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.]
[Footnote 30: Arzian. Q. Erzerum, or Erivan?]
[Footnote 31: Angora,--a town in Natolia: Bajazet was defeated near to
it.]
[Footnote 32: Pera,--partly a suburb to Constantinople. I believe it
was then possessed by the Genoese.]
[Footnote 33: Morestel,--election of Vienne.]
CHAP. XIX.
A GREAT MORTALITY FROM THE UNWHOLESOMENESS OF THE SEASON.--OF THE
DEATHS OF MANY PERSONS OF NOTE.
In the course of the year 1504, a truce was concluded between the kings
of France and Spain, touching the county of Roussillon: nevertheless,
the Spaniards that had been garrisoned in Saulse embarked secretly for
Naples. It was said, that the king of Spain had bribed some of the
French (of which they were afterwards accused), and by this means he
had conquered Naples.
The lord of Aubigny and the lord of Alegre, the principal leaders of
the french army, were made prisoners; and great numbers of their men
perished, more from want of food than in battle, for there was no great
effusion of blood. The lieutenant of the lord of Ligny maintained his
post in the territories of that lord's deceased wife,--and the French,
notwithstanding the spanish force, made several good prisoners, who
were exchanged for the lords of Aubigny and of Alegre.
This summer was exceedingly hot and dry, which prevented the corn from
filling; and the harvest was very poor in the Lyonnois, Dauphiny,
Auvergne, Burgundy, Savoy, and other countries. From the month of
March, the farmers and peasants, foreseeing the season would be
unproductive, were in great distress, and made processions to different
churches in all the villages around: general processions were even made
by the peasants to the churches in Lyon, where the inhabitants and
monks gave them bread and wine in abundance.
In these processions, the young women were dressed in white linen, with
bare feet, a kerchief on their heads, and a taper in their hands: the
boys were clothed also in white, bare headed and bare footed: then came
the priests, followed by persons of both sexes, the women singing from
the Litany, 'Sancta Maria! ora pro nobis,' and then the whole cried
aloud for 'Mercy!'
The parishes of Lyon made similar processions to the church of our Lady
of the island, a french league distant from that city. On the last
day but one of May, the body of St Just was brought from the suburbs
into the city of Lyon, which no man living had before seen done; and
his shrine was carried in procession, with chaunting and singing, from
church to church. On the following day, the jaw bone of St John the
baptist, which had never before been taken out of the church of St
John, was carried in procession to the church of the Augustins.
Eight days afterwards, it rained; but the drought was soon as great as
ever. The monks of Nôtre Dame de l'Isle, attended by the inhabitants of
many villages, brought her image, and that of St Loup, in procession to
Lyon, which had not been done in the memory of man. This was on the 7th
of June; and at the same time was brought thither the shrine of Saint
Hereny, prince of the nineteen thousand martyrs.
Processions came to Lyon four and five leagues distant; and the
inhabitants of several villages were from five to six days wandering
about the fields, from one place to another, without returning home.
In short, every body appeared so miserable, the hardest hearts must
have wept on beholding this great desolation of the people, and have
quitted all amusements to assist them.
In the month of September, there appeared in the river Saone, above
Lyon, a prodigious quantity of small eels, of the size of a man's
little finger, but no one dared to eat of them. Great sickness now
prevailed; and on the 19th of September Philibert duke of Savoy died at
Pont d'Ain, not without suspicions of poison. He was succeeded by his
next brother: the other was bishop of Geneva.
In the year 1505 died the lady Jane duchess of Berry, and was interred
in a chapel, within the castle of Bourges she had founded and endowed.
From St John's day of last year until that feast in this, the season
was most sickly, and every thing very dear. Wheat sold at Lyon from
twenty-six to twenty-seven sols the bichet[34]; and from the scarcity
in the country vast numbers came from the villages to Lyon to seek
charity. Some left their houses empty, others their wives and children,
and the women their husbands and children. Great part of them died,
although every person who had wherewithal gave them food; for alms were
as abundantly bestowed in Lyon as in any city of its size.
