The history of the wars of Italy from the year MDCXIII to MDCXLIV in XVIII books / written originally in Italian, by Pietro Giovanni Capriata ... ; and rendred in English by Henry Earl of Monmouth.

THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY. (Book 10)

BOOK X. (Book 10)

The Contents.

THe Duke of Nevers succeeds Vincenzo in the Dukedom of Mantua and Montferrat; he is opposed by the Emperour, King of Spain, and Duke of Savoy. Don Gonzallo di Cordua, the new Governour of Millain, having divided Montferrat with the Duke of Savoy, goes with his Army to before Casalle; which whilst he endeavours to take, the Duke takes Alba, Trino, Montcalvo, and many other Towns be∣longing unto him by the division. A Conspiracy is discovered in Genoa, whereof the Duke of Savoy being found the Author, he pretends the im∣punity of the Conspirators. The Spanish Agents being desirous to sa∣tisfie him, favour this pretention; which occasioneth some distastes and jealousies between the Commonwealth and the Crown of Spain. Succours fall into Italy from France, in behalf of the Duke of Nevers; but being opposed by the Duke of Savoy are soon dissipated. The Spaniards take Nizza, Ponsone, and other Towns in Montferrat; and finding it too hard to assault Ca•…•…alle, they fall to besiege it; they are forc'd to forsake it by the Kings coming with great Forces into Pieomont. Which whilst the Duke endeavours to oppose he is beaten by the Kings men, in a con∣flict neer Susa, wherein the King being victorious, takes Susa; and forces the Duke and the Governour of Millain to an agreement; by which Casalle is freed, and the States of Mantua and Montferrat secured to Nevers. The King returns to France. Marquess Spinola is made Governour of Millain, goes from Spain into Italy, to provide either

by War or Peace, for the Affairs of Spain which are in a bad condition, by reason of the preceding accidents.

BY the death of Duke Vincenzo, who died in Christmas, the year 1627, the States of Mantua and Montferrat fell to Charles Gon∣zaga, Duke of Nevers, Son to Lodovick, who was youngest Son to William, Grand-father to the three last deceased Dukes; there was none of the legitimate male line of the Gonzagli, who were to pre∣cede him; (for the legitimate male-line of William ceased by the death of Vincenzo) who the day before his death did therefore command his Subjects of Mantua, to swear allegiance to the Duke of Retell, eldest Son to Charles, who was absent, in the name of his Father Charles. This Retell was sent for to Mantua by Duke Ferdinando, and was kept there during his life, and after his death, in consideration of the future succession: the same Duke, a little before his death, for the beuer security of succession, would have this Duke Retell Marry the Princess Maria, Daughter to Duke Francis, and Niece by the Mother side to the Duke of Savoy; (she of whom so much hath been spoken in the beginning of this Book) and to this purpose a dispensation was already privately procured from the Pope. The Duke of Savoy was not a little troubled at this Marriage; nor were the Spanish Agents less troubled then he: both parties complained grievously, that this young Lady should be disposed of without the participation of the King or Duke (who had so much interest by way of Alliance in her) not so much as waiting for their approbation; and professing much amaze∣ment at it, they had well nigh threatned publick resentment: but the outward shew of this dissatisfaction differ'd from what lay conceal'd in the bosom; the Duke of Savoy intended this Lady for Wife to the Prince Cardinal of Savoy, so to add by this new title to his antient pretences of Montferrat, the acquisition whereof he thirsted more after in this present conjunction of times, then ever he had done formerly; and the Spanish Agents (who abhor'd that Nevers should succeed in those Dominions) hoped (as it was thought) if they could have effected it, to make use of this Princess, whereby to exclude him totally; nor was it long ere both these parties discover'd their aversion to Nevers his succession; for though falling into the Valtoline by the Swissers and Grisons, and from thence being come to Mantua thorow the Venetians Territories, he was readily received by all the Mantuans, and obeyed as their Prince; yet the Spanish Agents refusing to receive him, or to call him Duke of Mantua, and the Duke of Savoy professing to pro∣ceed, and do in this business, as the King of Spain should do, and that he would totally depend upon his authority; the Orders of Germany and Spain, whither these advertisments were speedily sent, were ex∣pected: from whence they hoped and undoubtedly held that orders and resolutions would be sent, to cross the succession of the new Duke, because they knew that this had been discus'd and almost resolved there, before the death of Duke Vincent. The Emperours intention was that the succession of these States being to divolve upon a cross line, and that many would pretend to this succession; the possession thereof should be delivered up to him as to the Supream Lord and Sovereign

Judge, that he might afterward dispose thereof to those who should have most clear title thereunto: this, he said, the peace of Italy required, and this was wont to be done by the Imperial Chamber; that it was thus observed in the succession of Montferrat, when it was ventila∣ted by many Competitors, after the death of Iovan Georgie Falleologe. The Duke of Savoy did not concur alone with the Duke of Nevers, in his antient pretentions to the Dukedom of Montferrat, but also Mar∣garet, the Dowager Dutchess of Lorrein, eldest Sister to the three last Dukes, pretending by her proximity of relation, not to exclude the Duke of Nevers only, but also Princess Mary, her Brothers Daughter, respect being had to Duke Vincenzo, last dead; whose succession was now the thing disputed, and not the succession of Duke Francis, Fa∣ther to Mary, who was succeeded by her, Ferdinando, and since by Vincenzo; and as for the Dukedom of Mantua, whereof women are made incapable, Don Ferrante Genzaga, Nephew to that so famous Captain, Don Ferrante, who was younger Brother to Frederick Duke of Mantua, the new Dukes Grand-father by the Fathers side, did con∣cur: he grounded his title upon the interpretation of certain words of the ancient Investment; and upon Nevers his incapacity (as he alledged) of succeeding in those Dominions, for that both he and his Father had born Arms against the sacred Empire, whereof those States are anci∣ent Fees. Pretentions which were thought to be willingly listned un∣to by the Emperour and by the Court of Spain, that they might there∣by exclude Nevers as they intended to do: nor were those of the house of Gonzaga against Don Ferrante's pretentions, thinking that by Ne∣vers his exclusion, their succession grew neerer; and therefore some of them were suspected to have had private dealing and treaties with Don Ferrante, presently upon the death of Duke Vineenzo, to put him into possession of that City, and to cry him up Duke; and when he died there we e some Souldiers ready to do it, who being suppress'd more by dissimulations seasonably, and by provision taken to the con∣trary, then by punishment or by being publickly taken notice of, their endeavours proved vain: Nevers, on the contrary, pleading the clear and undoubted meaning of the Law, by which the next Heir to the last Lord is to be admitted into possession of the Fee, not only against those who lay in wait for the succession, but against the Sove∣reign and lawful Lord, (when laps or the devolution of the Fee should be pretended) said that the Decree of the Emperour Charles the Fifth, made against the Duke of Savoy, being passed between the Ancestours of either of them; since which the said Duke, not having gotten any new pretences, he could not prosecute his former claim, as long as it con∣tinued in the possession of Nevers his Ancestors, otherwise then in the awarded manner; and for the Dutchess of Lorrein, that she was ex∣cluded either by the male-kindred, though never so remote, as it had been formerly practised; or by her Niece, who was in a neerer degree to succession: but as for Don Ferrante, who was clearly descended from the second Son of him by whom they all laid claim, what colour of reason had he to pretend to the ancient investment, whilst the line of the eldest Son was not yet void: which Investment prefers the first born, and those that do descend from them, before all others, by ex∣press

order of Birth-right; and as for the incapacity that was objected against him, he denied that either he or his Father had ever carried Arms against the Sacred Empire; and shewing the scars, yet remaining in his Breast, of the wounds which he had received in Hungary, where∣in he had fought in behalf of the Cefarian Majesty and of the house of Austria; he said, that no incapacity could be objected against him, for any peace that had since insued: in the Articles whereof a full and am∣ple pardon was granted to any of the contrary party, who had drawn their swords in that war: but the strong endeavours to the contrary made by the Spanish Agents prevailed more with the Emperour, then these solid and evident Reasons; who knowing that this Prince was bred up in France, allied to the blood of France, joyn'd in Kindred to the King; (who was Feudatory to that Crown, by the great incomes which he possessed in that Kingdom,) thought it to be too dangerous for them to permit a Lord of two Dukedoms, and a master of several strong holds upon the Confines of Millain, to be placed in the bowels of Italy, lest being upheld and adhered unto by France he might afterwards raise up new parties and factions in Italy, by which their Kings authority might decline from that preeminency, in which he did more easily and more securely maintain himself, without any fear of the French, who had not one foot of Land in Italy: a danger which the present condition of times made to appear very probable, by the desire which, upon many of the Occurrences, was discovered in the French of getting greater power in Italy, then the Spaniards had; and by their being fomented by many Italian Princes, to the end that they might, for their own interest, see the authority of France prevail over that of Spain, or at least stoutly counterpoise it. The Spanish Agent did therefore servently endeavour that the Emperour (who to keep the house of Austria in chief authority amongst all Christian Princes, was concern'd in the same ends and designs,) might readily lend his hand, and joyn with them in excluding the new Duke; and the Spaniards authority was greater at this time with the Emperour then usual; for the late merit by powerful aid both of men and money afforded by the Crown of Spain in the troubles of Germany, added to the community of concernment; without which he could hardly have made his party good against the Rebellions and contrary Factions of Germany; and the continual need he stood in of the like assistance, for that those flames were not yet quite extinguished: so as it becoming him to second their interest, he to pleasure them had given them order, whilst Duke Vincen∣zo was yet alive, (but not likely to live long,) that if the Duke should die, they should possess themselves of those States; which when the time came, they forbare to do, not thinking the time yet proper, nor affairs well prepared; and though the Emperor seemed, when the Duke was dead, to continue in the same mind; yet he appeared somewhat cooler in the manner of proceeding; claiming therefore the possession of those States by publick Decree, as due to him, he sent Count Iohn di Nassaw into Italy, with the title of Cesarian Commissary, to take possession of them in a civil manner, if the new Duke should willingly assign them up; and if he should refuse to do so, then to proceed by Citations and Declarations, and afterwards by Imperial Proclamation, and so by

force of Arms: the Spaniards who upon the first Orders had betook themselves to the business, and who were most and neerliest concern'd in the danger, appeared more hot and fervent; for thinking it would be more easie to drive a new Prince suddenly out of his State, then to tarry till he should be consolidated therein, and might by making Pro∣visions and Fortifications make the enterprise harder, they admitted of no delay; and the rather for that the King of France (whose opposition they only apprehended) being busied with all his Forces before Rochel; and therefore not able to apply himself much to the affairs of Italy, nor to send succours to the new Duke; they thought they should lose time, if they should not readily imbrace so opportune an occasion. The Duke of Savoy invited them much thereunto: who professing that he would keep firm to that Crown, promised many things on his part in favour of the new enterprise: but the instigations and relations of Don Gonzallo di Cordua prevailed more with the King and Court of Spain, then any thing else; who desirous to have the free and absolute Govern∣ment of the State of Italy, being Governour there now (as hath been said) till a new Governour might be provided; as soon as he heard of Duke Vincenzo's death, began to hold intelligence in Cassalle, to have one of the Gates of Cassalle delivered up unto him; and having agreed the business, he inform'd the Court by Letters of the intelligence he held in that City, and how easily it might be gotten; which being done, he said that the acquisition of the rest would with the same facility fol∣low: in fine, not only he, but all the rest of the Spanish Agents la∣boured to exclude the new Duke. But the Court, which long before Duke Vincents death had foreseen this accident, and perhaps had re∣solved not to permit the French to get such power in Italy by Nevers his succession; yet being de•…•…ained from moving therein, in considera∣tion of the unjustness of the fact, or weary of their unfortunate success in the late Wars of Italy, it abhorred to have to do in so scandalous a novelty; and therefore did at first put on the more just and favourable resolution, not only of consenting to Nevers his new succession, but to receive him into the protection of the Crown, and to be his friend: and in conformity to so holy and wise a resolution, dispatches were al∣ready sent out of the Kings Chancery; which not being yet come to Italy, the Dukes Letters and the Advertisments of Don Gonzallo, and of the other Spanish Agents, arrived at the Court; whereby they ac∣quainted the King with what intelligence they held in Cassalle: where∣upon the mind of the Court was soon alter'd, and the justice of the Cause being born down by the apparent advantage of the new acquisi∣tion, and of the assured safety which would thereby redound to the af∣fairs of Italy; they resolved to oppose the new Duke, with might and main, and by open war to keep him from the succession of those States; and the charge of this new enterprise, together with the abso∣lute Government of the State of Millain, (which was the thing he aspi∣red unto,) was given to Don Gonzallo, the chief Author and Promotor of so unhappy and unfortunate an advice: in the execution whereof, though the Emperour had not as yet absolutely consented thereunto, Don Gonzallo began to declare war in the Emperours name; and for his better preparing of Men and Arms, he alledged the Emperours

