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THE
MODERN PART
OF AN
Univerfal Hiftory,
FROM THE
Earlieft Accounts to the Prefent Time.
Compiled from
ORIGINAL AUTHORS.
By the AUTHORS of the ANCIENT PART. VOL. XXIV.
LONDON,
Printed for C. Bathurst, J. F. and C. Rivington, A. Hamil- ton, T. Payne, T. Longman, S. Crowder, B. Law, J. Robson, F. Newbery, G. Robinson, T. Cadell, J. and T. Bowles, S. Bladon, J. Murray, J. Nichols, J.Bowen, and W. Fox.
MDCCLXXXU.
"-:
^
CONTENTS
OF THE
TWENTY-FOURTH VOLUME,
CHAP. LXXI. Continued.
The Hiftory and prefent State of the Republic of Venice . Sect. V. Containing the Rebellion of Tenedos ; the Renewal of the war with Carrario and the Genoefe ; Tranfa&ions with the Duke of Milan ; the Siege of Pa- dua ; and other Particulars, page i
VI. Containing the Origin and Progrefs of
the Turkifh war ; the Rife of the War with the Trieftines ; Death of Moro; and the Transactions which occured during the Adminiftration of Nicolo Throno, and others of his Succefibrs, jg
VII. Containing the Treaty with Lewis XII.
and Motives which induced the Re- public to this Alliance ; the Progrefs of the War in Italy; the Acceflion of Charles V. and Francis I. to the im- perial and French Crowns; the Ri- valfhip, and Renewal of the War in Italy, together with its Confequences to the Venetians, 155
Sect.
CONTENTS.
Sect. VIII. Containing the pacific Mcafures of the Senate fubfequent to the Treaty with Solyman ; Death of the Doge ; Dis- turbances in Italy ; Death of the new Doge ; Refignation of Charles V. Death of Doge Venieri ; a dreadful Plague in Venice ; a frefli War with the Grand Seignor ; the Invafion of Cyprus ; and other Particulars, 243
IX. Rupture with the Houfe of Auftria. Confpiracy of Bedmar ; the War of Candia ; the Conqueft of the Morea ; and Peace of Carlowitz, 315
CHAP. LXXII.
The Hiftory of Naples.
Sect. I. Containing the Reigns of the Princes of Benevento, Capu3, &c. to the firft Arrival of the Normans, 354
II. Tranfactions of the firft Norman Con-
querors, till the Death of Roger, firft King of Sicily, 391
III. Hiftory of Sicily, till Frederic afcends
the Imperial Throne, 433
IV. Frederic is excommunicated and de- pofed by a Succeflion of Popes; Charles, Count of Anjou, receives the Inveftiture of the Kingdom from the Pope j defeats Conradin, and or- ders him to be beheaded at Naples, 460
THE
MODERN PART
D F
Univerfal Hiftory.
CHAP. LXXI. Continued.
Hijiory and prefent State of the Republic of Venice.
SECT. V.
Containing the Rebellion of Tenedos ; the Renewal of the IVar with Carrario and the Genoefe ; Tranfaclions with the Duke of Milan ; the Siege of Padua ; and Other Particulars*
MIC HE LI MO ROSIN I, Doge LXL
CONTARENI was fucceeded by Micheli, or Mi- Micheli chael Morofini, a prince well qualified for promot- Morofmr. ing the arts of peace, filling the exhaufted exche- quer, 3fcd reviving induftry and commerce, which had long languished almoit to extinction, under the lafl admi- ntftraticn ♦, but the republic was robbed by death of this va- luable governor, after a (hort fway of four months. We are told, that in this time feveral excellent laws were framed, and regulations eftablifhed, under the aufpices of Moro- fini ; but hiftory does not defcend to particulars.
Mod. Vol. XXIV* B JNTO»
i The Hi/lory of Venice*
4NT0NI0 VENIERO, Doge LXU.
Anttnxo ANTONIO VENIERO, much efleemed for his inte-
Veniero. grity, lenity, and gentle difpofition, was the next perfon promoted to fill the ducal chair. At this time he was go- vernor of Candia, from whence he was recalled, to the great grief of the inhabitants, who enjoyed under him the mod peaceable, flourifhirig, and happy government they* had ever experienced a.
In the preceding year, as foon as peace was proclaim- ed, the republic fent Pantaleon Barba to Tcncdos, with orders to Mutatio, the governor, to furrender the forts to Bonifacio, the commiflioner from Savoy. The Genoefe agent was gone thither to fee the performance of this arti- cle of the treaty, and to pay the Genoefe quota of arrears due to the garrifon. Mutatio having received the money from Barba and the Genoefe, for the payment of the Temdos troops, told Bonifacio and the other commiilioners, tc that revolts* tjje inhabitants were incenfed at that article of the peace which ftipulated that their fort mould be razed at the ex- piration of two years, a circumftance which would be the ruin of the illand *, that, finding their intereft neg- lecled by the Venetians, and themfelves facrificed to po- litical principles, it was their determination to take care of what concerned them fo nearly, and to put it out of the power of Venice, Genoa, or any other fcate, to tranf- fer them at pleafure ; that for this purpofe the inhabitants had appointed him for the protector of their liberties, which he and they were determined to defend with the laft drop of their blood. He therefore charged Bonifacio and the commiilioners inftantly to depart the illand, as they valued their lives, and not offer to difpute what was already refolved b." Bonifacio was thunderstruck at this difcourfe ; but the Genoefe commiflioner attributed the whole to the contrivance of the Venetians, who had taken this method to equivocate and fruftrate the intention of <tke fenate the late treaty. The refolutions of the fenate foon con-* refdves to vmceci the Genoefe of the falfity of their agent's fuggef- Tenedos* tions, Zeno being fent to Tenedos to ufe arguments, me- naces, and even force, to compel the iflanders to the per- formance of an article which affected the honour and public faith of the republic. Zeno's arguments were iri-
» Sabel. lib. vi. vii. dec. ii. Blond, lib. iv. dec. iii. b'Sabel. lib. viii. dec. ii.
efFe&ual*
The Hijiory of Venice, \
effectual, and his ftrength too inconfiderable ; Fontano Georgio was therefore difpatched to Tenedos with a fleet and army. On his arrival he immediately inverted and battered the fort : frequent fallies were made from within, fcarce a day parting without fome bloody action. It was obferved that both fides fought with peculiar animofity. The prifoners were inftantly hanged, or thrown, inftead of (tones, out of the baliftse and other military engines % In fhort, the natural enmity between the Greeks and Ita- lians, as well as that rancour peculiar to civil wars, were here exerted in their full force. After the fiege had con- tinued without interruption for feven months, famine prevailed within the tort, a flag of truce was waved from the garrifon, and the following articles were agreed to, and figned : that neither Mutatio nor the inhabitants fhould be punifhed for the detention of the ifland ; that they fhould be fuffered to depart with their jewels, gold, and effects ; that thofe who chofe it fhould have land afiigned to them in Candia of equal value with what they pofleffed in Tenedos \ and laftly, that fuch as preferred redding at Conltantinople or elfewhere, fhould receive the juft value of their lands and immoveable effects. The Venetians had no fooner taken poffeflion than they razed the fort, and executed every article of the treaty d.
The firft act of Veniero's government was exerted againft his own fon, who had carried on an intrigue for fome time with a fenator's wife. The lovers at laft quar- relling, Lodovico (fo he was called), to revenge himfelf on his mirtrefs, procured a pair of horns to be hung over the fenator's door, a reproach not to be forgiven in Venice. Inquiry being made, Ludovico was found guilty of affront- ing a fenator, and, by his father, fent to prifon, where he died. Some blamed the inflexibility of the parent, while others commended the impartiality of the doge \ in this particular they were unanimous, that the rigidity of the fentcnce ftrongly characlxrifed the judge.
About this time an open rupture happened betwixt Ga- ffTarwiti leasVifconti and Francifco Carrario. Vifconti laid cofe Carrario, fiege to Padua, in which enterprize he was ailifted by the Venetians •, the republic, betides fitting out four hundred light boats, feized upon all the forts, caftles, and towns belonging to Carrario, upon the lakes and great rivers. Vifconti having forced Padua to furrender, took all the
c Blond, lib. v. dec. iii. Sabel. lib. viii.dec. ii. <' Blond.
<de Geft. Ven. idem in Hilt. lib. v. dec. iii. Sabel. lib. viii. dec. ii.
B 2 other
4 The triiftory of Venict.
A.p. 13S3. other cities and forts within the jurifdi&ion of the Cityi
and then inveiled Trevifo, which, after a bloody fiege,-
Vifconti furrendered upon honourable conditions. Of thefe con- fab 7>*- quefts Vifconti claimed to himfelf Padua, Feltre, and ' * Belluna; the Trevifan, and city of Trevifo, with all the
forts, towns, and caftles they had feized upon the lakes, were afligned to the Venetians f. TJa^ut in Soon after the clofe of this war a plague broke out in e/uce. Venice, and raged with fo much fury as to fweep off the inhabitants by hundreds in a day. The contagion was fuppofed to arife from infected gaols, crowded with dif- eafed prifoners, or from the atmofphere's being impreg- nated with putrid exhalations from the lagunes and trenches made for the defence of the city ; or laftly, from the unwholfome food which compofed the diet of the poorer people in the late fcarcity of provifions : whatever were the caufes, the effects were dreadful; neither laza- rettos, maffes, or phyficians, could impede the fury of the difeafe ; the cold feafon and goodnels of Providence* however, brought that relief which the art of man could not afford h. ArfD.1386. aji j-j^g tjme t]ie war wjtj1 Carrsrj0 W3$ purfued with
■"■—-——* the fame vigour as before, until at laft his forces were to- tally broken and difcomfited. Vifconti was fo puffed up with pride, and his natural infolence fo elated, that no- thing lefs than the dominion of Italy would fatisfy his ambition. It is true he did not venture to acknowlege defigus fo vaft and dangerous, although his conduct afford- ed ftrong preemptions of fuch views. Quitting Padua, he marched with great diligence to Mantua, and, without any provocation^ laid elofe fiege to the city. This pro- duced a league between the Florentines, Bolognefe, Fran- cifco Gonzaga, and Novello* fon to Carrario, in order to ftop the rapid progrefs of this proud conqueror. The Venetians likewife withdrew from his alliance, and, though not included in the league, were the firft to fuccour Mantua. The republic could not behold a con- federate city thus wantonly oppreffed without oppofing her influence. Intreaties were firft ufed ; but thefe pro- ducing no alteration in Vifconti' s conduct, the Venetians A.D. 13S7. jia(j rec0urfe to force : a great number of boats were got * ready, to which were joined twenty gallies, filled with
archers, flingers, and light-armed troops, with which?
f Sabel. lib. viii. dec. ii. t Sanfov* delle Vin. di Princip.-
Boniten. Comment, lib. if.
they
The Hiftory of Venice* 5
they attacked Vifconti, and, after a fharp encounter, com- pelled him to raife the fiege. Soon after the duke was met by Maiatefta, general of the confederate army, who en- gaged and defeated his army, obliging him to quit the Mantuan territories. Vifconti fent ambaiTadors to Ve- nice with propofals for an accommodation, which were readily accepted h. They had taken arms to preferve the peace with jutt balance of power in Italy ; the duke's defigns being Vijconti. defeated, they laid them down readily, and concluded peace for ten years.
During this happy period of repofe the doge applied himfeif diligently to the civil affairs of the ftate ; grana-r ries were formed to provide againft a dearth •, magazines for arms and all forts of warlike neceffaries were erected ; new docks for the (hipping contrived ; hofpitals for the poor, and thofe who had fufFered in the fervicc of the re- public, founded; workmen in all arts and profemons en- couraged •, induftry and commerce cherifhed , and Jaws tending to the regulation and order of fcciety framed and rigidly executed. Afterwards Antonio Veniero died* much lamented by a people whom he had governed, for eighteen years, with inflexible juftice, incorruptible inte- grity, unwearied application and vigilance, and, laftly, with fuch lenity, fweetnefs, and moderation, as falfified the firft judgment formed of his character.
MI CHE LI STENO, Doge LX1II
MICHELI STENO was fubftituted in the room of Sun*. the deceafed doge ; he had been procurator of St. Mark's for fome years, which truft hedifcharged with fuch fide- lity, that the fenate and council were induced to raife him to the higheft office of the republic. At the time of his election Steno was confined to his bed with an illnefs, which kept the ducal chair vacant for near two months, at the expiration of which he came to the palace, and took the ufual oaths. Unprecedented honours were bellowed A.D. 140c upon him, though we are not informed for what particu- ■ lar reafon ; probable it is, that the flourifhing ftate of commerce and manufactures began to produce the ufuai effect, luxury, which is ever the confequence of pros- perity and affluence. Sanfovino relates, that Steno's lady y/as conducted to the palace, attended by the fenate
h SabeU lib. viii. dec, \\.
$ 3 and
6 The Hiftory of Venice.
and chief magiftrates, with all poflible pomp and mag-* nificence1.
The two firft years of his government p3(Ted in peace, quietnefs, and tranquility at home and abroad, when fud- denly a new caufe of rupture with the Genoefe arofe. Intelligence was received that great preparations for war were carrying on at Genoa, and thefe the republic doubted not were deftined againfl Venice, although the pretext was a quarrel with the Cyprians : Carolo Zeno was there-i fore fent with a fquadron of eleven gallies narrowly to watch the motions of the Genoefe fleet, and prevent their furprifing any place belonging to the republic. The fleets were feveral days in company, each admiral diflembling his intention : thf Genoefe were commanded by Bouci- cault, a Frenchman (for at that time they were under the protection of France), all the ill i p s were well manned, each galley having, befides her complement, forty French men at arms. At Jaft the two admirals came to blows near Modon, Zeno apprehending that the Genoefe were A.D.1403. only watching their opportunity to give him the flip, and
. attack fome part of the Venetian territories. An obfti-
Genoefe de- nate battle was continued for the whole day, and Zero featedby -jn ^anger 0f being opprefled by numbers, when he was feafonably reinforced by two gallies ; now the engage- ment was renewed with frefh vigour until night inter- pofed, and gave the combatants refpite ; as foon as dawn appeared, both admirals returned to the charge with re- doubled animofity. Heaps of flain were thrown overboard on both fides, and the battle feemed equal, until Zeno, crowding fail, ran foul of the oppofite (hip, and funk her with the impetuofity and rapidity of his ccurfe. Several of his officers followed his example with equal fuccefs, which immediately turned the fcale of fortune, and gain- ed a complete victory. The Genoefe loft near three thoufand men, four fhips were funk, and three taken. Certain Venetian captains were broke upon Zeno's re- port of their conduct, which he attributed either to trea- chery or cowardice j others were rewarded for their bra- very k.
In the mean time the republic found herfelf in danger of a war on the continent with Novello Carrario of Pa- dua. Unmindful of his obligations to the Venetians,
i Favol. kSabel. Blond, ibid, Sanfov. Favol, Boni-
ten. lib. iv.
and
The Htftory of Venice, j
and that he owed his prefent greatnefs to their good offices, he was conftantly contriving and intriguing to the prejudice of the republic. The doge and fenate were not ignorant how he (rood affected to them, and their iufpi- cions were confirmed by the report of feveral Genoefe prifoners of diftin&ion, who fciupled not to declare, that the preparations at Genoa were made in confequence of his advice and in (ligation. However, they ftill would have preferved appearances with Novello, if they had not been induced to enter upon a war with him from other motives than his diflike to the republic.
Carrario had laid fiege to Vicenza, the inhabitants of War with which, detefting the dominion of his family, reiblved to Carrario, fuffer the greateft extremities rather than fubmit. Find- ing themfelve's hard preffed, they fent to folicit affiftance from Catharine, dowager of Milan, and widow of Ga~ Jeas Vifeonti, their natural fuperior ; but the duchefs was involved in other affairs, which deprived her of the power of relieving them ; fhe, therefore, with the advice of her council, thought it more advifeable to put Verona, Vi- cenza, Belluna, Baffan, Colognia, Feltre, and their de- pendencies, into the hands of the Venetian republic, than to have them expofed to the ambition of Carrario. With this propofal, and the keys of Vicenza, commiffioners were fent by the befieged to the doge and fenate : they were entertained with all poflible refpecT, and difmiffed with prefents and affurances of fpeedy protection. An ambaifador was accordingly fent to prevail on Carrario to relinquish the fiege, or to denounce war; but, inftead of regarding their intreaties or menaces, he ordered the nofe and ears of the ambaffador to be cut off, charging Jiim to tell his matters, that he was not to have laws prefcribed to him by citizens and merchants. The republic, incenfed at the infolence of the tyrant, and this violation of the laws of nations, levied forces with all expedition, ap- pointed Carolo JVlalateila of Arimini their general, and entered into an alliance with Francifco Gonzaga. In the mean while the doge received the homage of Belluna, Baffan, and Feltre r. As foon as the levies were com- plete Malatefta took the field, fought feveral battles with Various fuccefs, and, at the end of the campaign, return- ed to Venice to refign his com million : we are not told upon what occafion. Paolo Sabello, a native of
1 Sabel. lib. viii. dec. ii. Blond, lib, iv. dec. Hi. Boniten. lib. iii. Montano apud Sabel.
5 4 Rome,
8 The Hiflory of Venice.
Rome, was appointed to fucceed him in the com man This general's valour and experience were fo univerfally acknowleged, that no Venetian envied his promotion, or difputed his fuperior merit. Sabello entered upon action early in the feafon, and g3ve proofs of what confequence to the beft disciplined army the vigilance, prudence, and bravery of a general may prove. Under his conduct fe- deral important places were taken in fight of a fuperior army ; the enemy were as often defeated as they engag- ed, and the whole country of Padua, and territories of Carrario, laid under contribution ; yet his infolence and cruelty remained invincible m.
He was now joined by Albert d'Efte, who, won by the large promifes of Carrario, declared war againft the repub- lic. A new army, under the command of Gonzaga, was fent againft him, which foon compelled Albert to iue for peace, and give hoflages that he would not join the ene- my during this war.
To return to the affairs of Padua: Sabello's camp was unexpectedly attacked in the night by Tertius, the fecond fon of Francifco Carrario, at the head of a flrong body of chofen troops. The oafet was fo fudden and vigorous, that the whole camp was in the utmoft conilernation and confufion, the foldiers running up and down terrified and half a fleep : Sabello alone was calm and undaunted ; with an unparalleled prefence of mind he difpofed the troops into their proper ranks, harangued, and led them to the charge. Tertius, unable to refift his impetuofity, and finding that his attempt of taking Sabello unprepared was fruftrated, retreated with great precipitation, and confiderable lofs. Sabello then marched againft the enemy with a refolution to bring them to a general action, which aim he effected by the force of ftratagem and fuperior capacity : he fo hemmed in Carrario that he was under the neceflity of fighting, or Surrendering at difcrction. The firft was his choice ; he was defeated with prodigi- ous flaughter, and very narrowly efcaped being made pri- soner. Sundry ether advantages Sabello gained over the enemy, when, in the full career of glory, he was feized with a fever, of which he died fuddenly.
The direction of the army was now committed to Ga- leas Grumello of Mantua, who neglected nothing that be- came a good officer. The Veronefe, of which Carrario had made himfelf mailer in the firft campaign, was defolated
m $abel, et Blond, ibid. Boniten. lib. hi. etiam Aut, cir.
with
.
I
ftbe Hijtory of Venice. g
with the all horrors of war. The city of Verona, where Ja- verona como Carrario commanded, was inverted and carried after taken bj a vigorous fiege : a day before the furrender of the city tfie r**** Jacomo made his efcape, but was overtaken on the banks tmtls* of the Po.
Grumello next inverted Padua, and encamping his ar- Pradu^tm my on the Terra Nigra, kept the inhabitants under con- f^f^*. tinual alarms. Carrario in the mean, time exerted him- turns* felfwith great diligence and capacity, omitting nothing that could tend to the defence of the city, or annoyance of the befiegers. Day and night he was continually in action, repairing breaches, relieving guards, and Allying out upon the befiegers: he had likewife found means to corrupt feveral officers in the Venetian camp, and by their means received intelligence of every thing transacted or intended ; but a (top was foon put to this treachery, Maf- folerio having been detected tying a letter to the head of an arrow. Some others were arrefted on fufpicion of holding a correfpondence, and fent to Venice to be tried, where they were condemned to the moft excruciating tortures. Carrario being cut off from all communication with the camp, by the death of his correfpondents, fell upon another ftratagem to penetrate into the defigns and fituation of the Venetians : he fent for a fafe-conduct to the camp, as if he intended to make propofals. It ap- peared on his arrival in the camp, from the extravagant propofitions he made, that peace was not his view ; how- ever, the following conditions were offered him by the A.D. 140$, Venetian general 5 that Padua fhould be furrendered, and " Carrario permitted to carry off his money, jewels, plate, furniture, and rich moveables *, that he fhould remove to the diftance Of a hundred miles from the Paduan diftricts with his whole family, renouncing for ever all claim t6 the city and its dependencies; and that in confideration of this ceflion, the republic would prefent him with the fum of fixty thoufand crowns. Thefe terms Carrario re- jected with difdain, and returned under an efcort to the city. Now the fiege was pufhed with extraordinary vi- gour, and the city battered in feveral places : the firft wall (for Padua was fecured by three walls) was taken by fca- Jade, and feveral breaches were made in the fecond. Then Carrario entreated the Venetians to receive himfelf and family into their protection ; but he was referred to the fenate, and told that pofhbly his tears and penitence might procure more favour than he could expect. Final- ly, he defired a pafTport to Venice, but was anfwered that
the
:o
Padua fur-
fendered.
Peace re* fared.
Carrario
and his family firangled*
yhe'Hiftory of Venice.
the republic would fend comiilioncrs to treat with him at Meftra n. The parties having met, the conditions were de- bated for two days; at tail they parted without coming to any conclufion, and Carrario returned to the city, where he was received with great coldnefs by the inhabitants, who were tired of his tyranny, and attributed to his pride the breach of the conferences, from which they at lead ex- pected to be delivered from the miferies of a fiege. Car- rario perceiving tnat no hopes of fecurity remained, fent to the Venetian general, rcqueiling protection for him- felf and family. Infoience in profperity is ever fucceeded by meannefs in advedity : Carrario now fupplieated with tears, and implored the protection of thofe very perfons he had fo haughtily treated in the beginning of the war. Himfelf and family were brought to Venice, and treated with a lenity and refpect his conduct but little merited. Padua was furrendered upon condition that it mould be exempted from the ravages of the foldiers0. Thus ended that bloody war in which the republic had been engaged on the continent; and the fway of a tyrant, ambitious of power only to abuie it by infolence.
The republic now began to taite the fweets of peace, which was foon poifoned by the intriguing reftlefs fpirt of Carrario, who thereby accelerated his own ruin, and oc- cafioned the extinction of his family. He had projected the means of his efcape by fetting fire to the city in feve- ral places : a number of villains were employed for this purpofe, and induced to the undertaking by that very mo- ney which the public allowed him for the fupport of his dignity. The plot being difcovered, Carrario and his fa- mily were removed into different prifons, all his adhe- rents baniflied the city, and a ftrict guard maintained ; but thefe precautions proving infufficient againil his ingra- titude and treachery, he and his children were, by order of the doge and fenate, ftrangled, and the fecurity of the republic was thus eitablimed p.
The expences of this war with Carrario exceeded two millions of money : but the republic received a valuable confideration' by the acquifition of Padua, Verona, Bellu- na, Vicenza, Colognia, and Felt re, with their appen- dages'1. Hence the Venetians became more powerful on
n Boniten. Blond, et Sabel. ut fupra. • Aut. cit. e$
in locis citatis. p Sabel. lib. viii. dec. ii. Moman. apud
Blond, ct Sabel. * Ibid-
th<*
¥&t Hiftoty of Venice. H
the continent, and their armies grew refpedtable as well as their fleets.