A pestilential disorder now raged, which carried off immense numbers in
the hospital, both rich and poor; and this pestilence seemed to be felt
every where, for, in the mountains of Savoy, several died of it, and of
hunger, so that many farms were this year uncultivated.
During Lent, the king of France had the bones of his late father,
Charles duke of Orleans, removed from Blois to Paris, and interred in
the chapel of the Celestins at Paris, which the dukes of Orleans had
founded. Every kind of honour was paid to them during their removal,
and at their re-interment,--and it was a magnificent spectacle.
About this time, the king was taken with so serious an illness it was
thought he must die. His nobles and courtiers were much grieved:
many of them made divers vows and pilgrimages; and processions were
ordered throughout the realm, to offer up prayers to Jesus Christ for
the king's recovery, which was granted. While he lay speechless, he
had a vision, which he related; and it was so marvellous that I firmly
believe it to be more a miracle than any thing else. A short time
after his recovery, the king solicited the pope to grant a jubilee for
his kingdom of France, and other parts under his dominion, without
any expenses. On the 26th of June, the feast of St Peter and St Paul,
a great procession took place, in which the host was carried as on
Corpus-Christi-day, when the king, knowing how earnestly his people
had prayed for the restoration of his health, would not show himself
ungrateful, but, to reward them, solicited of the pope for this free
jubilee.
In this year, don Frederick of Naples died, to whom the king had
behaved with the utmost liberality touching his claims on Naples.
In the year 1506, died, Isabella queen of Spain, who, during the wars
of Granada, had shown great valour and prudence. The king of Spain
was afterwards married to the sister of the lord of Foix, through the
interference of the king of France, who, in consideration of the match,
made some agreements with the king of Spain respecting Roussillon and
Naples.
A war now took place between the duke of Savoy and the Valoisiens, but
it was soon made an end of.--In the month of July, a general chapter
of the Cordeliers was held at Rome, which had not been done since the
death of their founder St Francis. It was caused, as said, by the
reformation of the Cordeliers in France, which dissatisfied several of
the fraternity,--and it was in this chapter determined by the pope,
that there should be only two modes of living among them; that such as
had been reformed should remain so: consequently, all the convents of
Cordeliers in France follow the rules of the Observantines.
At this time also, a general chapter of the knights of Rhodes was
holden at Rome, and many knights were drowned in coming thither, from
tempests at sea.
On the 18th of July, the feast-day of St Pantaléone, a general pardon
was granted to all repentant and confessed sinners, who should bequeath
money or lands to the churches founded by the knights of Rhodes. This
was done on account of a great victory the new grand master, brother
to the cardinal of Amboise, had gained over the Turks. He had defeated
their whole army, which was worthy of remembrance.
On Ascension-day, in this year, the count of Angoulême[35], the second
person in France, was betrothed, at Tours, to the princess Claude of
France, only daughter to Louis XII. by Anne of Brittany, which caused
great feasts and rejoicings throughout the kingdom.--The reverend
father in God the lord Francis of Rohan, son to the marshal of Gié, and
archbishop of Lyon, made his public entry into that city on the 14th of
August. Many mysteries were exhibited in the streets through which he
passed, and they were all hung with tapestries. On the following day,
the least of the Assumption of our Lady, he chaunted the high mass at
the cathedral of St John in his archiepiscopal robes.
This year, the duke of Gueldres made war on that part of Guelderland
dependant on the archduke.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 34: Bichet,--a measure of uncertain quantity,--from 70 to 54
pounds weight of corn,--of 36 pounds of chesnuts.]
[Footnote 35: Count of Angoulême,--afterwards Francis I. king of
France.]
CHAP. XX.
THE DEATHS OF THE ARCHDUKE AND OF THE QUEEN OF HUNGARY.
The archduke Philip, during his residence at Burgos in Spain, died,
on the 25th of September, in this year 1506.--The queen of Hungary
died also on the feast-day of our Lady, in August, having been brought
to bed a fortnight before of a son, named Louis. The marquis of
Brandenbourg was proxy for the king of France, at his christening. She
left a daughter likewise, three years of age,--and both children lived.
