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.

The pope, in like manner, recovered those places that had been taken from the church, namely, Ravenna, Imola, Faienza, and Forli. The emperor Maximilian regained from the Venetians his towns of Verona, Vicenza, and Padua,—but this last he did not keep long. Whether through negligence or fear, he had never dared to come to the king's camp, notwithstanding his repeated promises: the king, however, gave him a large body of men, under the command of the lord de la Palisse, to regain the city of Padua,—and it was long besieged, but nothing effectual was done at last.

The king of Spain also regained the towns of Brundusium, Tarentum, and others, of which the Venetians had possessed themselves.

When all this had been done through the fortunate victory of the king of France, who had supported the pope like a true son of the church, and had so essentially served him in the restoration of Bologna by the expulsion of Bentivoglio, and in various other ways,—notwithstanding all these proofs of his friendship, pope Julius, at the instigation of the Venetians and others, formed an alliance against him, and, having joined his arms with those of Venice, took Udina and Mirandola; which last he restored to John Franciscus Picus, who styled himself the true lord of it.

To return to the king of France: after his victory over the Venetians, he went to Milan, where a magnificent triumphal entry was prepared for him, after the manner of the ancient Romans. Brilliant cars, full of the handsomest and best dressed ladies in Milan, went out to meet him,—and the people greeted him with acclamations, comparing him to Cæsar, for having conquered and reduced to his subjection those who had been feared and dreaded by all the world before.

The king, having had so handsome a reception in Milan, went thence to Savona, where he was met by Ferdinand, who had come thither with a numerous fleet of galleys for the purpose. The king of France received him and his queen with much kindness, and they made good cheer together. They confirmed their peace by dividing the eucharist between them at the holy sacrament; but it lasted not long, notwithstanding this ceremony, as you will hereafter see. There are many who make a good sale of their consciences and promises; and one of them, instead of the host, ought to have swallowed a burning coal,—for numberless creatures have paid dear for perjuries of which they were innocent, and had no concern with.

CHAP. XXIV.

A WAR BETWEEN POPE JULIUS AND THE KING OF FRANCE, ON ACCOUNT OF THE DUKE OF FERRARA.—A COUNCIL OF THE CHURCH ASSEMBLED AT THE INSTANCE OF THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN AND THE KING OF FRANCE, TO THE DISSATISFACTION OF THE POPE.—BOLOGNA TAKEN BY THE FRENCH.

About this time, the town of Mirandola was valiantly reconquered by the French, and the town of Udina delivered up to the king of the Romans. The marquis of Mantua was taken prisoner by the Venetians, and carried to Venice, whence, some time after, he easily obtained his liberty. A fresh war now commenced between the pope and the duke of Ferrara, an ally of France,—for which reason, the king left the count Gaston de Foix, whom he had lately created duke of Nemours, his lieutenant-general in the Milanese, who did marvellous feats of arms during his command in Italy.

The lord-cardinal of Amboise, on his last return from Italy, fell sick at Lyon, and died there. His loss was great, as was afterwards known, although at the time some thought the contrary; but they were unacquainted with his many virtues, and the good use he made of his talents,—for during the whole of his administration, he advised his master with such wisdom that the people were never over-taxed. Whatever wars king Louis may have carried on in Italy, the taxes were never raised above their usual rates; but when the enemy attempted to bring the war on the french territory, it became absolutely necessary to increase them.

The king was, not without foundation, called 'the father of his people,' notwithstanding that title may have been given him during his life through flattery, and the worth of other kings debased, the more to exalt his own. It is impossible to say too much of a virtuous man in his absence; but when present, to praise him smells strongly of the love of lucre.

The cardinal-legate having lain in state for a short time, the body was embalmed, put into a leaden coffin, and carried to Rouen for interment. The king came thence to Blois, accompanied by the queen, then far gone with child of a daughter, as it turned out afterward, whom the king had vowed to the holy St Réné, a bishop of Angers, whither he made a pilgrimage with the queen when she recovered. The young princess was christened Renée,—and the lord Jean Jacques de Trivulce stood godfather with the king.

