Chapter IV: Front Matter (4)

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.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 50: This was called The Battle of Spurs from the French making more use of them than of their swords.]

CHAP. XXXI.

THE KING OF SCOTLAND ENTERS ENGLAND WITH A POWERFUL ARMY.--HE IS SLAIN.--PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE KING OF FRANCE AND THE VENETIANS.

While king Henry of England was engaged in his war abroad, the noble and gallant king of Scotland invaded England with a large army, on pretence of a claim to that crown in right of his queen, and also from his alliance with the king of France, to make a diversion in his favour, now he was attacked, and force his enemies to quit France to avoid greater inconveniences.

The king of Scotland, on entering England, did great mischiefs. A battle took place, in which very many English fell, as well as Scots,--but the greatest loss to France was the death of the king of Scotland, who was killed valiantly fighting. It is rare to find such friends as will put their lives and fortunes to the chance of war in the support of a friend, especially when absent[51].

The Scots gained the field, although numbers of them were slain,--for as both nations had been long desirous of coming to blows, it may be supposed that hard ones were exchanged on each side. May God pardon those who fell![52]

On Friday, the 3d of June, in the year 1513, peace was published on the marble table in the palace, between the most Christian king Louis XII. and the republic of Venice, and between them and their successors for ever. By this treaty, the gallant knights sir Bartholomew d'Alviano and sir Andrew Gritti, with others, obtained their liberty; and the king made them many rich gifts on their departure.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 51: James professed himself the knight of Anne of Bretagne, queen of France, who wrote him an heroic letter to claim his assistance, sending him, at the same time, a ring off her finger and 14,000 francs.

Andrews.]

[Footnote 52: The celebrated battle of Flodden,--of late well known from Mr. W. Scott's beautiful poem of Marmion.]

CHAP. XXXII.

THE TOWNS OF THEROUENNE AND TOURNAY SURRENDER TO THE ENGLISH ON CAPITULATION.

To return to the wars of the English in Picardy:--they were long encamped before Therouenne, and made several attacks on it; but those within the town showed good courage, and defended it valiantly: at length provision again failed them, and they were forced to capitulate for its surrender. The enemy entered Therouenne, but did not keep the promises they had made; for they had no sooner gained admission than they began to ill-treat and plunder the poor inhabitants, insomuch that they were obliged to seek out another place for a habitation, which was great pity; but this did not satisfy the enemy, for they burnt part of the town, and threw down the walls to the ground.

We must not be astonished that the English so boldly invaded France, particularly Picardy, considering the evident good understanding that subsisted between them and the Flemings, who at this day raise their hands and tell those of Tournay that they have never changed sides, notwithstanding they had settled the chapter _de Venditionibus_, before the English would embark. This was not handsomely done in them, considering they had a resident lord,--and they have derogated shamefully from their former engagements: should they, therefore, find themselves the worse for it, they have only themselves to thank.

Shortly after the English had gained Therouenne by capitulation, they advanced before Tournay, which was surrendered to them by the principal inhabitants, according to an agreement among themselves, without striking a blow[53].

The king of England and the king of the Romans, after these conquests, returned to their own countries, leaving a garrison in Tournay. The king of France likewise quitted Picardy, with his queen, and went to Blois.

While the war was carrying on in Picardy, and a little before the siege of Therouenne, an engagement at sea took place between Pregent, a french captain, and the lord Howard, lord-admiral of England, on the 22nd and 25th days of April. Pregent, thinking to join the french fleet in Brest harbour, was met at sea, on the vigil of St George's day, by a fleet of forty or fifty sail, and was instantly attacked by two galeasses and four or five other vessels. The combat lasted two hours, with great slaughter on both sides; but at length the English were forced to retire, with the loss of two vessels sunk. On the Monday following, which was the feast of St Mark, Pregent and his fleet fell in again with that of the English, amounting to twenty or thirty vessels, and about thirty large boats. The galley of Pregent was attacked by two galeasses and three ships, but he fought well,--and all on board the first galeass were killed by pikes, or drove into the sea, excepting two prisoners, one of whom was thrown overboard.

In this combat, sir Edward Howard was killed, whose body was embalmed to carry to England for interment[54]. The captains of the other ships, seeing that these five vessels had not made any impression on the galley of Pregent, whom they had courageously attacked, held a council, and afterwards made sail, leaving the sea open to Pregent. A large fleet had been collected at Honnefleur, to attack the king of England as he crossed the channel, and cut off his return; but when they were at sea, a violent storm arose that separated this fleet, and some of the vessels were sunk.

The winter of this year was very long and severe, so that the Seine and other rivers were frozen hard enough for carriages to pass over them with safety; and when the thaw came, numbers of houses and mills were destroyed by the floods.