At the clofe of the war a magnificent embafTy came to Venice from Verona, confifting of forty perfons of the firft diftinction in the city. The fenate ordered a fine theatre to be erected, richly adorned, for their public re- ception : here the doge, attended by his whole family in their richeft apparel, by the fenate and magiftrates in their robes, gave them audience. The ambaiTadors walk- ing in proceflion to the throne, laid the keys of the city at the feet of the doge, requefting his acceptance, and praying that the event might be profperous to his high- nefs, to the republic, and to the city of Verona. They entreated the protection of the republic, and that hishigh- nefs would, with his accuflomed goodnefs, preferve to them their liberty, their religion, and property, againft the attacks of all tyrants, affuring him of their perpetual duty, affection, and fidelity. To this addrefs the doge replied, " that it was his and the fena'te's greateft happi- nefs to be able to protect the weak, comfort the afflicted, and reward the deferving : that while the city of Verona preferved her prefent fentiments, fhe might confidently rely on the friendship of the republic, and enjoy all the blefiings which liberty and a free conftitution can afford to thofe who have juft efcaped from tyranny and bondage.'* Then recommending juftice, equity, and moderation, the am- baffadors were difmiffed.
The Paduans came foon after in the fame manner, were treated with equal kindnefs, and difmiffed with fimilar affurances. Thus did the public enjoy a profound tran- quility for the term of three years, during which her afliduous application to commerce, the marine, and .army, prodigioufly augmented her ftrength and confe- quence.
The firft breach of the public quiet was occafioned by TheVene. a tumult at Sabenica, the nobility acknowleging the au- tians be- thority of the republic, the people that of the Hungarian fi'&e s&fo<* monarch : the latter having taken arms drove the nobles mca' out of the city, feized upon all the public offices, and af- fumed thofe prerogatives, which by the conftitution be- longed only to the nobility. The Patricians thus exclud- ed, fought the protection of the Venetians, on whofe ac- count they fuffered. Four gallies and a body of land forces were ordered by the fenate to pafs into Dalmatia, and lay fiege to Sabenica, which was accordingly inverted, but with little fuccefs 5 for the inhabitants defended them-'
felvcs
in*
12 7Z1* Hijlory of Venice,
felves fo bravely, that the befiegers were repulfed, and forced to relinquish the enterprize. A more formidable armament was next lent, but the obftinacy of the plebei- ans rendered it nrceilary to have recourfe to Ladiilaus, to whom commiifjoiu is were difpatched. After various debates the whole affair was referred to the decifion of the pope, the parties not being able to come to any conclu- lion : we are no where informed of the determination of his holinefs r.
This little difturbance was foon following by one of more confequence and hazard : the Forlians, like the Sabenicans, were divided among themfelves *, the nobles were defirous that the city ihould be under the protection and laws of Venice, while the commons preferred the jurifdietion of Ladiilaus, or the bifhop of Aquileia. How the emperor Sigifmund came to concern himfelf in this quarrel* we know not; all we are told is, that Pipus, War with a Florentine, had the emperor's inftruclions to lead an Stgijmun . army jnt0 Italy. Upon his arrival, Frederico Savagnani and his faction retired to Venice, and Udina was put in- to the hands of Pipus. From thence he marched with ten thoufand horfe into the Trevifan, and took from the re- public the cities Feltre, Belluna, Sarraval, and La Mothe. Afterwards indeed he abandoned his conquefts, it is fup-» pofed, by the force of Venetian gold, and retired into, Hungary, where he fuffered the juft punifhment of hi$ corruption s,
AH the particulars of this important war, in which the republic would feem to be fo deeply concerned, are im-r perfectly related; it is even difficult to know what fhare the Venetian armies took in the quarrel. Sabellicus fays, Peace nuith that after a variety of battles between Sigifmund and the Sigifmund. republic, with various fucceis, peace was at lafl con- cluded, and the emperor withdrew his army to Bohemias As to the conditions of the peace, which might have re- flected fome light on the origin of the war, there is a pro- found filence.
Soon after peace was proclaimed, Steno died,, having conducted the republic with applaufe through two dangerous wars, and flourishing intervals of public tran- quility ".
r Boniten. Com. lib. iv. Sabel. lib. viii. dec. ii. ' Ibid.
Blond. Hilt. dec. iii. lib. v. t Sabel. lib. viii. dec. ii.
« Sanfov. delle Vjt. Prin. Sabel. ibid.
fOMJSQ
Hhe Hi/lory of Venice. fc^
7'OMJSO MOCENIGO, Doge L XIV.
TOMASO MOCENIGO, being abfent on an embafly A-D.14.r3. at Cremona, was recalled to take upon him the fupreme
magiftracy. The beginning of his administration was fer- ^maf<> tile in the bleflings of peace : he gave firicl: attention to Macem50i commercial affairs, on which he was fenfible depended the (Irength and profperity of the republic. A board of trade was appointed, con filling of the principal merchants, headed by a fenator. Originally this bufinefs was in the hands of one man ; afterwards two more, with a fubor- dinate authority, were added ; and now trade, a fubject of vaft extent and importance, fubmitted to the direction of a number, properly qualified by nature and experience, to regulate, improve, and promote this chief object of Ve- netian policy (A).
A difpute between the republic and bifhop of Aquileia furnifhed the Venetians with a pretext for recovering the towns loft in the late war : they accordingly laid fiege to Feltre, Belluna, and other places, which they took after a fhort refinance. Filippo Arcia, one of the belt officers of the age, commanded the Venetian army. Having gar- rifoned the above cities, he attacked and ruined rrata, and by his influence prevailed on the whole province of Friuli to acknowlege the dominion of the republic. Early in the fpring,the bifhop returned with a numerous army of Hungarians •, he took the caffJe of Clufmo, and fome other places ; but Arcia marching with expedition againlb him, the Hungarians returned to their own country, leav- ing the prelate to fight his own battles w.
During thefe tranfacHons abroad, a terrible fire broke out in the palace, which almofl entirely confumed it, and communicating with St. Mark's church, quite demolifhed the roof of that magnificent fabric. The great diligence of the people prevented the fire from fpreading; and the palace and church were repaired by a decree of the fenate, the doge having liberally contributed towards the expence:
* Sabel. ibid. Blond, de Ged. Ven. Boniten. lib. iv.
(A) Upon this occafion other the public granaries ; arid it appointments likewife were board of treafurv* which they made: the council of ten was called MagiitratidellaGrafcia, cSabliflied | commiSioners of della Dogana, Sanfov. lib. xin*
however,
14. The Hiftory of Venice*
however, before the palace was habitable, he died, aftef a reign of ten years, in which the republic enjoyed a cur* rent of profperity, uninterrupted by any adverfe accident* except the lire we have mentioned x. Mocenigo's death was preceded by that of the illultrious Carolo Zeno, one of the belt fea-ofheers Venice ever produced, whole other excellent qualities kept pace with his valour and military abilities.
FRANCISCO FOSCARI, Doge LAY.
A.D.1423. FRANCISCO FOSCARI was eleaed to fucceed Mo- *■ cenigo, by the unlverfal voice of the fenate and people.
Fo/cari. jn the iirlr. year of his reign Salonica, a city of Albania, voluntarily fubmitted to the Venetians, the inhabitants re- queuing that a magiflrate might be fent to govern them with the fame polity eftablifned at Venice ; accordingly, Marino Bondomario was difpatched in quality of governor, Warw'Ah and with" the title of count. In the fecond year of Fofca- Vifconti of ri's adminiftration the war with Philip Vifconti, duke of Milan, Milan, and fon of Galeas Vifconti, commenced. As this war proved tedious, bloody, and important in its confe- quences, it may not be improper to trace it to its original fource : Philip was a minor at his father's death, and, like mod other children in their pupilage, robbed, plundered, and opprefled by thofe very guardians who were bound in honour, confeience, and by the laws of nature, to pro- tect his infancy : his dominions were made a prey to the neighbouring petty princes and flates, and in the courfe of a few years patTed into the hands of a variety of matters. Philip was no fooner of age to take upon him the govern- ment of the little dominion left, than he attempted to re- cover thofe cities and provinces of which he had been plun- dered in his minority. By his own valour, and the great abilities of Francifco Carmagnola, he not only won back what lawfully belonged to him, but greatly extended his territories beyond what the family ever poffeiied. In the career of viclory he inverted Genoa, reduced it to great extremities, and compelled the Genoefe to purchafe peace with a prodigious fum of money, for the payment of which the Florentines were bound fureties, the ftrong city of Leghorn, at the mouth of the river Arno, being pledged to them for their fecurity and indemnification. The Flo- rentines interfering in this affair, a coldnefs enfued be- st Sanfov. delle Vit. Piincip. etiam FavoK 4.
tween
1
The Hiftory of Venice. 1 3
tween Philip and that republic, which he foon improved into an open rupture. Under the pretext of afiiftingpope Martin, he attacked and defeated the Florentine army near Zagonere : this was the glofs Philip gave this tranfaclion at foreign courts, in order to conceal his ambition. Other battles were fought afterwards, until the Florentines, finding themfelves unequal to Philip's power, had recourfe for afliftance to the Venetians y. Trie republic had re- frained from taking part in the quarrel, as long as there was hope that the Florentines could (land their ground, and with their own ftrength check the progrefs of this conqueror ; but finding the balance greatly preponderate in favour of Philip, the Venetians were induced to throw themfelves in the oppoiite fcale, from that conftant maxim of their government, to pay a Uriel: attention to the jufl: political poife. Firfr. they endeavoured, by repeated em- bailies, to reconcile Philip to the Florentines, all of which, like a true politician, he received gracioufly, and difmhTed with ftrong promifesand aflurances of what he never intend- ed to perform. The republic was no lefs artful than Phi- lip *, under pretence of placing an entire confidence in what he faid, they were making all the necefiary prepara- tions to oblige him to make good his aflurances. At laft, when every thing was in readiness for declaring war, Paolo Cornaro was fent to demand a categorical aniwer. Philip was Hung with the fpirited remonftrance of Cor- naro ; but always fubjedting his paflionsto his intereft, he replied, that out of refpect to the Venetian republic he would fubmit the difpute with Florence to the arbitration of Nicholas d'Efte, whofe integrity couldx not be called in queftion. Satisfied with this anfwer Cornaro returned to Venice, and was foon followed by two ambafiadors from Vifconti. Philip had heard that the Florentines were pre- paring an embafiy to the republic ; he therefore difpatch- ed Giovanni Arecini, and Bertrand Larnpugniani to frus- trate the effects of this application. The firft audience was given to the Tufcan miniflers, who pathetically re- prefented all the miferies of a free itate, in danger of be- ing overwhelmed by the mercilefs and inexorable ambition of a tyrant ; the duty incumbent on free constitutions to oppofe, with all their might, the encroachments of am- bitious princes and monarchs ; an attack upon Florence, they faid, was an attack upon liberty, and the prelude to
r Sabel. lib. ix. dec. ii. Boniten. lib. ir. Blond, lib. v. dec. Six* Sanfov. delle Vit. Princip. 131.
an
15 The Hiftory of Venice.
an attempt on the freedom of Venice. They enumerated inltances of Philip's cunning, vigilance, activity, intre- pidity, and power j and from each drew arguments for the necelhty of curbing his ambition. They concluded with a warm and pathetic exhortation, which excited violent emotions in the bread of every fenator. On one lide the power and ambition of Philip was formidable id liberty ; on the other, the expence of the war was great, and the iffue hazardous* Before any reply was made to> the Florentines, the duke's ambaffadors were called in, when Aretini, the molt artful and eloquent fpeakcr of his country, addreffed the doge and fenate in a fpeech fuitable to his character. He began with engaging the affections of his audience, foothing their pafhons, and explaining the nature of his inilructions : he proceeded to fome fe- vere flrictures upon the Florentines, to refute their affer- tions, and vindicate the meafurcs and character of his matter. After having adduced every argument which found policy could fuggeft, or the mod perfuafive elo- quence adorn, he cocluded with referring the whole dif- pute to the arbitration of the fenate and Nicholas d'Efte.
When the ambaffadors retired, great debates arofe in the fenate ; forne remained firm in their firft opinion, others were drawn over by the fpecious oratory of Aretini. It was at laft propofed that Carmagnola, who had deferted the fervice of Philip, mould be called in } from him it was prefumed a juil judgment of the true temper, policy, and character of this prince might be collected. Fraticif- Co Carmagnola quitted the fervice of Philip upon fome dilguft, the particulars of which are not mentioned : he now offered himfelf to the Venetians, to humble that very mailer he had been the inftrument of exalting. Every one careffed, and was defirous of engaging the elteem of a inan famous for his military exploits, and capacity in the cabinet : fome perfohs, however, dreaded placing at the head of their armies an officer whofe late conduct gave room to diftruft his conftancy, his honour, and his fide- lity : they were anfwered, that under the conduct of a general fo experienced, fo perfectly acquainted with the views, policy, itrength, and mod intimate fecrets of Vif* Nconti, they could not fail of fuccefs in defeating all the at- tempts, and retraining the towering ambition of this proud potentate ; and that Carrnagnola's pride was a fuf- ficient furety of his faith, fince without doubt he would exert (J Lis faculties to cdnvince Vifcontihow ferviceable
he
The Hiftory of Venice. ij
he might have rendered his merit z. Certain it is, that Carmagnola was greatly incenfed againft the duke : when he was called into the fenate, he fpoke with a rancour and virulence that could not be aflumed or counterfeit. His arguments were fo forcible, his oratory fo perfuafive, and his influence fo conliderable, that an alliance with Florence and war with Vifconti, was unanimoufly refolv- eda.
In the treaty with Florence it was ftipulated, that fixteen Treaty thoufand horfe and eight thoufand foot fhould be levied at j?,!t/l . the common expence of both republics, to act as future '° en tn occafions fhould require ; that two fleets fhould be equip- ped, the Venetian to fail up the Po, to refill the forces of Vifconti, the Florentine to fcour the Genoefe coaft ; that all the cities, towns, and forts, taken on the confines of Flaminia fhould belong to Florence, the reft to be at the difpofal of Venice ; and lafty, that peace fhould not be made with the enemy but by mutual confent and appro- bation.
Soon after Nicholas d'Efte, Amadeus of Savoy, Fran- cifco Gonzaga, and other princes, acceded to this alliance. Serrano, one of the doge's fenatories, was fent to Philip to acquaint him with the determination of the republic. His inftruclions were to defire the duke, in the name of the republic, to ceafe hoftilities againft the Florentines ; and, if he refufed, immediately to declare war. The en- voy was civilly received at Milan ; but Philip, far from complying with his demand, fent back a defiance. War Declara* was publicly denounced, and the fubjec"ts of each ftate tl0Tt °f commanded to quit the enemy's dominions without far- war* ther notice, on pain of being deemed traitors to their re- fpec~tive countries. The command of the army was given to Carmagnola, who was eager to fignalize his zeal by fome exploit worthy of the high opinion entertained of his capacity. His impatience would not wait for the new army to be levied ; but taking the command of a few regi- ments-of the Handing forces, he marched into the enemy's territories. His firft attempt was on Brefcia, of which he foon became maftcr by the force of corruption. The caftle, into which Philip's garrifon retired, he took by ftorm, putting all the foldiers to the fword ; but there was ftill a fort in one quarter of the town which held out, and defended itfelf bravely. The duke fent Francifco
z Boniten. lib. iv. a Blond, dec. iii. lib, vi. Sabel. lib*
ix. dec. ii. Montan. apud Sabel. Aut. eft.
Mod. Vol. XXIV. C .Sforza
1 5 The Hi/lory of Venue.
Sforza to its relief, between whom and Carmagnola many warm ikirmifhes palled. The fiege was puihed on with vigour, and the fort defended with courage, the befieged relying upon Sforza's army, which had in a manner in- clofed Carmagnola ; who with fatigue and watching fell lick, committed the army to Gonzaga, and retired to the bath; at Padua. In the mean time, the fiege went on with the fame fpirit, Gonzaga being in every refpect a general equal to Carmagnola j but the enemy were fo well provided, their failles fo frequent and vigorous, and the Venetians fo harrafled in the rear by Sforza, that fliamc only reilrained them from abandoning the enterprize. Doth fides were continually reinforced, and the affair fpun out to a great length; at laft Carmagnola returned to the army, and refumed the command. Now an ailault was refolved on, and, to encourage the foldiers, a reward of leur hundred crowns promifed to him who firft mounted the walls, three hundred to the next, two hundred to the third, and a hundred to each of the ten following. Both Jules fought with the moft obftinate valour, and it was difficult to determine which difplayed the greateft courage: at laft, the Venetians, overpowered with numbers, were forced to retreat, by which means the fiege might have been protracted to an unmeafurable time, if famine had not effected what had foiled courage, conduct, and num- bers. This brave garrifon was reduced to fo great extre- mities, that they were compelled to fue for a truce upon this condition, that if Philip came within the fpace of ten days with a force fufficient to relieve them, they then fhould be at liberty to defend the fort, otherwife they would furrender it to the Venetians. The truce being iigned, Carmagnola doubled the guards, and ordered ftriet. watch that no provifion might enter the fort. Sforza's army could hardly be kept from mutinying \ they accufed their officers of cowardice and treachery, publicly declar- ing that this brave garrifon fell a facrifice to their bafe- nefs. Numberlefs attempts were made to throw in fuc- -cour, but all were fruftrated by the vigilance of Carmag- nola. At laft, the truce being expired, the fort was fur- rendered, agreeable to the articles ftipulated b.
During this fiege, which was entirely carried on by the Venetians, the Florentines, under d'Efte, entered Cre- mona, which they defolated with fire and fvvord, Philip had no army able to oppofe them ; as yet he was but af-
k Boniten. lib. iv. Blond, lib, vi. dec. iii.
fembling
The Hi/tcry of Venice. tg
fembling his troops, and before they were united the Flo- rentines retired.
Soon after the furrenderof the town and fort of Brefcia, Peace nvitk through the mediation of the pope's nuncio, peace was rtfcontu concluded, but with reluclance embraced by all parties. The conditions were, that Philip fhould amicably cede to the Venetians, Commonica, Brefcia, with its territories, and that part of the Cremonefe, on the Olio, towards Brefcia : and that Amadeus of Savoy mould keep what- ever he had taken during the war. Here we find no men- tion of the Florentines, although it was ftipulated in the treaty of alliance between the republics, that neither mould make peace without the other's confent : it is probable, therefore, the Florentines were included, though as they obtained [no particular conditions, it was not neceiTary to fpecify them by name.
It appears from Philip's conduct, foon after, that he by no means was defirous of this peace, at leaft upon the terms of difmembering his dominions. Refpect for the pope's nuncio would feem to have been the fole induce- ment to patch up what may rather be termed a cefTation of hoftilities than a pacification. Some writers allege, that he even affronted, in the nuncio's prefence, the Ve- netian commiffioners who came to Milan to receive the towns furrendered to the republic. Sabellicus is of opi- nion that his fo fuddenly breaking through the peace was owing to the remonftrances of the Milanefe, who highly refented the ignominious terms which he received c. They upbraided their prince with cowardice and meannefs, for fo eafily relinquifhing what the chance of war would pro- bably have recovered, and yielding his ftrong holds, cities, and lands, to an enemy whofe ftrength or courage in the field he had but once experienced. The remonftrance concluded with a zealous offer of their lives and for- tunes, which, they faid, they were ready to facrifice ra- ther than his honour fhould be flained, or the hereditary dominions of the flate alienated. Philip defired to know in what manner they would enable him to profecute the war ; upon which the magiftrates retired to their confti- tuents, and the fubjecl: was warmly debated in a large af- fembly of the citizens* The refult of their deliberations was, that they would requeft of the duke to accept, dur- ing the war, of ten thoufand horfe and an equal number of foot, conditionally, that the revenues of the Milanefe
c Sabell. lib, ix. dec. ii.
C 2 Ihould
Second <war with Fifcoati.
20 9Tfc Hijlory of Venue.
iliould retrain in the hands of the magiilrates of Milan. The intension of this propofal was to prevent the abufe of public money, to the purpofes of miniRers and courtiers, who, under the pretence of the neceflary occafions of the Hate and expenses of the war, fqueezed and impoverilhed the people for the iupport of their luxury. The duke was inclined to accept the terms *, but was difluaded by one of his miniiters, who told him, that to leave the ievenue in the hands of his fubjecls was to rear ladders for them to mount to liberty, fo eagerly afpired after, efpecially at a time when he was obliged to carry on a war againit two free republics. Philip, fatisfied with this reafoning, was, however, afraid absolutely to reject the propofal ; he left it to time and his own cunning to extort the fums wanted upon his own conditions. In order to iatisfy the people, he prohibited the furrender of thofe towns which Mere itipulated in the treaty of peace, and loon after made an ineurfion into the territories of Mantua.
The republic, fpeedily informed of Philip's intentions, forthwith ordered new levies to be made, the troops which were not diibanded to march into Mantua, their former alli- ances to be renewed, and every other meafure to be taken for vigoroufly profecuting the war. Philip was not behind them in preparations. Undaunted at the league formed againit him, he refolved upon a triple attack on the enemy : arm- ing fome vefl'els at Cremona he feizedon Turcecole, a for- trefs in the Parmefan, fituated at the mouth of the Tarro. Prefumingon the ftrength of his infantry, he made incur- fions beyond the Brefcian mountains, while his cavalry foraged and fcoured all the champain country : his third exploit was the mod fuccefsful and important ; fending an army againft the fugitive Genoefe, who greatly molefted him, he, by his general Sforza, totally defeated Fregofa and their army.
Pergulan, another of his officers, placed garrifons m all the forts of the Brefcian, which flood convenient to impede or harrafs the enemy, at the fame time that Pici- nino with a fleet befieged and took Cafiel Major d. Bri(- felles, on the Po, was foon after taken, and Viiconti's con- quefts were no lefs rapid than his refolution to renew the war had been fudden. All this time the Venetians were \,D.ia.i7. <hTgently employed; they fitted out a fleet with orders to fail up the Po, under Francifco Bembo. At CafTal, he
* Sabel. ubi fupra. Blond, lib. vi. dec iii. Boniten. lib. iv. Coro- fin. apud. Sabel.
came-
The Hlftory of Venice, 2 1
came up with the enemy's fleet, commanded by Euftace of Pavia, and both admirals prepared for battle. Bembo or- dered eight galleons to form a line in front, thefe he fas- tened together by a itrong chain. Euftace oppofed this van with four galleons, which he ordered to bear down upon the Venetian line with all the force of the tide and oars. The Venetian, aware of his defign, eluded it by a ftroke of military addrefs peculiar to the method of fighting fhips at that time, attacked and funk the four galleons. Euftace, perceiving bv this inftance, that he was unequal to the dex- terity of Bembo, made all the difpatch he was able to Cre- mona c. He was clolely purfued by the Venetian admiral, who inftantly attacked and reduced three little forts built in the river to block up the channel. The victorious Bembo then entering the channel, feized upon the gal- leons, which he burnt, Euftace having wholly unrigged them before his arrival. In the night the failors, having got on more without leave from the admiral, began to plunder the fuburbs, when they were fuddenly attacked by a detachment from the city, and to the number of three hundred taken prifoners. Bembo, incenfed at this acci- dent, ordered the fleet up the river, attacked and deftroyed the fort (landing on the continence of the rivers Po and Adda -, then purfuing his way, came to an anchor near Pavia ; but finding the city deferted, he returned to Cre- mona, apprehending fome treachery was intended.
