Anno 1556.
On the 5th of February a Truce was concluded for Five Years betwixt France and Spain. It was hoped that this Cessation might end in a lasting Peace, both Parties being worn * 1.1 out with tedious Wars; but all fell to nothing, by reason of the War the Pope unseaso∣nably raised. At the beginning of this Year he began to persecute the Noblemen of the House of Colonna, some of them fled, others were taken, all whose Estates he pre∣sently seized. The Catholick King ordered the Duke of Alva not to suffer any wrong to be done to them. On the other side, the king of France having entred into a League with the Pope, sent a powerful Army into Italy under the Conduct of the Duke of Guise. These Forces marched through Lombardy to Rome, where they stayed some time, and then marched to the Kingdom of Naples. They did nothing remarkable, but the greatest part of them died of Sickness, and the rest returned to France. Mean while the Duke of Alva having possessed himself of most of the Pope's Dominions near Rome, marched with his Army, and incamp'd before that City. He could easily have sacked it again, but he had such respect for the Place that he forbore, and made Peace with the Pope upon very reasonable terms. But this was about the end of the ensuing Year.
At the beginning of this War Cosmo Duke of Florence prevailed with the Catholick King to deliver to him the City Siena; To obtain his desire, he alledged the Charge he had been * 1.2 at in the War with that City, and that some promise had been made of delivering it to him. The King yeilded to Necessity, and put the City into his hands upon his paying a Sum of Money down, and obliging himself to hold it of the Crown of Spain.