Chapter II: Front Matter (2)

The year 1500 was a grand year of jubilee at Rome, celebrated by pope Alexander VII. and attended by great numbers. There would have been more, if, on the 3d of January, duke Ludovico Sforza had not, in person, regained Milan, by the aid of a considerable body of Germans. He won the town through the treason of the inhabitants, who surrendered themselves to him; but the French fought valiantly, and kept possession of the castle, whence they battered the town.

Several Frenchmen, going to the jubilee at Rome, were murdered at the inns on the road,--which being discovered, justice was done on the perpetrators by burning their houses, with their inhabitants, to serve for examples to all others. The duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, gave a ducat to every one who brought him the head of a Frenchman. The count Gayache and his wife now came to France; he was brother to the late Galeas Visconti.

On the 19th of March in this year, the queen of France made a second public entry into Lyon, the streets being hung with tapestry, and several beautiful mysteries represented. About eight days after, a number of prisoners of war were brought before the king, at Lyon, for having broken their oaths, at which the public greatly murmured.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 12: This was the notorious Cæsar Borgia,--a worthy son of so worthy a father!]

[Footnote 13: Valentinois,--a county on the Rhône: Valence is the capital.]

[Footnote 14: Her fate seems to have destined her to marry those who, to obtain her, were forced to be divorced. Charles VIII. was betrothed to Margaret of Flanders, and Louis XII. was married to the daughter of Louis XI.]

[Footnote 15: Alexandria della Paglia--is about 38 miles from Milan.]

CHAP. X.

DUKE LUDOVICO SFORZA IS MADE PRISONER BEFORE NOVARA, AND CARRIED TO FRANCE.

On Thursday before Palm-Sunday, the French in Italy acted with such vigour that duke Ludovico fled from Novara with one hundred horse, abandoning his army and artillery in that town. When the french captains approached, a burgundian leader, called the captain of the Yotiers, came out of Novara and surrendered himself and men to them. The bailiff of Dijon went into Novara to practise with the Swiss in the pay of the duke of Milan (about four thousand in all), who only asked for payment of what was due to them. In regard to the Lansquenets, they knew not how to act; for the Swiss in the king's service would not show them any mercy, although their captains did all they could that matters might be settled without effusion of blood.

There were in Novara twenty thousand combatants; eight thousand Lansquenets, four thousand Swiss, eight hundred Burgundians, and the rest Lombards. In addition to these, a reinforcement of fifteen hundred men were on their march to join them, and within a mile of Vercelli, not including those in Vigeue.[16]

Shortly after, Ludovico returned and marched his army out of Novara, and encamped them near to the French; but God, knowing the usurpation and wickedness of Ludovico, inspired the French with courage to defend themselves, when attacked by him. Notwithstanding the duke of Milan thought himself certain of destroying the French, the matter ended without blood being spilt, and without a battle. It was said, that the Lansquenets, refused to fight against their countrymen; and likewise, that the duke had not paid his men their arrears, which made them unwilling to serve him. On the other hand, the French were determined on battle; but when they marched to charge the milanese army, it surrendered to them without striking a blow.

The duke of Milan, observing this, disguised himself in the frock of a cordelier monk, and, by mixing with his men, thought to escape; but the lord de Ligny and the lord de la Trimouille made such good arrangements with their army, it was impossible; for they ordered the whole of the milanese force to pass under the pikes, so that the duke was discovered, made prisoner, and put under the guard of the French in Novara, which place had thrown open its gates. The lord Jean Jacques[17] was present at this conquest, for he had always been faithful to the king. The duke had in his pay an astrologer or necromancer, in whom he put great confidence; but his astrology was of no avail to prevent him being made prisoner.

According to agreements entered into with the milanese army, they were allowed to depart in safety with their arms and baggage,--but the duke and his artillery remained with the French. The lord-cardinal of Amboise was then at Vercelli, and vowed the king under the protection of our Lady des bonnes nouvelles.

Intelligence of this success came to the king at Lyon, the vigil of Palm-Sunday, which rejoiced him exceedingly; and bonfires were made in the streets, for joy that the French had been victorious. Immediately after, news was brought that the duke of Milan was a prisoner, which caused the rejoicings to be repeated by all ranks of persons in Lyon. The children of the duke were sent into Germany.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 16: Vigeue. Q. Vigevano.]

[Footnote 17: The lord Jean Jacques. Trivulce, a Milanese, marquis of Vigevano, governor of Milan, captain of one hundred lombardy men at arms and of two hundred archers, king's lieutenant of the french armies in Italy. He was present at the battles of Foronuovo and Aignadello, and held great and honourable employments under Charles VIII., Louis XII., and François I. He was made marshal of France in 1500, died in 1518. He was uncle to Theodore Trivulce, governor also of Milan, and marshal of France.

See Brantome, vol. ii. des Vies des Hommes illustres étrangers.]

CHAP. XI.

THE CARDINAL ASCANIUS, BROTHER TO THE DUKE OF MILAN, IS TAKEN PRISONER, AND CARRIED TO FRANCE.

The cardinal Ascanius, brother to the duke of Milan, was in that city when he heard of the duke being a prisoner: he instantly departed thence, with six hundred horse and some artillery, accompanied by the higher nobility of Milan. He had also with him a considerable body of Estradiots; and the commander of the whole was count John, brother to the marquis of Mantua, who intended to march for the Bolognese,--but it was said, that he was met by a venetian captain, of the name of Soucin Bienson[18], with a body of troops, who attacked the cardinal. At this unexpected onset, the cardinal cried out, 'Qui vive?' and was answered, 'St Mark and France!' The battle lasted four hours,--and the venetian captain was severely wounded, with many of his men,--but when the cardinal, who was in armour, saw the fortune of the day was against him, he fled to a castle called Rivoli, which was immediately besieged by the Venetian.

