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THE
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EMPEROR CHARLES V.
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B7 WILLI AlV CR^OB CT'rSbX DH&,
FRINClJPALOPTH£UN2VEItStTYOF£DIKBURGH,AND
BlfTOmOCEAPHSK TO Hii MAJESTY FOR SCOTLAND,
VOLUME Ur,
The srXTH EDITION, Corrcacd,
L O N D o m^
Pmted Ihr A. Strahan; T. CA»i|rti « the Strand;
and J.Balfour^ at £dinhurgh«
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PUBLIC U3RA!
661
TiLOftN
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FollJNOATIONa.
Ro« Hn.i.,*n]
912
i. 3H[^atte At f iwjuter :
LU.D.
,'1849;
' [fint AppointmcDt— In N. Y. SUt«— to that nnk,
■il, M. F. r ■ "
MArrsR OP Amrs, Columbia College, of New York, IS78.
TiiB TowKBHiP OP Rbd Hook, mkab TtVOLI P. O., DccB>S8 Co., N. Y.
September, 1874.
'^ JoDOB Adtocatb, with tbe nnk of Majob, 1845.
COLONBL N. Y. S. I. 1846; auiirned for " MtrUarimu Condma,'*
BBiQADiBBrGBHBBAL for " Important Sertiet" [tint appointmeDt— In ~'
hitherto electlre] 1851, M. F. S. N. Y.
Aojdtant-Gbmbbal, S. N. Y. 18M.
BBsrcT Majob-Gbnbbal, S. N. Y., for t* Mtritorimu Servieei.**
[fint and only general officer receiving taeh an honor (the hiffhut) from S. N. Y.,] and the only
officer THi;8 brevetted (M^or-General) in the UDit«d States.]
by " Special Aet," or •« Cb»i«trr«a JtitoiutioH," A'ew York 8taU Ltgitlatwty April, 1866.
■— ^
LAWS OF NEW YORK, Vol. }.— 89th Seielon, 18«6, Pagfe «14«.
Cbii««rTeiil RttaivtivH rtqituting tk* Governor to confer upon Sriffaditr-Gtntrat J. WAITS
DB PUYSTER [rfe PeytUrl tk4 hrn^t rank of Major* [Cewero/] tn tkt National Gvard
of Nevi York.
RBaoLVBD, (if tbe Senate concur,) That it being a grateful duty to acknowledge in a tnltable
manner the urvicet of a diitinguithed citizen of thii Sute, rendered to the National Guard and
to the United Statet prior to and during the Rebellion, the Governor be and be ii hereby author-
ised and requested to confer upon Brigadier-General J. WATTS DE PUYSTER [de Peyster]
the brevet rank of majvr-General in the National Guard of New York, for meritorioua tenricet,
which mark of honor shall be ttated in the Commiuion conferred.
Statb op Nkw York, in AttnMy, April 9th, 1866.
The foregoing Retolotlon was duly pasted. By ordtfr of tht Auemi»iy.
J. B. CcsHMAB, Clerk.
Statb op Nbw Yobk, in SenaU, April SOth, ^Stt.
The foregoing Resolatloa was duly passed. By order ofth* SenaU,
*S0 in original. ^^^^^^^ * ""
Jak. Tbbwilliobb, Clerk.
HonOBASY
Jy 4GENT. S. N. Y., (In Europe,) 1851-'8.
asM, oLtb^Mit.i««0r^K»BS of the Loyal Lsaion of the U. S.
e/lBXB iriAd jArmt «f«Ue Potomac) Corps Union.
Mbhbbs— lOtft J«ift, )[H1f,^BB^B— a^«h*fiBTTT^i9io^ArrLBPiBLb Mbmorial AaaociATioy
MEMBER OP TMK NsfHsftLAi^MBiieLrHRABY Absociatiom
FiBarllAN^a]
RECIPIENT,
Ac, for a
of a
M Lk 1 1 -I r V h I of r«pti y ti^i^n h
'* KJlirl^sr.J^i^ini^Te ihij MU i
V- »i--'-'-V-*- '^-'*"^-nJ«] at Leyden, HoU»nd.
^zu-rP V' <jai* ' f . Oscar. King of Sweden and Norway,
- *■"' *^- leow. Field Marshal, Generalissimo;
HUKT, Gorernor S. N. Y., for
I of New York," Ac. Ac,
lartment with Steam
of a Gold Mi'i4f1\-\ /-:SJffliirtl tis«^>iiLv Im. *t*pp OpncBBS of his Command, 9th
Brig., 8 Div ., N . ■» . t:. Tn.r.iR *" rnleftElmi«>jv ' heir Esteem and Anpreciatioo of his
Effurth Lo-uinU ttj<^ EtlRliJis^mrEilc^r tti; i Hi eiit Militia,'' Ac: lu 1870, of
a M u^» I Hi: i i^pit II A iKiiijJll Kit4^ and LI '.SPH voted at the Annual ^
M^etinsorihe Tlilrd C^irpa lArh>y of the Potomac)
Union, held at Boston, Mass.. Thursday,
May Mh, 1870, when
A Resolution was adopted to present a Gold Medal of the valne of $600, to Gen. J. Watts db
Pbyhtbb, of New York, as a testimonial of the appreciation by the Corps of his eminent
tervicee in placing upon record the true history of its achievements, ana in defending its
commanders and their men from written abuse and misrepresentation ;''
and of sereral other Badges, Medals, Ac, for services in connection with the military scrrice
of the Sute of New York.
HONORARY MEMBER of the Nxw Jbrsxy and of the MiiiifBSOTA HisxoRiCAt Socibtibb,
and of the Phbknokobmian Socibty of PsKNarLVANiA Collkgx, Gettyabnrg ;
of thePHiLusoruiAN Socibty, Miuionary Institute, Selin'e Grove,
and of the Ectbrpban Socikty, Muklenbera OAltge, Allentoum, Fentuylvania,
and of the Gasman Litbrary Socibty, of Xebraika Coilegt, yebraika City.
HONORARY MEMBER of the N. Y. BuRxe Club.
(BuRwa was a member of the Dumfries Volunteer; of which Col. Arbxt Schcylkr db Pbtbtbb,
8th or King's Foot B. A., was Colonel, to whom the " National Bard of Scotland " addressed,
just before his death, In 1796, his •< POEM ON LIFE,")
and LiFB Mbmbbr of the St. Nicholas Socirty of Nbw York,
(of which dty Juhannbs or Pbyhtbb, ^rj< of the name in tie JVew World, was Seirpen, 16fiS,
^Mrmuiis, 1666, Burgomatler, 1678, Deputy Mayor, 1677. Mayoralty offered and refuted.)
of the Nbw York, of the Rhodr Islawd (Newport) and of the Prnnbtltawia Histobical
SoctBTiBS, of the Military AaaociATioN op thb Statb op Nbw York,
and of the Cbntvry Club. New York Citv.
LIFE MEMBER
of the HivroBicAL Socibty of Michiqan.
of the Nbw York Oallbry op Ftit* Arts, and Director of the N. Y. IwRmvTiOB for the
iNSTRCCTIOIf op thb DbAP A.fD DUUB,
and of the Nuuihmatio and AscHiBOLooiCAL Socibty of Nbw Yobk.
LIFE MEMBER or FELLOW of the Ahkbican Obo<ibaphical Socibty; Patboh of the
AmociATio.v for the Bbmbpft op Colorbd Orphans, and of the Nbw Yobx
Dispbnsaby; Lipb Dirkctob of the Ambrican Tract, and Lipb
Mbmbbr of the Ahbbican Biblb Socibty, N. Y.
CORRESPONDING MEMBER
of the Statb Historical Socirtiks of Mainb, of Vrbmokt, of Rhodb Tslawd, (ProTidcBoe,)
of Connbcticut, and of Wisconsik ; of the Lona Islaxd and of the Bufpalo
Historical Socibties; of tbe Nbw England Histobio-Gb5Balo«ical
Socibty ; of the Qubbbc LrtBHABv A Hibtobical Socibtt ;
of the Numismatic and Antiqcabian Socibtt
of Philadblpria, Pennsylpanla ;
etc. etc. etc
THE
t
H I S T O R Y
OK. THE
R E I G N
OF THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
B O O K V.
THE accourit of the cruel manner in
•which the Pope had been treated, filled
all Europe with aftonifhment or horror. ^ »s*7'.
. -*' General in*
To fee a Chriftian Emperor, who, by pofleffing dign.tioii
that dignity, ought to have been tljg proteflor g![[iftth«
and advocate of the holy fee, lnvvioleat hands on ^"p***'*
him who reprefented Chrift on eirth, and detain
his facred perfon in a rigorous captivity, was
cbnfidered as an impiety that merited the fevereft
vengeance, and which called for the immediate
interpofition of every dutiful fon of the church.
Francis and Henry, alarmed at the progrefs of
the Imperial arms in Italy, had, even before the
taking of Rome^ entered ii^to a clofer alliance;
Vol. IIL B and.
2 THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K and, in order to give fome check to the Empe-
Wi->^ — ^ ror's ambition, had a^eed to nnake a vigorous
'^*7* diverfion in the Loyr Countries. The force of
every motive,^ which had influenced them at that
time, was now increafed ; and to thefe wem
added the defire of refcuing the Pope out of the
Emperor's hands, a meafure no lefs politic, than
it appeared to be pious^ This, however, ren-
Bered it neceflary to abandon^ their defigns on the
Low Countries, and to make Italy the feat of war^
as it was by vigorous operations in that country
they might contribute moft effectually towards de-
livering. Romc> and fctting Clement at liberty'.
Francis being now fenfible, that, in his fyftem with
regard to the affairs of Italy, the Ipirit of refine-
ment had carried him too far ; and that, by ar>
cxcefs of remifCiefs, he had allowed Charles ta
attam advantages which he might eafily have pre-
vented, was eager to make reparation for an error,,
of which he was not often guilty, by arf activity
more fuitabic to his temper. Henry thought
his interpofition neceffary, in order to hinder the
Emperor from becoming matter of all Italy, and
acquiring by that means fuch luperiority of power,
* as woiild enable him, for the future, to didtate
• without xontroiil to the other princes of Europe.
Wolfey, whom Francis had taken care to fecure
by flattery and prefents, the certain methods of
gaining, his favour, neglefted nothing that could
incenfe his mafler againft the Emperor. Befides-
all thefe public confiderations, Henry was in-
fluenced by one o£ a jnofe private nature 5 having
begun.
£MP£ROR CHARLES V. 3
begun, about this time, to form his great fcheme of ^ 9^^ ^
divorcing Catherine of Aragon, towards the ex- ^. — .^-^
edition of which he knew that the fanftion of '^*^*
papal authority would be neceflary, he was de-
firous to acquire as much merit as poflible with
Clement, by appearing to be the chief inftrumcnt ^
c^his deliverance.
The negbciation^ between princes thus dif- conMericj
pofed, was not tedious. Wolfey himfelf con- juiyn.
dufted it, on the part of his fovereign, with un-
bounded powers. Francis treated with him in
perfon at Amiens, where the Cardinal appeared,
and was received with royal magnificence. A
marriage between the duke of Orleans and the
princefs Mary was agreed to as the bafis of the
confederacy -, it was rcfolved that Italy Ihould be
the theatre of war i the ftrength of the army which
ihould take the field, as well as the contingent of
troops or of money, which each prince fhould
furnifh, were fetded ; and if the Emperor did not
accept of the propofals they were joindy to make
him, they bound themfelves immediately to de-
clare war, and to begin hoftilities. Henry, who Auj. i«-
took every refolution with impetuofity, entered fo
eagerly into this new alliance, that, in order to
give Francis the ftrongeft proof of his friendlhip
and refpedt, he formally renounced the ancient claim
of the Englifti monarchs to the crown of France,
which had long been the pride and ruin of
the nation; as a foil compcnfation for which
he accepted a penfion of fifty .thoufand crowns,
B 2 to
4 T.H£ REIGN OF TH£
B o^o K (o be paid annually to himfelf and his fuccef-'
v,,.,^,i fors*.
'5*7.
In^u^^co!!' The Pope, being unable to fulfil the- condi-
fteu^m' ^^'^^ ^ ^^^ capitulation, ftill remained a prifoner
under the fevere cuftody of Alarcon. The Floren-
tines no fooner heard of what had happened at
,Rome, than they ran to arms in a tuaiultuous
manner; expelled the Cardinal di Cortona, who
governed their city in the Pope's name ; defaced
the arms of the Medici ; broke in pieces the
ftatues of Leo and Clement ; and, declaring them'^
felves a free ftate^ re-eftablifhed their ancient po-
pular government. The Venetians, taking ad-
vantage of the calamity of their ally the Pope,
feized Ravenna, and other places belonging to the
church, under pretext of keeping them in de-
pofite. The dukes of Urbino and Ferrara laid
hold likewife on part of the Ipoils of the unfbrtu^
nate Pontiff, whom they confidered as irretrievably
ruined ^.
Theirrpc La N NOV, On the other handi laboured to de-
inaaive. rive feme folid benefit from that unforefeen evenf,
which gave fuch fplendour and fuperiority to his
mafter's arms. For this purpofe he marched t6
Rome, togetlier with Moncada, and the mar-
quis del Guafto, at the head of all th^tfoops
which they could aflemble in the kingBm oC
• Herbert, 83, &c. Rym. Feed. xiv. 203*
^ Guic. 1. xviii. 453.
Naples.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 5
Naples. The arrival of this reinforcement * %^J^
brought new calannities on the unhappy citizens u, >■»- m^
of Rome ; for the foldiers envying the wealth of '^*^*
their companions, imitated their licence, and with
the iirmoft rapacity gathered the gleanings, which
had efcaped the avarice of the Spaniards and Ger^
mans. There was not now any army in' Italy
capable of making head againftthe Imperialifts-j
and nothing more was requifite to reduce Bologna,
and the other towns in the ecclefiaftical ftate, than
to have appeared before them. But the foldiers
having been fo long accuftomed, under Bourbon,
to an entire relaxation of difcipline, and having
tafted the Iweets of living at difcretion in a great
city, almoft without the controul of a fuperior,
were *becom.e fo impatient of military fubordina-
tion, and fo averfe to fervice, that they refiifed
to leave Romt, unlefs all their arrears were paid j
a condition which they knew to be impoflible.
At the fame time, they declared, that they woul4
not obey any other perfon than thq prinqe ojf
Orange, whom the army had chofen general.
Lannoy, finding that it was no longer fafe for him
to .remain among licentious troops, who defpifed
his dignity, and hated his perfon, returned tp
Naples ; foon after the marquis del Guafto an(i
Moncada thought it prudent to quit Rome for the
fame rea^. The prince, of Orange, a general
pnly in name, and by the moft precarious of all
tenures, the good-will of foldiers, whom fuccels
and licence had gendered capricious, was obliged
B 3 tQ
6 THEREIGNOFTHE
B 0^0 K to pay more attention to their humours, than
c — ^-— ' they did to his commands, '."hus the Emperor^
'^*^' inftead of reaping any of the advantages which
he might have expedted from the redudtion of
Rome, had the mortification to fee the moft
formidable body of troops that he had ever
brought into the field, continue in a ftate of in-
aftivity fi-om which it was impoflibl^ to roul?
themS
TheFfCDch ^Pjjjs g^yg the King of France and the Vene-
niarchet tians Icifure to form new fchemes, and to enter
^' into new engagements for delivering the Pope,
and preferving the liberties of Italy. The newly-
' reftored republic of Florence very imprudendy
joined with them, and Lautrec, of whofe abi-
lities the Italians entertained a much more fa-
vourable opinion than his own mafter, was, jiri
order to gratify them, appointed generaliffimo of
the league. It was with the utmoft reluftance
he undertook that office, being unwilling to ex-
pofe himfelf a fecond time to the difficula»
and difgraces, which the negligence of the Ki^
-or the malice of his favourites, might bring
upon him. The beft troops in France marched
under his command ; and the King of England^
though he had not yet declared war againft the
Emperor, advanced a confiderable fum towards
carrying on the expedition, Lautrec's firft op^
^ Guic. 1. XTiii, 454,
^- ^ rations
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 7
rations were prudent, vigorous, and fuccefsful. * ^^ ^
* By the afliftance of Andrew Doria, the ableft fea- u**v,j
officer of that age, he rendered himfelf nnafter Hi»\^pJrm.
of Genoa, and re-eftablifhed in that republic the "^"•*
faftion of the Fregofi, together with the domi-
nion of France. He obliged Alexandria to fur-
render after a fliort fiege, and reduced all the
country on that fide of the Tefino. He took
Pavia, which had fo long refifted the arms of his
Ibvcreign, by aflault, and plundered it with {hat
cruelty, which the memory of the fatal difafter
that had befellen the French .nation before its
wails naturally infpired All the Milanefe, which
Antonio de Leyva defended with a fmall body
of troops, kept together, and fupported by his
own addrefs and induftry, muft have foon fub-
mitted to his power, if he had continued to bend
the force of his arms againft that country. But
Lautrec durft not complete a conqueft which would
have been fo honourable to himfelf and of fuch
advantage to the league. Francis knew his con-
^federates to be more defirous of circumfcribing
the Imperial power in Italy, than of acquiring new
territories for him ; and was afraid, that if Sforza
yicrt once re-eftabliftied in Milan, they would fc-
cond but coldly the attack which he intended to
make on the kingdom of Naples. For this reafon
he inftrufted Lautrec not to pufh his operations
with too much vigour in Lombardyj and happily
the importunities of the Pope, and the folicita-
tions of the Florentines, the one for relief^ and
the other for proteftion, .were fo urgent as to
B 4 furnifli
8 THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K furnilh him with a decent pretext for marching
forward, without yielding to the intreaties of the
Venetians and Sforza, who infifted op his laying
ficge to Milan ^
IS»7^
ror*f«r?hc 'While Lautrec advanced flowly towards Rome,
UberV the Emperor had time to deliberate concernmg
the difpofal of the Pope's perfon, who ftill re-
mained a prifoner in the cattle of St. Angelo.
Notwithftanding the fpecious veil of religion,
with which he ufiially endeavoured to cover his
aftions, Charles^ in many inftances, appears to
have been but litde under the influence of reli-
gious confiderations, and had frequently, on this
occafion, expreffed an inclination to tranfport the
Pope into Spain, that he might indulge his am-
bition with the fpeftacle of the two rnoft illuftri-
ous perfonages in Europe fucceflively prifoners
in his court. But the fear of giving new offence
to all Chriftendom, and of filling his own fub-
jefts with horror, obliged him to forego that fa-
tisfaftion'. The progrefs of the confederates
made it now neceflfary, either to fet the Pope at
liberty, or to remove him to fome pWft of con-
finement more fecure than the caftle of St. An-
gelo. Many confiderations induced him to pre- ft^
fer the former, particularly his want of the mo-
ney, requifite as well for recruiting his army,
as for paying off the vaft arrears due to it. In
* Guic. l.'xviii. 461. -^Bcllay, 107, tec. Manroc. Hift.
Vcnct. lib. iii. 238. • Guic. 1. xviii. 457.
order
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
<)rder to obtain this, he had aflembled the Cortes
of Caftile at Valkdolid about the beginning of the
year, and having laid before them the ftate of his '5*7-
affairs, and reprefented the neceffity of making ^^^' "*
great preparations to refift the enemies, whom
envy at the fuccefs which had crowned his arms
urould unite againft him, he demanded a laige fup-
ply in the moft prefling terms j but the Cortes, as
the nation was already exhaufted by extraordinary
donatives, refufed to load it with any new burden,
and in Ipite of all his endeavours to gain or to inti-
mid^e the members, perfifted in this refolution ^
No rcfource, therefore, remained, but the extorting
fixHTi Clement, by way of ranfom, a fum fufficient
for difcharging what was due to his troops, without
which it was vain to mention to them their leaving
Rome.
Nor was the Pope inaftive on his part, or his
intrigues unfuccefsful towards hafteryng fuch a
treaty. By flattery, and the appearance of un-
bounded confidence, he difarmed the refentment
of Cardinal Cqlonna, and wrought upon his va-
nity, which made him defirous of fliewing th{
world, that as his power had at firft deprefled
*the Pope, it could now raife him to his former
dignity. By favours and promifes he gained
Morone, who, by one of thofe whimfical revo-
' ^ Saniov. i. p. 814.
ludons
lo THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K lutions which occur fo often in his life, and which
w^ - .. — -* fo ftrongly difplay his charafter, had now recover-
'^*^' ed his credit and authority with the Imperiaiifts.
The addrefs and influence of two fuch men eafily
renioved all the obftacles which retarded an ac-
commodation, and brought the treaty for Clement's
liberty to a conclufion, upon conditions hard in-
deed, but not more fevere than a prince in his
fituation had reafon to expeft. He was obliged to
advance, in ready money, an hundred thoufand
crowns for the ufe of the army; to pay the fame
fum at the diftance of a fortnight; and, at the end
of three months, an hundred and fifty thoufand
more. He engaged not to take part in the war
againft Charles, either in Lombardy or in Naples;
he granted him a bull of cruzado, and the tenth of
ecclefiaftical revenues in Spain ; and he not only
gave hoftages, but put the Emperor in pofleflion
of feveral towns, as a fecurity for the performance
of thefe articles ^. Having raifed the firft moiety
by a faie of ecclefiaftical dignities and benefices, •
and other expedients equally uncanonical, a day
was fixed for delivering him from imprifonment.
pec. 6, 8ut Clement, impatient to be free, after a tedious
confinement of fix months, as well as filll of the
fufpicion and diftruft natural to the unfortunate,
was fo much afraid that the Imperiaiifts might
ftill throw in obftacles to put ofF his deliverance,
that he difguifed himfelf^ on the night preceding
I
« Guic, 1. xviii. 467, &c.
o
•H
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ii
the day when he was to be fet free, in the habit of a ^ ^^^ ^
rrferchant, and Alarcon having remitted fomewhat ^ - v ■■■■>
of his vigilance upon the conckifion of the treaty, '^*'*
he made his efcape undifcovered. He arrived be-
fore next morning at Orvieto, without any attend-
ants but a fingle officer; and from thence wrote a
letter of thanks to Lautrec, as the chief inftrument
of procuring him liberty ^.
