From Rome the 27 of September. 1622.

IN the Kingdome of Naples the Spa­nish Commissioners are leauying a­gaine 6000. foote and 2000. horse, which shall be sent to Millane.

The great Duke of Florence offers to fell vnto the King of Spaine the fe­altie of the Princedome of Piumbino for 300000. Crownes, at the same rate as he would haue left it to the late Emperour.

The Prince Philiberto Viceroy of Sicilia, hath com­manded 10. souldiers to bee hanged, and foure to bee condemned to the Gallies, because they had stolne 2500. double Crownes.

At Naples are likewise certaine Bakers condemned to the Gallies, in regard they mingled their Bread with Bran, and made it too little, so that it wanted weight. And two companies of Spaniards which are mustred lately, shall sayle shortly to Messina. The Moone of Venice which is to sayle homeward, is loaden and al­most ready to depart. The Benchers or Bankekeepers Spinelli and Fornelli are broken for certaine thousand Crownes.

The Bishop of Spalato, who hath beene in England, is still at Antwerpe, being returned to the Romish church: there are giuen vnto him fiue thousand crowns to make his iourney to Rome, to receiue there his abso­lution.

From Lyons the 28. of September.

Our King is as yet here, but is (as many guesse) shortly to goe to Auignion, and to tarry there this next Winter, vnlesse there be an agreement made betwixt him and the Protestants.

The Constable hath laboured very hard to the same effect, and it was thought for the space of many dayes, that the peace was firmely concluded, and to cer [...]fie his Maiestie of it, there were sent two Posts with all speed, out they broke suddenly off. His M [...]stie con­tinueth still the siege of Mompellier, where the Orde­nance without cessatiō are discharged against the city. It is confirmed that those of Mompellier [...] [...]lmost quite defeated the regiment of Monsieur [...].

Monsieur Desdiguieres Constable of France, was commanded by the King to besiege the town of Priua [...]; but he was presently countermanded, and charged to come to the Campe before Mompelier; whereupon it is expected he will exhort his Maiestie again to an agree­ment with the Protestants.

From Venice the 23. of September.

From Schweitz we hear, that those of Zurich & Berne, besides the Grisons, strengthen themselues and make [Page 3]all warre-like preparation to oppose themselues against ten thousand foote and fiue hundred horse of the Arch­duke Leopoldus, he expects fiue thousand foote more comming from the Emperour. The Baron of Batteuilles forces which were sent into the vally of Prettigaw, are for the most part defeated, and those which escaped relate that in the Grauebundts all things are very deare. In the Interim is the Collonell Baldiron mightily vr­ging the Castellein of Millane, desiring him to send his forces towards Clene, to breake and dissolue the troopes of the enemies; and to effect the same with more ease or facilitie, he hath surprised Engadin, and af­terwards gotten Chur by agreement.

The Galleyes of Pisserta haue taken an Hollandish Shippe, with diuerse Merchandizes. The Pyrates of Thunis thinking likewise to surprize a Shippe of Genua, the men within the same betooke themselues to a small Shippe, and saued themselues after they had fired their great Shippe, to frustrate them of their expected prey or bootie.

From Madrid.

After the Count de Villamediana (who was of the House of Taxis, and Post-Master Generall) was slaine in the great street, by one which hurt him in his brest, and escaped vnknowne; the Count d'O [...]olo got his Office presently, and tooke the possession of the Coun­tie of Villamediana. But there is one Lampeo Taxis, which likewise pretends to be his Heire, and will sue the other.

The 23. Passato the Popes Nuncio called by his sur­name de Sangre, tooke his leaue of the King of Spaine, and the new Nuncio Maximo had his first audience of the said King. The Duke d'Alba is shortly to goe to Naples, and the Count of Monterei is to make his first entry here very speedily. The Seignior Con­stantino Pinelli, who from the State of Genua was last sent Embassadour to the Emperour, is deceased at Madril.

From Vienna the 21. of September.

The 15. of this Moneth is the Marquesse William of Baden departed from hence, to be installed in the vpper Marquisat and the Countie of Spanheim: to which ef­fect, he hath gotten Imperiall Letters.

Vpon the 19. of this Moneth, the Emperor and the Empresse being to take Coach to ride to Ebersdorff, there came the Count of Thurn (who lately stole out of his Prison in Morauia) and falling before the Em­peror vpon his knees, desired mercy and pardon, and obtained the same instantly at his Maiesties hand, and a promise to get also the Key of his Maiesties Chamber wholly.