About this time, news was brought that the Swiss had intentions of again entering Burgundy, when the king ordered thither the lord of Bourbon with a large force of men at arms, infantry, and artillery,--but the Swiss did not come. This same year, the garrisons that had guarded different places in Italy returned to France, in consequence of the treaty concluded with the Swiss before Dijon,--namely, those from the castle of Milan; the lord of Aubigny, his lance on his thigh, with his garrison, from the castle of Brescia. When these garrisons marched away, the Spaniards took possession of the castles, which the Venetians thought had been done for them; but when the Spaniards had established themselves securely, they chaunted to the Venetians the Evangile des Vierges. Such are the chances of war.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 53: I believe this town was gained by a ruse de guerre. Henry drew up before the walls a large train of what appeared battering cannon, (but were only of wood painted, and are now shown in the Tower) which frightened the inhabitants into an instant surrender. This is the popular story.]

[Footnote 54: Sir Edward Howard boarded Pregent's ship, although it was sheltered by the rocks of Conquet lined with cannon, accompanied only by Carroz, a spanish knight, and seventeen Englishmen. Overpowered by numbers, Howard was forced overboard by pikes, and perished in the waves.

Andrews.]

CHAP. XXXIII.

OF THE DEATH AND INTERMENT OF THE MOST CHRISTIAN QUEEN OF FRANCE, ANNE OF BRITTANY.

At the time of the arrival of the above unfortunate intelligence, the most noble queen of France, Anne duchess of Brittany, &c. lay dangerously ill at the castle of Blois. This was on the 2d day of January,--and her illness so much increased that the good lady, on Monday the 9th instant, departed this life, most devoutly, in the faith of JESUS CHRIST, our sovereign Lord, to whom she most humbly resigned her soul. Great lamentations and grief were shown for this loss. When the body had been embalmed, it was put into a rich coffin, and carried, with an immense number of lighted torches, from Blois to the abbey of St Denis, where it was interred with the usual honours due to her rank, and followed with the tears of all her officers and attendants. The funeral service was solemn and magnificent, becoming such a lady, whose soul may God pardon!

In the month of April of this year 1513, and just before Easter, a truce was proclaimed in Paris between the kings of France and of Arragon.

CHAP. XXXIV.

THE KING OF FRANCE MARRIES THE PRINCESS MARY, SISTER TO KING HENRY OF ENGLAND.--FRANCIS DUKE OF VALOIS AND COUNT OF ANGOULESME MARRIES THE PRINCESS CLAUDE, DAUGHTER TO THE KING OF FRANCE.--THE NEW QUEEN MAKES HER PUBLIC ENTRY INTO FRANCE.

After the funeral of the late queen of France, the king came to Paris, and was lodged at the hôtel of the Tournelles, and would not that any one should appear in his presence but in mourning. He sent for his two daughters, the princesses Claude and Renée, who were conducted to him from Blois by madame d'Angoulême, and shortly after summoned the princes and great barons of his realm to a council on the present state of affairs, and respecting a peace with England. In consequence of what had been resolved on in this council, the king sent, as his ambassadors to king Henry, the governor of Normandy, the president of Rouen, and the lord Longueville, then a prisoner of war in England, was added to them, to treat of a peace.

While this was passing, the king was taken very ill at the castle of Vincennes, and had ordered, for his recovery, that 'O Salutaris Hostia,' should be chaunted daily in all the churches of France, at the elevation of the holy sacrament, which had been of the utmost benefit to him. On his recovery, the king went thence to St Germain en Laye, to recreate himself, and to temper the melancholy of his mourning; for it was a pleasant country, interspersed with woods and dales, and full of game.

Much public business was transacted during the king's stay at Saint Germain; and a marriage was concluded between the duke of Valois, count of Angoulême, and the princess Claude. They were married in their mourning, in the chapel of the castle, in the presence of the king, the princes of the blood, and many others of high rank, on the 18th of May, in the year 1513.

About this period, and before the king had quitted St Germain en Laye, his ambassadors sent him intelligence of their having concluded a peace with England, on condition of his marrying the princess Mary. King Henry sent ambassadors to Paris, to confirm the marriage between king Louis and his sister, and to ratify the treaty of peace that had been agreed on between the two kingdoms, which was now publicly proclaimed in both realms.

On Monday the 16th of August, in this year, a grand procession was made from the great hall of the palace, with trumpets and clarions, when the herald, called Mont-joye, proclaimed a magnificent tournament to be holden at Paris, by the duke of Valois, Brittany, and count of Angoulême, to which he invited all princes, lords, and gentlemen to assist. It was about this time that the princess Mary was escorted to France by many of the great nobles of England, in company with the lords of France who had gone thither to attend on her. The king left Paris, with his court, and went as far as Abbeville to meet the new queen, where she arrived on the 8th of October, and made her public entry very triumphantly, attended by the duke of Valois and numbers of nobles, as well English as French, all most richly dressed, with large golden chains, especially the English. The queen was most handsomely attired, and seated in a brilliant car: in short, the whole was a beautiful sight. She was preceded by a body of two hundred english archers, gallantly accoutred, with their bows in hand, and quivers full of arrows.

