THE FRENCH KINGS DECLARATION AGAINST the Dukes of VENDOSME and MAYENNE, The Marshall of Bouillon, the Marques of Coeuure, the Presdent le Iay, and all who assist them.
Verified in the COVRT of PARLEMENT the 13. of February, 1617.
Stilo Nouo.
LONDON Printed for WILLIAM BARRET, 1617.
THE FRENCH KINGS DECLARATION AGAINST the Dukes of Vendosme, Mayenne, and the Marshall of Bouillon.
Verified in the Court of Parlement the 13. of FEBRVARY 1617. Sti. Nouo.
LEWIS, by the grace of God King of France and Nauarre, To all Men present and to come, Greeting.
The bounty, and clemency We haue vsed, and the fauours and benefits We haue bestowed [Page 2] on some Princes, Dukes, and Peeres of this Realme, as likewise on other of our Subiects, made vs hope with good reason, that they would cōtaine themselues within the bounds of that respect and obedience, which they owe vnto Vs by the bond of Nature, euen they to whom We had not only pardoned the crimes which they had committed, but also augmented Our bounty by new fauours.
But this notwithstanding, it is come to passe, that postposing all these considerations, and forgetting their promises made at the last Treaties of Loudun, and Soissons, whither they retyred at the very time, when We gaue order that the person of Our Cousin the Prince of Conde should be seized on by Arrest, they haue in such sort declared themselues against Vs and Our State, by new Leagues and Combinations, both within and without the Realme, that We may truely say, they haue no other desseigne then to procure [Page 3] the total ruine thereof, if We prevent it not by a speedy course: & their inducement hereunto proceeds from impunity, and from those profits they haue receiued therby heretofore, and the hope they haue to draw frō thence in stead of punishment the same aduantages, for the future.
Now, whereas the Dukes, Ʋendosme, and Mayenne, and the Marshall of Bouillon, with whom the Marquesse of Coeuure hath ioyned himselfe, are they, who contrary to all the protestations of loyalty, which they had made, and caused to be made vnto Vs, since the said Treaties of Loudun and Soissons, neuer to depart from Our obedience, and from that naturall duty, wherein they are oblieged vnto Vs: neuerthelesse, to Our exceeding griefe, notwithstanding the exhortations which We haue caused to be vsed vnto them by many, rather to make further triall of the effects of Our clemencie, then of the force, and rigour of Our Armes, [Page 4] are anew reioyned, confederated, and combined, or rather haue continued in the same League, Faction, and Association, which to the preiudice of Our seruice, they had together with the Duke of Neuers, whom for like faultes Wee haue declared guiltie of Treason; and in committing al kinds of Actions, which are contrary to the duetie of Subiects and Officers of the Crowne, most neerly obliged to their King: The said Duke of Mayenne, in his particular, hauing not only barred the Lieutenant Generall, and other Officers of Soissons, who were turned out by his commandement, during the last troubles, from reentring into the Towne, and caused our Letters of Declaration against the Duke of Neuers, to be forcibly and violently taken out of our said Officers hands, in those other Townes, where he hath authoritie; with prohibition, that they should not publish them, as they were commanded by Vs: but which is more, to [Page 5] cloake his euill carriage, vented publikely a rumor of a practice against his life, whereof, when he had written vnto Vs, We, to be fully informed of the truth, caused our Court of Parlement to decree, that the Offender should haue his trial at Soissons, and afterwards be brought to Our said Court, to receiue such punishment as the enormity of the crime required: the execution whereof, the same Duke hath hindered, seeing that the offender did not persist in his accusation, but contrariwise, acknowledge before all the Officers, that hee had bin induced thereto by some of his part: so that the said Duke, to keep men frō further knowledge therof, was enforced to cause the Archers, whom the Court had sent thither for the bringing of the Offender, to be kept by some of his People, that by reason they had not seene the Officers of the Presidial Court there, at their returne, they might not be able to enforme the said Court of Parlement, [Page 6] how the whole businesse had passed. Moreouer, the same Duke, and all the rest ioyntly, to the preiudice of Our Inhibitions, so strictly & solemnly published, haue made leuies of souldiers, and quartered them in those Townes, and places, the guard whereof wee haue committed to their trust; haue likewise, and doe daily compell a great number of Our poore subiects to worke and toyle in the fortifications they make there; detaine and seize on Our moneyes within the Coffers of Our receits, and, labour all they can to debaush and alienate from Vs, and consequently, from their