Decree of Advocation for the ground work of the Enterprise; and said, That whereas the Duke ought to have been put into possessi∣on of those States by the Emperour, he had actually, and of his own Authority intruded thereinto, contrary to the said Decree: He also gilded over this new Commotion with endeavours for the publick Peace of Italy, and for the safety of the Affairs of the Crown of Spain. And lastly, but rather by way of complaint, than of any law∣full occasion of new War, he added the Marriage of the Princess Mary, concluded without any respect to the Kings Alliance or Authority. These were the reasons alledged for this present War, which being but little allowed of by the tacit consent of most men, and as they rendred the Spanish Forces but little justifiable, and Cesar's resolutions not correspondent to the fame and universally conceived opinion of his Piety and Religion; so did they, on the contrary, reconcile, through commiseration, the general favour to the new Dukes Cause; as if be∣ing oppress'd meerly for reason of State, he had been suffocated only by the covetousness and force of a more powerful Adversary: But it being apparently known, that the Emperour proceeded herein, more as forced by the urgent and importunate instigations of the Spanish A∣gents, than by his own genius and will, as it did in part excuse him from mens sinister opinion, so did it lay all the odium and blame upon the Spaniards; which appearing naked in the Field, unassisted by the Imperial Name or Authority, which they carried in their foreheads, written in golden Letters, they did appear to men what they intrinse∣cally were, not bent to favour the rights of any of the pretenders, nor to the maintaining of the Cesarean Authority, but to the new acquisi∣tion of Territories, and to the further enlarging the Kings Empire in Italy, by the suppressing of that Prince; so as the Insurrections of the Valtoline, susteined and fomented by the Spaniards, had fill'd Italy with jealousies and suspicions, and rendred their name odious; so their present betaking themselves to the manifest usurpation of a Principali∣ty, without any the least colourable reason, forc'd the Italian Potentates to privide for their private and for the Common safety, which, if the Spaniards should obtain their ends, they foresaw would be much en∣dangered. The Duke of Savoy's reconciliation to the King of Spain did accelerate the Enterprise against the new Duke; for the Kings Agents, to make the business easie to themselves, and to lay the way open for the taking of Cassalle, which they did so excessively desire; and firmly believing the Duke would not stand idle upon such an occa∣sion, nor suppress his ancient presences; and on the other side, the Duke seeing that he could not better advantage himself in the present conjuncture of times then by help from Spain; therefore all other re∣spects being laid aside, they thought neither of them could do better than to hasten the conclusion of the Agreement, which had been treat∣ed of long before, touching the division of Montferrat; by which Trino, Alba, San Damiano, and many other Towns of Montferrat, be∣ing assigned over to the Duke (which being more incorporated with Pi∣edmont, was very advantagious for the union of that State;) the Spani∣ards were to put themselves into the possession of the rest, wherein was comprehended Cassalle, Pontestura, Montcalvo, Nice, Acqui, Ponzone, to∣gether

with the adjacent Towns, which, as being annex'd unto, and confining upon the Marquesate of Finale, and the River of Genoa, made much for the accommodation of the Spaniards. It was agreed upon by colourable pretence, That each of them should prosecute the Enter∣prise in Cesar's Name; That it should not be lawful for the Duke to for∣tifie any place he should take; and, That neither of them should be a hin∣derance in the possessing of what should fall to them by the Division. So the Duke, that he might get part, since he could not get the whole, was content that his Niece, the Princess Mary, should be quite bereft of the whole; and the Spanish Forces, which till now withstood the Dukes pretences, for their own interest, began now to protect him therein. The French had long before this endeavoured to disturbe this reconci∣liation; and to this end it was thought, that in the Negotiation of Peace between the Duke and the Common-wealth, they held the Dukes pre∣tences very high, not so much to gratifie him at the Genoeses cost, and to mitigate the injury done him by the Peace of Monsone, as for that Peace remaining unconcluded by reason of the Dukes high demands, the reconciliation should not be effected; and not herewithall content, that they might keep him to fide still with them, they, during Duke Vincent's life, held Treaties of Alliance between the Cardinal of Savoy and Princess Mary; and between her Mother the Dowager Infanta, and the Duke of Nevers, with some settlements touching the pretensi∣ons to Montferrat; and Monfieur Sanchiamond being to this end sent Em∣bassadour Extraordinary from the King to Duke Vincenzo, after Duke Ferdinando's death, by the usual way of condoling and congratulating, he, as he pass'd through Turin, and went afterwards to Mantua, treated thereof with them both in the Kings Name: But Duke Vincent dying not long after, the no sincerity of the Negotiation appeared, by the sudden match which was concluded, not without satisfaction and joy to the French, and to the same Sanchiamond, (who because he was in Mantua when the Duke dyed, and when this match was made, was thought to be conscious of all things that had past) wherat the Duke was very angry, and held himself to be much injured, and complain'd grie∣vously thereof to the same Sanchiamond, who was at this time returned from Turin to Mantua, and to Monsieur di Guron, a Gentleman sent by the King of France to keep him from the new Reconciliation, with new offers, not only touching his new pretensions, but of assured and powerful assistance against the Genoeses, for recovery of the Towns upon the River, which were allotted to him by the Articles of Susa; for the King of France, being sufficiently imploy'd and intent about the business of Rochel, did not omit any indeavours whereby the Affairs of Montferrat might be friendly compounded between the two Dukes: This was the Auge or Vertical point of this Princes Greatness; he be∣ing at one and the same time sued unto in his own Court, and Idoli∣zed, as a God on Earth, by the Agents of two great Kings, and tempt∣ed by most advantagious conditions to joyn with them, as if all their actions did depend upon him, and as if the whole Foundation of the safety of the present Affair did in him consist. And as it often falls out in humane affairs, that when things are come to the highest point they begin to decline, so fared it with this Duke; for not being able

to mount higher, and not being able through the volubility of Affairs to continue long in that pitch, he was forced afterwards to stoop from that exaltation, and was brought to lose a great part of his State, and almost to his utter ruine: Being amidst so many Proposals, and finding himself, together with the former offences, injured by the French, by the duplicity of this Matrimonial Treaty; and being conscious to him∣self of the fresh injuries done to the King and Crown of France, he gave no beliefe to his Agents great offers; and thinking that he might build more safely upon the favour of the Spaniards, by reason of the community of Interests, and by the advantagious bargain which he should get from them, in the dividing of Montferrat, he rather chose to joyn with Spain than with France; and afterwards acquainting the French Agents with this his resolution, he tacitely pleaded the Peace of Monsone (made by their King) for his defence, without acquainting his Confederates with it, nor making any the least account of their con∣cernments, and in a gibing manner added, That he had learnt of their King to joyn readily with the Crown of Spain, which being now so faithfully united to that of France, as might be seen by the helps which France received from Spain in the business of Rochel, it shew'd that it was not to be doubted, but that he being also joyned to the Crown of Spain, would never be able to disunite it from that of France, nor be any prejudice to it. The French Agents being therefore dismist with small satisfaction, as also the French Souldiers who were under his pay; but keeping Marini, the French Resident in Turin, till such time as his own Resident should return from Paris, his Reconciliation with Spain was perfectly established, but unhappily, as it proved by the great prejudice which (contrary to their supposals) befel both him and the King of Spain.

By the conclusion and exclusion of these practises the new Dukes affairs were brought to a very bad condition, both in hopes and opini∣on; for the King of France, who was his chief Protector, not being able to sustein him, either by authority or force, he had little help to ex∣pect elsewhere, against the Emperour, King of Spain, and Duke of Savoy, who joyn'd all together to drive him out of his State, the latter two by force of Arms, and the first by Judicial Authority and Edicts; so as none of his other Friends, who wish'd him well, could assist him, without indangering themselves, since he wanted the strong support of France: And the Princes of Italy, though they were much troubled at this Prince's prosecution, for the example and consequence thereof, yet were they forced to proceed very circumspectly in declaring them∣selves, and much more in assisting him: nay, it was to be feared, that, if required, they would have declared against him. The Emperours Authority was at this time very great and formidable, having gotten the upper hand of the Prince Palatine, and of his abettors; all the Princes and Hans Towns of Germany rendred him exact obedience, not so much for fear of his powerful Army of above 100000 fighting men, which being distributed into several parts of Germany, were ready at hand, as for that by his happy Successes, and continued course of Victory, he seemed to be miraculously favoured by the Heavens: And truly he was in his actions the most formidable of all his Predecessors;

and undoubtedly had he turned his Forces upon Italy, he would have found ready obedience; so as the Pope and Venetians, in whom all Nevers his hopes did rest, were forced to proceed with great caution in these present affairs, which did not directly appertain unto them. The Venetians, that they might keep from provoking him, by adding new injuries to the ancient enmities contracted with this very Emperour, when upon the Croates account they assaulted Gradisca, and endeavour∣ed to deprive him of his Patrimonial Estate in Friuli; and the Pope, for that Peace between him and the Emperour, making much for the good of Christendome, it became not him to break it upon the score of the new Dukes succession.

Cesar's Authority was likewise augmented by the Peace made by him at this time with the Turk and Transilvanians, and by the advantagious offers which were made unto him by his Rebels, and by the Head of them, the King of Denmark, who being several times routed by him in Battel, and berest of a great part of his Kingdom, desired Peace: wherefore it was to be doubted, that these Commotions being appeased, which were those which did only disturbe the Affairs of Germany, the Emperour, to maintain his Authority and Command in Italy, should have made good his threats of passing into Italy with powerful Forces, when the Process should be ended which was then begun against Ne∣vers; and that War should be publish'd against him, in case he obeyed not the Imperial Edicts or Banne. Reason was added to these respects, which ought to detain the new Dukes friends from declaring themselves to favour him: For the Emperour being Supream Lord of these States, and of the new Duke, none could or ought legitimately to interpose between him and his Vassal, nor reprove or correct any Judgment that should pass, there being none to whom recourse was to be had in point of grievance: And yet Nevers thinking, that to quit his possession willingly was the worst of evils, resolved to keep it till the last; he therefore betook himself to munite Mantua and Cassalle the best he could, both of them being very strong places, the last by Art, the other by Nature, and stood prepared to receive so great a storm; he notwith∣standing offered (since the King of France could not assist him) several Proposals of accommodation to the Duke of Savoy, and to the King of Spain, desiring the King that he would receive him into the accustom∣ed protection of his Crown, as he had done his Predecessors, and pro∣fessing to be willing to depend in all things upon his Authority: More∣over, to the end that he might not appear contumacious to Cesar's De∣cree, and to the end that the Citadel of Cassalle might not keep the Spaniards in perpetual jealousie, he of himself offered to receive Dutch Garrisons, which should depend upon his Cesarean M•…•…jesty, and to set up the Imperial Ensigns, into all the Towns of his Dominions, except the City of Mantua, which was not (as he said) a Magazine of Arms, and Cassalle, where in lieu of receiving in a Garrison, he offered to beat down the Walls and Bulwarks, which divide the Citadel from the Ci∣ty, to the end that being both joyn'd in one Body, they might be the more easily taken; which Proposals not being accepted, they did not at all retard the going on of the Enterprise, nor were they sufficient to keep off the Process and Citations of the Imperial Bands or Edict,

which were intimated unto him, and threatned by the Cesarian Commis∣sary, who was at this time come into Italy. The Marquess of Canossa was Governour of Montferrat, and the Marquess di Rivara was Go∣vernour of the Citadel; the latter a Montferrian, the other a Veronese; but the Chancellor Traiano Guiscardi's authority was Superintendent in the conduct of publick Affairs; one who was very well vers'd in the Affairs of the world, quick witted, very vigilant and careful of the new Prince his interest, and partial to France. These providing all things necessary for the defence of these and all other places of Montferrat, did attentively observe the proceedings of the Governour of Montferrat, and of the Duke, who growing daily more fervent in the business, pre∣pared for offending: Nevers did the like in Mantua; and the Gover∣nour, nor other Spanish Agents, not having been any ways diligent, af∣ter Vincenzo's death, in keeping either Subjects or Forreigners from en∣tring to desend that City, many Souldiers came by threeves into Man∣tua, through the Valtoline, through the Venetians Towns, and those of the Genoese; and many French who were cashiered after the Duke of Savoy's reconciliation and declaration, were got into Cassalle: so as before the war began, the new Duke had got about 6000 Foot, and 1000 Horse into Mantua, part of the same Nation, part Forreigners, and of those, most French; and in Cassalle there were about 4000 Foot, and 400 Horse, all of them Montferrians, unless it were 500 French, who being cashie•…•…ed by the Duke of Savoy had listed themselves under Monsieur di Guron. There came thither also, after the Enemy was in∣camp'd before it, the Marquess of Beveron in disguise, who was come from France to serve in that war, that he might be re-admitted from ba∣nishment, which he had a little before incur'd for fighting a Duel. A gallant Gentleman, and well vers'd in arms: these two Towns being strong and abundantly furnish'd with Garrisons, it was probable that both the Sieges might prove long and difficult; and that therefore the oppugners, who were but few in number, might not come off with honour from that Enterprise, as being either weary or wasted by time, by warlike actions, by sufferings and hardships, or forced by French succour, or by some other strange, unthought-of accident. Besides Cassalle, two other Forts were to be expugned, Nizza and Montcalvo, and two Towns, Ponzone and Pontestura. The taking whereof, they being reasonably well munited, would require length of time, and more men: on the contrary many things made against the Duke of Sa∣voy and against the Governour, whose eyes were chiefly fix'd upon Cas∣sale; scarcity of men, the•…•…e not being then in the State of Millain above 2000 Horse and 12000 Foot; 2000 whereof were to be kept in Como, for the necessary, defence of the passes towards the Swissers and Gri∣sons: 4000 others, and 800 Horse, were of necessity to be kept in the Quarters of Cremona upon the Mantuan Confines, against the new Duke; whose numbers being increased threatned many things: so there were no more then 6000 Foot, and 1500 Horse to march into the Fields. True it is, that a Truce for six moneths being agreed upon be ween the Commonwealth of Genoa, and the Duke of Savoy, he ob∣tained 5000 Foot from the Commonwealth, wherewith having suffi∣ciently garrison'd the Towns della Riviera, he seemed to have no want

of men during the Truce: some men, but not many, were likewise expected from Naples, Sicily and Sardigna: to the want of men were likewise added the want of Victuals, by reason of the great barrenness of that years Harvest; and the want of ready moneys, by reason of the suspension of payment made the King, as hath been said; and these were necessarily accompanied with the want of credit amongst the tra∣ding Genoeses, and of the Court it self: so as the chief sinews of war being wanting, it was impossible to raise more men, or to make much provision for the Enterprise, It being impossible to sit down upon so many disadvantages, and upon so ill grounds, before Casalle, a place strong of it self, but much stronger by the Cit•…•…del, very capacious, and of a large situation, flank'd by six Bulwarks, begirt by large and deep Ditches, and which being wholly planted and fortified by all the rules of modern Fortification, was deservedly thought, and commonly held to be a royal Fort, and the strongest that was in all Italy, except Palma in Friuli; it would have been more wisely done to have defer'd the Siege till a more fitting time; and though the desire and haste of this new ac∣quisition did exceed all other considerations, it had been more to the purpose to have taken first some of the Towns about it; and putting 500 Foot, and 200 Horse into each of them, and to have cleared the ways with them, to the end that neither Victuals, Men nor Munition might have been brought thereinto; and whilst they should have thus besieged it at a distance, to have gone with the rest of their men to before Nizza, and from thence to Montcalvo and Ponzone; and having reduced the weaker Towns, to have gone then with all their Forces to besiege Casal∣le; and streightening the Siege, to bring it to a necessity of either surren∣dring it self, or of being stormed. But this being a business of length, and the Governour being desirous, according to his promise made to the Court of Spain, to end the business in a short time, he prefer'd the taking of the place before any other resolve, being thereto invited not so much by the small quantity of Munition, which (as they say,) he was made believe was in it, and by the intelligence which he had therein; as building his belief upon the small experience and resolution which he thought to be in the defendants, who were (for the most part) Mont∣ferrians, common people, who being affrighted and terrified by the loss of their Houses and Fields, when they should see them ruined by the Enemy, would not in likelihood persist long in defending Casalle. But their Calculations proved false, and their designs vain; for the Munition and Provision did far exceed opinion; and the Montferri∣ans proved not only more valiant, but more faithful and constant, then Subjects use to be to a Prince who was hardly known to them: the in∣telligence wrought no effect, either through the diligence of the Duke of Mantua's Captains and Officers, or out of the diffidence and fear of those that treated therein. The Governour, notwithstanding, coming into the Field about the end of March, and passing over the Po at Valen∣za, came with his Army to Frassinero, the first Town of Montferrat, two miles distant from Casalle; where making a Magazine for Arms, for Victuals and Ammunition, he muster'd his men; wherein he found not above 8000 Foot, and 1500 Horse; wherein were comprehended 2000 Neapolitans, who were first of all come from the State of Genoa, under Antonio dal Tuffo.