The king, hearing of her coming, mounted his horse, and, attended by his nobles, rode out into the plain, under pretence of hawking, but it was to meet her; and on his approaching her, he kissed her on horseback, paying her many fair compliments, as he knew well how to do. Her reception in Abbeville was most honourable,--and the inhabitants exerted themselves who should surpass the other in testifying their joy at her arrival.

On the morrow, the feast of St Denis, the king of France was married to the princess Mary of England. She was most magnificently dressed, with an immense quantity of diamonds and precious stones. A singular banquet succeeded, with a great variety of all sorts of amusements. Having staid a few days in Abbeville to solace themselves, they set out for Paris; and through the towns of Picardy they passed, the greatest honours were paid them. In every town, the queen gave liberty to the prisoners, by the king's command. On their arrival at St Denis, the ceremony of the queen's coronation took place, which was very splendid, and numerously attended by archbishops, bishops, and nobility.

Monday, the 6th of November, the queen made her triumphant entry into the city of Paris--the clergy, courts of parliament, of exchequer, &c. and all the municipal officers, with crowds of people, having gone out in procession to meet her. She was seated on a rich litter, adorned with precious stones, and escorted by the duke of Valois, the lord of Alençon, the lord of Bourbon, the lord of Vendôme, his brother the lord Francis, Louis de Nevers, with other great lords, as well of England as of France, prelates and churchmen. Her litter was followed by those of the princess Claude, duchess of Valois, madame d'Angoulême, madame de Vendôme, madame de Nevers, and other princesses of both kingdoms. Thus was she conducted to the church of Nôtre Dame, and took the usual oaths: she thence proceeded to the royal palace, where a most splendid banquet was provided. The king and queen lay that night at the royal palace, which served to shorten his days.

CHAP. XXXV.

OF THE TILTS PERFORMED AT PARIS.--THE DEATH AND INTERMENT OF LOUIS XII. KING OF FRANCE.

The next day, the king and queen went to the Tournelles, to see the tournaments, that had been before proclaimed. At the entrance of the lists was a triumphal arch surmounted with the shields of arms of the king and queen: below them were the emblazoned shields of the lords and princes, the tenants and defendants of the lists. The duke of Valois was the chief tenant, with his assistants,--and many gallant courses were ran with lances, to the advantage of some, and to the loss of others. In short, it was a handsome spectacle, and all in compliment to, and for the love of, queen Mary; but her popularity would not have lasted long, for although the poor people were already heavily taxed, yet the king intended, had he lived longer, to have greatly increased the taxes.

After these justs and tourneys, the king carried the queen to St Germain en Laye, where they spent some time, leading as joyous a life as he was able. He thence returned to his palace of the Tournelles at Paris, and was taken so dangerously ill that he made preparations becoming a good Christian, and rendered his soul to God on the 1st day of January, in the year 1514. His body was aromatically embalmed, and lay in state some days at the Tournelles, where every body went to see it who pleased. The usual ceremonies on such occasions were then performed, but it would be tiresome to detail them. Some days after, the body was carried to the church of Nôtre Dame, and placed in a chapel that had been purposely erected in the choir,--and a solemn service was performed by the bishop of Paris. The next day it was borne to a cross near to St Denis, where the abbot and his monks of St Denis met it, and was, by them, interred with great pomp, amidst the tears of his officers and domestics. He was buried beside his queen, Anne of Brittany. May God receive their souls! The principal mourners were the lord of Alençon, the lord of Bourbon, the lord of Vendôme, and other princes and great lords.

It is of some moment when a king or great prince dies, who may, perhaps, have caused the deaths of numbers of human creatures like themselves; for I believe that in the other world they will have enough to do, more especially respecting this circumstance, that a poor man, with six or seven small children, not worth twenty sols in the world, shall be taxed from ten to twenty sols, and when the collector shall come to receive the tax, finding the man worth nothing, and without means of raising the money, he commits him to prison, where he languishes out his days. Now I would like to have shown any written law for this injustice; but no one will attempt so to do, because every one is eager to push himself forward in this world. May God assist the poor people!

CHAP. XXXVI.

FRANCIS I. KING OF FRANCE, IS CONSECRATED AT RHEIMS.--HE MAKES HIS PUBLIC ENTRY INTO PARIS.--HE LEAVES FRANCE TO ATTACK THE SWISS, IN THE MILANESE, WHO HAVE TAKEN POSSESSION OF THAT DUCHY.

After the death of Louis XII. Francis, the first of the name, succeeded him on the throne as the fifty-seventh king of France. He set out from Paris, to be consecrated king in the cathedral of Rheims, according to the custom of his ancestors kings of France, and was there anointed with the holy oil on the 25th day of January, in the year 1514. The twelve peers of France, or their substitutes, were present exercising their functions in the usual manner on such occasions.

