The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

The Estates of the Duke of Savoy.

[ A] [ B] ❧THE ESTATES OF THE DVKE OF SAVOY.

The Contents.

1 COnfines and limits of the Duke of Sauoies countrie, diuided into two Estates, Pied∣mont and Sauoy. 2. Description of the duchie of Sauoy in particular, with the Earledomes and Baronies. 3. Description of Piedmont, and the chiefe townes. 4. Of Turin, the chiefe towne of Piedmont, famous for the aboad of the Dukes of Sauoy, the vniuersitie for all sciencies, and a stately parke newly made. 5. Of the Marqui∣sat [ C] of Saluzes, and the most important places. 6. Of the chiefe places of Piedmont which are walled in, besides Episcopall townes. 7. Of the Marquisat of Cheue. 8. Of the countie of Nizze, diuided into foure vicarships, or vicegerents, with the townes and places. 9. Fertili∣tie of the townes of Sauoy and Piedmont, with their lakes and chiefe riuers. 10. Quarries of marble newly discouered. 11. The humor and disposition of the Sauoyards and Piedmontois. 12. Riches of Piedmont in mines of gold and siluer, in trafficke of yron, cattell and cloth of Pig∣nerolle. 13. A computation of the reuenues of the Duke of Sauoy. 14. Of the Duke of Sauotes forces, his forts and places of defence, his alliances and confederations. 15. The pretensions of the Duke of Sauoy to other Estates. 16. The gouernment of the duchie of Sauoy: of the Senat of Sauoy, and of that of Piedmont. 17. A catalogue of the Dukes of Sauoy, which haue ruled [ D] vnto this day.

ALl the countries which are vnder the power of the Duke of Sauoy, [ I] being taken together, confines vpon the East with the Estate of Milan and Montferrat, vpon the West with Bresse and the Franche county, and towards the South with Prouence, Dauphine, & lower with the territorie of Genoa and the countie of Nizze, which is watered by the Mediterranean sea: finally, they confine vpon the North with the Cantons of Suisses, of Berne, and Fribourg. But to the end I may be vnderstood more plainely, I will diuide all into two parts, therein follow∣ing [ E] nature, for that the mountaines haue diuided this Estate into Sauoy and Piedmont.

The duchie of Sauoy hath for bounds vpon the West, the two riuers of Rhin and [ II] Rhosne; and towards the North, from the lands of the Suisses jurisdiction, and Mont Iu∣ra, to the riuer of Genoa, and the riuer of Var which diuides France from Italie: on the otherside the countrie of Sauoy confines with the new Lands which were giuen to the French king in exchange for the Marquisat of Saluzes, and goes vnto Lozanne, and other places which are vpon the lake Leman, the which were sometimes vnder the duke of Sa∣uoies jurisdiction.

They do account the Earledome and countrie of Maurienne, with the Marquisat of Suse, for parts of Sauoie. The countie of Maurienne extends vnto the riuer of Arche, [ F] where stands the town of Saint Iohn of Maurienne, where lies interred Humbert the first, who receiued the countie of Maurienne, & the duchie of Sauoy, from the Emperor Hen∣ry the third. The countrie of Tarantaise lies enuironed by the Alpes, and the riuers of Arche and Are, which mingles it selfe with Arche neere vnto Chamois: the chiefe town ••f this countrie is Moustier in Tarantaise, where lies buried Humbert the second Earle of

Maurienne, who added Tarantaise to his lands. There is moreour the seigneurie of ••os∣signy [ A] (in the which Ripaille stands) a very very pleasing place, and very famous, f••r that Amedee the eight, the first duke of Sauoy, hauing giuen ouer his Estates, made profession of a Monasticke life, and being there, was chosen Pope by the Clergie, being assembled at the Councell of Basil, in the yeare 1440. There is also the duchie of Chablais, and the baronies of Raud & Gaz. The chiefe towne of Sauoy is Chambary, which stands among the mountaines, and is reasonably well built: the others are Nizze, Saint Iohn of Mauri∣enne, Moustier, Tonon, Montmelian, and some others.

[ III] Piedmont, not comprehending the countrie of Nizze, e••tends it selfe from the riuer of Cesia vnto Dauphine, betwixt the Alps, Montferrat, and the Estates of Milan and Genoa: [ B] it hath for bounds vpon the East the riuer of Po, vpon the South the mountaines of Ge∣noa, vpon the West the Alpes towards Gaul, and vpon the North the riuer of Doria: some giue it for limits toward the East the riuer of Cesia, vpon the West the mountaines of Tende and Corre, on the South the Marquisat of Montferrat, and towards the North the French Alpes. The chiefe towne of Piedmond is Turin, the other townes are Ver∣cel, Ast, Iuree, Oste, Mondeui, Fossan, Saluzze, and Carmagnole; whereof Ast, and Iuree were Colonies of the Romans as well as Turin. Ast & Vercel are of great circuit, & rea∣sonably well built, especially Ast, which may be compared to the most stately townes of Lumbardie for the greatnesse of her Pallaces. Vercel a most auncient towne is the chiefe of the Lybicke people, which are betwixt the riuers of Cesia and Doria: there it was [ C] whereas Leo the ninth did celibrat a generall Councel against Berengarius. Iuree (which writers at this day call Lamporeggio, and which the Ancients haue named Eporedia) is the chiefe towne of the Salassiens, at this day called Canauois: it is at the entrie of the valley of Ost, vpon the riuer of Doria, in so commodious a scituation, as Berengarius, and after him Ardouin, who were Marquises, had the courage to aspire to make themselues kings of Italie. Oste (built by Augustus) is at the mouth of the Alpes which were called Greeke, and Penine, and at this day the great and lesser Mont Saint Bernard: by the greater, they passe into the countrie of Valais, and by the lesser into Tarantaise: this towne is the chiefe of a valley which hath taken her name of it. There are at this day ma∣ny goodly antiquities to be seene, and amongst others a very faire Bowe. [ D]