duety, the Captaines and Gouernours of Our Townes and Castles, being ayded and assisted in these violences and contempts, by the aduice and counsell of le lay, President in Our Court of Parlement. Which courses, if we should endure with patience, and dissemble Our notice thereof, vntill they be ioyned together in Armes, and take the [Page 7] Field, it would not but tend to the ruine & spoile of Our Subiects: wherupon they constraine Vs, contrary to the benignity and mildenesse of Our nature, to take order that they be proceeded against, by due and lawfull wayes, to the end, that through a iust chastisement, We may stay the continuance, and progresse of such crimes; for which otherwise We should stand answerable to GOD, who hath put Iustice and Power in the hands of Soueraigne Princes, that they should oppose themselues against such violences, and preuent the ruine of the People, ouer whom GOD hath established them: for these causes we giue to vnderstand, that after deliberation taken hereupon by Our order, in this Our Councel, where the Queene, Our most honored Lady and Mother was present, with some Princes of our bloud, other Princes, Dukes, Peeres, Officers of Our Crowne, and principall [Page 8] Lords of the same Counsell; by the aduice thereof, We haue pronounced and declared, pronounce and declare by these presents, signed with Our hand; The said Duke of Ʋendosme, and Mayenne, the Marshall of Bouillon, Marquesse of Coeuure, and President le Iay, and all other who do, or will assist them in their disobedience, and who are, or will be their adherent to them in their dessignes, haue forfaited all their Honors, Dignities, States, Offices, Power, Gouernments, Charges, Pensions, Priuiledges, and Prerogatiues, which they haue receiued either from Vs, or from the Kings Our Predecessors; and that we haue, and doe reuoke the same, from this present, declaring the said Dukes, Marshall, Marquesse and President, and all their adherents, to bee disobedient, Rebels, Perturbers of the publike Tranquillitie, and guiltie of Treason, and in that qualitie, Our wil is they be proceeded [Page 9] against, as wel in their persons, as their goods, memory and posterity: as likewise all those who shal assist or fauour them directly, or indireclty. We giue charge & commandement to all Gouernours and Lieutenants Generall of our Prouinces, Captaines, Chiefes, and Leaders of our Forces, to set vpon them; and to all Our Officers, Mayors, Consuls, and Sheriffes of Our Townes, to seize on their Persons, if they be there, that they may put them into Our hands, and pursue them by all the courses and seuerities of Our Constitutions, made concerning like crimes; but with this exceptiō, if within fifteene dayes after the publication of these present Letters in Our Court of Parliament, the said Dukes of Ʋendosme, and Mayenne, Marshall of Bouillon, Marquesse of Coeuure, and President le Iay, do not acknowledge their fault, nor acquit themselues effectually and personally, before Vs in that which [Page 10] is their dutie towards Vs; and if they doe not cause those strangers to voide our Realme, whom they haue drawne into it; and doe not dismisse all the Forces they haue leuied, and dissolue the Garrisons which haue beene placed by them or their adherents, without any order or commission from Vs: And for so much as concerneth the Gentrie and other of Our Subiects, the exception serues likewise, if within the said time they doe not present themselues at the Tribunalls of Our Bayliwicks, and Seneshall-ships, within the iurisdiction whereof they hold their residence, to make due declaration and protestation to be registred within the Secretaries Offices thereof; and doe wholly desist from all actions and enterprizes, preiudicial to Our authority and seruice, and to Our Constitution, Declarations, and Inhibitions.
Now, in case the said Dukes, Marshall, [Page 11] Marques, and President, and all other who shall haue assisted them, doe conforme themselues, they shall remaine exempt and discharged from all penalties, contayned in this Declaration, and shall be receiued into Our fauour: We will and command Our trusty and welbeloued Counsellors, such as hold Our Courts of Parlement, Our Bayliss, Seneshalls, or their Lieutenants, and all other Our Iustices and Officers, to whom it shall appertayne, each in his particular, that they register or cause to be registred, kept and obserued these Our Letters, according to their forme and tenor: And doe in like sort will and command Our Atturneys Generall of the said Courts, to make all pursuits, and vse al diligence for the execution hereof, and for the punishment, and chastising of all those who shall infringe the same. For such is Our pleasure. In testimony whereof We haue caused [Page 12] Our Seale to be put to these presents. Giuen at Paris in the Moneth of February, the yeare of our LORD 1617. and of Our Raigne the seuenth.