During thefe tranfaftions, the ambaffadors of Ortrturetot
France and England repaired to Spain, in confe- to%n^^
quence of the treaty which Wolfey had concluded ^'^^^'^^
with the French King. The Emperor, unwilling
to draw on himfelf the united forces of the two
monarchs, difcovered an inclination to relax fome-
what the rigour of the treaty of Madrid, to which,
hitherto, he had adhered inflexibly. He offered to
accept of the two millions of crowns, which Ffan-
cis had propofed to pay as an equivalent for the
dutchy of Burgundy, and to fet his fons at liberty,
on condition that he would recall his army out of
Italy, and reftore Genoa, together with the other
conquefts which he had made in that country.
With regard to Sforza, he infilled that hi^ fate
fliould be determined by the judges appointed to
inquire into his crimes. Thefe propofitions being
made to Henry, he tranfmiCted them to his ally
the French King, whom it more nearly concerned
* Guic. I. xviii. 467, &c. Jov. Vit. Colon. 169. Mauroc,
tlift. Venct, lib, iii. z^t^
to
1^ THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K to examine and to aniwer thtm ; and if Francis
V— vX^ had been fincere'ly folicitous, either to conclude
'^*^' peace, or preferve confiftency in his own conduft,
he ought inftantly to have clofed with overtures
which differed but little from the propofitions
which he himfelf had formerly made ^ But his
vjews were now much changed j his alliance with
Henry, Lautrec's progrefs in Italy, and the fupe-
riority of his army there above that of the Empe-
ror, hardly left him room to doubt of the fupcefs
' ' of his enterprize againft Naples. Full of thofe
. fanguine hopes, he was at no lofs to find pretexts
for rejeding or evading what the Emperor had
propofed. Under the appearance of fympathy with
Sforza, for whofe interefts he had not hitherto dif-
covered much folicitude, he again demanded the
fiill and unconditional re-cftablifhment of that un-
fortunate prince in his dominions. Under colour
of its being imprudent to rely on the Emperor's
finccrity, he infilled that his foris fhould be fet at
liberty before the French troops left Italy, or fur-
rendered Genoa. The unreafonablenefs of thefe
demands, as well as the reproachful irifinuation with
which they were accompanied, irritated Charle3 to
fuch a degree, that he could hardly liften to them
with patience; and repenting of his moderation,
which had made fo little impreflion on his ene-
mies, declared that he would not depart in the
fmalleft article. from the conditions which he hacl
* Recueil dcs Traitez, ii. 249.
noMf
EMt^EROR CHARLES V. 1$
now ofiered- Upon this the French and Englifh ^ o o K
ambafTadors (for Henry had been drawn unac- c-*^'-^
countably to concur with Francis in thefe ftrange '^*^'
propofitions) denianded and obtained their audi-
ence of leave ^.
Next day, two heralds, who had accompanied istt*
the ambaffadors of purpofe, though they had hi- J*""*'^***
therto concealed their charafter, having aflumed
the cnfigns of their office, appeared in the Empe-
ror's court, and being admitted into his prefence,
they, in the name of their refpeftive matters, and
with all the folemnities cvlftomary on fuch occa-
fioiis, denounced war againft him. Charles re-^ They de-
ceived both with a dignity fuitable to his own rank, aga^n^ JII^
but Ipoke to each in a tone adapted to the fenti- Emperw.
meats which he entertained of their fovereigns.
He accepted the defiance of the Englilh monarch
with a firmnefs tempered by fome degree of de-
cency and refpeft. His reply to the French King
abounded with that acrimony of exprefTion, which
pcrfonal rivallhip, exafperated by the memory of
many injuries inflifted as well as fufFered, naturally
fu^efts. He defired the French herald to ac-
quaint his fovereign, that he would henceforth con-
fider him not only as a bafe violator of public faith,
but as a ftranger to the honour and integrity be-*
coming a gentleman. Francis, too high-fpirited
to bear fuch an imputation, had reeourfe to an
^ Rym. adv. 200. Herbert, 85. ' Cuic. h xviii. 471..
uncommon
combata
H THE RElGhf OF T'H fe
uncommon expedient in oxder to vindicate his cha-
rader. He inftantly fent back the herald with a
Frtnbs^' tfar/^/ of defiance, in which he gave the Emperor
cbaiiengei ^^ \\q i^ fofm. Challenged him to firigle combat,
the Emperor . . , . *^, . - •^, ^ ,
to fingie requiring hinfi to name the time and place of the
encounter, and the weapons with which he chofe to
fight. Charles, as he was not inferior to his rival
in fpirit or bravery, readily accepted the challenge j
but, after leveral meffages concerning the arrange-
ment of all the circumftances relative to the com-
bat, accompanied with mutual reproaches, border-
ing on the molt indecent fcurrility, all thoughts of
this duel, more becoming the heroes of romance
than the two greateft monarchs of their age, were
entirely laid alide \
l-heeffeft Thb cxamplc of two pcrfonages fo illuftrious
^lomo'ing drew fuch general attention^ and carried with k fo
l» duefr, ^^^^ authority, that it had confiderable influence
in producing an important change in manners all
over Europe. Duels, as has aheady been obferv-
ed, had long been permitted by the laws of all the
Eurbpean nations, and forming a part of their jurif-
prudence, were authorized by the magiftrate, on
many occafions, as the moft proper method of ter-
minating queftions witli regard to property, or of
deciding thofe which refpefted crimes. But fingle
^ combats being confidercd as folemn appeals to the
» Recueil des Traiicz, 2, Mem. dc BcIIay, loj. Sec. San-
dov. Hift. i. 837.
omnifciencc
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 15
omnifcience and juftice of the Supreme Being>
they were allowed only in public caufesi according
to the prcfcription of law, and carried on in a ju-
dicial form. Men accuftomed to this manner of
decifion in courts of juftice, were naturally led to
apply it to perfonal and private quarrels. Duels,
which at firft could be appointed by the civil judge
alone, were fought without the interpofition of his
authority, and in cafes to which the laws did not
extend. The tranfadtion between Charles and
Francis ftrongly countenanced this praftice- Upon
every affront, or injury which feemed to touch his
honour, a gentleman thought himfelf entided to
draw his fword, and to call on his adverfary to give
him fatisfadtion. Such an opinion becoming pre-
valent among men of fierce ciourage, of high fpirit,
and of rude manners, when offence was often given,
and revenge was always prompt, produced moft
fatal confcqucnces. Much of the beft blood in
Chriftendom was Ihcdj many ufefiil lives were fa-
crificed; and, at fome periods, war itfelf hath hardly
been more deftrudive than thefe private contefts of
honour. So powerfi>l, however, is the dominion
of falhion, that neither the terror of penal laws,
nor reverence for religion, have been able entirely
to abolifh a ptaclice unknown among the ancients,
and not juftifiable by any principle of reafon;
though at the fame time it mutt be admitted, that,
to this abfurd cuftom, we muft afcribe in fome de-
gree the extraordinary gentlenefs and complaifance
of modern manners, and that refpcdtful attention of
one man to another, which, at prefent, render the
ibcial
tt THE REIGN OF THfi
to o^o k focial intercourfes of life far more agreeable ahd
v..-^, — » decent, than among the moft civilized nations off
*5»^ antiquity*
Retreat of WHILE the two moriarchs feenied fb eaijer to ter-
*i»uft«from mmate their quarrel by a perfonal combat, tautrec
l^^. continued his operations^ which promifed to bfe-
nK)re decifive. His army, which was now increaf-
cd to thirty-five thoufand men, advanced by great
nlarches towards Naples. The terror of their ap-
proach, as well as the remonftrances and the en-
treaties of the prince of Orange, prevailed at laft oA
the Imperial troops, though with difficulty, to quit
I Rome, of which they had kept pofleffion during
^ ten months. But of diat flourifhing army which
had entered the city, fcarcely one half remain-
. edj the reft, cut off by the plague, or wafted
by difeafes, the effeds of their inaftivitys intem-
perance, and debauchery, fell viftims to their own
crimes ". Lautrec made the greateft efforts to at-
tack them in,their retreat towards the"" Neapolitan
territories, which would have finilhed the war at
one blow. But the prudence of their leaders dif-
appointed all bis meafures, and conduced them with
iitde lofs to Naples. The people of that kingdom,
extremely impatient to fhake off the Spanifh yoke,
received the French with open arms wherever
they appeared to talce pofleffion; and Gaeta and
Naples excepted, hardly any place of importance
" Gaic. 1. xviii. 478.
remained
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 17
remained in the hands of the Impeiialifts. The * ^^^ *
prcfervation of the former was, owing to the ^.^ J -^mi
ftrength of its fortifications, that of the latter to '***'
the prefencc of the Imperial army. Lautrec, French be-
however, fat down before Naples ; but finding it ^'8«^«i^'«'*
vain to think of reducing a city by force while
defended by a whole armyj he was obliged to em-
ploy the flower, but Icfs dangerous method of
blockade ; and having taken meafures which ap*
peared to him effeftual, he confidently allured his
mailer, that famine would foon compel the be-
fie^d to capitulate. Thefe hopes were ftrongly
confirmed by the defeat of a vigorous attempt
made by the enemy in order to recover the com-
mand of the fea. The gallies of Andrew Doria^
under the command of his nephew Philippino,
guarded the mouth of the harbour. Mbncada,
who had liiccceded Lanoy in the vice-royalty, rig-
ged out a number of gallies fuperior to Doria's>
manned them with a chofen body of Spanifh ve-
terans, and going on board himielf, together with
the marquis del Guafto, attacked Philippino be-
fore the arrival of the Venetian and French fleets.
But the Genoefe admiral, by his fuperior flcill in
naval operations, eafily triumphed over the va-
lour and number of the Spaniards. The viceroy
was kiHed, moil of his fleet deftroyed, and Guafto,
with many officers of diflinftion, being taken pri-
foners, were put on board the captive gallies, and
fcnt by Philippino as trophies of his viftory to
his uncle ". •
» Guic. 1. xiJT. 487. P. H«uter. lib. x. c. t. p. 231.
Vol. III. C
*8 THEREIGNOFTHE'
B 0^0 K NoTWiTHSTANpiNG this flattering profpeft of
V— -v— ' fiiccefs, many circumftances concurred to froffcratc
circum-' Lautrec's expedtations. Cleaient, though he al-
^"i^h re. ^^^^ acknowledged his being indebted to Francis for
tardtbe thc recovcfy of • his liberty, and often complained
^^ogre I o ^^ ^^^ ^^^j treatment which he had met with
from the Emperor, was not influenced at this
junfture by principles of gratitude, nor, which is
. more extraordinary, was he fwayed by the defire
of revenge. His paft misfi>rtunes rendered him
more cautious than ever, and his recoUedbion of
the errors ii^rhich he had committed, increafed the
natural irrefolution of his mind. While he amufed
Francis with promifes, he fecretly negociated with
Charles ; and being folicitous, above all things,
to re-efl:ablifh his family in Florence with their
ancient authority, which he could not exped: from
Francis, who had entered into flxict alliance with
the new republic, he leaned rather to the fide of
"his enemy than to that of his benefaftor, and gave
Lautrec no afliftance towards carrying on his ope-
rations. The Venetians, viewing with jealoufy
the progrefs of the French arms, were intent only
upon recovering fuch maritime towns in the Nea-
politan dominions as were to be pofleflfed by their
republic, while they were altogether carelefs
about the reduftion of Naples, on which the luc-
cefs of the common caufe depended *". The King
of England, infl:ead of being able, as had been
projefted, to cmbarrafs the Emperor by attack-
* Gaic. I. XIX. 491.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. fg
ing his territories in the InOW-Countrics, found ^ ^^^ ^
his (libjefts fo averfe to an unneceflary war, u--/-^J
which would have ruined the trade of the nation, '^*''
that in order to filence tlieir clamours, and put a
ftop to the infurreftions ready to break out among
them, he was compelled to conclude a truce for
eight months with the governefs of the Nether-
lands >". Francis himfelf, with the fame unpar-.
donable inattention of which he had formerly been
guilty, and for which he had fufFered fo feverely,
negleded to make proper remittances to Lautrec
for the fupport of his army ^.
These unexpefted events retarded the progrefs ^^^^yf
of the French, difcouraging both the general and ooria from
his troops ; but the revolt of Andrew Doria '***"*
proved a fatal blow to all their meafures. That
gallant officer, the citizen of a republic, and
trained up from his infancy in the fea-fervice,
retained the fpirit of independence natural to the
former, together with the plain liberal manners
peculiar to the latter. A ftranger to the arts
of fubmiflion or flattery necefTary in courts, but
confcious at the fame time of his, own merit and
importance, he always offered his advice with
freedom, and often preferred his complaints and
remonftrances with boldnefs. The French mi-
niilers, unaccyftomed to fuch liberties, deter-
mined to ruin a man who treated them with fo
p Herbert, 90. Rymer, 14. 25S.
^ Guic. ]. xviii. 478.
C 2 little
ao THEREIGNOFTHE
B o^o K Uiitie deference t and though Francis himfelf had
s^^^^m^ a juft fenfe of Doria*s fervices, as well as an
'^*^* high efteem for his character, the courtiers, by
continually reprefenting him as a -man haughty,
intraftable, and more folicitous to aggrandize
himfelfi than to promote the intereft of France,
gradually undermined the foundations of his cre-
dit, and filled the King's mind with fufpicion
and diftruft. From thence proceeded feveral af^
fronts and indignities put upon Doria. His ap-
pointments were not regularly paid; his advice,
even in naval affairs, was often flighted j an at-
tempt was made to feize the prifoners taken by his
nephew in the fea-fight off Naples; all which
he bore with abundance of ill-humour. But an
injury offered to his country, tranfported him
beyond all bounds of patience. The French be-
gan to fortify Savona, to clear its harbour, and,
removing thither fomc branches of trade carried
on at Genoa, pljjinly (hewed that they intended to
render that town, which had been long the obje6b
of jealoufy and hatred to the Genoefe, their rival
in wealth and commerce. Doria, animated with a
patriotic zeal for the honour and interefl of his
country, remonftrated againft this in the higheft
tone, not without threats, if the meafure were not
inftantly abandoned. This - bold adion, aggra-
vated by the malice of the courtiers, and placed
in the mofl odious light, irritated 'Francis to fuch
a degree, that he commanded Barbefieux, whom
he appointed admiral of the Levant, to fail direftly
to Genoa with the French fleet, to arreft Doria,
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 21
and to feize his gallies. This raih order, die ^
execudon of which could have been fecured only
by die moft profound fecrecy, was concealed with
fo litde care, that Doria got dmely intelligence
of it, and redred with, all his gallies to a place
of fiifety. Guafto, his prifoncr, who had long
obfcrvcd and fomented his growing difcontent,
and had often allured him by magnificent pro-
mifes to enter into the Emperor's fervice, laid
hold on this favourable opportunity^^ While his
indignation and refentment were at their height,
he prevailed on him to difpatch one ofhis officers
to the Imperial court with his overtures and de-
mands. The negociation was not long ; Charles,
folly feniible of the importance of fuch an ac-
quifidon, granted him whatever terms he re-
quired. Doria fent , back his comhiiflion, to-
gether with the collar of St. Michael, to Francis,
and hoifting the Imperial colours, failed with
all his gallies towards Naples, not to block up
the harbour of that unhappy city, as he had
formerly engaged, but to bring them prote6tion
and deliverance.
His arrival opened the communication with wretched
the fea, and reftored plenty in Naples, which ihc French
was now reduced to- the laft extremity j and the JjipLi*^'*
French, having loft their fuperiority at fea, were
foon reduced to great ftraits for want of provi-
fions* The prince of Orange, who fucceeded the
viceroy in the command of the Imperial army,
C 3 fhewed
aa THEREIGNOFTHE
^ ^^^ ^ fhewed himfelf by his prudent conduft worthy of
u— v^-i^ tliat honour which his good fortune and the death
*^*** of his generals had twice acquired him. Beloved
by the troops, who remembering the profperity
which they had enjoyed under his command,
ferved him with the' utmoft alacrity, he let flip
no opportunity of haraffing the enemy, and by
continual alarms or fallies fatigued and weakened
them'. As an addition to all thefe misfortunes,
the difeafes common irt that country during the
fultry months, began to break out among the
French troops. The prifoners communicated to
them the peftilence which the Imperial army had
brought to Naples from Rome, and it raged with
fuch violence, that few, either officers or foldiers,
efcaped the infeftion. Of the whole arrny, not
four thoufand men, a number hardly fufficient to
defend the camp, were capable of doing duty * ;
and being now befieged in their turn, they fufFered
all the miferies from which the Imperi^ifts were
delivered. Lautrec, after ftruggling long with fb
many difappointments and calamities, which preyed
on his mind at the fame time that the peftilence
Aog. 15. wafted his body, died, lamenting the negligence of
his fovereign, and the infidelity of his allies, to
which fo niany brave men had fallen vi(5tims\
By his death, and the indifpofition of the other
' Jovii Hift. lib. xxxvi. p. 3 1, &c. Sigonli Vita Dorix,
p. 1139. Bellay, 114, &c.
• Bellay, 117, Sec,
* P. Heuier. Rerum Auftr. lib. x. c. z, 231.
generals.
EMPEROR CHARl^ES V, 23
generals, the command devolved on the marquis ^ ^^ ^
de Saluces, an oiSicer altogether unequal to fuch a — v^^-^
trull. He, with troops no lefs difpirited than re- Rai'fihe
duced, retreated in difbrder to Averfaj which ^^***
town being invefted by the prince of Orange,
Saluces was under the neceffity of confenting, that
he himfelf Ihould remain a prifoner of war, that
his troops Ihould lay down their arms and <:olours,
give up their baggage, and march undjer a guard
to the frontiers of France. By this ignominious
capitulation, the wretched remains of the French
army were faved -, and the Emperor, by his own
perfeverance and the good conduit of his ge-
nerals, acquired once more the fuperibrity in
Italy".
ra-
coveri itt
The lofs of Genoa followed immediately upon Ocnw
the ruin of the army in Naples. To deliver his liberty.'
country from the dominion of foreigners was Do-
rians higheft ambition, and had been his prin-
cipal inducement to quit the fervice of France,
and enter into that of the Emperor. A moft
favourable opportunity for executing this honour-
able enterprife now prefented itfelf. The city of
Genoa, afflifted by the peftilence, was almoft de-
fcrtcd by its inhabitants; the French garrifon
being neither regularly paid nor recruited, was
reduced to an inconfiderable number; Doria's
emiffaries found that fuch of the citizens as re-
mained, being weary alike of the French and
V Bcllay, 1 179 $cc. Jovii Hlil. lib. xxv, xxfI.
C 4 Imperial
a4 THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K Imperial, yoke, the rigour of whicli they had al-
*-^'--— ' ternately felt, were ready to welcome him as their
deliverer, and to fecond all his mealurcs^ Things
wearing this prpmifing afpeft, he failed towards
the coaft of Genoa j on his approach the French
gallies retired ; a fmall body of men which he
landed, furprized one of the gates of Genoa in
the night-time i Trivulci, the French governor,
with his feeble garrifon, ftiut himfelf up in the
Iv^J*- citadel, and Doria took poffeffion of the town
without bloodfhed or refiftance. Want of pro-
vifions quickly obliged Trivulci to capitulate;
the people, eager to abolifli fuch an odious monu-
ment of their fervitude, ran together with a tunriul-
tuous violence, and levelled the citadel with the
ground,
Si^^^r'a* ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ Doria's power tp have rendered
rfDorii. himfelf the fovereign of his counti^, which he
had fo happily delivered from oppreflion. The
feme pf his former aftions, the fuccefs of his pre-
fent attempt, the attachment of his friends, the
gratitude of his countrymen, together with the
lupport of the Emperor, all confpired to facilitate
his attaining the fupreme authority, and invited
him to lay hold of it. But with a mj;gnanimity
of which there are few examples, he fecrificed all
thoughts of aggrandizing himfelf to the virtuous
fatisfaftion of eftablifhing liberty in his country,
the higheft objeft at which ambition can aim.
Having affembled the whole body of the people
In the court before his palace^ he aiTurod (hem,
that
EMPEROR CHARLES V,
that the happinefs of feeing them once more in
pofleillon of freedom, was to him a full reward for
allhisfervicesi that, more delighted with the name
of citizen than of fovereign, he claimed no pre-
eminence or power above his equals ; but remitted
entirely to them the right of fettling what form of
government they would nowchufe to be eftablifhed
among them. The people liftened to him with tears
of admiration and of joy. Twelve perfons were
eledted to new-model the conftitution of the repub-
lic. The influence of Doria's virtue and example
communicated itfclf to his countrymen j die faftions
which had long torn and ruined the ftate, feemcd
to be forgotten; prudent precautions were taken to
prevent their reviving ; and the fame form of go-
vernment which has fubfifted with litde variation
fincc that time in Genoa, was eftablifhed with uni-
verial applaufe. Doria lived to a great age, be-
loved, refpeflcd, and honoured by his country-
men ; and adhering uniformly to his profeflions of
moderation, without arrogating any thing unbe- -
coming a private citizen, he preferved a great af-
cendant over the councils of the republic, which
owed its being to his generpfity. The authority
which he pofTefled was more flattering, as well as
more fatisf^ory, than that derived from fove-
rrigntyj a dominion founded in love and in gra-
titude ; and upheld by veneration for his virtues,
not by the dread of his power. His memory is
ftill reverenced by the Genoefc, and he is diftin-
^[uilhed in ^heir public mpnuments, and c«lebr^ted
W
a6 THE REIGN OF THE
Ac works of their hiftorians, by the moft honour-
able of aU appeUations3 THE FATHER OF
HIS COUNTRY, AND THE RESTORER.
OF ITS LIBERTY %
1519. Francis, in order to recover the reputation of
^^"^Mi* his arms, difcredited by fo many lofles, made new
^•^'* efforts in the Milanefe. But the count of St. Pol,
a raih and unexperienced officer, to whom he gavg
the cpmmand, was no match for Antonio de Ley-
va, the ableft of the Imperial generals. He, by
his fuperior (kill in war, checked, with a handful of
men, the brilk but ill-concerted motions of the
French ; and though fo infirm himfelf that he was
carried conflantly in a litter, he furpaflfed them,
when occafion required, no lefs. in aftivity than in
prudence. By an xmexpefted march he furprizcd,
defeated, and took prifoner the count of St. Pol,
ruining the French army in the Milanefe as entirely
as the Prince of Orange had ruined that which be-
fieged Naples ^.
Negncia. Amidst thefe vigorous operations in the field,
t'w"Jn ^' each party difcovered an impatient defire of peace,
^Jilcis.*"^ and continual negociations were carried on for rfiat
purpofe. The French King difcouraged, and al-
« Guic. 1. xix. p. 498. SigODii Vita Doriae, p. 1146.