[ IIII] Turin is at this day very famous for the residence of the Dukes of Sauoy, & for the vni∣uersitie which is there: it was in former times bigger than it is now, but the French hol∣ding it, cut off some part, that they might make it more strong: it is scituated neere vnto the riuer of Po, in a verie important place for Italie; by reason whereof the Romanes brought a Colonie thither, and Augustus did honour it with the Gate, which they call at this day, the Gate of the Pallace: and the Lombards did establish the seat of one of their foure dukes there. The duke of Sauoy hath caused a parke to be made there, the which is fiue or six miles in circuit, and it is in one of the most pleasing scituations in Eu∣rope. This parke is enuironed by the riuers of Po, Doria, and Sture: it is full of woods, little lakes, fountaines, and all sorts of game, which the duke hath drawne thither: and [ E] round about Turin, there are so many villages and houses of pleasure, as they seeme to be another Turin. Mondeui (which some thinke was built by the Emperor Conrad) is seated vpon a little hil, with great subu••bes round about it: but the greatest are at the foot of the said hill vpon the riuer of Elle, the which (two miles off) falls into that of Tanare: it is better peopled than any other towne of Piedmont. Among the rest of the subu••bes, there is that of Viq, from whence a new deuotion which they haue to our Lady hath ta∣ken the name, to the which the duke of Sauoy hath built a Church, and in it a Chappell, whereas he hath ordained that the dukes of Sauoy shall be interred. Fossan is seated vp∣on a little hill vpon the riuer of Sture, in the middest of a field: among the other buil∣dings there is a castle reasonably pleasant. [ F]

[ V] The towne of Saluzze stands neere vnto the Alpes, and is the chiefe of the Marqui∣sat, which is called by the same name, whereas the riuer of Po hath her spring: this town is reasonably big, it hath a great castle, where there are places to lodge in Winter, and others to remaine in Summer. The most important places of this Marquisat, are Dro∣nere,

[ A] and Carmagnole. There is also Rauel, and Doglian, by the which most of the traf∣ficke doth passe which is made betwixt Piedmont and the riuer of Genoa: then Verzol, Mante, and Pagny, with the rich Abbey of Staffarde. This Marquisat, with some lands of Prouence, which lie on that side of the Alpes, were vnited vnto Piedmont in the year•• of our Redemption 1600, and the duke of Sauoy gaue in exchange to the French king, to whom it did belong, the countie of Bresse, with other lands thereabouts, the which is of greater extent than the Marquisat of Saluzzes.

But in Piedmont, besides the Cities or Episcopall townes, there are about two hun∣dred [ VI] and fiftie places walled, whereof there are many which yeeld nothing to many [ B] townes which are held good, as Biele, Quiers, Cune, Suse, Auiglane, Riuole, Pinarol, Moncalier, Carignan, Raconis, Queyras, Bené, Villefranche, Vigon, Pancalier, Busque, Bargé, Iauenne, Sauillan, and Cheue. Biele, and Pinarol, are in a manner after the same forme, diuided into hill and plaine: But the towne of Biele hath a great circuit, and faire buildings, among the which they doe much esteeme the Conuents of Saint Ierome, S. Dominic, and Saint Sebastian. At Pinarol there is a castle. Quiers was honoured by Frederic Barbarousse with the title of Great Towne: and so it is in deed, for the goodly Churches, faire Conuents, and Houses, and for many noble Families, and rich Mer∣chants which remaine there. Cuni is scituated betwixt the riuers of Sture and Gesse. Suse was in former times a big towne, and of great importance; but since that it was [ C] sackt and burnt by the Emperour Frederic Barbarousse, it could neuer come to that great∣nesse: yet it stands in a verie important scituation, for that there are two waies which part, and go by the Alpes, the one tends by Essilles to Bria••çon, and the other by Mont Senis to Lyon. Auiglane is a good towne, rich, and of tr••fficke; it hath a castle seated high vpon a little mountaine, where there is a spring of running water. Riuolee vaunts of the birth of the duke of Sauoy that now liues, who makes a stately building there. Moncalier is a reasonable big towne; and Carignan is famous for the castle, and for the long siege which they did once endure: There are many noble families in it, who, among other things, haue founded a Monasterie of Nuns, the which must be all gentlewomen. Queyras is pleasing for the streets, which are both streight and large: and Bené is strong [ D] of scituation. They doe esteeme Raconis for the Palace, and the Fish pondes: and Bus∣que, for the title of one of the seuen Marquisats of the descendants of Aleran. Sauillan is famous for the beautie of the Market-place, and of the Monasterie of Saint Benet, but the scituation is such, as the Emperour Charles the fist, passing that way in his voyáge to Prouence, said, That he had neuer seene any countrie more ••it to entertaine an armie: And duke Philibert Emanuel found this place so much to his liking, as he had a desire to settle his aboad there, and to make Sauillan the head towne of the prouince.

Cheue is the chiefe towne of a goodly Marquisat, which containes six and twentie [ VII] places: It embraceth (among other things) the riuer of Tanare, vpon the which stands the said towne of Cheue, and Binasque, Garesse, and Ormee, ••il••••ene miles from the [ E] which the said riuer springs out of a great fountaine. They passe out of the estate of Cheue into that of Mare, and Oneille. After which they find Mulazan, a place of pas∣sage, and hauing past the Pex, they come into Quiuse, a countrie fit for a Summers dwelling; then the Trinitie, and Montee; then Grane, the chiefe of a valley; and after that Chental, sometimes fortified by the Marshall of Bellegarde. Polenze, where stood the auncient Polence, Genole, Carai, and betwixt Maire and Veraité, Caualemor, Ca∣salgrasso, Cauallion, Castagnol, and Russie: then betwixt the riuers of Gilbe and Po, Morete, a see of importance, Scarnafis, L••gnasque, Irasque, Villar. Betwixt Po and Pele, Tardey, Staffarde, Cauer, Garsillane, Villar de Bobbi. A little on the side stands Lucerne, the chiefe towne of a countie, and of a great valley, which contains aboue twen∣tie [ F] thousand soules, beyond the which is Perouse, with her valley. Afterwhich, betwixt the riuer of Pele and Quisole, stand Scalengue, Cercenase, Vir••é, Piobes, and Vinouo, with a verie stately Palace belonging to the lords of Rou••re, Lombrias••, Cumiane, Piozas••, Orbazan: and betwixt the riuers of Sangon and Dore, Arpignan, Colegne, and Monesterol. Then come they to the valley of Stoure, and then to Lanz, with her