About this time, the Portuguese made some discoveries on the island of Oran[39], on the coast of Africa, where they met savages of a blackish colour, with countenances as if branded with hot irons, thick lips, black and coarse hair, resembling in thickness that of a horse. They had no beard, nor appearance of any, or of hair on any parts of the body but on the head and eye-brows. Their boats are made of the bark of trees, and so light, a man can with ease carry one of them. Their bows are bent with the sinews of wild beasts: their arrows of cane, headed with a sharp stone or piece of fish-bone. They know not the use of bread or wine, nor the value of money, and crawl on the earth like beasts, feeding on raw flesh, and covered with skins for clothing. They live part of their time in the sea. Two of these natives were brought by some Normans to Rouen, and presented to the king; but they did not live long, nor did the others that had been brought to Europe.

But to return to my former subject: a general council was demanded by the emperor, and king of France, to the great discontent of the pope. He had broken his faith, by instigating the king of Arragon, the republic of Venice, and others, to commence a new war, quitting the chair of Saint Peter for the car of Mars, the god of war, displaying in the field of battle his triple crown, and sleeping in watchtowers. God knows what a sight of crosses, mitres, and sacred banners, were fluttering in the plains; and the devil took good care not to come near,—for benedictions were given most abundantly, and at the cheapest rates.

The war commenced against the duke of Ferrara, ally to the king, when many engagements took place, sieges were made and raised, for it was continued without interruption of winter and summer. Bologna was besieged by the duke of Nemours, who acted as viceroy in Italy, and the Bolognese fled before him, so that he soon reconquered that town, as you shall hear. About this time, pope Julius excited the Swiss to invade the duchy of Milan, which they did, and advanced to the walls of that city, committing every sort of mischief, particularly to a monastery of nuns, whom they ravished, and plundered the convent of all within it.

The lord de Conti, like a valorous knight, hastened to their relief, and did wonders; but he was surrounded, and fell, which was a great pity.—Soon after, the duke of Nemours made an agreement with them to return home, on receiving a sum of money,—which they accepted and retreated, to return again to seek more money.

The inhabitants of Brescia were now (unfortunately for them) advised to quit the french interest, and put themselves under the dominion of Venice, for which they severely suffered. In like manner, those of Bergamo revolted to the Venetians,—but the castles of both places remained in the hands of the French, under the command of able captains, who gallantly served the king, especially in his italian wars, for which some of them were but badly recompensed.

The council[40] before mentioned was first held at Tours, then at Lyon, and then referred to a general council at Pisa, where were many cardinals, archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, and other prelates of the church. There were likewise some very learned theologians, and canonists, to whom this affair would afford matter of discussion. Several essential points were determined on in the different sessions of this council; but, for weighty reasons, the council was transferred to Milan, and thence to Lyon, where it remained.

The french army suffered much at the siege of Bologna, from the rigour of the weather: but, notwithstanding this, they were victorious, drove out of the town the pope and his archbishops, and entered it as conquerors.

CHAP. XXV.

THE DUKE OF NEMOURS MARCHES HIS ARMY AGAINST BRESCIA.—ON TAKING THE TOWN, A GREAT SLAUGHTER ENSUES.

When the duke of Nemours heard of the revolt of Brescia, and that the Venetians had entered the town, he instantly made preparations to attack them, and with great diligence, marched day and night to Brescia; for I can promise you, that the king had, at that time, an excellent army,—and the liberal promises of the duke of Nemours urged them on, so that they were almost immediately before it.

Those in the castle, on the first appearance of their countrymen, opened the gate, and part of them forced their way thence in the town. Alas! what a deluge! what cries! what lamentations of the poor citizens! It is a great pity, and wonderful how many suffer in the support of the quarrels of princes and great lords: however, in this instance, they had deserved punishment, for having wantonly broken their oaths of allegiance.

The duke of Nemours had no sooner gained the castle and palace than, like a great warrior as he was, he entered the town, one arm bare, and his sword on his wrist, shouting out 'France!' in which he was echoed by all Frenchmen. The Venetians, thunderstruck, took to flight through one of the gates, but numbers were slain[41] and made prisoners, of whom were many of high rank in Venice, who were sent to France.