The City of Casalle stands upon the Banks of Po, in a Plain on the left side of the River: the form thereof is irregular, but rather round then of any other shape: it is begirt with Walls, unless it be on the North side, where the Poe coming almost up to the Wall serves for a Ditch: on the South side, where the Plain extends it self, is the Ci∣tadel, within half a mile whereof the Hills draw neer, and ancient Ca∣stle defends it. It was thought very fit by many to make themselves masters of the Hills, not only because they command the City, but for that the defendants would thereby be streightned in Victuals; for being to expect succours only from Montferrat, which lies behind the Hills, the seizing of them deprived the defendants of all hope of succour: but we•…•…e it either that the Governour, who was almost equal to the defen∣dants in Foot, was loth to part from the Plain, where he was superior in Horse; or that he thought if he should incamp upon the Hills he should be too far from the River, from whence he was to receive Vi∣ctuals and other Provisions, not without danger of having them inter∣cepted by the City which would be between the River and him; or that he thought his very accosting the City would be enough to take it, he kept upon the Plain; and going from Frassinero went in Rank and File towards Casalle; whither when he was come so neer as that the Can∣non could not reach him, he halted, and quarter'd himself before that part of the new wall which is called Alla nuova, which thrusting out from the Citadel towards the Poe, joyns with the ancient wall of the City. At the sitting down of the Camp, those within, according to the custom of Souldiers, sallied out very strong both in Foot and Horse; and shewing great courage, made a stout Skirmish that day, which lasted till night; and though they were manfully withstood and re∣puls'd, they failed not to make another sally the next day, out of a double design: the one to hinder the Enemy as much as was possible from fortifying himself, and from making his approaches, or at least to retarde them: the other, that they might gain more time to fortifie themselves the better on the side whereon they were assaulted: nor did their endeavours prove vain, for being defended by Artillery from the Citadel, which plaid upon that side, they came to underneath the Rampiers, where they fought valiantly; and being afterwards pur∣sued, they retreated safe to underneath the shelter of their Cannon. Continuing to do thus many days, they afforded their men conveni∣ency to fortifie their new wing, against which the Enemy bent their whole Forces; and they had made two Half-moons beyond it, which defended the new Gate, and two great Plat-forms, which did also shel∣ter the Mills which furnish'd them with grist: but the assailants being got so neer as they were able to plant Batteries, they raised four, one of Italians, on the side of the Capuchins Church, the other three of Spaniards, neerer the Poe; from whence, though they began to play fu∣riously, yet did they advance but a little; for the shot gave only against the highest houses, and sometimes slew some of them who wrought upon the Trenches; and having spent some days thus, and finding themselves deceived in their opinion of taking the Town •…•…o easily, and of the sm•…•…ll resistance they should meet with, they began to distrust the sequel, and to know by experience, that all they did was but apparent

loss of labour, time and reputation: they knew also that Victuals were daily brought into Cassalle by the way of the Hills, and new men and fresh Provisions, which the Montferrians, who extreamly hated the Spaniards Government, and were desirous to keep under their natural Prince, brought in: so as finding now for certain that it would be too desperate an enterprise for them to attempt that place without being masters of the Hills; and knowing the necessity thereof, it became them to desist from what they had begun, and fall to another manner of Siege, that would be more convenient, and more profitable; which they might the more commodiously do, for that all the men that could come from the State of Genoa were already come; and from Naples 1200 Neapolitans, and as many Spaniards, to boot with 400 Sardi∣nians from Sardinia: so as the Camp being stronger in men, was like∣wise more able for the enterprise of the Hills then before: but being loth to acknowledge an errour, and a certain ambition peculiar to Com∣manders, who rather then to amend resolutions already taken, will be subject to any inconveniences that may thereby result; and the hopes which they had given at Court of the easie, and speedy dispatch of the business, would not suffer the Governour to re-begin it, when by his promise he was obliged to have ended it: so as deceiving both himself and the Court, he continued his former supposals; and (with some new additions,) forced himself to persist therein: wherefore without quitting those Quarters he resolved upon two Enterprises: The one, to deprive the Enemy of the Mills; the other, to take Rossigliano, a Ca∣stle upon the Hills, five miles distant from Cassalle; not so much for that when they should have taken it, it would avail much for the taking of the Hills, as for that it was a receptacle for the Montferrians who were a Convoy to the Victual which were brought to the City, and which oftentimes did infest the Spanish Horse which were quartered abroad in those Countries. But neither of both these Enterprises did hit; for Don Frederico Enriques, going with six Companies of Foot, and three of Horse, to surprise that Castle, and having to that purpose carried along with him some Petards, •…•…e got not thither before Sun-ri∣sing, through the maliciousness of his Guide, who was a Montferrian, and prolong'd his March: so as being discovered, and finding the Draw-bridge up, and the Walls full of defendants, he was forced after a sleight attempt to retreat, with the loss of eight of his men, and ha∣ving fifteen wounded, (amongst which he himself was one, being hurt, though but a little, in the head with a stone;) and Luigi Trotto, Camp∣master, who had the Enterprise of the Mills given him, not being able to advance straight forwards, for the two Forts which defended them, went with 3000 Foot, and 200 Horse commanded by Gambacorti into the Island which the Poe makes, over against them; and having raised a Battery there, he did nothing of moment, being hindred, partly, by a great B•…•…nk, which was erected over against the Enemies Battery upon a sandy hill between the Battery and the Mills, partly by the fulness of the River, which twice overflowed a great part of the Island, to the danger of himself, and of some of his men, whereof some were drown'd in the River; and that he might avoid that danger, he was forced to retire to the other Bank, where he raised another Battery, but did there∣by

no good, by reason of the far distance, as also for that those of Cas∣salle removed the Mills a little higher, where they were hidden, and shelter'd from the sight of the new Battery; so as being forced to fore∣go the enterprise there also, he retreated to his former Quarters. The Duke of Savoy, going at the same time out of Turin with 4000 Foot, and 1200 Horse, had more luckily begun to get what was by the divi∣sion allotted to his share: he fell first upon the City of Alba, whither being come he easily took it, there being only two Companies of Soul∣diers in it, too weak a Garrison, and not suiting with the large circuit of the Walls: but in a sleight Skirmish which hapned between his men and the defendants which stood upon the Wall, some of his men were slain, amongst which the Count di San' Trinita. Alba being taken, to∣gether with the Country there about, he went to Trino with 4000 Foot and 1000 Horse; he begirt it on the side which lies towards Casalle, by which way only succour could be brought: he made a long and crooked Trench about it, and plaid upon the Wall with 20 pieces of Cannon placed upon five Batteries; and then drew neer the Ditch with Pick∣axes, and endeavoured to bereave the defendants of their Rampiers: the defendants were not above 300 paid Foot, 200 of the Train Bands and two Troops of Horses: it was but ill provided of Artillery or Mu∣nition; there being only three small pieces in the Town, and some barrels of Powder: wherefore the Duke having come with his ap∣proaches to the Ditch, and taken a little Half-moon, and being after∣wards gotten under a greater, which was over against the Gate, he be∣gan to undermine it from the one end to the other; then threatning the defendants to give fire unto it unless they would yield, the Captain of the Garrison, though the breach made by Battery was not great, and that he had other Plat-forms to retreat unto, yet terrifi'd with fear of the mine, and having spent all his Munition, he demanded that he and his Garrison might be suffer'd to come forth with their Arms and Bag∣gage, and that they might be convey'd into Cassalle: which Articles being agreed unto by the Duke in ambiguous terms, the Captain and five of his Officers were permitted to go into Montcalvo, and the Soul∣diers were set at liberty: but the Governour understanding what Arti∣cles the Duke had made, sent some Troops of Horse towards the way which leads from Trino to Casalle, which kept the Souldiers from entring 〈◊〉〈◊〉: these two places being taken, the Duke was possess'd of all that by the Articles of division fell to his share: for the other Towns being but small presently came in unto him, and swore fealty; and the Duke, for the better establishment of what he had gotten, began to build a Fort Royal about Trino; which being in a short time finished, began to be almost as untakeable as Cassalle, with no little prejudice to the State of Millain; and this Fortification being contrary to the Articles of Division, the Duke to appease the Governour, sent to take Ponte∣stura, and having obtain'd it upon Articles, he caused it presently to be delivered up unto him, as what belong'd to the King by the Articles of Division: being afterwards desirous to take Montcalvo, a Town which did not belong to him by the Articles, he turn'd all his Forces upon it. The Governour and other of the Kings Commanders were not a little troubled at this the Dukes so speedy success, for they being

imploy'd about the taking of a Town, which proved every day harder then other to be taken, from whence they could not in honour with∣draw, nor make any advantagious advancement in the business of Mont∣ferrat; they envied the Dukes prosperous proceedings; nor could they without indignation tolerate to be constrain'd to keep there useless and idle, and expect that the Kings Forces should be aided and assisted by the Dukes Forces; and because to fall again upon the taking of the Hills, as they found at last it was necessary to do, would be a business of length, and was generally detested by them all, since thereby they must confess their errour committed at the beginning of the enterprise; they bethought themselves of reaping the same advantage, as they should do by making themselves masters of the Hills, by another shor∣ter, and more easie way, and more to their honour. Nizza della Pag∣lia held out still for Mantua, and being, as it were, the head and Bulwark of the lower Montferrat, many things were brought from thence, by way of the Hills, into Casalle; this Nizza lies upon the road that leads from the Sea; and now that Trino and Montcalvo were taken, none of the rest of the upper Montferrat, being taken out of the power of Man∣tua, could afford any help to the besieged: so as when Nizza should be reduced, all the rest of the lower Montferrat would be kept from do∣ing so likewise; and then Casalle not being to be relieved by of the Hills, nor from elsewhere, what could it think of but of surrendring? this was also chosen before the making themselves masters of the Hills, by reason of the news of the coming of the French; who having no place of refuge when they should be come into Italy, but Nizza, it was to be feared that they might fortifie themselves there; and making it a Magazine for Arms, they might prove a great impediment to the chief Siege: out of these Reasons, this Enterprise was thought to be more honourable, more necessary and convenient, and was therefore prefer'd before that of the Hills: 4000 Foot were therefore immediate∣ly sent thither commanded by Count Iohn Serbellone, together with 50 Horse, and ten piece of Cannon: there was nothing in Nizza but the Montferrian Militia, two Sakers, and one Murthering piece, and there was scarcity of warlike Munition: but it is true that Count Eg∣monte, a French man, was come thither some days before, with some other of the same Nation, most of them experienced men, and men of commands who coming from Mantua, and passing one after another in disguise through the State of Genoa, saw that the Enemy approached Nizza, and made stout resistance, and Skirmishing with them, strove to keep them from taking up their Quarters, from fortifying themselves, and from making Battery; these did for some days hinder the Enemies proceedings; but not being able to disturbe them totally, the enemy at last planted batteries on three sides; and because a good Half-moon was erected against the weakest part of the Wall, they made their ap∣proaches that way to take it; thinking that when they should have done so, they might the more easily take the •…•…own; and whilst they advan∣ced with their Spades, they attempted to take it by an assault by night: but finding the defendants more ready to receive them then they had imagined, and more stout resistance, they were forc'd to retreat with some loss: being retired, they endeavoured to get neerer, and having

got to within the Ditches, they digged a mine; which when they should have perfected, they resolved to give fire unto it, and to fall immedi∣ately to assault: the mine being set on fire before hand by the cunning of those that were within, and who made it play, wrought no effect, and yet the assault was given, which was so manfully withstood, as the assailants were forced again to retreat, with more loss then formerly, many of their valiantest Souldiers being therein slain: yet this days acti∣on was not altogether in vain, for the assailants having taken station in the Ditch of the Half-moon, they went about to destroy it by fire; which being discover'd by the defendants, who had spent all their Powder, and saw there was no hope of holding out longer, they came to Articles; which being agreed upon much to their honour and ad∣vantage, they surrendred the Town after having stoutly defended it for above a fortnight: About 500 of the assailants died before it: Count Serbellone was hurt there in the arm and thigh with a Musket shot, and Count Trotti received a sleight wound in the face: all the Towns of the lower Montferrat follow'd this surrender, except Ponzone, which re∣lying upon the strength of its situation held out for Nevers. The Duke of Savoy being gone, as hath been said, at the same time to Mont∣calvo took the Town with ease; and having plaid upon the Castle with battery and mines, he after a while took it also; and being invited by the strength and opportunity of the situation, it lying between Asti and Trino, be kept it for himself, contrary to the Articles of Division, and contrary to the Governours opinion, who thought he would have dis∣posed of it, as he had done of Pontestura; and placing a Garrison of Piedmonteses in it, he said he would accord the business with the King, and give him equivalent Towns for it. This action of Montcalvo, as also the fortifying of Trino, was rather wink'd at, then well taken, by the Governour, and other Spanish Agents: but the same reasons which induced them to Capitulate with the Duke, to keep him by that means from being averse unto them in the business of Casalle, when he was not possess'd of any Towns in Montferrat, forc'd them to see through their fingers now, when by suffering him to possess himself of so great a part of that State, they had put him into more power and greatness; and when he by fortifying Alba, Trino and Montcalvo, had made him∣self more able to defend himself, and to offend others. Moreover, great preparation of Arms and Men being known to be upon the Con∣fines of France, it became them not only not to distaste him, lest joy∣ning with the French he might plot novelties, tending to more preju∣dice then that of Casalle; but they were forced to furnish him with much moneys and men, for which he very much press'd, to make him oppose, and resist the French Forces; to the danger whereof since he was first exposed, he had just reason to fear, that his Dominions would be made the seat of war: the demands were thought just, and necessary to be granted; for the Duke of Nevers seeing himself in effect destitute of help from France, that Crown being wholly busied before Rochel, he had by mortgaging his Land in France, raised about 12000 Foot, and 1500 Horse; to which, by Order from the King, Marshall Cricky, Gover∣nour of Dolpheny, was to joyn with the ordinary Gens d' Arms of his Go∣vernment, which might make about 5000 Foot, and 500 Horse: The

Marquess of Montenegro also, many of his men being run away for want of p•…•…y, desired a recruit of Souldiers, to defend that Frontier against the new Duke, whose numbers were now grown to be about 8000 Foot and 500 Horse, wherewith, when he heard that the French were come into Italy, he threatned to joyn in the freeing of Casalle, and in the recovery of wh•…•…t had been lost.