During thefe naval t ran factions, the Venetians were not idle on more. An army of fourteen thoufand horfe and fix thoufand foot being ready early in the fpring, Carmag- nola marched for Padua, crofted the lake Benacus, and arrived at Brefcia. Before his coming, Pietro Loretano, the governor, had been fuccefsful againft a detachment of the enemy, who made incurfions to the very gates of the city : fallying out upon them, he took the commander pri- foner, and about three hundred of the foldiers. Carmag- Carmagno. nola, envious that the firft military exploits were not per- ja*s con- formed by himfelf, departed with his army from Brefcia, du£i. and proceeded directly to Ortolonga, which he inverted. As foon as his battering artillery arrived, lines were formed, Bcf.e^es and his batteries began to play upon the walls with great Ortolonga. fury. There was a body of one thoufand horfe, befides a flrong garrifon of foot, within the town : the governor, re- lying upon his ftrength, refolved upon a faily, which he
e Sabel. lib. ix. dec. ii. Boniten. lib. iv. Blond, de Geft. Ven. idem in Hilt;, dec. iii. lib. vi.
C 3 made
23
Carmagno- la raifes thefiege, andmarch es to Cre~ tnona.
?he Hijhry of Venice.
made in the evening on that fide of the camp defended by Stroffi, and the troops of Ferrara. Strofli, with four hun- dred horfe, bravely Curtained the aflault, making prodi- gious havock amongft the befieged. At laft, overpowered with numbers, he was flain, with the greateft part of his troops ; upon which the enemy broke into the camp, where nothing but confufion reigned. The foldiers fatigued with the heat and labour of the day, had gone fecurely to reft, never dreaming of an attack. They were running about in the utmoft perturbation, a prey to the enemy, when Carmagnola arrived with a body of horfe, and charged the aflailants with fo much vigour, that they were repulfed, and driven back into the town with great ilaughter. How- ever, this affair coft the befiegers, befides the lofs of the brave Stroffi, about one thoufand fix hundred men, ac- cording to Blondus, who is very particular.
Carmagnola raifed the fieee next day, and leaving be- hind all the towns and forces held by the enemy, marched • ftrait to befiege Cremona, not doubting but the furrender of this fine city would induce others to a voluntary fub- miflion f. On his way he was ftrongly reinforced, fo that the army amounted to eighteen thoufand horfe and eight thoufand foot, exclufive of fix thoufand auxiliaries : Bembo likewife with the fleet and two thoufand mariners lay near Cremona. Struck with the, greatnefs of this defign, Vif- conti affembled the citizens of Milan, and met with fuch chearful returns of loyalty as enabled him to take the field at the head of thirty thoufand men, with whom he march- ed to give battle to the Venetians. Carmagnola with his army lay at Sama, the enemy being obliged to crofs a bridge above a mile diftant from the camp before they could attack him : here he was determined to receive Phi- lip, without giving himfelf the trouble of defending the bridge, for the Venetians were no lefs eager than the ene- my to engage. Philip, contrary to his own judgment, by the advice of Sforza, led his army over the bridge, which he drew up in order of battle on a plain a little way di- ftant from the Venetian camp. Both fides joined battle with the utmoft alacrity and vigour: they fought from noon till night, and no apparent advantage was gained. In the evening a ftorm of wind arifing drove before it fuch clouds of duft, as rendered it impoffible for the fol- diers to diftinguifh each other : friends were known from enemies only by the word of battle. An advanced party of Philip's army thinking to retire out of tWs confufion
f Blond. Sabel. ubi fypra. Boniten. lib. iv.
toward^
The Hijiory of Venice. 23
towards the bridge, found themfelves in the middle of the enemy's camp, where they were made prifoners. At lad both generals ordered a retreat to be founded, each claim- ing victory, and perhaps with equal reafon. Carmagnola ufed jocofely to fay, that at the battle of Sama, Philip and he took more of their own foldiers prifoners than of the enemy : however, Philip aiTerted with great gravity, that the Venetians were defeated, efteeming it a victory that he had not loft a battle g : but he was foon recalled to the defence of the Milanefe, the duke of Savoy's cavalry hay- ing entered the duchy by the fide of Vercelli, were mak- ing incurfions to the gates of the capital. The Vene- tians too perceiving Cremona to be Strongly garrifoned and well provided, dropped their intention of laying fiege to it, and encamped at CafTel Major, where Bembo and the fleet arrived loon after. Sforza had purfued the Ve- netians from Cremona with a choice body of horfe, think- ing he mould be able to harrafs their rear ; but he found them fo well prepared, that he returned without making any attempt.
Carmagnola entered upon the fiege of CafTel, which was The Vene* for a long time defended by a brave governor and nume- ttans be- rous garrifon : at lad it was taken by ftorm, and the gar- fi*R*C*f*\ rifon put to the fword, all befides Pifani the governor and MaJor- a few troops, who, retiring into a ftrong tower, capitulated upon honourable terms. He next laid a bridge over the Adda, by which his troops made incurfions into the Mila- nefe, ravaged, plundered, and deftroyed every thing tha| came in their way.
Philip was taken up in reconciling difputes among his officers, each of whom claimed a fuperiority over the others. At laft he was obliged to put an end to divifions, which he apprehended might terminate in the ruin of the army, by creating a generaliffimo : his choice fell upon Carolo Malatefta, who had formerly commanded the Ve- netian forces ; an officer more diftinguifhed for his high rank, caution, and duplicity, than for his valour. Ma- lateila's firft bufinefs was to put a ftop to the incurfions of the Venetians, which in a fhort time he effectually ac- complished. Macale, a citv of the Cremonefe, was now nacaie be- befieged by Carmagnola ; this enterprizeoccafioned great fie^edhy^1* difcontent in Philip's army, the foldiers entertaining VtnttianH doubts about the courage of their general. At laft their clamours became fo loud, that Malatefta called a council
g Sabel. ibid. Blond, lib. vi. dec. iii. *
P4 tf.
24 The Hi/lory of Venice.
of the principal officers : Sforza and Picinino were for giv ing the enemy battle ; J'ergulan and Taufello for avoid- ing it, and retraining the impetuofity of the troops, faying, that the Venetians mint neceffarily quit the Cremonefe foon for want of ammunition and forage. The general, apprehenfive of a fedition, followed the former opinion, and gave orders for the army to march. When he ap- proached the enemy, he put the queftion to Sforza and Picinino, whether it were better to attack the enemy in their camp, or to draw up the army and. receive tl. Thofc officers replied, that he was their general, and muft direct thofe particulars as he thought proper. Orders then were ifTued for difpofmg the troops in battle-array. In the mean time Carmagnola had drawn up the Venetians to receive the enemy : Tollctino was ordered with two thoufand horfe to make a fweep round a hill on the left, and attack them in the rear as foon as both armies were engaged : then he ftrongly lined all the hedges and ditches through which the enemy muft pafs, himfelf taking poll in a particular defile of great importance. Here the action began : Sforza advancing with the light horfe, charged the Venetians in front, while Carmagnola ordered the firft and fecond lines to give way to the right and left, to en- clofe him if he advanced ; an incident which accordingly happened : continuing, however, to prefs on with irre- fiftible vigour, Carmagnola made a fighting retreat to the main body of his army. Here Sforza, feconded by Ma- latefte, purfued, and a general engagement began, in which both fides behaved with great intrepidity : but Carmagno- la's difpofition gave him many advantages ; his infantry, with which all the hedges were lined, galled, and made prodigious flaughter amongft the enemy's cavalry % while a great fhout in the rear of Malatefte's army announced their being charged in the rear by Tolletino with his two thoufand horfe. Thus being attacked in the rear by car valry, in both flanks by infantry placed in the hedges, and in the front by the main body of the Venetian army under Carmignola, the enemy were at laft totally defeated, af- Fhiiip"sar- ter many bold efforts to rally. Then began a dreadful car- my defeat- nage, the general not having power to reftrain the rage of ed' the Venetian foldiers. At laft, the enemy endeavoured to
appeafe by intreaties the refentment they could neither re- pel norefcape ; they laid down their arms, and fix thou- fand infantry, with three thoufand horfe, were made pri- soners at difcretion h. Without doubt Carmagnola might
h Blond, lib. vii. dec. iii. Sabel. lib. i. dec iii.
have
The Hiftory of Venice. 25
have crufhed Philip in confequence of this declfive vic- tory, if he had not either from unaccountable whim, over- ftrained generofity, or treachery, fet all the prifoners at liberty without a fingle condition. The Milanefe army being totally broke, nothing could prevent his becoming mafter of the whole duchy, had he been as fkilful, or ra- ther had he been as willing to purfue as to gain a victory. Hi's only exploit after this battle was the taking of Orges by aflault, all the other cities, towns3 and forts of Brefcia paying a voluntary fubmiflion.
In the mean time Sforza and Picinino were bufied in collecting their fcattered troops, and in making new le- vies : having joined thefe with the prifoners reftored by Carmagnola, a formidable army was foon on foot, which immediately entered upon action. Sforza farprifed a con- voy of provifions going to the enemy's camp : Picinino made an attempt at night to recover the town of Ponta- glio, but was repulfed *.
Befides the attempts of Philip to ftop the progrefsof the A«D. '4*9, Venetians by force, he was not idle by negociation : he endeavoured, by his intrigues, to excite the emperor Si- gifmund againft the republic. His art fucceeded with the duke of Savoy, who gave him his daughter in marriage : however, not all his policy could prevent the neceffity he was under of fuing for peace, upon the lofs fuftained by the death of feveral of his beft officers. A congrefs was accordingly appointed at Ferrara, the pope's legate prefid- ing, where the conditions were long debated, and at laft adjufted. The mod material articles were, that Brefcia, A peace, with all the Brefcian and Cremonefe, that part of the Ber- gamefe ftretching towards the river Adice, together with the caftles, towns, and forts which they then held upon the Cremonefe, fhould be ceded in perpetuity to the Vene- tians. Little was granted to the Florentines befides fome trifling honours, fuch as hoifting their own flag at fea in- flead of the Pifan.
By this peace Italy enjoyed a paufe of unfettled tran- quillity : hoftilities ceafed, yet ftill their mutual animofi- ties, jealoufies, and heart-burnings remained. The cef- fion of the Cremonefe was never thoroughly relifhed by Philip: his conduct at the time of figning the peace, as well as afterwards, intimated his reluctance to part with a diftrict fo commodious, which he regarded as hereditary in his family, although in truth his right was founded in
* Mont. Com. lib. Hi.
conqueft.
26
Stella's en- Urprize.
The Hiftory of Venice.
conqueft. This was one grievance, and might in tim< have produced a war had no other reafons concurred k. Others, however, were not wanting. Philip had perfe- cuted with implacable hatred, the families of Fregofa and Fiefci, in contempt of all the remonftrances in their behalf from the' republics of Venice and Florence, and even a promife that he would take rnem into his friendfhip : but the molt open and avowed oecafion of taking arms arofe from the following ^incident.
Paolo Guenefio had, by his cunning, art, and policy, acquired an aicendency almoft defpotic over the republic of Lucca: he conducted himfelf with fo much conduct and prudence, that amidft the broils in which all Italy be- fides were engaged, Lucca alone tafted the fweets of re- pofe and tranquillity ; yet could he neither gain the hearts, nor even avoid the hatred of the principal perfons in that ftatc, which he had fo fkilfully fleered through all the dangers and labyrinths of policy. Continual intrigues were carried on againft him, and now a ftorm was ga- thering which threatened deftruction both to Paolo and the republic. The firft attempt of the difafFected was to itir up the people againft him on account of his conniving at his fon's defertion of the fervice of the ftate to enter into that of Florence. Young Ladiflaus had folicited for leave, but being denied he made his efcape, and acquired great honour in the Florentine alliance with the Bologn- efe againft pope Martin. The difaffeeted represented the danger there was of being embroiled in a quarrel with the holy fee, by the rafhnefs of Ladiflaus and ambition of Paolo : however, their intrigues were undermined by the cunning of Paolo, who proved too hard for them on this as on many former occafions. The malcontents, finding their endeavours to ftir up the people againft Paolo, were to no purpofe, grew defperate : they never confidered that violent meafures muft be accompanied with the ruin of their country ; or rather, they were indifferent what became of Lucca, fo that Guenefio was deftroyed : this aim they endeavoured to accomplifh, by working on the ambition and natural fire of young Stella, nephew to Bra- chiOi a young nobleman in the Florentine fervice. Stella was eafily induced by their remonftrances to undertake what was perfectly agreeable to his active and enterprif- ing fpirit. Without farther reflection he made an incur- fion into the territories of Lucca, laying every thing wafte
k Sabcl. lib. ii. dec iii.
to
The Hijlory of Venice. 17
to the gates of the city: he feized upon eight forts and caftles belonging to Paolo, made the garrifons prifoners, and then encamped on the great plain near Lucca. His forces, which at firft confided of a few troops of Floren- tine horfe, were foon increafed by a great number of vo- lunteers, who flocked from all quarters in expectation of honour or booty. When Stella entered upon action, he had no countenance from the republic of Florence, the few troops under his conduct being prevailed upon folely by his own influence to fhare his fortune. The Floren- tines, however, perceiving the rapidity of his conquefts, and the unexpected increafe of his forces, began to har- bour ambitious defigns, and to relifh the project of an- nexing Lucca to the territories of the republic by means of Stella. Inftead therefore of recalling him and their A.D. 1430.
foldiers, in confequence of a folemn embaffy from Gue- ■
nefio, they encouraged Stella in the enterprize he had Stella \ fup - formed, which they defired might be profecuted in the t°^epi0^nm name of the republic, afluring him of ample fupplies of txms% men, money, and every other necefiary.
Paolo perceiving that nothing was to be expected but war from the Florentines, had recourfe to Venice ; but the republic declining to interfere in a difpute in which fhe was not concerned, the ambaffadors proceeded to the court of Milan. Philip joyfully efpoufed a caufe in which he hoped to wreak his vengeance on the Florentines. He vifconti ordered Sforza to levy a ftrong army, and march directly retdlves to to the relief of Lucca1. This general, whofe greateft aJF$ Lucca. pleafure was fighting, readily obeyed the mandate, raifed an army, patted the Alps, and foon appeared before the city. Upon his approach Stella retired towards the con- fines of Pifa, not chufing to give battle to the enemy, who he knew muft foon be in want of provifions. By protracting the war he doubted not but Sforza's afliftance would become ufelefs to Guenefio, as the country round being entirely deftroyed, the Miianefe army would only haften the furrender of Lucca, by confuming the (tores laid in for a fiege.
In the mean time Sforza entered Lucca triumphantly, and was received by Guenefio as his deliverer and guardian angel. Here he made but a fhort ftay, and then marched into Piftoia, where he took, plundered, and deftroyed a number of forts and caftles. In his abfence the artful Guenefio began to ruminate upon the event ; he confi-
1 Mont. Com. lib. if.
dered
2g The Iiiftory of Venice.
dered how precarious was the fupport of auxiliaries, whofe defigns might have the fame tendency as thofe of the avowed enemy; how much eafier it was to treat with the Florentines for a peace, while his affairs were in a prof- perous condition, than it would be after the departure or defeat of Sforza ; he concluded, that now was the moft advifable time for him to enter into a treaty, and fecure by a foiid,' though difadvantageous peace, that tranquillity upon which his power and happinefs depended m.
Commiihoners were in confequence fecretly difpatched to Stella and Florence with propofals ; but Sforza having intelligence of the defign, returned fuddenly with a ftrong corps to Lucca, and feizing upon Paolo and his family, fent them prifoners to Milan, after he had diftributed his money and rich moveables among the foldiers n.
Scarce had he led his troops back to Lombardy when Stella returned to the fiege of Lucca, where he was ftrong- ly reinforced by a body of horfe and foot detached from Florence. This motion determined Phiiip to fend Pici- nino, in the name of the Genoefe, who were faid to have received Lucca under their protection, to relieve the city. The news of his march and powerful army obliged the Florentines to apply to Venice for affiftance, in confe- quence of a treaty ofTenfive and defenfive fubfifling be- tween tjie republics. Perceiving the danger which threat- ened their allies, the Venetians difpatched commiflioners to Philip to acquaint him, that the republic could eafily penetrate into his defigns ; that the Venetians were fen- iible the Genoefe were incapable of raifing fuch a force as Picinino was leading againft the Florentines their allies; that it was abfurd to pretend that a ftate, which itfelf was under his dominion, fhould have taken Lucca under its protection •, and laftly, that if he did not recall his ge- nerals and troops, who inconteftably compofed the greater part of Picinino's army, they would immediately march to the relief of their allies, and, contrary to their incli- nation, break the peace fubfifling between the ftates. Philip gave no determinate anfwer to this peremptory mef- fage, and the Venetians hefitated about entering upon war, until the news arrived that Picinino had defeated the Florentines before Lucca, an event which immediately produced a refolution of coming to a rupture °.
m Mont, etiarn Sabel. et Blond, ubi fupra. n pafi. p. 74..
0 Blond, lib. viii. dec. iii. Sabel. ibid. Boniten. Com. p. 176.
The
The Htjlory of Venice. 29
The Venetians, previous to hoftilities, made divers at- tempts to draw Francifco Sforza into their intereft, who had refided at Mirandola from the time he left Lucca, without difbanding his army, or acknowledging any alle- giance to Philip. The Florentines likewife left no means untried to fecure his friendihip, to which Sforza was great- ly difpofed, on account of the mutual good offices which had long fubfifted between his father and the republic. •But Philip ufed the moft forcible arguments to gain him, promifmg him his only daughter in marriage, and the re- verfion of his dominions if he fhould die without male ifiue. All their endeavours being baffled, the "Venetians entered into a league with the marquis of Montferrat, to whom and fome other petty princes they granted fubfidies. The war commenced with an attempt the Florentines made of refuming the fiege of Lucca, after the departure of Pici- A.D.1431., nino •, but their defign was fruftrated by Bartholomeo For- " nari, the Genoefe admiral, who lay at Leghorn, with a fquadron of fix gallies. Fornari's vicinity obliged the Flo- rentines to garrifon Pifa, which they apprehended would revolt : the reft of the army were forced to retire on the approach of Picinino, who was returning to Lucca after he had with wonderful rapidity over-run the country of the Pifans, and taken a great number of forts and caftles. So apprehenfive were the Florentines of lofing the city of Pifa, that they palled a very extraordinary and cruel edict, to prevent their rebellion, viz. that all the inhabitants, from the age of fifteen to fixty years of age, fhould depart the city before a candle, lighted up for the purpofe, was confumed, under penalty of their lives, and confiscation of their efFec~tsp. Picinino, finding that Lucca was in no danger, marched into the country of Volterra, where his conquefts were no lefs rapid than before they had been in the Pifan territories. Even the city of Volterra mull have fallen into his hands, had not Michaeli Attendulo been feafonably fent with a ftrong corps by pope Euge- nius to its relief, which obliged Picinino to abandon his defign 1.
During thefe tranfacTions, the Venetian army under Carmagnola took the field. This general had fome time remained encamped near Orges, watching an opportunity to enter upon action with advantage : he now difcovered a treafonable correfpondence between the governor of Lo-
p Sabel. lib. ij. dec. iii. Blond, lib. viii. dec iii, 1 Hiftoire
de Pap. F. 4. Vit. Eugen.
dis
nola de- Jeated.
The Vene- tians a fe- (ond time defeated.
The Hi/lory of Venice.
ilis and the enemy, in which it was concerted that feh! cattle fhould be betrayed to Philip. Carmagnola having prevented the defigtl by hanging the governor, thought of retaliating by a fimilar conduct. He tampered with the chief ofTicer of Socinna, that the place might be deli- vered to him at a certain time agreed upon. The gover- nor had no fooner touched Carmagnola's money, than he fent fecret intelligence of the tranfacHon to Philip, who gave immediate orders to Sforza to march with all poflible fecrecy to Socinna, to feize on all the pafTes, and lay a flrong ambufcade for the Venetians. The troops were difpatch- ed to take pofTeiTion of the place on the day appointed, Carmagnola remaining with the army at fome little di- itance : they no fooner entered the town than they were furrounded by a body of Milanefe, which had been ad- mitted and concealed ; Sforza at the fame time attacking the main army under Carmagnola fo fuddenly, and with fo much vigour, that he quickly defeated it, the general with difliculty making his efcape r. Thus Carmagnola was taken in his own fnare, with the lofs of a thoufand horfe, and the precipitate diforderly retreat of his whole army. To add to his mortification, he was upbraided by the governor as a (hallow fuperficial plotter, a pretender to ikill in the human heart, the bafenefs of which he efti- mated by the corruption of his own ; falfely imagining that the love of money was the firft principle and fpring of human actions3. The Venetians foon after received another defeat in the Cremonefe, where they loitered about in a diforderly and irregular manner, without discipline or conduct:.
In the mean time the Florentines were hard pufhed by Picinino : after this general had laid wafte Volterra he marched into the territories of Arezzo, where he very nearly furprifed the city. He battered forts, towns, and cities, many of which he took by force, fome by ftrata- gem, while others voluntarily fubmitted.
The Venetians, not difpirited by their lolTes, levied re- cruits with all poflible difpatch, formed magazines, forced arms, and fitted out a fquadron, which they fent up the river with ten thoufand men as far as Cremona. Ni- cholao Trevifano was made admiral, and the command of each fhip given to a Venetian of birth. This fleet was furniihed with a prodigious number of warlike engines: it was likeuife to be affifted in its operations by Carmag-
r Sabel. lib. ii. dec. iii.
.8 Blond, lib. viii. dec. iii.
nola3
The Hi/lory of Venice. 3 1
nob, who lay encamped near Cremona with twenty-four thoufand horfe and foot. Philip made preparations to op- pofe fo formidable an armament, though he was ftill in- ferior in number of (hips, a difference more than com- penfated by the abilities of the admiral, and courage of the mariners and foldiers. The famous Giovanni Gri- maldi, a Genoefe, the greateft fea-officer of his time, commanded : he had chofen the belt pilots, the bell archers, and engineers that either Philip or Genoa could furnifh. Picinino's return from Tufcany had likewife greatly augmented the army ; fo that upon the whole Gri- maldi, Sforza, and Picinino were a very equal match for Carmagnola and Trevifano. Much depended on the fate of a battle ; the hopes and fears of both parties were pro- portioned to the confequences of a defeat or victory. Sforza and Picinino to their ftrength joined every thing which the policy and art of war could fugged : they made frequent attacks upon Carmagnola's trenches, as if they defpifed his army and the fleet that was advancing. The nearer Trevifano with the fquadron approached, the more frequent and fierce were their aflaults, at the fame time that they confulted with Grimaldi in what manner the Venetian fleet could be moil advantageoufly attacked. Grimaldi propofed, that Picinino with all the men at arms fhould be embarked ; that Sforza mould at the fame time make a feint attack upon Carmagnola's trenches, to pre- vent difcovery of his weaknefs by the detachment under Pi- cinino ; and that the garrifon of Cremona fhould aflifl by a vigorous fally, while he fell down with the ftream to give battle to Trevifano1. The Venetians, defiring no- A battle* thing more than an engagement, rowed with all the force they could to meet the enemy ; but as they approached Picinino, who advanced before the fleet with fix gallies, they difcovered the enemy's intention : finding they had to fight a land army as well as a fleet, they fent repeated accounts to Carmagnola of their fituation ; but he return- ed an anfwer reflecting on the courage of the admiral. The engagement in the mean while began, which both fides fultained with great conduct and valour. Towards fun-fet Picinino grappled with four Venetian gallies, who defended themfelves with courage, but unequal ftrength or fuccefs ; for they were taken after an obftinate refift- ance : this lofs induced Trevifano to retreat and fall back The Vene-
to the harbour from whence he had weighed anchor. tians r&m
0 treat*
* Blond, ibid. Sabell. ibid, apud Sabell,
Grimaldi
32 The Hijlory of Venice.
Grimaldi purfued, and next day renewing the engage- ment, the Venetians, after an obftinate conflict, were de- feated, not above five gallies having efcaped being either taken, funk, or deftroyed. Two thoufand men were flain, and about fix thoufand made prifoners, in which number were included thirteen fenators. Prodigious booty fell into the enemy's hands, and the victory was in all re- flects complete and decifive.