To make short of this matter,--the cardinal lost many of his men, and the brother to the marquis of Mantua was ransomed. With this venetian captain was another called Charles des Ursins. A milanese captain, of the name of Badin, was made prisoner, with the abbot of Senselles, and four viscounts,--and upwards of a hundred thousand ducats were taken, without including the baggage. The cardinal, astonished to find himself besieged in this castle without provision or money, entreated the captain to ransom him, which he refused,--so that he surrendered himself on the sole conditions of having his life spared, and of being given up to the king of France.

The captain would have carried him a prisoner to Venice,--but the seneschal of Beaucaire, the lord de Montoison, and the chief justice of Provence, who had gone thither to receive the cardinal, prevented it. The Venetians also, knowing that the cardinal was an enemy to the king, that he had been taken on the king's territories near Piacenza, and wishing likewise to be on good terms with France, had the cardinal delivered into the hands of the before-named persons.

The inhabitants of Milan, on their duke and his brother the cardinal being made prisoners, opened a negotiation, for the surrender of their town, with the cardinal of Amboise, lieutenant for the king.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 18: Soucin Bienson. Q.]

CHAP. XII.

THE INHABITANTS OF MILAN ARE BRIBED INTO SUBJECTION.

On the 17th of April, which was Good Friday, in this same year, the inhabitants of Milan, acknowledging the great crimes they had committed against the king of France, their duke, most humbly besought the reverend father in God the lord George d'Amboise, cardinal-priest of the apostolical see, lieutenant-general for the said king, that he would be pleased (after having granted some small sums for their relief, to assist them in paying their fine, and also to save them from the pillage and destruction which the army was ready to inflict on them) to come to the duke's palace in the city of Milan to receive their submissions, which they were determined to make publicly in acknowledgment of their misconduct, and to entreat the clemency of the king, on payment of such a fine as their means would admit of.

This reverend cardinal acceded to their request, and came to the palace called La Court-vieille, whither arrived in procession all the nobles, burghers, tradesmen and inhabitants, preceded by little children dressed in white linen, and bareheaded, having a large crucifix, and the great banner of our Lady, borne before them.

The lord-cardinal being seated on the throne prepared for him in the great court of this palace, and surrounded by many of the king's counsellors and captains, master Michael Touse, doctor of laws, and town-advocate, ascended a rostrum that had been there erected, and made the following harangue:

'Unworthy as I am to ascend this rostrum, my most reverend and most illustrious lord-cardinal, I am very anxious to have it remembered, and thus publicly to express the complete submission and devotion my countrymen, the people of Milan, as well as myself, feel toward our sovereign lord and duke, the most Christian king of France; and although I know my own incapacity to express their wishes, notwithstanding my earnest desire so to do, yet, as a good citizen, I could not refuse their requests to undertake it,--and I will accomplish it to the best of my abilities.

'Among all the cities and towns of Italy, Milan, without doubt, must be considered as the principal, when governed with justice by an upright lord, as all good and loyal citizens have desired. Since God the Creator, has been pleased to place them in the hands of the most Christian king, their legitimate lord, they cannot wish for a better nor a more powerful prince: their duty is to persevere in the fidelity and loyalty which they have sworn to him when he received them with such benignity and humanity. It may be said, that he had reintegrated the citizens to their country, and their country to the founder; for the French had founded and built the city of Milan,--and the country, to this day, retains the name of Gallia Cisalpina. But, alas! we have sadly displayed the instability of our tempers, and committed the crimes of treason and rebellion without any reason for so doing; for neither the king our lord nor the deputies he sent to govern us, have done any things that ought to have displeased us, or make us discontented. In regard to our lord himself, we have always found him full of humanity, affection, and clemency; and in regard to the lord de Luson, who had been appointed our chief justice, we cannot accuse him of any improper acts,--for he ever received us kindly, and heard our complaints attentively, doing justice to all parties, like as a good father would to his children.

'In like manner, the lord Jean Jacques, who has ruled us without distinction of persons, or the smallest partiality, punishing rather his own people than ours, just as those excellent Romans, Brutus and Torquatus, put to death their children for the good of their country. He also has afforded us all necessary support. The lord-bishop of Como and others of the family of Trivulce have acted in a similar kind manner to us. We feel the more beholden to the lord Jean Jacques, because knowing, as he did, the wicked intentions of many of the chief exciters to the late rebellion, he attempted to gain them over from their intentions by gratuities and honours, rather than dip his hands in the blood of his countrymen. He preferred also retiring into the castle to destroying the town by fire and sword, as perhaps strict duty would have forced him to,--and from thence he departed, to return with so much the greater glory. The preservation of the town from ruin is solely owing to his prudent conduct: a superior victory to any achieved by arms, seeing that Ludovico Sforza and almost all the king's enemies are become prisoners. The cardinal Ascanius and others attached to his party were, by God's merciful providence, induced to leave the town, when they might otherwise have injured it by obstinately holding out against the troops of our legitimate lord. The inhabitants, therefore, are greatly indebted to God and the king, who has kindly overlooked their faults, and not punished them according to their deserts.