Jovii Hill, lib xxvi. p. 36, &c.
r Guic. I. xix. 520. P Hcuter. Rcr, Auflr. lib. x. c, 3.
p. 233. Mem. de Bellay, ui.
moft
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 47
moft exhaufted by fo many unfuccefsftil enterprizcs, book
was reduced now to think of obtaining the releafc ^-^.r^w
of his fons by conceffions, not by the terror of his '**^
arms. The Pope hoped to recover by a treaty
whatever he had loft in the war. The Emperor,
notwithftanding the advantages which he had gain-
ed, had many reafons to make him wifli for an ac-
commodation. Solyman, having over-run Hun-
gary, was ready to break in upon the Apftrian ter-
ritories with the whole force of the Eaft. The Re-
formation gaining ground daily in Germany, the
princes who favoured it had entered into a confede-
racy which Charles thought dangerous to the tran-
quillity of the Empire. The Spaniards murmured
at a war of fuch unufual length, the weight of which
reftcd chiefly on them. The variety and extent of
the Emperor's operations far exceeded what his re-
venues could fupport : his fuccefs hitherto had been
owing chiefly to his own good fortune and to the
abilities of his generals, nor could he flatter himfelf
that they, with troops deftitute of every thing ne-
ceflary, would always triumph over enemies fl:ill in
a condition to renew their attacks. AH parties,
however, were at equal pains to conceal or to dif-
, femble their real fentiments. The Emperor, that
his inability to carry on the war might ndt be fuf-
pcdled, infifted on high terms in the tone of a con-
queror. The Pope, folicitbus not to lofe his pre-
fent allies before he came to any agreement with
Charles, continued to make. a thoufand protefta-
dons of fidelity to the former, while he privately
negociated
a8 THE REIGN OF THE
^%^^ negotiated widi the latter.. Francis, afraid that
^ ' . -^ his confederates might prevent him by treating for
'^**' . themfdves with the Emperor, had recourfe to
many difhbnourable artifices, in order to turn their
attention froni the meafures which he was taking to
adjuft all differences with his rival.
IiJ this fituation of affairs, when all the contend-
ing powers wiflied for peace, but durft not venture
too haftily on the fteps neceffary for attaining it,
two ladies undertook to procure this bleffing fo
May. much defired by all Europe. Thcfe were Margaret
of Auftria, dutchefs dowager of Savoy, the Empe-
ror's^aunt, and Louife, Francis's mother. They
agreed on an interview at Cambray, and being
lodged in two adjoining houfes, between which a
communication was opened, met together without
ceremony or obfervation, and held daily confer-
ences, to which no perfon whatever was admitted.
As both were profoundly (killed in bufinefs, tho-
roughly acquainted with the fecrets of their refpec-
tive courts, and poffeffed with perfeft confidence in
each other, theyibon made great progrefs towards
a find accommodation; and the ambaffadors of all
the confederates waited in anxious fufpenfe to know
their fate, the determination of which was intirely
in the hands of thofe illuftrious negociators *.
• P. Hcoier. Rcr. Auftr. lib. x. c. 3.* 13 j. Mem. de
Bdhy, p. l^2. ,
But
EMPEROR CHARLES V. . a^
) o
V.
But whatever diligence they ufed to haften for- * o o it
ward a general peace^ the Pope had the addrefs and
induftry to get the ftart of his allies, by concluding st^tlu
at Barcelona a particular treaty for himfelf. The J^^^'J ^
Emperor, impatient to vifit Italy in his way to Ger* p«p« ■«<*
many; anddefirousof re-eftablifhing tranquillity in Jvmi^
die one country, before he attempted to compbfe
the diibrders which abounded in the other, found it
neceffary to iecure at leaft one alliance among the
Italian ftates, on which he might depend. That
with Clement, who courted it with unwearied im-
portunity, feemed more proper than any other.
Charles, being extremely felicitous to make fomc
reparation for theinfults which he had ofiereil to
the &cred charaAer of the Pope, and to redeem pad
offences by new merit, granted Clement, notwith-
ftanding all his misfortunes, terms more favourable
than he could have expeded after a condnued feries
of fijccefe. Among other articles, he engaged to
reftore all the territories belonging to the ;ecclefiaf-
tical ftate ; to re-eftablifli the dominion of the Me-
dici in Florence ; to give his natural daughter in
marriage to Alexander the head of that family;
and to put it in the Pope's power to decide con-
cerning the fate of Sforza, and the poflcflion of the
Milanefe. In return for thefe ample conceffions,
Clement gave the Emperor the inveftiture of Naples
'without the referve of any tribute, but the prefent
of a white fteed, in acknowledgment of his fovc-
reignty; abfolved all who had been concerned in
aflauldng and plundering Rome, and permitted
Charles and his brother Ferdinand to levy the fourth
.of
20 THE REIGN OF THE
of the ecclefiaftical revenues throughout their do-*
minions *.
J 529,
^m^uft 5. The account of this tranfaAion quickened the
carabray ncgociations at Cambray, and brought Margaret
chrrkTand ^^^ Louifc to an immediate a^eement. The
Francis. treaty of Madrid ferved as the bafis of that which
they concluded j the latter being intended to miti-
gate the rigour of the former. The chief articles
were. That the Emperor Ihould not, for the pre-
fent, demand the rcftitution of Burgundy, rcferv-
ing, however, in full force, his rights and preten-
fions to that dutchy ; That Francis Ihould pay two
millions of crowns as the ranfom of his fons, and,
before they were fct at liberty, fhould reftore fuch
towns as he ftill held in the Milanefe; That he Ihould
ftfign his pretenfions to the fovereignty of Flanders
and of Artois ; That he Ihould renounce all his
pretenfions to Naples, Milan, Genoa, and every
other place beyond the Alps ; That he fhould im-
mediately confummate the marriage concluded be-
tween liim and the Emperor's fitter Eleanora **.
/dvantagf- Th US Francis, chiefly from his impatience to
EmpefVr.* procure liberty to his fons, facrificed every thing
which had at firft prompted him to take arms,
or which had induced him, by continuing hof-
tilities during nine fucceflive campaigns, to
* Guic. 1. xix. 5^2.
^ P. Heuter. Rer. Auftr. lib. x. c. j, p. 234. Saadov.
Hift. dell Emper^ Car. V. ii. 28.
7 . ' protradt
15X9-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 31
protract the war to a length hardly known in
Europe before the eftablifhment of ftanding ar-
niies^ and the impofition of exorbitant taxes, be-
came univerfaL The Ennperor, by this treaty,
was rendered fole arbiter of the fate of Italy j
he delivered his territories in the Netherlands
from an unpleafant badge of fubjeftion; and
after having baffled his rival in the field, he pre-
fcribcd to him the conditions of peace. The dif-
ferent condu6t and fpirit with which die two mo-
narchs carried on the operations of war, led na-
turally to fuch an iflue of it. Charles, inclined
by temper, as well as obliged by his fituation, con-
certed all his fchemes with caution, purfued them
with 'perfeverance, and obferving circumftances
and events with attention, let none efcape that
could be improved to advantage. Francis, more
cntcrprizing than fteady, undertook great defigns
with warmth, but often executed them with re*
miflhels ; and diverted by his pleafures, or de-
ceived by his favourites, he loft on feveral occa-
fions the moft promifing opportunities of fuc-
cefs. Nor had the charafter of the two rivals
themfelves greater influence on the operations of
war, than the dppofite qualities of the generals
whom they employed* Among the Imperialifts,
valour tempered with prudence ; fertility of in-
vention aided by experience 5 difcernment to pe-
netrate the defigns of their enemies ; a provident
fagacity in conducing their own meafures ; in a
word, all the talents, which form great com-
manders and enfure viftory, were confpicuous.
Among
54 Trt£ RiEIGN OF THE
^ ^^ ^ Among the French, thefe qualities Wire either
w ^^p-i^i wanting, or the very reverfe of them abounded;
^^*^* nor cx>uld they boaft of one man (unlefs wc ex-
cept Lautrec, who was always unfortunate) that
equalled the merit of Pefcara, Leyva, Guafto^
the prince of Orange, and other leaders, whom
Charles had to fet in oppofidon to diem. Bour-
bon, Morone, Doria, who by their abilities and
conduft might have been capable of balancing
the fuperiority which the Imperialifts had ac-
quired, were induced to abandon the fervice of
France, by the careleflhefs of the King, and the
malice or injuftice of his counfellors ; and the moft
fatal blows given to France during the progrefs
of the war, proceeded from the de^air and refent-
ment of thefe three perfons.
SicT"* '^"^ ^^ conditions, to which Francis was
FfaAcif. obliged to fubmit were not the moft affliding
circumftances to him in the treaty of Cambray.
He loft his reputation and the confidence of all
Europe, by abandoning his allies to his rival.
Unwilling to enter into the details neceflary for
adjufting dieir intcrefts, or afraid that whatever
he claimed for them muft have been purchafed
by farther conceffions on his own part, he gave
them up in a body j and without the leaft pro-
vifion in their behalf, left the Venetians, the
Florentines, the duke of Ferrara, together with
fuch of the Neapolitan barons as had joined his
army, to the mercy of the Emperor. They ex-
claimed loudly againft this bafe and perfidious
a£tion^
iS«9«
EMPfiROR CHARLES V. 33
adkin, of which Fraiicis himfelf was to much
aihained> that, in order to avoid the pain of hear-
ing from their ambafTadors the reproaches which
he jtiilly merited, it was fome time before he would
conlent to allow them an audience^ Charles, on
the other hand, was attentive to the intereft of every
perfon who had adhered to him i the rights of fome
of his FlemijBi fii)>j(e£ts, who had eftates or pittcn-
fions in France, were feCured j one article was in*
ferted, obliging Francis to reftore the blood and
memory of the Conftable Bourbon ; and to grant
his heirs the poOfeflion of his lands which had been
forfeited; another, by which indemnification was
ftipulated for thofe French gentlemen who had ac'^
companied Bourbon in his exile *. This conduft^
laudable in itfelf, and placed in the moft ftriking
light by a comparifon with that of Francis, gained
Charles as much efteem as the fuccefs of his arms
had acquired him glory.
Frakcis did not treat the king of England with JlcfceJui
the fame negled as his other allies. He £ommu- '''
Dicated to him all the fteps of his negociation at
Cambray, and luckily found that monarch in a fitu*
ation which left him no choice, but to ^prove im*
plicidy of his meafures^ and to concur with themi
of bcioK di
vQTCed froo
Henry had been foliciting the Pope for fome time> J?Li»VS!!
in order to obtain a divorce from Catharine of Ara^ I?!*^
< Guic. I. xix. p. 525. P. Heuter. Rer. AoOr. lib. x. c. 4.
Vol. IIL 1> gon
34 THE HEIGHT OF TftE
^ %^ ^ gon Tiis (Jueen. Several motives combined in
^ — ^ — ' promptirig the King to ilrgc his fuit. As he tras
*^*^* powerfully influenced at Ibme fejafons by religi-
ous confiderations, he entertained many fcruples
concerning the -legitimacy of his marr?a^ with
his brother*s widow; his afFeftiohs Had long
been eftranged from the Queen, who Was older than
himfelf, and had loft all the charms Which Ihe pof-
lefled in the earlier part 6f her Kfe ; he was paflion-
ately defirous of havirig male iflbe -, Wolley artfully
fortified his fcruples, and encouraged his h'opes>
that he might widen tlie brcfach between him atid
the Emperor, Catharine's nephew j and, whatVas
more forcible perhaps in its opei'ation than aU' riiefe
united, the King had conceived a violent loVe' for
the celebrated Ahne feoJeyn, a younjg Isidy of great
beauty, and of greater accbmplUhments, Wtforti, as
he found it irtipodible to gain hfer dn '6ther tei*ms,
he determined to raife to the thrCffte. The' Papal
authority had often been interpofed to grant divor-
ces for realbns lefs fpecious than thofe which Henry
' produced. When the matter was firft prbpofed
to Clenient, during his imprifbnmcnt in the caftle
of St. Arigelo, as his hopes of recoveririg liberty
depended entirely 6n the King of En^and, and his
ally of France, he expreflTed the warftieft inclination
to gratify iiim. But no fooner was he fet free, than
he difcovcred other fentimehts. Charles, who ef-
poufcd the prote6lioh of his aunt with zeal inflam-
ed by refentmcrit, alarmed the Pope on the one
hand with threats, which made a deep impref&on
on
- lEMPEROR CHARLES V. 35
oh histknid ofkuhd; and allured him on the other ^ 9^^ ^
ynth thofe promiies in favour jo£ his ^unily^ which i,^-w ^
he afterwards accomplilhed. Upon the proipeft of '^^'
thcfe, Clement not only fiM-got all his obligations
to Hemy, but ventured to endanger the intereft
of the Romiih religion in England^ and to
run the rifque of alienating that kingdomfor ever
from the obedience of the Papal fee. After amuf-
"ing Henry during two years^ with all the fubtktics
and chicane which the court of Rome can fo dex-
troufly emplpy to protraft or defeat any caufe 5 ^cr
displaying the whole extent of his ambiguous and
deceitfiil policy, the intricacies of which the Englifh
hiftorians> to whom it properly belongs, have fqund
it no cafy matter to trace and unravel ; he, at laft,
re<;?Jled the^ powers of tjbe delegates, whom he had
appointed to judge* in the. point, avoCated the caufe
to Rome, .kaving the .King no other hope of ob-
, taining a divorce, but from the perlbnal .decifipn of
the Pqpe himfelf. As Clement was aow in ftrijft
alliance. with- the. Emperor, who had purchafpd his
friendH^p by the exorbitant conceffioois which have
been .mentioned, Henry -dcipaircd of. prpcuriag
any fentence from the (orxt^r but what was diftatcd
by the latter. . His honour, however, andpalfions
concurred in preventing him from relinquilhing his
fcheme of a divorce, which he determined to ac-
complifli by other means, and at any rate -, and the
continuance of Francis'sfricndihip being neceflfary
to counterbalance the Emperor's power, he, in
i) 2 order
«5»9-
:^ THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K order to Tecure that, not only offered no remon-
ftrances againll the total negleft of their allies, in
the treaty of Cambray, but made Francis the pre-
fent of a large fum, as a brotherly contribution to-
wards the payment of the ranfom for his fons ^.
An !»• Meanwhile the Emperor landed in Italy with a
The Enim* • >
f»r wfiu numerous train of the Spanifh nobility, and a con-
'***'• fiderable body of troops. He left the government
of Spain during his abfence, to the Emprels Ifa-
bella. By his long refidence in that country, he had
acquired fuch thorough knowledge of the charaftcr
of the people, that he could perfcftly accommodate
the maxims of his government to their genius. He
could even affume, upon fome occafions, fuch po-
pular manners, as gained wonderfully upon the Spa-
. niards. A fl^iking inflance of his cUfpolition to
gratify them had occurred a few days before he em-
barked for Italy : He was to make his public entry
into the city of Barcelona; and fbme doubts hav-
ing arifen among the inhabitants, whether they
fhould receive him as Emperor, or as Count of
Barcelona ; Charles inflantly decided in favour of
the latter, declaring that he was more proud of that
ancient title, than of his Imperial crown. Soothed
with this flattering expreffion of his regard, the ci-
tizens welcomed him with acclamations of joy, and
the flates of the province Iwore allegiance to his fon
^ Herbert. Mem. deBellay, p. 122.
Philip,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 37
Philip, as heir of the county of Barcelona. A " ^^^ ^
limilar oath had been taken in all the kingdoms of ^— v^ii^
Spain, with equal fatisfadion % *^*^'
The Emperor appeared in Italy with the pomp
and power of- a conqueror. Ambaffadors from all
the princes and dates of that country attended his
court, waiting to receive his decifion with regard to
their fete. At Genoa, where he firft landed, he was
received with* the acclamations due to the protestor
of their liberties. Having honoured Doria with
many marks of diftinftion, and beftowed on the re-
public feveral new pr'^vileges, he proceeded to Bo-
logna, the place fixed upon for his interview with
the Pope. He afFefted to unite in his public entry Nov. $.
into that city the ftate and majefty that fuited an
Emperor, with the humility becoming an obedient
fon of the church ; and while at the head of twenty
thouland veteran foldiers, able to give law to all
Italy, he kneeled down to kifs the feet of that very
Pope whom he had fo lately detained a prifoner.
The Italians, after fufFering fo much from the fe-
rocity and licentioufnefs of his armies, and after hav-^
ing been long accuftomed to form in their imagi-
nation a pi6ture of Charles, which bore fome re-
femblance to that of the barbarous monarch? of the
Goths or Huns, who had fi)rmerly afflided their
country with like calamines, were furprifed to fee a
« Saodov. ii. p. 50. Ferrer, Ix. u6.
D 3 ' prince
3? THE REIGN OF THE
prince of a grttcefid appearance, afiabld and eotjff*-
teous rn his deportment, of regular nianners, and of
'^*^* exemplary attention to all the offices of religion ^.
They were ftiU more aftoniflied when h? fettled all
the concerns of the princes and ftates which now
depended on him, with a degree of mod^atioa
and equity mirch beyond what they h^d ex--
pe(Sked.
Wtmoae- Charles himfelf, when he fet out from Spain,
the moa? et far from intending to give any luch extraordinary
^ *■• proof of his felf-denial, feems to have been refobr-
ed to avail himfelf to the utmoft of the fuperiority
which he had acquired in Italy. But various cir-
cumjflances concurred in pointing out the neceffity
of purfuing a very different courfe. The progrefs
of the Turkifh Sultan, who, after over-running
Scpui3, Hungary, had penetrated into Auftria, and laid
iiege to Vienna widi an army of an hundred and
fifty thoufand men, loudly, called upon him to col-
left his whole force to oppofe that torrent; and
though tfie valour bf the Germans, the prudent
ca« ^5. condiift of Ferdinand, together with the treachery
of the Vizier, foon obHged Solyman to abandon
that enterprize with'difgrace and lofs, the religious
diforders ftill growing in Germany rendered the
prefence of the Emperor highly AeceflTary there ^ :
The Florentines, initead of giving thdr confcnt to
^ Sandov. Hift. del Emp. Carl. V» ii. 50, 5^, &c.
s Sleidan, 121. Guic. 2. zx. 550. /
the
EM;P?^ROR CHARLES V, 3^
Ac rc-cftal>Klhmept of the Medici, wbiclj, by die ^ \^ ^
treaty of Barcelona, the Emperor had bounds himr ^-^^-^
felf to procure, were preparing to defend their li- '^*'*
bcrqr by force of arms ; the preparations for his
journey had involved him in unufual expenccs;
and on this, as well as nriany other occafions, the
mulriplicitjr of his affairs, together with the narrow-
nefe of his revenues, obliged him to contraft the
fchemes which his boundlefs ambition was apt tq
forixi, and to forego prefent and certain advantages,
that he might guard againft more remote but un-
avoidable dangers. Charles, from all thefe confi-
der^tiops, finding it necclTary to aflume an air of
modeiiatioo, afted his part with a good* grace. He
admitted Sforza into his prefcnce, and not only gave
hiip a full pardon of all pad offences, but granted
hin[i the inveftiture pf the dutchy, together with
his niece, the King of Denmark's daughter, in
marriage. He allowed the duke of perrara to keep
poffcffion of 4U his dominions, adjufting the points
in difputc between him and the Pope with an im-
partiality not very agreeable to the latter. He
came to a final accommodation with the Venetians,
upon the reafonable condition of their reftoring
whatever they had ufurped during the late war,
either in the Neapolitan or Papal territories. In
return fiy fo many concelTions, he exafted confider-
abje fuips from each of the pow;ers with whom he
treated, which they paid without reluctance, and
which afforded him the means of proceeding on hi^
D 4 journey
40 THE REIGN OF THE
• %^ ^ journey towards Germany with a magnificeiKe fiut^
%^' J^«j al^le to his digpicy ^.
Re'til!* These trcades, which rcftored tranquillity tCf
bHfliet the Italy after a tedious war, the calamities of which
ihl Mt7id had chiefly afFefted that country, were publilhed at
in Fiareocc, gpiogna widi great folemnityon die flrft day of the
year one thoufand five hundred and thirty, amidft
the univerfal acclamations of the people, applaud-
ing the Emperor, to whofe moderation and gene-
rofity they afcribed the bleflings of peace which
they had {6 long defired. The Florentines alone
did not partake of this general joy. Animated with
a zeal for liberty more laudable than prudent,' they
determined to oppofe the reftoration of the Medici,
i The Imperial army had already entered their ter-
ritories, and formed the fiege of their capital.
But though deferred by all their allies, and left
without any hope of fuccour, they defended theni-
felves many months with an obftinate valotft* wor^
thy of better fuccefs ; and even when they furren-
dered, they obtained a capitulation which gave them
hopes of fecuring fome remains of their liberty.
But the Emperor, from his defire to gratify the
Pope, fruftrated all their expeftations, and abolifh-
ing their ancient form of government, railed Alex-
ander di Medici to the fame abfolute dominion
over that ftate, which his family have retained to
the prefent times, Philibert de Chalons, prince
* Ssndor. ii. 55, «6C,
of
many,
and 24*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 41
of Orange, the Imperial general, was killed during ■ ^^o k
this fiege. His eftate and tides defcended to his < — v<I— »
filler Claude de Chalons, who was married to '^^
Rene, count of Naflau, and fhe tranfmitted to her
pofterityof the houfe of Naflau the title of Princes
of Orange, which, by their fuperior talents and
valonr, they have rendered fo illuftrious *•
After the publication of the peace at Bologna, snt»ofifr
and the ceremony of his coronation as King of 4w^ Jei.j.i-
Lombardy and Emperor of the Romans, which m/ny"^*'*
the Pope performed with the accuftomed formali- ^*^ **
ties, nothing detained Charles in Italy''; and he
began to prepare for his journey to Germany,
His prefence became every day more necellkiy in
that country, and was folicited with equal impor-
tunity by die catholicks and by the* favourers of
the new dodtrines. During that long intei*val of
tranquillity, which the abfence of the Emperor,
the contefts between him and the Pope, and his
attention to the war with France, afforded them,
the latter had gained much ground. Mod: of the
princes who had embraced Luther's opinions,
had not only eftablifhed in their territories that
form of worfhip which he approved, but had en*
tirciy fupprefled the rites of the Romilh church.
Many of the free cities h^ imitated their condu£b.
Almoft one hjjlf tfic Germanjck body had revolted
^ Goic. I, XX. p. 34.1, &c. p. Heuter* Rer. Aufir. lib.