This misfortune was attended with the revolt or defer- tion of Palavicini, and difmiflion of Carmagnola from his office : indeed, he was fo chagrined at this laft accident, that he would voluntarily have refigned the command ; but the Venetians were fo far from being daunted by the unfortunate defeat, that they refolved to carry war into the bowels of the Genoefe territories, as Philip's fleet was commanded by an admiral of that country, and chiefly manned by Genoefe. A fquadron of eighteen gallies was immediately equipt for this purpofe, completely manned, Loretano armcc^> anc* victualled. Pietrd Loretano, a man of ex- admiral. perience and conduct, was appointed to command the ex- pedition, and every precaution taken that could render his fuccefs probable". He foon arrived at Leghorn, where he was joined by five Florentine gallies : there too he ac- cepted of the offered fervices of Adorini and Fiefci, two noblemen of Genoa, who for fome time had lived in ba- nishment, and whofe powerful influence and connexions it was thought might induce the Genoefe to attempt the recovery of their liberty : but fuch conjectures proved delufive ; the Genoefe had prepared for their defence a flrong fleet of twenty-four gallies, commanded by Francis Spinola, a man equally diftinguimed by the nobility of his TheGeno- birth, and his peribnal bravery x. The Venetian fleet had tft prepare approached within ten miles of Genoa before intelligence to fight was received at Genoa : the news no fooner arrived than oretano. gpjnoia foiled m fucft nafte to meet Loretano, that fome of his {hips could fcarce overtake him before battle was joined. About day-break the fleets defcried each other, and orders were given on both fides to prepare for an en- gagement. Spinola encouraged his men by reminding them of their late fuccefs, of their fuperiority, and of the dejection of the enemy. On the contrary, Loretano ex- horted his fleet to wipe off the difgrace incurred by the lofs under Trevifano: the enemy, he faid, was by no means contemptible, and to conquer would require an ex-
■ .Blond, et Montan. x Sabel. lib. viii. dec. iii.
ertion
The Hijlory of Venice. gj
ertion of their courage; but then the honour of victory was proportionable, and they could have no hopes in flight from a fleet fuperior and lighter. Spinola having the ad- vantage of the wind, ordered his fleet to bear down on the enemy, which circumftance Loretano obferving, thought it advifable to decline battle, until the curvature of the coaft (hould give him the weather-gage. The Genoefe admiral attributing his retreat to fear, gave chace, and was juft a-ftern when Loretano put the helm round, engaged with great intrepidity, and was bravely received by Spi- Loretano nola. After an obftinate conflict, the Venetians having gains a grappled with eight Genoefe gallies, took them, together complete with the admiral, whofe fate produced a decifive victory, 'vl^orJ* the particulars of which are not fpecified by hiftorians.
During thefe tranfactions by fea, the war went brifkly y/ar in on in Lombardy. Philip, elated by his fuccefs on the Lombardy* Po, came to Cremona to compliment his generals and the army upon their conduct. The Venetians were encamped at Suma, where he refolved to attack them if they could be brought to an engagement, which lie apprehended would be difficult : but in this he was miftaken ; they were impatient for an opportunity of wiping off their late difgrace. The Venetian general ordered his army to be drawn up in battalia, firmly expecting the enemy's attack, which foon began with great vigour : they fought for the whole day, every divifion in both armies, horfe and foot, having a (hare in the engagement. Both fides, however, being tired out before either thought fit to yield the vic- tory, a mutual retreat was founded, after incredible flaughter, in which the lofs was very equal. Sabellicus fays, that Carmagnola commanded the Venetians in this engagement, though he is filent concerning the occafion of his being reinftated; but he would feem right from the following incident, which became an article of that ge- neral's impeachment. A few days after this laft battle a fcheme for furprifing Cremona was propofed by the brave Cavalcobovis, a Venetian officer : it was fo well concerted, and his afiurance of fuccefs fo ftrong, that Carmagnola could not refufe complying with his earneftnefs to make the experiment. In the middle of October this gentle- man fet out about midnight from the camp with a body of troops, concealing himfelf among the fedges and rufhes which furrounded the moat at the foot of the walls. As foon as day-light appeared, and that the centincls went off guard, he applied fcaling-ladders to the ramparts, which his troops mounted unobferved : another corps, that
Mod. Vol. XXIV, D had
34 Tfc fJijhry of Venkc.
had feafonably arrived to his fupport, followed, leaving a itrong guard on the ladders, in order that Carmagnola might fend farther reinforcements. He then marched into the city, feized upon fevernl guards, repulfed the inhabi- tants who afTembled to oppoie him, and took pofleflion of the neareft gate : here he maintained his ground for eight hours, in fpite of all the efforts of a numerous garrifon, who attacked him from every quarter. He fent repeated mefTcngers to Carmagnola to acquaint him with his fuc- cefs, and to requeit that he would enter with the army at the gate he kept open for him ; but Carmagnola, pretend- ing his apprehenfions of fome treachery, hefitated fo long, that Cavalcobovis, unable longer to fuftain the enemy, abandoned the city y. This transaction clearly proves that Carmagnola commanded after the defeat on the Po, which happened three months before the attempt on Cremona. As it afterwards formed the chief article of his impeach- ment, it leaves no room for doubt concerning the name of the Venetian general, when this projeel of Cavalcobo- vis was put in execution. Plefca and In the mean time Fiefca and Adorini, who had been Adorini left at Reca, when Loretano departed from thence, were tnurdered. treacheroufly flain in their way from Pifa to Florence. They were fuddenly attacked by one Buftettio of Pavia, at the head of a troop of ruffians. Their defence was brave, and worthy of their birth and reputation j for after great daughter made among the aflaffins, and feveral wounds received, they at length dropt down dead with fatigue and lofs of blood. This Buffettio was fuppofed to have been employed by Philip, for no perfonal animo- i:ty had fubiifred between him and thofe unfortunate no- blemen2.
About this time, and foon after the defeat of the Ge- noefe by Loretano, Bernardo Adorini, brother to Ado- rini, who was afiaflinated, had caufed all the coaft of Genoa to revolt. He made incurfions all over the coun- try with three hundred horfe given him by the marquis of Mpntferrat ; but was in the end defeated by Picinino, and the country reduced to its former obedience a. Ilif- torians relate barbarous inflances of Picinino's cruelty up- on this occafion : inflances which (lain the great reputa- tion he defervedly acquired by his extraordinary military atchievements. Befides the numbers he had flain in two
y Sabel. lib. viii. dec. in. Blond. Flav. lib. viii. dec. III. * Pafius apud Sabel. ibid. a Montan, Com. lib. iv, p. n6.
battles,
The Hijlory of Venice. 55
battles, fome hundreds of prifoners were put to death by a ihocking variety of tortures. Having thus glutted his inhumanity with blood, he had recourfe to other methods of gratifying the natural cruelty of his difpofition : he ex- pofed to fale all the children, women, and priefts, that fell into his hands, the foldiers having firft indulged . themfelves in acts the mod lafcivious, wanton, and bar- barous b.
But to return to the affairs of Chios : the intended ar- mament, confuting of fourteen gallies, ten (hips of bur- then, together with a great number of fmall veflels, being now in readinefs, the command was given to Andrea Mo- cenigo. He failed for the iiland, and immediately on his arrival inverted the chief city by fea and land. This place, likewife called Chios, was ftrong by nature and art: the fortifications, for thofe times, were not only regular, but the garrifon was numerous, with plenty of (lores of every kind; infomuch that, after Mocenigo had battered the The at- walls with all manner of engines then known for the fpace terf3i4 uPon of two months, little or no impreflion was made. Upon Lhlosfaiis* news of great preparations making at Genoa for the relief of the city, he thought it advifeable to raife the fiege^ without hazarding farther lofles. Before he embarked, he laid wafte the whole ifland, deftroying the corn-fields, and tearing up the vines : unable to perform actions worthy of a great commander, he diilinguifhed himfelf by thofe becoming the character of a favage and barbarian.
In the following fpring Pictro Spinola was detached A.D.i4s?# thither by the Genoefe with a fleet of fourteen gallies : ■■
hearing of this armament, the Venetians reinforced Lore- tano, and gave orders Uriel Iy to watch the motions of the enemy. Lcretano failed from Corfu, and arrived at Leg- horn a few days after the departure of the Genoefe fleet. By their coalting along Sicily he miffed them; fo that 7heGe» Spinola arrived at Corfu a fhort time after the Venetian no/fe ar~ admiral quitted the ifland. The inhabitants were thrown rivi \at into the utmoft confternation at fight of the enemy, as C their new fortifications, raifed by the advice of Lor-etano* were incomplete, and the ifland in other refpedts but in- differently prepared for defence. Immediate intelligence of the deftination of the Genoefe was fent to Loretano by the fenate : he therefore dilpatched fix of his beft gallieSr double-manned, which, being joined by four more ap- pointed by the fenate, fleered directly to Corfu.
b Blond. D 2 Picininoj
3*
Car mag- ttola'sjuf- ■piaous conducl.
Carmagm no/a be- headed.
The Hi/lory of Venice.
Picinino, in the mean time, having laid wade the whole marquifate of Montferrat, returned to the Cre- monefe, where he foon retook Torcello and Bordellan, both well garrifoned, and within a (hort diilance of the Venetian army. Every one was amazed at the conduct of Carmagnola •, his floth and fecurity, while the enemy were employed in facking, burning, and feizing on the dominions of the republic, excited fufpicions of his fide- lity. Some were or opinion that his reputation ought to (land unimpeached till proofs of his treachery appeared ; others again thought, and among thefe were the pro- curators of St, - Mark's, that he fhould be taken into cuf- tody, and compelled either to clear his honour, or re- ceive the juft puniihment of his perfidy : but all were ig- norant that a decree of the fenate had pafTed againft him from the time of his defeat on the Po ; fo fecret are all the tranfactions of that auguft body. Carmagnola him- felf, though he had refided for fome weeks in Venice, and had numerous connections among the fenators, was fo far from fufpecting any defigns againft him, that he paid his compliments to the doge the very day he was taken into cuftody. When he returned to Venice from the army, he was met as he came out of his gondola by a great number of fenators, who conducted him to the prince's palace, where he was received with the fame re- flect as if nothing againft him had been determined. Before the decree was made public he was taken into cuf- tody, and then the fenate's reafons were fignified to the people ; after which preamble, he was put to the torture, convicted of a treafonable correfpondence by his own let- ters and hand-writing, which he could not deny, behead- ed, and his effects were confiscated to the public treafureb. Thus ended the life of Carmagnola ; glorious in its firft career under Philip of Milan, but contaminated in the end by pride, avarice, and corruption. With a magnani- mity becoming a hero he had a meannefs unworthy of a man ; his conduct plainly evinced, that when corrup- tion once feizes the human heart, like a rank poifon, it inftantly deftroys every principle of honour, honefty, and virtue. Before his imprifonment the prince of Man- tua, with Cornaro Dandolo, as proveditor, had fecret orders to repair to the army, to take upon him the command c.
k Sabel. ibid. Araelot, ibid,
c Blond, lib. ix. dec. Hi. Picinino
The Hijlory of Venice. 37
Picinino, elated with his late fuccefs, clofely purfued Pic'mino',t the courfe of victory ; a wound he received at the fiege/*"*/f of Pontoglio fiift put a flop to his career; he was fo dan--^£"/ ^ geroufly ill that his life was defpaired of, by which means Philip was for a time deprived of one of his beft and moll a&ive officers. Henceforward his affairs began to de- cline : Tolletino, who had entered into the pope's fervice after deferring Philip, was now difmifTed by his holinefs, and retained in the Florentine pay. He began his fervices by fierce incurfions into the territory of Sienna, with great violence laying wade all the fea-coalb of the enemy or their allies. After joining Attendulo, who was aflb- ciated with him in the command, he attacked fome towns belonging to the Siennois, and, after reducing them, re- took all the enemy's conquefts in the Pifan territories. Soon after he attacked Philip's army, commanded by Bernardino Ubaldino, defeated and took the general pri- fbner, with near three thoufand inferior officers and pri- vate men d.
At this time Sigifmund, fon to Charles of Bohemia and Sigifmund Hungary came with an army to Italy, in confequence of comes imtk a treaty with Philip. He firft marched to Milan, where an arm> he was crowned, then he led his army towards Lucca, as tn ° -*'* had been concerted betwixt him and Philip. Tolletino having intelligence of his defign marched towards Lucca, to prevent his feizing upon the Venetian forts round the country. As both the armies lay encamped at fome di- ftance from the city, Tolletino's camp was furprifed in the night by a ftrong body detached by Sigifmund, and fupported by a vigorous aflault upon another quarter from the city ; but, after a bloody difpute, the enemy were repulfed with great flaughter c. Some of the Hungarian* penetrated as far as Attendulo's tent, who, we are told, was attacked by a trooper of enormous ftaturc. The Hun- garian (truck him a blow on the head that muft infallibly have ended His life, had not the goodnefs of his helmet re- filled ; but Attendulo foon recovering himfelf, made a thruft, which pierced the heart of the foldier and ended the difpute f. Sigifmund undertook no other exploits againft Tolletino; for, retiring to Sienna, he entered into fome controverfies with the pope, which employed the remainder of the feafon in negociations. After thefe
a Sabell. lib. in. dec. Hi. Montan. 13*. * Barrc Hi ft.
Allem. V? torn. viii. p. 226, f Sabe). ibid.
D 3 vvero
The Vcne- tiam fuc- cefs in Lombi. rdy.
Venetian* defeated*
Teaei con-
eluded.
^he Hijlory of Venice.
v ere amicably terminated he went to Rome, and there was crowned emperor-
In Lombanty the Venetians had dill better fuccefs, SanehioVenieri and Cornaro having recovered Bordellana, Ruminenga, FontanelJes and Socinna ; after which ex~ ploits both fides began to talk of peace. The Venetians, at the requeft of the marquis of Montfenat, fent com- miifioncrs to Ferrara to treat of the conditions, and re- ceive propofals from the enemy : here two deputies from Florence and Milan arrived. During the congrefs the proved itori Venieri and Cornaro were pufhing their con- queflsg: they palled the mountains, and redueed the val- ley of Camona and Valtellina. Then attempting to lay a bridge over the Adda, they were frustrated in the de- fign by the obftinate refinance of the enemy : Cornaro, however, kept poffeffion of part of Valtellina, and, with a body of three thoufand horfe, repulfed Picinino, called in by the Gibelline faction. But that fubtle general effected by cunning what he could not compafs by force. The day after his defeat he returned to the charge, as i£ he intended to renew the engagement: fkirmifhingbrifkly with Cornaro' s troops, he began to give ground, as if un- able to fuftain the power of the enemy, and maintained a running fight until he had drawn them into a ftrong am- bufcade. Here the Venetians, attacked on every fide, were put to flight, about three hundred being made pri- foners, and among thefe Cornaro, with fevcral other offi- cers of diftinclion. Caffel Major was likewife recovered by fome of Philip's officers, which event was followed by the reduction of Brixelles h.
The winter now approaching, both armies retired into quarters, and peace was more ferioufly treated of than before : at laft it was concluded towards the following fpring, on thefe conditions, that Philip fhould rcflore all the towns and fortified places taken in Brefcia and the Bergamefe; that he fhould make reftitution to the Flo- rentines of all he had taken in the Pifan and Volaterran territories; that he fhould exert his influence to oblige the Siennois to reftore to Florence whatever they had feiz- cd from the republic ; that he fhould furrender the ftate cjf Montferrat to the marquis, making good the damage fuftained by that prince from the detention of his domi- nions \ that be fhould grant a full pardon to Vermio and
t Blond, lib. i* dec. iii.
h Sabel. hb. iii. dec. iii.
others
The Hiftory of Venice. 39
ethers who had carried arms in the Venetian fervice. The article mod difputed was the town of Pontremola, which at length was ceded to Philip, on condition that all the plunder taken from the Florentine inhabitants fhould be reftored. Before the peace was ratified by the fenate, an embaffy was difpatched to demand Cornaro, who had not returned with the other prisoners, with or- ders to break off all that had been agreed upon if Philip fhould refufe his releafe. Upon their arrival they open- ed their instructions, and had an audience of the duke, who gravely told them, he was forry for the refolution of the fenate, fince it was not poflible for him to comply with their requeft. The ambaffadors were proceeding to Comoro extremities, when he told them at length, that the body ^es ln tru of Cornaro they might take back, but the foul, all that '9n% was valuable, had taken its flight two days before. It was indeed true, that Cornaro died of grief at his difgrace in being made a prifoner. His bravery, his noble fpirit, and generoiity, had acquired him the efteem of Philip, by whom he was no Iefs lamented than by his own country- men. The ambaffadors returning with the melancholy news, the peace was ratified, and the mutual articles were performed with all convenient expedition '.
It is remarkable, that in every treaty between the Vene* tians and Philip, though each party was heartily tired of war and defirous of peace, yet Something always occurred to prevent its being folid and durable. One time an ar* tide was granted unwillingly, and foon became a caufe of contention : another, a peace was made only to enable the parties to refume the war with frefh vigour ; in the prefent cafe fome differences between Philip and the pope arofe immediately after the congrefs at Ferrara, difturbed the public tranquillity, and even prevented the effects of that treaty. The Venetians could not be idle fpectators while their countryman was molefted in his pontifical dig- nity. As Eugenius had, ever fince his promotion, ftrongly fupported them againfh Philip, gratitude obliged them now not to be indifferent to his interefts. Philip had ne* ver acknowleged his authority; and now that he found himfelf difengaged from war, he could better purfue his diflike to the pope, which he did with great animofity and rancour k.
While the war raged between the pope and Vifcorjt'i in which the Venetians acted only as auxiliaries, Carrario,
* S^bel. lib. ill- dec* ill- k Hift. des Papes, torn, iv.
P 4 who
40 The Hijlory of Venice.
who had been abfent when his father was put to death at Venice, and ever (ince lived in Germany, was foli- cited to return to Italy by Philip, who thought by hi* means to ilir up the Paduans againll the republic. After an exile of thirty years lie came back to his native country, where he remained for fome months concealed, endeavour- ing to prevail upon the Paduans to throw off the Vene- tian yoke, and receive him as their lawful prince His promifes were fo liberal, and the expectations fo great which he had raifed in many, that his refloration was eagerly defired. The inhabitants of Veiona and Vicenza were particularly difpofed to favour him, and juft ready to de-« clare themfelves, when the fenate receiving intelligence of the defign, gave orders he might be feized j according- ly Carrario, in the habit of a German merchant, and fe- veral of his friends and accomplices were brought to Ve^ nice, convicted, and put to death ', A D. 14.33. This year it was that the Genoefe refolved to throw off ■ the dominion of Philip, who had governed them with a
Spinola defpotic fway for a great number of years, without the h iT a *e regard or tendernefs for their ancient cuftoms and li- berty. Spinola, who had been prifoner in Venice fince the action with Loretano, was the great fomentor of this revolt : he had contracted ftricl: intimacies and warm friendfhips with feveral noble Venetians during his con- finement ; by them he was often exhorted and excited to encourage his countrymen to recover the liberty they had as foolilbly as bafely furrendered. They reminded him of the former fplendor of the city before it was enflaved and fubjetted to the caprice and will of a tyrant : they obferv- ed how mean and pitiful it was to give up the freedom which their anceftors had fo bravely afferted at the hazard of their lives : how unbecoming that a city, herfelf the miftrefs of many other cities and large dominions, ihould be the Have, the varlal of a petty prince, inferior in power and glory to herfelf. In ihort, they gave him room to hppe for ftrong fupplies of men, money, and provisions, if he could perfuade his countrymen to follow what their own interefts, honour, and inclinations ftrongly dictated. They allured him, that both they and the Florentines were ready to hazard their own liberty to recover the free- dom of Genoa, not only from the jull refentment they bore to Philip, but from the natural regard that both flates muit have for a fitter republic. Animated by thefc
1 Sabell. lib. iii. dec. iii.
remoni
Tie Hijlory of Venice. *%
remonflrances, Spinola returned to Genoa, and imme- }{ereturna diately fet every engine at work to effect a revolution ; t0 ctuca. his fuccefs in inflaming the common people was fo great, that nothing lefs than the influence of Sigifmund could prevail with them longer to fuport the Milanefe yoke, al- though perhaps to throw themfelves into the power of an- other mailer lefs powerful, but equallyproud and haughty; but the politic Sigifmund forefaw that any revolution upon this occafion, while his hands were fully employed otherways, would be a total exclufion of his imperial do- minion ; he therefore exerted himfelf fo heartily in be- half of Vifconti, that the tumults excited by Spinola were for the time appeafed, and all thoughts of a revolution deferred to a more convenient opportunity m.
In the war between pope Eugenius and Vifconti, Sforza commanded the troops of the holy fee and the Venetian auxiliaries. Difputes arofe between him and the repub- lic refpec~Hng his pay : Cofmo de Medicis came purpofely from Florence to Venice in order to reconcile the parties ; but his mediation proving abortive, Sforza made up his quarrel with Philip and returned to his fervice. Both the Venetians and Picinino were offended at this treaty ; the latter was particularly enraged, and every where ex- claimed againft the ingratitude of Philip, as if a friend- fhip for Sforza was an injury done to himfelf: but as if his refentment to Philip had excited him to a more earned difcharge of his duty, he attacked Oftafio Polentano, prince of Ravenna, with fo much vigour and fuccefs, that he was at lafl compelled to forfake the Venetian alliance and embrace the party of Philip. He afterwards took Imola and Bologna from the pope, and in every refpec~fc performed greater fervices to the caufe of Vifconti than he had ever done before this quarrel. It would be diffi- cult to determine whether Picinino's conduct was actuated by a rivalfhip of Sforza, by more generous motives, or by found policy and his endeavours to fhew Philip the importance of his friendfliip, and force of his merit. All we know is, that he rendered Vifconti fignal fervices, and did the pope, Venetians, and their allies irreparable damage n.
Mellato, who commanded the Venetian army in the MelUta mean time, was not idle : after he had recovered all the cor*mandt
the Vene-
m Barra Hift. Allemagne, vol. viii. Sabell. lib. iii. dec. in. tlans' Blond, lib. ix. dec. iii. n Palf, apud Sabel. Mont. Comment.
|ib. iv.
places
42 The Hijtory of Venice.
places taken in the Bergamefe by Picinino in the laft cam* paign, he entered the Cremoncfe, and every where car- ried with him terror and defolation. Picinino, hearing of Mellato's progrefs, recalled all his detachments, march- ed into the Cfemonefe, and encamped between the Po and the city of Cremona. Palling the river, he befieged Calfel Major, an enterprize which he knew would divert Mellato from his other defigns. The event anfwered his conjecture ; for Mellato having (Irongly garrifoned all the places he poflefTed in the Cremonefe, marched to Caifel Major, and found means to throw in a reinforcement. Having fully fupplied Socinna, a ftrong place of equal confequence, and placed centinels and corps de guard along the river, he encamped at Bina, twelve miles from Caffei, his army not being ftrong enough to raife the (lege by a battle. Picinino, taking advantage of his fuperior force, which confided of twenty thoufand fine troops, almoft double the number of Mellato's army, profecuted the liege with unwearied diligence, and great vigour °. For nineteen days fucceflively did he batter the walls, al- moft without intermiffion, or any great fuccefs. The fe-» nate entertained hopes that he might at length be forced to abandon the fiege, both from the ftrength of the -place and the obftinacy of the garriibn ; but their expectations were foon difappointed by the fudden fall of a ftrong tower, fuppofed to have been undermined by the trea- chery of fome of the garrifon, corrupted by Picinino. So alarmed were the befieged by this accident, that they hung out a flag of truce, and offered to capitulate upon reafonable and moderate terms. Their propofals were equivocally anfwered, a circumftance which more ftrongly confirmed the governor in his fufpicions. Mean time Pi- cinino was {Scheming the deftruction of the Venetian army; he delayed the capitulation until the iffue of an ambufcade laid for Mellato mould appear ; but the plot being difcovered, a capitulation was figned, and the gar- rifon permitted to march out with the honours of war, their arms and ammunition.