The inhabitants having attempted to defend themselves, the town was given up to plunder; and you might have seen several french adventurers tearing to pieces, out of spite, large bales of cloths of gold and of silk; such merchandise might then have been bought for almost nothing. The ladies and children made piteous moans on seeing their husbands and fathers murdered and cast out of the windows, and all their effects pillaged. To make short of the matter: they thought that God's whole indignation and wrath had been poured on them; for the French treated them with every cruelty, in revenge for the resistance that had been made by throwing stones and beams from the tops of the houses, by which some great french lords suffered severely. The place was completely conquered, in spite of all that the Brescians and Venetians could do to prevent it,—and the streets were filled with dead bodies, besides the numbers that were slain in the open country: in the whole, there must have been many thousands killed. Among the prisoners were sir Andrew Gritti, sir John Paulle[42], Caufre and his son, the count Ludovico Adanago[43], who had been the chief adviser of the town to revolt, for which it had been treated as you have heard.

After this victory, the towns and castles in the territories of Brescia were re-garrisoned, and provided with abundance of provision and stores of all kinds,—and the lord d'Aubigny was appointed governor of Brescia. The town of Bergamo also surrendered, as well as several other places, which had revolted, and in consequence suffered great miseries.

News was brought to the duke of Nemours, that the Spaniards had left all their heavy artillery and baggage at Imola, and were advancing, by forced marches, into the plain, boasting that they would form a junction with the Venetians and relieve Brescia; but I believe that, when they learned what had passed there, they changed their intentions.

About this time, there lived in the town of Augsbourg a virgin, named Anne, who had arrived at the age of forty years, without eating, drinking, sleeping, or having any natural evacuations!!! by which it may be known, that she was under the especial grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,—and she had given herself up to devout contemplations.

Another great wonder was seen in the city of Ravenna, where a monster was born with a horn on its head, wings of a bat, one foot like a bird of prey, the other like a human foot! It had an eye on its knee, and was of both sexes! It had a mark of a Y on its breast, and an appearance of a cross, with a crescent beneath,—which signs, according to my lords the philosophers and prognosticators, signify many things!!

CHAP. XXVI.

THE DUKE OF NEMOURS DEFEATS THE UNITED ARMIES OF THE POPE, THE VENETIANS, AND THE SPANIARDS, NEAR TO RAVENNA,—BUT IS HIMSELF SLAIN, AFTER HE HAD GAINED THE VICTORY AND TOTALLY REPULSED THE ENEMY.

We must now return to the wars in Italy, and elsewhere. During the Lent of the year 1512, the duke of Nemours marched his army before Ravenna, wherein that of the pope, the Venetians, and Spaniards were seeking opportunities to retaliate on the French,—and they had made great preparations for this purpose. The duke of Nemours, having had information of this, advanced thither, accompanied by many nobles and valiant captains, such as the lord de la Palisse, the lord d'Alegre and his son, the lord Jean Jacques of Trivulce, the lord de Châtillon governor of Paris, the lord de Molarc, Maugeron, La Crotte, and other officers of renown. When he had approached Ravenna, the French remained some time encamped from a scarcity of provision, and many suffered by it. Perceiving that their supplies had failed, like hardy warriors, stirred on by the eager desire of the duke of Nemours for the combat, they resolved, on the eve of Easter-day, to offer the enemy battle on the morrow, which was the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord.

The French advanced boldly to the combat, having their artillery in front, which played four hours incessantly, and did great damage to the Spaniards, principally to their men at arms. Some Spaniards sallied out of their camp, and the French rushed in,—when both parties met, and two superb and bold nations might then be seen contending with courage and earnestness for the victory. Never was heard such clattering of swords and lances: the gallant duke of Nemours hastened forward, fighting most wonderfully, to encourage his men; and it was for some time uncertain which side would have the advantage,—for the Spaniards shouted at times 'Victory! Julius, Julius!' at others, the French cried out 'Victory, Nemours!' At length, the French made their enemies fly.

During the battle, the lord de Molarc was killed by a cannon-shot,—a great loss to the king, for he was a valiant, and enterprising captain. He led that day the french infantry, a most courageous and steady band. La Crotte and captain Jacobs, who commanded the Lansquenets, were among the first of the slain; and their loss was a heavy blow: however, both French and Lansquenets advanced with greater courage to revenge the deaths of their captains, and pushed on until they came to where the baggage was, and some famished adventurers had already begun to knock in the heads of the casks of different wines,—when, having drank their fill, they ran away as fast as they could: not so the Spaniards, who still held on fighting,—for I can assure you, that these spanish troops were no way fainthearted, and there had not been so severe a battle fought as this for a long time. May God pardon those who were killed!

