The accomplish'd courtier consisting of institutions and examples, by which courtiers and officers of state may square their transactions prudently, and in good order and method / by H.W. Gent.

CHAP. XXV. (Book 25)

The Argument.

The causes, kinds, and examples of Conspiracies with the enemies of a Prince.

1. BEsides this, most doubtfull of all, is the for∣tune of those, who being driven thereto, either by avarice, or ambition, or by desire to prop up their own security, conspire with a Prince's Enemies, either extraneous and forraigne, or do∣mestique.

2. Cardinal Balaeus, the Son of a Botcher, being made Treasurer by Lewis the 11. was also from that preferred to a Bishoprick, from thence by the intercession of the King, and the accord of the Pope (who indeavoured to confer a Benefite on him whom he had hitherto experienced to be his adversary) attained to Cardinal Dignity. But afterwards being found to have conspired with the Kings foes, was imprisoned by the space of 12 years, from whence at length the prayers and intercession of Pope Sixtus the 4th only, freed him.

3. For the like crime, Cardinall Pratenfis in the Reign of Francis the first, underwent the like punishment, who perhaps had never been released from Prison, but that afterwards drinking his own Urine, he deceived the Physitians by dissem∣bling the Strangury. For the King fearing the Popes anger, if the Cardinall by that Malady should have been consumed, set him at Li∣berty.

4. Peter de Vineis being a privy Counsellor to the Emperour Frederick the second; and being suspect of conspiracy with Pope Alexander the third being the Emperours Enemy, lost his eyes by it.

5. Not only the Counsels of Stilico (the Father in Law of Honorius the Emperour) to enjoy the Orientall Empire, but his occult and secret com∣merce with Alaricus King of the Goths, are be∣leived to have procured and caused his death; which thing that Ignominious peace and League which he entred into with Alaricus, although the Senate withstood and did oppugne it, doth confirme. Lampadius, who also himself cryed out against it, calls it not a Peace, but a Pacti∣on of Servitude, by which the Emperour was constrained to become tributary to the Barba∣rians.