The same day, about nine a clocke in the morning, was Powell Gould, who was condemned before, brought from the Red Tower, vnto a Scaffold made of purpose, beeing conducted betwixt two Iesuites, hauing the Night before confessed himselfe to be a Catholike. When hee had said his Prayers, they retyred; and the Officer hauing cut off his right hand, beheaded him: his body was buried afterwards, but his head and hand [Page 5]were fastened vpon Poles, and set vpon the walls of the Citie, without the Red Tower, direct against the New Tower: his Confession is kept very secret.

From Prage the 27. of September.

It continueth still, that the Fort of Glatz is for the most part burnt, and that the Imperialls haue gotten the Riuer from the Garrison within the same: Where­fore wee are in great hope to get it speedily. Within three mile from Glatz, there are arriued 14000. Cos­sacks at a Towne called Falkenstein, and did send pre­sently two of the chiefest men amongst them, to the Count Quete (who is the principall Commander ouer the Forces before Glatz) to know whether he had need of them: and notwithstanding hee refused their aide, and that the Archduke Charles of Neuse likewise long before desired them to returne to their owne Country; they will perforce enter into the Empire, and assist the Emperor: In regard of which resolution, there are ap­pointed two Bohemian Lords, to consider in what manner, and what way, they may be most fittest con­ducted.

Last Friday there happened here a Fire in the Horse-Market, whereby are burnt foure Houses, seuen Men, and two Horses.

The execution of the Bohemian Lords depends much of these Points, and shall be executed.

• 1. Those that were present, when some of the Coun­cell were cast out of the Windowes.
• 2. Those which haue consented to the Confedera­tion against the Emperor and the House of Austrin.
• [Page 6]3. Those which haue beene at the reiection of the Emperor and the Archduke.
• 4. Those which haue beene present at the Election Friderici.
• 5. Those which marched in Armes against Vi­enna.

From Brussels the 1. of October.

Count Henry of the Berg is drawing with his Forces towards the Kempen in Brabant: Don Gonzales is to ioyne with him, to hinder the inuasion of the Hollan­ders, which haue threatned these Lands with Fire and Sword, and will likewise pierce certaine Dikes, to drowne our Land in seuerall places; but wee hope to meet with them. Mansfield strengthens himselfe dayly. Wee looke here euery houre for the arriuall of the Count of Swartzenburg, who is speedily to returne to Vienna. But seeing that Heidelberg is taken, and Man­heim besieged, the Treatie is broken off, and the English Embassador is three dayes agoe departed.

From Antwerpe the 3. of October.

To day wee are aduertised, that the Marquesse Spi­nola is broke vp from his Campe before Berghen vp Zome with his whole Army, hauing fired before all his Quarters. Hee lyeth not farre from hence, and expects the comming of his Enemies.

On Saterday last arriued in the Campe Count Henry of the Berg with 43. Cornet of Horse, Don Cordua with 33. and to day the Count of Anholt with 31, besides a [Page 7]great number of Foot, and certaine 100. Waggons, with baggage, in such manner, that the Marquesse Spi­nola hath now 200. Troupes of Horse, and it is very like, that there will be a Battell soone fought betwixt him and the Hollanders. What will follow, you shall hereafter heare.

From Sutart in the Dukedome of Gulick, the 22. of September.

Here is no great matter of newes, and in Germanie they are almost all quiet. But yesterday there passed by the Imperiall Citie of Aekon 30. troupes of Horse, and betwixt 3. and 4000. Foot, which came from the Palatinate, to seeke their pay (as they say) in the Land of Luyck, seeing the Bishop of Luyck did promise at their Leuie to entertaine them for eight moneths, and they had at the same time receiued but one moneths pay. Others say, that they are to assist Spinola.

From Collen the 6. of October.

It is rumored, that the Duke Christian of Brunswick will Winter his Campe in Westphalia, and that the Canons at Halberstadt haue alreadie deposed the Chancellor, in regard of the Triumviros appointed by the Gouernour, and exhorted the subiects to sticke to the Bishopricke.

From France.