The remnant of the Spaniards and Italians that escaped wandered here and there. Upwards of twenty of the great lords of Italy lay dead on the field. There were many prisoners made: in the number were Pedro de Navarre, don John de Cardona, the marquis of Pescara, Pomare, Epinose, Castinago, John Antony Vosino, the count de Montelon, the marquis de Betonde, the marquis de l'Estelle, the son to the count of Consege, and others of renown. No one knew what became of the duke du Traict,[44] who was of their company. The viceroy of Naples saved himself by flight, until he gained the seashore, and embarked for Naples. The marquis de la Padulla and the count del Popolo made good a retreat before the end of the conflict, with eleven or twelve hundred horse, as well men at arms as light cavalry, and from sixteen to seventeen-hundred infantry, the remains of their army, and saved themselves as well as they could.

Numbers of Frenchmen were doubtless slain, for the Spaniards fought with the utmost bravery; and when the french men at arms returning from the pursuit, passed over the field of battle, the wounded laid hands on any swords near them, and, in the miserable state they were in on the ground, cut the legs of the horses the French were mounted on.

Pope Julius was at Rome when news of this event was brought him. God knows how he bore it, for he had been a very great sufferer in that battle. The instant he heard it, he would have set off without delay, fearing that the French would follow up their victory, and come to seek him even in Rome.

After this defeat, the illustrious and gallant duke of Nemours, having perceived a small body of the enemy that had not dispersed, like a magnanimous prince, but too unmindful of the signal victory God had just given him, required of the nobles and captains around him, that they would be pleased to march with him and drive them away. Some of them who, from long experience, knew the uncertainty of the chances of war, remonstrated with him on being too adventurous, and that he should remain satisfied with the success he had gained. Notwithstanding the truth of these remonstrances, he persisted in his resolution, and said aloud, 'Let all who love me, follow me.' Upon this, the lord d'Alegre, his son, Maugeron, the bastard of Cliete, seeing him thus determined and already advancing followed him.

The duke of Nemours was the first to attack this body of the enemy, who were greatly superior in number; and the gallant prince performed such feats of arms as astonished them, and cleared all around his horse with such rapid and mortal blows that none dared approach him. It was a grand sight to view so young a man displaying such extraordinary courage. The enemy, observing how few the French were, and that no reinforcements were coming to them, recovered their courage and surrounded the young hero. They first killed his horse, and then fell upon him with battle-axes, pikes, and every sort of weapon, that he, and all his companions, died a glorious death.

This was a most heavy loss to France, for he was a magnanimous prince, worthy to be placed on a triumphant throne in a temple of brave men. His liberality and frankness had gained him the love of the army, who would have followed him any where, even without pay,—and within four months he had gained three decisive battles.

When this melancholy event was known, the lord de la Palisse and other captains hastened to revenge his loss, and put to death the whole body of the enemy that had slain the duke, the lord d'Alegre and the others, without suffering one to escape. They thence marched to besiege the city of Ravenna, which they took by storm, killed the greater part of the inhabitants, and plundered the town: there was much confusion, for it was almost entirely destroyed. When this was done, the french returned to the field of the late battle, to raise the bodies of the duke of Nemours and the other lords, to give them an honourable interment in sacred ground. The body of that most noble prince and viceroy of Italy, was carried in mournful triumph to Milan, from the ground where he had fallen, to be magnificently interred becoming so great a prince.

The body of the duke of Nemours arrived at Milan the 26th of April, in the year 1412, preceded by all the prisoners taken at the battle of Ravenna. The banners, guidons, and standards the French had so valiantly conquered, as well from the Italians as from the Venetians and Spaniards, and of the different lords who had fallen in this battle, were borne before him, which added joy intermixed with grief at this mournful interment. Great order was observed in the procession,—and it was a triumphantly melancholy spectacle. The nobles and captains were in deep mourning,—and there was no heart so hard not to weep on seeing his body thus carried untimely to the grave. His pages and attendants led his horses of parade and for war: his helmet and victorious sword, as lieutenant general for the king, were borne before the body. In short, those of his army who attended the funeral were loud in their lamentations; for they had always found him liberal and courteous, and never sparing of his own personal efforts in war.