Vi. c. 4. p. 336.
k H, Cornel. A^rippa de doplici coronatione Car« V. ap*
Scard. ii. 266.
from
41 THE REIGN OF THE
• %.^ * frongi the Papal fee, and its authority, even in
w— J- — thofe provinces, which had npt hitherto ihakei)
^S3^ off the yokei was confiderably weaken/cd, panly
by the example of revolt in the neighbouring
ftates, partly by the fecret progrefe of the re-
jbrmed doftrinc eyen in thofe countries whgre i%
was not openly embraced. Whatever latisfiu3aon
the Emperor, while he was at open enmity with
the fee of Rome, might have felt in thofe events
that tended to mortify and ennbarrafs the Pope,
he could not help perceiving now, that the rc-
tigious divifions in Germany wou^, in the end,
prove extremely hurtful to the Imperial authority.
The weaknefs of former Emperors had fuffered
the great vailals of the empire to make fuch
fuccefsful encroachments upon their power and
prerogative, •that during the whole courfe of a
war, which had often required the exertion of his
utmoft fbength, Charles hardly drew ^y effec-
tual aid from Germany, and found that magni-
ficent titles or obfolete pretentions were almoft the
only advantages which he had gained by fwaying
the Imperial fceptre. He became fully fenfible,
that if he did not recover in fome degree the pre-
rogatives which his predeceilbrs had loft, and
acquire the authority, as well as poffefs the name>
of head of the Empire, his high dignity would
contribute more to obftruft than to promote his
ambitious fchemes, Nothing, he faw, was more
eflcntial towards attaining this, than to fupprels
,opi|iio^ which naight f9rui new boncj3 of .cgn-
federacy among the princes of the £o\pJxe, and
unite
EMPEROR CHARLES Y, . ^
vtate tbem by ties iibxmgjsr and- inor« facred * * <>^ **
than any! poticicai conneflion, No^ifig feemed
to lead more certainly to the acconipliftimcnt **^
of his dafigft, than to employ zeal for the e&ablijQied
rdigion, of whkh he was the natural proteAor^
as the inftrumenfx c{ extendii^ Iw civU au-*
thority*
Accordingly^ a profpefk no fooner opened of Pwceedmn
1 • • . I T^ of the Diet
coming to an accommodation with the Fope^ atSpiro,
than, by the Emperor's ^pointment, a diet of ^^^^ *^
the Empire was held at Spires, in order to take
into confideration the ftate of religion. The de-
cree of the diet ai&mbled there in the year one
^ufand five hundred and twenty-fix, which
was almc^ equivalent to a toleration of Luther's
opinions^ had given great oflfence to the reft of
Chriftendom. The greateft delicacy of addrefs^
however, was requifite in proceeding to any dc-
cifion more rigorous. The minds of men kept
in perpetud agitation by a controverfy carried
on, during twelve years, without intermifiion of
debate, or abatement of zeal, were now inBamed
to an high degree They were accuftomed to
innovations, and faw the boldeft of them fuc-
celsfuL Having not only abolilhed old rights^
but fubfiituted new forms in their place^ they
wpre infloenGed as much by attachment to the
fyftem which they liad embraced, as by averfion to
that which they had abandoned. Luther him-
fel^ of a Ipirit not to be worn out by the
length and obftinacy of the combat, or to be-
come
44 THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K qonfie remifs upon fuccefs, continued the attack
^-'--S^mj with as niuch vigour as he had begun it. His
'^^ difciples, of whom many equalled him in zeal,
and fome furpaflfed him in learning, were no lefs
capable than their mafter to conduft the con-
troverfy in the propereft manner. Many of the
laity, fome even of the princes, trained up amidft
thcfe inceffant difputations, and in the habit of
liftening to the arguments of the contending
parties, who alternately appealed to them as
judges, came to be profoundly Ikilled in all the
queftions which were agitated, and, upon occa-
fion, could fhew themfelves not inexpert in any
of the arts with which thefe theological en-
counters were managed. It was obvious fit>m
all thefe circumftances, that any violent decifion
of the diet muft have immediately precipitated
matters into confufion, and have kindled in Ger-
many the flames of a religious war. All, there-
fore, that the Archduke, and the other commif-
fioners appointed by the Emperor, demanded of
the diet, was, to enjoin thofe ftates of the Empire
which had hitherto obeyed the decree iffued againft
Luther at Worms in the year one thoufand five
hundred and twenty-four, to perfcvere in the ob-
fervation of it, and to prohibit the other ftates from
attempting any farther innovation in religion, par-
ticularly from abolifhing the Mafs, before die
meeting of a general council. After much dif-
pute, a decree to that effect was approved of by a
majority of voices '.
» Slcid, Hid, 117.
The
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 4$
The Eledor of Saxony^ the marquis of Bran- ^ ^^ ^
denburgh^ the Landgrave of Hefle^ the dukes of u-.»L.^
Luncnburgh, the prince of Anhalt, together with xhi foiiiw.
the deputies of fourteen Imperial or free cities "> f^w ^i^Ji^,
entered a folemn proteft aKainft this decree^ as un- •f«inft
juft and impious. On that account they were April 19.
diftinguilhed by die name of PROTESTANTS',
an appellation which hath fince become better
known, and more honourable, by its being applied
indiicrimin^ely to all the fefts, X)f whatever de-
nomination, which have revolted from the Roman
fee. Not fatisfied with this declaration of their
diflcnt from the decree of the diet, the Proteflants
fent ambaiTadors into Italy, to lay their grievances
before the Emperor, fix)m whom they met with
the moft difcouraging reception. Charles was at DeKbcm-
that dme in dofe union with the Pope, and Ibli- po4 ud *
citous to attach him inviolably to his intereft. ^"p*^-
During their long refidenpp at Bologna, they held
many condiltations concerning the moft efiefhi^l
means of extirpating the herefies which had iprung
up in Germany. • Clement, whole cautious and
timid mind the propofal of a general council filled
with horror, even beyond what Popes, the con-
ftant enemies of fuch aflemblies, ufually feel, em«
ployed every argument to diffuadc the Emperor
from confenting to that meafure. He repre-
^ The foorteen cities were Straiburgh, NHrembergh, Uliti»
Conftaoce, Reutlingen, Windiheim^ Metaengen, Lindaw»
Kempteii, Hailbron, Ifna, WeiiTcfflbQrgb, NonUiages, and
St. Gal.
* Sleid. Hift« 1 19. F« PaoL Hift. p. 45. Scckeiid. ii. 117.
iented
4« TttE ^R^EI^GN '6P Tti£
BOOK fented ^nerd 'councils ^ famous, lingovern-
^^^'-^ able, prefumptuous, femnidabk *to civfl authority,
'^^o* and too flow in their operations toremcdy diforders
whi<th 'required -an imnaediatje cure* -Experience,
he feidj had now taught both the 'Emperor and
himfelf, that forbearance and. lenity, inftead of
foothing the fpirit of innovation, had renckrcd it
more enfferprizing and' prefumptuous; it was ne-
cefiary, therefore, to have recourfeto the rigorous
methods which fuch a delperate cafe required;
•Leo's fentence of excommunication, together with
the decree of the diet ^t Worms, (hould be car-
ried into execution, and it was incumbent on the
^Emperor to employ his whole power, in order to
overawe thofe, on whom* the^ reverence due cither
to cccteflaftical or civil authority had no longer
any influence. XhaHes, Whofe views were very
different from 'the -Pope's, and who became daily
• more fenfible how ol^nate and deep-rooted the
»cVil was, thought of recontiKng the Proteftants
•try means elefs violent, and confldered die con-
vocation of aootmcil as no improper expedient for
: that purpofe ; ifeut promifed, if gender arts • foiled
• of ^uccefs, that thcw he would exert himfelf with
. idgQur to reduce, to die obedience 'Of the holy fee .
thbfe ftubborn enemies of tho Catholic- faith "".
tm^oT Such were the fentiments with which the Em-
ihcDjnof peror fet out for Germany, having alreSidy ap-
U^full, ' pointed a diet of the Empire to be held at Augf-
^ F. Paal, xlvii. Setk. 1. ii, 142. Hift. de CpafelT. d'Aox-
bourgh, par I>k Chyoeus, 410, Antw. 1572, p. 6.
burg.
EMTPERd^ CMA'ULES v. <47
Burg. In his jodrriey towards that city, he ha^ * ^^ ^
miany opportunities of obferying 'the difjpofition w^ ' *-;i
of the Germans with regard to the points in coh- ^^^^*
troverfy, ind found their nAinds efirj *whiit fo
mudi irritated and inflamed, is'cttttvinded Kihi,
diat* nothing 'tending to fivierity or rigour otight
to be attempted, until all other meafures proved
incffcftual. He niacfe his ptibfic entry into Augf- J»m ij.
tiifg^ with extraordinary pomp ; ind found there
fiich a fiill aflembly of the mcnlbers of the Act,
as Was fuitable both to the importarifee of the
^iBairs which were to tonic under their con-
fiderktk>n, and to the honour of an Emperor, who,
after a long abfence, retuhied to them trdvMied
/With reputation arid ' fticcefs* His pfcftri^e fetotis
to have cottimunicated to all parties oh ttonrfual
fpirit of mbdcraa:ion and deftf e 6f pebdc. The
Eleftor 6f Saxony would not pei-irnt Luther - to
accompany liiih to the diet, left he fhoifld -CfliAd
the Emperor by bringing into his^r^fenwa per-
fon excommunicated by the Pope, and who had
been the author of all thofe diflenfions which
it now appeared fo cfifficult to compbfe. - Ac the
Empcror^s defire, dl the Proteftant princes for-
T>ad ?he ^f^iifes who accompanied diem, to -preach
in'pubKc during their refidence at Aug(burg*
For the lanrie realbri they employed Melan6)th6nj
the man of the greateft learning, as Well as of
ihc ' nioft 'pacific and gehde ' fpirit amohg the
Reformers, to diraw'tp a cohfeflibn of their faith,
expreffed in terms as litde offenfive to the Roman \
a Catholics^
48 THE REIGN OF THE
•B o o K CathoKcs, as a regard for truth would permilu
^ J «* Melan&hon^ who leldom fuffered the rancour
Till Von*. ^^ controverfy to envenom his flyle, even in writ-
M<« of iugs purely polemical; executed a tafk fo agreeable
to his natural di^ofition with great moderation
and addrefs. The Creed which he compofed,
known by the name of the ConfeJJion of Augjburg^
from the place where it was prefented, was read
publicly in the diet. Some Popifti divines were
appointed to examine it; they brought in their
animadverfions J a dilpute enfued between them
and Melanfthon, feconded by fome of his brethren i
but though Melanfthon foftened fome articles,
made conceifions with regard to others, and put
' the leaft exceptionable fenfe upon all ; though the
Emperor himfelf laboured with great earneilnefs to
reconcile the contending parties ; fb many marks
of diftincbion were now eftabliihed, and fuch in-
fuperable barriers placed between the two churches,
that all hopes of bringing about a coalition feemed
utterly delperate'.
From the divines^ among whom his endea^
vours had been fo unfuccefsful, Charles turned
to the princes their patrons. Nor did he find
them, how defirous foever of accommodation,
or willing to pblige the Emperor, more diipded
P Seckend. lib. ii. 159, &c. Abr. Scolteti Anfiales Evan*
felfci ap. Herm. Von dcr Hard. Hid. Liter. Reform, Lipf«
^717. fol.p. 159.
ikaa
Emperor charles v. 49
than the former to renounce their opinions.- At * ^^ ^
that time, zeal for religion took poffelfion of the ^^^'-^mj
minds of men, to a degree which can fcarcely bc '^^***
conceived by thofe who live in an' age when thfc
paffions excited by the firft manifeftation of truth,
and the firft recovery of liberty, have in a great
meaflire ceaied to operate, This zeal was then
of fuch ftrength as to overcotne attachntent to
their political intereft, which is commonly the
predominant motive among princes. The Elec-
tor of Saxony, the Landgrave of Hefle, ahd Othdr
chiefs of the Proteftants, though folicited fepa-
r^ely by the Emperor, and allured by the prd-
mife or profpeit of thofe advantages which it was
known they were moft felicitous to attain^ re-
fiifed, with a fortitude highly worthy of imita-
tion, to abandon what they deemed the caufe of
God^ for the fake of any earthly acquifition^
Every fcheme in order to gain br difunite thfe severe de.
Proteftant party proving abortive, nothing now ti^pS!"^
remained for the Emperor but to take fome vi- t***^"*
gorous meafures towards aflerting the doftrines
and authority of the eftablilhed church. Thele,
Campeggiot the papal nuncio, had always re-
commended as the only proper and effedhiil
courfe of dealing with fuch obftinate heretics.
In compliance with his opinions and remon- No>. io,
ilrances, the diet iflbed a decree; condemning
moft of the peculiar tenets held by the Protcft-
^ Sleid. 132. Scaltet. Annal« 15^4
Vol. III. E Antsj
50 THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^^^ ^ ants ; forbidding any perfon to proceft or tolerate
i^mjmmj fuch as taught them ; enjoining a Arid: ob&rv-
<53o» j^ncc of the eftabliflied rites j and prohilnting any
further innovation under fevere penalties. All
oixlers of men were required to aflOft with their
peribns and fortunes in carrying this decree into
execution ; and iuch as* refuied to obey it, were
declared incapat^ of a£ting as judges, or of ap-
pearing as parties in the Imperial chamber, die
fiipreme court of judicature in the Empire. To
all which was fubjoined a promife, that an appli-
cation fhould be made to the Pope, requiring him
to call a general council within fix months, in
order to terminate all controverfies by its fovereign
decifions '•
They enter fHE fcveritv of this dccrcc, which was con-
- intoaleague ^ , . , . - n • t r
at smai. fidercd as a prelude to the moll violent perfecu-
tion, alarmed the Proteftants, and convinced
them that the Emperor was refid ved on their de-
ftruftion. The dread of thofe calamities which
were ready to fall x)n the church, opprefled the
feebk ipirit of Melan6thon j and, as if the caufe
had already been de^rate, he gave himfelf up
to melancholy and lamentation. But Luther,
who during the meeting of the diet had endea-
voured to confirm and animate his party by feve-
ral treatifes which he addreffed to them, was not
difconcerted or difmayed at the profpedt of this
new danger. He comforted Mclandhon and his
» Slcid. 139.
other
kalde.
EM?£R0R CHARLES V. 51
other tlelponding difciples, and exhorted lite * ^^o 't
prinoes not to abandon thoft truths which they i^^J^^^
had kftdy ^iftrted with ftich laudable boidaefs*. **3^-
His exhortations itiade the deeper impreffion upon
them, as they were greatly alarmed at Aat time
by the account of a combination among the Po-
pilh princes of the Empire for the maintenance of
the dRi^liflied Religion, to which Charles himfdlf
had acceded*. This convinced them diatit was
necel&y to ftand <mi their guard ; aatd that their
own fafety, as wdl as the fuccefs of their caufe,
depended on union* Filled with this ^Jread of the
advcrfc party, and with thefe fentimcnts concern-
ing the condud proper for themfdves, tiey aflem-
bled at Smalkalde. There they concluded a league Decern. %t\
of mutual defence againft all aggreflbrs ", by which
they formed the Proteftant *ftates of the Empire
into one regular body, and beginning ahtady to
confider themfelves as foch, they refolved to apply
to the Kings of France and England, and to im-
plore them to patronize and aflift their new con-
federacy.
An affair not conneded with religion fumiihed '^^^ ^»p?'
*^ , ror propoiet
them with a pretence for courting the aid of fo- to bare hu
reign princes* Charles, whole ambitious views elck^King
enlai^ed in proportion to the increafe of his power
and grandeur, had formed a fcheme of continuing
the Imperial crown in his family, by procuring
• Seek. 11. iSo. Sleid. 140. * Seek. 11. 200. iii. il»
• Skid. Hift. 142.
E 2 his
of the Ro«
mant«
52 THE REIGN OF THE
* ^y^ ^ his brother Ferdinand to be elcdtcd King of the
u. >-y ' -— ; Romans. The prcfcnt jun6turc was favourably
'^^®' for the execution of that defign. The Emperor's
arms had been every where vidtorious; he had
given law to all Europe at the late peaces no
rival now remained in a condition to balance or
to controul him ; and the Electors, dazzled with
the fplendour of his fuccefs, or overawed by the
greatnels of his power, durfl: fcarcely diipute the
will of a prince, whofe folicitations carried with
them the authority of commands. Nor did he
want plaufible reafons to enforce the meafure.
The affairs of his other kingdoms, he faid,
obliged him to be often abfent from Germany ;
the growing diforders occafioned by the contro-
verfies about religion, as well as the formidable
neighbourhood of the Turks, who continually
threatened to break in with their defolating armies
into the heart of the Empire, required the con-
ftant prefence of a prince endowed with prudence
capable of compofing the former, and with power
as well as valour fuflicient to repel the latter. His
brother Ferdinand poffefled thefe qualities in an
eminent degree; by refiding long in Germany,
he had acquired a thorough knowledge of its
conftitution and manners ; having been prefent
almoft from the firft rife of die religious diflen-
fions, he knew what remedies were moft proper,
what the Germans could bear, and how to apply
them; as his own dominions lay on the Turk-
ifh frontier, he was the natural defender of Ger-
many againft the invafions of the Infidels, bding
prompted
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 53
prompted by intereft no lefs than he would be ^ ^ ^ '^
bound in duty to oppofe them. <- ^J^ ^
1530.
These arguments made little impreflion on the TbeProtrft.
Proteftants. Experience taught them, that no- !o?t.'^"*
thing had contributed more to the undifturbed
progrels of their opinions, than the interregnum
after Maximilian's death, the long abfence of
Charles, and die flacknefs of the reins of govern-
ment which thefe occafioned j after deriving fuch
advantages from a ftate of anarchy, they were
extremely unwilling to give themfelves a new and
a fixed mailer. They perceived clearly the ex-
tent of Charles's ambition, that he aimed at ren-
dering the Imperial crown hereditary in his fa-
mily, and would of courfe eftablifh in the Empire
an abfolute dominion, to which eleftive princes
could not have alpired with equal facility. They
determined therefore to oppofe the eleftion of
Ferdinand with the utmoft vigour, and to roufc
their countrymen, by their example and exhorta-
tions, to withftand this encroachment on their
liberties. The Eledlor of Saxony, accordingly, »53»'
not only refufcd to be prefent at the eleftoral col-
lege, which the Emperor fummoned to meet at
Cologne, but inftrufted his eldeft fon to appear •
there, and to proteft againft the eleftion as in-
formal, illegal, contrary to the articles of the golden
bull, and fubverlive of the liberties of the Empire.
But the other Eleftors, whom Charles had been at HtUtbokn
great pains to gain, without regarding either his
abfence or proteft, chofe ' Ferdinand King of the
E 3 Romans J
54 THE REIGN QF THE
B o^o K Romans ; who a few day& afier was crowned at
»S3«-
Aix-la-Chapclle '
Ncgoci*. When the Protcftants, who were afliembled a
tioos of tb* . . ^
Proteftanis fccond time at Smalkalde, received an accoum of
rancc. ^.^ tranfaftioH, and heard> at the &me time, that
profecutions were commenced, in the Imperial
chamber, j^ainft fome of their number, cm account
of their religious principks, they thought it nc-
cefl&ry, not only to renew their former confe-
deracy, but immediately to difpatch their ambat
rcb. 29. fadors into France and England. Francis had
obferved, with all the jcalowfy of a rivals the re-
putation which the Emperor had acquired by his
feeming difintereiftednefs and moderation in fet-
tling the affiiirs of Italy ; and beheld with great
concern the luccefsful ftep which he had taken .
towards perpetuating and extending his authority
in Germany by the eleftion of a King of the Ro-
mans. Nothing, however, would have been more
impolitic than to precipitate his kingdom into a
new war when exhaufted by extraordinary ef-
forts and difcouraged by ill fuccds, before it
had got time to recruit its ftrength, or to forget
pall: misfortunes. As no provocation had been
. given by the Emperor, and hardly a pretext for a
rupture had been afforded him, he could not violate
a treaty of peace which he himfelf had fo lately
foKcited, without forfeiting the efteem of all Eu-
rope, and being detefted as a prince void of probity
^-
^ SUid. 14a. Seek. lil. i. P. Heucer. Rer. Auftr. lib.
X. c. 6. p. 240.
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V, ' SS
and honour* He obierved^ with great joy^ power-
ful BuSdons beginning to form in the Empire^ he
liftcned with the utmoft eagernefs to the com- '"''
plaints of the Proteftant princes; and without
feeming to countenance their religioys opinions,
determined fecredy to chcrifh thofe Iparks of po-
litical difcord which might be afterwards kincUed
into a flame. For this purpofe, he fent WiUiam
de Bellay> one of the ablell negociators in France,
into Germany, who vifiting the courts of the
malcontent princes, and heightening their ill-
humour by various arts, concluded an alliance
between them and his mafter^, which though
concealed at that dme, and produftive of no im-
mediate effects, laid the inundation of an union
fatal on many occafions to Charles's ambitious
proje&s ', and fhewed the difcontented princes of
Germany, where, for the future, they might find
a prote6h>r no lefs able than willing to undertake
their defence agsdnft the encroachments of the;
Emperor*
Thb King of England, highly incenfed againft with Eag.
Charles, in complaifance to whom, the Pope had ^^\
long retarded, and now openly oppofed his di-
vorce, was no lefs difpofed than Francis to
ihengthen a league which might be rendered fb
formidable to the Emperor. But his favourite
projeft of die divorce led him into fuch a laby-.
rinth of fchemes and negociations, and hp .was,
y Bellay, 129, a. 130/ b. Sec. iii. 14.