T The last windes since Michaelmas, haue not beene so fearefull to many ships at Sea, as to the Spanish fleete going to conuoy the West India Nauie, whereof many of them haue bin driuen backe againe, as farre as to the coasts of England. The ships of Burdeux which haue bin shattered in harbour, the Gallies and Nauie of Marseiles, which haue beene driuen from Rochel to Brest in Brittanny. The ships in Plimmouth, which haue almost sunke in faire harbour, and the ships which at­tend Subiss to waft him ouer into his country. As this businesse of France is to me in recounting the truth, and laying open the affaires and affrightings of the coun­try, because the controuersie lies betweene a high ex­alted Maiestie, and humbled subiects, whose shoulders yet lie vnder the pressure of displeasure, and the threat­nings of a great and mighty Monarch. But because I began with a Simile from the Sea, and application of rough windes, I will keepe this slender Barke close to the shore, as well to auoyde the tempestuous waues in the channell, as the gusts frō the land, and rockes and shelues in some vnknowne coasts; and so I hope you shall haue nothing vnbefitting the Maiestie of a Chri­stian king, nor vniustifiable in the report of an honest [Page 9]relation. You haue heard then that his Maiestie hath proceeded so farre as the siege of Mompelier, where he not onely left some of his Nobilitie, namely, Memoran­cy, Mompensier, the Duke of Angolesmes sonne, and o­thers, but most part of his army, whereby he was not onely disappointed in his proiects, but very willing to cast vp another account of aduice, and examination of particulars, how to settle the affaires of his kingdom, & keepe his honour integrate and vnmaimed, wherein without controuersie Lesdesguiers the new Constable hath not onely bin a great meanes of pacification of his Maiesties displeasure, but the maine motiue to oppose against that bloody doctrine of the Iesuites, who teach that nothing is so acceptable to diuine Maiestie, and mother Church, as slaughtering of hereticks, and extir­pation of Protestants, whom they now character with the tearmes of Caluinists, Hugenots, Lutherans, Berneses, and diuers others; wherein I am, I protest so charitable, that some Nobles and Gentiles performe their outra­ges, as Paul did his persecutions, in magno inscittae bello, and as for others, they exceed the very heathen, who were weary of sacrificing human blood to Mars, Sa­turne, Diomedes, Pallas, and Berecinthia: so that you shall reade how Samos, Argos, Thebes, Taurica and Sicilia in those dayes began to suspect themselues, that they were not in the right, as long as the religion consisted of murther, and the death of innocents. But because I would not be tedious discourse, which the Reader expects to be triuiall, & must passe through common hands as customary newes, you shall now only haue a Bill of Items, without any summa totalis, which I refer to your owne accounts, and Arithmeticall skill.

1. Then they say, that the king being willing to heare Lesdesguiers the new Constable in his propositions for peace, left him to capitulate with the Duke de Rohan, about Mompellier, and hauing argued the matter with sufficient arguments, returned to Court very welcome to his Maiestie: but was there opposed by the Cardinal de la Roch foucalt, a very incendiary for the troubles, & Monsieur Commartin, to whom the great Seale was gi­uen, a great enemy of the Protestants.

2. That the Queene is falne sicke of the small pocks at Lions, which questionlesse will draw his Maiestie for the most part thither, whereas he determined to remain Chasteaubeau: so that there is great hope, that the for­mer treaties of peace will come to a good period, and receiue some easie inductions, considering his Maie­sties army before Mompellier hath not beene onely sha­ken and dissipated, but is likely to fall a sunder with wants, diseases, losse of men, failing of money, and slacknesse of their prouision: the besieged resolued to maintaine the cause, and oppose against any threatning or violence.

3. That two thousand fresh souldiers are newly en­tred into Mompelier, conducted or conuoyed by 2000. more, who brought them safely to the very gates of the citie, passing and repassing without interception. For they returned quietly to Seuens, and were passed o­uer the riuer, before the Duke of Angolesme came, who was marching to disappoint them, with the rega­thered forces of the kings army: but as it should seeme they had dispatched their businesse before he came, and so it is apparant, the towne is not so hard besieged as it was, nor so likely to be endamnified, and yet the [Page 11]army of Champaine is marching thither, and may of the kings forces recalled againe.

4. That the Marquesse of Mountbrun hath made a braue salley lately out of Nismes; and defeated the con­uoy, which was to conduct the Popes Legat to Auigni­on, but as I take it you haue heard of this before, onely I make mention of it again, because by certain Buls, In­dulgences, and letters which diuers men of qualitie brought, and are all taken and broken vp, it is manife­sted that his Holinesse enforceth and vrgeth the warre, and will by no meanes allow of any treaty of accord, without renouncing of religion: so that if a peace come (as a blessing) it must come vnlookt for, but the safest way is to looke sor no safety, according to the Poet:

5. That another sonne of the Duke Angolesme called Count d'Allen is dead in Perenas of a relapse of his for­mer sicknesse: that Monsieur de Count de Schomberge, & Canaples are troubled with the purples, a disease of danger and faintnes and that Monsieur de Plans and Arbault kept their beds, as not well at ease and discon­tented.

6. That the Duke of Guise expected the great Gallion of Malta, of twelue hundred tun, & another of his own of 900. before his embarking, but hee is gone without them, hauing receiued diuers petitions of Pirats to of­fer him their seruice, which he hath sent to his Maiestie: but all is referred to his returning backe, notwithstan­ding the former shiops are come to Burdeux, and so ap­pointed to attend the great Nauy before Rochell.