'To check the fury of his victorious army, the king has been pleased to send you, my lord cardinal, hither, with full powers to act according to your discretion; and this you have done with such prudence that you have saved the town to the king,--for which we, our children, and our successors, shall be ever beholden to you.

'We also thank my aforesaid lord the bishop of Como for his good recommendations of us to you, and for the means he has taken for the preservation of his country.

'Since, most reverend father in God, you have been pleased, out of your bounty and clemency, following the kind will of our lord the king, to grant to us, the inhabitants of Milan, this public audience, they have commissioned me to make, in their name, the following requests.

'In the first place, that it may be your good pleasure, when you shall return to the king, to recommend us most humbly to his good graces,--and to assure his majesty that the people of Milan will never again rise in rebellion to his power and authority. They somewhat resemble St Peter, who, having denied God the Redeemer, had afterwards such grief for his sin that he was more ardent and determined in his service than ever, continually supplicating mercy for his crime. In like manner, most reverend father in God, and in the name of the king our lord, do I, on my bended knees, for myself, the nobles, burghers, and the inhabitants of Milan, beseech you to pardon the rebellion perpetrated by us, which was contrary to the usual custom of the Milanese, celebrated for their fidelity and loyalty.

'Secondly, most reverend father, in respect to the expenses the king our lord has been put to in countermanding the troops sent hither to punish us for our ill conduct, we have promised to pay the sum of three hundred thousand crowns: fifty thousand on the 12th of this month, fifty thousand on the 1st day of May, and the remaining two hundred thousand at his pleasure. We beseech you to intercede for us to his majesty, that he would be graciously inclined to remit payment of the balance of the two hundred thousand crowns,--for it will be impossible to raise so large a sum without totally ruining the town. Its whole wealth consists in merchandize, and in cloths of silk and woollen,--and should so large a sum be withdrawn from trade, all these works must stop, to the utter ruin of the city and duchy of Milan, which depends so much upon it. The duty of a king is to enrich and not impoverish his subjects.

'Thirdly, we most humbly supplicate, that you would dismiss all the men at arms from the duchy as speedily as possible, that the fruits of the coming harvest may be preserved for the use of our lord's subjects.

'Fourthly, we beseech you, that all persons may be restored to the offices they before enjoyed.

'And, lastly, that since, out of your great mercy and wisdom, you have been pleased to separate the principal instigators of the late rebellion from the more peaceable inhabitants of the town,--and that, through the mercy of God, the cardinal Ascanius and the chiefs of that party are now, for the welfare of the country, detained prisoners,--we beseech you to use your interest with the king our lord, that such provisions be made to prevent them henceforth from troubling the city and duchy, as they have lately done, and put us again in danger of losing our lives and fortunes, whence we have been relieved by the merciful bounty of the king our lord.

'We assure you, most reverend father in God, and most noble lord, that we are determined to remain faithful to our sovereign prince in body and soul; and, by granting us our requests, you will never again hear of any disturbances or factions in this town,--for the inhabitants will, henceforward, be united in his service, as experience shall prove. We have full confidence that your benignant goodness will do every thing, in regard to us, becoming the race whence you descend, which will be agreeable to God, and worthy to be engraved on marble, as a perpetual memorial of your wisdom, and to the glory of your name: all of which I and the people of Milan now assembled here, again on our bended knees, beseech you to grant.'

Master Michael having finished his harangue, the lord-cardinal of Amboise consulted the marshal of Trivulce, the bishop of Luson[19], chancellor of Milan, the lord de Neufchatel, and others of the king's counsellors, and ordered master Michael Ris, doctor of civil and canon law, and counsellor to the king in his court of parliament of Burgundy, and in the senate of Milan, to make a reply, which he did in manner following.

'Misertus est Dominus super Ninevem civitatem; eo quod pænitentiam egit in cinere et cilicio.' My lords and gentlemen of the Milanese, the very reverend father in God and most noble cardinal here present, as lieutenant general for the king in this duchy, has more attentively listened to your humble propositions and requests than your demerits deserved. That his bounty and mercy may be more manifest, he has ordered me to lay before you your great and inexcusable rebellion, which his excellency would willingly have done himself could he have addressed you in your own language. I am, therefore, employed to do it by his command. I must, therefore, remind you, that on the day when you swore fidelity to the most Christian king, I then addressed you by his orders, and exhorted you to remain firm in your loyalty to him, whence you would derive great honour, and by acting contrary inevitable evils and disgrace would follow. I am now commanded by the most noble lord-cardinal, here present, to explain your great disloyalty and infidelity, that the exceeding clemency and pity of the king, our lord, may be the more apparent.

'Your crimes and your demerits are so enormous, O Milanese! that no punishments can be adequate to them,--and they are deserving of a similar punishment from the king as the Romans inflicted upon the Samiens, as related to us by historians: 'Ita ruinas urbis diruerunt ut hodie Samus in ipsa Samo requiratur.' Or one equal to what Archila[20] king of the Goths inflicted on the Romans, whose marks are now visible on the walls and buildings of Rome. Or what Alexander did to the Thebans. It may be seen in numerous histories, that for much smaller crimes, Charles the great, king of France, and the emperor Frederick I. punished most severely this city of Milan.