little valley, and lower is the pleasant countrie of Chirié. Afterwards they enter into the [ A] valley of Pont, in the which stand Cornié, and Valpergue. Somewhat lower, they dis∣couer the rich Abbey of Saint Benigne. There are many castles betwixt Orque, and Quiusele; and in the end is the strong place of Chiuas: then (hauing past the riuer of Dore) they come to Baucie, Masin Countie, Cilian, Creschentin a verie pleasant castle, Stropian, Saint German, Sancie, famous for the vnfortunat siege of the duke of Alba; and a little aboue it Candel, a place containing about seuen hundred families: Andarne, of aboue one thousand three hundred housholds; and so is Dioglie: Mos is of seuen hun∣dred fiers; and Gattinare, a towne built by the Lords of the house of Arbore, who after∣wards tooke the surname, and haue beene maisters thereof for some ages. During the [ B] warres which were betwixt the Emperour Frederic, and the Popes, these Lords retired themselues from the subiection of the Empire, and liued after that manner, till (fearing the ambition and power of the dukes of Milan) they cast themselues into the armes of Amé the first, duke of Sauoy. Beyond the riuer of Po, they discouer Bra, in the which are aboue seuen hundred Families, Caramagne, Someriue, Cerisoles, famous for the de∣feat of the Marquis of Guast by the duke of Anguien. Then may you see Villastellon, Poerin, Villeneufue, a strong place, Canuelle, and Cortemille, diuided into two parts by the riuer of Bormie. After which there are to be seene an infinit number of castles be∣longing to the countie of Ast; and aboue it Coconas a countie, which hath of late yeres been made subiect to the house of Sauoy, by the meanes of duke Charles. [ C]

[ VIII] The countie of Nizze is two and twentie leagues long, and eleuen broad, betwixt the riuer of Var (beyond the which notwithstanding, there are some places belonging to this countie) Dauphiné, Piedmont, and the riuer of Genoa. This countie is diuided into foure Vicarships or Vicegerents, whereof the chiefe townes are Nizze, Poget, Barcelonette, and Sospelle, to the which we may add Saint Stephens with her valley, although it beare not the name of Vicegerent, yet it is gouerned apart. And in these Vicegerencies, they doe reckon aboue thirtie walled townes, besides many others which are not. The most famous of these places is Villefranche, for the commoditie of the Port, called by the Ancients, Port Hercules Monaca. Next is Ese, and farther off, Zobia, the place whereas the Emperour Pertinax was borne, and where are yet to be seene the Trophies of the [ D] Emperour Augustus. The other places most remarkable of this countie, are Contes, Peille, Saourge, which hath a strong castle, Brique, which containes about foure or fiue hundred Families, Lantusque, a reasonable good place, and the chiefe of a valley, as S. Dalmace is of the plaine; Boglie, the chiefe Towne of a rich Countie: Poget confines with Prouence: Barcelonette the countrie of Cardinall Hugues, the chiefe of a valley, and a place of good trafficke: Sospelle is a goodly place, well built, where, among other things, there is a fountaine of delicat water, which they haue brought from the neigh∣bour mountaines. But to speake something in particular of Nizze, it is a faire towne, strong, and well peopled; the houses are fiue and six stories high, and the streets verie streight, especially that which goes from the foot of the mountaine, vnto the Ports of S. [ E] Aloy. The countie of Tende ioynes to that of Nizze, and this countie extends to the confines of Cune. They may passe foure wayes out of Prouence into the Countie of Nizze, by the mountaine of Corue which leads to Tende, by that of Fencstre to Saint Martin, by that of Arnonne vpon Vaudere, and by Argenti••re, which goes to Barce∣lonette.

¶ The Qualitie.

[ IX] SAuoy hath great store of corne in the valleis, and much pasture in the mountaines: and in some places it beares verie good wine, as at Montmelian, and Morienne. There are also some lakes that abound with fish: but the most famous are they of Nicy, Bourget, [ F] and Geneua. It containes many great mountaines, so as he that will trauell through this countrie, shall daily discouer new things, for that sometimes he shall see the passages open, and grow large, and sometime the mountaines grow narrow, sometimes they are high, sometimes low, sometimes they aduaunce themselues, and then they retire again••,

[ A] sometimes they lead thee into a plaine, and by and by they shut thee vp into a valley: It hath nothing in it that is particular or remarckable. The aire is reasonable wholesome: but there are certaine waters which make their throats to swell that drinke of them, and this swelling is called by them of the countrie, Goytre, that is to say, a great throat.

As for Piedmont, it is watred by the riuers of Po, Tanare, Stoure, Dore, and about 28 other riuers great & smal, & with diuers channells, whereof there are 8 in the territorie of Cune. They hold that there is no part of Italie more pleasing, more abounding in corne, wine, fruits, venison, cattel, cheese, chestnuts, hempe, flax, & minerals. The countrie about Ast is watered by riuers, shadowed by woods, raised by pleasing hills: it hath goodly [ B] plaines, & brings forth store of excellent fruits, especially melons, which are the best that can be eaten. At Vercel, they eat the whitest bread, and the fattest capons that can be seen. Plinie makes mention of some mines of gold in the countrie about Vercel, whereof there are some marks yet to be seene towards Ponderan. Neere to Lamporeggio is great store of hempe. The vallie of Ost is of two daies iourney, on the left hand it is ful of corne, and on the right planted with excellent vines, wherof the best are those of Calogne. A quar∣ter of a mile from Turin on the banks of Po is a mountain which doth rise & fal, aduance and retire in diuers places so fitly, as it hath water in all places: it beares hay, fruits of all sorts, and very good wine. The territorie about Mondeui is of a great circuit: there grows excellent wine on the side of the hil, great store of graine in the plaine, and an infi∣nit [ C] number of chestnuts on the mountaine.

They haue discouered goodly quarries of marble, & among others one of white marble, [ X] with little veines which are like to mettall. The countrie about Fossan abounds in wheat, wherof the haruest doth yerely amount to about 50000 charges or horseload; and for that it is ouerflowed by the means of great waters, it abounds in good pastures, and so by consequence in flesh. The marquisat of Salusses hath a verie temperat aire, by reason whereof, they haue in their orchards all kinds of fruits. Doglian and Pagny beare good wines. About Pignerol there are such goodly vines, as whosoeuer sees them, may thinke that they are able to furnish others with wine. Neere vnto Cune there are so many chan∣nells of water, as the territorie is made exceeding fertill, although it be light, and stony by [ D] nature: it abounds in chestnut trees, among which they sow wheat, so as the inhabitants gather from one place two nourishments for life: neither doth this countrie want vines or meadows. The countrie about Suise yeelds store of wine, Auiglane hath a soile distin∣guished into little hils, valley, plaines, & into two lakes. Riuoli may vant to haue a good aire, & a pleasant soile. Montcalier is famous for the exceliencieof her wines, and so is Re∣uillasq which is neere vnto it, and the places of Gaz, Saint Mor, and Saint Rafael. Bené enioieth a very wholesome and temperat aire. The soiles of Vigon, P••nc••li••r and Ville∣franche are exceeding fat. The Marquisat of Cheue abounds in chest••••••s and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a••d in some places they make much wine, especially at Prier, where they are very good. T••e valleis of Marre, and Oneille, are so well manured as they seeme gardens, and there is such [ E] store of fruit, & especially so good oyle, as the bountie cannot be spoken, and the quanti∣tie is so great as Piedmont hath not any need of oyle from strangers. They haue excel∣lent wines at Gatanare.