The principal inhabitants and churchmen of Milan came out to meet the body, dressed in mourning cloaks and hoods, with a blaze of lighted torches, on which were the arms of the deceased emblazoned. The body, surrounded by two hundred of the choicest lances in the army and a numerous escort of infantry, was conducted, with great pomp of grief, to the cathedral, where a most solemn service was performed for the repose of his soul.

Think how great must have been the sorrow of the king and queen, when they heard of this sad event at Blois, for they loved him as if he had been their own child; and I can assert for truth, that those who had never seen him bewailed his loss, on the reports they had heard of his uncommon virtues and gallantry. May God receive his soul!

CHAP. XXVII.

ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE FRENCH FROM ITALY, THE SWISS TAKE THE TOWN OF MILAN AND OTHER PLACES HELD BY THE KING OF FRANCE.

After this battle of Ravenna, where, as well as in the preceding ones, great quantities of human blood were shed, principally of the Italians and their allies,—but also of the French, and of some of the noblest families, by which many ladies and damsels in France became widows and orphans. The generals, or at least those who had the management of the finances for the army, imagined that, by the happy event of this battle, all Italy was subdued, as far as Rome, if not farther, and disbanded great bodies of infantry at the very time when they should have sought reinforcements, to garrison the towns and castles that had been lately conquered.

When this conduct was noticed by certain bloodsuckers and turbulent spirits, they collected troops in divers parts, to endeavour to regain honour by attacking the French; for, seeing them dispersed in their garrisons, they were aware that courage, when disunited, is not so much to be dreaded as when in a collective body. The holy father the pope, smarting from the losses he had suffered from the French, three times excited the Swiss-cantons to rise in arms against them, for they had of late been neglected by the king of France. They chiefly depend, for their maintenance, on pensions from kings and princes,—and the pope having made the bishop of Sion a cardinal, he was an active and able tool, by his public preachings and intrigues, to prevail on them to comply with the wishes of his holiness. Maximilian also, having turned his coat, was to allow them an entrance to Italy through his territories of the Veronese and elsewhere. The Spaniards likewise assembled from various parts of Italy; and they all advanced toward Milan, whence the government had been withdrawn to France, so that the poor Milanese were in despair, and knew not how to act. However, the French having left them, they, as usual, fell in with the strongest, and the enemy was admitted into the town. The castle was held by the French, under the command of the lord de Louvain; and other castles were also in their possession: that of Brescia was held by the lord d'Aubigny.

When the French were returning from Italy, a sharp skirmish took place at a bridge near to Pavia, between a small body of french adventurers and the enemy, and they were inhumanly treated by the townsmen. Among others of their villanous acts, I shall mention one. A Frenchman, unable to keep up with the rest, was met by an inhabitant of Pavia, who said to him, 'My friend, I love the french nation: come, I beg of you, to my house, and I will save you from being killed.' The poor adventurer, confiding in his fair words, followed him; but he was no sooner within his doors than he treated him most brutally, cut off his private parts, and thrust him into the street in his shirt, bawling aloud, 'Here is another Frenchman!' on which numbers rushed out of their doors, and hacked him to pieces with their swords.

There was another inhabitant of Pavia who had even devoured the heart of a Frenchman, by way of revenge.

I am persuaded that all the evils that have befallen Italy have been caused by their wickedness, and infamous practices similar to those of Sodom and Gomorrah. The air would be infected, were I to recite them. May God amend them, and all others! On the other hand, the French have a shameful custom (which was increased when in Italy) of blaspheming our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Lady, with divers indecent oaths, in which they seem to take pleasure. God may, perhaps, have been angered by such detestable blasphemies, and by that great vanity with which the French are always filled, and suffered them to experience the late unfortunate reverses, to show that from Him alone come victories and good fortune.

The French, on leaving Italy, were in a great alarm,—and they were so rejoiced when returned to France, they attributed it to the favour of Heaven. Such are the chances of this world.