'To make your ingratitude more public, you have allowed that the most Christian king is your true and legitimate lord, to whom you owe love and obedience, according to the laws of God and man; for the wise regulation of the Spartans says, 'Populum in obsequia principum, principes ad justitiam imperatorum infirmabit.' In addition to the most Christian king being your natural and lawful lord, he has conferred upon you numberless benefits: he came in person to deliver you from slavery,--not out of a disorderly ambition to gain kingdoms, but from the pity he felt for you as subjects of duke John Galeazzo, your first duke, whose most excellent daughter, the princess Valentina, was his grandmother. He recalled Justice to your country, which had been banished thence. He secured to you your lives and properties, which before no one could call his own. He allowed you the liberty to marry your children as you should please, which before this could not be done; for a father could not marry a daughter, nor a mother a sister, but according to the will and appetite of the lord. Offices which were temporary he made perpetual. He abolished all pillories, concussions, and exactions.

'Besides these and numberless other benefits that he showered upon you, you were bounden by your oaths of allegiance to be faithful unto him: nevertheless, many of you, even when taking these oaths, were plotting to deceive him. All of you, ye Milanese! forgetful of the salvation of your souls and honour, and regardless of the danger into which you threw your wives, your children, and your town, have conspired against your true lord in favour of a tyrant, quitting the first of kings in Christendom for a mean fellow of low birth,--a most potent prince for one as poor in courage as in wealth and friends. Had I the powers of language to display the extent of such a crime, I should be incapable to do it under two days; but your own consciences will make you more sensible of it than I can,--and you may apply to yourselves what is written, 'Populus dure cervicis,' when you committed that base act of recalling your Ludovico in opposition to your true lord.

'What was the consequence? Did he not instantly seize all the effects of private persons, and not only their wealth but even the crosses, chalices, and jewels from the churches? What was said of Cambyses, king of Persia, may be said of him, 'Difficile enim erat ut parceret suis, qui contempta religione grassatus etiam in Deos fuerat.' Although from so great a crime many may attempt to exculpate themselves, yet I do not see how they can well do so, for it would have been easy at first to have resisted such treason: nor can one in Milan excuse himself for the joyous reception given to Ludovico, as if he had been a god descended from heaven on earth. The people of Milan assisted the lord Ludovico with money and men. Feasts and entertainments were every where displayed to welcome his arrival, and for his short-lived victories when he gained Novara.

'Observe now, O Milanese! how strongly the justice of God, the Creator, has been made manifest, and the great power that it has pleased Him to invest the king our lord with: for when you thought that you had done every thing by gaining Novara, at that moment you lost the whole, and your idol, the lord Ludovico, carried away a prisoner,--so that what was said of the Persians may be applied to him, 'Servit alteri cui nuper mediolanum serviebat.'

'O Milanese! notwithstanding your enormous offences, the great fountain of mercy of our good king has not been dried up by your ingratitude to him: and the uncommon benignity of his lieutenant general, my lord cardinal, has been fully shown to you, from his respect and reverence to this day, on which it pleased our Lord to suffer an ignominious death on the cross for our salvation. He, in the king's name, pardons your lives, your honours, and your property, exhorting you, at the same time, to be more careful, henceforward, not only to avoid committing similar offences but to avoid even the being suspected of them: for should you ever relapse again into rebellion, you will be punished with such severity the remembrance thereof shall endure to the latest ages of the world. By acting as loyal subjects towards your lord, your town and country will be daily improved, and you will live happy and contented; for it must be a great satisfaction to live under a true and legitimate prince.

'With regard to the requests you have made to my lord cardinal, you will deliver them to him in writing, and he will return you such answers as shall content you. It must, however, be understood, that from this pardon all the principal actors and instigators of the late rebellion are excepted.'

When this harangue was ended, all the children passed the cardinal in procession, crying out 'France, France! France and mercy!'

On St George's day, the queen of France set out from Lyon, to go to St Claude, with a very handsome company. Before she returned, she stood godmother with the prince of Orange,--for the princess had, at that time, been brought to bed of a son.

On the 2d of May, the lord Ludovico was brought to Lyon. He wore a robe of black camlet, after the fashion of Lombardy, and was mounted on a small mule. The provost of the royal household, and the seneschal of Lyon, went out to meet him, made him a prisoner in the king's name, and confined him in the castle of Pierre-en-Cise. Great numbers of people were collected in the streets to see him pass. The king was then in Lyon.

The 12th of May, the marriage of the lord de la Roche, a baron of Brittany, was announced in Lyon, with the princess of Tarente, daughter to don Frederic of Naples. On this occasion were many justs, and other entertainments, at which were present the queen, her ladies and damsels,--and the wife of count Galeazzo was with the queen; but the marriage did not take place until the 18th of May, at the church of St Croix, near to that of St John. Tournaments again were exhibited on the Grenette, and gave great satisfaction[21].

The lord Ludovico was, by orders from the king and council transferred from the castle of Pierre-en-Cise, on the 14th of May, to the castle of Loches, near Bourges. On the 24th of the same month, the lord de Ligny returned from Lombardy to Lyon, when the king sent out a large party to meet and welcome him.

The cardinal Ascanius Sforza was on the 17th of June, the vigil of Corpus-Christi-day, brought prisoner to Lyon, and confined, where his brother had before been, in the castle of Pierre-en-Cise; but he afterwards found such favour with the king that he had all France for his prison.

The lord-cardinal of Amboise and the lord de la Trimouille arrived at Lyon, the 21st of June, from Lombardy, and brought with them the lord Jean Jacques de Trivulce and his lady to France.