Madame d'Angoulême, the king's mother, was present at the ceremony, accompanied by madame de Bourbon, madame de Vendôme, and other ladies and damsels. The king went from Rheims to be crowned at St Denis, and, on his return, made triumphal public entries into Laon, Noyon, Compiègne, Senlis, and other towns. He continued his way toward Paris, very grandly attended, and made the most brilliant public entry into that city that had ever been seen. The accoutrements and trappings of the horses were of wrought silver, with frized cloth of gold; and, to sum up the whole in few words, the lords and gentlemen, with their horses, were covered with cloth of gold: some had their dresses interwrought with solid silver.

The king entered in triumph, dressed magnificently: the trappings of his horse were of worked silver, and his attendants equipped in cloth of silver brocade. He went, as usual, to the royal palace, where a sumptuous banquet had been prepared, with a numerous band of trumpets and clarions; after which, a grand tournament was held in the rue St Antoine, when the king acquitted himself most gallantly.

A treaty was concluded between the king of France and the archduke, and a marriage agreed on between the archduke and the princess Renée, daughter to the late king, Louis XII. by the count of Nassau, and other ambassadors dispatched for this purpose. The count of Nassau was also betrothed to the daughter of the prince of Orange, whom he afterwards married. At this time, the duke of Bourbon was made constable of France,--and while the king remained at Paris, the duke of Suffolk espoused the queen-dowager of France, sister to Henry king of England. That king had sent the duke of Suffolk to France,--and when he carried his queen to England, he was grandly accompanied by the highest of the nobility. Thus was confirmed the peace between the two kingdoms. At this time also, the king of France sent to seek Pedro de Navarre, a prisoner of war, whom he set at liberty, gave him many rich gifts, and the command of a large body of men.

When all these marriages, and other matters, had been concluded, the king celebrated the feast of Easter in Paris, and then, with his queen and court, went by water as far as Montereau-faut-Yonne. He thence went, on the 1st of May, to a small castle called Egreville, where were some justings, and proceeded to Montargis and Briare, where he embarked on the Loire for Amboise. He made a public entry into all the towns he passed,--namely, Mehun, Montereau, Montargis, Blois, Amboise, and other small towns, where every honour was paid him.

While he was hunting at Amboise, a thorn pierced his leg, through boot and hose, and gave him such pain that he was for a time very ill.--During his residence at Amboise, the lord de Lorraine was married to mademoiselle de Bourbon, sister to the constable of France. Great feasts were displayed on the occasion, and the court of the donjon of the castle was covered with an awning of cloth, to keep off the rays of the sun. In the evening of that day were great maskings and mummeries, with morris-dancers richly dressed, and divers pastimes.

These feastings being over, the king departed, very early one morning, for Romorantin[55], where he was also grandly entertained by the lady, his mother. While with her, he received intelligence that the Swiss had entered Dauphiny, near to Briançon, and burnt a village close to Château Dauphin; on which, he took a hasty leave of his mother, and set off suddenly for Bourges, where he made a public entry. The king departed, on the morrow, in haste, for Moulins, where the duchess of Bourbon handsomely received him,--and his entry was splendid for so small a town; for there were triumphant cars, filled with the handsomest ladies of the country, representations of ships and wild beasts, mounted by the beauties of the town, who preceded the king on his entry. The king left Moulins for Lyon, where a most magnificent entry was prepared for him. He gave there his final orders respecting the provision and stores, which were in a state of forwardness to be transported over the Alps, for the prosecution of the war in the Milanese. During his absence in Italy, he nominated his mother, the duchess of Anjou and Maine, countess of Angoulême, &c. regent of the kingdom.

Shortly after, the king departed from Lyon, and went to Grenoble, where he made a handsome entry, and staid there until his preparations should be completed. About this period, the young son of Frederic late king of Naples died: he had already commenced a warlike career; and had he lived I believe he would have made a figure as a warrior, for he was very courageous and virtuous.

When the king set out from Grenoble, he passed through Embrun, although his army, or the greater part, had taken the road through the small town of Duissant, for there had been formed stores of provision on all that line of march. The king halted at Guillestre[56], and afterward at Saint Paul[57], and then traversed a road so bad that it was thought no man had ever before attempted it. Great difficulties attended this march, and the poor infantry suffered much; for as the artillery was to pass this road, the cannon were dismounted, and dragged by men over the rocks.

During this time, the pope had sent fifteen hundred horse, well appointed, under the command of Prospero Colonna, to join the forces of Maximilian, in the hope of surprising the king before he could pass the mountains; but Prospero, ignorant how near he was to the French, or that they had succeeded in passing the Alps, had halted at a town in Piedmont called Villa-franca[58]. Of this circumstance, a peasant of that country had informed one of the king's gentlemen, named the lord de la Morette, and that, as Prospero was quite unsuspicious of the French being so near, it would be easy to surprise him. The lord de la Morette lost no time to carry this news to the marshal de la Palisse, the lord d'Aubigny, the lord d'Imbercourt, Bayard and others, who all instantly agreed to follow the lord d'Imbercourt in the attempt to surprise Colonna. He had sent forward one of his archers to reconnoitre, who reported, that as Colonna and his men were just sitting down to dinner, and entirely off their guard, an immediate attack would be necessary: d'Imbercourt sent, therefore, to hasten the march of La Palisse and the others.