The Governour and Spanish Agents were doubtlesly troubled at these accidents, who being before Casalle (a place not likely soon to be taken) with few men, little money, and less credit, knew not what to do to satisfie the Dukes just and necessary demands, and to withstand so great a deluge of dangers which threatned Italy, and chiefly their own Concernments: But they were most of all troubled by their fear of the Duke of Savoy's truth and constancy, and by their jealousie, that having now got a good part of Montferrat, he either out of a de∣sire of preserving it, or of advancing to greater things, or to avoid new Wars in his own Dominions, might bethink himself of some∣what else to the prejudice of the Union which he had contracted but a little before with the King; especially since it made not much for his own interest that Casalle should fall into the Spaniards •…•…ands: They knew what private intelligence he held continually in the Court of France; they knew how he was threatned on the one side, and what great offers were made him on the other side by that Court against the Genoeses, great inci•…•…ements to work upon any whatsoever constant heart, and to make the best composed judgments waver, much more the Duke, who was generally held to be a friend to Novelties, mighty desirous of revenge upon the Genoeses, and naturally given to do what made most for the advancement of his own affairs. Claudio Marini the French Embassadour was suspected conscious of some secret mystery, he being still detained in Turin, though under the colour of Hostage, till the Dukes Resident should return from France; and though the said Duke seemed outwardly very much to study the welfare of the King of Spain's Proceedings, and profess'd great constancy to the new contracted Amity, and behaved himself with great observancy to∣wards t•…•…at Court and the Agents thereof; yet this so great and so ex∣traordinary affection of a Prince who but a little before was an Enemy had in it more of seeming then sincerity. These suspitions were en∣creased by the doubt, that nor the Governour, nor other Spanish Agents had real good intentions for the Duke of Savoy, it not being very like∣ly that when they should be Masters of Casalle they would make him greater by maintaining him in his new acquisitions; for the Articles of division agreed upon between the Duke and the Governour in the Kings name were never accepted of in the Court of Spain by the King, nor approved of in Germany by the Emperour, who could not with∣out blushing proceed rigourously against the one, and wink at the acti∣ons of the other; and therefore signified to the Duke that he should restore what he had taken, and to the Spaniards, that they should cease from besieging Casalle: So it was to be believed by the speedy and strong fortifying of Trino, Alba, and Montcalvo, that the Duke of Sa∣voy had the same opinion of the Spaniards towards him, as the Spani∣ards had of him towards the Kings Affairs; and that therefore this ill

composed Union, though it appeared outwardly to be very affectio∣nate and sincere, was nothing in reality but a desire of obtaining by re∣ciprocal deceit their several ends; the one their intent upon Casalle, the other a good part of Montferrat; which when they should have com∣passed, then to hinder under-hand each others ends and interests. Nor was the Duke (since he was possess'd of what he pretended unto) dis∣pleased at these jealousies of the Spaniards, since his joyning with them in this present conjunction of time made more for them then ever, and made them be the readier to give him all satisfaction: He therefore failed not to feed them with some demonstrations, which though they were but slight, were of no slight consequence; just as it fell out, when speaking with the Governour he appeared in a Cassock so made, as turn it which way you will, it suited with the person; an Emblem which tacitly threatning change, alluded to the condition of his own affairs, which being turn'd on all sides did naturally fit all States: but the de∣tention of Montcalvo, and the fortifying the Towns he had got, contra∣ry to agreement, contrary to the president of Pontestura; his great pre∣tentions, his daily immoderate demands, and the great storm which seemed to threaten him from France, made him be daily more and more suspected: insomuch as in the Camp and throughout the State of Mil∣lain, he was ill spoken off, as if he were already fallen from the King of Spain, and re-united to the King of France: which favour he was to obtain by the detention of what he had taken, and by the River of Ge∣noa, and a good part of the State of Millain: that therefore it was too dangerous to continue friends with him, and to assist him against the French, with whom he was already closed; as if to furnish him with moneys were to impoverish themselves, and to afford him the better conveniency to arm himself to their prejudice; and that to grant him men were no better then to submit the cream, and the best of those few who were left to defend the State of Millain, not only to the dan∣ger of the Enemy, but to the Dukes uncertain faith: to dismember the Kings Forces, and to expose the State of Millain to the manifest dan∣ger of Forreigners with whom the Duke was Confederate: and yet so great was the necessity of keeping him to side with them, as contrary to so many and so manifest appearances, and contrary to so great probabi∣lity of suspicion, the Spanish Agents were so firm, and constant in their dissimulation, as appearing to confide very much in him, they did not only in this their so great need deprive themselves of 5000 of their best Foot, and send them to Piedmont to oppose the French, who were al∣ready gotten neer the Alps; but by publick Proclamations, and upon pain of severe punishment, prohibited the speaking ill of the Duke, and consenting to any demand he made, though never so great, though contrary to their chief ends and interests: which was yet more clearly seen in the great ruptures which hapned at this time in the City of Genoa; some of the Popularity whereof conspired against the publick Govern∣ment moved thereunto, partly by private injuries received from some of the young Nobility, partly for that they appeared to be excluded from the administration of the Commonwealth; and to this purpose having held intelligence with the Duke of Savoy, he promised to assist them with men to execute their designs: moneys under several pre∣tences

were disperss'd abroad amongst some of the meaner sort of peo∣ple, who being naturally seditious, they thought might be easily brought to joyn in the Conspiracy; and moneys were also sent to many of the neighbouring Villages, making some of them acquainted with the secret; and telling other some how that they meant to make use of their service, in a private resentment which they intended to make; and they had likewise got over unto them some Out-laws, people of a lewd life, and those who for their service in war had got pardon for enormious faults; and hoping, to boot with these to get the universali∣ty of the people to side with them, when the business should be begun, they resolved to kill the Senate and greatest part of the Nobility, and to make a new form of Government: but the Plot being discovered, some of the Delinquents were taken; against which whilst process was making, the Duke of Savoy, discovering himself to be the Author of the Conspiracy, pleaded their impunity, pretending that the conspiracy being contrived with his knowledge and intelligence, in resentment of what had hapned at Busso; that the Truce insuing afterwards, the ex∣ecution was suspended by his command; and that he had therefore pro∣mis'd the Conspirators, that they should enjoy the benefit of the Truce, as being therein comprehended, in case the conspiracy should in the in∣terim be discovered: he press'd the Governour and the Marquess di San' Croce very much in their behalfs, and engaged himself so far in the impunity of the Conspirators, as causing the Genoese gentlemen to be closely imprisoned, who were formerly his prisoners, and whom he had set at Liberty after the Truce, but upon their Paroll of not going away; he resolutely promis'd they should all be put to death, in case they should proceed in Genoa to punish the Conspirators; and on the contrary, if their fault were pardoned, he offer'd peace to the Com∣monwealth, upon very advantagious conditions for her. The Go∣vernour and the other Agents knew they were in a great streight; for the Duke building very much upon the Truce made by their appoint∣ment, pretended these as mediators, were to force the Commonwealth to observe it, and not to break it by punishing the Conspirators; and those Agents, whether they approved of this pretention or not, were unwilling to alienate and distaste the Duke, by denying his request, or by consenting, to cause new troubles between the Duke and the Com∣monwealth, by which the King would be constrain'd to declare in fa∣vour of the one or the other of them, with great danger to the present Occurrences: yet in this so detestable example, the new reconciliation and fear of alienating the Duke prevail'd over the merit of the anci∣ent, and uninterrupted friendship of the Commonwealth; and the Dukes satisfaction was prefer'd before any respect of publick honour, or of the Kings dignity; wherefore the Governour and other Agents were very servent in the point of freeing the Conspirators, and used all their endeavours in obtaining their pardon; insomuch as they presented Letters written by the King to the Commonwealth for the Conspira∣tors impunity; which by the circumstance of time appeared to be fra∣med upon Blanks. which upon like occasions are trusted with chief Agents; and the Governour sent Don Alvaro di Lusara to Genoa, to treat herein with the Commonwealth; propounding unto her Senators,

how easily they might obtain a safe and good peace from the Duke by pardoning the offenders; and on the contrary, how much their punish∣ment would irritate him, and would occasion new wars and troubles, worse then the former. The Dukes pretentions appeared to be false; for the Conspirators forbore not to prosecute the business, after the Truce, which had it not been prevented, would have been effected within a few days; and though it did clearly appear that they treated with the Duke in Turin, yet did they never alledg the Truce for their defence, nor any or∣der from the Duke to supersede, nor any promise of pardon from him if they would desist: so as it appeared clearly that all were but false pre∣tences, which he strove to maintain by his own authority, by the favour of the Spanish Agents, and by threats: the Commonwealth being scandalized at so exorbitant pretences, and at the Spanish Agents so strange pressures; the Council, which by reason of the paucity of the number is called •…•…l minore, but wherein the chief affairs off State are dis∣cus'd, being called, and Lusada's Proposals being therein taken into debate, one rose up, and spoke thus:

If I could perswade my self that, for our greater misfortune, we had any Julius Caesar amongst us, who should dare to open his mouth for the impuni∣ty of these new Catalines, I am confident that all we, like so many Catos or Ciceros, would rise up against so perfidious and pernicious an adviser; and that we should resent the first mentioning of so abominable a plea, with more then sharp invectives: but since (God be praised) I see you all so set upon the just punishment of so execrable a Paricide, I will pass by all becoming de∣clamations upon this occasion, as superfluous, and will confine my discourse to the Question, which falls properly under our present consideration: to wit, to what answer me are to give 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those demands which are made us in favour of these wicked ones, and to the instigation of their fantorer and so great pro∣moter of the conspiracy, the Duke of Savoy, in the name and by the autho∣rity of the King of Spains Officers: demands more detestable then the Con∣spiracy it self, as being so strange, so unusual, and so without example: what would it be to pardon these guilty persons, but to sow the fruitful seed of continual Conspiracy amongst those people who do perpetually disturbe our State and Government; but to grant them a powerful Chi•…•…ftain for future sedition? but to authorize and make our enemy Duke, the Protector of our people, which is the thing he so much now affects? so as afterwards all rules of respect would be broken, tho gate would be thrown open to insolency, the fear of punishment taken away, the Majesty of this Government suppress'd, the Authority of this Order trode under foot, and the peoples obedience lost; and will any endure to hear of peace upon these conditions? will there be any one found so little zealous of the publick good; so wicked an enemy to the Com∣monwealth, as will not rather chuse to run any misfortune, how great soever, suffer any death, then consent to peace upon so ruinous conditions? the bare dignity and reputation of the Commonwealth is not now the thing in questi∣on, though we were to lose a thousand lives for it, if we had so many, but of the summa totalis of the publick safety, but of the very soul of liberty, but of the vital spirits of the present Government; which after having received such a wound, what would it become but a Carcase full of horrour, breathing nothing out but ruine, sedition and death: it is good sometimes to pard•…•…n Conspiracies, but it must be by Princes who are newly got into Principality,

we read of Augustus Caesar, that having found revenge and punishment to be rather a spur, then curb to new Conspiracies, he approved of his Wives counsel, which was, to pardon; and he found it to be a wholsome antidote, and a more proportiable preservative for the malignant and dangerous dis∣ease of those times; for the good name he got of being merciful and gracious did radicate the hatred which the people, being grown perverse through fear, did bear him, and planted in the place thereof cordial affection toward a be∣nigne Prince; who before by frequent punishment, was abhor'd, and whose death they plotted: what good will it do to use pardon in these tempestuous times, when it shall be thought that it is not clemency, nor sparing of humane blood; but fear of the Dukes threatnings, the fear of greater evils, which hath ex∣torted it from us? so all the merit of benignity, all the fame of clemency, will be attributed to the Duke our enemy: he shall be the pious deliverer, he the affectionate Protector of the oppressed: not only the guilty, but all the male∣contents shall thank him only: we poor souls shall, on the contrary side, be ac∣counted bloody oppressors, we shall be hated by the people, laugh'd at by stran∣gers, and generally detested by all men: and therefore, if to pardon so enor∣mous a fault, will in other respects be accounted a great errour in us, how much will that errour be multiplied when it shall be known to be done at the importunity of the Duke, and of the Kings Agents? therefore the more we are thereunto prest, the more backward ought we to be in consenting, the more obdurate in denying it: assuring our selves, that (undoubtedly) we can undergo no misfortune, and that no greater disaster then this can befall us: good God! did we not fear the insolent threats of the Duke, for a petty Fee∣farm, wherein the main of our affairs were little or not at all concern'd, when he was upon good terms with the French, without whose help he would never have dared to assault us? and shall we now succumb to so unjust demands in a thing wherein our vital spirits are concern'd, after that same Duke hath tried, how hard it is to justle with our mountains, when we see him inveloped in the wars of Montferrat, irreconcilably fallen out with the King of France, and so unsincerely united to the Crown of Spain? but some peradventure may doubt, that the Crown of Spain being incens'd at our denial, may joyn with the Duke, and appear against us on his behalf. Truly, he that shall doubt this, will, in my opinion, shew how little he understands the affairs of the world, and that he knows not how •…•…asily the hatred and anger of Princes are laid aside, when they are not concern'd in point of State Affairs: John Ber∣navelt, the greatest man amongst the States of Holland, a man of excel∣lent advice, the Oracle of the united Provinces, grown old in State Affairs, having past all the Imployment as well within the Commonwealth as abroad, who had been imploy'd, by way of Embassie, in all the weightiest affairs, to the Northren Kings and Potentates; this man, not many years ago, being trou∣bled by the emulation of Count Maurice, and the authority of the more pow∣erful prosecutor prevailing over the worth and merit of so gallant a man, he was put to death: so great was the fame of his worth, such was the good opi∣nion of his actions, as the Princes of those parts did compassionate his misfor∣tune: and the King of France interceded for his pardon, not with his name subscribed to blanks, but by an extraordinary Embassadour: all men know of what power that King is with the united Provinces, and how well that Crown hath deserved of them; and yet the Kings intercessions not being listned to, he lost his head: what ruine do you hear, Gentlemen, that this repulse brought