A REMONSTRANCE OF THE PRINCES, TO THE FRENCH KING.
Dated the Fourth of FEBRVARY.
YOur most Humble and most Faithfull Subiects and Seruants, the Dukes, Peeres, ancient Officers of your Crown, and principal Lords of your Kingdome; seeing the dangers which inviron you, and the euills which threaten your State with an inevitable [Page 14] subuersion, if speedy order be not taken, and that they are denied all accesse vnto your Person, wherewith they might freely, and securely, discouer the causes, and propound the remedies thereof; doe in all humilitie beseech your Maiestie to take in good part, this their most humble Remonstrance, which cannot but well befit their mouthes, sithence it doth testifie nothing but fidelitie and affection vnto your seruice, to the conseruation of your Sacred Person, and the good of your States. And it is by so much the more conuenient, because they are thereunto obliged, both by Diuine and Humane Lawes, by the Oath which they haue taken, and the dutie which they owe vnto your Crowne. We are not ignorant, that the euill is disguised by those who doe it, and who labour by all possible meanes to couer it, as well as commit it, still indeuouring to make those distastfull [Page 15] vnto your Maiestie, who complaine thereof. And the vnhappinesse of France is such, that they hauing all the power of your Estate in their hands, they cause you to hold your faithfullest seruants for Enemies. But the violence of their Tyrannicall carriage is growne to that excesse, that it cannot longer be indured; The complaints of it are generall; euery one seeth it, and feeles the miserable effects; And their Artifices can no longer hinder the cryes, and publique griefe from striking your Maiesties eares, and from mouing your compassion to releeue your People; and your iustice against the Authours of so great miseries; which euery one knoweth, and openly detesteth; And by a common vow of your faithfull Subiects are destined to iust punishment, according to their demerits.
The insatiable ambition, and auarice, of the Marquesse of Anchre, and [Page 16] his Wife is the only cause of the euils we are sensible of; of the disorders we see, and of that wee feare most.
This is the vlcer which hath festered, yea, spoyled the whole body of your State. It is of him only that men doe complaine, and of the Ministers and Executors of his violent and raging passions, and no other.
This is the complaint of the greatest part of your Subiects, who as yet haue true French hearts: who seeing themselues compassed about with feare and apprehensions, and exposed to all manner of dangers, by the intestine conspiracies which ayme at the ruine of your State, doe implore your Iustice, to protect them from the oppression and seruitude, vnto which those persons would make them subiect; and for to free your Crowne from the many disasters, which now increase to the ouerthrow of the same.
The remedy (SIR) is in your own [Page 17] hands, and in your power, which if you doe not make vse of, the disease will shortly grow incurable: And therefore to shunne it, the cause must be taken away, which being knowne vnto you, there needeth now no other thing then your word only; to giue order that the Marquesse of Anchre, with his Wife and Adherents, be chased from your Sacred Person, and from the Queene your Mother: And to giue way vnto Iustice, that it may duly punish them for those crymes whereof they are culpable touching your State.
Euery man well knoweth what deceit hee hath vsed, since the death of the last King of most happy memory, to draw vnto himselfe th' entire and absolute Administration of your Kingdome; to make himselfe Master of your Councels, of your Treasure, of your Armes, and of your Fortresses, to dispose of your publique Offices, [Page 18] and Charges, your Fauours, and Pardons; because hee would bee the sole Iudge of Honours, and Dignities, and dispose of the life and death of your Subiects. The courses hee hath taken to banish the Princes of the Bloud from the Court, and to breed discord betweene them, are not vnknowne; and likewise of the rest of the Princes, Officers of your Crowne, and principall Lords of the Kingdome: The practizes and corruptions which he hath vsed to weaken and depresse the authoritie of your Parliaments, and violently to choke the lawfull freedom of their Remonstrances, imprison your chiefe Officers, and make a diuision through all the orders of your Kingdome; that hee might haue the whole disposing of them, and raigne alone within the State, as he doth now with an insupportable presumption and insolency, supposing that nothing can resist his ambitious [Page 19] Dessignes, seeing that, through extreme wrong and iniustice, hee hath imprisoned the first Prince of your Bloud; and by this audacious Action violated the publike faith of the Treatie of Loudun;' vpon the obseruation of which did depend the repose and tranquillity of your State, which he had rather plunge into the calamities of a Warre, then to haue the maske of your Royall Authority taken from him; whereof hee makes his benefit, and vseth it as an Instrument, for the destruction of your most faithful Subiects.