In this year of 1512, pope Julius, returning evil for good, was violently animated against the French; and having partly accomplished his wish of being the chief cause of their expulsion from Italy, died at Rome in the ninth year of his pontificate. May God pardon him!

About this time, a truce was concluded between the kings of France and of Arragon, for a certain space of time. Leo X. was now the reigning pope: he was consecrated at Rome the successor of pope Julius II. Leo was a native of Florence, of very wealthy, and renowned parents. His father was Lorenzo de Medici, to whose family Louis XI., king of France, had granted permission to add the three flowers de luce to their armorial bearings[45].

CHAP. XXVIII.

OF THE WAR IN GUIENNE.—THE KING OF FRANCE SENDS SUCCOURS TO THE KING OF NAVARRE.—THE KING OF ENGLAND MAKES PREPARATIONS TO INVADE FRANCE.—A SEA-FIGHT BETWEEN TWO LARGE ENGLISH AND FRENCH SHIPS.

It was not long before a war broke out in Guienne, or rather in Navarre; which kingdom the king of Arragon had entered, and taken the town of Pampeluna, with others belonging to the king of Navarre, under pretence of being heir to that crown in right of his wife, sister to the late duke of Nemours count of Foix, slain after the battle of Ravenna.

The good king of Navarre[46], in consequence, demanded succour from the king of France, to recover the places he had lost. Louis XII., considering how faithful an ally he had always been, ordered a large body of men at arms and infantry to his assistance, under the command of the duke of Longueville and Dunois. This war was very expensive to the king of France, for the army remained long without striking a blow. In addition to this, the English, excited by the king of Arragon, as well as by a desire to regain Guienne, which they claimed as an inheritance, made a landing near to Roncevaux and St John Pied du Port,—but not being able to effect a junction with the Spaniards, they returned[47].

In the year 1513, Henry king of England, son to king Henry VII. who, by the aid of Charles VIII. king of France, succeeded peaceably to the crown of England after the death of Richard of York, instead of being grateful, for such services, to the king of France, although his late father had charged him, on his deathbed, to do nothing against that king, if he wished to prosper, instantly on the death of his father acted directly contrary. King Henry, equally eager with his subjects to invade France, sent an embassy to the lady Margaret, governess of Flanders, to obtain armour, stores, and artillery, particularly thirteen large cannons, which he had ordered to be cast in Flanders. These articles were immediately delivered, in return for a large sum of angels that remained behind,—for it had been long since they had circulated in any other country than their own.

A secret treaty was, at the same time, concluded between Henry and the archduke,—which having secured him the aid of the Flemings, he continued to make his preparations for the invasion of France without interruption. He sent his fleet, under the command of the lord admiral[48] to cruize on the coasts of Brittany, who was himself on board a vessel of prodigious size.

The french saw this armament with sorrow, for they had not a fleet able to cope with it; but a valiant sea-captain, named Primaugay, embarked on board a large ship called La Cordeliere, which the queen of France had lately built at an immense expense. He put to sea, and boldly attacked the english admiral in the great ship called The Regent, when a bloody combat took place. After some time, the Cordeliere set the Regent on fire, which having gained the powder-magazine, she blew up, with all within her.

Primaugay, seeing it impossible to save his ship, as they were grappled together, leapt into the sea, armed as he was, and perished: it was a pity, for he was a bold and enterprising man[49].

These two large ships were burnt; but the rest of the fleet returned in safety to England, to report the unfortunate news to the king, who was much vexed thereat, and not without reason.

CHAP. XXIX.

THE KING OF ENGLAND DISEMBARKS WITH HIS WHOLE ARMY AT CALAIS.—THE FRENCH ARE DEFEATED BY THE SWISS, AT NOVARA.

When the king of England had completed his preparations, he put to sea with his army, disembarked at Calais, and thence, with part of it, marched strait for Flanders. Had he then been attacked, the perplexities that ensued afterwards would have been avoided.

At the same time, the king of France had collected an army for the recovery of the Milanese, under the command of the lord de la Trimouille, Jean Jacques de Trivulce, sir Robert de la Marche, the lord of Albany and others,—but the lord de la Trimouille was commander in chief.