with it to the Hollanders? you may peradventure think that a French-like fury, more terrible then the raging of the Sea, might devour those Provinces? nothing less; the King was not all troubled at it, he broke not with the Com∣monwealth which had been a friend to his Crown; nay, he did not so much as withdraw his wonted favours and succours from them: how unequal is the comparison, if you consider the quality of the Deliquents, the enormity of the fault, or the occasion of the demand? and shall we doubt to findless mo∣deration in the Court of Spain, in a cause incomparably better, then the Hollanders did in France? shall we think that the King of Spain will ever subscribe to so wicked and exorbitant demands of the Duke of Savoy, and of his Agents in Italy? or that he will joyn with Savoy against us, to re∣venge himself upon us for our denial? how far do these conceits differ from the ways of that Court? how contrary to the weighty concerns of that Crown? how repugnant to the Faith and Magnanimity that his Majesty professeth, and observes to his Friends, and which (upon all occasions,) but particularly in these last wars he hath profess'd to us, and effectually maintained? the sencelesse fear of the King if Spains anger being removed, what are we to ap∣prehend, if we consent not to these so unjust demands? our Citizens lives peradventure, who are Prisoners with the Duke? where are the Bruto's, where the Torquato's, who for the preservation of Military Discipline, spared not their own Sons lives? I call you generous, noble, and truly Roman minds to witnesse, and your Curtii and Decii also, who did willingly sacrifice your own lives for your Country, and for the safety of the Roman Legions; for Gods sake, if you be called upon, do but only appear, to the confusion of such, if any such there be amongst us, who can be wrought upon to any sinister resolution either by neernesse of blood, or tendernesse of affection, or by the vain danger of the Confederates; but why talk I of the doubt, or danger of our Prisoners lives? who will ever believe so brute and barbarous an action in a Christian Prince, which would appear infamous and bestial in a Scythian, Thracian or Cannibal: I pray you say, if this Prince who hath insidiated our lives by so horrid a Conspiracy, should bring the business to be doubtful and dangerous; what should we do? shall we suffer the publick safety to run cer∣tain ruine, for saving the lives of a few, though never so deserving Citi∣zens? nor would they themselves (so much do I confide in their worth) give way thereunto; nay, were they permitted, upon their promise given to be true prisoners, to appear before us; I assure my self, that like so many Attili Re∣goli they would supplicate us, that preferring the publick honour, before their private safeties, we should shew that constancy which the duty we ow to our selves, and Country, obligeth us unto; and that having gotten their request, they would with a generous and constant mind return to receive the punishment which should be provided for them; and on the contrnry, if by their pardon obtained, they should find this Commonwealth so shamefully de∣form'd with such a scar, and miserably perishing, and like to die of such a wound, they would detest their own lives, and would hate those to death, who should so shamefully have betrayed the Publick, for their private safety: they would, in fine, (if the heavens should have so ordered their destiny) not value that life, which when at home and amongst their friends, a Catarrhe, Fever, or any sleight accident might by an obscure death b•…•…reave them of; whereas now they shall live gloriously for ever, not only for having served their Coun∣try with their lives and fortunes in these wars, but for having been sacrificed like innocent V•…•…ctimes for the publick safety.

This opinion was not only attentively listned unto, but approved by an unanimous consent of all the hearers: insomuch as any one repug∣nant voice or suffrage being produced, not any one of the prisoners kindred, whereof many were present at this Debate, gave their Votes to the contrary; wherefore in pursuance of the Sentence pronounced against the Prisoners, (not allowing them any minute of delay more then what is usually appointed by the Law;) four of the Conspirators were beheaded; who had been found guilty by former process: at which the Duke being highly incensed, he gave Order that four of his Prisoners should lose their heads; appearing resolute to have it done, and the Heads man was even now ready to do his office: but at last, being either overcome by the intreaties of some of his followers, or frighted with the unworthiness and atrocity of the action, or that (peradventure) he did never really intend it, he commanded forbearance; and the Go∣vernour and other Officers, no less incensed, then the Duke, against the Commonwealth, seemed to be mightily scandalized; not so much for that adhering to the Duke they desired to make him know, that they joyn'd with him in being unsatisfied; as for having upon this occasion sufficiently engaged the Kings Authority, they thought it was not a lit∣tle prejudiced by this the Commonwealths so absolute resolution: inso∣much as though two of those Conspirators who were already behead∣ed were sent by the Governour to the Commonwealth, before the Duke appeared to favour the Conspiracy; yet some other of them be∣ing come unto his hands, he set them at liberty: not making any the least account of the Commonwealths intreaties, as he had wont to do upon lesser occasions: others to the end that if they should be cited they might have occasion to avoid judgement, were secured in the State of Millain; and the Duke entertaining other of the Conspirators with ex∣traordinary favour, advanced them, and protected them in his Court; and did further suffer them to publish seditious Papers in Print, where∣by to incite the Genceses to rebellion: assuring them that the Duke would declare himself in behalf of their liberty; and which was of more importance, he by means of the great power he held with the Spanish Agents, endeavour'd to raise enmity between them and the Ge∣noeses, telling them for their better incouragement, that he held many intelligences in Genoa, by which he might easily turn the affairs of that Commonwealth upside down; and giving an inkling that the French would joyn with those that should revolt, he strove to make them joyn with him in the same enterprise, to the end, that they might totally exclude the French from out of Italy; and to keep him from being con∣strained to recall them once more thither, that he might work revenge upon the Genoeses. These the Dukes endeavours did doubtlesly much perplex the Spanish Agents, who by reason of the present business of Cassalle had daily more necessity of keeping the Duke firm unto them; and Genoa appearing to be the stumbling-block against the which all their corrivals were with all their Forces to give, men were very doubtful what resolutions the Court of Spain would put on touching these Occurrences; it not being comprehended by their actions, nor penetrated into by their discourse, to what side they inclined: so con∣siderable were the gainsayings both of accidents and reasons, on either

side: yet the firm belief, that the addition the Duke had got by the new acquisition of part of Montferrat might cause jealousie in the Court of Spain, overcame all other considerations: so as it was not probable, that the Spaniards would add scandal to scandal, and increase jealousies in Italy, and contaminate the glory which they but a little before had gotten in the defence and preservation of the Commonwealth, by ag∣grandizing the Duke of Savoy, and by oppressing a Commonwealth which had always been so singularly affected to Spain, and from whence that Crown had received such advantages: yet so naturally are men desirous of novelty, and inclined to sinister interpretations, as many thought that the Court of Spain did not only lend an ear to the Dukes practices, but consented thereunto: it is true that these men doubted whether that Court proceeded really and sincerely herein, or cunning∣ly, only to keep the Duke well affected to the enterprise of Cassalle, and to divert him from the practices which he seemed to be resolute in, and might easily effect by assistance from France, to the prejudice of the Commonwealth: these sinister reports which were publickly divulged, together with news of divisions and factions in prejudice to the Geno∣eses negotiated by the Duke, were occasioned by divers demonstrati∣ons of that Court: which having notice of what had hapned, and of the Dukes complements and exclamations, accompanied by the sinister in∣formations of their Agents in Italy touching the conspiracy, touching the danger of alterations in that City, and concerning the inconveni∣ences which might result to the Kings interest, if the affairs of Genoa should be molested; and some memorials of the Conspirators in Tori∣no, and of some other popular men in Genoa, concurring herewithall; they made so sinister an impression of the State and Government of the Commonwealth, as the King, and generally all his Officers, either to secure the affairs of the Crown, or to keep the Duke true unto them, and for his better satisfaction, seemed little satisfied with relations to the contrary, made by Lucca Pallavicino; who upon this occasion, was sent once more Embassadour in extraordinary to that Court; and they complain'd much of the haste used in executing the Conspirators; and seeming to value the Dukes satisfaction more then the reasons alled∣ged by the Commonwealth, they broke out into words of anger and resentment; which made the Genoese interpret sinisterly of them, and of their intentions, as if they had been disaffected, and much alienated from the Commonwealth: to this was added, that the Count di Mon∣terei, President of the Counsel of Italy, and Cousin to Olivares, being destined Embassadour to the Pope, was ordered by the King to be gone presently for Italy, and that he should tarry some moneths in Genoa; it being generally thought that he had many private Commissions given him, and of great importance to the affairs of Genoa: but the Genoeses were yet fuller of jealousies and fears, by reason of the news that in these turbulent times came to that Court, of a Victory gotten by the Duke against the French, at the foot of the Alps, who came to succour the Duke of Nevers, and to free Cassalle; these were said to be about 12000 Foot, and 1500 Horse, led on by the Marquess d'Uxel, with whom Marshal Cricky could not joyn, either out of some private emulation and distaste which he had to the Marquess, or else being detained by

the Dukes men, under Prince Thomaso in Savoy. The Marquess at∣tempted the Pass called dell' Agnello, by which falling into the Vale of Uraita, in the Jurisdiction of Dolpheny, you come to Castel Delphino; a passage large enough, and therefore commodious for Horse, and whereby, without meeting with any obstacle, you may come to the plain of Saluzzo and of Piedmont: But the Duke, who had already fortified and munited all the Passes of the Alps, had not left this un∣fortified; for having built a Fort at Castle S^t Pietro, neer the mouth of the Valley towards Piedmont, he incumbred that passage, so as it was impossible to advance further before that Fort was taken; and Artillery being requisite to the taking thereof, it proved a business of much length, by reason of the difficulty of carriages, to boot with the uncertainty of the event: and yet the Marquess being desirous to advance, march'd on; and having first taken three Redoubts which the Duke had set up upon the Mountains, he fell into the Valley of Uraita, which takes its name from the River which descending from the Alps runs throughout it, and comes within six miles of Castel S^t Pietro; whether D'Uxell being come, and seeing that the Duke ad∣vanc'd with his men, he placed his men in order upon a little rise. The Duke had with him about 12000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, those being therein comprehended who were sent unto him by the Governour, un∣der the Camp-master Gill de l' Arena, which were 5000 Foot; and immediately sending Prince Victorio, who was best acquainted with the Country, with good part of his men, to possess himself of the skirts of the Mountain which shape the Vale, he staid with the rest, and with the Kings Auxiliary Forces, to defend the plain; where making a Squa∣dron in •…•…ace of the French, he kept a quarter of a mile off, observing their movings: The Marquess seeing that he had to do with the Enemy upon the Plain, and upon the skirts of the Mountains, sent a good Band of men against those that defended the Mountains, and with the rest charged the Dukes right wing, where the Neapolitans were, who, assisted by the Piemontese Horse, made stout resistance, insomuch as the Assailants not being able to stand before them, were forced to give back: A thousand of them, seeing it was impossible for them to force their way, waded thorow the River, and getting upon a little hill put themselves there in order: The others, advancing by the skirts of the Mountains, assaulted the Dukes men, who seeming to give back, drew them into an ambush which they had prepared; falling wherinto, those of the Ambush fell upon them with such violence, as being forc'd to retreat, they were afterwards put to flight, with a great loss of men: Those who were sent at first against them on the hill ran a fortune not much unlike to this; for the Prince observing the wind, which blew full in their face, caused some little Cottages to be set on fire, the smoak whereof affording him to send men into some ambushes without be∣ing discerned, the French men light upon them, and were severely dealt with, and slain; and being also struck with stones which were tumbled down from the higher places, they began to run. The Con∣flict lasted from morning to night; and the Dukes men were so well dis∣posed of and divided, as not any one of them stood idle. The F•…•…ench seemed that night as if they would retire; but, as the effects shewed,

they resolved to try their fortune once more; which the Prince having learnt by one that was run away, he presently sent for fresh supplies of men to the Duke, which whilst they were expected, the greatest part of the French •…•…id themselves that night behind certain Trees, and the rest upon break of day appeared in a large but very thin and ill-compo∣sed Squadron, shewing themselves to the Prince, to the end that allu∣red by the hopes of Victory, he might assault them, and so fall into an ambush which they had prepared for him that very night: The Prince who expected a re-inforcement, stirr'd not, so as those who were in the ambush came out, and entred into the Squadron, seeming as if they would fight with more Forces then they had done the day before; but the Prince still keeping in expectation of succour from his Father, moved not; till finding not long after, that the Enemies Squadron was much diminished by the retreating of many of their men, he assaulted those that remained, who not being able to resist, were put to flight, and pursued with much slaughter even to the Confines of France; whi∣ther being come, he with held, out of observance of the Kings Con∣fines, h•…•…ving gotten much baggage, and many Arms, which the French threw away as they fled. After this Victory the Duke and Prince march'd presently towards Pinarolo, lest the French being beat∣en from hence might attempt that pass; from whence hearing that they went towards Savoy, where Prince Thomaso was, the Duke sent most of his men thither; but it was superfluous; for the French were so con∣fused and dissipated by the discomfiture, as hardly any four of them were together in this retreat.

The Duke won as much reputation, by this happy success, with the Spaniards, as he ever had purchased the contrary before: He was pub∣lickly acknowledged to be the Kings right hand, the bulwark of his Affairs in Italy; by this action all offences were cancelled, and no re∣ward was equivalent to so great merit; the King himself, hearing the news, said in publick, That he would have accounted it a great happiness to have been found with a Pike in his hand by the Duke his Uncles •…•…ide: And the Conde Duca, chief Author of the reconciliation; boasted not a lit∣tle, that the King and Court began now to taste the fruit of his coun∣sels and negotiations: But the more favour the Dukes merits found in the Court, the more jealous were the Genoeses, who saw their own declination joyn'd to the exaltation of their Enemy: An as the Dukes satisfaction seemed to consist in the Affairs of Genoa, and the reward equal to his vast expectation, and to his implacable hatred to the Ge∣noeses, which every day grew greater in him; so such a great conjun∣ction of will, and so general a disposition as was found to be in that Court to gratifie him, made it be much apprehended, that some great mischief would redound thereby, to the prejudice of the Common-wealth: This suspition was encreased by the Conde Duca his not caring for the Genoeses; the affronts given to the Embassadors of that Com∣mon-wealth; and the rigorous proceedings with others of that Nati∣on; the upbraiding of the Conspiracy, and of other accidents which had hapned at Genoa, which accidents might by the connexion of Af∣fairs redound to the prejudice of Italy, did very much perplex the Sta∣tists of that Court.