In regard of the countie of Nizze, although the countrie be for the ••ost part rough and full of mountaines, yet it is so well manured, as they haue not any need of their neigh∣bours, except Nizze which wants wheat: there run through the mountains of this coun∣trie about twelue riuers, which abound with trouts. The countrie neere vnto Contes yeelds great store of oyle, and aboundance of chestnuts: and that about Peille abounds in wine, corne, and oyle, the which is much esteemed for the bountie. Saourge, hath the [ F] like qualities. Brique yeelds aboundance of white wine, corne, and excellent honie: there they find also great store of p••••triges, and phesants: they do also gather much ••••n∣na, turpintine, agarie, and excellent simples: there runs a riuer through that valley called Leuence, which comes out of a fountaine, the which in a short space growes great, then diminisheth, and in the end is quite lost. The soile about Boglie yeelds much co••ne and pulses, but it wants wine and oyle; yet about Sospelle there is wine, corne, oliues, cattell,

and chestnuts. But Nizze which abounds in other things, hath neither come nor flesh for [ A] halfe the yeare; by reason whereof they prouide wheat from Prouence, and flesh from Piedmont.

¶ The Manners.

[ XI] ALthough it seemes that the Sauoyards should sauour of the manners of them of Dauphine, or of the Piedmontois their neighbours, and that the inhabitants of Pi∣edmont should be reserued for a generall description of the manners of Italie, yet it shall not be vnfit to speake something of the one and the other. The Sauoyards are natural∣ly so simple and dull, that although they loose it by their conuersation with other Nati∣tions, [ B] yet they retaine something in their language and outward shew, and there is such difference betwixt the Dauphinois and the Sauoyards, as is easie to distinguish them at the first sight. Most of the common people beleeue that the Duke of Sauoy is the first prince of the world, and there are not any people so grosse and rude in all things; and their simplicitie was very great before the last wars: but without doubt the gentlemen are of a pleasing conuersation, as ciuile as their neighbours, and affecting all vertue and good ex∣ercise; so as there may be seene dayly in Chambery as much good companie, and as well appointed, as in many of the best townes in France. The people are not warlike, and few of another nation are able to make a great number of them flie. As for the gentlemen, they want no courage, but many of them want dexteritie to fight on horsebacke. [ C]

The Piedmontois are good souldiers, and apt to learning, open, round, and free, ciuile enough, and courteous to strangers. They of Vercel make profession of nobilitie and greatnesse, and desire to be esteemed of their neighbours. The inhabitants of Turin haue few words, they are high minded, soden, and make prosession of nobilitie: there raignes yet amongst them the factions of the Guelses and Gibellins, which are extinct in all the rest of the prouince. They of Biele are subtile headed, actiue, and carefull in their af∣faires, neither will they be easily deceiued in their contracts. The inhabitants of Quiers and Cune are very industrious and valiant, wherof they haue made proose in three great sieges. Bené hath inhabitants fit for armes and learning. Barge is famous for the great number of milles and shops whereas they make great store of armes, the which the inhabi∣tants [ D] can vse vpon any occasion. The people of Nizze are cunning, ciuile, and neat, and fit as well for trafficke as armes. Finally, touching the generall, there are many goodsoul∣diers among the people, and few which giue themselues to mechanicke arts, the which they little esteeme, contenting themselues with food and clothing, and imitating there∣in the gentlemen, vsing no trade of merchandise, notwithstanding the commoditie which the riuer of Po doth offer them, to trafficke with them of the duchie of Milan, and with the Venetians: but they do not much regard it, suffring strangers to get great wealth by linnen cloth, hempe, wooll, and silke; so as we may say, that whatsoeuer the merchants gaine, they receiue it in gift from the Piedmontois, who might get it if they would; but they haue no other thing in recommendation, but to liue well, and make [ E] good cheere: yea the handycrafts men are accustomed to fare well, so as they vse to con∣sume all they get in good cheere▪ The duke is much discontented to see them so carelesse, and offers them meanes to trade in merchandise, and to gaine, causing channells to be made, and vsing all art to quicken them. The Piedmontois want industrie, but they re∣compence this defect by their obedience to their prince, and their manner of liuing sim∣plie, and without reproach: for they are milde & courteous, partly by a naturall instinct, and partly also for feare of iustice, so as they liue louingly together, and there are few mur∣thers committed.

¶ The Riches. [ F]

[ XII] SAuoy makes little money of any thing they send to forraine countries: but Pied∣mont hath many commodities, wherewith it doth furnish others; so as they may ther∣by reape a great yearely reuenue: it did well appeare how much the countrie did abound in all things, during the wars betwixt France and Spaine; for that the armies continued

[ A] there for the space of three and twentie yeares, with great garrisons of either side, and yet they neuer had any want of victualls: and the riches of Piedmont is well knowne, in that it did contribute to the duke of Sauoy during the last warres of France (in the heat whereof Monsieur Lesdeguieres drew the warre into Piedmont) eleuen millions of crownes extraordinarie, in few yeares, besides the lodging of souldiers. They send forth corne, cattell, much hempe, store of rice, cheese, wine, paper, fustian, and raw silkes. It containes about fiftie Earledomes, and fifteene Marquisats, with a great num∣ber of other Lordships which doe not yeeld to the best, besides twentie rich Abbeys, with many good Benefices. There is not any exceedingly rich, for that the wealth is di∣stributed [ B] in such fort, as euerie man in a manner hath a share: yet there are gentlemen of foure, six, eight, twelue, and fifteene thousand crownes a yeare rent. And that which shews their wealth is, that the countrie is generally so inhabited, as a Knight of Pied∣mont being asked by a Venetian gentleman, what Piedmont was, he answered fitly, That it was a Towne which had three hundred miles in circuit. There is in the valley of Ost, mynes of gold and siluer. They of Salusses make trafficke of yron and cattell with them of Prouence, and there are verie rich Merchants in this Marquisat. They doe also carrie cloth from Pignerol, which is verie good. They of Barge and Iauenne make great trafficke of Armes which they make: and they of Iauenne doe also make much money of their hides and linnen cloth. At Mos they also make much cloth [ C] which they transport into forraine Countries. The Countie of Nizze sends forth oyle, wine, fruits of all sorts, pulses, linnen cloth, store of thred which they sell to the Catte∣lans, paper, course cloth of many kinds, salt-fish, some little honie which is excellent, Firre Trees for the Masts of Ships and Gallies, the which they conduct by the valley vnto the Sea, and they are sometimes sold to the Geneuois for one hundred crownes a peece. And to be short, this Countrie makes such vse of trafficke, as betwixt Genoa, and Marseille, there is not any towne that trades more, nor that hath more money; and it is as it were the Store-house of all the woollen cloth which comes from Languedoc, and of the silke which they bring from Genoa. But to speake truth, the countrie is naturally poore, and sometimes they find not all things necessarie for money: so as when the duke [ D] of Sauoys Court continues there but two moneths, they are driuen to great want; but for that the men of that Countrie haue actiue spirits, they get great wealth by trafficke. Some haue calculated the reuenews of the Duke of Sauoy, the which they account af∣ter this manner.