E 4 ' at
$6 THE REIGN OF THE
at the fame time^ fo intent on abolifhing the papal
jurifdiiStion in England, that he had no Icifure for
^^ ' foreign affairs. This obliged him to reft fatif-
fied with giving general promifes, together with
a finall fupply in money to the confederates of
Smalkaldc *t .
charie* Meanwhile, many circumftances convinced
Pioteftanu. Gharks that this was not a junfture when the
extirpation of herefy was to be attempted by vio-
lence and rigour 5 that, in compliance with the
Pope's inclinations, he had abready proceeded
with imprtident precipitation ; and that it was
more his intereft to confolidate Gernnany into one
united and vigorous body, than to divide and
enfeeble it by a civil war. The Proteftants, who
were confiderable as well by their numbers as
by their zeal, had acquired additional weight and
importance by their joining in that confederacy
into which the ralh fteps taken at Augfburg had
forced thetn. Having now difcovered their own
ftrength, they defpiled the decifions of the Impe-
rial chamber i and being fecure of foreign pro-
teftion, were ready to fet the head of the Empire
at defiance. At the fame ti^np the peace with
France was precarious, the friendfhip of an irrc-
folute and intcrefted pontiff was not to be relied
on i and Solyman, in order to repair the difcredit
and lofs which his arms had fuftained in the for-
mer campaign, was preparing to enter Auftria"
» Herbert, 152. 154.
with
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 57
with more numerous forces. On all thefe accounts, ^ ^^ ^
efpecially the laft,* a fpeedy accommodation with c.^yl,^
the malcontent princes became neceflary, not only *53«-
for the accomplifhment of his future fchcmes, but
for enfuring his prefent fafety. Negociations werCj
accordingly, carried on by his direftion with the
Eleftor of Saxony and his affociates ; after many
delays, occafioned by their jealoufy of the Emperor^
and of each other, after innumerable difficulties
arifing froni the inflexible nature of religious te-
nets, which cannot admit of being altered, modifi-
ed, or relinquiflied in the fame manner as points of
political intereft, terms of pacification were agreed Grants
upon at Nuremberg, and ratified fokmnly in the ter^!*
diet at Ratifbon. In this treaty it was ftipulated, lUll^]^
That univerfal peace be eftablilhed in Germany,
until the meeting of a general council, the con-
vocation of which within fix months the Emperor
fliall endeavour to procure ; That no perfon (hall
be molefted on account of religion j That a ftop .
ihall be put to all procefles begun by the Imperial
chamber againft Proteftants, and the fentences al-
ready paflTed to their detriment ftiall be declared ^
voiA On their part, the Proteftants engaged to
aflift the Emperor with all their forces in refifting
the invafion of the Turks *. Thus by their firm-
nefs in adhering to their principles, by the unani-
mity with which they urged all their claims, and
by their dexterity in availing themfelves of the
* Dn Mont Corps Diplomatique, torn, iw, part ii. 87. 89.
I
Emperor's
5? THE REIGN OF THE
Emperor's fituation, the Proteftants obtained term^
which amounted aknoft to a toleration of their re-
'5^** Ugion ; all the conceflions were made by Charles,
^ none by them i even the favourite point of their
approving his brother's eledtbn was not mentioned;
and the Proteftants of Germany, who had hitherto
been viewed only as a religious feft, came hence-
forth to be confidered as a political body of no finall
confeq\ience **.
ctmpvign The intelligence which Charles received of So-
» «»g*'y- lyuian's having entered Hungary at the head of
three hundred thoufand men, brought the delibe-
rations of the diet at Ra]tift>Qn to a period; the
contingent both of troops and money, which each
prince was to furnifh towards the defence of the
Empire, having been already fettled . The Pro-
teftants, as a teflimony of their gratitude to the
Emperor, exerted themfelves with extraordinary
zeal, and brought into the field forces which ex-
ceeded in number the quota impofed on them; the
Catholics imitating their example, one of the
greateft and beft appointed armies that had ever
been levied in Germany, aflembled near Vienna.
Being joined by a body of Spanifh and Italian ve-
terans under the marquis del Gqafto; by fome
heavy-armed ^cavalry from the Low-Countries ;
and by the troops which Ferdinand had raifed in
Bohemia, Auftria^ and his other territories, it
amounted in all to ninety thoufand difciplined
^Slcid, 149, tec. Seck.iii. 19.
3 foot.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 55
foot, and thirty thbu^nd horfe, bcfides a prodi- ^ ^^^ ^
gious ^varm erf irregulars. Of thU vaft army, ^-^ — ^-^
worthy the firft prince in Chriftendom, the Em- '"**
peror took dve command in perfonj and man-
kind waited in fufpenfe the iflRic of a decifivc
battle between the two greateft monarchs in the
world. But each of them dreading the other's
power and good fortuae> they both conduced
their operations with fuch excefTive caution> that
a campaign, for which fuch immenfe preparations
had been made, ended without any memorable
event Solynnan, finding it impoflible to gain SeptenWr
ground upon an enemy always attentive and on •^.^^^•^«»
his guard, marched back to Conftantinople to-
wards the end of autumn ^ It is remarkable,
that in fuch a martial age, when every gendeman
was a foldier, and every prince a general, this
was the firft time that Charles, who had already
carried on fuch extenfive wars, and gained fo
many yidlories, appeared at the head of his troops*
In this firft effay of his arms, to have oppofed
fuch a leader as Solyman, was no fmall honour;
to have obliged him to retreat, merited very con-
liderable praife.
About the beginning of this campaign, the Angufti^.
Eleftor of Saxony died, and was fucceeded by his
fon John Frederick. The Reformation rather
gained than loft by that event ; the new Eleftor,
c Jovii Hill, lib, xxx. p. lOo, &c. Barrc Hill, dc TEm-
pirc, i. 8. 347.
no
6a
THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K no lefs attached than his predeceflfors to the opi-
%- ^', .» nions of Luther, occupied the ftation which they
'^i** had held at the head of the Proteftant party, and
defended, with the boldnefs and zeal of youth, that
caufe which they had foftered and reared with the
caution of more advanced age.
The Empe-
for'« inter-
view with
the Pope in
kit way to
Spaia,
t/ons c Ti-
ceuiing a
ILetrerat
fouucil;
Immediately after the retreat of the Turks,
Charles, impatient to revifit Spain, fet out on
his way thither, for Italy. As he was extremely
defirous of an interview with the Pope, they met
a fecond time at Bologna, with the fame external
demonftrations of refpecl and friendfhip, but with
little of that confidence which had fubfifted be-
tween them during their late negociations there.
Clement was much diflatisfied with the Emperor's
proceedings at Augfburg j his conceflions with re-
gard to the fpecdy convocation of a council, hav-
ing more than cancelled all the merit of the fevere
decree againft the doftrincs of the Reformers. The
toleration granted to the Protefiants at Ratifbon,
and the m.ore explicit prcmife concerning a. coun-
cil, with which it was accompanied, had irritated
him ftill farther. Charles however, partly from
conviftion that the meeting of a council would be
attended with falutary cffefts, and partly from his
defire to pleafe the Germ.ans, having folicited the
Pope by his cimbaffadors to call that aflembly with-
out delay, and nov/ urging the fame thing in per-
fon, Clement was greatly embarrafied what reply
he ff.ould make to a rcqueft which it was indecent
to
EMPEROR CHARLES V. €x
to rcfole, and dangerous to grant. He'en<Jea- * <>^o K
vourcd at firft to divert Charles from the meafurei y ^ ^^
but, finding him inflexible, he had recourfe to ar- '^^*'
tificcs which he knew would delay> if not entirely
defeat, the calling of that aflembly. Under the
plaufibk pretext of its being previoufly neceflfary
to fettle, with all parties concerned, the place of
the council's meeting ; the manner of its proceed-
ings ; the right of the perfons who fliould be ad-
mitted to vote 5 and the authority of their deci-
fions ; he difpatched a nuncio, accompanied by an
ambaflador from the Emperor, to the Eledor of
Saxony as head of the Proteftants. With regard
to each of thefe articles, inextricable difficulties
and contefts arofe. The Proteftants demanded a
council to be held in Germany; the Pope infifted
that it Ihould meet in Italy: they contended, that
all points in difpute fliould be determined by the
words of holy fcripture alone ; he confidered not
only the decrees of the church, but the opinions
of fathers, and doftors, as of equal authority:
tliey required a free council, in which the di-
vines, commilTioned by different churches, fjiould
be allowed a voice; he aimed at modelling the
council in fuch a manner as would render it en-
tirely dependant on his pleafure. Above aU, the
Proteflants thought it unreafonable, that they
ihould bind thcmfelves to fubmit to the decrees
of a council, before they knew on what principles'
thefe decrees v/ere to be founded, by what perfons
they were to be pronounced, and what forms of
proceeding
6i THE REIGN OF tU^
B ^yO K proceeding they would obferve- The Pope main-
h J mj tained it td be altogether vttmicocdary to cs^ a
*53*' council, if thofc who demanded it <tid not pre-
vioufly declare their reftJution to' acquiefce in it6
decree*. In order to adjuft fech a variety of
points, many expedients were propofed, sind the
negociations Ipun out to fuch a length, as effec-
tually anfwered Clement's purpofe of potting off
the meeting of a council, without drawing on him-
felf the whole infamy of ohftru6ting a meafurc
which all Europe deemed fo efl«ntial to the good
of the church ^
•Dj for pre- TOGETHER with diis nftgocktJofl about calling
fcrfingihc a council, the Emperor carried on another, which
tranquillity , i , i, .11 1 #• *• • 1
•I Italy, he had rail more at heart, for fecunng the peace
eftablifhed in Italy. As Francis had renounced
his pretenfions in that country with great reluc-
tance, Charles made no doubt but that he would
lay hold on the firft pretext afforded him, or em-
brace the firft opportunity which prefented itfelf^
of recovering what he had loft. It became ne-
ceflary, on this account, to take meafures for af-
fembligg an army able to oppofe him. As his
treafury, drained by a long war, could not fupply
the fums requifite for keeping fuch a body con-
ftantly on foot, he attempted to throw that burden
on his ^lies, and to provide for the fafety of his
own dominibns at their expeace, by propofing that
•» F. Paul Hift. 6i. Scckcnd. Ui. 73.
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V. «i
the- Italian ftatcs Ihould enter into a league of ife'- * "^^ ^
fence againft all invaders ; that^ on the firft ^p*- s^^y^m j
pearanc'e ^f danger> m army Ihould be raifed ani *^'*'
maintained at the eommon charge s and that An^-
tonio de Leyva Ihould be appointed the gener^if^
fimo. Nor was the propofal unacceptable tx> Cle^
nient^ diough for a rcafon very different from that
which induced the Emperor to make it. Ht i53Sf
hopedj by this expedient^ to deliver Italy from the
German and Spanifh veterans^ which had fo long
filkd all the powers in that country with terror,
and ftiU kept them in fubje6lion to the Imperial
yoke* A league was accordingly concluded 5 all reJ»- : j
the Italian ftates, the Venetians excepted, acceded
CO it s the fum which each of the contra£ting par-
ties ihould furnilh towards maintaining the army
was fixed i the Emperor agreed to withdraw the
troops which gave fo much umbrage to his allies^
and which he was unable any longer to fupport.
Having dift>anded part of them, arid removed the
fe& to Sicily and Spain, he embarked on board
Doria's gallies, and arrived at Barcelona ®. April is.
Notwithstanding all his precautions for fe- Dcfignfind
curing the peace of Germany, and maintaining o?^^^"*
that fyftem which he had eftablifhed in Italy, Kin"*?«inft
the Emperor became every day more and more theEmpc-
apprehcnfive that both would be foon difturbed "^*
by the intrigues or arms of the French King*
f (3ttic. L XX. 551. Feritras, ix. 149.
His
^4 THE REIGN OF THE
^ 9y^ ^ His apprehenfions were well fbumied, as nothing
«i-*-N/'— -^ but the deiperate fituation of his affairs could have
^^"* brought Francis to give his confent tcy a tteaty fa
difhonourable and difadvantagpous as that of Cam^
bray : he, at the very time of ratifying it, had
formed a refolution to obferve it no longer than
neceflity compelled him> and took a folcmn pro-
teft, though with the moft profound fecrecy, ag^nft
feveral articles in the treaty, particularly that
whereby he renounced all pretenfions to the dutchy
of Milan, as unjuft, injurious to his heirs, and
invalid. One of the crown lawyers, by his com-
\^ i mand, entered a proteft to the fame purpofe, and
with the like fecrecy, when the ratification of the
treaty was regiftered in the parliament, of Paris'.
Francis feems to have thought that, by employing
an artifice unworthy of a King, deftrudive of pub-
lic faith, and of the mutual confidence on which
all tranfaftions between nations are founded, he was
tekafed from any obligation to perform the moft
folemn promifes, or to adhere to the moft facred
engagements. From the moment he concluded
the peace of Cambray, he wifhed and watched for
an opportunity of violating it with fafety. He
endeavoured for that reafon to ftrengthen his
alliance with the King of England, whofe friend-
Clip he cultivated with the greateft affiduity. He
put the military force of his own kingdom on a
better and more reipedtablc footing tlian ever.
^ Da Moat Corps Diplom. torn. iv» part 2. p. 52^
He
EMBEROR CHARLES V. ^ C5
He artfiiDy fomented 3ie jcaloufy and difcontent ■ ^^ ^
of the German princes. «..^^j««^
«5S3-
But above all> Francis laboured to break the ptrdcvtuijr
ftrift confederacy which fubfifted between Charles ?l^ *
and Clement; and he had fbon the fatisfadion to
obferve appearances of difguft and alienation arif-
ing in the mind of that fufpicious and interefted
PondflF, which gave him hopes that their union
would not be lafting. As the Emperor's dec^ifion
in favour of the duke of Ferrara had greatly irri-
tated the Pope, Francis aggravated the injuftice
of thjit proceeding, and flattered Clcnv^nt that the
papal fee would find in him a more impartial and
no left powerful protedtor. As the importunity
with which Charles demanded a council was ex-
tremely offenfive to the Pope, Francis artfully cre-
ated obftacles to prevent it, and attempted to di-
vert the German princes, his allies, from infifling
fb obftinately on that point '. As the Emperor
had gained fuch an ^cendant oyer Clement by
contributing to aggrandize his family, Francis en-
deavoured to allure him by the fame irrefiftible
bait, propofing a marriage between his fecond fbn,
Henry duke of Orleans, and Catharine, the daugh-
ter of the Pope's coufm Laurence di Medici, On
the firft overture of this match, the Emperor
could not perfuade himfelf that Francis really in-
tended to debafe the royal blood of France by an
t Bellay^ 141, &c. Seek. iii. 48. F. Paul, 63.
VouIII. F alliance
65 THE REIGN OF THE
* ^y^ ^ aOiaact with Catharine, wAofe anccftors had been
d-^— J fo lately private citizens and merchants in Flo-
'^^' rence,, and belifeved that he meant only to flatter
or amufe the ambitious Pontiff. He thought it
lacccffary, however, to efface the impreflion which
fuch a dazzling offer might have made, by pro-
mifing to break off the marriage which had been
agreed on between his own niece the King of
penmark's daughter, and the Duke of Milan,
luid to fubftitute Cadiarine in her place. But the
French ambaflador producing unexpeftedly fiiU
poifiTrs to conclude the marriage treaty with the
duke of Orleans, this expedient had no eflfeft,
Clement was fo highly {leafed with an honour
which added fuch luftre and dignity to the houfe of
Medici, that he offered to grant Catharine the in-
veftiture of confiderable territories in Italy, by
. way of portion ; he (eemed ready to fupport Fran-
cis in proiecuting his ancient claims in that coun-^
try, and confented to a perfonal interview with*
that Mpnarch K
fntenricw Charles was at the utmoft pains to prevent a
pjpetad meeting, in which nothing was likely to pafs but
'*^°*^*' what would be of detriment to him; nor could
he bear, after he had twice condefcended to vifit
the Pope in his own territories, that Clement
Ihould beftow fuch a mark of diftinftion on his
rival, as to venture on a voyage by fea, at an un-
s Guic* 1. XX. 55s -SSI. Sellay, 138*
fevour-
£MPEROR CHARLES V. 67
favourable {caibn, in order to pay court to Francis ^ ^^^ ^
in* the French dominions. But the Pope's eager- <i--,^.j
ficfe to accompliih the match overcame all the *^'^*
icruples of pride, or fear, or jealoufy, which would
probably have influenced him on any other occafiion*
The interview, notwithftanding feveral artifices of oaobtr«
the Emperor to prevent it, took place at Marfeilles
with extraordinary pomp, and demondrations of
^confidence on both (ides; and the marriage, which
the ambition and abilities of Catharine rendered in
the fequel as pernicious to France, as it was then
tboyght diihonourable, was confummated. But
whatever fchemes may have been fecretly concert-
ed by the Pope and Francis in favour of the duke ^
of Orleans, to whom his father propofed to make
over all his rights in Italy, fo careful were they to
avoid giving any caufe of offence to the Emperor,
that no treaty was concluded between them ^ -, and
even in the marriage-articles, Catharine renounced
all claims and pretentions in Italy, except to the
dutchy of Urbino *.
But at the very time when he was carrying on Jjgf'^iX*
thefe negociations, and forming this connexion wg«r<toth«
with Francis, which gave fo great umbrage to the EogkA^^t
Emperor, fuch was the artifice and duplicity of ^^"^'^^^
Clement's chara6ter, that he fuffered the latter to
diredk all his proceedings with regard to the King
of England, and was no lefs attentive to gratify.
*» Coic. 1. XX. 555.
^ Da Mont Corps Diplom* if« p« ii* ler.
F 2 *him
68 THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^^^ ^ him in that particular, than if the moft cardial
» J j: mf union had ftill fubfifted between them. Henry's
'^^^* fait for a divorce had now continued near fix years;
during all which period the Pope negociated, pro-
mifed, retraced, and concluded nothing. After
bearing repeated delays and difappointments longer
than could have been expefted from a prince of
fuch a chcdcric and impetuous temper, th^patience
of Henry was at laft fb much cxhaufted, that he
applied to another tribunal for that decree which he
had fohcited in vain at Rome. Cranmer, arch-
bilhop of Canterbury, by a fentencc founded on the
authority of Univerfities, Doftors, and Rabbies,
who had been confidted with refpcft to the point,
annulled the King's marriage with Catharines her
daughter was declared illegitimate j and Anne
Boleyne acknowledged as Queen of England.
At the fame time Henry began not only to negleft
and to threaten the Pope, whom he had hitherto
courted, but to make innovations in the church,
of which he had formerly been fuch a zealous de-
fender. Clement, who had already feen fo many
provinces and kingdoms revolt from the Holy See,
became apprehenfive at laft that England miglit
imitate their example, and pardy from his folici-
tude to prevent that fatal blow^ partly in compU-
ance with the French King's folicitations, deter-
mined to give Henry fuch fatisfaftion as might ftill
1534. retain him within the bofom of the church. But
MiTcb 13. the violence of the Cardinals, devoted to the Em-
peror, did not allow the Pope kifure for execut-
ing
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 69
ing this prudent refolurion, and hurried him, with ^ ^^ ^
a precipitation fatal to the Roman See, to ifTue a Ui-^-yl^^
bull refcinding Cranmcr's fentcnce, confirming '^^^
Henry's marriage with Catharine^ and declaring
him excommunicated, if, within a time (pecificd,
he did not abandon the wife he had taken, and re-
turn to her whom he had dcferted. Enraged at this
unezpe&ed decree, Henry kept no longer any
meafurcs with the court of Rome; his fubje6ls Piptiaa.
feconded his refcntment and indignation i an aft liJhcd^in***'
of Parliament was paflcd, abolifhing the papal ^"i*"**
power and jurifdiftion in England; by another,
the King was declared fupreme head of the church,
and all the authority of which the Popes were de-
prived was vcfted in him. That vaft fabric of
eccleliailical dominion which had been railed with
fuch art, and of v/hich the foundations feemed to
have been laid fo deep, being no longer fupportcd
by the veneration of the people, was overturned
in a moment. Henry himfelf, with the caprice
peculiar to his character, continued to defend the
doftrines of the Romifh church as fiercely as he
attacked its jurifdi6tion. He alternately perfecuted
the Proteftants for rejefting the former, and the
Catholics for acknowledging the latter. But his
fubjcfts, being once permitted to enter into new
padis, did not chufe to Hop Ihort at the precife
point prefcribcd by him. Having been encou-
raged by his example to break fome of their fetters,
they were fo impatient to ftiake oiF what ftiU re-
mained', that, in the following reign, with the ap-
^ Herbert. Born. Hill, of Reform.
F 3 plaufc
70 THE REIGN Ot THE
B o^o K plaufe of the greater pari of the nation, a total fe-
v^.^l,^/ paration was made from the church of Rome in
'5^^ articles of doftrine, as well as in mattery of dif-
cipline arid jurifcii£tion.
DMtbof A SHORT delay might have favcd die See of
vi"**** Rome from all the unhappy confequences of Ck-
itient's raflinefs. Sobn after his fentcnce againft
Henry, he fell into a languifhing diftemper, which
gradually wafting his oonftitution, put an end to
Sept. %$. his Pontificate, the moft unfortunate^ both during
ks continuance, and by its effedb, that the church
Eieaion of had known for many ages. The very day on i^ch
oal 13, tJ^c cardinals entered the conclave, they raifed to
the papal throne Alexander Farnefe, dean of the
iacred college, and the oldeft member of that body,
who aflumed the name of Paul III. The account
of his promotion was received with extraordinary
acclamations of joy by the people of Rome, highly
pleafed, after an interval of more than an hundred
years, to fee the crown of St* Peter placed on the
head of a Roman citizen. Perfons more capable
of judging, formed a favourable prefage of his ad-
miniftration, from the experience which he had ac-
quired under four Pontificates, as well as the cha-
rafter of prudence and moderation which he had
uniformly maintained in a ftation of great emi-
nence, and during an aftive period that required
both talents and addrefs K
Europe, it is probable, owed the continuance
of its peace to the death of Clement j for although
* Guic. 1. XX, 556. F, Paul, 64,
no
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 71
no traces remaun in hiftory of any league conclud*
cd between him and Francis^ k is fcarcely to be
doubted but that he would have feconded the ope- '^^
radons of the French arms in Italy^ that he might
liave gratified his ambition by feeing one of his
£miily pofieffed of the feprane power in Florence,
and another in Milan* But upon the eledtion c^
Paul III. who had hitherto adhered imiformly to
the Imperial intereft> Francis found it neceflary to
fufpeod his operations for fbme timcj and to put off
the commencement of hoftilities againft the Em-
peror, oa which, before the death of Clement^ he
had been fully determined.
While Francis waited £br an opgportunity to infurreaion
renew a war which had hitherto proved Co fatal to baptifts in
himfclf and his fobjcdb, a tranfaftion of a very
fingular nature was carried on in Germany.
Among many beneficial and falutary effefls of
which the Reformation was the immediate caufe,
it was attended, as muft be the cafe in all aftions
and events wherein men are concerned, with fbme
confequenees of an oppofite nature. When the
human mind is roufed by grand objeAs, and agi-
tated by ftrong^aflions, its operations acquire fuch
force, that they are apt to become irregular and
extravagant. Upon any great revolution in rcli-
gion> fuch irregularities abound moft* at that par-
ticular period, when men, having thrown off the
authority of their ancient principles, do not yet
fiiUy comprehend the nature, or feel the obligation
F 4 ^
7» THE REIGN OP THE
» %9 ^ of thofe new tenets which they have embraced.