To these things wherein the publick Interests were concern'd other sinister demonstrations were added, which touched the Fortunes and Interests of private men; the rigorous Decrees of the preceding year, the difficulty in exacting the Revenues, the introducing of other Nati∣ons to contract with the King, to the shame and exclusion of the Geno∣eses, and the continual extorting of monies from those Genoeses who remained yet in Court, enforcing them to contribute great sums of monies for the urgent occasions of the Crown; by which accidents the face of that Court being totally changed towards the Genoeses both in publick and in private from what it had used to be, they put the Common-wealth into some anxiety of their own safety: And these Novelties and Commotions being known in Italy, they first filled all the Princes of Italy with admiration, and then with suspition, what the sequel of so great and unexpected an alteration would prove. These suspitions had also an influence upon other Nations, which being in∣tent upon all occasions, did not pretermit their wonted artifices to make the rent greater; to the end that they might thereby reap such advantage as might not conduce a little to the conduct of their Affairs and Interests: And amongst others, a Spanish Courier being intercept∣ed in the Seas of Provence, who was sent to their Officers of Italy, the French gave out, that they had found very strange Negotiation in those Dispatches which past between that Court and the Duke, to the preju∣dice of the Common-wealth; which Dispatch•…•…s being sent from the Court of Paris into Italy to the Duke of Nevers, and by him partici∣pated to the Pope, they were by both of them made known to the Common-wealth; to the end that growing apparently to distrust they might ioyn with them in the common Cause; which might procure the lessening of the Spanish Affairs, and the advancement of the Com∣mon Cause of Italy: And to this purpose they offer'd with arms thrown abroad to receive them into their protection, and profess'd readiness to defend her. The Common-wealth being so ascertained of these advices and accidents could not but proceed with much circumspecti∣on; to the end that on the one side too much distrust might not drive them from that friendship and ancient conjunction wherein at all times, and particularly upon these late occurrences, they had always found so much truth in intention, such constant effects, and such readiness in ex∣ecution; nor on the other side, that too much confidence might not make them run upon those dangers and prejudices whereof they had been advertised by such a concurrence of probable accidents, with such demonstration of affection and good will: Not that she ever doubted of the Kings good intentions, or suffer'd her self to be per∣swaded that he had conspired with the Duke to her oppression; all that she feared was, that the Duke being now free from fears of the French Arms, and secured from any opposition he might meet with from Spain by his new conjunction and good correspondency with that Court, he might bethink himself of re-assaulting the State of Genoa, and might occasion the like damages to those of the preceding year in that River; and that the Spaniards, either not to incense him in this present conjunction of Affairs, or by some secret Intelligence, or in resentment of the small account they made of the Kings Intercession in

the punishment of the Conspirators, should not be so much moved thereat as formerly, and foregoing his former care of them, might suffer the Dukes Forces to take their course, and might less interest himself in their defence: But because, though they should miss of assist∣ance from Spain, yet neither would the French foment the Duke; the Common-wealth therefore thinking themselves to be upon equal terms with the Duke, if he should not be assisted by the French, resolved to provide new Forces which might more immediately depend upon her; and obtain from the Pope, who seemed to favour them more in this then in the former Occurrences, a thousand Foot, and as many more from the Duke of Bavaria; with which, and with many others that they had taken into pay, and with their own Militia, the Genoeses re-infor∣ced the most important places of their State, in their own defence, and to resist her imminent storm which the cloudes and winds of the pre∣sent season did threaten: but the coming of Count Monterei to Genoa, upon whom all their eyes were fix'd, by reason of the news which was spread abroad, that he was come to cause some commotions, instead of apprehended foul weather, brought so clear skies to the Common-wealth, as (the clouds of sinister impression being dispers'd) the rumours which were given out appeared to be vain: he tarried two moneths in the City with much satisfaction, and spoke not any thing tending to the administration of publick Government; nor did the Duke, by reason of his coming, or by any demonstrations from Court, do any thing of novelty: nay, the Count being to go into Lombardy to treat of com∣mon Affairs with the Duke offer'd his service to the Commonwealth, touching the compounding of differences which were then on foot; and his offer being accepted of by the Commonwealth, he was very zea∣lous and affectionate in their interests: but the Duke was so exaspera∣ted and incens'd for the punishment of the Conspirators, as he could do no good by his intercession; therefore returning to Genoa, he re∣presented unto the Senate how much the execution of two other of the Conspirators, who were not yet condemned, would prejudice the Ne∣gotiation and conclusion of peace, which was very hotly treated of in the two Kings Courts; and interceded for the stay of execution, which he obtained; and parting afterwards in Embassie for Rome, he left the affairs of Genoa, as concerning the King of Spain, in a much better dispo∣sition then he found them.

The Siege of Casalle continued this mean while in very bad order, especially after the 5000 men were sent to relieve Piedmont; for Victu∣als were daily brought in, and all kinds of refreshments, insomuch as the co•…•…n that was brought in during the Siege was cast up to amount to above 18000 Quarters, a good part whereof came out of Piedmont by the Dukes tacite permission, as it was said, and commonly suspected; who (as by many conjectures was thought,) was not at all troubled that that place should be preserved: no less negligence was used in the Vin∣tage time for what concerned Grapes and Wine, which were brought in great abundance into that City. About the end of August, the people that was sent in succour of the Duke, arrived, by whose coming the Camp was enlarged; and Don Philippo Son to Marquess Spinola, who was chosen by the King to be General of the Horse, came thither;

which occasioned the pitching upon two resolutions; the one, the enter∣prise of the Hills; the other, that of Punzone, a strong Town upon the top of a Hill, in the middle way as you come by Sea from Savona to Acqui; which Town having yet a Mantuan Garrison in it, inda∣maged the neighbouring Towns which did render most obedience to the Governour, and which might further or impede the succours which, being ready prepared in Piedmont, (was feared) might be brought by Sea into Montferrat; Count Luigi Trotti, and Mark Antonio Brancaccio were deputed to this enterprise with their two Brigades: there were in it about 500 Souldiers in Garrison, together with about 150 Foot, part Towns men, part belonging to the neighbouring Towns; who to avoid the troubles of war, were come thither, as to a strong place; there were also about a hundred French got thither, (for the most part) people of account, who were come from Mantua; who having abandoned the service of that Prince return'd as Travellers into France, through the State of Genoa, without any let: these having fortified the highest places, and cut Trenches round about the Town, did likewise munite a certain Church at the foot of the Hill, just opposite to where Bran∣caccio was quarter'd with his Neapolitans; by whom being assaulted, and not able to resist, they were forced to abandon that station, and to retreat towards the top of the Hill; and the Neapolitans possessing themselves of the Church, wa•…•…ed for Trotti, who came thither the next day with two pieces of Artillery: the Batteries were immediately raised, and for two days they skirmished with those on the Hills, in several parts; and the assailants being gotten by night to underneath the Trenches, they appeared on break of day ready for an assault, which being couragiously fought, the defendants being astonished, partly by the novelty of the assault, partly suffering by the Artillery (which giving upon the Trenches drove the dust in their eyes,) and finding themselves to be too few to defend so great a circuit of Fortification, and therefore fearing that the enemy might enter, by some part unprovided of de∣fence, they retreated into the Castle, and the Town fell into the hands of the assailants: who sack'd it immediately, and that night got the Castle upon Articles, that the Officers might march out with Arms and Baggage, and the Souldiers with their Swords: but they had hardly march'd two miles when, contrary to conditions, they were barbarously strip'd by the Neapolitans and others even to their shirts, and many to their skins; and those that strip'd them got (as it was said) much money, which the French who came from Mantua were furnish'd with by the Duke, not only for their private occasions, but for defence: returning from the taking of Punsone, they betook themselves, at last, to the taking of the Hills; which they began at the Town of St. George, situated upon them, where the oppugners made a Magazine of Arms, and ma∣ny Fortifications, not only to defend themselves from the Garrison which was there, of 300 Foot, but to resist the insulting of those of Cassalle, who sallying out very strong from the City did continually annoy them on the backs, whilst they were most intent upon the Siege; and y•…•…t the Garrison surrendered upon honourable conditions, of being permitted to return to Cassalle.

From hence they went to Rossiglione, a strong place both by nature

and art: the defendants resisted stoutly: but Don Philippo Spinalo, who ordered the busienss, having presented Battery, and plaid upon it with his great Guns for four whole days, at last he level'd his great Cannon against the Gate; and the defendants apprehending Mines, which they saw were begun to be dig'd, they grew distrustful to be able to defend it, and surrendred it, with safety to their persons. The Go∣vernour being hereby master of the Hills, began to block up all passes and avenues, by which the City might be come unto on that side: he then drew a long and a deep Ditch from the Poe to a rivulet called Gat∣tola, which falling from the Hills, a little beneath Casalle, runs to∣wards Frascineso, and disgorgeth it self into the Poe; and many Fortifi∣cations were made upon both sides of the Ditch, as also on the outward side of the Poe; whereby Casalle was streightly besieged; and being in∣closed between the fortified Hills, the Ditches and the Poe, it was im∣possible to be relieved: a resolution which if it had been taken at first, the business had been already ended; but being thus long retarded, it did little or no good; for much provision was already brought in, and the compass of Campagnia inviron'd by the Governours Works was large, full of Meadow-ground, Trees and Shrubs; so as the besieged had wherewith to maintain themselves for all the ensuing Winter, and to wait for succour, that Campagnia yielding great store of Wood and Roots, Hay and Straw, for the maintenance of Horse and Castle, and Fewel for Ovens: the which they might the more easily do, for that the Governour; quitting his former Quarters, went to Winter between the Hills and Gatt•…•…la; leaving all that Campagnia uninjured, he made a Bastion upon a little rise, at the foot of the Hills; upon which placing four pieces of Artillery, he plaid upon the Castle, and part of the Wall which (together with the Citadel,) invirons the City on the Hills side: but being so far off, it did but little harm; in this manner he con∣tinued all the next Winter: the besieged drew out the Siege at length, with great good order and vigilancy, and sparing their Victuals; and the besiegers, with patience and industry, and much hardship, endea∣vour'd to streighten the City, and bring it to surrender. In this interim several Skirmishes hapned, worthy to be particularly related, if (as they were valiantly fought,) they had conduced any thing to the main busi∣ness: in one of them the Marquess of Bevorone, the head of the French, be∣ing shot with a Musket-shot in the throat, died; which was a great loss to the besieged; for he was the man who underwent almost the whole burthen of the defence: but the b•…•…siegers were no less streightned in all things then the besieged, not only for that lying (for the most part) in the open air, they were subject to the sufferings of rain, frost, the di∣stempers of weather, but by reason of the great want of Victuals. This years harvest was generally poorer then that of the preceding year; and (which made the scarcity the greater) those who had corn in Millain, out of avarice, hid it, that they might sell it at a dearer rate the next year; and the Duke of Guise, to keep Victuals from being sent from Genoa to the Camp, and to the State of Millain, did prohibit the ex∣portation of corn from Provence; and detain'd many boats which were sent from Genoa into those parts to fetch Grain; to the end, that they might not carry any Corn to Genoa, and from thence to the Camp be∣fore

Cassalle; and the Duke of Nevers blocking up the Poe with two Forts upon the Mantuan side, hindred the carriage of Provisions into Puglia, and the other Maritime parts: so as they were forced to send new Commissions to Naples, Sicily and Sardinia, which being brought by the way of Genoa to Millain, and so to the Camp, might ease the present necessity: but the Orders being given out late, and the far di∣stance of place, (added to the scarcity of conduct requiring much delay) the remedy suited not with the urgent necessity; wherefore the com∣mon people of Millain, impatient of delay, and seeing the Bakers shops shut up, began to mutiny; which made the Governour leave the or∣dering of the Camp to Don Philippo Spinola, and go to Millain to ap∣pease them, which, by punishing some, and by sudden prevention, he soon did: but great was the scarcity of Victuals in the Camp; inso∣much as, though Provision of bread was scarce enough in Casalle; yet bread was cheaper there then in the Camp; so as the besiegers being rather become in condition of besieged, they suffer'd more want; and by an unusual, and peradventure unheard of example, they were there∣by likely to have abandoned the Siege: many Souldiers died of hun∣ger, and mutinies were much feared; which had certainly insued, had not force awed the murmurers; some of which not being able to wait for assured death by famine, chose rather to endeavour their preserva∣tion by the doubtful event of running from the Camp: so as the Army did daily diminish; and it was impossible to raise more men, as well for want of moneys as of victuals, which affrightned whatsoever neces∣sary provision or resolution, there being no means found whereby to provide for the Forreign Souldiery; and the very Souldiers, who came from the State of Millain, were in danger of mutinying: thus weakly and with so many necessities did the business of Cassalle proceed; and Cesars Edicts and Citation proceeded not more fortunately; for the Count of Nassaw being come (as hath been said) into Italy, with title of Cesarian Commissary, and having sent out Monitors twice to the Duke of Nevers, and threatned him with the Imperial Proclamation of banish∣ment, unless he would obey Cesars will, by f•…•…eely yielding up the pos∣session of those States; and Nevers having at first desired, in vain, that his business might be put over to the Law; and given out writings, and published the opinions of Civilians in Print, whereby he strove to prove there was no reason why he should be forced to forgo his Domi∣nions, without the cause given why; and afterward having complained very much, why the like commands had not been sent to the Duke of Savoy, and to the Governour of Millain, who had actually and by vio∣lence possess'd themselves of part of his Dominions, and still proceed∣ed to possess themselves of the rest; they came to the third Summons, wherein Cesar declared that if Nevers would put what he possess'd into his hands, the Duke of Savoy and the Governour of Millain should do the like with what they had taken of his. Nevers seemed to accept of this offer; and to this purpose he sent his Son the Duke of Retell to Cesars Court, that he might expedite the dispatch of the business by fa∣vour of the Empress, who was Sister to the three last Dukes of Mantua, and did wish well to Nevers his cause, to whom she was neerly allied in blood: but being come thither, he found that Cesar, perceiving that

neither the Duke nor Spaniards would be brought to make any restitu∣tion, and it was hard for him to compel them to it, had mitigated the Edict; and accommodating himself to the times had made a new Pro∣posal, by which the Duke of Savoy and the Spaniards were permitted in Cesars name to keep what they had taken, and the Duke of Nevers was to possess the City and entire Dukedom of Mantua; so as the Dutch, who were to be sent by the Emperour into Italy, might have the City, Castle and Citadel of Casalle, assigned over unto them, till cause to the contrary was known. Retell, not being able to get better conditions, and not being received, nor acknowledged by the Emperour as Prince of Mantua, by reason of the Spaniards earnest desire to the contrary, lest by such a Declaration his pretentions might not seem to be tacitely granted, and the Kings cause in Montferrat might in the eyes of the world seem to be damnified, he departed but ill satisfied from that Court; and the new Proposals were not accepted of by his Father, whose fear of the Emperours Edicts were lessened by the weakness of the Spanish Army; and the King of France his prosperous proceedings made him believe more in the favour and forces of that Kingdom, then in the Imperial D•…•…crees or Decisions.

