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Anno 1542.
The bloody Wars betwixt Christian Princes disappointed the Pope's design the last year, of assembling a General Council, but now he published a new Edict, Summoning all the Bishops to meet at the City Trent. He appointed the Cardinals, Parisius, Moron, and * 1.1 Poole, to preside in his Name; but this design was also put off, because the French King made War upon the Emperor. The cause of this War was, that the King sent two Embassa∣dors to the Turk, one a Genoese called Fregoso, the other a Spaniard whose name was Antony Rincon. Alonso Davalos, Marquis del Gasto, was then Governour of Milan. Certain Spa∣nish Soldiers discovered these Embassadors sailing down the River Po, tho they were dis∣guised like Pilgrims, they seized and drowned them in the River. This happened the last year, and so incensed the French King, that he immediately had recourse to Arms, and with a mighty Army invaded Flanders. Besides Henry the Dauphin by his Fathers order laid Siege to Perpignan on the borders of Spain. The Garison defended themselves with such bravery, that sallying they nailed his great Guns, and Succours coming from all Parts, he was forced to raise the Siege and retire.
John de Vega, Lord of Valverde, was at this time Viceroy of Navarre, whence he went Embassador to Rome, then Governed Sicily several Years, and lastly returning into Spain was President of the Royal Council of Castile, which Office he discharged with great Re∣putation. He was a Man of great Integrity, Wisdom and Piety.
At the beginning of December dyed James the Fifth, King of Scotland, leaving only one Daughter called Mary, born not long before his Death of Mary his Queen, Sister to the Duke of Guise. Such multitudes of Locusts were in Germany, Italy and Spain, that * 1.2 they darkned the Sun as they flew. In Sicily a great Earthquake did much harm in several Cities and Towns, but the most mischief was done at the City Siracusa.