After Gonzaga had refigned the command of the Ve- netian army, a report was propagated of his intention to enter into treaty with Philip \ upon this the Venetian fe- nate fent ambaffauors to him to difluade him from a de- fign fo injurious to the republic. Notwithftanding he had refigned his poft of general, yet a confiderable body of the Mantuan horfe acted under Meilatp ; and though
9 Blond, lib. ix. def . in.
Gon-
tfhe Biflory of Venice. 43
("lonzaga generally refided at Mantua, he often made excurfions upon occafions of confequence to the array, to aflfift Mellato with his advice and counfel. The ambafladors finding him at Mantua, received the ftrongeil afturanccs of his intention to preferve the friendship of the Venetians inviolably, with which an- fwer they returned fully fatisfied. All this time Gon- GonxagtTt zaga maintained a fecret correfpondence with Picini- treachery. no, in which he agreed to afliit the plan ke had laid down for the ruin of Mellato, by withdrawing his forces and joining Picinino, as foon as he began the propofed attack. For this purpofe he came to the Venetian camp, and ftrongly advifed Mellato to quit his prefent fituation, and march into the enemy's country. He had fo far gained upon the provedatori, by the fpecioufnefs of his manners, and the force of his arguments, that they con- curred with his opinion. Picinino arrived, by a fecret march, upon the banks of the Oglio, and encamped at a fprd about four miles diftant from Mellato's camp, where he difpofed every thing for an attack. The Venetian ge- neral fuipecting thofe motions were only a feint to cover fome other defign, kept clofe within his entrenchments, and took every necefiary precaution. The frequent mo- tions of the enemy {till more confirmed him in his opinion, that Picinino had fome other defign than to attack a camp ftrongly fortified by nature and art. At lair, the courier between the treacherous Gonzaga and Picinino was taken, and the whole defign difclofed to Mellato, who, thinking it belt to avoid coming to an explanation at that time, took his meafures for deceiving Gonzaga in his turn. For this purpofe he detached trie Mantuan horfe, under Gio- vanni Tolentino, with orders to crofs the river fome miles above the enemy's camp, and to attack them in the rear, upon a fignal given that the armies were engaged. Hav- ing thus difengaged himfelf from the Mantuans, he gave orders for the army to decamp with the utmoft lilence in the middle of the night, and marched with fuch expedi- tion that by break of day he was twelve miles diftant be- fore the enemy were apprized of his motions. In this man- ner did he proceed unmolefted to Bagnolo, where he en- camped and fortified himfelf in a fituation almoft inaccef- fible p. Gonzaga's fchemes being known at Venice, the fenate refolved to punifh his perfidy. With this intention a prodigious fleet, confiding of lixty-five gallies, eight galliots, and a number of fmall veffels, was equipped
p Blond, lib. ix. dec iii.
with
The Hiflory of Italy.
44
Afieet with all poflible difpatch, and the command given to Pie* cquippti tro Loretano, the old and faithful favourite of the repub- *%**nfl jjc# pje had orders to fail up the Po, and defolate the Ganzaga. enemv's country.
Picinino, in the mean time, was concerting meafures with Gonzaga and Vermio for (hutting up the lake Be- nacus and river Mincia, the only pafTes by which Mellato could fupply his army with forage and provifions. Di- viding his army into four columns, Gonzaga and Vermio, with two feparate corps, entered the Veronefe ; and hav- ing, by the force of money, made themfelves mailers of Valeza, they foon over-run all the country lying between the rivers Adice and Mincia. Here it was that Giovanni Melavotte, going from Brefcia to Verona, with three hundred horfe, fell into their hands, after a brave refin- ance. They foon afterwards fubdued the inhabitants of the lake Benacus ; and Gonzaga reduced Pel- cara, fituated at the rife of the Mincia, and Leonata, upon the Brefcian mountains 5 forts which had for- merly belonged to him, but were now garrifoned by Venetians. Mellato, having received reinforcements from Brefcia, volunteers raifed by Barbaro, and multi- tudes of mountaineers, his army was augmented to the number of twenty thoufand ftrong ; but rinding that Pi- cinino, by Gonzaga's junction, was (till fuperior, and fufpefting the fidelity of feveral of his own officers, he waved his intention, and cantoned the army in the neigh- bouring towns and fortrefles. Picinino, being thus fet at liberty to act as he pleafed, led his army to befiege Sales, which, after fome time, he was forced to relin- quifh, on account of the brave and obftinate defence of the garrifon *. He afterwards drew near Feliciana and Manubia, by the terror of his arms, compelling the For- lani and the inhabitants of Monteclao to embrace the caufe of Vifconti. Hence he marched to Pontoglio, which, with feveral other towns, he reduced before the end of the campaign. A-I>. 1454. Philip's arms were no lefs fuccefsful in another quarter. ■ In the valley of Camona he carried all before him, An- tonio Bechari, his general on that fide, having by force or perfuafion, reduced all the inhabitants to his obedience ; however, he did not long retain his conquefts; for the diligent and faithful Barbaro of Brefcia raifed great bodies of mountaineers, whom he fent under the conduct of
* Mont. Corn, lib.iy. PalT, ap^tf Sabe]. lit), iii. dec. iii. Blond. lib* ix. dec. ii.
Leonardo
The Hijioty of Fen ice, 4j
Leonarda Martinenga againft Bechari. Martinenga foon drove the enemy out of the country with great fiaughter ; after which he over-run the whole territory, deftroying every thing with a barbarous fury, and feverely punifh- ing the cowardice and perfidy of the miferable inhabitants of the valley.
During thefe exploits Picinino defeated Gritti, who was clifpatched by Mellato, with a body of three hundred foot and two hundred horfe, to reinforce Chiava, at that time befieged by the Milanefe general ; after which exploit, he inverted Rhoad, but not before he had completed the re- duction of Chiava. Mellato apprehending the danger of the town from the weaknefs of the garrifon, detached a body of troops, all volunteers, from the mountains of Valhopia and Scrotiona, to raife the fiege, or at leaft to reinforce the garrifon r. An ambufcade was laid for them by Picinino ; but the Venetian general conducted his af- fairs fo prudently that the enemy's fcheme was baffled, a general engagement brought on between both armies, and the Milanefe general forced to relinquifh his enterprize» After an obftinate conflict a retreat was founded by mu- tual confent, and the armies feparated without victory's declaring for either : Mellato returned to Brefcia, and Pi- cinino to Coloignes s. Barbaro, however, proclaimed all over Brefcia, that Picinino was broken and repulfed with great fiaughter, and that the night only had prevented the total deftruction of his army. Nor was this report con- fined to Brefcia only ; it diffufed itfeif to Venice, where it excited fo general a joy, that the people flocked to the market-place to congratulate each other upon the narrow efcape of their army, and complete defeat of the enemy. The city at this time fwarmed with failors, raifed for manning the fleet intended againft Gonzaga: they fo©n a tumult in became riotous in their mirth ; they began with pulling (rM;ce. down flails and (hops, to make fuel for their boneflres. At laft the tumult became fo great as to require the inter- vention of the civil magiftrate ; but their authority was likewife -defpifed. The mob continually increafing, the whole city was in danger of being plundered and burnt, through the unruly and unbridled licentioufnefs of the tu- multuous failors, urhen Loretano interpofed : he was held AAA„rjt- r i i i i • rr Appeafedbj
in luch great veneration among them that their palhons Loretano.
foon yielded to his remonftrances. The tumult was quell-
«■ Mont. Com. lib. iv. » Sabel. lib, iii. dec. iii. Blond,
ibid.
•4,
46
Vhoad ta- ken by «.
cinino.
Mellato
profo/es
croj~
mountains.
fh Hi/lory of Venue.
cd, the mob difperfed, and public tranquillity eftablifht by this admiral, whofe reputation and popularity effect what the fenate and doge found too difficult for their au- thority. He had for the (pace of twenty years been the con- ftant and faithful fervantof the republic : his mildnefs, m< deity, liberality, and affability, had gained him the genen efteem. He was not more refpected by the people for his bravery and generofity, than by the doge and fenate for the fweetnefs of his manners, and zeal for the public fervice. Notwithstanding his great age he was now ap- pointed to conduct one of the moll formidable armaments ever equipped by the republic, and to execute a commif- Con of equal delicacy and importance.
Picinino, dining the preparations at Venice, carried all before him by his vigilance, activity, and the fuperiority of his army. Marching from Coloignes to Rhoad with all his forces, he profecuted the fiege fo vigorously that the garrifon was foon forced to furrender at discretion. He then reduced Eomedi, Paternia, and PaiTorini. In the fpace of one week he forced the Monticulans, Julians, Ornians, and Brienfes, together with the forts of Ilea and Valhopia to fubmit to Philip. A few days after he pof- feffed himfelf of all the Brefcian plains, a great part of the mountains, and the whole territory, the new Orges ex- cepted. Hi^ defign was to fhut Mellato up in Brefcia, where, in a little time, for want of provifions, he mult have been obliged to furrender l. The Venetian, fufnect- ing his intention, and aware of the confequer.ee of being pent up in that corner, left a Strong garrifon in the city, and, with the refidue of the army, which did not exceed three thoufand, began his march about the middle of the night towards Verona. He firlt marched to the banks of the river Mincia, which he attempted to ford before Va- lezia; but was difappointed by the depth of the water, and the opposition from the enemy. He then returned to Brefcia, and was clofely purfued by Picinino, who might probably have furrounded the Venetians, had he taken the precaution of fending a body of troops to intercept their return, upon the prefumption that they would be unable to advance. Mellato, finding it would be impof- fible to fubfift longer in Brefcia, determined to hazard every thing to avoid furrendering by famine u. He pro-
V the jetted the fcheme of leading his troops to Veronay over
Mont. p. z-j.
t Blond, lib. ix. dec. Hi: Sabel. & Blond, ubi fupra.
Montan. ibid.
mountains,
The Eijlory of Venice. 47
mountains, and through forefts which had always been deemed impaflable. Nothing in hiftory exceeds the diffi- culty of this march, which was equal to Hannibal's over the Alps. The army fct out from Brefcia about midnight, palTed through the vale of Suabia to the mountains, every ibldier being furniihed with as much provifion as he could conveniently carry. They continued their march through rocks, bogs, forefts, and deferts for the whole night and all the fucceeding day without halting. The inhabitants of the valley of Suabia, fubjected to the bilhop of Trent, knowing their mailer's difiike to the Venetians, took arms, and grievoufly harraifed the rear of the array. The diffi- culty of the march, exhausted the ftrength of the infantry, and numbers that loitered behind were knocked on the head by the Suabians. For the defence of the wearied in- fantry, Mellato ordered a troop of horfc to bring up the rear, and often to difmounr, in order to accommodate fol- diers unable to proceed. He was foremoft in every dan-, ger, difficulty, and hardship. The troops were animated by his example, and fo affected with the goodnefs of their general, that they chearfully performed exploits beyond their natural ftrength. After having travelled two days, the army halted to refrelh themfelves on the top of a mountain ; and as foon as the wearied foldiers had with food and fleep recruited their exhaufted fpirits, Mellato gave orders to proceed on their march by break of day. He knew the neceffity of expedition, as the bifhop of Trent would not fail to take advantage of their defperate fituation. On this day's march he was joined by Pario Lodron, who followed him with a confiderable body of mountaineers from Brefcia, and had, in fpite of fatigue and danger, refolved to fhare the fortune of Mellato and the Venetian army.
In the mean time the bifhop of Trent, having notice q-^ terr^ that Mellato was pairing through his dominions, aflembled ble dijlreft all the forces he could raife to block up the pafTes, and ofthearmj^ hem him in on every fide. This prelate ordered a ilrong body of troops to feize upon the declivity of a deep and ftrong mountain, over which Mellato was obliged to march by an exceeding narrow, path. Two men could fcarce pafs a-breaft, and the mountain was almoft perpendicular: above appeared nothing but (tones and rocks ; nor was the profpecl: below lefs dreadful ; the lead flip of the foot, or the flighted accident was fatal. Mellato perceiving the troops quite diiheartened with the danger, advanced with a detachment againft the enemy ; he made a fweep
round
43
JLitaefod by the ene- my.
Tilofus faves the army.
sfolu*
"The Hiftory of Venice.
round the hill, and fcrambled up with a fpirit and rei tiort that amazed his own troops, and confounded the enemv, who were foon broke and defeated. Having hap- pily effe&ed this aim, he returned to the army, who im- patiently waited the event of the expedition. To add to the mifery of this day's march, every little rivulet was fwelled with deluges of rain, and rendered fcarce fordable. Nothing but necelTity and an invincible courage could have furmounted the numberlefs difficulties that con- curred : an enemy barbarous to a degree, famine, fatigue, mountains, rocks, tempeftuous weather, and almoft im- paffable deferts ; thefe, together with ficknefs which now prevailed, made up the horrid catalogue. At length, af- ter three days march, they defcended to the plain, on the banks of the river Sarca, which runs from the mountains of Trent to the lake Benacus : here the army was oblig- ed to ftop, the fords being found too deep for the pafiage of the infantry. Next morning the oppofite fhore of the river was covered with Vermio's troops, difpatched by Pi- cinino along the lake to oppofe the paiTage of the Vene- tians ; they were likewile purfued and attacked in the rear by the bifhop of Trent, who by this time had col- lected an army greatly fuperior to Mellato's. In this ex- tremity the Venetians were relieved by the courage and conduct of a fubaltern officer, who propofed that in the night torches (hould be tied to their lances, and the army march as if determined to attempt the paffage of the river lather than perifh in their preient fituation. The enemy, who defended the pafs by which it was defigned to efcape, obferved the Venetians make towards the river, and doubted not but their intention was to open themfelves a way through it by the fword. Without hefitation they poured down from the mountains to attack Mellato in the rear ; but they no foouer moved than Pilofus feized upon their poll with a fmall party, and made a fignal for the reft of the forces that he was in pofTeflion. Immediately a (hout of joy was heard all over the army, and the enemy- perceiving their miftake endeavoured to regain the pafs; but they were received by Pilofus with a courage equal to his conduct, and repulfed with great flaughter. Then did Mellato purfue his march, eroding the river without oppofition, by which means the army found themfelves next day in a plentiful country, after having long fuftain- ed the extremes of fatigue and hunger in barren moun- tains. The change was a paradife to them, and Pilofus regarded as a tutelary angel both by the general and fol-
diers.
The Hlftory of Venice, 4 V
cliers. Mellato was fo ftnCibh of his fervices, that he im- mediately preferred him to the pofl: of centurion, and re- commended him to the fenate as the prefen/er of the Ve- netian army.
During thefe tranfac~tions in the mountains of Trent, Loretano Loretano, with the Venetian fleet, entered the Po ; but titers the found his paftage obftru&ed by Gonzaga, who had caufed i °* great piles to be driven in the river, upon which he laid fttong planks, building forts at every twenty paces di- ftance, and filling up the feces with ftrorfg iron chain fuch a manner as made them impafTable w. He like wife fhongly garrifoned Serrnena, a ftrdhg town upon the Po, and took his meafures fo well as effectually flopped Lore- tano. This admiral waited for three weeks, every day fn expectation of the land-forces : at laft, wearied out, he re- folved to befiege Serrnena, but found the place too well prepared to entertain hopes of fucceeding without a greater force of infantry. Chagrined with disappointment Lore- tano fell fick, and died univerfally, regretted.
While Meilato was eroding the mountains Picinino laid fiege to New Orges, and carried it, through the treachery and corruption of Pietro Luca, whom Mellato had dif- patched with three hundred horfe to reinforce the garri- lbn, and take upon him the command. After this con- quelt, he received orders from Philip, though late in the feafou, to befiege Breicia, which had long been the ob- Picinino ject of his ambition. Picinino immediately led his arrnv, laysjie^eu confiding of twenty thoufand fighting men, and a great ^reJc number of battering pieces, again fi; this city, and without delay opened the trenches. Before this fiege few hidori- ans take notice of cannon ufed by the Italians, though it is imagined the invention was known to the Venetians at the time when Chioggia was taken by the Genoefe. Ba- ronius expreily mentions, that by means of them the fiege of Venice was railed, and the Genoefe blocked up in Chioggia. Upon the prefent occahon we are told, that Picinino had pieces of cannon fent him from Milan, which carried balls of three hundred weight. His batteries play- ed fo furioully againfi the tower of Mombellaue, and other parts of the city, that feveral breaches were made in the walls, and the garriibn began to talk of capitulation x : however, Barbaro, the governor, and fome of the chief OiRcers, (till determined to defend it to the Itfft extremity. By agreement among them it was refolved, that Chritlo-
w Sabel. ibid. x Idem ibid.
Mo d . Vo l . XXI V. E phord
;aa.
5°
¥t:e Hifiory of Venice.
pharc Donato, the chief magiftrate, fhould keep open table, and generoufly entertain all degrees of men, that they might the better fupport the fatigues of the fiege, and more fecurely be fixed in their allegiance to the re- public : that Barbaro, who was the higheft military magis- trate, equally zealous for the public good, generous and brave, mould by the fame means animate and fupport the garrifon. Barbaro omitted nothing which could prompt them to their duty •, he even feigned letters and meflages of fpeedy fuccour promifed him, by which ftratagem, and his own example, he fo animated his troops, that there was not an individual in the garrifon who would not ra- ther have perimed than fubmit. He made feveral fuccefs- ful fallies, whereby the enemy were often repulfed with great {laughter, and their batteries deftroyed. All the breaches made in the day were repaired at night. Even the women laboured with indefatigable industry, danger and the example of Barbaro infpiring them with unufual magnanimity and courage. At laft difeafe and famine had well nigh produced what neither the power or fkill of the enemy could effetl. To obviate this infupportable evil, proclamation was made for all thofe who were unable or unwilling to bear arms to retire from the city. In confe- quence of this intimation, one half of the inhabitants re- moved, with their wives and families y. The city appear- ed in a manner defolate ; but the courage of thofe who remained was unappalled. Although the aiTaults of the enemy were more frequent, and their hopes augmented in proportion as the number of the befieged was diminifh- ed, yet they were always warmly received, and repulfed. At laft the walls round the tower Mombellane being level- led to the ground, it was refolved to ftorm the place : Pi- cinino, at the head of his bed troops, began the aflault, and continued it for the whole day without intermiflion ; when, towards the evening, his foldiers, unable longer to withftand the fury of the befieged, were broken and de- feated. The attack was renewed for three days fuccef- fively ; but always unfuccefsfully : the befieged were not to be overcome either by fatigue, danger, or any kind of hardship z. Picinino, perceiving they were refolved to hold out to the laft extremity, determined to break up the Sitge fiege, and fave the remainder of his broken forces. Thus,
raifeJ. after fpinning out the campaign to the middle of the win-
y Blond, lib. ix, dec. iii. » Sabel. lib. iii. dec. iii.
Blond, ibid.
ter,
The Hiftory of Venice. 5 1
Tcr, after enduring all the extremities of cold and fatigue, after the lofs of near three thoufand of his troops, befides a great number of nobility and gentlemen of the firft rank in Italy, after having exhaufted his whole (lock of military (kill, he was compelled to retire from the walls of a city defended by a handful of brave militia.
During the fiege of Brefcia, Mellato was not idle. As foon as he had recovered the fatigue of his late march he entered upon action. His firft care was to try every me- thod to fuccour Brefcia ; but they all proving fruitlefs, he reduced Bargo and Corvario : here the brave Pilofus re- ceived a contufion, of which he died before the arrival of the phyficians and furgeons fent to his affiftance by the fe- nate. The grief was general for the lofs of this hero, though of private rank a : his body was brought to Ve- nice, and interred at the public expence. Such were the many examples of public honours beftowed upon private fubjects, of valour and merit, by that wife and politic flate. Upon this occafion too the fenate conferred the title and authority of general on Mellato, in acknowleg- ment of his late good conduct, and in reward of his for- mer exploits ; nor was Barbaro forgot ; his zeal, fpirit, and indefatigable indultry met with a recompence and ho- nours adequate to the high degree of his merit, and the fenfe the republic had of his unwearied loyalty and fide- lity b. Avogadre, a native of Brefcia, was folici ting the A.D.1435. fenate for the relief of his brave countrymen, and the ' ■" doge earneftly exhorting them to fend immediate fupplies, when a mefTenger arrived from Barbaro with the joyful in- telligence that the fiege. was raifed. Neither Foicari, the fenate, or Avogadre, could credit the merTenger before they had read Barbaro's difpatches : they were then (truck with amazement and admiration at the obftinate valour of the garrilbn. The whole city was in a blaze with bone- fires, and a joy appeared every where, equal to what might be expected had Venice been relieved from a fiege. A reward was fent to every individual in the garrifon ; the wives of the dead were ordered to be fupported at the pub- lic charge, and particular honours decreed to Barbaro and the other officers.
After the difgrace before Brefcia, Picinino befieged and reduced Lodron, aflembled his troops, and proceeded to Romana, which he inverted 5 but this place, ftrong by art and nature, and well provided and garrifoned, baffled
a Montan. Jib. v. b Sabel, lib. iii, dec, iii,
E 2 all
§2 The Hiftory of Venice.
all his attempts. Finding he could make no impref-- fion, he retired with his troops, into their former winter- quarters c.
During thefe tranfa£Hons, the fenate, by the advice of Nicholao d'Efte, were taking meafures to regain the friendfhip of Sforza, whom they now found to be of more confequence than they imagined d. They likewife laboured with all their might to engage the Florentines in their quarrel, this republic having, fmce the difmiflion of Sforza, been entirely neutral and inactive. Sforza was difgufted with Philip's prevarication about the promife of giving him his daughter in marriage. That prince had detached him from the alliance of Venice in fuch a manner, that he thought no refentment could induce him to enter again into a fervice in which he had been fo grofsly affronted. Some farcafms of his rival Picinino added greatly to Sforza's indignation. The duplicity of Vifconti, and his animofity to Picinino determined this general to liften to the Venetians, who were even profufe in their offers of fervice. Montano tells us, that a penfion of two hundred A. D. 1436. and twenty thoufand ducats, an incredible fum in thofe
days, was afligned him c.