Notwithstanding this, d'Imbercourt boldly advanced to enter Villa Franca,--when as his trumpet was within the gates, and had sounded his charge, his horse's neck was inclosed within them; but the men at arms came to his relief, by crossing their lances over the horse, and put to death all who had opposed them at the gate.

They galloped up the streets, shouting out 'France, France!' and advanced to where Colonna was at dinner: a sharp conflict now took place,--but the lord de la Palisse and the others arrived, who soon ended it, by making Colonna prisoner, and slaying great numbers of his men. All his baggage was pillaged, and very many fine horses gained that were in the stables of the town. Prospero Colonna was carried, with the other prisoners, to the king of France, and thence sent into confinement at the castle of Montagu, belonging to the lord de la Palisse.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 55: Romorantin,--15 leagues from Amboise, 11 from Blois.]

[Footnote 56: Guillestre,--near Mont-Dauphin, in Dauphiny.]

[Footnote 57: St Paul,--a village in Dauphiny.]

[Footnote 58: Villa-franca,--16 miles SSW. of Turin.]

CHAP. XXXVII.

THE KING OF FRANCE PURSUES THE SWISS WITH HIS WHOLE ARMY.--THE TOWN AND CASTLE OF NOVARA SURRENDER TO THE KING.

The pope, when he heard of the defeat of Prospero Colonna and his army, and that he was sent prisoner to France, was very much surprised, and not without reason; for he never had imagined that the king of France would attempt to cross the Alps where he had, and for some time would not believe it.

The Swiss cantoned at Susa, Villaine, Rivoli and other parts, hearing of what had passed at Villa-franca, retreated toward Milan followed by the French as far as Turin, whence the duke of Savoy came out to meet the king, and gave him a handsome reception. The king, having received from the duke of Savoy five large pieces of artillery, continued his pursuit of the Swiss who had passed the Po in an extraordinary hurry,--for they had no boats, nor any means but cords to drag their artillery and baggage over, with which they marched day and night.

They burnt the castle of Chivazzo, and part of that small town, belonging to the duke of Savoy, which lay on their line of march, killing many of the inhabitants and plundering the town, because they would not afford them provision, nor allow them a passage through Chivazzo. Some of the Swiss were slain, that had remained behind to pillage.

In this interval, the lord de Prie, with a body of Genoese, arrived at Alexandria and other towns, which he sacked, although their inhabitants had fled,--but they were deserving of punishment for the many tricks they had before played the French.

The french army kept pursuing the Swiss, who seemed inclined to march to Jurea[59], but, turning short, entered Novara. The king arrived with his army at Vercelli[60], where it was rumoured that an agreement would take place between the king and Swiss. The lord bastard of Savoy and the lord de Lautrec, with others, were charged with this commission; but notwithstanding this, the king continued his march after the Swiss, who had quitted Novara, and taken the road to Milan. He was now joined by a considerable reinforcement of Lansquenets, called The Black Band[61], very well equipped. The king advanced to Novara, which was instantly assaulted by Pedro de Navarre and others, and surrendered to the king's obedience.

In the absence of the king, his queen was brought to bed, at Amboise, of a fair daughter, who was christened Louisa,--and soon afterwards, her portrait was sent to him, while engaged in his Italian campaign.

The surrender of the town and castle of Novara saved them from pillage, by the king's commands,--who pursuing his march toward Milan, went to Bufalora. Here the agreement between the king and Swiss was made public, which had been accomplished by means of a large sum of money paid down, according to a promise made them by the king. The Swiss, in consequence, swore fidelity to him, and signed the treaty,--but which they did not keep, notwithstanding their oaths and engagements, but falsified both.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 59: Jurea,--on the great Dora in Piedmont.]

[Footnote 60: Vercelli,--30 miles SW. of Milan, 38 NE. of Turin.]

[Footnote 61: Black band,--under the command of Ruberta della Marchia, from lower Germany.

Guicciardini.

I must refer the reader to Guicciardini, &c. for further details of these wars in Italy.]

CHAP. XXXVIII.

THE KING OF FRANCE DEFEATS THE SWISS ARMY AT MARIGNANO[62], ON THE FEAST-DAY OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS.--OF THE CRUEL BATTLE AND SLAUGHTER OF THE FRENCH AND SWISS.

The king of France, thinking that he had secured the Swiss by the payment of the sum agreed on between them and the lord de Lautrec, marched his army to Marignano, beyond Milan; but it was not long before he found that he had miscalculated on their keeping the promises they had made him. In the interval between the signing of the late treaty and the payment of the money, the Swiss had resolved to surprise the king's army,--induced thereto by the remonstrances and preachments of the cardinal of Sion, who had corrupted them at the instigation of the emperor Maximilian, and of the inhabitants of the Milanese, who had given them corslets and other armour, together with the fairest promises. The Swiss believing that they would be joined by every Italian, and that, if successful, they might acquire territories of a great extent in a fertile country, and be feared and redoubted by all the world, caused them to act in the treacherous manner they did.