These things are so manifest, & his proiects & guile so plainly discouer'd, that no doubt can bee made hereof. And the strange proceedings, and violence, which he vseth euery day vnder your Maiesties name, against the Duke of Neuers, vpon so notorious pretexts, and forged imputations, that euen the voice of the people serueth [Page 20] for proofe enough to refute them; do witnes sufficiently, that the conspiracy is generall, against all the Princes and Nobles of your Kingdome, who will not stoupe to his tyranny, and can resist his plots, which he continually puts in execution, thereby to subuert the State.
For what offence is the same Dukes, sauing only, that he is a Prince of the most renowned Houses of your Kingdomes, one that loues his Countrey, seekes the peace of it, and who hath alwaies testified his zeale vnto your seruice, and acknowledgeth no other Authority lawfull then your Maiesty?
Hee complaineth of some iniurie done him by one of his Tenants; and that in contempt of the dignity of his Office, he cannot freely exercise his charge in his Gouernment.
He hath prosecuted an execution of some feodal rights within his owne possessions, by the ordinary means of [Page 21] Iustice, as vnwilling to lose that which his Predecessors left him: Perceiuing some secret enterpises, ready to bee executed vpon his Houses, he prouided, as indeed he ought, for the securing, defence and keeping of them vnder your Authority, and for your seruice.
These lawfull and necessary causes are wrested to his rebuke; nay, are imputed to him as a haynous crime and Rebellion.
We haue seen the Declaration that hath bin published against him, vnder your Maiesties name, and the reasonable conditions vnto which hee doth submit himselfe for his triall, and make his innocencie appeare, which being knowne vnto vs, we most humbly beseech your Maiesty to be pleased to protect the same, and not to suffer it to be oppressed & violēced by the Marquesse of Anchre, whose outrages and offences we can no longer dissemble, [Page 22] because our long patience hath not hitherto serued for ought else, then for to render it more audacious, and insolent; that we be no more vpbraided, that our affection is so small vnto your Maiesty, that we are so ingratefull to out Country, so disloyal and vnprofitable vnto our selues and to our Posterity, as to be silent, when we behold the prodigious fauour of this Stranger, trampling thus insolently on the throate of your State, holding prisoner in his hands the first Prince of your Bloud, treading vnder foot both Lawes and Magistrates, emptying your Coffers by his profusions, consuming your people with excessiue charges, and causing your Subiects to be trecherously murthered, without any punishment at all. And for recompence of such trechery and disloyalty, conferring vpon them the Gouernments of your places; deposing and discharging the chief Officers of your [Page 23] Councels and Parlements, bereauing them of those Titles & Honors, which their Age, their Vertue, and their Deserts haue purchased them; for to establish in their places his creatures, who are persons altogether vnworthy, and vnexperienced for the manageing of your State, being men borne in bondage, and therefore enemies to all honest men, and most proper to execute his passions, what detrement soeuer may ensue thereby to your seruice, holding nothing vnlawful which may aduance his passionate dessignes.
This is that which hath induced vs, thus humbly to beseech your Maiesty to consider the miserable estate wherinto your Kingdome is now brought, and to apply, by your Wisdome and Authority, the necessary remedy, which dependeth vpon your own wil, and not to suffer either your name, or your Armes to be employed to the effusion of your Subiects bloud, and [Page 24] oppression of your Domesticall seruants, for the maintaining of Strangers to their preiudice, but to banish them for euer from you: and by the chastisement and due punishment of the guiltie, reestablish confidence and security in your Kingdom, repaire the publike Faith, which hath bin broken, and set the Prince of Condé at liberty. And to the end that order may be taken by conuenient meanes, against the disorders of your State; to cause the Treaty of Loudun to be obserued; call againe vnto you, and into your Councels, the Princes of your Bloud, with the rest of the Princes, Dukes, Peeres, and the ancient Officers of your Crowne, and Counsellers of State, whom the deceased King vsed during his Raigne, who also by naturall affection, and as being particularly interessed, as strictly oblieged to the conseruation of your State. And then we shall haue the happinesse to [Page 25] render you in all security, euery man according to his Ranke, Dignity, and Place, that most humble seruice, and faithfull obedience which wee owe you, and which whilest we liue we wil yeeld you, as being
- Caesar de Vendosme.