J The mind> in that fituation, puftiing forward with
the boldnefs which prompted it to rejeft eftabHlh-
ed opinions, and not guided by a clear knowledge
of the fyftem fubftituted in their place, difdains all
reftraint, and runs into wild notions, which often
lead to fcandalous or immoral conduft. Thus,
in the firft ages of the Chriftian church, many of
the new converts, having renounced their ancient
fyftems of religious feidi, and being but imper-
fedUy acquainted with the dodrincs and precepts of
Chriftianity, broached the moft extravagant opi-
nions, equaUy fubverfiye of piety and virtue ; all
which errors difappeared or Were exploded when the
knowledge of religion increafcd, and came to be
more generally diffiifed. In like manner, foon af-
ter Luther's appearance, the ralhnefs or ignorance
of fome of his difciples led them to publiih tenets
.no lefs abfurd than pernicious, which being pro-
po/cd to men extremely illiterate, but fond of no-
velty, and at a time when their minds were turned
wholly towards religious fpeculations, gained too
eafy credit and audiority among them. To thefe
caufes muft be imputed the extravagances of Mun-
cefy ia the, year one thoufand five hundred and
..tjventy4five, as weU as the rapid progrefs which
they made among the peafants ; but though the in-
furreaion excited by that fanatic was foon fup-
preffed, feveraj of his followers lurked in different
places, and endeavoured privately to propagate his
opinions, ^
In
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 73
In thofe provinces of Upper Germanyi which ^ ^^ ^
had already been fo cruelly wafted by their en- i„-,J— j
thufiaftic rage, the magiftrates watched their mo-.origintnd
dons with fuch fevere attention, that many of J*^«!^
them found it neceflary to retire into other coun-
tries, fome were puniihed, others driven into exile,
and their errors were entirely rooted out. But
in the Netherlands and Weftphalia, where the
pernicious tendency of their opinions was more
unknown, and guarded ^ againft with lefs care,
they got admittance into feveral towns, and Ipread
the infedtion of their principles. The moft re-
markable of their religious tenets related to the
Sacrament of Baptifm, which, as they contended,
ought to be adminiftered only to perfons grown
up p years of underftanding, and ftiould be per-
formed not by fprinkling them with water, but
by dipping them in it : for this reafon they con-
demned the baptifm of infants, and rebaptifing
all whpnx they admitted into their fociety, the
fedl came to be 'diftinguilhed by the name of
Anabaptifts. To this peculiar notion concern-
ing baptifm, which has the appearance of being
founded on the practice of the diurch in the apo-
ftolic age, and contains n9thing inconfiftent with
tlie peace and order of human fociety, they add-
ed other principles of a moft enthufiaftic as
well as dangerous nature. They maintained that,
aniong Chriftians who had the precepts of the
gofpel to direct, and the fpirit of God to guide
them, the office of magiftracy was not only un-
neceflary, but an unlawful encroachment on their
^iritud
Mttsflcr.
74 THE REIGN OF THE
fpiritual liberty; that the diitindioiis occafioned
by birth> or rank, or wealth, being contrary to
**^** the fpirit of the go(pel, which confiders all men
as equal, Ihould be entirely aboliftied; that all
Chriftians, throwing their poffeflions into one
common ftock, Ihould live together in that ftate
of equality which becomes members of the fame
family; that as neither the laws of nature, nor
the precepts of the New Tcftament, had impofed
any refltraints upon men with regard to the number
of wives which they might marry, they ihould ufe
that liberty which God himfelf had granted to the.
patriarchs.
settu m Such opinions, propagated and maint^ned with
enthufiaftic zeal and boldnefs, were not long with-
out producing the violent efFcAs natural to them.
Two Anabaptift prophets, John Matthias, a baker
of Haerlem, and John Boccold, or Beiikcls, a
journeyman taylor of Leyden, poflcfled with the
rage of making profelytes, fixed their rcfidencc at
Munfter, an Imperial city in Wtftphalia, of the
firft rank, under the fovereignty of its biihop,
but governed by its own fenatc and confuls. As
neither of thefe fanatics wanted the talents rc-
quifite in deiperate enterprifes, great relbludon,
the appearance of fanftity, bold pretenfions to in-
fpiration, and a confident and plaufible manner of
difcourfmg, they foon gained many converts.
Among thefe were Rothman, who had feft preached
tlte Proteftant dodrine in Munfter, and Cnipper-
doling, a citizcrf of good birth ar^d confiderabic
eminence.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 75
eminence. Emboldened by the countenance of ■ ^^ ^
foch difciples, they openly taught their opinions $ ^,-/-,_f
and not fatisfied with that liberty, they nradc '^^
feveral attempts, thou^ without" fuccefi, to be-
come m«fters of the town, in order to get their
tenets eftabliflied by public authority. At laft, Bwwie
having fecretly called in their aifi>ciates from the ^dty.
neighbouring country, they luddenly took pof-
feffion of the arienal and fenate-houfe in the night-
time, and running through the llreets with drawn
fwords, and horrible howlings, cried out alter-
nately, '^ Repent, and be baptifed," and " Depart
ye ungodly/' The lenators, die canons, the uhmtf.
nobility, together with the more fober citizens^
whether Papifts or Proteftants, terrified af their
threats and outcries, fled in confufion, and left the
city under the dommion of a frantic multitude,
confifting chiefly of ftrangers. Nothing now re-
maining to overawe or controul them, they fet
about modelling the government according to their
own wild ideas ; and though at firft they ihowed EftaViiA »
fo much reverence fer the ancient conflitution, ll7trm^
as to eleft fenators of their own fed, and to "'"*'
appoint Cnipperdoling and another profclyte con-
fuk) this was nothing more than form ; for aU
their proceedings were directed by Matthias, who,
in the flyle, and with the authority of a prophet,
uttered his commands, which it was inftant death
to difobey. Having begun with encouraging the
multitude to pillage the churches, and deface their
ornaments 5 he enjoined them to deftroy all books
except i^e Bible^ as ufele& or impious ; he ordered
the-
76 THE REIGN OF THE
te o o K the eftates of fuch as fled, to be confifcatcd, and
i,,^^,-^ fold to the inhabitants of the adjacent country ;
*5^ he commanded every man to bring forth his gold>
filver, and other precious efFe6ts, and to lay them
at his feet; the wealth amafled by thefe means>
he depofited in a public treafury, and named
deacons to difpenfe it for the common ufe of all.
The members of this commonwealth being thus
brought to a perfeft equality, he conpmanded all
of them to eat at tables prepared in pubKc, and
even prefcribed the difhes which were to be ferved
up each day.. Having finiflied his plan of re-
formation, his next care was to provide for the
defence of the city ; and he took meafures for that
purpofe with a prudence which favoured nothing
of fanaticifm. He coUefted large magazines of
every kind ; kt repaired and extended the forti-
- fications, obliging every perfon without diftinftion
to work in his turn; he formed fuch as were
capable of bearing arms into regular bodies, and
endeavoured to add the ftabiyty of difcipline to
the impetuofity of enthufiafm. He fent emiflaries
to die Anabaptifts in the Low-pountries, inviting
them to aflcipble at Munfter, which he dignified
with the name of Mount-Sion, that from thence
they might fet out to reduce all the nations of the
earth under their dominion. He himfelf was un-
wearied in attending to every thing neceflary for
the fecurity or increafe of the fedt ; animating his
difciples by his own example to decline no labour,
as well as to fubmit to every hardfliip j and their
cnthufiallic paffions being kept from fubfiding
by
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 77
bf a perpetual fucceffi6n of exhortations, revela- ® ®^^ ^
tions, and prophecies, they feemed ready to un- ^-i^ - .-^
dcrtake or to fiiflfer any thing in maintenance of *^^
their opinions. -
While they were thus employed, the bifhop of '^^^^^ J;j*?
Munfter having affembled a confiderable army, takesarmt
advanced to befiege the town. On his approach, 2tm!
Matthias fallied out at the head of fome chofen
troops, attacked one quarter of his camp, forced
it, and after great flaughter returned to the city
loaded with glory and fpoil. Intoxicated with
this fuccefs, he appeared next day brandifhing
afpear, and declared, that, in imitation of Gideon,
he would go forth with a handful of men and fmite
the hoft of the ungodly. Thirty perfons, whom May.
he named, followed him without hefitation in this
wild enterprize, and, rufliing on the enemy with
a t^tic courage, were cut off to a man. The
death of their prophet occafioned at firft great
confternation among his difciples ; but Boccqld,
by the fame gifts and pretenlions which had
gained Matthias credit, foon revived their Ipirits /<*« ^^
and hopes to fuch a degree, that he fuc<:eeded the quires greac
deceafed prophet in the fame abfolute direftion !monrfL
of all their affairs. As he did not poflcfs that Awbaptif.s.
cnterprizing courage which diftinguifhed his pre-
deccffor, he fatisfied himfelf v/ith carrying on a
defenfive war; and, without attempting to annoy
tht enemy by fallies, he waited for the fuccours he
expelled from the Low-Countries, the arri^'-al of
which was often foretold and proniifed by their
. . prophets^
7« ' THE REIGN OF THE
• ^v? '^ F^P^^s. But diot^h Ids daring in aftion than
•i--»-'*-' Matthias^ he was a wilder enthufiaft, and of more
unbounded ambition. Soon after the death of
his predeceflbr, having, by obfcure vifions and
prophecies, prepared the multitude for fome ex-
traordinary event, he ftripped himfelf naked,
.and, marching through the ftreets, proclaimed
with a loud voice, ^^ That the kingdom of Sion
was at hand ; that whatever was hi^eft on earth
fhould be brought low, and whatever was loweft
fliould be exalted/* In order to fulfil this, he
commanded the churches, as the ihoft lofty
buildings in the city, to be levelled with the
ground ; he degraded , the fenators chofen by
Matthias, and depriving Cnipperdoling of the
confuUhip, the higheft ofSce in the common-
wealth, appointed him to execute the loweft
and moft infamous, that of common hangman,
to which ftrange tranfition the other agreed, not
only without murmuring, but with the utmoft
joy; and fuch was the deipotic rigour of Boc-
cold's adminiftration, that he was called almoft
every day to perform fome duty or other of his
wretched funftion. In place of the depoled fe-
nators, he named twelve judges, according to the
number of tribes in Ifrael, to prefide in all af-
fairs ; retaining to himfelf the fame authority,
which Mofes anciently poffeflcd as legiflator of
* that people.
Eieftr4 NoT fatisficd, howevcT, with power or titles
*"** which were not fupreme, a prophet, whom he
ha(
H
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 79
had gained and tutored, having called the mul- ^ ^^ ^
titude together, declared it to be the will of Si^*-w'^
God, that John Boccoki fhoxild be King of Sion, ^^^^
and fit on the throne of David. John kneeling jttMS4*
down, accepted of the heavenly call, which he
iblemnly protefbed had been revealed likewife to
himfelf, and was immediately acknowledged as
Monarch by the deluded multitude. From that
moment he afiumed all the ftate and pomp of
royalty. He wore a crown of gtJd, and was
clad in the richcft iand moft fumptuous garments^
A Bible was carried on his one hand, a naked
fw(»d on the other. A great body of gu«*ds
accompamed him when he appeared in public.
He coined money ftamped with his own image,
and appointed the great officers of his houfhold
and kingdom, among whom Cnipperdoling was
nominated governor of the city, as a reward for his
former fubmiffion.
Hating now attained the hei^t of power, HiiKce«.
Boccoki began to difcovcr paffions, which he ^^"cJXa.
had hitherto reilrained or indulged pnly in fe-
cret. As die exceiles of enthufiafm have been
obfcrved in every age to lead to fenfual gratifi-
cations, the fame conilitution that is fuiceptible
of the former^ being remarkably prone to the
latter, he infbufted the prophets and teachers to
harangue the peq)le for feveral days concern-
ing the lawfulnefs, and even neccffity of taking
more wives than one, which they affcrted to be
one of the privileges granted by God to the
1 1 faints.
8o THE REIGN OF THE!
B o^o K faints. When their cars were once accuftomed
%^^ J ' - to this licentious doftrine^ and their paffions in-
^534- flamed with the profp^ft of fuch unbounded in-
dulgence, he himfelf fet them an example of
ufing what he called their Chriilian liberty, by
marrying at once three wives, among which the
widow of Matthias, a woman of Angular beauty,
was one. As he was allured by beauty, or the
love of variety, he gradually added to the num-
ber of his wives, until they amounted to fourteen,
though the widow of Matthias was the only one
dignified with the title of Queen, or who fhared
with him the Iplendour and ornaments of royalty.
After the example of their prophet, the multi-
tude gave thcmfclvcs up to the moft licentious
and uncontrouled gr?itification of their defu*es.
No man remained fatisfied with a fingle wife.
Not to ufe their Chriftian liberty, was deemed a
crime. Perfons were appointed to fearch the
houfcs for young women grown up to maturity,
whom they inftandy compelled to marry. To-
gether with polygamy, freedom of divorce, its
infeparable attendant, was introduced, and be-
came a new fource of corruption. Every excels
was committed, of which the paflions of men arie
capable, when reftrained neither by the authority
of laws nor the fenfe of decency "j and by a
monftrous
^ Propkeue Sc coDdonatorom autoritate jaxta et exemplo^
totl orbe gd rapiendas pulcherrimas quafque fxminas diC-
Cttrfum eA. Nee intra paucos diet» ia tanta homiouai
turba fere ulla reperta eft fupra aonum decimum quartum
qns ilapnim paiik non fuerit. Lamb. Hortenf. p. 305.
Vulg6
EMPEROR CHARLES V; 81
nonftrous and almoft incredible conjundion^ vo- ^ ^^ *
kpniouiiieis was engrafted on religion^ and dif- * ^w^>^# »
£>lute riat accompanied the aufterities of fanatical '^^^
devotion.
Meanwhile the German princes were highly Aconftdt-
ofiended at the infult' offered to their dignity by [^a^
Boccold's prefumptuous ufurpatioa of royal ho« '^^^^
nours $ and the profligate manners of his followers,
which were a reproach to the Chriilian name,
filled men of all profefllons with horror. Luther,
who had tellified againfl this fanatical fpirit on its
iirft q>pearance, now deeply lamented its progrefs,
and having expofed the delufion with great '
ftrength of argument, as wqll as acrirnony of
ftyle, called loudly oh all the ftates of Germany to
put a ftop to a phrenzy no lefs pernicious to fo- :
ciety, than fatal to religion. The Emperor, oc-
cupied with odier cares and projefts, had not
Icifure to attend to fuch a diftant objcft ; but the
princes of the Empire, aifembled by the King of
the Romans, voted a fupply of men and money
to the bifliop of Munfter, who being unable to
keep a fufficient army on foot, had converted the
Vulg5 vlris quinas elTe uxores, pluribas fenas, nonnullis
fept«nas ic ofiooas. Paellas fapra duod«cimum actatis annum
ftadm amare. Id. 505. Nemo uni oooteatus fuit, neqoe
coiquam extra eifsetai & vlris immatiuras contioentx dSt liciut«
Id. J07. Tacebo hic» ut fit fuos honor auribus, quanta
barbarie et malitii uii funt in puellis vltiandis nondum aptis
matrlmonio, id quod mihi neqoe ex vano, neque ex vulgt
(ersionibus hauftum eil, M ex elL vetuli, c«i cara fie v^tiata«
rom demaitdau foiti aoditam. Joh. CorviaiUj 316*
Vol. III. ' G Iicg<;
82 THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K fjgge of the town into a blockade. The forces
^ ^ V > railed in confequcncc of this refolution^ were put
BeflcgVihe under the command of an officer of eiqperiencc,
*•*"*• who approaching the town towards the- end of
Spring, in the year one thoufand five hundred
arid thirty-five, prefled it more clofely than
formerly; but found the fortifications fo ftrong,
and fo diligehdy guarded, that he durft not at-
tempt an aflSult. It was now above fifteen
months fince the Anabaptrfts had eftabliflied their
dominion in Munfter; they had during that time
undergone prodigious fatigue in working on the
fortifications, and performing military duty.
^Seftand Notwithftanding the prudent attention of their
fanaticifm King to providc for their fubfiftence, and his
•f tbc be- ^ ^ • * .
ficgcd. frugal as well as regular oeconomy :n their ptib-
lic meals, they began to feel the approach of
famine. Several fmall bodies of their brethren,
who were advancing to their afliftance from the
Low-Countries, had been intercepted and cut
to pieces; and, while all Germany was ready
to combine againft them, they had no prolpeft
of fuccour. But fuch was the afcendant which
Boccold had acquired over the multitude, and fo
powerful the fafcination of enthufiafm, that their
hopes were as fangqine as ever, and they heark-
ened with implicit credulity to the vifions and
predi6lions of their prophets, who affured Aem,
that the Almighty would fpeedily int^Kpofe, in
order to deliver the city. The feith, however,
of fomc few, Ihaken by the violence and length
of their fufFerings, began to fail; but being luf-
peded
EMPEROR CHARJ.ES V. 85
pcSted of an inclination to furrender to the ene- * ^^^ *
my, they wcr^ punifhed with iitimediate death, ^ — J-^
as guilty of impiety in diltruijting the power of **^**
God. . One of the King's wives, having uttered
cert^n' words which implied fbme doubt con-
cerning his divine miflion, he inftantly called
the whole xiumber together, and commanding
the blalphcmer^ as he called her, to kneel down,
cut off her head with his own hands ; and ib far
>Beic the reft from exprefling any horror at this
cruel deed, that they joined him in dancing with
a frantic joy arounid the bleedijig body of tiheir
companion.
By this time, the befieged endured the litmoft thedqr
rigour o£ famine ; but they choic rather to fuffer juae u
hardfhips, the recital of ^hich is fliocking to
humanity, than to liften to the terms of capitu^
l^on ofi^ered them by the bifhqp« At laft, a de^
ferter, whom they had taken Into their fervice,
being either lefs intoxicated with the fumes of
enthufiafm, or unable any longer to bear fuch
diftrcfs, made his efcape to the enemy. He in-
formed their genei^ of a weak part in the forti-
fications which he had obferyed, and afluring
him that the befieged, exhaufted with hunger
and fatigue, kept watch there with little carc>
he. offered to lead a party thither in the night.
The propofal was accepted, and a chofcn body
of troops appointed for the fervice 5 who, fcal-
iiig the walls unperceived, feized one of the
gatc5, and admitted the reft of t^ army. Thig
. G a Ana^
84 THE REIGN OF THE
«
* ^^ ^ Anabaptifts, though furprifed, defended them-
^-^*— ^ fclves in the market-place with valour, height-
junV^! cncd by delpair; but being overpowered by
numbers, and furrounded on every hand, moft
of them were flain, and the remainder taken'
prifoners. Among the laft were the King and
^"th?Kir Cnipperdoling. The King, loaded with chains,
aodbisaflb. was Carried from city to city as a ^e£tacle to
gratify the curiofity of the people, and was ex-
pofed to all their infults. His Ipirit, however,
was not broken or humbled by this fad fcverfe
of his condition ; and he adhered with unfhaken
firmnefs to the diftinguiihing tenets of his fe£t.
After this, he was brought back to Munfter,
the fcene of his royalty and crimes, and put to
death with the moft exquifite as well as lingering
tortures, all which he bore with aftoniftiing for-
titude. This extraordinary maq, who had been
able to acquire fuch amazing dominion over the
minds of his followers, and to excite commotions
fo dangerous to fbciety, was only twenty-fix years
of age ".
period.
^J*V'^^ Together with its Monarch, the kingdom of
iince th«c thc Anabaptifts came to an end. Their prm-
ciples having taken deep root in the Low-Coun-
. '^ Sleid. igOt Sec, Tumultaam Anabaptiftarum Liber
I1D09* Ant. Lamberto Hortenfio audore ap. ScardioiOy vol.
ii. p. 298, &c. De Miferabili Monafteiienfiam Obfidione,
&c. libellas Antonii Corvini ap. Scar. 313. Annaics Ana-
baptiftici a Joh. Henrico Ottio, 410. Baiileae, 2672.' Cor.
Heerfbachitts Hift. Anab. edit* 1637, p. 140.
triesj
EMPEROR CHARLES V. «i
»
tries, the party ftill fubfifts there, iinder the ' ^^^ ^
name of Mcnnonites j but by a very fingular re- ^-^^
volution^ this fed, fo mutinous and fangumary '^^^'
at its firii: origin, hath become altogether inno-
cent and pacific. Holding it unlawful to wage
war, or to accept of civil offices, they devote
themielves entirely to the duties of private citi-
zens, and by their induflry and charity endea-
vour to make reparation to human fociety for
the violence committed by their founders**, A
fmall number of this fed which is fetded in
England, retain its * peculiar tenets concerning
baptifin, but. without any dangerous mixture of
enthufiafm.
The mutiny of the Anabaptifts, though it drew J"^^"?
general attention, did not fo entirely cngrofs nty ©f the
the princes of Germany, as not to allow leifure snuikaUc
for other tranfadlions. The alliance between the
French King and the confederates at Smalkalde,
began about this time to produce great efFeds,,
Utic, Duke of Wurtemberg, having been
expelled his dominions in the year one thoufand
five hundred and nineteen, on account of his
violent and oppreffive adminiflration, the houfe
of ^Aufbia had got pofTefTion of his dutchy.
That prince having how by a long exile atoned
for the errors in his conduft, which were the
efFeft rather of inexperience than of a tyrannical
difpofirion, was become the objeft of general
compaflion. The Landgrave of HefTe, in parti-
•• Baylc DiAion. art* Anahaptifttt.
G 3 cular.
f^ THE REIGN OF THE
^ 9y9 ^ cular, his near relation, warmly cfpoufed his in-
w — ^ tercft, and ufed many efibrts to recover for him
'^^^' his ancient inheritance. But the King of the
Romans obftinately refiifed to relinquifh a valuable
acquifition which his family had made with fo
much eafe. The Landgrave, unable to compel
him, applied to the King of France his new illy.
Francis, eager to embrace any opportunity of
diftrelTmg the houfe of Auftria, and defirous of
wrefting from it a territory, which gave it footing
and influence . in a part of Germany at a diflance
from its other dominions, encouraged the Land-
grave to take arms, and fecretly fuppUed hini
with a large fum of money. This he employed
to raife troops; and marching with great ex-
pedition towards Wurtemberg, attacked, defeated*
and dilperfed a confiderable body of Auftrians,
cntrufted with the defence of the country. All
the Duke's fubjefts haftened, with emulation, to
receive their native Prince, and re-rnvefted Kim
with that authority which is ftill enjoyed by his
defendants. At the fame time the exercife of
the Proteftant religion was eftablifhed in his do-
minions ^.