About the end of July, pope Alexander VII. was struck by lightning, at Rome, and much hurt; but, recommending himself to God and our lady, he was cured, and ordered a solemn procession, which he attended in person, and granted a full absolution to all who assisted. This happened, as said, on the vigil, or on the day preceding it, of the feast of St Peter. The same day the king and queen of France left Lyon for Troyes in Champagne, to meet an embassy from Germany that was expected there.

On St Anne's day, the 26th of July, the king of Yvetot[22] died at Lyon: he was buried in the church of Sainte Croix, near to that of St John.

The 28th, on a Sunday Morning, the last arch but one of the bridge over the Rhône, at Lyon, near to Bechevelain, fell down: the wall and the other arch remained,--but it could not be crossed without great danger, and by going along the top of the wall.

This year, the Swiss made war on the king's territories,--on which account his Swiss-guards returned home, but the war was soon put an end to.--About St Simon and St Jude's day, M. de Bordeaux, archbishop of Lyon, died, and was succeeded by François de Rohan, son to the marshal de Gié.

The king of France, about this period, sent a doctor of divinity from Paris to La Vaupute[23], to convert the inhabitants from some fantastical opinions they had imbibed,--but he failed of success.

Near Christmas, the river Saone was frozen as high as Mâcon, which prevented any corn and other victual coming to Lyon, and raised the price of bread very high. On St Thomas's day, the Rhône suddenly rose in the afternoon, and higher than was ever known in so short a time.

In the year 1501, the bishop of Amiens, a native of Burgundy, died at a place called Arbois[24], and was succeeded by the bishop of Nevers.

A jubilee took place, this year, in France, for the support of a war against the Turks,--and a tenth was raised, from all benefices, for the same purpose.--The archduke Philip and his consort came, in the course of the year, to Paris, and declared themselves friends to the king. They went thence into Spain, where the archduchess was brought to bed of a son.

A large body of infantry, with great stores of salted provision, were ordered to Naples; and the king and queen went to Lyon, to see these troops march through that city. The wife of duke Réné of Lorraine came to Sainte Claude, with her son, and thence proceeded to wait on the king and queen at Lyon. Her son remained at the court, and had a pension; and on the mother's returning to Lorraine, the king presented her with a white palfrey, most richly caparisoned in crimson velvet, with knotted cord-work in embroidery.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 19: Luson. Q. Lausanne?]

[Footnote 20: Archila. Q. Attila?]

[Footnote 21: As I do not understand the expressions in the original, I shall transcribe them.

'Derechief on feit jouste en la Grenette. Les gentils-hommes qui joustoient _à cheval de bois et lisses de cordes couvertes de drap de soie qui estoit une chose si mignonnement faicte que merveilles_ et tres joyeuse à voir.']

[Footnote 22: King of Yvetot. Yvetot is a small burgh in the country of Caux, six leagues from Rouen. Clotaire I. king of France, having killed Gautier lord of Yvetot, as a compensation erected it into a kingdom. --See La Martiniere's or Baudrand's Geographical Dictionaries.]

[Footnote 23: La Vaupute. Q. Vault-de-Puis-de-Sacs? a village in Burgundy.]

[Footnote 24: Arbois,--in Franche Comté, celebrated for its vineyards, 38 leagues from Lyon.]

CHAP. XIII.

THE KING OF FRANCE SENDS TROOPS TO RECONQUER NAPLES, WHICH IN A SHORT TIME IS WON,--AND FREDERICK, STYLING HIMSELF KING THEREOF, COMES TO FRANCE.

The king was very anxious to recover his dominions in Naples, and, for this purpose sent thither a considerable force by sea and land. The king's lieutenant-general, the lord d'Aubigny, was so diligent, on his arrival, that he soon won the town of Naples. Frederick, calling himself king of Naples, was then in the town; for, after the decease of the duke of Calabria, he claimed it as his inheritance. Seeing all resistance vain, he consented to meet the king of France, to make arrangements respecting his claim; for he was unwilling to remain the king's enemy, seeing that it was impossible for him to resist. Some of his children, however, were carried away secretly to the king of Spain.

The king of France received the news of the capture of Naples, and of Frederick, the 8th of August, when at Lyon, where great rejoicings, with bonfires, and solemn processions, were made on the occasion, to render thanks to the God of all victories.

On the feast of our Lady, in September of this year, the convent of the Celestins at Lyon took fire, and nearly the whole of it was destroyed. The fire began in the chimney; but the convent was soon afterwards rebuilt, handsomer than before. The same day, friar John Tisserant, an Observantine, of whom mention has been before made, died. On All-souls-day, don Frederic arrived at Lyon, from Naples, and was conducted further into France.

CHAP. XIV.

THE CARDINAL OF AMBOISE MAKES HIS PUBLIC ENTRY INTO LYON, AS LEGATE TO FRANCE.

Sunday, the 7th of October, the lord-cardinal of Amboise made his public entry into Lyon, having been appointed legate from the holy see to France. His entry was very sumptuous and handsome: the streets hung with rich tapestries, and several allegorical mysteries represented in those streets he passed through. The populace were greatly rejoiced at his arrival, as he had established a peace among the Christian princes, which was proclaimed at Lyon on Saturday preceding Christmas, when bonfires were made in all the squares.

About this time, the lady Margaret[25] was married to the duke of Savoy, and made her public entry into Geneva in the course of the month of December.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 25: The lady Margaret--of Austria, daughter to the emperor Maximilian, and widow to John son to Ferdinand the catholic king of Spain.]