The Florentines withftood all the exhortations, remon- ftrances, and folicitations of the Venetian envoy, until they had certain aflurance that Sforza was reconciled and en- gaged. Though they perfectly well knew that if Philip had once conquered the Venetians, his next attempt would be againfl themfelves, yet neither this confideration, nor any other arguments, could roufe or ftimulate them to their own defence. Whether their conduct proceeded from fome fecret connivance with Sforza, or arofe from the confidence they had in his valour, hiftory is filent ; certain it is that they now firft acceded, to the treaty. The League be- triple alliance was concluded about the middle of Febru- tweentke arv : among other articles it was exprefsly ftipulated, that Fhr *****' *^c two rePu^ncs hhould immediately remit to Sforza the Sforza, * F^y or* three thoufand foot and two thoufand horfe -, that and all the towns, forts, and cities, with their dependencies, con-
d'jEjie. quered in the courfe of the war, mould be given to Sforza, Cremona alone excepted, which was to revert to the Ve- netians; that if Cremona only mould be taken, it mould in this cafe become the property of Sforza, the general and commander in chief of the combined army ; that any num- ber of forces he mould think neccfiary, mould be levied at
c Sabel. ibid, ^ Aut. cit. ubi fupra. e Lib. v. Paflius
?pud Sabel. lib* iii» dec. iii.
the
The HiJIory of Venice,
the joint expence of both dates ; that Sforza (hould dN rectly march into Lombardy, to relieve the Venetians, who were hard prefTed in that quarter : Nicholao d'Efte was likewife included in this treaty ; and it was ftipulate to fupport, at the expence of the repub^ lies, Guido Favalino, with fifteen hundred horfe and three hundred foot, together with hisfon Borfiawith one thoufand horfe, as auxiliaries, to act by the direction of Sforza f.
Philip, finding that he was miftaken in his conjectures concerning Sforza, left no done unturned to regain his friendfhip •, but the other was too far engaged to retract with honour ; befides, he paid little regard to promifes, which had already been (o often falfified. At Venice, al- though this league was eagerly defired, it was fufpected ; jealoufies were entertained of Sforza's fmcerity : however, their prefent diftrefs and the event juftified the wifdom of the fenate's conduct (A).
53
f SabeK ibid. Blond, lib. ix. dec. iii.
(A) While the league was in agitation, a very extraordi- nary propofal was made to the fenate by a native of Candia, one Sorbolla, of carrying a fleet over-land to the lake Be- nac, for the relief of Brefcia, at that time clofely befieged by Picinino. Sorbolla was a me- chanic of a buiy, entcrpi izing, and projecting difpofition ; but withal ingenious and fenfible. The fcheme was firft received as an impracticable and wild whim of the imagination, fttg- gefted by folly and madnefs : but after the fenate hadperufed and weighed Sorbolla's memo- rial, they began to entertain lb me notion of the propofal, and a high opinion of the pro- jector. At length the experi- ment was refolved upon, and the conduct of the whole com- mitted to the artift, who was to be fupplied with every thing
ncceflary for the execution, Sorbolla immediately fet . to work : he firft had the fleet, confifting, according to Blon- dus, of two gallies, three gal- liots, and twenty-five fmall vefiels, towed up againft the ftream of the river A dice to Verona, and from thence to Mora. By land the mips were moved by engines upon rollers of a fmooth hard wood for the fpace of fix miles from Mora to the lake of St; Andrew's. At length three months after he left Venice, he arrived at Torbolles with his fleet, to the infinite fatigue of himielf, and amazement of all who beheld him. Before his arrival the fiege of Brefcia was railed, and Sorbolla's expedition was at- tended with advantage only to himielf, who was well reward- ed for his ingenuity.
E3
Picinln,
54 ^ Hiftory of Venice.
VV.D.1437. Picinino, underftanding that the league was formed, - took every precaution to withftand the powerful army
which he doubted not would be levied by the allies : he held confutations with Gonzaga concerning the opera- tions of the enfuing campaign: he thought, if the war could be transferred into the Paduan or Vincenzan terri- tories, that it would prove an advantage to Philip, and greatly diftrefs the enemy. This feemed a plan eafily ex- ecuted, if a fortrefs or two, in which to form magazines, could be feized. The whole plan was afterwards found to be Gonzaga's, who intended nothing more by it than to remove the feat of war at a diftance from himfelf : he far- ther propofed, that the fleet upon the Po might be brought either by land or water to the river Adice, by means of which he could greatly diftrefs and harrafs the enemy &. But fecretly as this project was concerted, Mellato ob- tained fome intelligence of it, which he immediately tranf- mitted to Venice •, his accounts were, however, difregarded. Thus Gonzaga, having built eight gallies at Hoftilia, fent them with infinite expence and labour to the river Adice. Marino Contarini and Lodovico Molino were difpatched by Mellato with a few fhips, to flop their progrefs, if pof- fible. Their frrft attempt began at Caftagnaria : here vi- gorous fkirmifhes daily happened ; but the Venetian forces being inconfiderable, the enemy at length gained their Jfea fight, point, and appeared on the Adice. Some days after the - two fleets came to an engagement, in which neither fide claimed victory, though the Venetians retired firft, for which retreat the commanding officers were difgracedh. In confequence of the retreat of the Venetians, Picinino laid fifge to Lenaga, and reduced the befieged to the ne- ceflity of capitulating.
In this ftate were affairs when an engagement happened near the lake Benacus, which terminated more to the ad- vantage of the Venetians than the laft encounter. Ittaius lay at Sales with a confiderable body of horfe and foot, and was oppofed by a corps, greatly inferior to his own, under Avogadre. They met at Moderna, a town to which It- talus propofed laying fiege. The battle began with vi- gour, and was maintained with obftinacy and conduct for the whole day: neither fide feemed to have any chance for vidory, until Zeno,the Venetian admiral on the lake, bringing his fhips as clofe as poffible to the fhore, landed a body of feamen, who foon turned the fcale in favour of
s Montan. ubi fupra. h Sabel lib. iii. dec hi.
Avogadre,
the Hlfiory of Venice, $$
Avogadre. The failors attacked Ittalus in the rear, and %b ?**** fo galled him, that, unable longer to keep the field, he ' . 'V1C~ retreated in diforder, leaving behind a great number of flain, wounded, and prifoners, to the amount of one thou- sand five hundred Soldiers. He himfelf efcaped under favour of a dark night ; but fifty of his chief officers were taken *.
In the mean time Sforza fet out for the army from La A.D. 1438,
Marca, attended by a numerous retinue of young nobility — ■
and gentry. On his arrival at Arimini, the head-quarters fixed for tbe army, he ordered a general mutter, when the troops were found complete. He had heard of Picinino and Gonzaga's intention of removing the war into Padua and Vincenza, and refolved, if poflible, to anticipate their project, by pufhing into Lombardy k. His firft attempt was upon Forlimpopoli, which he foon reduced ; thence marching to Ravenna, news were brought him, that the enemy had feized upon all the territories of Verona and Vincenza. The city Verona was clofely befieged, and the burghers of j?oth capitals had mutinied and expelleo} the Venetian garrifons : in fhort, without the utmoft ex^ pedition and good fortune, thofe cities mult have fallen into the hands of the enemy. The commotions arofe from the wanton oppreffion of the garrifon, who treated the inhabitants with unbridled licentiouSneSs and rapacity. The Paduans were foon perfuaded to pacific meafures upon the return of their governor; but the Vincenzans were more obftinate. They faid, that they wanted no foreign defence ; that their loyalty to the republic, and their own bravery were Sufficient for the Security of their city, and to repulfe all the attacks of their enemies. The Venetian Senate had many proofs of their fidelity and affection, which were ftronger barriers againft Philip's power than thoufands of hireling troops. Mellato hearing of the ex- pulfion of the garrifon, haftened thither ; but finding the Vincenzans firmly attached to the Venetians, and that only a noble refentment of the jnfults and wrongs fuftained froni the troops, occafioned the prefent troubles, he greatly commended their fpirit and zeal, allured them of the pro- tection of the republic, and left the inhabitants to defend] their own city r.
The intelligence Sforza had received from Padua and Sforza. the Veronefe made him change his meaSures : quitting mar'hes fQ
* Montan. Comrpent. lib. v. Paflius apud Sapel. dec. iii. lib. iii. J ' * Sabe}. lib. hi, dec. iii. J Sabel. lib. iii. dec. iii.
E 4 Ravenna,
^6 The Hi/lory of Fen ice.
Ravenna, he went to Rancannes, where he obliged Guklq and Francifco, Picinino's fons, to retire with a large body of cavalry to Forli. Hence, through the Bolognefe he pailed to Bodiha, where, (hipping his heavy baggage on the Po, he proceeded through Ferrara to Adria, and ar- rived in the Pad u an territories, having croffed four great rivers. His fir ft care was to effect, a junction with the troops under Mellato, which was happily accomplished by the good conduct of both generals. Sforza's army now amounted to fourteen thoufand horfe and eight thoufand foot, a force fufficient to carry on the war of- fensively m.
During thefe tranfactions in the Paduan and Veronefe, Brefcia was reduced to great extremities, infomuch that nothing but the invincible zeal and courage of Barbaro could maintain the inhabitants in their allegiance. AI- efBref though Picinino had raifed the fiege in January, yet, dur- ing the whole winter and fpring, the Brefciam were infefted by perpetual incurfions of parties : the paffes by which they could receive provifion and forage were fhut up ; money was fcarce, as the Venetians hail remitted none for feveral months, fo exhausted were the finances of the republic ; and, to crown their mifery, difeafe and famine prevailed to a great degree. In this fituation Barbaro was indefatigable, his fpirit invincible, and his invention inex- hauftible : he raifed money upon his own credit for the payment of his troops; laid in great (lore of chefnuts, roots, and fruits, to fupply the want of wheat and corn ; he deceived his own troops and the enemy by feigned let- ters and correspondences ; he converfed affably with all degrees of the inhabitants, and liberally fpent his fortune in their fupport ; his houfe was open to relieve the hungry in every degree; he procured troops of horfe to enter the City in the night wi$ bags fluffed with hay, to perfuade the inhabitants into a hope of frefh Supplies, and then the next day made a distribution of wheat and barley, which he had referved for his own ufe ; he carried his patriotic artifice fo far as to have arrows, with fcrolls of paper, (luck at night in fome of the high towers and" fteeples, as if they had been fhot by his friends without, to acquaint him with their intentions of affording him fpeedy relief.
Ittalus had by this time encamped within a few miles of the city, with a confiderable body of troops ; and Barbaro,
m Monran. lib. v. Sabel. ibid.
on
$hc Hiftory of Venice. zy
on promife of being powerfully fupported by the moun- taineers, refolved to diilodge him and fet fire to a part of the enemy's fleet upon the lake n : but though the plan for both was concerted with all the forefight which human prudence could direcl:, yet the execution failed, through fome unaccountable circumftancca, and Barbaro was re- pulfecl with lofs °.
Brefcia was fituated in this manner while Sforza's ap- Sforza proach obliged the enemy to raife the fiege of Verona and ra'lei ^'e retire to Savi, a town on the confines of the Veronefe. Jlf&e 0/ i' Sforza then befieged Longina, and after feveral aflaults, reju*cet in which he loft two of his intimate friends, obliged it to Longina* furrencter. He razed the walls to the ground, but had the humanity not to put the garrifon to the fword : then draw- ing up his army, he marched againft the enemy, who were encamped a few miles diftant \ but they declining battle, he turned towards Vincenza, and foon recovered all the towns which had been taken from the republic.
Although the enemy had raifed the fiege of Verona, they continued to keep it blocked up by entrenchments, which Sforza, without great danger and imprudence, could not force. He therefore determined to relieve the city by palTes over the mountains, an aim which he effected, after a dangerous and tedious march.
In the mean time both Picinino and Sforza exerted all Parallel their fkill about Brefcia, the one to diftrefs, and the other between to relieve Barbaro. The former relied chiefly on his per- and^ici. feci knowlege of the country, fnares, ambuihes, and in- nin0. trigues. Sforza's genius and comprehenfion were greatly fuperior: his fchemes were extenfive, and worthy of a re- nowned commander ; but he neglected the minutiae, on which often depended the fate of the fined laid fchemes The fenate of Venice was under the utmoft concern about a city that had fo long and faithfully fuftained all the pref- fure of extreme mifery : they fent the mod pofitive orders to Sforza to leave no means untried to relieve the truity Barbaro and his brave garrifon. At laft this fervice was Picinim happily effected by the defeat of Picinino, and deftruction <-eJeate>L of his army. Upon this occafion, Sforza's difpofition was fo judicious, his choice of the ground fo excellent, and his courage, throughout the engagement, fo confpicuous, that the fuccefs could not be attributed to fortune alone : it was the natural confequence of that aftonifhing display of the finelt talents and capacity. He was fupported by
n Ibi<$. • Sabel, lib. iii. dec iii.
his
38 The Hiftory of Venice.
his army with all the courage he could defire ; and a fort of rivalfliip feemed to prevail, who Ihould belt execute their general's commands. Picinino, after his right wing gave way, made one defperate pufhagainft the Venetian infan- try on the right, which they were unable to withftand : they were broken and put in confufion, when Sforza ar- rived with a frelli corps, who Curtained the enemy while he was rallying the disordered lines. He then renewed the attack with fuch impetuofity, as baffled all refiftance, broke the enemy, and made prodigious daughter, Picinino efcaping with difficulty in difguife. Sforza imagined he had been among the prifoners ; but finding that he was miftaken, he offered a reward of five thoufand crowns to whoever fhould take him alive p. Near four thoufand pri- foners were made, and among them a great number of nobility and officers of the firft diftinction. Zeno de- Zeno, with the Venetian fleet on the lake Benacus, was
/tftitd, lefs fuccefsful : after a variety of flight encounters with the enemy, he was at laft defeated, made prifoner, and his whole fleet taken. Sanfeverino commanded the enemy's fleet, and Ittalus a land army upon the banks of the lake. The latter made ib good uie of the victory, that he fpon reduced the ftrong cattle of Moderna.
As to Sforza he was called frompurfuing his victory to relieve Verona, cloiely befieged by a ftrong detachment Picinino had fent for that purpofe before the engagement. Before he could arrive the enemy were in pofieffion, by means of a ftratagem which fucceeded, and Gonzaga was proclaimed prince of Verona. The citadel and fome forts were ftill in the hands of the Venetians, and defended againft all the arts and power of the enemy. Sforza or- dered lines of circumvallation to be formed, to prevent Gonzaga's efcape or fuccour, and the works were profe- cutedwith fo great diligence, that in four days the trenches were opened, and the batteries began to play with prodi- gious fury upon the walls. There was fomething extraor- dinary in the fituation of the enemy, who were befieging the citadel at the very time they werebefieged in the city. In this condition it was not poflible they could hold out long : nor in effect did they, for the third day after the batteries were opened a breach was made, and Sforza ordered it to be (formed. The troops mounted with fo much refolu- tion, and were fo well fupported by a fally from the cita- del, that the town was foon entered, and the enemy chafed
P Ibid. Mcntai). lib. v. Paff. apud Sabell,
wi;h
Ihe Hiftory of Venice. 59
with great {laughter about the fireets. The inhabitants had kept themfelves clofe in their houfes, without joining with either party, until the enemy were defeated : then they began to give proofs of their courage and loyatv, by infulting the dead and wounded, and knocking in the head the few ftragglers that remained : but this conduct would not fatisfy Sforza ; he demanded clearer proofs of their fidelity, and examined every circumftance concerning the ftratagem by which the enemy got poflefhon. The inquiry- did not turn out greatly in favour of the citizens, many of whom were convicted of treafonable practices, and pu- nilhed accordingly ; others were pardoned, and the whole exhorted to a more faithful difcharge of their duty 9. The news of Sforza's fuccefs were received with great joy at Venice, and a folemn ernbafly fent to compliment him upon his conduct ; and henceforward the fortune of the republic began to rife, while that of Philip andPicinino vifibly de- clined. In confequence of Sforza's victories Brefcia was A.D. 144a. relieved, and an intercourfe opened between all the parts — — of the Venetian dominions.
Philip foon recruited Picinino's broken army, and took meafures for protracting the war by a fecret contract with Cornetano, the pope's general : herein it was ftipulated, that Cornetano ihould invade La Marca, while Picinino, crofting the Po, fhould enter Tufcany. The pope, fuf- pecting his general's fidelity, narrowly watched his con- duct, which was at laft fully cleared up by fome inter- cepted letters; in confequence of which Cornetano was feized and committed to the caftle of St. Angelo r. This detection difconcerted Philip's plan, but he was not daunt- ed. Picinino entered Flaminia, and laid every place wafte with fire and fword, though he could make no impreffion on the fortified towns, which were bravely defended.
His holinefs in the mean time ordered Lodovico, one of his bifliops, to lead the army, late Cornetano's, to Tuf- cany, in quality of apoltolical legate, and join the Floren- tines; a ftep which it was fuppofed wouid fruftrate Pici- nino's intention 3. But this general, after he had been re- pulfed by Pifani in his attempt upon Primotoria, marched directly with defign to crofs the Appenines. All poffible precautions were ufed by the Florentines to guard the panes, which Picinino found means, however, to avoid
q Sabel. ibid. Blond, ibid. r Hift. des Papes, torn. iv. La Vie de Eugene. s Hilt, des Papes. torn. iv. cabel. lib. iii. dec. iii.
by
6o
Picimno
enters
Tvfcany,
Contareni defeats Philips feet en the lake.
The Hijlory of Venue.
by marching over mountains almoft impervious. In this manner did he reach Politiana, which he befieged, to the great terror of the Florentines, who every minute expected him at their gates. This city he took, and, inftead of marching to Florence, turned his arms againft the Caflen- tines, ruining and deftroying every place he parTed through. Picinino's overfight produce:! a fatal alteration in his af- fairs ; for before he returned from his excurfion againft this people, the Florentines had joined the pope's forces, and were in a condition to acl: offenfively k. Early in the fpring Sforza marched with a prodigious army to Tufcany. He propofed making his way through the midft of the enemy's troops and garrifons, in order to acl: in conjunc- tion with Contareni, who commanded the Venetian fleet upon the lake Benacus. The chief ftrength of the enemy had always been directed againft Brefcla, which ftili was In great want, notwithstanding the fuccours received. Sforza determined, at all events, to relieve it •, but in this defign he forefaw numberlefs difficulties : the greateft of which was, the almoft impoflibility of fupplying his army with provifion and forage. When he arrived at the river Mincia, he called a council, to confult what was bed to be <lone in this critical fituation ; whether or not he ought to pafs the river, the confequence of which would be a nc- cemty of opening his way to Brefcia by the fword ? The council were unanimoufly of opinion, that every thing was to be hazarded for the relief of a city which had, through fuch a feries of calamities, maintained its fide- lity.
Before we trace Sforza farther, it will be necefiary to mention fomething concerning Contareni, and the fleet upon the lake Benacus. The fenate having fent all the neceflaries for equipping a fleet, 'in carts, to Torbolles, the carpenters fell to work with the utmoft diligence, and, in a fnort time, launched fix gallies. With thefe Contareni failed againft the enemy, who were near double the num- ber, commanded by Blafio Afiereta, a Genoefe. Conta- reni took on board fix companies of foldiers, to annoy the enemy with their arrows and fmall-arms. The fe- cond day he met and engaged the enemy with a fpi- rit, intrepidity, and conduct, that foon fecured the victory in his favour. The battle was very bloody while it laftedj the very elements combined to increafe
k Blond, ibid.
the
The Hi/lory of Venice. Ci
th§ horror of the fcene, it blowing a ftorm during the whole engagement. In the end the enemy were totally- broken, routed and difperfed, two of their gallies, with their crews, were funk, and two more taken. Contareni, purfuing his victory with prudence equal to his courage, attacked and reduced Riva, La Garda, Laciza, and Bar- dolin, in order to open a communication with Brefcia. The news of this victory greatly animated the Brefcians : they no longer doubted of immediate and effectual fuc- cours, from the efforts of Contareni on the one fide, and of Sforza on the other '.
Sforza, before he received intelligence of this victory, had crofTed the Mincia, and reduced Montzabena, Salies, and Rivoltella : here, by the advice of the brave Barbaro, he refolved, inftead of marching directly to Brefcia, to leek the enemy's main army, and give it battle, knowing, if he wag victorious, that it would be a great ftep not only to the relief of Brefcia, but towards fmifhing the war m. Hearing that Sanfeverino, Ittalus and Vermio were en- trenched near Socinna, he began his march in the night, and furioufly attacked their entrenchments. After the af- Sforza de- fault had continued for forne hours he began to fall back, feats Itta~ as if his troops were unable to ftand the charge: having ye™:Q thus drawn the enemy out of their trenches, he returned fiercely to the attack, broke and entirely routed them with the lofs of three thoufand men killed and taken pri- soners. In confequence of this victory the New Orges, and all the cities, towns, forts, and caftlcs of the Bref- cian, Bergamefe, and valley of Cremona, returned to the obedience of the republic. Crofling the Ogiio, Sforza reduced Cafiel Major, Bregnan, Rinolca, and other towns in the territories of Ghiradadda and the Cremonefe n. In a word, his conquefts were fo rapid, that Philip refolved to recall Picinino out of Tufcany, for the defence of the Milanefe, which was greatly alarmed by the vicinity of Sforza. This general, knowing the importance of leav- ing the Florentines and pope's forces unoppoled, and that the lofs of the places he had taken would neceiTarily enfue, refolved to give the allies battle before his departure. With this intention he marched to Anglare, where they were encamped at the foot of the Apennines. The Flo- rentines could not ftand the firft mock, but were put in fome confufion, when the pope's forces, pouring in upon
l Pad", apud Sabel. Blond, ibid. a Ibid, etiam Montan.
Tib, v. n Sanfcv. Cron. Ven.
the
6a %fo Hiftory of Venice.
Vkinino the enemy with great vigour, retrieved the battle. Pici- ff'w bat' nino had purfued the Florentines too far, he was now at- ******* tacked in the flank and rear by the pope's army: thefe, and is de- * a^l^ec^ ty the Florentine horfe, fell upon him every where, feated, during his purfuit of the Florentine infantry: thus, hemmed in on every fide, he was broke and put in con- fufion, great daughter was made, and an incredible num- ber of prifoners were taken. His intimate friend Aftu- rio Faventino was among the latter, a circumftance that alTecled Picinino more than the lofs of the battle °.
Sforza in the mean time purfued his conquefls, having taken Cavanza after an obltinate defence, together with Azola and Caneda, towns belonging to Gonzaga, which made but a flight refiftance. From thence he proceeded and laid fiege to Pefcara, a city feated at the mouth of the river Mincia : Nicholao d'Efte came to the camp, offer- ing his mediation for a peace. D'Efte farther aflured Sforza that Philip would willingly give him his daughter in marriage, and even fend her with her portion to him* if required. It was Sforza' s anfwer, that peace would be equally agreeable to the Venetians and to himfelf, not- withstanding their rapid courfe of profperity, could it be obtained on equitable and honourable conditions p. D'Efte returned to Philip with this anfwer, and during his abfence Pefcara furrendered at difcretion. Sforza Picinino, after his defeat, retired with his broken army
goes to into Flaminia ; from thence he fet out by long marches k$nke* for Milan, where he was in a lhort time recruited and enabled to take the field. Nothing material, befides the furrender of Ravenna to the Venetians, happened during the remainder of this campaign. Sforza, having put his army into winter-quarters, went to Venice ; where he was received with a profufion of honours, worthy of his great merit and fervices. He was run after and gazed upon as a prodigy. When he came to the gates of the city, the fenate, the feignory, and all the nobility went out to meet and conduct him to the palace, where he was entertained by the doge with the utmoff diftin£tion and magnificence. Barbaro, and a hundred Brefcian gen- tlemep, were likewife come to Venice, to compliment the republic on the late fuccefs of her arms, and do honour to the marriage of Jacomo Fofcari, fon to the doge. In iliort, nothing but mirth and feftivity was thought of,
° Sabel. lib. iii. dec. iii. etiani Blond, ibid, P Ibid. lib. iii,
dec. iii.
when
T'be Hi/lory of Venice. 63
when intelligence arrived of the fudden march of Picinino into the Brefcian, where he laid wafte every thing, and fpread conflernation and ruin all over the face of the coun- try. Sforza immediately fet out to aflemble his army; Sftrxa but, in fpite of his expedition, Picinino had poffefled him- rnarcnei felf of all the champaign country, the Venetian dominions a^ctning ©n the banks of the Adda, and the Bergamefe, before a body, fufficient to oppofe him, could be collected.