The King Ferdinand, how fenfiWc foever of this*un-
*cour'ti expefted blow, not daring to attack a Prince
*•"*• ^ whom all the Proteftant powers in Germany were
ready to fupport, judged it expedient to conclude
a treaty with him, by which, in the moft ample
'? Slcii. 172. Bcllay, 159, &c.
formj
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 87
fcrm, he recognized his tide to the dutchy. The • \f ^
furreCs fif the J^andgrave'^ operatiQns> in behalf of Ui-^ — -»
the Duke of Wurtembcig, having convinced *^^^'
Ferdinand thu a rupture with a league^ fo formi*
daUe as chat of Smaikalde, was to be avoided
widi the utmoil care^ he entered likewife into a
negpciacion with the Elector of Saxony, the head
of that union, and by fome concelfions in favour
of the Proteftant religion, and others of advan-
tage tos the Eledor himfel^ he prevailed on
him» together with his confederates, to acknow-
ledge his tiUe as Kii>g of the Romans. At the
AfldC time^ in order to prevent any fuch precipi-
tate or irregular eleftion in times to come, it was
agreed that no perfon ibould hereafter be pro-
moted to that dignity without the unanimous con-
fcnt of the-Ejleftors i and the Emperor foon after
cooiiraied this ftipulation ^.
Thjese afts of indulgence towards the Pro- ^"|"';.
tcftants, and the clofe union into which the King »«"» cooo.
of the Romans feemed to be entering with the atManto?;
Princes of that party, gave great offence at
Rome. Paul IIL though he had departed from
^ rcfolution of his predeceiTor, never to confent to
the calling of a general council, and had pro-
mifed, in the firft confiftory held ^ftcr his elefti'on,
that he would convoke that.affembly fo much de-
fired by all Chriftendom, was no lefs eru-aged
than Clement at the innovations in Germany,
f Sleid. 173. Corps piplom. torn. Iv. p. 2. 119.
G 4 and
%t THE REIGN OF THE *
• ^^ ^ and no Ids averfe to any fchcme for reforming
*-^-n;=^— ' cither the dodrines of the church, jor the abufes
'^^^' in the court of Rome : But having been a witncfs
of the univerfal cenfure which Cleaient had in-
curred by his obitinacy with regard to thefe points,
he hoped to avoid the fame reproach by the fecm-
ing alacrity with which he propofed a councils
flftttering himfelf, however, that fuch difficulties
would arife concerning the time and place" of meet-
ing, the pcrfons who had a right to be prefent,
and the order of their proceedings, as would effec-
tually defeat the intention of thofe who demanded
that aflembly, without expofing himfelf to any
imputation for refufing to call it. With this view
he difpatched nuncios to the feveral courts, in or-
der to make known his intention, and that he had
iixed on Mantua' as a proper place in which to
hold the council. Such difficulties as the Pope
had forefeen, immediately prefcnted themfelves
in great number. The French King did not ap-
prove of the place which Paul had chofen, as the
Papal and Imperial influence would neceflarily be
I too great in a town fituated in that part of Italy.
The King of England not only, concurred with
Francis in urging that objcftion, but refofed, be-
fides, to acknowledge any council called in the
' name ancj by the authority of the Pope. The
D«c. 1%, German Proteftants having met together at Smal-
kalde, infifted on their original demand of a
council to be held in Germany, and pleading the
Emperor's promife, as well as the agreement at
Ratifbon to that cffeft, declared that they would
not
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 89
fiot conikkr an aflembly held at Mantua as a le-- ^ ^^^ ^
gal or free rcprcfentativc of the church. By this *^— v^— ^
divcrfity of fentimencs and views, fuch a field fo^ '^'^'
intrigue and negociation opened, as made iteafyfor
the Pope to aflume the nnierit of being eager to af-
femble a council, while at the fame time he could
put off its meeting at pleafure. The Proteftants,
on the other hand, fufpe£ting his defigns, and fen*
fiblc of the importance which they derived from
their union, renewed for ten years the league of
Smalkaldcj which now became ftronger and more
formidable by the acceflion of feveraL new mem-
bers ',
During thefe tranfaftions in Germany, the TheEmpe-
Emperor undertook his famous enterprife againft 5i'iiJ "p*"
the piratical ftates in Africa, That part of the ^lll^*;^^^
African continent lying along the coafl: of the c««a«nr*
Mediterranean fea, which anciently formed the
kingdoms of Mauritania and Maflylia^ together
' TUs leagae was concluded December^ one thoufand Bvt
hundred and thirty-five, bat not extended or figned In form
till September in the followiog year. The Princes who ac*
ceded to it were John EieAor of Saxony, £meft Duke of
Bninfwicky Philip Landgrave of HeiTe, Ulric Duke of Wur-
tcmberg, Barnim and Philip Dakes of Pomerania^ John,
George, and Joachim, Princes of Anhalc, Gebhard and Al*
.bert Counts of Mansfield, William Count of NafTau. The
diies, Straifaurg, Nuremburg, Conftance, Ulm, Magdeburg,
Bremen, Reutlingen, Hailbron, Memmengen, Lindaw, Cam-
pen, Ifna, fiibrac, Windiheim, Augfborg, Francfort, Efling,
Brunfwick, Goflar, Hanover, Gottingcn, Eimbeck, Ham-
burg, Mindeo. v
^ wim
^ \ THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK ^ith tht rq>ubUc of Carthage, and whidi is
ft»^-J-««rf known by the general name of Barbarjr, had un*
'55J* dergone many rev<rfutions. Siibdued by the Ro-
mans> it became a province of their empire. When
it was conquered afterwards by die Vandals, they
erected a kingdom there. That being overturned
by Belifarius, the country became fubjcft to die
Greek Emperors, and continued to be lb until it
was over-run towards the end of due feventh cen-
tury, by the rapid and irrefifldble arms of the Ara-
bians. It remained for fome time a part of that
vaft empire which the Caliphs governed With abfo-
lute authority. Its immcnfe diftance, however,
from the feat of government, encouraged the de-
fcendants of thofe leaders, who had fubdued the
country, or the chiefs of the Moors, its ancient in-
habitants, to throw off the yoke, and to afftrt their
independence. The Caliphs, who derived their au-
diority from a fpirit of enthufiafm, more fitted for
making conquefts than for prefcrving them, were
obliged to connive at adb of rebellion which they
could not prevent ; and Barbary was divided into
jeveral kingdoms, of which Morocco, A^ers, and
Tunis were the ,moft confidcnd)le. The inhabitants
of thefe kingdoms were a mixed race, Arabs, Ne-
.groes j&om the Ibuthern provinces, and Moors, ei-
-thcr natives of Africa, or who had been expelled
out of Spain ; all zealous profeflbrs of the Maho-
metan religion, and inflamed againft Chriftianity
widi a bigoted hatred proportional to their igno-
rance and barbarous manners.
Among
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 91
A.MOKG thcfe people, no lefs daring, inconftant, ■ ^^ "^
and treacherous, than«the ancient inhabitants of. the x^^mj-
fame ooundy defcribed by the Roman hiftorians. Rife ol^uie
frequent fedidons broke out, and many changes in ^^1^
government took place. Thefe, as they afli^dlied
only the internal ftate of ^ country extremely bar*
baiDus, are but little known, and deferve to be fo:
But about the banning of the fixteenth century a
fudden revolution happened, which, by renderit\g
the ftates of Barbary formidable to the Europeans,
hath made their hiftory worthy of more attention.
This revolution was brought about by perlbns born
in a rank of life which entitled them to a& no fuch
illuftrious J)ait. Home and Hayfadin, the fons of «ni oi Uw '
a potoer in the Ittt of Lefbos, prompted by a reft- ^"^^^^^
Icfs and enterprizing fpirit,* forfook their feAer's
trade, ran to fea, and joined a crew of pirates^ ^
They fekm "diftinguilhed themfelvcs by their valour
and aftivfcy, and becdming mafters of a fmall bri^
gantine, carried on dieir in&mous trade with fvich
condud and fuccefs, that they aflembled a fleet of
tivelve galleys, befides many vefleh of fmaller force.
Of this fleet H'oruc, the elder brother, called Bar-
barofla from the red colour of his beard, was ^
miral, and Hayradin fecond in comnuuid, but with
almoft equal authority. They called themfelyes
the friends of the fea, and the enemies of all
who fail upon it^ and their names ibon became
terrible from the Straite of the Dardanels to thofe
of Gibraltar. Together with their fame and polver,
their ambitious views extended, and while ading
as Corfairs, they adopted the ideas, and acquired
the
9? THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK the talents of conquerors. They often carried the
V -^- J' prizes which they took on the coafts of Spain and
'*^^* Italy into the ports of Barbary, and enrichmg the
inhabitants by the fale of their booty, and the
thoughtlefs prodigality of their crews, were wel-
come guefts in every place at which they touched.
The convenient fituation of thefe harbours, lying
fo near the greatcft commercial ftates at that time
in Chriftendom, made the brothers wifh ifor an
eftablifhment in that country. An opportunity of
^ccomplifhing this quickly prefented itfelf, which
they did not fufFer to pafs unimproved. Eutemi,
King of Algiers, having attempted ieveral times,
without fuccefs, to take a fort which the Spanilh
jgovernors of Oran had built not far from his ca-
pital, was fo ill advifed as to apply for aid to Bar--
barofTa, whofe valour the Africans confidered as
1516. irrefiftible. The adive Corfair gladly accepted of
thr! invitation, and leaving his brother Hayradin
with the fleet, marched at the head of five thou&nd
men to Algiers, where he was received as their de-
liverer. Such a force gave him the command of
the town; and as he perceived that the Moors nei-
' ther (uipeAed him of any bad intention, nor were
capable with their light-armed troops of oppofing
Hofiic, Ae his difciplined veterans, he fecretly murdered the
fhtr'bcV Monarch whom he had come to aflift, and pro^
mo^Au' <^laimed himfelf King of Algiers in his Head,
gicri. xhe authority which he had thus boldly ufurped,
; he endeavoured to eftablilh by arts fuited to the
genius
EMPEROR CHARLES V. - 93
genius of the people whom he had tq govern ; by * ^^ ^
liberality vnthout bounds to thofeiiirho favoured his < J ^
promotion, and by cruelty no lefi unbounded to- '*^^*
wards all whom he had any reafon to diftrul^. Not
fadsfied with the throne which he had acquired^
he attacked the neighbouring King of Tremccen,
and having vanquifhed him in battle, added his do*
minions to thofe of A^iers., At the fame time,
he continued to infeft the coaft of Spain and Italy
with fleets which reiembled the armaments of a
great monarch, rather than the light fquadrons of
a Coriair. Their frequent and cruel devaftati6ns
obliged Charles, about the beginning of his reign, 151^.
to fumiih the marquis de Comares, governor of
Oran> with troops fufficient to attack him. That
officer, affifted by the dethroned King of Tre-
mecen, executed the commiflion with fuch Ipirit,
that Barbarofla's troops being beat in feveral en«
counters, he hiirifelf was fhut up in Tremecen,
After defending it to the laft extremity, he was
overtaken in attempting to make his cfcape, and
flain while he fought with an obftinate valour,
worthy of his former fame and exploits.
His brother Hayradii\, known likewife by the The pn.
name of Barbarofla, aflumed the fc^ptre of Algiers Hlyndin,
widi the fame ambition and abilities, but with bet- {JJottoT*
ter fortune. His reign being undifturbed by the
arms of the Spaniards, which had foil occupation
in the wars among the European powers, he regu-
lated with admirable prudence the interior police of
his
^ . THE REIGN OF THE
B Q^o K ii^ klngdoni^ carried oa his naval operations rndt
km^^^'^mj grett vigour, and extended his conquefts on the
*^^^ contineiy: of Afripa. But perceiving du^t the
Moors and Aff^U fubmitted to his governmeai:
tmh the utmoft rejiuftaace^ and being afrfud that
his oondnu^l depredations would, one day, draw
Pott hit do- xipon him the arin$ of the Chriftians, l^e put his
»nSc ji<Hninians wader the protcftion of the. Grand
SrthfsX Seignior, md reoeivied from him a body of TurkiOi
t*»* foUiers fufficient for his fecurity againft hi^ domef-
tic as well as his foreign enemies. At lafi;, the fame
pf his ex{^t^ daily iacreafing, Solym^n o^ered him
tlie command of the Turkifti fleet, as the only pcr-
Ibn whole valour and fkiU in naval affairs entitled
him to comnoand againft Andrew Dona, the great-
eft fea-officer of that age. Proud of this diftinc-
tion, Barbarofik jrepaired to. Conftantinople, and
with a wonderfol verfatility of mind, mingling the
arts of a courtier with the boldnefs of a Corfair,
gained the entire confidence both of the Sultan and
his Vizier. To them he conununicated a fcheme
which he had formed of making himfelf mailer of
Tunis, the mcft flourifhing kingdom, at that time,
on the coaft of Africa j and this being approved
of by them, he obtained whatever he demanded
for carrying it into execution.
Hitfcbemc His hopcs of fuccefs in this undertaking were
U| Tunur founded on the intefline divifions in the kingdom
^ of Tunis. Mahmed, the lafl King of that coua*
try, having thittyrfour fons by different wives,
appointed
EMPEROR CHARLES Y. 95
appointed Muky-Hafcen^ one of the youngeft b 0^0 J^
among them, to be his fucxeflbr. That weak w^»^^-*^
Prince, who owed this preference, not to his own *^**'
merit, but to the afcendant which his mother had
acquired over a Monarch doating with age, firft
poifbned Mahmed his father in order to prercnt
him from altering his deftination with relped to
the fucceffionj and then, with the barbarous policy
which prevails wherever polygamy is permitted,
and the right of fucccffion is not precifely fixed, he
put to death all his brothers whom he could get
into his power. Alrafchid, one of the ddeft, was
fo fortunate as to efcape his rage ; and finding a re-
treat among the wandering Arabs, made fevcral at-
tempts, by the affiftance of fome of their chiefs, to
recover the throne, which of right belonged to him.
But thefe proving unfuccefsful, and die Arabs, from
their natural levity, being ready to deliver him up
to his mercilefs brother, he fled to Algiers, the
only place of refuge remaining, and implored the
proteftion of Barbaroffa j who, difcerning at once
all the advantages whicTi might be gained by fup-
porting his title, received him with every poflible
dcmonftration of friendlhlp and refpeft. Being
ready, at that time, to fet fail for Conftantinople,
he eafily perfuaded Alrafchid, whofc eagernefs to
obtain a crown difpofed him to believe or under-
take any thing, to accompany him thither, pro-
mifing him effeftual affiftance from Solyman, whom
he rcprefented to be the moft generous, as well as
moft powerful Monarch in the world. But no
fooncr were they arrived at Conftantinople, than
3 t^«
96 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOR the treacherous Corlair, rcgardlcfs of all his pro-
Ui-v-iiji miles to him^ opened to the Sultan a plan for con-
'53S- quering Tunis, and annexing it to the Turkifli
empire, by making ule of the name of this exiled
Prince, and co-operating with the party in the
kingdom which was ready to declare in hif ^pur.
Solfman approved, with too much facility, oTtbis
perfidious propofal, extremely fuitable to the cha-
radker of its author, but altogether unworthy of a
great Prince. A powerful fleet and numerous army
were loon aflembled; at the fight of which the cre-
dulous Alrafchid flattered himfelf that he fhould
ibon enter his capital in triumph.
Its fttcccfi. But juft as this unhappy Prince was going to
embark, he was arrefted by order of the Sultan,
fliut up in the feraglio, and was never heard of
more. Barbarofla failed with a fleet of two hun-
dred and fifty veflels towards Africa. Afi:er ra-
vaging the coafts of Italy, and fpreading terror
through every part of that country, he appeared
before Tunis; and landing his men, gave out
that he came to aflert the right of Alrafchid,
whom he pretended to have left fick aboard
the admiral galley. The fort of Goletta, which
commands the bay, foon fell into his hands, partly
by his own addrefs, partly by the treachery of its
commander ; and the inhabitants of Tunis, weary
of Muley-Hafcen's government, took arms, and
declared for Akafchid with fuch zeal and unani-
mity, as obliged the former to fly fo precipitately,
that he left all his treafures behind him. The
gates^
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 97
gates were immediately fet open to Barbaroffa, as ^ ^^^ '^
tlic rcftorer of their lawful fovcrcign. But when *^ — ^-^^
Alrafchid himfclf did not appear, and when in- '^^*'
ftcad of his name, tliat of Solyman alone was heard
among'-JChe acclamations of the Turkifh foldiers
marcfu^ into the town, the people of Tunis began
CD fufped the Corfair's treachery. Their fulpicions
-being foon converted into certainty, they ran to
arms with the utmoft fury, and furrounded the
citadel, into which Barbaro0a had led his troops.
But having forefeen fuch a revolution, he was not
unprepared for it ; he immediately turned againfl
them the artillery on the ramparts, and by one
briflc difcharge, difperfed the numeious but un-
diredted aflailants, and forced them to acknowledge
Solyman as their fovereign, and tofubmit to him-
fclf as his viceroy.
His firfl care was to put the kingdom, of f^/^fr^fu"
which he had thus got pofTefTion, in a proper po^cr.
pofhire of defence. He ftrengthened the citadel
which commands the town; and fortifying the
Goletta in a regular manner, at vaft cxpence,
made it the principal ftation for his fleet, and his
great arfenal for military as weD as naval (bores.
Being now pofTcflTed of fuch extenfivc territories,
he carried on his depredations againft the Chrift-
ian States to a greater extent, and with morc^
ddtruftive violence than ever, Daily complaints
of the outrages committed by his cruizers were
brought to the Emperor by his fpbjefts, both in
VoL.IIL H . Spate
98 THE REIGN OF THE
9 o^o K Spain and Italy. All Chriftendom fecmed to
W---J — ^ expe6t from hini> as its greateft and n:K>ft fortunate
»535- Prince, that he would put an end to this new and
The exiled odious fpecics of oppreflion. At the fame time
Tuo.iirto. Muley-Hafcen, the exiled King of Tunis, find*
Em'p'lJw'* ing none of the Mahometan Princes in Africa
A^ri!"aii y^ilKng or able to affid him in recovering his
'535- throne, applied to Charles as the only perfbn who
pould aflfert his rights in oppofition Co fu^h a for-
midable ufurper. The Emperor, equally defirous
of delivering his dominions from the dangerous
neighbourhood of BarbaroiTa j of appearing as the
proteftor of an unfortunate Prince j and of ac-
quiring the glory annexed in that age, to every
expedition againft the Mahometans, readily con-
cluded a treaty with Muley-Hafcen, and began
to prepare for invading Tunis. Having made
trial of his own abilities for war in the late cam-
paign in Hungary, he was now beccMhe fb fond
of the military charafter, that he determined to
His prf para- command on this occafion in perfon. The united
«7««i«i«n* ftrength of his dominions was called out upoa an
enterprize in which the Emperor was about to
hazard ^his glory, and which drew the attention
^ of all l^urope. A^Flemifh fleet carried from the
ports of the L#ow-Country a body of German in-
fantry ' ; the gallies of Naples and Sicily took on
board the veteran bands of Italians and Spa-
niards, which. had diflinguilhed themfelves by fo
many vidories over the French ^ the Emperor
• • Harxi Annales Brabant, i. 599*
himfelf
feMPEkOk CHARLES V. 99
Kimfelf embarked at Barcelona with the flower of ^ ^^^ ^
the Spanifli nobility, and was joined by a con- ^^ ^ '*^
fiderable ftjuadron from Portugal, under the *^^^*
command of the Infant Don Lewis, the Emprefs's
brother; Andrew Doria conducted his own gal-
lies, the beft appointed at that time in Europe,
and commanded by the moft Ikilful officers : the
Pope furniflied all the afliftance in his power to-
wards fuch a pious enterprize -, and the order of
Malta, the perpetual enemies of the Infidels,
equipped a fquadron, which, though fmall, was
formidable by the valour of the knights who ferved
on board it. The port of Cagliari in Sardinia was .
the general place of rendezvous. Doria was ap-
pointed High- Admiral of the fleet; the command
of the land-forces under the Emperor was given to
the marquis de Guafto.
On the fixteenth of July, the fleet, confifldng tMidifii
of n«u- five hundred veflels, having on board ^^'^^
above thirty thoufand regular troops, fet fail from
Cagliari, and after a profperous navigation landed
within fight of Tunis. Barbaroffa having received
early intelligence of the Emperor's immenfe ar-
mament, and fuipeding its defl:ination, prepared
with equal prudence and vigour for the defence of
his new conqueft. He called in all his corfairs
fi-om their different ftations; he drew fi-om Al-
giers what forces could be Ipared ; he dilpatched
tneflengers to all the African Princes, Moors as
well as Arabs, and by reprefenting Muley-Hafcen
as an infamous apoftate, prompted by ambition
H 2 and
6 61 (3 9 7
loo . THE REIGN OF THE
and revenge, not only to become the vaffal of a
Chriftian Prince, but to confpire with him to ex-
'535 tirpate the Mahommedan faith, he inflamed thofe
ignorant and bigoted chiefs to fuch a degree, that
they took arms as in a common caufe. Twenty
thoufand horfe, together with a great body of foot,
foon affembled at Tunis ; and by a proper diftri-
bution of prefents among them from time to time,
Barbaroflfa kept the ardour which had brought
them together from fubfiding. But as he was too
well acquainted 'vtdth the enemy whom he had to
oppofe, to think that thefe light troops could re-
fill the heavy-armed cavalry and veteran infantry
which compofed the Imperial army, his chief
confidence was in the ftrength of the Goletta,
and in his body of Turkifti foldiers who were
armed and difciplined after the European Miion.
Six thoufand of thefe, under the command of
Sinan, a renegado Jew, the braveft and moft expe-
rienced of all his corfairs, he threw into that fort,
Layificgc which the Emperor immediately invcfted. As
Charles had the command of the fea, his camp
was fo plentifully fupplied not only with the nc-
cefTaries, but with all the luxuries of life, that
' Muley-Hafcen, who had not been accuftomed to
fee war carried on with fuch order and magnifi-
cence, was filled with admiration of the Empe-
ror's power. His troops, animated by his prc-
fence, and confidering it as meritorious to (bed
their blood in fuch a pious caufe, contended w^th
each other for the pofts of honour and danger.