CHAP. XV.

THE FRENCH, AFTER THE CAPTURE OF NAPLES, MAKE WAR ON THE TURKS.

The year 1502 was the jubilee for a croisade against the Turks. It was, as said, celebrated throughout Christendom to excite every prince to take up arms on the occasion. But there were divisions among them; and all failed in their engagements excepting the king of France, who showed himself deserving of his title of most Christian king.

After the conquest of Naples, he ordered his troops to make war on the Turks by sea and land,--for they, having declared war against the Venetians, had landed troops near to Venice. The french army were eager to advance to the conquest of Constantinople, under the command of the lord Philip of Ravenstein; and they had undertaken the siege of the town of Metelino, under a promise of pay, and of being victualled, made by the Venetians to the king of France. They failed in the last article, for the french army was five days without provision; and what was worse, the Venetians allowed the Turks to march through part of their territories, who fell on the French, killed numbers, and made thirty-two prisoners,--for whose release the pope issued his pardons to obtain the necessary sums, as is specified in the bull. By these means, the french army was ruined; but had the promises made to the French been kept, they would soon have conquered the greater part of Turkey.

Good-Friday, this year, falling on the feast of our Lady in March, pardons were fully granted at the church of our Lady at Puys, in Auvergne, where such multitudes attended that a melancholy accident happened, by the falling down of a wall from the crowd pressing against it, which killed numbers, and wounded more. Several also perished from the great pressure.

This year, a marriage was concluded between the king of Hungary and Anne of Candale, daughter to the lord of Candale of the house of Foix. She soon after made her public entry into Lyon, where several splendid mysteries were represented, and thence continued her route to Hungary, where the marriage was consummated, and they had a fine family of children.

About a fortnight before St George's day, the prince of Orange died, and was succeeded by his infant son.

Not long after this, the king of France went to Lombardy, and made his public entry into Genoa, the inhabitants having placed themselves under his dominion. The town made him many rich gifts,--and having staid there some time, he returned to France in September. About this period, Réné bastard of Savoy was driven out of that country, and took refuge with the king of France, to the great displeasure of the duke and duchess of Savoy; for Réné had revealed divers machinations that were going forward to the prejudice of the crown of France. Shortly, a suit was instituted against the duchess, to recover some places which the duke had given her, that belonged to Réné by purchase.

While the king was in Dauphiny, the duke and duchess of Savoy visited the queen at Lyon, but made no public entry: they staid only four or six days, and went back to Savoy a little before the king's return.

Shortly afterward, the general of the order of cordelier friars came to France, to establish a reform, and to make them follow the regulations of the Observantines,--for the king would have it so, as he knew them to be too worldly inclined, and that it was better to have ten good monks than two thousand vicious ones.

On the vigil of St Martin's clay, the wife of don Frederic arrived in France, with some of her children and attendants.

In the year 1503, the picture of our Lady of the Cloister, which had been in the cloister of the cordeliers at Lyon was removed into the church, and placed in the chapel of St Francis. This painting was so large that the wall was broken down to admit it into the chapel, where it now is most richly decorated.

About the beginning of Lent, the king's palace at Dijon was burnt down, by the firing a culverin up the chimney to clean it; the king soon afterwards rebuilt it with greater magnificence.

The 21st of April, when the king was at Lyon, he made a general abolition of a variety of tolls and imposts that had existed for a hundred years, without any legal sanction,--with orders not to re-establish them, under severe penalties. This was contained in letters patent he granted to the merchants who trafficked on the Rhône and Saone, and other navigable rivers falling into them, from the town of Pontarlier, above Auxonne, to the sea,--and also to those who trafficked by land through France, the Mâconnois, Lyonnois, Languedoc, and Dauphiny. By these letters, all obstructions to the navigation, such as wears, milldams, and the like, were ordered to be instantly removed, excepting such as may have been particularly erected by the king.

The french army at Naples gained ground daily, and had nearly conquered Sicily, so that all trembled before them.

CHAP. XVI.

THE ARCHDUKE MAKES HIS ENTRY INTO LYON.--ANOTHER HERETIC.

The archduke Philip made his public entry into Lyon the 23d of March, and it was very handsome. He came from Spain; but before he entered the king's territories, he demanded that five or six of the princes of the blood should be sent to his country, as hostages for his safety during his stay in France. This was done, for the king had no evil intentions; but the archduke had made the above demand imagining that he might be somewhat inclined to be suspicious of him.

The populace were rejoiced at his coming, because he was charged to make peace between the kings of France and Spain, which he did; and it was proclaimed while the king, queen, and their court were at Lyon, on the 4th of April. The peace included, beside the kings of France and Spain, the archduke, the king of the Romans and their allies.

The archduke on leaving Lyon, went to Bourg en Bresse in Savoy, where he met the duke, and his sister the duchess of Savoy.

About the 13th of April, the lord John de Horne, bishop of Liege, waited on the king at Lyon, on account of a quarrel that had taken place between him and the lord de la Marche, which they had mutually referred for the king's decision, and he made peace between them.

The archduke had not been long at Bourg en Bresse before it was known that the king of Spain had landed a large army at Naples, and had instantly attacked the French unexpectedly,--for they understood that they were at peace with Spain. Notwithstanding this, a severe conflict took place,--and the duke of Nemours was killed treacherously. The Spaniards conquered the town of Naples, in contradiction to the oath their king had so lately made to observe the peace. It was said that pope Alexander VII. had supplied the Spaniards with provision. The lord d'Aubigny retired into Calabria with a few of his men; but had the French been supported, they would have prevented the Spaniards succeeding in their enterprise. It was likewise reported, that some of the French had joined the Spaniards, having an understanding with the king of Spain,--but this perhaps was discovered afterwards. The lord de la Trimouille was, in consequence, sent to Naples as lieutenant-general for the king; but he was seized with so grievous a malady on his road, he was forced to return to France.

