beeing a Legate in Marke d'Ancone, in the time of Iu∣lius the second, hee most wickedly abused a maide, issued of a noble house of that Towne. For hee counterfeited and disguised himselfe, feigning to bee one of the Gentlemen of the Legates house, so vnder the colour of a promise to marrie her, deflowred her: Who after shee knew the truth what hee was, and that shee was not his legitimate wife, but his whore (at the least by the Canon lawe) shee became al∣most out of her wittes. And of this marriage came that great Porteenseigne and Captaine of all Buggerers and Sodomites. Peter Lewis.

As one Nicholas de Chesme found him one day adulterous∣ly abusing his wife, Laurea Farnese, (who was the saide Pauls Neece,) hee wounded him so well with his dagger, that hee carried the marke thereof all his life. Hee slewe with poy∣son Bosuis Sforza, the husband of his daughter Constance, (whom before hee had often vsed as his whore) to the ende hee might more at his ease, and with greater libertie enioy her.

This Dotard very tyrannously oppressed them of Peruse, and droue from the Seignorie Ascanius Columne, a very iust Prince. This detestable Robber and Rouer tooke and vsur∣ped for himselfe the Towne of Camer, after hee had driuen

away the Lady thereof: which was a woman endowed with a rare and singular religion and prudence, and did so much with his practises with Cardinalls, that hee exchaunged the said Ci∣tie of Camer (which was not his owne) with the townes of Parme and Plaisance, to the end to make his sonne Lewis, Lord & mai∣ster of them. Which act afterward by a iust iudgement of God was cause of the death of the said Peter Lewis. He often con∣sulted with his Cardinalls how hee might hinder a Nationall Councell in Almaine: and commaunded his Embassadors that they should enflame the hearts all Princes against the King of England.

Anne de Cleues, sister of William Duke of Cleues, is accorded in marriage to the king of England.

In the moneth of Maya Comete appeared in the ayre, [ 1539] * 1.26 and almost the same day deceased Elizabeth the Emperours wife.

In August Castelnouo in Illirica is taken againe vpon the Emperor by Barbarosse the great Turkes Lieftenant,* 1.27 & almost all the garrison of the Spaniards slaine.

The Citizens of Gaunt rose vp against Mary, Regent in the [ 1540] lowe Contries for the Emperour: for which cause it was need-full for him to haste into Flaunders. He passed then through France from Spaine, with great receiuing and entertainment of the king and his subiects.

The Emperor and the King sent their Embassadors to the Venetians, to ioyne with them for making warre vpon the Turke: but without any thing beeing mooued with that Em∣bassage, they incontinently sent towards the Turke to make peace with him. Some say they were behinde counselled here∣vnto by the French Embassador.

They of Gaunt are punished by the Emperour: many are beheaded and otherwise punished, and after he had taken their liberties from them, he caused a strong Forte to be there buil∣ded, to bridle them.

The French king seeing himselfe out of hope to recouer Millaine, he began to contract with the Duke of Cleues, cōcer∣ning a marriage betwixt him and the Princesse of Nauarre.

* 1.28Iohn de Ʋainoda king of Hungarie died, leauing a little child called Stephen, borne of Elizabeth, daughter of Sigismond king of Polonia.

* 1.29Phillip Chabot Admirall of France, is condemned at Mel∣nue [ 1541] vpon treason, and in seuen hundreth thousand Scutes as a fine, and after banished into the wood of Vincenne: but a litle after hee was againe restored vnto all his goods and estates.

* 1.30The disputation of Remsbourge, began in Aprill betwixt the Protestants, and them which they called Catholickes. Phil∣lip Melancton, Bucer, Pistorius, & other Theologians were there on the Protestants side, against Eccius, Iulles Pffug, and Iohn Gropper.

* 1.31Caesar Fregosa and Antonie Rincon (which the French king sent Embassadors to the Turke) as they passed the Pan to drawe towards Venice, they were taken by the Imperialists and put to death.