- Henry de Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne.
- Henry de la Tour, Duke of Bouillon.
A RELATION OF THE VICTORIES OBTAINED BY the Prince of PIEMONT, from the 27. of Ianuary, to the last of the same Moneth.
ON the 27. of Ianuary at night, the Prince of Piemont departed from Masserano, with eight thousand Foot, and foure hundred Horse, hauing left the rest there, being as many as made vp together, the number of a thousand Horse, with a thousand Foote: and hee went with a purpose to attempt Creuacore; where being arriued before day, hee [Page 28] caused those stations and passages of the Mountaines to be taken, which border on the Valley of Sesia, specially those of Guardabuzon and Guardella, which are the most commodious for the Spaniards sending of fuccours; and this was performed without the receiuing of any losse, or hurt, from those of thé Towne and Castle. So soone as it was day, our Men tooke a little Hill fortified, which commaundeth the Towne within Musket-shot, enforcing those that held it, to flie and retire into the Towne. The whole day was spent in skirmishing, and they within, being summoned by a Trumpet, that we might see whether they would yeeld, returned Musket-shot for answere, belike, to giue vs to vnderstand thereby, that they stood in little feare. In the euening before Sunset the Canon arriued, accompanied by the Ʋaldostans; two Regiments of French, and foure Companies of Carabins: a thing almost incredible, that it [Page 29] was brought in so short a time, in regard of the incommodious, hilly, and difficult waies thorow which it passed. All night long great diligence was vsed in planting a Battery, so that on the 29. day in the morning it was ready, within halfe a Musket-shotte of the Towne, and we began to batter a little Towre that flanked two cortines, which within few houres was beaten to the ground, and besides, a breach made in the wall. Whereupon our Men aduanced couragiously to the assault; whose resolution being seene by those within, did so affright them, that they retired, flying to the Castle; though they could not be so quick of foot, but that about threescore were killed in the throng, as they rushed out of the gate, and as many taken prisoners.
The Prince not willing to lose time, the rather because he knew, that there were arriued in the Valley of Sesia two thousand Foote, and three hundred [Page 30] Horse, sent to the rescue of this place; dispatched immediatly certaine Companies of Cuirassiers and Carabins, to seize on a place, by which they who were retired (as is touched before) might haue fled, and gone to their succours, caused the Canon to play on them that withdrew themselues to the Castle, and whereas some part of them made a stand on a little Hill, in the mid-way from the Castle, which did much annoy our Men, they were beaten thence, it being not yet noone, when all this seruice was performed. From the same place of the batterie, we began, without losing any time, to beate the Castle, wherwith they within being terrified, seeing themselues brought to such a streight, made a signe that they would parlee, and render the place; and to that purpose, the Sergeant Maior Ʋertua, who commanded there, sent his Ayndante to treate, whose demand was to depart with life and Armes: whereto hee was [Page 31] answered, that his Highnesse was content to grant it, the said Ayndante hauing first declared, that he was authorised to make a composition, and that they treated in their owne names, and not in the name of the Princesse of Masserano; to whom also his Highnes was willing to shew fauour, commanding shee should haue no displeasure done her, but bee permitted to goe whither shee would. With this resolution the Ayndante returned, and in the meane while his Highnesse gaue order for the appointing of those souldiers, who should haue the guard of the Castle; but the Sergeant Maior, who hauing bin made acquainted by the Ayndante, with that which he had concluded, shewed himselfe not contented therewith, but that hee would depart with match in cocke lighted, though the Ayndante replied, that hee had fully capitulated in the aforesaid manner, fell to shooting anew. Euery one maruailed at this strange course, [Page 32] the newes of the Composition being now spred through the Campe; and his Highnesse commanded the batterie should bee continued, which was done throughly till dark night; during which, our Men wonne ground by little and little, and made themselues Masters of certaine Houses and Barricadoes, which they within held in the Mountaines. His Highnesse on the other side, made foure Peeces of Canon to be drawne in all diligence to the toppe of a Hill that was neere, which by breake of day were readie planted, to gall and offend the enemie more; hauing obserued, that from the place where they were before, they could not worke that effect which was necessarie for the giuing of an assault. At which instant, they within did againe demand Parle; and although his Highnesse, in regard of the Sergeant Maiors bad dealing the day before, had iust cause to stoppe his eeares, and seeke to vse him, as he deserued, [Page 33] as hee was likewise perswaded and counselled by euery one, neuerthelesse, to shew that hee makes good warre, & to preuent any disastrous accident which might fal vpon the Princesse, who was within, thought not good to reiect the demand, whereupon they treated a new, and agreed as followeth.