The king learning that the Swiss were turned against him, was much mortified; for he concluded, that at that moment they were receiving the money agreed on. However, like a hardy knight, he was not cast down, but gave his orders for the forming of his army, to receive the enemy with the most advantage. While thus employed, news was brought him that a large body of infantry, well armed had marched out of Milan, to join the Swiss in the meditated attack against him. In fact, about three or four o'clock in that afternoon, the Swiss advanced on the king's army, but were received with such valour that many were more inclined to seek for a retreat than to persevere in the combat.

The king, who commanded the main body, on seeing the Swiss advance, charged them in person, attended by his gentlemen, and defeated one band. The french volunteers now placed themselves in the position of the Lansquenets, who had in part turned their backs; but they must not be blamed for this, for they had before heard of the agreement made with the Swiss, and, without any explanation, had been led on to an unexpected battle, which made them believe that they were betrayed by the king, who wanted to have them destroyed. But when they saw the volunteers thus step boldly into their ranks, they recovered courage, and fought with the utmost bravery.

The french volunteers did wonders; and although they were not numerous, amounting to no more than two thousand, they defeated a band of Swiss consisting of double their number. Great feats of arms were done at this battle, with battle-axes, lances, and two-handed-swords, so that for a long time it was doubtful on which side victory would remain.

The Swiss behaved with the utmost courage, and charged the main body and reserve of the French with an impetuosity that astonished them, in the hopes of succeeding as they had before done at Novara. The artillery of the French was not asleep, and the Swiss made an attempt to seize it, but were repulsed with much loss,--for not a cannon was fired without killing numbers of them.

This battle lasted until the going down of the sun,--and both sides fought as long as the dust and light allowed them to see each other. Some, thinking to retire to their own camp, found themselves in that of the enemy; but what caused great confusion was the Swiss shouting out 'France, France!' and then attacking the French. The night was not long. The king was constantly with his men, giving them every sort of encouragement, by words and example. He was particularly anxious about his artillery, which was well guarded by a party of Lansquenets. Having visited the different divisions of his army, he reposed himself in his armour, on the carriage of a cannon; and I may with truth assert, that if the king had not been present at this engagement the French would have had more than enough to do.

On the morrow, the 14th of September, in the year 1515, and the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the Swiss, enraged against the French, advanced on them by day-break (notwithstanding their loss on the preceding night had been more than they supposed) with an eagerness as if they had been going to a dance, and made their charge with valour and steadiness. The conflict was long and doubtful; but the king's artillery, where he was in person, did the greatest service, particularly on a strong body that kept firmly united until their losses were so considerable, the remainder turned their backs, and fled for Milan. The other divisions of the Swiss made now little resistance; and to make short of the matter, all that remained were put to death, or taken prisoners; and had not the dust been great, fewer would have escaped,--for it was so thick they could not see many yards before them[63].

The heat that day was very oppressive; and the king and his lords suffered greatly from thirst, for there was no water near that was pure,--for all the springs and streams were discoloured with blood, of which, nevertheless, they were forced to drink; at length, some clear water was brought them.

The king was as much rejoiced that the Swiss had renewed the battle, on the following day, as a huntsman when he lays blinkes in the chace of a stag. The Swiss left full sixteen thousand dead on the field, who did not lose their lives like children, but as men of true courage; and all the roads toward Milan and Como were full of those who in their flight had died of the wounds they had received in battle.

This was the first victory of king Francis I. and was very marvellous it proved so great, considering how much he had been deceived in the Swiss by their treaty some days prior to the combat. It is worthy of remembrance,--for since the days of Julius Cæsar, this nation, so valorous in war, never lost in battle so many as sixteen thousand men. Louis XI. had defeated, when dauphin, a body of three or four thousand: a duke of Milan had also conquered a body of two thousand, which inclines me so much to exalt this victory of the king over enemies so determined and numerous, for thirty-six thousand men had marched out of Milan.

Toward the end of the combat, a reinforcement of Venetians arrived, which the constable of Bourbon had gone to seek. The troops made all diligence, were well accoutred and ready for battle; but they found the Swiss defeated, and flying in all directions, for Como and Milan.

The Venetians pursued the enemy, and showed themselves men of courage, particularly their commander, sir Bartholomew d'Alviano and the son of the count de Petigliano, who did wonders; but as he was attempting to leap a wide ditch, his horse fell upon him,--and he was surrounded and slain by the Swiss, for none were near enough to prevent them. The lord d'Imbercourt was also killed fighting valiantly; he had rushed among the ranks of the Swiss, like to an enraged wild boar, and was of a most warlike nature, with the intrepidity of a lion, as many can testify, who have seen him engaged on former occasions. Francis lord of Bourbon was inclosed by the Swiss and put to death, his men not being nigh to rescue him. The prince of Tallemont, the count de Sancerre, the lord de Bussi, the captain Mouy, with a very great number of lords and gentlemen of renown, whose courage had many times been displayed in war, were killed at this battle.