The custome of salt, fiftie thousand crownes yearely.

The toll of Suse, twentie foure thousand crownes by the yeare.

The forraine Imposition, eighteene thousand crownes yearely.

The other customes comprehending the toll of Villefranche, fiue and twentie thou∣sand [ XIII] crownes by the yeare.

The auncient Ordinarie, with the Bayliwicke, seuentie thousand crownes yearely.

[ E] The ordinarie taxes in Piedmont, with the change of salt beyond the Mountaines, reduced to an ordinarie and perpetuall toll, two hundred sixtie three thousand crownes by the yeare.

Consiscations of goods, condemnations, increase of tolls, composition of Mort∣mains, which are men that cannot dispose of their estates, vnlesse they compound with the Prince; the tribute of Iewes and such like, fiftie thousand crownes. So as they haue made the Duke of Sauoys reuenews to be but fiue hundred thousand crownes a yeare. But it appeares plainly by the eleuen millions of extraordinarie, which he hath drawne in few yeares out of his Countrie of Piedmont, and by the summes which he [ F] drawne out of Sauoy, that his reuenew is aboue a million of crownes a yeare, and that he is a prince which will not want money, when he shall desire to haue a good summe from his subiects, and yet they shall not be ouercharged.

¶ The Forces. [ A]

[ XIIII] THere are in Sauoy some places of strength, whereof the chiefe is Montmelian, whose castle hath beene alwaies held impregnable, vntill that of late yeares Henrie the Great, the French king, tooke it. It was somewhat commaunded, so as they might easily disco∣uer them that were within the place: And the Gouernour was much amazed, hearing himselfe to be saluted early in the morning with the cannon, from that place whither they had carried it with great diligence. Some say that the duke of Sauoy hath caused that place of commaund to be cut away, and that this castle is not now subiect to any [ B] commaund. It is wonderfull strong, and of importance, being neere the Frontier. There is also the places of Constans, Charbonnires, and the Annonciado, neere vnto Romilly: but all these sorts are of small import. That of Saint Katherine was good, but it was rui∣ned in the yeare of our Lord 1600.

As for Piedmont, there is a Cittadel which hath fiue Bastions, it is so faire and great as you shall hardly find any one to equall it. And omitting the great number of instru∣ments of warre that are in it, it shall be fit to speake something of an admirable well or pit which is in the middest of it, whereas fiue hundred horses, yea a thousand or more may go and drinke together, without any hinderance one vnto another, either in going downe or comming vp. The duke doth commonly entertaine for the guard of this Cit∣tadell [ C] three hundred souldiers, or more, well payed. Besides this garrison, he hath fiftie souldiers at Canas, one hundred at Cune, at Villefranche fortie, and in many other places which are not immediatly frontier townes, as at Quiers, Fossan, Bentes, Villefranche of Piedmont, and at Suerne in the valley of Angrogne. He also entertaines some souldiers at Cahors and Suse, for that the power of his neighbours requires it. Iures or Lamporeg∣gio hath a castle flanked with foure good Towers, and is set in one of the best scituati∣ons that can be desired. The valley of Ost is so strong, by reason of the narrow entries and the vneasie passages, and for the multitude of people that inhabit there, as what stran∣ger soeuer hath made himselfe maister of the neighbour countrie, durst neuer attempt it. Salusse hath a good Castle; but Carmagnole is in a manner impregnable, where there [ D] is great store of cannon, munition, and victualls. Pignerol hath a castle of importance, which doth commaund all the neighbour valleis. Auiglane hath a castle which in for∣mer times, vnder Duke Charles, endured a long batterie. Briquiras stands in one of the best scituations that can be seene, but it is not fortified, as it were fit. Centalis rea∣sonably well fortified: and Ciuas is a place which they hold among the best. There are garrisons also at Baid and at Monquiet, two places which are reasonably strong and good.

As for the Countie of Nizze, the roughnesse of the Countrie is the cause that there are many places exceeding strong, and many passages so narrow as ten men may make head against ten thousand, as is that which they call the Pace of the Virgin. They [ E] haue added to this naturall strength, that of certaine Castles, which may be held im∣pregnable, by reason of the places where they stand, among the which is that of Sa∣ourge. Poget, which is vpon the frontier of Prouence, is a reasonable good place, whereas the Duke of Sauoy entertaines a Garrison. Villefranche stands below, and is not verie bigge; but the Fort may be held impregnable, for that it is cut out of the rocke, and all that is required in fortification hath beene verie curiously obserued; there are commonly one hundred souldiers at the least in pay, which be straungers. As for the Towne of Nizze, we may say that it is no Fort, but an assemblie of Forts. First the Towne is inclosed with a good and strong wall, flancked with good Bastians. There is a Mountaine in forme of a Caualier, the which is about the third part of a [ F] mile in circuit, and is verie steepe of euerie side. In old time the noblest part of the Towne was there, with the Cathedrall Church, the Bishops Palace, a Monasterie of Virgins, and a little Fort, which they call at this day the Donjon. They say that Charles of Bourbon passing out of Italie into Spaine, and hauing well obserued this place,