ARTICLES FOR THE RENDRY OF THE CASTLE OF CREVACORE, ACcorded by FRA. GALEAZZO PIETRA, Knight, Commander of the Forces which issued out of the Towne, and retired vnder the Castle, assisted by Lewis Albertazzo Ayndante, to Francis Bernardin Vertua, Sergeant Maior; aswell in the name of the Princesse of Masserano, as of themselues and their Troupes.
FIrst, the said Knight & Ayrdante, with all their men, yeeld themselues to the Prince, vpon this only condition, that they shall haue their liues and Armes, without match, powder, or bullet, leauing all other things that they haue, aswel within, as without the Castle, to their Highnesses.
Besides, in the name of the Princesse, [Page 35] they render to his Highnesse the Castle of Creuacore, to dispose therof, with all that is within the same, as he shall thinke good.
And their Highnesses by D. Antonio Bobba, principall Esquire and Gentleman of the Chamber, promise to giue the said Knight, Ayndante and their men, free & safe passage for their retreate. Thus agreed in Creuacore, the 30. of Ianuary, 1617. Signed, D. Antonio Bobba, Era. Galeazzo Pietra, Ludouico Albertazzo, Francesca Ferrera Fiesca, Francesco Bernardino Ʋertua.
In this action must not be ouerpassed in silence, the praise due to the French, especially to the Chiefes, who haue shewed great valour and courage.
Of our men, I do not beleeue there are ten slaine, but some few were hurt, and amongst others, Monsieur de Limogion, Lieutenant of the Prince Thomas his Troupe, hurt in that foote which was sound, hauing lost the other [Page 36] in Asti: and the Sergeant Maior of Monsieur d'Eguebon, who is of the Marshall des Desguieres his Troupes.
As the Enemy was ready to depart out of the Castle, because some difficultie was made about their carrying of powder in their Flaskes, contrary to the agreement, some of them threw downe their powder, others their Flaskes, and one of them hauing by chance let fall a burning match, the powder that lay on the ground was thereby fired, and that likewise gaue fire to the powder in the Flaskes, and to certain barrels, from whence it passed to the Muskets and Harquebuses, which some of them carried charged; whereupon followed very lamentable disasters; for many lost their liues, many were burnt, of which fortune some of our men tasted, being amongst them, and many for feare cast themselues downe from the wall.
While the rest marched away, accompanied with foure Companies of [Page 37] Horse, which his Highnesse had giuen them for their conuoy, according to the agreement, that they might not be molested by our Men; there came one of our Light-horse, with a Horseman of the Enemies, who was hurt, and had beene taken prisoner by him. The newes he brought, were, that a a good number of the Enemies Muskettiers, with some three hundred Horse, comming from the Valley of Sesia, by the way of Guardella, to succour Creuacore, and the Horse being past the water, our Horse, who were there in guard, charging them resolutely, did breake and put them to flight, slew twenty, tooke prisoners the like number, and hurt many; and it is not vnlikely some Chiefe hath laid his bones there, because there were taken two Cornets, one of a Spanish Captain called Auila, another of the Marquesse of Santa Lucida.