During the engagement, neither baggage nor artillery were in danger of being taken, for they were excellently well defended by those who ran as much risk as others engaged in the main battle. Many were well mounted, so that, if fortune had been adverse, the poor adventurers might have been able to support their friends, and have renewed the fight.

The king made, this day, several new knights. During the conflict, the cardinal of Sion fled, on seeing the quantities of dead, under pretence, as he told Maximilian Sforza, of bringing back reinforcements, but returned when too late.

In the course of this great butchery, a body of Swiss retreated toward a cassino of the van-guard, where was posted the duke of Bourbon, constable of France: he instantly pursued them, had the cassino set on fire, and unless they could have flown through the flames, not one could have escaped. May God have mercy on their souls, and of all those who fell on this day! It is a great pity that it should be in the power of two or three persons to cause the deaths of so many human creatures, whom they seem to estimate no more than as so many sheep. Alas! they are not beasts, and have sense and reason, or at least ought to have, although sometimes their strength fails through wicked intentions.

Some of the wounded Swiss fled to Milan, others to Como: those who entered Milan told the citizens that they had gained the battle, on which they were led to the great hospital to be cured,--but when the Lansquenets afterwards entered that city, they finished to cure them in a strange and terrible manner.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 62: Marignano,--eleven miles SE. from Milan.]

[Footnote 63: The marshal de Trivulce said that he had been at eighteen pitched battles, but that they were children's play compared with this.]

CHAP. XXXIX.

MILAN SURRENDERS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.--THE CASTLE, BESIEGED BY THE FRENCH, SURRENDERS ON CAPITULATION.

Not long after this victory, the townsmen of Milan waited on the king, to beg his mercy and pardon for what they had done, and to present him with the keys of their gates. The king mercifully received them, and forgave them, but not without making them pay a heavy fine. The french army now marched to lay siege to the castle of Milan, into which Maximilian Sforza with a body of Swiss, and others whom he collected, had thrown themselves. The artillery made, within a few days, several breaches in the outworks; and Pedro de Navarre had worked his mines under the walls of the castle with such success great part of them fell down.

Maximilian, perceiving himself in danger, made offers to capitulate, when the king sent his chancellor with other gentlemen to treat with him. They were all handsomely dressed: the chancellor had on a flowing robe of raised cloth of gold. Having entered the castle, they instantly began a negotiation with Maximilian for peace, and proceeded in it so far that he accompanied them to the king's camp, where the treaty was concluded, on condition that the Swiss in the castle should be allowed to march away with their baggage in safety, and be paid the whole of the money that had been promised them by the king of France.

Maximilian, by this treaty, resigned all pretensions to the duchy of Milan[64] to the king, who received him with kindness, and had him escorted to France, where he was henceforth to reside. The king made a brilliant entry into Milan, and staid there some time, during which he was magnificently feasted by the nobles and gentlemen of the town and duchy.

In regard to the inhabitants of Pavia, they escaped being pillaged from their poverty, for all of the richer sort had retired into Milan so soon as they heard of the king's successes,--and a treaty was concluded with them by means of a sum of money.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 64: This was brought about by the constable of Bourbon, who bargained that Maximilian should enjoy a yearly pension of 30,000 ducats, &c.

See the french and italian historians, and particularly Mr. Roscoe's Lorenzo de Medici and Leo X.]

CHAP. XL.

POPE LEO X. AND THE KING OF FRANCE MEET AT BOLOGNA, TO CONFER ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS.--THE KING RETURNS TO FRANCE.

About this period died the commander of the venetian forces, the lord Bartholomew d'Alviano. His death was caused by a fever, from overheating himself. He was much regretted for his valour and his attachment to the french interest. The Lansquenets received from the king, at two different times, double pay. And during his residence at Milan, a treaty was concluded by him with the Swiss-cantons, by means of a large sum of money paid them, notwithstanding they had been so lately conquered by the French.

When this treaty was signed, ambassadors were sent from the pope to the king, to invite him to Bologna, that they might hold a conference on the state of the affairs of Italy, and for the mutual strengthening of their friendship and alliance. The king, in consequence, left Milan with a numerous attendance, especially of men at arms, and arrived at Bologna, where he had a welcome reception from the pope, who entertained him handsomely,--and they had frequent and long conversations together.

One day, the pope performed a solemn service in the cathedral, at which the king assisted. It lasted some time; after which, an alliance was concluded between them. The pope gave up to the king several towns that belonged to him in right of the duchy of Milan. He gave also a cardinal's hat to the bishop of Constance, brother to the grand master of France.

When every thing had been concluded between the pope and the king, he returned to Milan, and thence took the road to France, leaving the duke of Bourbon, constable of France, his lieutenant-general of the Milanese[65]. He made all diligence in crossing the Alps, and arrived at La Baûme, where the queen and his lady-mother were waiting for him. He was joyfully received there, as well as in many other towns in Provence. On leaving La Baûme, they all came together to Avignon, and had a handsome entry. Thence they proceeded to Lyon, where the queen made her public entry, and was received with all demonstrations of joy.