[ A] vsed these words to them that were about him, Behold a scituation, whereof they know not the importance. The Patron of the galley in which he was, dwelling at Nizze, ob∣serued his words, and informed duke Charles; who hauing more carefully considered of the scituation, ordained, that it should be for••••fied, and made it so defensible in few yeres as it endured the assaults of Barbarousse, in the yeare 1543, who presented himselfe before it with neere two hundred saile, and battered it furiously. If this fort could not then be taken, being vnfinished, what shall it be at this present being so fortified, that hauing well ballanced the naturall scituation, and that which hath beene added by art, toge∣ther with the countrie wherin it is scituated, betwixt Italie and France, one hundred and [ B] twentie miles from Genoa, and one hundred and thirtie from Marseille; they may right∣ly say, that it is rather the first, than the second place of Italie, and as it were her bulwarke. Among other things, there is a Well, which Muce of Iustinopolis, who remained some∣time at Nizze, had beene accustomed to number among the miracles of the world, the which they made after this manner. They imagining that there would want nothing for a fort of so great importance, but a spring which might neuer faile, a Germane Engi∣ner promised duke Charles to find one; who hauing seene water to come forth in many places at the foot of the mountain, and especially a fountain which ran down into the sea, he thought that in digging deepe into the rocke, he might come vnto these springs: and setling himselfe to worke with this imagination, he laboured for certaine moneths, but [ C] being come low enough, and finding no water, he fled to Venice, despairing of his en∣terprise: the which the duke Charles vnderstanding, he called him backe to Nizze, and encouraged him to continue his desseigne, the which was accomplished with a happie successe.

On the highest part of the fort stands the dungeon, diuided from the rest by a wall; and throughout all the place there are little risings which may be so sortified, as the whole place may be defended by degrees. To the fortification of duke Charles, duke Philibert Emanuell added that which they call the Cittadel, with the which he embraced the place, whereas the Turkes being camped, had planted their batterie. The duke of Sauoy doth commonly entertaine in this place a garrison of foure hundred souldiers, and a sufficient [ D] number of cannoniers of great experience.

Betwixt Nizze and Ville franche is the fort of S. Alban, the which is in a manner equal∣ly distant from the one and the other of these two towns. And for that places serue for no purpose in a countrie, if they be not furnished with good men, the duke of Sauoy doth commonly entertaine good garrisons of souldiers in Sauoy and Piedmont, and he hath the inhabitants of Piedmont, which are for the most giuen to armes.

It shall be conuenient to speake something touching that which he may feare, and whereon he may be assured. First according to the outward apparance, he hath no cause of feare towards Milan, by reason of the strict alliance which is betwixt him and the king of Spaine. And notwithstanding that this king doth see plainely that his highnesse doth not [ E] affect him so well as he hath done, for some reasons that are better concealed than spoken, and that this coldnesse hath been the cause why he hath put the Spanish garrisons out of his forts, and will not (as they say) receiue any more pension from Spaine; yet we must not persuade our selues that his brother in law will breake quite with him, especially for that one of the apparant reasons of this change is, for that they do not performe the pro∣mise which was made vnto him marrying the Ifanta of Spaine, which was, to deliuer in∣to his hands the duchie of Milan: and that which will alwaies keepe backe the king of Spaine, will be the consideration of the passage for his souldiers, in case that wars should be reuiued againe with the vnited prouinces of the Low Countries; for that if he were in bad termes with the Duke, it were impossible for him to find a passage. He is tied in [ F] friendship to the Princes of Germanie, for that he holds it would be alwaies profitable vnto him. But he is especially in good termes with the Princes of Saxony, for that he is descended from their house. He hath also good intelligence with the Suisses, and especi∣ally with the Catholicke Cantons, by reason of their trafficke of come which he doth al∣low them, and is necessarie for them. This good intelligence with the Suisses will alwaies

be a great support vnto the duke, as we may judge by things past: for whiles that Charles [ A] his grandfather had alliance with the Suisses, he liued peaceably in his Estate; but when∣as he had broken with them, not paying them their promised pensions, and so by conse∣quence caring little for their friendship, at the comming of king Francis he sodainly lost his Estate of Sauoy, the which was not only not defended by them, but was for the most part taken by them, saying, That they would pay themselues for their old debts.

He might feare the allies of them of Geneua, whose open and sworne enemie he is: but they will not put themselues to field so lightly against this duke, as we may see by the attempts which he hath made against Geneua: and as for this towne, it is too weake to make any enterprise, and it will be sufficient, if it shall be able to keepe and defend it selfe [ B] from being taken.

As for the duke of Mantoua, the marriage of the children of these two dukes, will keepe them hereafter (as we may judge) in good termes, and league, notwithstanding the auncient quarrell for the Marquisat of Montferrat which hath ceased by this marriage: but the late death of the young prince of Montoua, hath reuiued this quarrell, where∣upon both these dukes are fallen to armes, he of Sauoy hauing seased vpon some places in the Marquisat.

As for the French king, since the exchange of the Marquisat of Salusses with Bresse, and other lands adioining, they speake of nothing but friendship betwixt the king and his highnesse, and especially since the duke was distasted of the Spaniards: yea they [ C] ex∣pect dayly a subiect of stricter friendship betwixt these two princes.

¶ The pretensions of the duke of Sauoy.

[ XV] FOr that it may be sometimes profitable to vnderstand the rights which the duke of Sa∣uoy hath to other Estates, I haue thought it fit to set them down in few words.

First he hath pretensions to Geneua by many good reasons, since that the Geneuois retired themselues from the obedience of this duke, in the yeare 1535, as euery man knoweth.

The first reason is, that they find declarations of Emperours, wherein it is specified, [ D] That although the Bishops of Geneua were lords spirituall and temporall, and termed themselues princes of the Empire, yet they should acknowledge the duke of Sauoy & his successors, for Superiour, and sweare fealtie vnto them; as they find in acts made by the said Bishops vnto the yeare 1530, at what time they did coine money at Geneua, with the names and formes of the dukes of Sauoy.

Moreouer they did alwaies obserue vntill that time, that the dukes of Sauoy might pardon any crime whatsoeuer at their pleasures: and neither the Bishop nor commu∣naltie might in cases which came to their knowledge pronounce sentence, and execute it, before they had first acquainted the dukes magistrats therewith, to the end they might see if it were iust, and needful to be published, or else pardon him that was accused of any [ E] crime.

They of Geneua had in the yeare 1519 made a league with them of Fribourg, and the duke contradicting it, they had arbitrarie Iudges, who gaue sentence in his fauour; by the which it was said that the league was void without his consent▪ and all the other Cantons made their declarations against Fribourg, who would haue maintained this league, the which was dissolued by this meanes.