The Princes hereupon marched instantly that way, with a greater force [Page 38] of Horse, and Foote, to giue a greater blow, if the occasion had serued, but they found the Enemie alreadie retired. The next day the Prince going to take view of the lodgings and quarters of his Men, and being come to those of Guardella, and Guardabuzone, the one being quarter of the Baron of Diguoyne, and the other of the Marquesse of Ʋrse, when he saw the Enemies Trenches within a good Musket shot, determined to trie with fiftie Muskettiers, what countenance hee would make: who assaulting him with great resolution and valour, wonne the first stations, wherupon the Prince sent a renfort of an hundreth more to passe further, who comming thither, fought so successefully, that they became Masters of all the Enemies other quarters & trenches, where Don Sancho de Luna was slaine, who was Gouernour of the Castle of Milan, and Generall in that part; with many other Captaines, and fiftie Souldiers: [Page 39] there was taken Prisoner the Colonel or Camp-master, Carlo di Sanguine, & a Nephew of his: now there remaining no more to doe, the troupes had order to retire to their first stations. But in their retreate, they of Sesia, who were come forth at the noise, followed them in grosse as far as the first trenches which they had wonne, neuerthelesse wee lost onely one Captaine, and six Souldiers in the fight we had with them.
There was found the Cassocke of D. Sancho de Luna, & his Sword, which was sent by the Prince to the Duke his Father; and amongst diuers Letters written to the said D. Sancho, aswell from the King of Spaine, as from Don Pedro de Toledo, were these two which follow, worthy to be knowne to euery man; that men may see the charitie of Don Pedro towards those who are allied in bloud, or recommended to the Crowne of Spaine.
DON PEDRO DE TOLEDO TO D. SANCHO DE LVNA.
NO great account is to bee made of the Prince of Masserano's newes: neither is your Lordship the man that needs to attend my order touching that which may occurre, and bee iudged conuenient. For I referre my selfe wholly to that which you shall thinke good, and am content that the Pontons be made. When the troupes of the Territorie of Alexandria shalbe come, who are to be here to morrow, we will send them forward with the Germans. I am told this morning, that the Duke of Sauoy goes toward Ʋilla-noua: but I am not assured of it. I will giue your Lordship aduertisement of all things. Alonso Perez Rosales put a Conuoy into Saint German. At Quinto hee lighted on a Conuoy of the Enemy: each of them fled his owne way, seeking to carry away his Conuoy in safetie. The Companies that are to goe to Satinara will march along, I suppose, [Page 41] tomorrow, or the day after, as the Count Tauerná writes me. Don Alonso drawes our men from the lodgings that are neere, and sayth, that if the Duke of Sauoy passe Sesia, he will seeke to giue him a blow; and the Dukes speeches tend to such a construction. Neuerthelesse, I am desirous to lodge our men, and refresh them against the good season, because France is in Armes; God continue it so, by meanes whereof, wee shall compasse our businesse here, both happily and speedily by GODS helpe, through which I wish you may cut off some of the Enemies forces, and worke vs a diuersion. Then let vs see how GOD will farther assist vs in our intentions, to whose protection, I commit your Lordship; from Nouara, the eight day of Ianuary 1617.
Monies are leauying for you, and your Nephew is vpon the point of his dispatch.
DON PEDRO DE TOLEDO TO DON SANCHO DE LVNA.
I Wrote to your Lordship by the Prince of Masserano, but it may be this Souldier wil be with you sooner, & this Letter haue safer conueyance; whereof being confident, I tell you, that I cannot be at quiet, vntill I know that the Troupes are come to you, and that you haue rescued Creuacore: for if it be lost after so many daies, in which the losse might haue beene preuented: it is good to consider how our Enemies (for yours and mine are all one) will gird at vs. I hold it more conuenient to hazard somewhat, and to fight, then to make good the Valley of Sesia. For if the men which are in Creuacore were two hundred, as at the first, it were not a matter so considerable, as now it is: but if so many men should miscarrie, it were enough to lose all reputation in Italy.
[Page 43] This strange man, the Prince of Masserano hath embroiled vs herein. For if hee had put our men in time within Masserano, and lastly, in Creuacore, neither had the first action succeeded, nor should we be now in this perplexitie: but sith wee are in it, we must commit the issue to GOD and our hands. The Count Tauerna tels mee, there is so much bread, that the one halfe would serue. I send you tvvo thousand crovvnes more, for speedie exigences, which cannot be managed vvithout money. I hope GOD vvill cleare vs happily, to vvhose protection I commit your Lordship. From Nouara, the 29. of Ianuary 1617.