In these Negotiations, and Transactions, the year 1628 ended; and the King of France having at last compass'd his ends upon Rochel, where∣into he entred victorious, and triumphing on All Saints day; he pre∣pared to pass over the Mountains with gallant Forces, to assist the Duke of Nevers; for the Hugonots of France having received a great blow by the loss of Rochel, and the Affairs of France being almost perfectly setled, nothing was heard of in that Kingdom but preparations for Ita∣ly: which being divided into two Armies, the one was to pass through Dolpheny and Syonois, to the relief of Montferrat; and the King prepared to pass over the Mountains personally therein; and the other was to ad∣vance by the County of Nizza, and by the River of Genoa, towards Ca∣salle: the Spaniards, nor the Duke of Savoy could not believe so strange a resolution; they thought it was impossible that the King having his Kingdom yet full of troubles, and exhausted of moneys, his Army be∣ing weary, and wasted before Rochel, could pass over the Alps in the midst of Winter, with great forces, and carry over Victuals, Artille∣ry, and other necessaries for so great an action, the Alps being yet load∣ed with Snow: Especially when he should know that he would be op∣posed by the Duke of Savoy, who being joyn'd in Forces and Intelli∣gence with the Spaniards, was to resist him strongly at the Passes, which he kept well garrison'd and munited: hoping therefore that the fame of these great preparations would prove but talk, they continued the Siege: the scarcity of Victuals increased this their confidence, which scarcity being so great an impediment to their Forces who were masters and peaceful possessors of the State of Millain and of Piedmont, it would assuredly prove a much greater hindrance to the French if they should come into Italy, and have occasion to keep there; for a great conduct of Victuals being requisite to feed so great an Army, it would be im∣possible for the French to compass it, and consequently, the greater their numbers were which should pass the Alps, the easilier and the sooner they would be overcome meerly by Famine: they therefore

thought that this sole consideration should not only retarde, but re∣tain the fury of the French Forces, at least for this year; and that in the mean while the enterprise of Cassalle, undisturb'd by any Forreign as∣sistance, would be happily effected. The Court of Spain confiding in these difficulties did not only not make any necessary preparations for defence, but forbore to send the Duke the succours which they had promised, for the maintaining of Piedmont, and to oppose the French Forces: they forbare also to endeavour diversion, by the Pirenean Mountains, and by Burgony, and by secretly fomenting the Rebels in France, so to keep that King in work and busied with his home affairs, and consequently from medling with those of Forreigners: the pre∣termission of which provisions did not only facilitate the resolution taken by the French, but did incite them to it; For the King being firm to his resolution, valued not any of the difficulties or contrary consi∣derations, being confident to overcome them, and to make his way by the Sword. The fame of the mighty preparations of this Kingdom increasing greater then those of any of the preceding Kings, the Spani∣ards and the Duke, began at last to fear not only the success, but whatsoever might be the result of so great and so neer an Army. The Duke and Governour were likewise much troubled for not having for a long time heard from the Court of Spain; for the Spaniards being jealous of France, through which the expresses used to pass, and the Sea not being open in Winter, people could not without much difficul∣ty pass from Spain into Italy; and such had the ill fortune been, as three several Posts that had been sent from Spain, being driven by violent winds upon the Coast of Provence, were detain'd, and had their Letters intercepted: so as the deliberations of Italy depending much upon the results of that Court, the Duke and Governour knew not in such a per∣plexity of business what to do: nor was it only the scarcity of moneys and want of advertisment, which kept them from making any provisi∣on, but neither had they time to make new Levies of men for the neces∣sary defence of the State of Millain, and for the Provisions for the Ar∣my before Cassalle, and for the Forces which were towards the Cremo∣nese, and which were already much diminished: it was therefore thought the best expedient to beat up Drums in the State of Millain for Volua∣tiers, which might be sent to the Camp before Casalle, and afford commodity of drawing out the best Souldiery from thence, to bring them into the Field to oppose the enemy: which provision, though it proved not altogether vain, (for many being driven away by famine, and hoping to get away by inrolling themselves, and to get Ammuniti∣on-bread, which though very bad, was made desirable by reason of the great scarcity;) yet this being but a very slender provision to resist the great storm which threatned them, the affairs of that State and of Pied∣mont were reduced into great danger and necessity; and that the more, for that they heard the numbers of the Venetians were increased upon the Confines of Bergamo and Bressia; and that Nevers was ready to march out at the first news of the Frenches advancing, with about 8000 Foot, and 1200 Horse; and if either joyntly, or separately they should as∣sault the State of Millain, it was feared they might divert the Gover∣nours Forces from opposing the French; and it was app•…•…ehended, that

the Duke of Nevers, as he had threatned the preceding year, would pass into Montferrat and joyn with the King; for these respects the Go∣vernour went to Lod•…•…, and was forc'd to keep there, and to make a Ma∣gazine of Arms there against the Venetians, and ordered Francisco Pa∣•…•…aglia, who succeeded Montenegro, that abandoning the Fort of Piaden•…•…, which was built the year before upon the Territories of Mantua, and all the rest of the Territories of Cremona, he should bring the remainder of those men to defend Cremona only: he desired likewise, and ob∣tain'd, a thousand men from the Duke of Parma; and 12 Gallies being come at that time from Naples to Genoa, with 2000 Foot, he could not make use of them, for it was necessary to keep them at Sea, to oppose them to the French Army, being ready prepared in Provence, which (was said) together with the ships that were expected at Marcelles from Rochel, would pass by Nizza into the River of Genoa; and that landing their men at Mentone neer Monaco he would pass into Piedmont, or in∣to the Seas neer Savona, and would by that way take a shorter and more easie course to relieve Casalle: to this weak condition were the •…•…fairs of the State of Millain reduced, against the Forces of so powerful an ene∣my; and it being impossible in so great streights to mind the relief of Piedmont, the Governour drew out 4000 of the best Foot that were be∣fore Casalle, to send them into those parts under the Conduct of Don Ieronymo Agostini; and being afraid that the Venetians, who were joyn∣ed in Arms and Intelligence with the French, might assault the State of Millain, he used means to the Duke of Tuscany, that he would inter∣cede, and endeavour to make that Commonwealth forbear troubling the King of Spains Dominions in these urgent occasions; on the other side, the Duke of Savoy, finding the weakness of his defence and suc∣cour, and seeing that his Dominions were likely first to endure the brunt, before those of the King of Spain, had first sent the Count of Verrua to the King of France, and afterwards his Son the Prince, to keep the Army from advancing, by making some composition with that King: suspending therefore his resolution till he saw what the event of these endeavours would be, he made Don Ieronymo Agostini to for∣bear acting any thing with the Governours Auxiliaries in the Territo∣ries of Asti: but the King being resolved to advance, refer'd the Prince of Piedmont to Cardinal Richlieu, with whom he treated upon several ways of composition; but not agreeing upon any one, they concluded a suspension of Arms for five days, till the Duke his Father might be advertised of what had past. The Duke seeing the King so resolved, began with great diligence to fortifie Susa, by which way he perceived the King would march with his Army: the French had had experience how hard it was to separate the Genoeses from joyning with Spain, by way of force; wherefore thinking now to make use of the present jea∣lousies which were risen (as hath been said) and cunningly fomented, between the Commonwealth of Genoa, and the Crown of Spain, they applied themselves to increase these jealousies, which they began by Demonstrations and endeavours to the contrary, in good will and fa∣vour to the Genoeses, to try whether they could effect or no; where∣fore the King being to send a Messenger to the Princes of Italy, to ac∣quaint them with the ends and intentions of his coming; he dispatch'd

away Monsieur di Lande, commanding him that when he should be come to Genoa, he should not only free those Senators from any appre∣hension of danger which they might apprehend by his coming; but that he should promise them in his name all assistance against any who should go about to infringe their publick liberty: which being done, that he should immediately go to Mantua, and from thence to Venice, to acquaint that Duke and that Commonwealth with his coming: which he assured them should, at the furthest, be by the 25th of March: where∣fore the Duke of Nevers marching into the Field on the day appointed, assaulted Cassalle the greater, the last Town of the Dukedom of Millain lying towards Mantua; and taking it after some little resistance made by the Towns-men, he sack'd it, and (staying there a while) brought the neighbouring Towns under contribution: he afterwards went to Sabioneta a strong Castle, which holds in Fee of the Emperour, but took it not, being stoutly resisted by a Garrison of the Parmiggiani, who were sent thither at the Emperours request by the Duke of Parma, The King of France, in this interim, having sent precise Orders to the Duke of Guise, Lieutenant General of the Army of Provence, and to the Marquess of Coure, Guise's Marshal and Lievtenant, to march along into Italy coasting by the Sea side, he went himself in person by the Alps, towards Piedmont, with the Van, which consisted of about 12000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, the greatest part of them being of the French Nobles; and having overcome the passage of Mongeveura, he fell, on the sixth of March, into the Valley of Susa; where the Duke of Savoy having cut a great Trench upon the way by which the King was to pass, half a mile beyond Susa, he had placed the Camp-master Bel∣lone there to defend it with his Brigade; and behind Bellone stood the Duke prepared, with the main body of his men; amongst which were the Governour of Millains men, under Don Ieronymo Agostini, who was fetch'd but a little before from l' Astigiana; and the King having possess'd himself of the tops of the Mountains, which were all cover'd over with snow, commanded some companies of the Fore-lorne-hope to assault the Dukes Trench; who not meeting with much resistance, (for Bellone's men were raw and unexperienced Souldiers) took it at the first assault: afterwards increasing in numbers by other people, who came in into them, they assaulted the station where the Duke was with the main body of his Army; here the conflict was somewhat greater; but such was the continual confluence of French, who continually came in, as the defendants not being able to resist their fury, were forced to give back, and to retreat towards Auvigliana, nine miles towards Turin, leaving Susa in the Kings possession; which being taken, was by the Kings express command preserved from sacking and from all other vi∣olence: many of both sides died in this conflict, nine Colours of Bel∣lone's Brigade were taken by the King, and about 80 Prisoners; amongst which many Captains, who were presently by the King set at liberty: the Duke ran great hazard in his own person, and Don Ieronymo Au∣gustini was unhors'd.

At the same time the Provence Army, consisting of about 15000 Foot, having brought some Artillery in Barques from Marselles, came neer to Nizza, or Nice; and having sent a Trumpet to Don Felice, the

Dukes natural Son, and Governour of that City, to demand free passage thorow that County, he was answered, It was not in his power to grant it without leave from his Father; he therefore had time allow∣ed him to know his Fathers pleasure; and the mean while the Army pass'd over the Varo, a little River, which descending from the Alps, and falling into the Sea two miles beyond that City, divides Italy from France in that part. At the same time that the Army having pass'd over the Varo, spread it self along upon the Shore of Nice, the Neopolitane Galleys coming from Genoa, with some other Galleys of Doria's store, playd upon the French Squadrons as they marched towards Nice; to avoid which danger the French went more inward into the land, and being free from the shot of the Enemy, which could not reach them, the Galleys retreated towards Villa Franca, where they landed about a thousand Foot, who taking some Stations near the French, had some Skirmishes with them, at a great distance off, and of no great impor∣tance; till news being come to Nice of the Agreement made between the King and Duke of Savoy at Susa, they forbare all hostility; and the Galleys taking in their Souldiers, returned to Genoa.

The Duke finding, after the unfortunate success at Susa, what a tem∣pest over-hung his Dominions, and the State of Millain, thought it better to stop so great a ruine by Agreement, then to hazard the total business with so weak and unseasonable opposition; he therefore sent the Princess, his Sons wife, and Sister to the King, to Susa, that by her neer relation in blood, and by the grace and favour which she received from the King, she might appease her Brothers anger; and sending the Prince after her, he by their means came to a Treaty of Agreement; which being at last set down, was after much debate stipulated by the Cardinal of Richelieu on the Kings behalf, and by the Prince in his Fa∣thers Name, in form following.

That the Duke should give free passage to the Kings people whensoever it should be requisite for the relief of Cassalle, and Montferrat; and should also furnish them for their moneys with Victuals and Munition, for the maintaining of the Kings Army, and of Cassalle: That he should promise that the Governour of Millain should rise within four days from before Cas∣salle, and should withdraw his men from Montferrat, freeing that City and that State from the King of Spains Garrisons, and should leave the possession thereof free to the Duke of Mantua; together with an express pro∣mise from the Governour, in the King of Spain's Name, That for the fu∣ture he should not molest the States of Mantua, nor Montferrat; and that the King of Spain should ratifie this Agreement within six weeks: That the Duke of Savoy should put 15000 Quarters of Victuals into Cassalle, and should restore all the Towns that he had taken in Montferrat, except Trino, and so many other Towns as should be worth 15000 Crowns yearly Rent, an∣swerable, as he said, to what Nevers had promised him before the present War; and, That this should be by him acknowledged to be in full satisfacti∣on of all that he, the Duke of Savoy, could pretend unto in Montferrat; That he should assign over Susa, and the Castle of S^t Francesco, to the King, for pawn of performing what was agreed upon; in which Forts the King should put a Garrison of Swissers, which should swear to restore them to the Duke when these Articles should be by him observed: That notwithstanding;

it should be lawful for the Duke to keep all the Towns he had taken in Mont∣ferrat, till such time as those Forts, together with the Town of Susa, should be restor'd unto him: That the King should promise (as he did) not to molest the King of Spain's Dominions, nor those of his Confederates; That he should take the Duke of Savoy into his protection, in case he should be as∣saulted upon this or any other account, by any whatsoever Potentate: That in case the King of Spain should refuse to ratifie these Conventions, or should not observe them after they were ratified, the Duke should joyn with the King of France, to force the King of Spain to ratifie and observe them. More∣over, there was one thing more Articled, which contained a League and Con∣federacy between the King of France, Duke of Savoy, the Pope, Venetians, and the Duke of Nevers, in defence of the quiet possession of each others Dominions.

The first Article being agreed upon, it was immediately sent away to the Duke of Savoy; who calling to Councel Don Ieronymo Augusti∣no, and Count Iovan Serbellone, the King of Spain's and the Gover∣nours Officers, consulted with them, whether they ought to be ac∣cepted of, or no? And the urgency of the present condition prevailing with all of them, over the utility and honour of the common Forces, it was resolved they should be accepted of: But the Duke not here∣withal satisfied, would send the Commendatore Iovan Thomaso Pesero, his first Secretary of State, to the Governour, to know his pleasure more precisely, who, though with an ill will, yielding to necessity, con∣sented to it.

Thus the first Articles being subscribed by the Duke, the Siege of Cassalle was raised, and the Kings Forces retreated to Montferrat; which State was also freed from the Spanish Forces at the very appearance of the Kings Person. The Duke sent forthwith about 1500 Quarters of Corn into Cassalle, as part of a greater quantity by him promised; and gave passage to 3000 Foot, and 250 Horse, which were sent under Monsieur di Toras, into the lower Palatinate. As for the other Arti∣cle, touching the League, the Duke made many excuses to keep from under-writing it; and being afterwards free from the imminent dan∣ger, utterly denied to do it: He went soon after himself to kiss the Kings Hand, and was upon the way met by the King half a mile from Susa, who pretended he was going to hunt; they both of them turned back; the meeting was full of reverence and submission on the Duke's part, who was received with much honour by the King; the Duke stri∣ving by all seeming artifice, wherewith he was naturally very well in∣dued, not only to appease the King, but to win upon his genius, and to captivate his good will.

Thus by the Dukes dexterity and cunning many thought that the greatest force of France that had for many years past the Alpes was stopt; which finding Italy unprovided of defence might easily have over-run it, to the universal ruine, and particularly to the danger of the State of Millain.