The Marquesse Alphonsus Daual the Emperours Liefte∣nant in Lombardie, is accused of that murder by the Lord de Langeay. The King dispatcheth his Embassadors to the Iour∣ney at Reiusbourge, to complaine of that wicked act: After, hee stayed at Lyons George d'Austriche, bastard sonne of the Empe∣rour Maximilian, Archbishop Ʋalence, as he passed through Fraunce from Spaine vnto the Emperour, who was in the lowe Countries.

Francis, sonne of Anthonie Duke of Lorraine, espowsed Christierne, widowe, the daughter of Christierne king of Den∣marke, which displeased the king of France.

Ferdinand besieged Bude, a Towne in Hungarie, where the Queene Dowairie was shut vp with her litle sonne:* 1.32 but the Turkes comming downe in great numbers in the moneth of Iuly, he was glad to leaue his siege. The Turkes arriuing a litle while after, tooke the Towne of Pest, and discomfited a great part of Ferdinands people. After, whether the said Dowairie would or no, he forced her to appropriate Bude vnto him: vn∣der the colour that shee could not defend it against Ferdi∣nand. So the litle King and his mother were banished into Transiluania.

The Emperour came to Lupues to speake with the Pope:* 1.33 And to hinder the Turke of an other side, & to withdraw him from Hungarie, hee embarked himselfe with his Armie in the Porte of de Venere, and passing by the Iles of Corseigne, Ma∣ior{que}, and Minor{que}, he made saile to Argiere, where he tooke land the third of October: but there arose a great and horrible tempest of the sea, which scattered and dispearsed a great num∣ber of his sayles: so that hauing lost a good part of his Artillery, and almost all his furniture of warre, he was constrained to re∣tire into Spaine.

The French after they vnderstood of this losse, tooke oc∣casion to mooue warre.

The principall Lords of Austriche, euen to the number of 24. and with them, tenne Cities, presented a request vnto the King Ferdinand the third of December at Prague: to this end, that according to the decree of the last Iourney at Reiusbourge, they might reforme their Churches. Ferdinand answered, that that that Decree onely appertained vnto the Protestants: ther∣fore he commaunded them to attend the issue of a generall or Nationall Councell of Almaine, promised by the Emperour at the said Reiusbourge.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Apoc. 11. a. 2.
• * 1.2

  2. Thess. 2. a. 4.
• * 1.3

  The death of Selms the yeare, 1518.
• * 1.4

  Charles. 5.
• * 1.5

  Charles. 5.
• * 1.6

  Luther ex∣communicated and assai∣led on al sides.
• * 1.7

  Adrian. 6.
• * 1.8

  The taking of Rhodes.
• * 1.9

  Maximilian.
• * 1.10

  Clement. 7.
• * 1.11

  Zuric is ha∣ted of all the Swisses.
• * 1.12

  Charles. 5.
• * 1.13

  The Iourney of Pauie.
• * 1.14

  Diuision be∣twixt Luther and Zuingli∣us.
• * 1.15

  Wartes be∣tweene Vai∣voda & Fer∣dinand.
• * 1.16

  The taking of Rome.
• * 1.17

  A peace at Cambray.
• * 1.18

  The Empe∣rours Coro∣nation.
• * 1.19

  A deluge of waters.
• * 1.20

  The King of Denmarke imprisoned.
• * 1.21

  Crueltie of George Duke of Saxonie.
• * 1.22

  The death of Pope Clemēt.
• * 1.23

  Paul. 3.
• * 1.24

  A bloodie pro∣cession.
• * 1.25

  Thunis and Golete.
• * 1.26

  A Comete.
• * 1.27

  Castelnouo.
• * 1.28

  Vaiuoda.
• * 1.29

  Chabot.
• * 1.30

  The Iouney of Remsbourg
• * 1.31

  The seed of warre.
• * 1.32

  Bude falles to the Turke.
• * 1.33

  The Iourney Argiere.