7. That the Duke de Hespernon, Monsieur de Cadinet his sonne, Count Soisons, and all of that Army are reti­red from Rochel, as despairing of the successe in those parts: besides, many Protestants of Poytiers seeme to deplore the miserable estates of their Brethren, and write many Apologies and Iustifications for them; crying out against the Cardinals and Bishops, That as it was in the dayes of the Prophets, when the Kings and Princes were contented to heare the Word of God, and beare with their Inuections against Sinne, and the Impieties of the Time; the High Priests were then the onely Enemies of the Prophets, and Persecu­ters of such searchers of the vnswept corners of their Liues and Doctrines: so was the condition of dilace­rated France, when the King began to looke with the eyes of compassion vpon his People, and the Nobles to remember, how their owne Affaires neuer thriued, since the Reformed Churches fell from the Bishop of Rome, and were therefore depraued and persecuted by the Catholike League: then still stepped vp one Car­dinall or Iesuite, and were neuer quiet, till all France was in an vprore; and what the whole World could not doe against an vnited Kingdome, they taught their owne hands to effect, by butchering one another.

8. That the Rochellers had thriued in many Voyages at Sea, and the Kings Nauie was mightily dispersed from watching their Hauen: but when they vnderstood how their neighbours the Hollanders had escaped the Tempest, and threatning of so potent an Aduersarie, they not onely praysed God, but manifested their ioy by apparant signes, as if it had beene their owne cause.

From Rome the 23. of September. 1622.

Last Saturday is the Persian Ambassadour gone to the Emperour, after he had taken his leaue from the Pope, who bestowed vpon him 1000. Golde Gilders of 4. English shillings a peece: He is to treate with the Emperour touching the Warre against Turky, where­unto the King hath giuen him charge to exhort all Christian Princes and States.

Tbe French Ambassadour solicites the Pope very hard to make the Bishoprike of the Metropolitan Church of Paris an Arch-Bishopricke. The late King Henry the Fourth bestowed in his life time 1000. Crownes yearely to the same Church.

Letters from Millaine make mention, that 3000. Grisons were vpon the Frontiers of the Lower Enga­den, the Citty of Zurich and Berne, are to send 7000. men to their ayde, a Don who is lately come out of Spaine, relates in Veltolin, that the King of Spaine hath ta­ken the same into his protection, wherby is like to arise Discention betwixt France and Spaine.

At the Diete at Lindaw, arriued 3. Ambassadors of the Grisons, 7. of the Switzers, 1. French, 2. Spanish, and one of the Archduke Leopoldus, to treate about a Peace.

At Constantinople the Plague continueth still very hot; The Bashaw of Cayro is risen against the great Turke.

From Vienna the 20. of September.

The Imperiall Harbengers are commaunded in all hast to goe towards Regenspurg, so that there is no doubt more of his Maiesties iourney to the same place, but there is not as yet appointed a certaine day for his de­parture.

The 9. day the Count of Lichtensteyn receiued the golden Fleece, and gaue thereupon a stately banquet. It is here reported that the Marquesse of Iagerensdorpe is with a great number of Hungarians marching to­wards Silesia: but we doe not beleeue it, seeing we had lately newes, that the afore said Marquesse was at great Wardeyn, and the Count of Thurne at Landaw, besides other, which were all in sundry place [...] of the Turkish Dominion, and that Iagerensdorp leauied great store of horse and foote, to what intention we cannot learne.

Here growes euery thing dearer and dearer, and we are likely to want Wine, and that onely in regard of the course coyne, which is shortly by proclamation to be set at a lower rate or value.

From the Hage the 14. of October.

The Marquesse Spinola in the name of the Arch­dutches, hath obtained a great reputation for the pay­ment and entertainment of his Souldiers: yet some wants knock at their dores, or other discontentments, for 1500. Italians horse and foot are newly come from him to the seruice of the States, who haue appointed them to quarter in the Towne of Genuet in Gerdersad, which when Spinola heard, hee bandited them all, set­ting a summe of money vpon their heads according to their degrees, but the particulars I referre till more conuenient time.

From Antwerpe the 18. of October.

THE Marquesse Spinola hath as yet done nothing, lying still with his Army in and about a Towne called Brecht, some 15. miles distant from hence, being as is reported 40. thousand strong: they are put to a great straite for want of prouision, in regard that all the Countrey almost heere abouts in maintaining so great an Army, is drawne dry. The Prince of Orange lyeth at and about Lillo, looking one vpon another, watching their aduantage: As for Count Mansfield, with his forces are marched vp towards the Rhine, to relieue Papen Muts or Priests Cap, being very strongly besieged by the Enemies. This place is of great im­portance to the States, in regard whereof Mansfield was no sooner marched vp, but presently Spinola sent Graue Henricke Vandenbergh with strong forces after him, to hinder the raising of the siege, so that if they meete, we shall shortly heare of more blowes.