At this time died Ferdinand king of Arragon, who, during his reign, had made many conquests, more especially over the Moors, whom he had subjected to his obedience. At this period, also, died the magnificent Lorenzo de Medici, brother to pope Leo X., who had lately married a sister to the duke of Savoy, and sister also to the countess of Angoulême, mother to Francis I. king of France. He had been appointed generalissimo of the army of the church.

Nearly at this period, a furious battle was fought between the Sophi, called Ishmael, and the grand Turk, and won by the latter, when more than one hundred and sixty thousand men were slain[66]. The Sophi, however, undismayed, collected fresh troops, and marched a considerable army against the Turk, whom he, in his turn, defeated, and drove him beyond the walls of Constantinople into Greece. The Sophi remained in possession of all the conquered country, while the Turk was like a captive within the territories of Christendom, and the war was continued on both sides.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 65: Is not this a mistake? was not Lautrec governor of the Milanese? and who offended the inhabitants by his severity.]

[Footnote 66: In the 'Art de Verifier les Dates,' I find that Selim I. emperor of the Ottomans, marches in the year 1514 against Ishmael king of Persia, defeats him in the plain of Chaldéron, and gains Tauris. War was continued between them until the year 1516, when Selim turned his arms against Kansou sultan of Egypt.]

CHAP. XLI.

THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN ASSEMBLES A LARGE ARMY, TO ATTEMPT THE CONQUEST OF THE MILANESE, AND TO DRIVE THE FRENCH OUT OF ITALY.--THE CONSTABLE OF BOURBON, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL FOR THE KING IN ITALY, MARCHES AGAINST HIM.

While the king of France was at Lyon, and toward the end of Lent, in the year 1516, another war broke out in Italy, through the usual manœuvres of the emperor Maximilian: he, at this time, was excited by the angels of king Henry of England, which had not for a long time flown in his country,--and by their means he subsidised the cantons of Swisserland and the Grisons. He also urged the citizens of Milan to revolt, principally through Galeas Visconti; and thinking every thing in a good train, he marched toward Milan with a body of troops that he had collected, under the brother of Maximilian Sforza, now resident in France according to the treaty that had been concluded with him after the battle of Marignano.

The emperor having, as I have said, assembled an army, marched it from the plains of Verona to Lodi; but the constable, whom the king had left, as his lieutenant, in the Milanese, hearing of this, collected as many men together as the shortness of the time would allow, and advanced to meet the enemy. His numbers were not great, on account of this expedition of the emperor being unexpected, although he had received hints of his intention, some seven weeks before, but he was not certain of the truth.

The constable marched his army to the river Adda, and found the enemy posted on the opposite bank. A short time prior to this, the king of France had summoned some of the nobles of Milan to come to him, who proceeded as far as Suza, to the number of thirty-seven, when they held a consultation; and on the morrow, thirty-three of them fled to join the emperor,--but the other four remained loyal to the French, continued the road to Lyon, and related to the king the shameful conduct of the others.

To return to our subject; the duke of Bourbon, when on the Adda, dispatched messengers to the Swiss-cantons, to hasten the troops the king had agreed for,--and in consequence, about nine or ten thousand infantry for the preservation of Milan, marched to Jurea. The duke of Bourbon was preparing to attack the imperialists, when he heard that Milan was on the point of a revolt; and as he had not sufficient force to meet the army of the emperor with advantage, he was advised to retreat to Milan, although he was himself most desirous to try the event of a combat, and wait the coming of the Swiss, who remained very long at Jurea.

The duke retreated with his army back to Milan with all diligence, to the great surprise of the inhabitants: he immediately had strict inquiries made after the authors of the intended revolt: several were confined in prison, and many were beheaded. The other citizens, seeing that the French were completely masters of their town, and that they were not the strongest, determined to suffer all extremities should the French continue their ill treatment.

The emperor, when he heard of this sudden retreat of the French, thought he had already conquered them, and, crossing the Adda, marched his army toward Milan, and fixed his quarters near to Marignano. You may easily imagine how much the burghers of Milan were now alarmed,--for the constable had one of the suburbs burnt, to prevent the enemy from fortifying it.

A few days after, the duke of Bourbon sent presents of cloths of gold, and of silk, to the principal leaders of the Swiss, to hasten their march, which had the desired effect,--and they soon appeared before the castle, wherein they were joyfully received by the constable. He had immediately Milan strengthened with ditches and outworks, so that it was much stronger than ever. The emperor advanced with his army, now very numerous, before the walls, and saluted them with a large train of artillery, which was as boldly returned from the ramparts by the garrison.

CHAP. XLII.

THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN, FINDING THAT HE COULD NOT SUCCEED IN HIS ATTEMPT ON MILAN, MARCHES AWAY.