In this year, an extraordinary event happened at Paris. A young scholar, twenty-two years old, a native of Abbeville, whose parents were of worth, and much respected, went on the feast of St Louis, to the holy chapel in the palace, while mass was celebrating at an altar on the right hand. When the priest was about to consecrate the host, this scholar snatched it out of his hands, and ran away with it into the court fronting the exchequer-chamber. Perceiving that he was pursued, he tore the wafer into pieces, and flung them on the pavement. When, taken, he was confined in the prison of the Conciergerie,--but no exhortations could make him repent. Upon this his parents were sent for, who were much grieved at his conduct, more especially for his obstinacy and malice,--and the mother died in Paris of grief.

The father renounced his son for a heretic, and wanted to put him to death with his own hands. When brought before the court of parliament, he was asked of what religion he was; and replied, Of the religion of nature. It was said that he had frequented the company of some scholars from Spain, who had fled. A general procession was made to the holy chapel, to offer up prayers to God that the scholar might be converted,--and a sermon was preached, while he was present, by an eminent doctor. The court of parliament finding him obstinate, condemned him to be dragged from prison to the place where he had thrown down the host; then to be put into a tumbril, and have his wrist cut off, and carried to the pig-market to be burnt. He was accompanied all the time by three doctors, who earnestly exhorted him to repent,--namely, master John Standun, a Cordelier, and a Jacobin: the first never left him until dead, notwithstanding he continued in his obstinacy to the last.

From the time this impiety had been committed, a canopy of cloth of gold was supported over the spot where the host had fallen, with two burning tapers beside it. The pavement was taken up, and carried to the holy chapel, with such parts of the wafer as could be found, to be preserved as relics, and the place repaved.

Toward the end of August, in this year, pope Alexander VII. died. The king was then at Mâcon, and immediately ordered the cardinal of Amboise, the cardinal Ascanius Sforza, then a prisoner in France, the cardinal of St George, with other cardinals, to repair to Rome, for the election of a pope.

About nine or ten o'clock of the Monday, before Michaelmas-day, the whole arch of the bridge over the Rhône at Lyon fell down.

The cardinal of Sienna, nephew to pope Pius II. was elected pope, and took the name of Pius III., but did not live more than eight or ten days after his exaltation. During that short space, he had already shown how very much he was indisposed against the French. He was the hundred and sixth pope.

On Wednesday preceding St Luke's day, the lord Peter of Bourbon died, while the king was at Mâcon: he was much bewailed, for he had ever been true and loyal to the crown of France, and was an able counsellor.

The 19th of October, died pope Pius III. at Rome, who, as I have said, did not outlive his election more than eight or ten days,--and the cardinals made another election.

The French at Naples slew very many Spaniards,--and had they been properly supported, they would have driven them thence, for the lord d'Aubigny evinced much valour and prudence.

CHAP. XVII.

THE CARDINAL OF ST PIETRO AD VINCULA ELECTED POPE.

The cardinal of St Pietro ad vincula, legate of Avignon, and by name Francis de Savona[26], was elected the hundred and seventh pope of Rome, and took the name of Julius II. He was nephew to the late pope, Sixtus IV. and had accompanied king Charles of France at the conquest of Naples. After his election, he made his nephew cardinal of St Pietro ad vincula, and legate of Avignon.

The french army before Saulse[27], in the county of Roussillon, was badly conducted by some in whom the king had great confidence; for it was so well equipped, wonders were expected from it. The commanders might have taken the castle and the garrison, on allowing their captains to march away in safety; but although many were for it, the majority were against them. The castle was mined to its very foundations, and the army was so strongly encamped it could not be hurt; but the king of Spain, by dint of money, as it was known afterwards, blinded the eyes of the commanders, to the astonishment and vexation of all loyal Frenchmen when it was discovered.

The commander in chief, the marshal de Rieux, a Breton, marched away to Narbonne, to the great discontent of the French, as the camp was left without a leader. Every one behaved with the utmost courage, and raised the siege, carrying off the artillery and baggage without loss in their retreat. However, had all behaved as they ought to have done, conformable to their engagements with the king, in a short time they would have made great advances into the enemy's country, considering the fine army of the French.

The lord de la Roche-pot was killed, when before Saulse, by a cannon shot: it was a great loss, for he was a good and valiant knight, and the king and whole court were much grieved at it.--The french army in Naples not only kept its ground, but even made some conquests.

On Christmas-eve, in this year, the lord Louis of Luxembourg, lord of Ligny, died, about twelve o'clock at night at Lyon, and was very much regretted by the king and all who knew him, for he was universally beloved.

The 3d day of July, in this year, died Pierre cardinal of Aubusson[28], grand master of Rhodes, which he had governed for twenty-seven years: during the early part of which, Rhodes was attacked by the Turks with an immense army: but he and his knights made so gallant a defence, he was victorious, and the Turks left upwards of forty thousand dead: the rest saved themselves by flight, to the great vexation of all Turkey, in spite of their cries, 'Mahoun, avenge us!'