In Lombardy, there was a nun of the order of Jacobins, who, like to St
Catherine of Sienna, had, every Friday, marks on her hands and feet
similar to the wounds of our Saviour, that ran blood, which appeared to
all who saw it very marvellous.
CHAP. XXI.
THE POPE, BY THE ASSISTANCE OF THE FRENCH, GAINS BOLOGNA.
Pope Julius II. weighing in his mind that the whole of the territories
of Bologna were the patrimony of the church, made preparations to
reduce them to his obedience. This city and territory had been usurped,
and held by force for some time, by sir John de Bentivoglio. The pope,
considering that there was no prince in all Christendom so well able
to afford him support in this project as the king of France (that firm
pillar of the church, who had been every where victorious), made him
acquainted with his claims and intentions of recovering the bolognese
territories.
The king, eager to serve the holy church, ordered a large detachment
of men at arms to join the pope's forces from the Milanese, for him
to use at his pleasure. The pope's army was besieging Bologna on the
side toward Rome,--but when joined by the French, it was besieged
on all sides. This took place in the month of October. The French,
stationed on the side toward Modena, behaved very gallantly, and won
Castel-franco, which was plundered because the garrison would not
surrender. The pope's army gained another castle,--and both armies
showed so much courage, the Bolognese were astonished and frightened:
they found themselves closely besieged, and that it would be impossible
for them to resist the pope and the king of France. Finding their
situation desperate, they surrendered themselves to the pope, having
driven sir John de Bentivoglio out of Bologna, who, as I have before
said, held the town by force, although it lawfully belonged to the pope.
The pope offered up thanksgivings to God the Creator for his success,
and chaunted high mass most devoutly, on All-souls-day, in the church
of St Petronilla in Bologna.
CHAP. XXII.
OF THE DAMSEL TRIVULCE.
About this time, there resided a young lady in the Milanese, who had
been taught the rudiments of grammar at seven years of age, and was so
earnest in her studies that, at fourteen, she was eloquent to a degree
that astonished all who heard her.
She was descended from the noble family of the Trivulces. Her father,
called John, was an able knight and good scholar, as were all of his
family. Her mother's name was Angela, a noble lady of the race of the
Martinengois. In praise of this young lady, the verse of Prosper may
be well applied,--'Naturæ sequitur semina quisque suæ.' Her mother was
not a learned lady, although full of virtue; but the daughter was so
devout and eloquent, in her prayers, that she seemed more angelic than
human; and if she continues to abound in such virtues, and to live thus
sanctified and devout, she will deservedly be worthy of her reputation
of a saint.
At twelve years of age, she became a great disputant, and was
invited into the companies of the most learned, as well secular as
ecclesiastic,--among whom were the bishop of Lausanne, an eminent
scholar, her uncles the bishop of Cumense[36] and Francis Trivulce,
of the order of franciscan friars, when several disputations took
place,--and great praises were given to this damsel. She understood
philosophy, history, and different sciences, was mistress of Seneca,
Aristotle, and Pietro of Ravenna. Whatever she saw or heard at any of
the places she visited, she related the whole to her father, on her
return home, as exactly as if it had been written down.
She was skilful in poetry, and one day composed so long a poem her
master was surprised at her talent. She became soon expert in the
greek tongue, and wrote many letters, in that and in other languages,
that were greatly admired by all the learned to whom they had been
addressed. She was most patient in adversity, making a joke of it: in
short, every thing she did or said was miraculous, and unlike to a
human being. When marriage was spoken of to her, she replied, that she
would never marry a man whom she did not know to be as pure in virtue
as herself.