The enemy, finding that Sforza was taking effectual meafures to attack them, feized upon a ftrong camp near Aglefia, defended by the river Seriolles in front, the mountains in both flanks, and in the rear by the Oglio. In this fituation did Picinino watch the motions of Sforza, who did not long hefitate about giving him battle under all difadvantages. Having viewed the ground Sforza or- dered the bridge on the Oglio to be attacked, at the fame time advancing with the main army on the enemy's front, A battle. he forded the Seriolles. The engagement laiied for two hours with great fury, when night coming On, feparated the combatants, and probably faved Picininc's army. The carnage uras confiderable, neither fide giving or receiving quarter. Immediately after this battle Sforza led his A.D.T441. troops againil Martinenga, which he invefled with the .. ■ rnoft complete army the Venetians had ever raifed : the troops amounted to thirty thoufand fighting men, well, clothed, paid, and attended with a fine train of artillery. Though the trenches were foon opened, and the batteries began to play with great execution, yet the fiege was drawn out to great length : fome attributed this procrafli- nation to fecret practices between Picinino and Sforza, who, they alleged, were more intent upon dividing the provinces among themfelves, than on the intereft of the ftates by whom they were employed : others faid it was owing to the ftrength of the place, the numerous garrifon within, and Picinino's army without, which neglected no opportunity of harrafiing and incommoding the befiegers^ Certain it is that the fenate entertained no diilrult o£ Sforza's fidelity: but the cafe with Philip was different; he began to harbour fufpicions of both, and thought it unfafe to commit fuch vaft armies to men whofe ambi- tion might ufe them to the utter extinction of both the contending powers. Impelled by thefe reafons, wearied with the intolerable expence of the war, and, as fome affirm out of patience with the haughty demands of Pici-*
\ Afoafrn, Comment. lib. iv. Sabel. ibid,
nino,
64 The Hijlory of Venice.
nino, he refolved upon peace ; for which purpofe he dif- patched a meffenger with great fecrefy to Venice, to found Treaty e>f the difpofition of the fenate. At the fame time he treated peace with with Sforza ; and the propofals he made were fo advan- Philip. tageous to the republic, that hoftilities ceafed the day after the arrival of Philip's courier in the camp r. Picinino highly refented this treatment, and openly complained of the ingratitude and infidelity of Philip, for having pre- fumed to treat of peace without his confent or knowlege. But, without paying any regard to his remonftrances and indignation, the following articles, after violent debates, were agreed to, or rather were determined by Sforza, who was appointed umpire of the differences : that the Bref- cian and Bergamefe mould unalterably remain to the re- public ; that Ravenna, Riva, Torbolles, and Penetra, cities of which they were pofleffed by right of conquer!, mould become a part of the Venetian dominions ; that Martinenga, with all the cities, forts, and catties of Ghi- radadda, mould be ceded to Philip j that all the Mantuan confines and territories fhould be given up to Gonzaga ; that Cremona and the Cremonefe fhould be the portion of Sforza with Bienca, Philip's daughter (C) ; that Euge- nius the pope fhould in two years have Bologna furren- dered to him ; that the Genoefe fhould be reflored to their liberty, and Philip exert no farther authority over that re- public *, that the Florentines mould releafc Faventino, upon his reftoring to them all the places he had taken dur- ing the war ; and laftly, that the cities Pefcara and Lon- nado, mould belong to the Venetians5.
Thefe terms were agreed to and figned by all parties, the pope's nuncio excepted, who retired from the con- grefs in a rage, and let out for Rome, complaining that the holy fee was unjuflly treated and robbed of its patri- , mony. Thus the public tranquillity was reilored, and the • ruinous war with Philip concluded, to the mutual fatif- faction of the Venetians and Vifconti. For three days public rejoicings were made at Venice and Milan, the people expreffing the utmoft joy at the profpeft of a folid and lading pacification between the republic and duchy
* Blond, ibid. s Sabel. lib. v. dec. iii. Blond, lib. x- dec. in.
Montan. Corn. ibid.
(C) This lady was fent to magnificence and pomp ; after Cremona to meet the bride- which Sforza let out, with his
groom. Here their nuptials bride, for Venice, were celebrated with the utmoft
of
The Hiftory of Venice* 65
t>f Milan. Venice never prefented a more beautiful and wealthy fcene than on this occafion, all the merchants from the Rialto to St. Mark's expofing their richeft furni- ture, merchandize, and plate, to public view; and the treafure of that noble church, by order of the procurators, being laid out in the mod elegant manner for the enter- tainment of Grangers and the people.
The remainder of this year produced nothing of confe- quence, the attention of the republic being employed wholly upon the civil policy. During this winter it was that the procurators of St. Mark's were augmented in number, when, inftead of fix, nine of thofe high magif- trates were appointed1. An extraordinary overflowing of the fea, happened towards the vernal equinox, which deflroyed a great number of houfes, (hops, and ware- houfes, the lofs of which was computed at a million of ducats* About this time a war againfl fome piratical War with Hates was commenced. The firft Venetian fleet was de- pirates* ftroyed in a ftorm ; but another, foon after equipped, had the good fortune to clear the feas in a fhort time, and fe- cure the public commerce.
Early in the fpring a fleet, at the expence of Eugenius, was equipped at Venice, to proceed againil the Turks, who were rapidly purfuing their conquefts in Europe. Of this armament we are told nothing befides its having blocked up the ftraits dividing Europe from Afia, which for a time checked the progrefs of Amurath the Turkifti emperor. As to the affairs of Ttal#, they were now, as ufual after every peace, difturbed by the difcontent of fome of the parties concerned. The pope openly declared his refentment againil Sforza, for having kept him out of the pofTeflion of Bologna. Alphonfo of Arragon and, Sforza began to renew a quarrel, hereditary in their fami- lies, and the former found means to draw Philip into a league againfl: his fon-in-law. However, though thefe wars difturbed the peace of the neighbouring powers for the .fpace of five years, the Venetians kept themfelves quiet until the year 1446, at which time they found it A.D. 1446. expedient to join Sforza againfl: Philip. Young Picinino's ,
befieging Cremona was the immediate caufe of their taking part in the quarrel : they fir ft fent an envoy, to Philip, to acquaint him with their intentions, if Picinino did not re- linquifti the fiege. The haughty anfwer given to their mi- War with nifler occafioned the fenate to iflue orders to their general ^'j'P °f
1 Sanfov. delle Vit. Fofca. Mod. Vol. XXIV. F Michaeli
€6
Atten- dulo, the Venetian qetteral, defeats Picinino,
Sforza goes \tfOtf
to Philip,
The Hijlory of Venice:
Michaeli Attendulo, to march directly to Cremona fcnd give battle to Picinino. Attendulo executed his inilruc- tions with fuccefs, a battle being fought in Ghiradadda, in which Picinino was defeated with great flaughter of his troops, and the lofs of four thoufand prifoners, his camp, and artillery. Another battle foon enfued, in which At- tendulo was a fecond time victorious, and Picinino's defeat little lefs complete than the former". Two fuch fignal victories excited the jealoufy of Sforza, though upon the whole he was to reap the advantage: Alphonfo and the pope were likewife envious of the fuccefs and growing greatnefs of the republic on the continent. They there- fore left nothing untried to induce Sforza to break with the Venetians and go over to Philip : upon this ftep he refolved without fcruple ; but the Venetians, fufpecting his defign committed his envoy to prifon, and revoked all the grants and decrees of the fenate in his favour x. Now it was that the republic had occafion for the full exertion of that unfhaken resolution ever difcovered upon all ha- zardous conjunctures. The fenate accordingly ordered the army to be augmented, the pafles to and from Lom- bardy to be ftrictly guarded, and took every other mea- fure for vigoroufly profecuting the intended war. Atten- dulo, after the victory upon the Adda, carried terror and devaflation wherever ne marched : Crema and Lodes were the only towns left to Philip, the whole of the province befides was reduced under the obedience of the republic. He even over-ran fome part of the Milanefe, his cavalry making incurfions to the very gates of Milan. Rein- forced by a confiderable corps under Carolo Montone, fon to Brachio, the implacable enemy of Philip and Sforza, he took CafTel Major and other fortified places. Brande- lino, with a ftrong detachment, erected the Venetian ftandard within fight of Milan, inviting the inhabitants to the recovery of their liberty, which invitation they not caring or daring to accept, he returned to the main army, laying defolate the whole country y. Philip, ftruck with the good fortune and boldnefs of the Venetians, fent agents to treat of a peace ; but, after they had refided for a month in the city, they were difmiiTed without effecting their purpofe. Attendulo was all this while purfuing his conquefts : he befieged and took Brebia, fcoured and laid wafte the country of the Briantines, furprifed and
n Blond, lib. x. dec. iii. Sabel. ibid. x Ibid, etiam Montan.
ubi fupia. y Blond. Sabel, ct Montan. ubi fupra.
ruined
The Hijlory of Venice. 67
ruined Barri, and in fhort extended the dominions of the republic from the Adda to Coma, on both fides the lake of that name.
Thefe fucceffes were foon followed by the death of Phi- Philip dies. lip, duke of Milan, the greateft politician and warrior the family of Vifconti had ever produced z. His death occa- fioned a variety of fentiments among his fubjecls and par- ty; fome were for peace, fome for liberty, and others for war. The inhabitants of Lodes and Placentia, tired of the ducal yoke, opened their gates to the Venetians, and received the troops of the republic ; but the Milanefe determined to continued the war in their own name : for this purpofe they augmented their troops, and appointed Sforza captain-general, on condition that if he was fortu- nate enough to reduce Brefcia, that city and its appen- dages fhould be his reward ; but that if he fucceeded a- gainft Verona likewife, the former fhould revert to the Milanefe, and the latter, with the whole Veronefe, be ceded to his family. This general quitted the Parmefan, A.D. 144.7, and fet out with four thoufand horfe and two thoufand — — — foot, to join the Milanefe army under Francifco and Gi- acomo Picinino, fons of the late general of that name, fo long the rival and enemy of Sforza. The Venetian army, jtttenduh greatly inferior to the enemy in number, retired towards retires. Lodi, and there ftrongly entrenched itfelf. No lefs than three different ambafTadors were fent to Venice, to de- mand, in the name of Sforza and the Milanefe, reftitu- tion of all thofe places they had difmembered from the do- minions of Philip. The fenate adhered to their firft an- fwer, that though by the right of war thofe places were become the juft dominions of the republic, yet, to {hew the world their pacific inclinations, they would reftore them on being reimburfed the expences of the war. This condition the ambafTadors refufed, and accordingly re- turned, without having brought their bufinefs to any conclufion a. Aware of the importance of the quarrel in which they were engaged, the fenate determined to life their utmoft efforts by fea and land. It was decreed to equip a fleet which would fail up the Po, to make a diverfion in favour of Attendulo, who was too weak to offer the enemy battle.
During thefe preparations at Venice, Sforza marched Suddenly to Placentia, and after having beat down the
2 Baron, torn, viii, » Idem. ibid. Flav. lib. Xi dec. iii.
Sabel. v. dec. iii,
F 2 walls
6% he Hifiory of Venke.
walls by his batteries, flormed the city, reduced it, and gave it to his army to be plundered. Gerardo Dandolo and Thadeo d'Efie, who commanded the garrifon, were made prifoners, together with one thoufand horfe and foot. Attendulo, though his force was not fufficient to laife the fiege, determined, however, not to lie idle: he entered the territories of Pavia while Sforza befieged Pla- centia, from Which he jeturned loaded with rich booty. He then ravaged and plundered the Milanefe, and, ac- cording to Montano, took the city Melfa, or Melifla. Having finifhed thefe exploits he refolved on the fiege of Cremona, but was prevented by the furrender of Placen- tia and the rigour of the feafon, upon which he retired with his army into winter-quarters b.
Negociations of peace were renewed, and commifTion- crs from each party met at Bergamo, to difcufs the condi- tions of accommodation. Pope Nicholas V. ufed alibis endeavours to promote the conferences; notwithstanding which, and the mediation of fome other powers, the commiflioners parted without coming to any determina- tion, both fides unalterably adhering to certain articles which could not be ceded by the oppofite party.
Whilfl: the congrefs fat at Bergamo, the Venetian fleet was employed againft the pirates, who had infulted their coafts and plundered their merchant fhips. The eager purfuit of the pirates drew on the republic the refentment of Alphonfo, of Arragon, greatly incenfed at the Vene- tian fleet for prefuming to attack and deftroy the enemy in his harbours. In revenge the king ordered all the Ve- netians in his dominions to be imprifoned, their (hips to be detained, and merchandize to be feized and brought to his warehoufes; but finding the fenate refolved upon war, he fet the prifoners at liberty, and reftored their efFefts'. A.D. 144.8. Early in the fpring both armies took the field, and Sfor- — — za befieged and took Mozaniga; after which exploit, marching into Ghiradadda, he reduced the whole coun- try, the city of Caravaggio excepted: he then furprif- ed CafTan, and thence proceeded to the Cremonefe to ftop the ravages of Qmrini and the Venetian fleet. Here he aflernbled about twenty-eight galliots, with which, and his army, he furrounded Quirini. The Ve- netian fleet fought with obftinacy, but in the end was
*> Montan. Comment, lib, v. Sabel, et Blond, ibid. c Sa«
bel. lib. vi. dec- Hi.
defie 1
The Hljlory of Venice. 69
defeated and broken. To prevent his (hips falling into Defeats th$ the enemy's hands, Quirini fet fire to them ; for which Venetian Hep, and his mifconducr. in the engagement, he was re- $eet* called, delivered over to the civil power, and imprifoned for life. After this vidtory, Sforza laid fiege to Cara- vaggio, to which place Attend ulo followed him, with intention, if poffible, to raife the fiege. After various debates in the Venetian camp, it was at length reiblved fecretly to attack Sforza by crolling the marfhes in the rear of his camp, which was but flightly guarded, on ac- count of the natural (trength of the iltuation. The fcheme was planned with conducl, and executed with courage j but fupported by a force unequal to the under- taking. The firft onfet was furious, the attack and de- fence being made with equal intrepidity and vigour : after Defeats the the battle had continued for feveral hours, and the Ve- land forces netians had forced the entrenchments, oppreifed with numbers, they were forced to retreat with precipitation d. Here it was that Sforza's army began the (laughter; the ' Venetians crowding upon each other to avoid the ene- my's blows, met that death from each other which they thought to efcape from the enemy. They no fooner be- gan to give way, than the two Picininos, ifiuing forth from another quarter, marched direcTly, with a ftrong corps, to attack the Venetian camp, which they eafily took, the whole army being engaged in forcing Sforza's entrenchments : in ihort, Attendulo was entirely defeat- ed, having loft near three thouiand of his befl troops, all his baggage, tents, and artillery, together with two thou- fand waggons of provifion and forage. After this defeat he retired to Brefcia, whither, in a ihort time, he was purfued by Sforza, after he had firfl reduced Caravaggio, Caliel Major, and fome other places e.
The republic foon recruited her army, having for that purpofe decreed a large bounty to all able-bodied men who ihould enter into the fervice. The pay of the troops was likewife augmented, and conGderable fubfidies were granted to feveral petty princes who entered into her al- liance : but her greateit fecurity arofe from fome jealou- , fies which prevailed among the enemy The Milanefe began to harbour fufpicions that Sforza affected the fove- rcignty of his father-in-law's dominions, and having but jufl tailed the fweets of liberty they were the more willing to preferve that precious g^ft of Providence. Sforza difco-
d Blond, ibid, Aut. citar. e Aut, citat. ibid.
F 3 vering
70
Sforza quits the Milanefe [er<vhe.
The Hifiory of Venice.
vering their fufpicions, refolved to avenge himfelf, by- concluding an alliance with their enemies : with this de- fign he gave the fenate to underftand that he was not a- verfe to peace •, to which intimation, the republic gave a willing ear, notwithstanding the Venetian army was now in a condition to act offenfively, by means of the number of levies and ftrong reinforcements from Florence. Maf- tropietro was in confequence privately fent to treat with Sforza, and an accommodation enfued. It was agreed, that not only a peace, but a itricT; alliance mould take place f ; that the fenate mould fupply Sforza with four thoufand horfe and two thoufand foot, until he had re- duced Milan ; that thirty thoufand crowns per month fhould be allowed for his table ; and laftly, that all the places pofTefTed by Philip beyond the Adda mould belong to the Venetians. This treaty being ratified, Sforza fet the prifoners at liberty, and cro fling the Adda, marched into the Milanefe. After having reduced all the country between the rivers Adda and Tefin, he' pitched his camp five miles from Milan. Before he undertook the liege of the capital, he reduced, by the affiftance and good con- duct of Marcello, who commanded the Venetian auxilia- ries, Novara, Alexandria, and Parma : then he laid fiege to Milan •, but, previous to his opening the trenches, in- telligence was received that Lewis of Savoy, in confe- quence of a treaty with the Milanefe, had fent an army under the conduct of John Campenfio to their ailiftance, Campenfio had reached Novara, when Sforza detached Coyoni with a ftrong corps to oppofe him, who im- mediately attacking the army of Lewis defeated it, making Campenfio and about four hundred horfe pri- foners.
While Sforza was battering the fort Mellignana, the Milanefe within the city put to death a number of per- fons of all ranks, who they imagined efpoufed his caufe : then the inhabitants ailembled to the number of fixty thou- fand, and marched out of the city to give battle. Sforza having intelligence of all their motions drew up his ar- my, and difplayed fo much capacity and judgment in his difpofition, that the Milanefe, with all their fuperiority of troops, not caring to hazard an engagement, retired into the city. Upon this occafion, he inverted Milan more clofely; but the number of inhabitants being fo great, he
Sabel. lib. vi. dec. iii. etiam Blond, lib. x. dec.
prppofed
The Hi/lory of Venice. y$
propofed reducing the city by famine, it being abfurd to pretend affaulting it with an inferior body of troops.
In this fituation lay Sforza when jealoufies between the Venetians and him began to appear, which produced pro- pofals for an accommodation between the republics of Venice and Milan. After the terms had been debated and agreed upon, they were referred to the arbitration of Sforza, conditionally, that he accepted of feven cities, not fpecified, for his (hare of Philip's dominions, leaving the people in pofTeflion of all the reft. The other articles A.D. 1449.
imported, that the Venetians mould maintain fix thou- ■ — »
fand, the Milanefe two thoufand, and Sforza only one thoufand troops in his fervice j that if he accepted of thefe terms he mould be efteemed the friend and ally of both flares ; if not, he mould be declared an enemy, and war againft him profecuted with all the forces of both republics. Thefe articles being prefented to Sforza, he exprefled jufl indignation againft the Venetians, who, after all his important fervices to the republic, now made him the facrifice of a peace with their enemies. How- Treatvbg' ever, the republics proceeded to the conclufion of their tiveenMi- treaty, and Sforza rejecting the terms, war was denounc- lan an<i ed againft him *. Ven'lce-
Great preparations were made by both republics, and Sforza the Venetians put a ftop to all trade and intercourse with makes ™ar Florence, on her refufal to join in the alliance againft her on P^!ce old general. Sigifmund Malateita was appointed gene- ral of the republican forces : his firft attempt was upon the forts which Sforza had built to block up Bre- bia. Two of thefe he burnt and destroyed, and the reft would have fhared the fame fate had not Sforza' s ap- proach obliged him to retire beyond the Adda. All this while Sforza continued the blockade of Milan, which, in defpite of the efforts of the Venetians, was reduced to great extremities. Malatefta having joined the corps un- der Coyoni, did all in his power to draw Sforza to a bat- tle, which that wife general avoided, knowing the fate of Milan depended on his protracting the war. At laft A.D. 1450c
the Milanefe, conquered by famine, and Itarved into fub- — —
million, murdered Venieri, the Venetian ambaiTador, and s/oraa de'
faluted Sforza prince, opening their rates, and receiving: l{a7//uke i • . , '1 v j r n- • r • 1 ,S of Milan.
rum with the lame demonitrations or joy they would
Jiave expreffed for the fon of their lawful fovereign h.
* Blond, lib. x. dec. Hi. Baron, torn. viii. *> Ibjd.
ftiam Baron. Uniy. Hift. torn. viii.
F 4 Thus,
72 ' The Hiftory of Venice.
Thus, by a change as fudden as amazing, he Inftantly became the fovcreign and protector of a people he had •but the day before perfecuted with all the rancour of an inveterate enemy. The Milanefe having changed fides, the Venetians refolvcd to conclude a treaty of alliance with Alphonfo, who defired nothing more than a war with Milan, and an opportunity of humbling Sforza. This was effected by the good conduct and addrefs of Pafchali Mafttopietro, the Venetian envoy Naples1. In- telligence of the treaty being received at Milan, Sforza refolved to gain the Venetians by acts of generofity and kindnefs: for this purpofe he ordered all the Venetians, who were imprifoned upon the late change of meafures, to be fet at liberty, and loaded with prefents and good of- fices, hinting to them at the fame time his defireof culti- vating the friendfhip of the republic (E) : but thefe over- tures coming to nothing, both fides prepared for a vigor- ous war. Alphonfo and the Venetians opened the cam-
* Sanfov. delle Vit. Pirn.
2.6:
(E) This year pepe Nicho- las conferred fome particular honours on the doge : fuch as a golden fword, a crown fet with diamonds, &c. Prefents like wife to the itate were fent by the king of Bofnia, and the vayvod of Croatia. The duke of Auftria vitited Venice, and was magnificently received ; but the entertainment ?nd re- ception given to the emperor Frederic exceeded every thing of that kind ever feen in Ve- nice, both in grandeur and elegance. The fenate, feig- nory, and whole city, went in the Bucentauro, gondolas, gan- zares, and other vefleles, rich- ly adorned, to meet the empe- ror; whilft the ladies, with no lefs pomp, waited on Leo- nora, , the emprefs. On their landing they found the whole city and ftreets hung with fear-
let, purple, and the richeft filks and cloths. Nothing but mu- fjcal inilruments and the fineft human voices faluted the ear with fongs of rejoicing and congratulation. They were both prefented by the fenate with crowns of gold, richly fet with jewels ; a child's coat and cradle {Kidded with gold, jewels, and pearls, was given by the ladies to the emprefs, and other prefents, valued at a million of money. Their entertainment in the palace was magnificent beyond de- fcription, the richneis of Ve- nice vying with the taite and elegance of Italy. Their im- perial majefties exprefTed the utmoit fatisfacticn, and de- parted highly delighted with the power, wealth, fpiendor, and hofpitality of the repub- lic (i;.
( ) Sabel, ibid.
paigri
The Hiftory of Venice* 73
paign by felzing on Coyoni and a detachment of fifteen hundred horfek. Some attacks were likewife made on the Florentines for having affifted Sforza with money. For the better fupporting the war, a tax was laid by the A.D.^i, fenate on all perfons holding places and enjoying penfions »
from the government : they were likewife obliged, upon their difmiffion, to ferve the government for fix months, at their own expence, in the field. Little progrefs was made by either fide during the firft year of the war ; but early in the fpring both armies entered upon vigorous meafures. Leonefio, the Venetian general, after he had waited the country about Lodes, and reduced feveral fmall forts, marched directly to Milan, upon an aflurance from fome of the inhabitants of being ftrongly fupported: but finding that no infurreclion was like to enfue, he went and laid fiege to Socinna. Having battered the town for feveral days a breach was made, which he ftorm- ed and carried, after a bloody action. Sforza marched too late to the relief of this place : the armies being en- camped for feveral days within a fmall diftance of each other, frequent Ikirmiihes paiTed, though no general bat- tle enfued.