But to omit many others, it shall suffice for the cleering of this title, to say that duke Charles, grandfather to this man, went often to Geneua with the lady Beatrix his wife, at which time they presented the keyes of the towne vnto him, and made many other de∣monstrations vnto him which are acustomed to be done to soueraigne princes. [ F]

He pretends the Marquisat of Montferrat for three reasons: the first for that it was promised in dowrie to a duke of Sauoy, in case that the masculine line of the Pal••o∣logues (whose house is extinct) should faile: the second, for that they promised him for this dowrie one hundred thousand crownes, the which were neuer payed, and the con∣dition

[ A] was, That in case that it were not payed by a time prefixt, they should giue him Montferrat: the third, for that the Marquis of Montferrat being in warre with the duke of Milan (who tooke his Marquisat) the duke of Sauoy at that time with an armie which h•• ••••••ied and maintained at his owne charge, restored him to his estate, by reason wherof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••rquis, in acknowledgement of so great a fauour, made himselfe his perpetuall feu∣d••••••ie. But this Processe being handled before the Emperour Charles the fift, he broke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 condition, which was, That the issue male of the house of Paleologues failing, the Marquisat should come vnto the house of Sauoy; neither had he any regard vnto the other two causes of pretention, for that the duchesse of Montoua was daughter vnto the [ B] l••st Marquis, saying, That seeing she was his daughter, she should also be his heire.

He hath also a pretention to Achaia, for that Philip of Sauoy, sonne to Thomas the third, married a daughter to the Prince of Achaia, called Iambe; and by the meanes of ••his marriage, he made warre against the Despot of Greece and his subiects, who being ••••••quished, left him absolute Maister of his Countrie: He had one sonne called Iambe, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was Prince of Achaia, and he had Amedee for his sonne, who succeeded in the third 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and dying without issue male, had for successour Lewis his brother, who had no 〈◊〉〈◊〉: And a Queene of Sicile, pretending that the fee was fallen vnto her, yeelded ••••••ghts to the great Maister of Rhodes, after which the Turke seazed thereon.

[ C] ¶ The Gouernement.

THere is a Gouernour in Sauoy, who makes his ordinarie residence at Chambery. [ XVI] The Senat of Sauoy also remaines there, which serues for the whole countrie on this side the mountaines, with administration of ciuile and criminal matters, and affaires o•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which concern Sauoy. Yet they do not trouble themselues much with this last point, for that the duke of Sauoy will mannage them for the most part himselfe: by rea∣•••••• whereof the Senators take knowledge of no more than shall please the duke.

These is also in Piedmont another Senat, like vnto that of Sauoy, the which doth iudge of all ciuile and criminall causes, and is continually much busied, for that euerie place or [ D] castle of that estate hath a Iudge, who is appointed by the Duke, or by the Feudatarie of the place: and the first knowledge of euerie cause goes vnto this Iudge, the second to the Senat, and the third to the duke, who referres it afterwards to his Councell of State.

The head and president of this Senat, and of that of Sauoy is the high Chancellour, who serues for both Prouinces, and vpon him doth the greatest part of the gouernement dep••••d: yea if he were more actiue he might be tearmed a second duke. But for that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 embrace so many businesses, the duke imployes many others, that is to say, Coun∣cellors, Maisters of requests, and Martiall men.

[ E] ¶ The Dukes of Sauoy.

THey are descended from the house of Saxonie, and especially from the stemme of [ XVII] the Emperor Otho the second: and this race continued vnder the title of Earles, neere foure hundred yeares, vntill that Amé was created duke by the Emperour Sigismond, at the Councel of Constance. But to the end that we may take this House from the first be∣gi••••••ng, you must vnderstand, that when as Raoul, and Boson, raigned in Bourgondie, and 〈…〉〈…〉 the third held the Empire, Berold or Berauld issued from the house of Saxonie, and by consequence a neere kinsman to the Emperour, being without land, or at the le•••••• hauing not so much as he desired, was inuested by the Emperour in the lands of Sa∣uoy, [ F] and the valleis and parts of Piedmont: And Boson and Raoul, kings of Bourgondie, consented to this imperiall donation; so as it was not by the sword that Berold made him∣selfe earle of Sauoy, as some would affirme.

This Berold had for his successour Humbert, surnamed White Hands, who held the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Sauoy in the yeare of Christ 1000, and was the first earle of Maurienne. He

married Adheleide the onely daughter of the Marquis of Suse, whereby this Marquisat [ A] came vnto the house of Sauoy.

Of this Humbert came Amé, the first of that name, earle of Maurienne, who was also the first earle of Sauoy, yet others attribute this to Amé the second. He married Ioane of Bourgondie, by whom he had two sonnes, that is to say, Humbert and Amé. In his time Berenger, Archdeacon of Angiers, spred his opinion.

Humbert the second was successour to Amé the first. He married Laurence, daughter to the earle of Venice, and he conquered the countrie of Tarantaise, then he went the voy∣age of the Holie Land with the other Christian Princes who crost themselues for this conquest. Adheleide, daughter to this earle, was married to Lewis the Grosse, king of [ B] France, of which marriage came Lewis the Young. And at this time began the order of the Carthusian Monkes.

Amé the second succeeded Humbert the second, who hauing assisted the Emperour Henrie the fourth, when as he went to receiue the Crowne at Rome, was in recompence thereof inuested in the countie of Sauoy, and his countrie made a fee of the Empire. Amé had war against the earle of Geneua, for that he had promised to marrie his daugh∣ter, and did not performe it, but tooke to wife Guigonne, daughter to the earle of Albon. Amé went also to the Holie Land, and died in the realme of Cypres, in the yeare of our Lord God 1154, in the time of the Emperour Fredericke Barbarousse, and of Lewis the Young, king of France. [ C]

Humbert, the third of that name, his sonne, and second earle of Sauoy, succeeded him: he married Mahaut, daughter to Tierry earle of Flanders; and afterwards Anne, daughter to a German earle; and to his third wife he tooke Parnelle, daughter to the earle of Bour∣gondie, and widow to the duke of Austria, by whom he had one sonne called Thomas. Then he made the voyage to Ierusalem, with Philip Augustus king of France, in the yere of our Redemption 1188.

Thomas remained verie young, and was brought vp by the earle of Bourgondie, his vnckle by the mother-side: He married Beatrix, daughter to Guy earle of Geneua, in despight of her father, and forced him in the end to take the oath of fealtie, and to hold his earledome of Geneua in homage of the house of Sauoy. This Earle Thomas made [ D] the voyage against the Albigeois, who had withdrawne themselues from the obedience of the Church of Rome. Of this Earle Thomas came many children, whose names I will set downe, to giue knowledge of the Genealogies.