But the Duke his having after his opposition found the King rather gracious and favourable then angry and incen∣sed; his having received honours, rewards, satisfaction, and recom∣pence, instead of revenge and resentment; his having by these agree∣ments provided well enough for himself, and suffer'd the interests of

the Crown of Spain to be prejudiced, afforded much talk and mur∣muring against him, not only by the Princes of Italy, who were dis∣pleased with his being reconciled to the King of Spain, which was contrary to the common Interest, but even in the Court of Spain by those that envied the Conde Duca's favour with the King; who find∣ing it to continue, strove to make it appear, that the Dukes reconci∣liation to the King of Spain, wherein he was assisted, and which was effected by the Conde Duca, was a cheat to the King, and pernicious to the Interest of the Crown: They said that it was he, the Duke of Savoy, who (as might be gathered by many conjectures) had made the way plain for the King of France to enter Italy, by his secret In∣telligence held with the Court of France: That it was he, who having covenanted for, and secured unto himself the retention of a good part of Montferrat, had before-hand promised not to oppose him in that Enterprize, having therein no respect to the Interest of Spain, or to the honour of the Spanish Forces, by which he had got such a part of Montferrat, and with which he was but a little before confederated: That this was the faith of this Prince, this the fruit of that reconcili∣ation: For otherwise, how would the King of France have dared to hazzard his total reputation and glory which he had won in so many home actions, and particularly in his late Victory at Rochell, in so cold a season, against so many difficulties of steep and craggy Mountains; and as yet cover'd over with snow; and all this only for the freeing of a Town that was not in his Kingdom, nor did not any ways belong to him? To this end, they said that the Duke opposed his worst arm∣ed men, to withstand the first violence of the most resolute and for∣midable of the French; which was the cause why there was so little fighting, and why the strong Pass of Susa was rather abandoned then stoutly defended: That the Governour, nor other Spanish Agents that were in Turin, had not consented to those Articles, otherwise then as they were enforced by the Dukes peremptory will; who consulting with them in very positive and resolute terms, bereft them of the freedom of Election; and that protesting that these Agree∣ments were the only remedy against the imminent ruine of the State, he tacitely threatened, that unless they would consent thereunto, they would force him to accept thereof without them, and by joyning with the French, to provide the best he could for the safety of his own In erest; so as they consented to what he would, to keep the Kings Affairs from falling into a worse condition. And so far did these murmurings prevail, as the very French being more desirous to make the Duke be suspected in the Court of Spain then zealous of their Kings glory, did by their outward demonstrations confirm what was said in his discredit. But it was not probable that the Duke by this Agreement should so much to his own disadvantage part with what he was to expect from the friendship of Spain; especially when he was known to be naturally very desirous of making new acquisitions, and very tenacious of what he had. The loss of Susa did yet more gainsay these objections, it being a place of great importance by rea∣son of its situation, and of greater profit then any other Town of Piedmont, for the Customs which the Fairs that are held there do

yield, and which are had for the Transportation of Merchandize which pass to and fro between France and Italy; which that he should willingly grant unto the King, and commit so great a fault, was too far from being believed by any that was but indifferently wise; for what Reason would admit, that by the loss of that advantagious place, which was one of the gates of Piedmont, and of Italy, he should wil∣lingly make himself subject to the King of France, and be less valued by the Italians and Spaniards. To this may be added, That when in the preceding years the Duke was assaulted by the powerful Armies of Spain, and was consequently in great need of being sustain'd by the French, yet would he never grant them so much as any one Tower in Piedmont; and how was it likely that upon this present occasion he should agree to yield them a place of such importance, before he was assaulted? The Fortification also made at Avigliana, whilest they were treating of agreement; the Artillery which were brought thi∣ther after the Capitulation, the King looking on; his having always for his own defence entertain'd Spanish Auxiliaries, as they were actions of much diffidence, not to say contumacy, towards the King, and therefore much to be resented by the French; so they seem force∣able arguments against that intelligence and collusion which would fain have been proved to have been between him and the French: And yet, as men incline naturally to sinister interpretations, though the Court of Spain hearing these bad tidings, and maturely considering the state of affairs did approve of the Dukes actions, and rejecting vain rumours caused three Pays to be paid unto him before-hand by their Factors in Genoa, of 25000 Crowns a piece, which were grant∣ed him for the expences of these present occasions; yet the contrary impression not being to be removed, most thought that that Court had dissembled more according to necessity and to the conveniency of the present occurrences, then done upon any real and intimate be∣lief; as if it were not consistent with the Kings Interests, by unsea∣sonable distrust and resentment totally to alienate the Duke from them, but by the contrary appearing well satisfied, not only to keep him their friend at such a pinch, but to oblige him still more by new benefits to keep still the more united and better inclined to the affairs of the Crown. This is evidently apparent in so great variety of opi∣nions, and may be affirmed, that the Duke thinking upon new agree∣ments, which by the Mediation of his Son the Prince were to be ac∣corded, demanded 4000 Foot, and a certain number of Horse, of the Governour, and in his absence of Don Philippo Spinola, which at the beginning of this War were promised him, in case he were assaulted in Piedmont by the Arms of France; which demand being made when the Army before Casalle was in greater want of men then ever it had been, he wish'd they might not be granted him, that by that denial he might have a fair pretence to forego friendship with Spain, and to abandon the Cause, which till then he held in common with that Crown: And that when Spinola had punctually satisfied his de∣mand, and sent the men, contrary to the Dukes expectation, he was troubled at their coming; which made him not only make them keep upon the Confines, but by hard usage endeavoured to make them

return back: but when he saw his Counsels prevented by the King of France his speed, he speedily summoned them in to his defence against the Kings Army which he saw came suddenly upon him, and by their help made what defence so short a time, and the imminent necessity could permit him to make; for though there was no collusion in the conflict at Susa; yet the unseasonable demand made by the Spanish Agents, the little satisfaction he seemed to receive by their coming, the preceding Negotiations, and the Conclusion of the subsequent Agreement; shew that the Duke was much more inclined to imbrace friendship with France upon new terms, then (according to the obser∣vance of his Ancestors) to keep union with the Crown of Spain: But it may be said that the then so dangerous condition of Affairs forced the Duke to put on this resolution; and it being usual with Princes to make all change lawfull, not onely when their State is in danger, but where they may better, or increase their condi∣tion, there was not any one that blamed the Dukes Counsels, nor his Actions.

How ever it was, the King of France his name was generally exal∣ted to the skies throughout all Italy, in several Writings and Compo∣sures; they said he deservedly merited the title of Just, for having assisted an oppress'd Prince; the title of powerful, for that he had opposed him∣self in Arms to the oppressors; of generous Protector, because without any private end or interest, nay with such inconveniency to his own affairs, with so much trouble and hazard of his own person, he could not tolerate the oppression of a Prince who was his friend. Some praised the speed of his advancing, others the undaunted execution, others his miraculous happy success: they wonder'd how so many dif∣ficulties of the season, Alps, sterility, and opposition, yielded to his fortunate Arms and Genius: how he had had the courage, being tired both himself and Army in hardships undergone before Rochel, to pass armed over the Alps in the midst of Winter, and to come into Italy, to free her from imminent slavery, and to assist his Petitioner in his greatest extremity: they could not comprehend how at his only pre∣sence so many Forces, such preparations of Arms, and so many Plots against a Client of his Crown, should vanish just like a shadow before the Sun: some called him the Protector of the oppressed; others, the a∣venger of the liberty of Italy; and expecting greater proceedings from such a beginning, they promised unto themselves great alterations: al∣most all the Princes of Italy sent Embassadours to him; partly to con∣gratulate his so happy success, and to thank him for having freed them from the imminent slavery they apprehended, if Casalle should be ta∣ken; partly to purchase his favour, in case, as it was much feared, he had any further intentions then the freeing of Cassalle, and that he might not prejudice their Dominions: some, and particularly the Ve∣netians, to incite him (as it was said) to advance further with his Arms, offering to joyn their Forces and Intelligence with him, against the Spa∣niards, with whom they were very ill satisfied in what concerned the Valtoline, and this new commotion against Montferrat: but the King did soon free all men from such suspitions; and by his sudden and unex∣pected resolution broke off the thred of his so prosperous Fortune; for

on the last of April he return'd into France, leaving the Cardinal and chief Officers of the Court in Susa; not tarrying till the business of Montferrat should be ratified from Spain, but leaving the things uncon∣cluded and unperfect, for which he had with so great fervour and pre∣paration entred Italy. The Cardinal and the rest soon followed after the King; leaving Marshal Cricky in Susa, supream Governour of the affairs of Italy with 6000 Foot, and 500 Horse, The occasion of this so sudden and so unexpected departure was variously interpreted; some allotting it to the Kings vivacity of spirit, some to his moderation; as if content with having freed his Friend, with having secured peace to Italy, and to so many Princes, (who apprehended the contrary) he had with a Prince-like magnanimity let the world see, not only how just his thoughts were, but how moderate and content, upon such an occa∣sion, and so great an opportunity of affairs; and how far he was from dreaming of novelties, or of disturbing the publick peace: but these spe∣cious pretences not being able to prevail with those who could have de∣sired more constancy and resolution in the King, and much less with those who desirous of novelty had conceived great hopes by the Kings coming, the French gave out, that the Duke of Roan, head of the Hu∣gonots in France, seeing his party ruined by the loss of Rochel, and that he could not get ready help to sustain himself from Spain, whither he had dispatch'd Messengers of purpose, by reason of the great scarcity of moneys, began to cry Peccavi, and would render obedience to the King: which because it was likely to put a final end to the troubles of France, was of so great moment to the Kings affairs, as that, all other enterprises set aside; it forced him to return to secure them: which though by the soon ensuing accidents appeared might be true, yet not being then believed, it was not sufficient to maintain the reputation of the French Forces, which being but a little before formidable to Italy, by reason of so prosperous success, began after the Kings departure to decline; and the rather for that it was soon known, that it was a new tumult of the Hugonots, who had fortified themselves in the Moun∣tains of Auvergnia, and not Roans surrender, which had forced the King to return thither to suppress them. This the Kings so sudden de∣parture afforded also occasion of belief (and this was afterwards judged to be the truest cause) that the King was come into Italy with far smaller Forces then fame gave out; which not being fit for new enterprises, he had done more wisely to content himself with the glory which he had won, then to hazard the loss thereof by falling upon new enterprises. But be it what it would that occasioned the Kings departure, it suffici∣ently lessened the reputation of the Kings Forces; and, on the contrary, the Spaniards, who seemed to be totally quel'd, began out of these re∣spects and other favourable accidents, to hold up their heads. The Duke of Savoy, though he appeared publickly to stand to the Articles of Susa, yet not being pleased with the loss of that place, and with the restitution of most that he had got, was negligent in furnishing the Ci∣tadel of Casalle with the rest of the Victuals promised; and being much troubled that the Pass upon the Alps had been forced from him, and that he was thereby fallen from that reputation by which he covered to be thought to hold the Keys of Italy in his hand, and that it was he

alone who could either keep out the French, or let them in, as he listed; desired to regain his former reputation: to which purpose he used all his best skill: he fomented the Rebellion of the Hugonots in France, and wavering in his friendship with the French, see•…•…ed better inclined to the Spaniards, by whom he was to get the greatest part of Montferrat. At this time the Plate-feet return'd to Spain with above ten Millions of money; and the King, urged by necessity, detain'd above a Million and a half of moneys more then what came to his share, which belonged to private Merchants; an Argument which proved clearly that he was far from accepting the Articles of Susa; and desirous to repair so great a blow given to his reputation, and to the safety of his Domimons: nor did his Agents in Italy desire it less then he; for the Duke of Alva, as soon as he had heard what had hapned in Piedmont, and of the lofs and Capitulations of Susa, he sent Thomaso Caracciola from Naples with a Galley to Genoa, to the end that going thence to Millain, he might hearten the Governour with an offer of 20000 Foot, and 2000 Horse, and of 700000 Ducates, which were ready at his service in that King∣dom. But the Emperours sudden resolution made all men chiefly won∣der; who having till now proceeded rather by exhortations, citations, and in a judiciary way, with the Duke of Nevers, then by Arms or Mi∣litary expeditions, and who moreover had appeared averse to the Governours late action; as soon as he heard of the King of France his coming into Italy, and of the Articles of Susa, and of the Duke of Ne∣vers his contumacy, who with so little respect to the Imperial Majesty, Sovereign Lord of the Dukedom of Millain, was entred thereinto in hostile manner, and had committed acts of hostility in Casalle maggiore, he thought himself so highly injured in his dignity and right of the Sa∣cred Empire, as he immediately ordered Count Merodes to go into Ita∣ly with 36000 Foot, and 8000 Horse, of those who were quarter'd in Alsatia, Tyrvolo, and the parts thereabouts, under Colalto, Caprain of the Cesasian Forces in Alsatia; which Order Merodes readily obeyed; and having taken Stainc, which was but badly provided, he came un∣expectedly to Coira and Mainfold, two of the chiefest of the Grisons Country; which being unprovided for so sudden an assault, were easi∣ly forc'd to receive him in: falling from hence with his Van, which consisted of 10000 Foot, into Chiavenna and the Valtoline, he drew neer the State of Millain, intending to pass on farther, as the Gover∣nour should direct him. The Governour, fearing the French Forces, and not being willing to innovate any thing contrary to the Articles agreed upon, did not only make 3000 Foot, which were sent him readi∣ly from Naples, stay in the Haven at Genoa, but made the Dutch tarry in Chiavenna and in the Valtoline, till he should receive new Orders from Spain; and in the mean while furnish'd them with Victuals, and other things necessary. The Court of Spain was much troubled at the business of Susa; but encouraged by so many good chances, she resol∣ved not to sit down by such an affront; and neither refusing nor allow∣ing the Articles of Susa, took a middle way; wherein the King decla∣red, that if Susa might be restored, and Montferrat put into its former condition, and the French Forces should forgo Italy, he would not mo∣lest Montferrat by Arms: the condition was hard, for besides the un∣certainty

of performance, it did almost deprive the King of all the ad∣vantage of his Victory; wherefore the King of Spain thinking it would not be accepted, knew it would be requisite for him to provide some sufficient person to repair the affairs of Italy; therefore instead of Don Gonzalo, with whom that Court was very ill satisfied, he chose the Marquess Spinola; who being come some moneths before from Flan∣ders to Madrid, kept still there about some private, and publick busi∣ness; and furnishing him with almost two Millions, part in ready money, part in very good assignments, and conferring upon him all supream Authority and free Arbitrement as could be confer'd upon any one, to make war or conclude peace; he sent him to be Governour of Millain, to the end that he might either compound the present affairs upon ho∣nourable conditions; or repairing the late disorders by Arms, he might restore the Affairs of the Crown to their former Dignity and Safety.

The End of the Tenth Book.