The Genoese, acting according to their accustomed treachery, forgetful
of the crimes they had committed, and been pardoned for by the king,
now rebelled against him, and chose for their doge one called Paul
Noyus[37], who had been a silk dyer. The king, hearing of this,
resolved to march in person against them, and reduce them to his
obedience, notwithstanding the great preparations the Genoese had made
for resistance. They had, among other things, erected a bulwark they
thought impregnable; but some bold french adventurers having secretly
mounted this bulwark, the hearts of the Genoese failed them, and they
fled into the town. They now offered to surrender themselves to the
king's mercy, who, from his uncommon benignity, and wish to avoid the
effusion of human blood, pardoned them, and entered the town with his
whole army, where he had a magnificent reception. Their lately-elected
doge, Paul di Nove, was taken at sea by a french bark, when making his
escape, brought back to Genoa, and beheaded. From this time forward,
it was publicly proclaimed, that the populace should not shout 'Adorne
Fregose[38]!' which they had been accustomed to do before this last
reduction of the town.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 36: Cumense. Q. Como?]
[Footnote 37: Paul Noyus. Paul di Nove.]
[Footnote 38: Fregose. Q. Fiesco?]
CHAP. XXIII.
OF THE LEAGUE OF CAMBRAY, FORMED BY THE CARDINAL OF AMBOISE, BETWEEN
THE POPE, THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN, THE KING OF FRANCE, AND THE KING
OF SPAIN, AGAINST THE VENETIANS.--THE KING OF FRANCE DEFEATS THE
VENETIANS AT AGNADELLO.
The king of France, about this time, through the means of the cardinal
of Amboise, concluded a treaty at Cambray between the pope, the
emperor, the king of Spain, and the lady Margaret, governess of the
low countries. This treaty, although of no long duration, was the
cause of the deaths of two hundred thousand men, as you will hereafter
see, through the treachery of the confederates, in various battles and
engagements that took place; and what is worse, we of the present time,
unless God shall be pleased to apply a remedy, are still suffering from
the effects of this unfortunate treaty.
The king thought to obtain by it a lasting peace and alliance with the
adjoining princes; but he was deceived, as was apparent at the time
of the affair of Peschiera, against the Venetians; for he alone, of
all the confederates, took the field, crossed the Alps, and advanced
to Milan. He thence marched his army, and what is worthy of remark,
had all the bridges broken down he passed over, to show that flight
would be needless. His first conquest was the castle of Trevi. He then
marched his army to Peschiera, near to which was Agnadello, where
the battle was fought. Five days after the camp had been formed at
Peschiera, the Venetian army was attacked, and completely routed,
chiefly by the great exertions of the lord of Bourbon, who fought
manfully: there was great slaughter. The confederates never thought
that this could have been accomplished by the french army alone. Indeed
the Venetians would not believe it until the count de Pitigliano, who
had fled with the reserve, convinced them of its truth. This battle
took place on the 14th of May, just six days after the king arrived in
the camp, and it was certainly very fortunate. Thus the war lasted but
five days; for after such a victory, there was nothing to prevent the
king obtaining all his demands.
I repeat, that this success was very fortunate, considering how
advantageously the enemy were posted, the number of strong places
in their possession, and the strength of their armies; for they had
enow to oppose the confederates in the field and to guard their
strong holds. In their camp were more than seventeen hundred men at
arms, light cavalry to the amount of nine thousand five hundred,
and twenty-two thousand infantry well armed, with twenty pieces of
large artillery, much superior to what the king had, and also the
best captains in all Italy to command this army, particularly sir
Bartholomew d'Alviano, the chief, taken prisoner as he was rallying a
body of infantry.
Numbers of the most renowned of the venetian captains were made
prisoners this day, and sent to different strong castles in
France,--their banners to the church of St Denis. Not more than two
hundred were slain of the king's army, while full fifteen thousand
fell on the side of the enemy. After the battle, the king ordered the
dead to be buried, and a chapel to be erected on the spot, endowed
sufficiently for the celebration of daily masses for the souls of those
who had died in a state of grace. It was not long afterward before
those towns which the Venetians had usurped surrendered to the king's
obedience,--such as Bergamo, Brescia, Crema, Cremona, that had formed
part of the duchy of Milan.