During thefe tranfaclions on the river Adda, "William Montfer- of Montterrat, with four thoufand horfe, fpread terror rat de- and defolation every where in the territory of Alexandria. ieated* From thence marching to Tortona and Pavia, he deftroy- ed the whole country, and was in this manner proceeding in his conquefts, when Sacromer Vifconti, fent by Sfor- za, fuddenly attacked, defeated, and obliged him to re- tire to Caftelnovo.
In the mean time Alphonfo's general, Ferdinand, was not idle j having laid fiege to Forlano, he took and de- flroyed it, after having for forty days inceffantly battered the walls. During the fiege he twice routed Faventino, with the daughter of two thoufand of his men, as he was attempting to relieve the garrifon ; then marching into the territory of Sienna, he inverted Caftelina ; but the fortifications being ftrong, and the garrifon proving ob- ftinate, he abandoned it, and retired into winter-quarters. A detachment from Leonefio's army defeated a corps of the Milanefe fent by Sforza to furprife him, and this little fkirmifh proved the prelude to a battle. Alefiandro was detached by Sforza with four thoufand horfe "and one thoufand foot, to flop the incurfions of the Venetians into
k Sabel. lib. vi. dec, iii.
tl
74 *fhe Hi/lory of Venice,
AUJjnndro the Milanefe. The Venetian general having intelligence defeated by of their route, fent Carolo Montone to attack him, which the Vcne- hc cf j^ witn fucn vigour, that Aleffandro was defeated, his army difperfed, and only himfelf, with a fmall num- ber of attendants, efcaped to Sforza' s camp, which then lay before Calvifiana1. The Venetians ufed every expe- dient for the relief of this place, without which the ene- my could not winter in their dominions : but all their en- deavours proved fruitlefs, though they afforded the officers many opportunities of difplaing their valour. Among others, one in. particular deferves notice : Leonefio be-* ing apprifed of a convoy of one thoufand horfe going to the enemy's camp, he detached Gonzaga and Brandolino to make an attempt on it : they met the enemy near Iffea, in the Brefcian, and fell upon them with fo much intre- pidity, that they foon were matters of the convoy. Sforza receiving timely notice of the lofs, detached a ftrong body to recover the booty. The Venetians fuftain- ed the enemy with great bravery, but would at length have been overpowered with numbers, had not Leonefio, with the reft of the army, come up to their relief. The fcale was now turned, and the enemy would infallibly have been defeated, but that Sforza arrived to their fup- A battle, port; here a general and obflinate engagement began, which continuing for feveral hours, was at length ended by the darknels of the night. The only mark of victory on either fide that appeared was, that the Venetians car- ried off the convoy m ; however, this incident did not raife the fiege ; on the contrary, Sforza affaulted the town with redoubled vigour, and the garrifon, unable to withfland his efforts, furrendered prifoners of war. Thus, by the acquifition of Calvifiana, did he eftablifh winter- quarters in the enemy's territories.
The winter, as ufual, was fpent in treaties, negocia- tions, and alliances. Sforza and the Florentines fent to the French king, to requeft he would ufe his interefl with the duke of Savoy to break with the Venetians, and likewife prevail on Rene, count of Anjou, to attempt the recovery of his kingdom of Sicily, promifmg him liberal fupplies of money, By this expedient they intended to divert Alphonfo from profecuting the war againft the Flo- rentines. The king undertook their caufe, and prevail- ed upon the duke of Savoy to lay down his arms. He
i Blond, lib. x. dec.iii. Pair, apud Sabell. ibiJ. m Mon-
tan. lib. v. etiam Aut. citat.
Jikewifg
The Hiftory of Venice. 75
likewlfe perfuaded Rene to pafs into Italy, purfue his claim to Sicily, and carry on war againft Alphonfo.
The Florentines ftill combined in the alliance of A.D.145*.
Sforza, and entering upon action early in the fpring, re- m •
covered Fogliani, which had been taken from them laft campaign. Manerba was befieged by the Venetians, which they continued, in fplte of all the efforts of Sforza to relieve it, until the brave Leonefio was killed in a fally from the town, by a random arrow, in the purfuit. The command of the army devolving upon Picinino, he profecuted the liege fo vigoroufly, that the garrifon, finding they could expecl; no relief from Sforza, furren- dered prifoners of war. This event was followed by the reduction of Quinzeno and Pontevico ; after which event he undertook the liege of Seniga, but was forced to raife it on the approach of Sforza with a fupe- rior army. A number of ikirmifhes daily paffed, when Rene, with four thoufand horfe, joined Sforza. The enemy being thus reinforced, Picinino was obliged to fland on the defenfive, during which time Sforza foon recovered Manerba, and all the other places loft in the beginning of the campaign. Indeed, the whole Cre- monefe and Brefcian, except the two capitals, were re- duced under his obedience, or rather voluntarily fub- mitted. Picinino marched with the utmoft diligence to the Brefcian, to flop the progrefs of the enemy, and to defend the mountains, the inhabitants of which had as yet remained firm in their duty : here he fixed upon a ftrong camp, fo advantageoufly fituated as to co- ver the pafies to the mountains, and, at the fame time, render all approaches to him difficult and hazardous. This precaution put a flop to the progrefs of both armies, until the rigour of the feafon obliged them to quit the field and retire into quarters n. •
During the winter the Venetians, the pope, and Al- Fleet a' phonfo, were bufied in preparing a fleet to oppofe the gainft the Grand Seignior, who had refolved on the fiege of Con- Turks. ftantinople early in the fpring. The fenate firft decreed ten gallies and two argofies of two thoufand tons each, to be fent to Greece. Afterwards ten more were equip- ped, and thefe, joined to the pope's and Alphonfo's fleets, made in all forty-two fail, under the command of Jaco- mo Loretano ; but, before his arrival, Othoman had opened his trenches, and was laying fiege to the city with
n Sabel. lib. vii, dec. Hi.
a pro-
76
A.D.i453<
Turks be- fiege Con- stantinople*
Peace 'with Sforza,
A.D.34.54.
The Hijlory of Venice.
a prodigious fleet and army. Loretano was obHged t& fight his way through the Turkifh fleet to enter the har- bour, which he did with a conduct and refolution alto- gether aflonifhing. It would be unfeafonable to enter on the particulars of this fiege ; fufHcient it is for our prefent purpofe to obferve, that Loretano, perceiving the whole dependence of the enemy was on the land-forces, and that the Turkifh fleet could be of little ufe, determined to fail to Negropont, for the defence of the iiland, and there wait for a reinforcement fufneient to engage the enemy0.
While the Venetian fleet remained in the Levant, their army was upon the defenfive, Sforza carrying all before him in Lombardy. He took Rhodes, Romagna, Marti- nenga, and Brifan^a ; then he reduced New Orges, Ro- rhanenga, and Socina. Towards the end of the campaign lie began the fiege of Ifo|a j but the heavy rains falling, made it impomble for him to keep the field. Picinino's army was too weak to cover all thofe places ; and, in- deed, he was kept in awe by a ftrong detachment, which Sforza had fent to watch his motions ; fo that the winter came on before he was in a condition to enter upon action p.
The pope now laboured hard to mediate a peace, in or- der that the Chriftian forces might unite in defence of Conftantine Palseologus and the Greek empire ; but the endeavours of his holinefs proved of no effect, though the peace was concluded by means of a mediator of lefs confequence q~. Simon Camertes, a hermit, was fo inde- fatigable and eloquent, that he brought all parties to acv cede to the following terms : that Sforza mould reflore to the Venetians whatever he had taken from them in the war, the territory of Ghiradadda excepted ; that the marquis cf Mantua mould reinftate his brother Caroli in all his dominions; that Alphonfo fhould reftore his con- quefts to the Florentines ; with other articles of lefs imT portance. For the farther fecurity of the public tran-r quillity it was exprefsly mentioned, that if any future dif-? ferences among the parties fhouid a rife, the pope fhould have ample and full powers to determine them, his holi- nefs taking upon him to be guarantee of the treaty r. The city of Venice received with great joy the news that a
0 Baron, lib. viii. ann. 1453. q L. Vie des Papes, torn. viii. vii. dec iii. PaiT. Arim. ibid.
p Sabel. lib.
dec. iii,
r Montan. lib. v. Sabel. lib.
war
The Hlftory of Venn*. ^f
•war was terminated in which they had been hard prefTed by the vigor, conduct, and intrepidity of Sforza. Public thankfgivings were offered, and proceilions made. Mar- cclio was likewife fent to Constantinople to execute a treaty with Mahomet ; and he returned loaded with pre- fents and expreffions of the friendship of that great mo- narch for the republic.
From this time to the year 1457, the republic enjoyed Fofcari profound peace, when Fofczri, after a glorious admini- depofed. ftration of .thirty-four years, was, at the age of ninety, Jaid afide as fuperannuated and unfit for the difcharge of his important office ; an inftance of ingratitude confiftent, perhaps, with the meafures of found policy, but very con- tradictory to the dictates of humanity. He was a prince of a.noble and pleafing afpec~t,poflefled a prodigious memo- ry, flowing eloquence, ready wit, and found judgment. At this remarkable age he enjoyed good health, the perfect life of his limbs and faculties, remembered every incident from his childhood, had a fweetnefs, and at the fame •a mnjefty and authority in his manner that equally com- manded love and refpect. He had greatly extended the power and dominions of the republic, and was no lefs joved by his fubjecls than efteemed and feared by ftran- <gers and his neighbours ; yet was this valuable and vener- able prince facrificed to the politics of an ungrateful mul- titude. He was no fooner diverted of the fupreme au- thority, than, leaving the palace with indignation, he re- tired to a private houfe, where, falling ill with grief, he died, univerfally lamented and efteemed 5 (F).
PASQIJAL MA LIP ZERO, Doge LXVL
FOSC ARI was fucceeded in his dogefhip by Paf- A.D.t457. qual Malipiero, then aged feventy-two. This prince at- ■
Fafqual i Sanfov. delle Vit. Princip. 163. Baron. Ann. prafenr. MaHpim*
(F) Jacomo Fofcari, his fon, feizmghim. He was then put
was cited by the council of ten to the torture, but ftill conti-,
to anfwer to fome accufations nuing to deny the allegations,
lodged againft him, of confpir- he was condemned to perpetual
ing to fubvert the government, banifhment ; in which, in fpite
Jacomo was then abfent, and of all the remonftrances of his
not appearing on the day ap- father, he ended a miferable
•pointed, orders were iffued for life (1).
{1} Baron, p. 520. tit. 13.
tended
j 8 Tie Hiftory of Venice.
tended the obfequies of his predeceflbr, which were per- formed with the utmoft magnificence and funeral pomp. Nothing memorable happened during the four years and feven months of his adminiftration. Malipiero maintain- ed with great care the tranquillity handed down by Fof- cari, executed the laws with juflice and moderation, tem- pered the feverity of old age with the innocent mirth and diflipation of youth, and blended the dignity of the prince with the eafe and freedom of the companion : in fhort, he was a prince of great and mining virtues; of a pene- trating judgment ; open, fincere, and candid ; a lover of peace, but profoundly fkilled in the art of war l. In a word, all we have tranfmitted of this prince is a panegy- ric on his wifdom, prudence, bravery, and clemency, without facts to illuftrate or confirm thefe virtues. His- torians relate that he patronrzed men of letters and inge- nuity, an inftance of which they give in the kindnefs he A.D. 1462. {hewed to Nicolo Jenfon Tedefcho, who firft introduced ■ the art of printing in Venice". The doge made him very
liberal prefents ; and had the fatisfaclion of perufing fome fplendid editions of the dailies and other books iffued from the Venetian prefs. Thus, amidfl employments ufeful to the public and glorious to himfelf, Malipiero died, to the great affliction of the whole republic. In his room the fenate fubftituted Chriftoforo Moro, a pro- curator of St. Mark, equally beloved for his difpofition and admired for his capacity.
x Sanfov. delle Vir. de Princip* n Sabel. lib. vii. dec. iii.
SECT,
The Hijiory of Venice* • #g
SECT. VI.
Containing the Origin and Progrefs of the furkifb War ; the Rife of the War with the Trieftines ; Death of Moro ; and the Tranfaffions which occurred during the Adminiftration ofNicolo Thronoy and others of his Succeffors.
CHRISTOFORO MORO, Doge LXV1L
T
H E firft year of Moro's adminiftration was fpent in Chrjftophs- acts of civil difcipline. Sanfovino, indeed, tells us r0 MorQ' of a kind of war with the Trieftines, which was foon made up at the pope's interceftion a ; but of this we find no mention in any other hiftorian. The winter was taken A.D.1463. up in preparations to oppofe the Turks, who, after ■ — • the furrender of Conftantinople, and ruin of the Grecian empire, were defirous of feizing on the Morea as a de- pendency on their conquefts. Thomas and Demetrius, the princes of this province, had three years before of- fered the Venetians to put the Morea into their hands, for an equivalent in Italy b ; but Demetrius giving his daughter in marriage to Mahomet, and going over to the Turks, fruftrated that defign. Thomas made fome re- fiftance, near the ftreights, to the incurfions of Othoman ; but finding himfelf unequal to the power of that mon- arch, he fled into Italy. The Grecian dominion being extinct in the Morea, the Venetians ftill held the towns they long pofTerTed in that province : however, the en- War in tht croachments of Othoman obliged them at length to take Manm* arms in defence of the trade and fubjects of the republic in that quarter. It was with great caution the Venetians entered upon this important war : Victor Capello, their admiral, refufed to fuccour Lefbos and Mitylene, though both iflands offered to put themfelves under the protec- tion of the republic. The fenate even patted over Otho- man's infractions of the late treaty, by crofting the ftreights of Gallipolis, left thereby they mould draw on a war with this potent monarch. They proceeded fo far in their pacific meafures as to be taxed with indifference
a Cron. Venet. *> Sabel. lib. viii.dec. iii. etiam. Csepio
Com. apud Sabeh
and
86 The Hiftory of Venice.
and coolnefs for the Chriftian religion ; but they wifely withftood all attempts to engage themfelves in war, till the defence of their own rights and property rendered it unavoidable. Now a ftrong fleet under Loretano was equipped, and an army of fifteen thqufand land-forces fent to befiege Argers (A), lately taken by the Turks. Bertoklo d'Efte, who commanded the army, foon made himfelf mailer of this city, defended by a fmall garrifon, and gave it to be plundered by the foldiers. Bafilia (B) was next reduced, after which exploit, he marched through the territory of Corinth, and encamped on the fea^coaft, where Loretano rode at anchor with the fleet. Here d'Efte and Loretano began a very laborious and ufeful work, which they completed in fifteen days : they fortified with a wall and double moat the whole length o£ the {freights, from the -ZEgean to the Ionian fea, about four thoufand paces. Thirty thoufand men, we are told, were employed in this work, finiihed with no lefs ftrength TUris de- than expedition0. .Six thoufand Turks who lay before jeated. Corinth, endeavoured all in their power to obftru£i the workmen, but they were conftantly repulfed. In the mean time d'Efte fent Coyoni with a detachment to feize upon Mififtrate, where, after having reduced the coun~ try round, and taken the town, he was killed in an af- fault upon the citadel. The city of Londaria was like- wife fdzed by another detachment, after which d'Efte marched with the whole army to befiege Corinth : the attack was made on the weft, north, and eaft fides ; that .on the latter fucceeded, for Attelano having broke down the walls with his cannon, {formed the breach and ef- fected a lodgment. D'Efte in viewing the batteries was killed the next day by a cannon Ihot, which accident, with a furious fally of the enemy, and the approach of the Turkiih army, determined the Venetians to abandon the liege and retire to Napoli (C), where they were foofi
c Sabel. ibid. Caepio apud Sabel. Montan. lib. v.
(\) Arger?, or ^rgo, a ci- by Bifforians whether this city ty a few "miles fouth of Co- was Napoli di Romagnia, riirh. ntuatted at the head of the B Bafilia, or Bafiiico, a gulf, or Napoli de Mal- ' forified town north of Co- vafia, a city farther fonth, h, iituated opon the coait at the extremity of the Mo- nro, rca ; probably it was the (C) .eft at a lofs former.
followed
The Hiftory of Venice. tg
followed by an army of fifty thoufand horfe and thirty thoufand footd. The Turks immediately undertook the TJteTurh fiege, and cut off a party of the garrifon that had with ^fiege more bravery than conducl: fallied out upon them -, but ^apolu Bertino, who fucceeded d'Efte in the command, exert- ed himfelf fo vigoroufly, that with his fmall army he forced the Turks to aban Ion the fiege.
The Turks, having raifed the fiege of Napoli, ravaged Ralfe tht the territory of Modon, and ciofely inverted Zanchio, an As*, enterprize which the bravery of Giovanni Craflb the go- vernor fruftrated. Upon this mifcarriage, they retired out of the Morea, aiid left the Venetians at liberty to fack and deftroy the towns garrifoned by Turks c.
To keep the republic in full employment, a war with War with the Trieftines arofe. The German merchants trading to t"e^rufm Iftria ufed to bring their goods to Cap Iftria, and other \ towns of the province, palling over Triefte, on account of a particular impositions on all foreign commodities. The Trieftines inftead of taking oil the tax, had recourfe to the emperor Frederic, befeeching him that he would oblige the German merchants to frequent their markets, and prohibit the commodities of the empire to be carried to any other town within the province. The emperor paying no great attention to their requeft, they determin- ed to ufe force ; upon which the inhabitants of Cap Iftria fent ambaiTadors to beg the protection of the doge and fenate of Venice. An envoy was immediately fent to the Trieftines, to defire they would abftain from molefting the inhabitants of Cap Iftria; at the fame time a fqua- dron was ordered to anchor in the gulf of Triefte, to keep the city in awe and give weight to the embafly.- The Trieftines, however, continued their meafures, which determined the fenate upon fending a land army to lay fiege to the city: for this purpofe three thoufand horfe, A. D.T46*," four thoufand foot, and a train of artillery, were (hipped ■
under the conducl: of four Venetian noblemen. The city was immediately invefted, and .the fiege carried on with great vigour for the greater part of the autumn : feveral furious faljies were made from the town ; and the Veneti- ans, on the other hand, having made a breach in the walls, repeated their aftaults: at lnft, the pope interfering, at his mediation the fiege was railed, on condition that his hoJinefs would abftain from profecuting Sigifmund
d Aur. cit. ibid. « Sabel. ibid. Cepio. ibiJ. Bar.ie. Hi ft.
Allemagn. vol. v.
Mod. Vol. XXIV. W.Gvvu- Malatefta,
8$ The Hijlory ef Venice*
Malatefta, whom he at that time blocked up in Arimini. Thus did the Trieftine war end with the operations of one campaign, alter the garrifon had been reduced to great extremities f.
The Venetian fleet and army having wintered in the Morea, were ready early in the fpring to take the field ; but orders were fent that they fhould wait for the ani- val of Urfo Juftiniano, appointed to take the command of the fleet and army from Loretano and Bertino. Be* fore his arrival an encounter happened, in which the Ve- netians loft fifteen hundred of their men, with Attendulo who commanded, near Modon. Urfo arrived at Modon a few days after, and taking upon him the command of the fleet, left part of the forces in the Morea with Bertino, and failed with the reft direclly to Mitylene, which he The Vene- attacked with great vigour. This was the capital of tl?e tians lay illand of that name in the Archipelago, taken a few fie*e to Mi- years before by the Turks. A breach being made in the tylene. wails, Urfo ordered it to be itormed, where, after a bloody action for fome honrs, he was at lad repulfed with great lofs, and forced to abandoned the enterprize g. Quitting Mitylene, he went to Negropont, where, re- fiecYmg on his mifcaniage, he died of a lownefs and op- prelhon of fpirits. Giacomo Loretano was fent to take the command of the fleet, which failed upon the death of Urfo to the Morea. Sigifmund Malatefta was appoint- ed general of the army, and both the commanders imme- diately fet out with a fmali fquadron and a reinforcement of one thoufand horfe to join the forces. Malatefta found the army in a miferable condition after the death of At- tendulo: he complained loudly of the injury done his re- putation in appointing him general of a handful of dif- eafed broken troops, oppofed to a numerous and power- ful enemy : however, refolved to make the moft of his Sparta bt- condition, he marched and laid fiege to Sparta ; but, af- fuged ter continuing two months before the wails, he was
forced to abandon the enterprize h. During the fiege of Sparta, Loretano with the fleet made a defcent on Rhodes, returning, after he had wafted the ifland, to Ne- gropont, Thus ended trje campaign without any memo- rable aclion performed fince the arrival of Malatefta and Loretano.
f Sabell. lib. viii. dec. it?. g Sabell. ibid. h Amelot.
Hiik. Venet. vol. ii, p. *.
Early
The Hi/lory of Venice. g^
Early in the fpring, Loretano refolved to pafs the A.D.1465;
ftreights of Gallipoli, but was fruftrated in the attempt _. -
by the ftrength of the Turkiih forts on each coaft. The whole fummer was fpent in expectation of the event of pope Piub's endeavours to excite the other Chriftian powers againft the Turks ; but his holinefs dying at Ancona, where he went to meet the. ambaffadors of dif- ferent potentates, the whole enterprize ended in fend- ing a (lender remittance of money to Matthias, of Hun- gary '. The plague raging in Napoli di Romagna, Ma- latefta retired with the army to Laconia, where he win- tered, having attempted nothing during the whole feafon. Victor Capello was fent next year to fucceed Loretano ; but no reinforcement was given to Malatefta. Capello failed to Aulida, which, with Larfa, he took, after a vi- gorous refiftance. He afterwards patted into the gulf of A.D.T466. Corinth, upon the promife of the inhabitants to deftroy ■■
the garrifon, and put the town of Patras into his hands. Here Barbadico, the proveditor, landing, and entering Patras, the foldiers immediately fell a pillaging, during which they were attacked by a body of Turkiih horfe, and defeated ; not above a thoufand, out of four times that number, efcaping. Barbadico was killed in the tumult, and being afterwards known by his armour, his body was impaled k. Capello, not difcouraged by this lofs, landed all the forces, and furioufly attacked the city ; but Venetians was repulfed by a vigorous fally, and forced, after great defeated flaughter of his men, to feek refuge on board the fleet. befirePw He was fo much affected by this lofs, that he fell fick trau and died of grief a few days after '.
The republic, in the mean time, was involved in a war in Italy, in fupport of Bartholomeo of Bergamo, who came to a rupture with Ferdinand of Naples. However, before their troops joined him, a battle was fought, which brought on a peace. The next year was memo- A.D.146?.
rable for the lofs of Negropont, which the Turks took in .
defpite of all the attempts of the Venetian fleet, and ob- ftinate defence of the befieged. All the garrifon was put to the fword, and not even the fick, the decrepid, wo- men, or children fpared m. This lofs greatly affected the republic : the barrier of Italy was now in the hands of the enemy •, and nothing remained but to lament the in-
i Hift. des Papes, la Vie de Pio. Baron, torn. viii. Ha. prsef. * Sabel. lib. viii. dec. itt. 1 Ibid, etiam Sanfov. Cron.
Venet. » Sabel. ibid- Carcol. l\b. iii. apud. Baron.
G 2 dolenee,
$j fbe Hifiory of Venice.
dolence, inactivity, and avarice, which had produced the calamity. The fenate, when it was too late, augmented the fleet with forty-five additional fail ; a force more than fufficient to have protected this important place, though unable to recover it. Nicolao Canalis, who commanded the fleet, determining, if poffible, to regain the public elteem, which he had undefervedly forfeited for not co- vering Negropont, to which his ftrength was inadequate, failed immediately in queft of the Turkifh fleet, which had quitted that place a few days before he was joined by Venieri, and the fleet from Venice. He got fight of the enemy at Chios ; but the Turkifh admiral found means