This army crossed the Alps, and entered Piedmont, where it halted for the arrival of the rear and baggage, and then pushed forward toward Novara, in which place was a body of Swiss. The French, supposing them not very numerous, determined to attack them, which they did; but the evening before, a very large reinforcement of Swiss had joined their countrymen in Novara, which the French were ignorant of. A battle, however, ensued, when the French defeated the van of the enemy; but such numbers of Swiss now poured in on all sides, the French were thunderstruck, and hastily retreated to Turin: some, however, of their infantry, stood their ground, and died valiantly,—and the son of the lord de la Marche shone pre-eminent for his valour.

The Swiss gained a considerable park of artillery, which the lord de la Marche had brought thither, and great part of the baggage. The king of France, on hearing of this event, ordered the remainder of the army home, and sent part of it into Guienne, where the illustrious lord of Bourbon had the command of an army, with many nobles and able captains under him, to carry on the war in Navarre. He had there a fine camp, and a variety of skirmishes took place on both sides.

The king afterwards sent the next heir to the crown, the duke of Valois and count of Angoulême, accompanied by numbers of gentlemen, to take the command of this army and camp, where they remained a long time,—but nothing of importance was done, and they returned to France. The king then sent them into Picardy to oppose the English, who were advancing toward Therouenne. The lord de Longueville died immediately on his return from Guienne.

In this year, there was an appearance in the heavens, visible in Piedmont, of three suns, three moons, with various figures of circles and bows, of different colours, and a white cross in the center. These were terrible presages,—and I believe that it was a year of wonders.

About this time, the king sent the lord de la Trimouille into Swisserland; but the cantons would not agree to any conference until they should receive a certain sum of money, which was paid them. The conferences now took place; and the lord de la Trimouille staid long among them, giving great gifts, in hopes to gain them over to the interests of France; but after they had received large sums of money, they dismissed him. He returned through Burgundy, to have some of the towns of that province put into a good state of defence, to resist the Swiss, who had determined to attack them.

The Swiss, in consequence of the resolutions they had formed, entered Burgundy, and committed great destruction wherever they passed. By rapid marches, they came before Dijon, into which the lord de la Trimouille had thrown himself; but with the few men at arms and infantry with him, it was impossible to resist such a deluge of Swiss. However, he ordered as many things as could be carried away or drove off, to be brought into Dijon.

The Swiss, on coming before Dijon, saluted the town with a large train of artillery, that battered and damaged the walls and houses; but the lord de la Trimouille, being well advised, held a parley with some of the Swiss leaders, and agreed to pay them down one hundred thousand golden crowns, on their marching back into Swisserland, without doing more damages to the country, which was executed.

CHAP. XXX.

A BODY OF FRENCH ON THEIR RETURN FROM VICTUALLING THEROUENNE, BESIEGED BY THE ENGLISH AND HAINAULTERS, ARE ATTACKED AND PUT TO FLIGHT.

The king of France marched in person to Picardy, and advanced as far as Amiens, where he was magnificently received by those of the town and country. Thence he sent the duke of Valois, as his lieutenant-general, to command the camp against the English, and to order whatever measures he should think advisable for the victualling of Therouenne.

This town was then besieged by the king of the Romans, the king of England, and a number of flemish lords, and particularly by a body of Hainaulters, who had posted themselves in a fort near the town, and thence battered it with heavy artillery. The garrison and townsmen defended the place valiantly, but they were in the utmost distress from want of provision, and a convoy was ordered to supply their necessities, under the command of the lord de Longueville.

He executed this order punctually by throwing in all his supplies; but on his retreat, he fell unexpectedly into an ambuscade,—for his men, not suspecting any such stratagem, were marching very disorderly, and amusing themselves by playing in the fields. On the enemy sallying from their ambush, the French were panicstruck, and began to fly, notwithstanding all attempts of their officers to prevent them. In consequence, the lord de Longueville, the captain Bayard, the lord de Bussy, and many more captains of renown were made prisoners, some of whom were carried to England, and their liberty set at a very high ransom[50].

During this time, the king of France sent orders to the governor of Paris to have all the companies of tradesmen, and of other descriptions, mustered. This was done, and several companies were richly accoutred, well armed, and in uniforms. The numbers were found to be very great, according to the report made by the commissaries who had been sent thither for this purpose.