The sultan, finding this army defeated, uttered a horrid cry, to the alarm of his attendants, and swore to march another to Rhodes, and have ample revenge; but while he was employed in making preparations, he died. The grand master of Rhodes detained the next heir to the sultan a prisoner for thirteen years, contrary to the will of many, and then delivered him up to the pope, who, in return, sent him a cardinal's hat. He had those fortifications repaired that had been damaged by the Turks, and then converted the Jews in the island to Christianity. He formed alliances with all the princes in Christendom, and did an infinite deal of good. He was succeeded by Emeri d'Amboise, brother to the cardinal of Amboise, legate to France, who instantly left France for Rhodes, to oppose the Turks, who were continually carrying on a warfare against the Christians.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 26: Francis de Savona. This must be a mistake: his name was Julius della Rovere. He was born at Albizale, a village near to Savona.]

[Footnote 27: Saulse. Q. Sault? a small territory adjoining Roussillon.]

[Footnote 28: Aubusson. He was grand prior of Auvergne, and descended from the ancient viscounts of la Marche. Pope Innocent sent him the cardinal's hat, for having delivered up to his guard Zimim brother to Bajazet.]

CHAP. XVIII.

THE SOPHI OF PERSIA MAKES WAR ON THE TURK USSON CASSAN[29].

The grand master of Rhodes received on the 7th of December, in the year 1502, intelligence from Armenia and Persia, that one called Sophi Christian, or Red Bonnet of Armenia, had assembled an army of forty thousand men, to enable him to revenge the death of his father by Usson Cassan, a Turk, and to recover all the Sophines who had been sent prisoners to Turkey. Having considered the iniquity of the grand Turk, and his infamous conduct to these Sophines, he set out from his country, called Adanil, twelve days journey from Tauris, accompanied by only one hundred warriors, and arrived near to Arzian[30], a town of Usson Cassan, whose friendship and alliance he besought on account of his mother, sister to Usson Cassan, pretending that he was waiting the arrival of his attendants. But he disguised his feelings of injury from the grand Turk, who detained his Sophines in abject vassalage: however, within a fortnight, he was joined by about sixteen thousand men, with whom he entered Arzian by force, and put to death all the inhabitants, both great and small.

Among other acts worthy of remembrance, in all the mosques, or temples, of the Turks, he had the horses and camels tied up as in a stable, to show his contempt for them, and had them afterwards razed to the ground. There had been a temple of the Christians which the Turks had destroyed; but Sophi had it immediately rebuilt, and handsomely restored. The army of Sophi continually increasing, he advanced into the province of Firnam, which belonged also to Usson Cassan. Usson Cassan perceiving that Sophi was subjugating his country, and the whole of the Turks in this province, amounting to more than fifty thousand, assembled his army, and offered battle to Sophi, who defeated him completely, and made him prisoner. He entered victoriously the town of Sarda, where he staid three months, and thence advanced to Tharabe, a town of Usson Cassan, which instantly surrendered.

As he approached the country of Sultania, he was met by the children of Usson Cassan, with an army of twenty-five thousand men. Sophi gave them battle, and defeated them. One of the children was killed in the combat: the others were taken prisoners, and put to a disgraceful death by cutting them in pieces. Not one of their army was permitted to live.

The city of Tauris, seeing the great power of Sophi, and that he had destroyed their prince and his children, surrendered to him without any defence,--and he remained there with his army some time. The citizens of Tauris, observing the great prudence and wisdom of Sophi, put him in possession of all the treasures of Usson Cassan. He thence departed to a large town called Lingia, three days journey from Tauris, and to another called Passy, the last town of Usson Cassan.

Sophi, finding that he had now conquered and submitted to his obedience the whole of the dominions of Usson Cassan, and established order every where, returned to Tauris, the capital of the country. He was continually followed by his mother, with a numerous attendance of slaves, for he was much beloved by her; and after a short stay at Tauris, she sent ambassadors to the grand Turk, to remonstrate with him on his shameful conduct to the Sophines,--ordering him to set them at liberty, and also to put on the red bonnet, after the manner of the Sophines, otherwise she would make him feel the power of her son.

The grand Turk detained the ambassadors in Constantinople, for he suspected that Sophi would invade his country of Natolia; and in consequence, he assembled a large army near to the town of Angora[31], and commanded all in Pera[32] to hold themselves in readiness to bear arms against Sophi Christian or Red Bonnet. They were, however, refractory, and refused to obey, showing more willingness to surrender themselves to Sophi. The Armenians say, that Sophi does not esteem the grand Turk a button,--for he has an army of ninety thousand men, well armed, without including his own countrymen from Armenia, who daily follow him. All this information was brought to the king of France, when he was at Morestel[33] in Dauphiny, in the year 1503.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 29: I cannot make out this chapter to my satisfaction. In the 'Art de Verifier les Dates,' I find, that in the year 1501, which nearly answers to the date in the chapter, Schah Ismael Sophi I., &c. the restorer of the sect of Ali, in Persia, when only 14 years old, assembles a large army of Alides, conquers Tauris from Alvand IV. successor of Uzun Cassan, and obliges him to fly to Diarbeker, where he dies in 1502. Schah Ismael gains Bagdad in 1510, putting to flight Morad Beg, son to Alvand, and in the following year conquers Khoristan, &c. In the year 1514, Selim I. emperor of the Turks gives him battle and defeats him on the plains of Chaldéron, and takes the town of Tauris. Sophi dies aged 38, &c.]