First he had of the said Beatrix, Amé the third of that name, who first of all married the daughter of the Dauphine of Viennois; but she dying without children, he tooke to wife Cecile, daughter to Raymond earle of Saint Gilles. The second sonne of the said Thomas was Humbert, who died in the warre which the great maister of Prusse had against the Infidells, in the yeare of our Lord 1235. Thomas was the third sonne of earle Thomas, who married Ioane Countesse of Flanders, daughter to Baldwin Emperour of Constantinople, as the Annalles of Sauoy say: But the Cronicles of Flanders and France speake little of [ E] this Thomas, nor of his marriage with the daughter of Flanders: but after the death of Ferrand of Portugal, and of this Thomas there came no issue by his fi••st wife. But hauing taken to his second wife a Ladie of the house of Ficsco of Genoa, he had Amé who was afterwards earle of Sauoy. William of Sauoy, was the fourth sonne of Thomas Earle of Sauoy; he became a Churchman, and followed Pope Innocent the fourth, who made him Bishop of Valencia. The fift sonne was called Amé, who being a Leper, retired him∣selfe to Solitarinesse. Peter of Sauoy was the sixt, who afterwards commaunded ouer the countrie of Sauoy. Boniface was the seuenth, who following the Church, the Pope gaue him the Archbishoprick of Canturburie in England. The eight was Philip, a valiant man, who also was earle of Sauoy. The daughters were Beatrix, wife to Raymond earle of Pro- [ F] uence: one of whose daughters was wife to Charles, brother to Saint Lewis, who was afterwards king of Naples and Sicile: and the other was Marguerite, married into Germanie.

Boniface succeeded Amé the third, who being more hardie than wise, and giuing bat∣taile

[ A] to the Marquis of Montferrat, was vanquished and taken, so as he died in prison for griefe, hauing no children, for that he had neuer beene married. Peter brother to the de∣ceased Boniface succeeded in the State, notwithstanding that Amé the third had left a daug••ter, called Constance: but in Sauoy the daughters are excluded from the inheri∣ta••••••▪ This Earle conquered the countries of Val d' Ost, and Chablais.

••••••er being dead without children, Philip of Sauoy his brother came vnto the succes∣••••••••▪ He was before of the Church, and had great spirituall liuings: but leauing it all he married Alix Countesse Palatine of Bourgondie, and was afterwards possessor of his brothers Estates, the which he did not long enioy, for he died of a dropsie, hauing no [ B] ••••ires of his bodie.

Amé the fourth his nephew succeeded him, being sonne to Thomas, he had married a neece to Pope Innocent the fourth: this man was surnamed the Great, by reason of his valour, and goodly stature. He married Sybille countesse of Basge, and lady of Bresse, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 marriage, these two peeces were vnited to the house of Sauoy. He had war against t•••• ••auphine of Viennois, and the earle of Geneua his ancient enemie, and was chosen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Empire, by the Emperor Henry of Luxembourg: after which he died in the yere of Grace 1323, going to Auignon to visit the Pope.

••••••ard eldest sonne to Count Amé succeeded his father, and was more bountifull than wa•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whereby he did wonderfully oppresse his subiects. He married the duke of Bour∣gondies [ C] daughter, by whom he had one daughter called Marguerite, whom he married to Iohn of Brittane, sonne to Arthur earle of Richmond, and died without issue male.

Amé his brother the fift of that name succeeded him, depriuing his neece of the in∣heritance, according to the ancient law and custome of Sauoy. He married Yoland daugh∣ter to the marquis of Montferrat, issued from the race of Paleologues, and had one sonne called Amé, as himselfe, and one daughter married to Galeas earle of Vertuz, and after∣wards duke of Milan: he had also another sonne, but he died young.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sixt his sonne succeeded him, & by reason of his infancie, he was pupill to Wil∣li•••• of Baume. This earle hauing gotten the prise at a tournee which was made the first day of May, was called the greene Knight. Amé married the lady Bonne sister to Lewis [ D] d••ke of Bourbon. This earle instituted the first order of the Annonciado; they do weare for their badge the image of our Lady saluted by the Angell. Afterwards he made a voiage into Greece to succour his cousin the Emperor Alexis. Before his death he marri∣ed his sonne to the duke of Berryes daughter, then he made a voiage to Naples with the duke of Anjou, and there died old, being famous for his vertues and vallour, in the yere 1383.

Amé the seuenth succeeded his father, and to him

Amé the eight, who was created duke of Sauoy by the Emperor Sigismond at the coun∣cell of Constance, then he resigned his Estates vnto his sonne, and was afterwards made Pope besides his sonne Lewis, he had a daughter called Mary, who was married to the [ E] prince of Milan, of the race of the Viscontes: but for that she had an apostume in her thigh, her husband did neuer accompanie with hir, and by this meanes he had no heires: and he being dead she became a Nunne in a monasterie which she had built, imitating therein the deuotion of duke Amé his father.

Amé the ninth of that name who was troubled with the falling sicknesse, and endured it with much patience: he was brother to the abouenamed duke Lewis, and married Charl••tte the onely daughter of Iohn king of Cipres; but he could not enioy the realme, by reason of the opposition of Iohn the bastard, who was supported by the Soldan of Aegipt. In the end Amé married Yoland daughter to Charles the seuenth, the French king, by whom he had four sonnes, and as many daughters.

[ F] Philibert sonne to Amé the ninth succeeded him.

Charles his brother came to succeed him in his Estates, and married Blanch marquise of Mo••t••errat, by whom he had Iohn Charles, who was also called Amé, he died young, and left for successor.

Philibert his vnckle, who married Marguerit daughter to the duke of Bourbon.

Philibert the second succeeded him: he was sonne in law to the Emperor Maximilian, [ A] and liued not long, leauing for successor

Charles his brother, who married the daughter of Emanuell king of Portugal, and sister to the wife of the Emperor Charles the fift, and of this marriage came Charles who died very young in Spaine, and Philibert in his fathers life time was receiued prince of Pied∣mont.

Philibert Emanuell succeded Charles the third, he was expelled his Estates by king Francis the first, and then restored by the meanes of a marriage which was made betwixt him and Marguerite, daughter to the said king Francis.

He had for his successor Charles Emanuel duke of Sauoy, who liues at this present, and [ B] hath had many children by Catherine daughter to Philip the second, king of Spaine.