Three feparat.* attacks were conceited, arid the
, Germans,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. loi
Germans, Spaniards, and Italians, having one
of thcfe committed to each of them, pufhed them
forward with the eager courage which national '^*^'
emulation infpires. Sinan dilplayed refolution
and flcill becoming the confidence wliich his
mafter had put in him; the garrifon performed
the hard fervice on which they were ordered with
great fortitude. But diough he inten^upted the
bcfiegers by frequent fallies, though the Pvloors
and Arabs alarmed the camp with their con-
tinual incurfions; the breaches fbon become fo
confiderable towards the land, while the fleet bat-
tered thofe parts of die fortifications which it could
approach with no lefs fury and fuccefs, that an
aflault beiner given on all fides at once, the place Tikeihbf
was taken by ftorm, Sinan, with the remains of July 15,
his garrifon, retired, after an obftinate rcfiftance,
over a fhallow part of the bay towards the city. -
By the reduftion of the Goletta, the Emperor be-
came mafter of Baibaroflfa's fleet, confifting of
eighty-feven gailles and galliots, together with
his arfenal, and diree hundred cannon, mofdy
brafs, which were planted on the ramparts; a
prodigious number in that age, and a remarkable
proof of the ftrength of the fort, as well as of the
grcatncfs of the corfair's pov/er. The Emperor
marched into the Goletta through the breach, and
turning to Muley-Hafcen who attended him,
" Here," fays he, " is a gate open to you, by
which you fhall return to take poflTcflion of your
dominions." ,
H 2 BAR3A-.
103 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK
V.
Barbarossa, though, he felt the full weight of
the blow which he had received, did not, how-
'^'^*' ever, lofe courage, or abandon the defence of
Tunis. But as the walls were of great extent,
and extremely weak ; as he could not depend on
the fidelity of the inhabitants, nor hope that the
Moors and Arabs would liiftain'the hardlhips of
a fiege, he boldly deterniined to advance with his
army, which amounted to fifty thoufand men %
towards the Irppcrial camp, and to decide the fate
of his kingdom by the ifTiie of a batde. This re-
folution he communicated to his principal officers,
and reprefcnting to them the fatal confequences
which might follow, if ten thoufand Chriftian
(laves, whom he had fhut up in the citadel, (hould
attempt to mutiny during the abfencc of the
army, he propofed as • a necefTary precaution for
the public fecurity, to maflacre them without
mercy before he began his march. They all
approved vTarmly of his intention to fight; but
inured as they were, in their piratical depreda-
tions, to fcenes of bloodftied and cruelty, the bar-
barity of his propofal concerning the flaves, filled
them with horror; and BarbaroflTa, rather frgm
the dread of irritating them, than fwayed by mo-
tives of humanity, confented to fpare the lives of
the flaves.
Defeat! ^ By this timc the Emperor had begun to ad-
%rliyT * ' yance towards Tunis ; and thpugh His troops fuf-
^ Epidres de Princes, par Ralcelli, p. 119, 2rc,
fere^*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 103
fercd inconceivable hardlhips in their march, ■ ^^° ^
over burning fands, deftitute of water, and ex- s^ ^ ^-m^
pofcd to the intolerable heat of the fun, they foon '^^^'
came up with the enemy. The Moors and Arabs,
emboldened by their vaft fuperiority in number,
immediately rulhed on to the attack with loud
ihouts, but their undifciplined courage could not
long ftand the Ihock of regular battalions ; and
though Barbaroffa, with admirable prefence of
mind, and by expofing his own perfon to the
greatefl: dangers, endeavoured to rally them, the
rout became fb general, that he himfelf was hur-
ried along with them in their flight back to the
city. There he found every thing in the utmoft
confufion -, fome of the inhabitants flying with
their families and effefts; others ready to fet
open their gates to the conqueror; the Turkifh
foldiers preparing to retreat; and the citadel,
which in fuch circumftances might have aflforded
him fome refuge, alieady in the ppflfeflion of
the Chriflian captives. Thefe unhappy men,
rendered defperate by their fituation, had laid
hold on the opportunity which Barbaroflk
dreaded. As foon as his army was at fome dif-
tance from the town, they gained two of their
keepers, by whofe afliftance, , knocking oflf their
fetters, and burfting open their prifons, they
overpowered the Turkifh garrifon, and turned
the artillery of the fort againft their former mailers.
Barbarofia, difappointed and enraged, exclaiming
Ibmetimes againft the falfe compafllon of his
Qf^cers, and fometimes condemning his own im-
H 4 ^ prudent
104 THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K prudent compliance with their opinion, fled prcci-
^^ — - ~ pitately to Bona.
M35-
renders*
Tunii fur- Meanwhile Charles, fatisfied with the eafy and
almoft bloodlefs viftory which he had gained, and
advancing flowJy with- the precaution neceffary in
an enemy's country, did not yet know the whole
extent of his own good fortune. But at laft, a
meffenger difpatched by the flaves acquainted him
with the fuccefs of their noble effort for the reco-
very of their liberty; and at the fame time deputies
arrived from the town, in order to prefent him the
keys of their gates, and to implore his proteftion
from military violence. While he was deliberating
concerning the proper meafures for this purpofe,
the foldiers, fearing that they fhould be deprived of
the booty which they had expected, rulhed fuddenly,
and without orders, into the town, and began to
kill and plunder without diftinftion. It was then
too late to reftrain their cruelty, their avarice, or li-
centioufnefs. All the outrages of which foldiers
are capable in the fury of a ftorm, all the excefles
of which men can be guilty when their paffions are
heightened by the contempt and hatred which dif-
ference in manners and reUgion inlpire, were
committed. Above thirty thoufand of the inno-
cent inhabitants perilhed on that unhappy day,
and ten thoufand were carried away as flaves.
Muley-Hafcen took pofiTefilon of a tlirone fur-
rounded with cai'nage, abhorred by his fubjedts
ofi whom he had brought fuch calamities, and
pitied
EMPEROR CHAkLES V. 105
pitied even by thofe whofe ralhnefs had been the ® ^^^ ^
occafion of them. The Emperor lamented the v^-^-..,^
fatal accident which had ftained the kiftre of his vie- *^'^'
tory J and amidft fuch a fcene of horror there was ' •
but one fpedacle that afforded him any fatisfaftion.
Ten thoufand Chriftian flaves, among whom were
fcvcral peribns of diftinftion, met him as he enter-
ed the town ; and falling on their knees, thanked
and bleflcd him as their deliverer.
At the fame time that Charles accomplilhed his i^eftorwthe
promife to the Moorifh King, of rcreftablifhing him to bh
in his dominions, he did not negledt what was ne-
ccffary for bridling the power of the African cor-
fairs, for the lecurity of his own fubjefts, and for
the intereft of the Spanifh crown: in order to gain
thefe ends, he concluded a treaty with Muley-
Hafcen on the following conditions 5 that he ftiould
hold the kingdom of Tunis in fee of the crown of
Spain, and do homage to the Emperor as his liege
lord i that all the Chriftian flaves now within
his dominions^ of whatever nation, ftiould be fet
at hberty without ranfom ; that no fubjeft of the
Emperor's ftiould for the future be detained in fer-
vitudci that no Turkifti corfair ftkould be admitted
into the ports of his dominions ; that free trade, to -
gether with the public exercife of the Chriftian re-
ligion, ftiould be allowed to all the Emperor's
fubjeds 5 that the Emperor ftiould not only retain
Lhe Goletta, but that all the other fea-ports in the
kingdom which were fortified ftiould be put into
his hands 3 that Muley-Hafcen Ihould pay annu-
aUy
io6 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK ally twelve thoufand crowns for the (ubfiftence of
u— J— -» the Spanifli garrifori in the Golettaj that he
'53S' Ihould enter into no alliance with any of the Em-
peror's enemies^ and fhould prefent to hina every
year as an acknowledgment of his vaffalagc, fix
Moorifh horfes, and a$ many hawks ". Having
thus fettled the affairs of Africa i chaftifed the in-
folence of the corfairs j fecured a lafe retreat for the
fhips of his fubjefts, and a proper ft^tion to his
own fleets, on that coaft from which he was moft
Ah^ 17- infefted by piratical depredations; Charles embark-
ed again for Europe, the tempeftuous weather, and
fickneft among his troops, not permitting him to
purfue Barbaroffa *.
The glory By this expcdition, the merit of which fecms to
Etoperor* ii2i^^ t>cen cftimatcd in diat age, rather by the ap-
•cquired. parent gcncrofity o[ the undertaking, the magni-
ficence wlwrewith it was condufted, and the fiiccefs
which crowned it, than by the importance of the
confequences that attended it, the Emperor attain-
ed a greater height of glory than at any other pe-
riod of his reign. Twenty thoufand flaves whom
he freed from bondage, either by his arms, or by
• Dtt Mont Corps Diplomat, ii. 128. Summonte Hift. di
Napoli, iv. 89.
» Joh. Etropii Diarium Expedition. Tunetanae, ap. Scard,
V. ii. p. 320, &c. Jovii Hiftor. lib. xxxiv. 153, &c. Sandov.
ii. 154, &c. Vertot Hift. de Cheval. de Malthe. Epiftrcs
dcs Princes, par Rufcelli, iraduites par Bellcforcft, p. 119,
lao, &c» Anton. Pontii Confcniini Hift. Belli ftdv, Barbar.
^p. Matthsei Analeda.
his
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 107
his treaty with Muley-Hafcen ^^ each of whom he ^ ^^ ^
clothed and flirnilhed with the means of returning u,-yl,^
to their refpedlive countries, fpread all oyer Europe '^^^'
the fame of their benefaftor's munificence, extol-
ling his power and abilities with the exaggeration
flowing from gratitude and admiration. In com-
parifon with him, the other Monarchs of Europe
made an inconliderable figure. They fcemed to
be folicitQus about nothing but their private and
particular interefts ; while Charles, with an eleva-
pon of fentiment which became the chief Prince in
Chriftendom, appeared to be concerned for the
honour of the Chriftiayi name, and ^ttei^tive to the
public fecurity and welfare.
J Sominonte Hill« d< Nap. to), ir. p. 103.
THE
HISTORY
of THE
REIGN
OF THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
B O O K VI.
UNFORTUNATELY for the reputation of
Francis I. ^mong his contemporaries, his
15^5* conduft, at this junfture, appeared a perfedt con-
of a new traft tp that of his rival, as he laid hold on the
iwVpoVhe opportunity afforded him, by the Emperor's
i^FirTnai* ^^^ing tumcd his whole force againfl: the com-
mon enemy of Chriftendom, to revive his pre-
tenfions in Italy, and to plunge Europe into a
new war. The treaty of Cambray, as has been
obferved, did not remove the caufes of enmity
between the two contending Princes; it cover-
ed up, but did not extinguifh the flames of dif-
cord^ Francis in particular, who waited with im-
patience for a proper occafion of recovering the
reputation as well as the territories which he had
loft, continued to carry on his negociations in dif-
ferent
THE REIGN, &c. lo^
fercnt courts againft the Emperor, taking the ut- ^ ^^^ ^
moft pains to heighten the jealoufy which many ^^^^^
Princes entertained of his power or defigns, and to '^^^'
infpire the reft with the fame fufpicion and fear :
among others, he applied to Francis Sforza, who,
though indebted to Charles for the pofleflion of the
dutchy of Milan, had received it on fuch hard con-
ditions, as rendered him not only a vaiTal of the
Empire, but a tributary dependant upon the Em-
peror. The honour of having married the Empe-
ror's niece, did not reconcile him to this ignomi-
nious ftate of fubjedion, which became fo intole-
rable even to Sforza, though a weak and poor-lpirited
Prince, that he liftened with eagernefs to the firft
propofals Francis made of refcuing him from the
yoke. Thefe propofals were conveyed to him by
Maraviglia, or Merveille, as he is called by the
French hiftorians, a Milanefe gentleman refiding
at Paris ; and foon after, in order to carry on tl;c \
negociation with greater advantage, Merveille was
fcnt CO Milan, on pretence of vifiting his rela-
dons, but with fecret credentials from Francis as
his envoy. In this charafter he was received by .
Sforza. But notwithftanding his care to keep that
circumftance concealed, Charles fufpefting, or hav-
ing received information of it, remonftrated and
threatened in fu^h an high tone, that the Duke and
his ininifters, equally intimidated,, gave the world
immediately a moft infamous proof of their fervile
fear of offending the Emperor. As Merveille had
neither the prudence nor the temper which the func-
tion wherein he was employed required, they art-
folly
no tHE ^EIGN OP tHE
fully decoyed him into a quarrel, in which he hap'-
pcned to kill his antagonift, one of the Ehikc's do-
i>w? 1533. ncieftics, and having inftandy feizcd him, they or-
dered him to be tried for that crime, and to be be-
headed. Francis, no lefs aftoniflied at this viola-
tion of a character held facrcd among the moft un-
civilized nations, than enraged at the infult offered
to the dignity of his crown, threatened Sforza with
the efFeds of his indignation, and complained to
the Emperor, whom he confidered as the real au-
thor pf that unexampled outrage. But meeting
with no fatisfaftion from either, he appealed to all
the Princes of Europe, and thought himfclf now
entided to take vengeance for an injury, which it
would have been indecent and pufillanimous to let
pafs with impunity.
Francifde. Being thus fomiflied with a pretext for begin-
|Ji^"|^ ^ ning a war, on which he had already refolved, he
multiplied his efforts in order to draw in other
Princes to take part in the quarrel. But all. his
meaflires for this purpofe were difconcerted by un-
forefeen events. After having faCrifked the honour
of the royal family of France by the marriage of
his fon with Catharine of Medici, in order to gain
Clement, the death of that Pontiff had deprived
him of aU the advantages which he expefted to de-
rive from his friendlhip. Paul, his fucceflTor,
though attached by inclination to the Imperial in-
tercft, feemed determined to maintain the neutra-
lity fultable to his charader as the common father
of the contending Princes. The King of England,
S occupied
EMPEROR CHARLES V. . iii
occupied with domeftic cares and projefts, declin-
ed, for once, engaging in the affairs of the conti-
nent, and reflifed tof affift Francis, unlefs he would '^^^'
imitate his example, in throwing off the Papal fu-
premacy. Thefe difappointments led him to foli- Hiinegoc?-
cit, with greater eameftnefs, the aid of the Pro- Jhc ceTmJ'fi
teftant Princes aflbciated by the league of Smal- P^oteftanii.
kalde. That he might the more eafily acquire their
confidence, he endeavoured to accommodate him-
felf to their predominant paffion, zeal for their re-
ligious tenets. He affefted a wonderful modera-
tion widi regard to the points in difpute ; he per-
mitted Bellay, his envoy in Germany, to explain
his fentiments concerning fome of the moft import-
ant articles, in terms not far different from thofe
ufedby the Proteftants'j he even condefcended to
invite M elan£thon, whofe gentle manners and pa-
cific Ipirit diftbguiihed him among the Reformers,
to vifit Paris, that by his affiftance he might con-
cert the moft proper measures for reconciling the
contending fefts which fo unhappily divided the
church **. Thefe conceflions muft be confidered ra-
ther as arts of policy, than the refult of conviftion j
for whatever impreffion the new opinions in religion
had made on his fifters, the Queen of Navarre
and Dutchefs of Ferrara, the gaiety of Francis's
own temper, and his love of pleafure, allowed
• Freheri Script. Rcr. German, iii. 354, Sec, Sleid. Hift.
178. 183. Seckend. lib. iii. 103.
** Camcrarii. Vita Ph, Melan^honi*, li**. Hag. 1655.
p. 12.
him
112 THE REIGN OF THE
* %P ^ ^^^ ^^^^ leifure to examine theological contro-
w— sxl^ verfies.
«535-
irritttei But foon after he loft all the fruits of this dif-
ingenuous artifice, by a ftep very inconfiftent with
his declarations to the German Prince^. This
ftep, however, the prejudices of the age, and the
religious fentiments of his own fubjefts, rendered
it neceflary for him to take. His clofe union with
the King of England, an excommunicated heretic;
his frequent negociations with the German Proteft-
ants; but^above all, his giving public audience to
an envoy from Sultan Solyman, h^d excited violent
fufpicions concerning the fincerity of his attachment
to religion. To have attacked the Emperor, who,
on all occaftons, made high pretentions to zeal in
defence of the Catholic faith, and at the very junc
ture when he was preparing for his expedition againft
Barbarofla, which was then confidered as a pious
cnterprife, could not have failed to confirm fuch
unfavourable fentiments with regard to Francis, and
called on him to vindicate himfelf by fome extra-
ordinary demonftration of his reverence for the efta-
bliftied do6h-ines of the church. The indifcreet zeal
of fome of his fubjcfts, who had imbibed the Pro-
teftant opinions, furnifhed him with fuch an oc-
cafion as he defired. They had affi^^ed to the
. gates of die Louvre, and other public places,
papers containing indecent refledlions on the doc-
trines and rites of the Popifh church. Six of the
perfpns concerned in this raih action were difco-
vcred
EMPEROR CHARLES V. iij
rcred and ieized. The King, in order to avert the
judgments which it was fuppofed their blafphemies
niight draw down upon the nation, appointed a fo- '5JS»
Icnm proceffion. The holy facrament was carried
through the city in great pomp j Francis walked un- •
covered before it, bearing a torch in hk hand^ the
princes of the blood fupported the canopy over it; *•
the nobles marched in order behind. In the pre^
fence of this numerous affembly, the King, accuf-
tomed to exprefs himfclf on every fubjedt in ftrong
and animated language, declared that if one of his
hands were infeded with herefy, he would cut it
off with the other, and would not Ipare even his
own children, if found guUty of that crime. As a
drcadfijl proof of his being in earneft, the fix un-
happy perlbns were publicly burnt before the pro-
ceffion was finished, with circumftances of the moft
{hocking barbarity attending their execution ^
The Princes of the league of Smalkalde, filled They reir„fe
with refentment and indignation at the cruelty with ''^ ^^*"
which their brethren were treated, could not con-
ceive Francis to be fincere, when he offered to pro-
tect in Germany thofe very tenets, which he perfe-
cutcd with fuch rigour in his own ^dominions; fo
that all Bellay's art arid eloquence in vindicating
his mafter, or apologifing for his conduft, made
but litde impreffion upon them. They confidcred
« Belcarii Comment Rer. Gallic. 64.6. Slcid. Hid. 175,
Vol. III. I like-
114 "THE REIGN OF THE
B o^ o K likcwife, that the Emperor, ^ho hitherto had never
\ >^,^ employed violence agaii^ the doctrines of the Re-
^535' formers, nor even given them much moleftation
in their progrefs, was now bound by the agree-
ment at Ratifbon, not to difturb Aich as had cm-
braced die new opinions j and the Proteflants wifely
regarded this as a more certain and immediate fe-
curity, than the precarious and diftant hopes with
which Francis endeavoured to allure them. Be-
fides, the manner in which he had behaved to his
allies at the peace of Cambray, was too recent to
be forgotten, and did not encourage others to rely
much on his friendftiip or generofity. tfpon all
thele accounts, the Proteftant Princes refufed to aflift
the French King in any hoftile attempt againft the
Emperor. The Eieflor of Saxony, the moft zeal-
ous among them, in order to avoid giving any
umbrage to Charles, would not permit Mdanfthon
to vifit the court of France, although that Re-
former, flattered perhaps by the invitation of fo great
a Monarch, or hoping that his prefence there
might be of fignal advantage to the Proteftant
caufe, difcovered a ftrong inclination to undertake
the journey **.
ThcFrerch BuT though nonc of the many Princes wjio
rafl«fto. envied or dreaded the power of Charles, would
vardsitiiy. fecond Francis's cfForts in order to reduce and
<» Camerarii Vita Melan. 142, &c. 415. Scckcnd. lib. iii.
107.
circum-
EMPEROR CHAJLLES V. 115
dfcuaifcribc it, he, ncverthdefe, commanded his ^ ^^ ^^
army to advance towards th^ frontiers of Italy. As u— v^
his fole pretext for taking arms was that he might *^^^'
diaftiie the Duke of Milan for his infolent and cruel
breach of the law of nations, it might have been
expeded that the whole weight of his vengeance was
to have fatlen on his territories. But on a fudden,
and at their very commencement, the operations of
war took another direftion. Charles Duke of Sa-
voy, one of the leaft aftive and able Princes of the
line from which he dcfcended, had married Beatrix
of Portugal, the lifter of the Emprefs* By her
great taients, Ihe foon acquired an ^bfolute afcend-
ant over her hufband : and proud of her affinity to
the Emperor, or allured by the magnificent pro-
miles with which he flattered her ambition, Ihe
formed an union between the Duke and the ImpCr
rial court, extremely iaconfiftent with that neutra-
lity, which wife policy as well as the fituation of his
dominions had hitherto induced him to obfcrve in
all the quarrels between the contending Monarchs.
Francis was abundantly fenfible of the diftrefs to
which he might be expofed, if, when he entered
Itaifj he fliould leave behind him the territories of
a Prince, devoted fo obfequioufly to the Emperor, ^
that he had fent his eldeft fon to be educated in the
court of Spain, as a kind of hoftage for his fidelity.
Clement the Seventh, who had reprefented this
danger in a ftrong light during his interview with
Francis at Marfeilles, fnggefted to him, at the
fame rime, the proper method of guarding againft
I 2 it,
ii6 THE REIGN OF THE
^ %^ ^ it, having advifed him to begin his operations
t-i-yl^ againft the Milanefe, by taking poffeflion of Savoy
'^^5* and Piedmoi^t, as the only certain way of fecuring
Takei pof- a communication ^ith his own dominions. Fran-
fhe'iTokcof cis, highly irritated at the Duke on many accounts,
mbioos^^' particularly for having fupplied the Conftable Bour-
bon with the money that enabled him to levy the
body of troops which ruined the French army in
the fatal battle of Pavia, was not unwilling to let
him now feel both how deeply he refented, and how
feverely he could punilh thefe injuries. Nor did
he want leveral pretexts which gave fome colour of
equity to the violence that he intended. The ter-
ritories of France and Savoy lying contiguous to
each other, and intermingled in many places, va-
rious difputes, unavoidable in fuch a fituation, llib-
fifted between the two fovereigns concerning the
limits of their refpeftive property; and befides,
Francis, in right of his mother Louife of Savoy,
had large. claims upon the Duke her brother, for j
her Ihare in their father's fucccffion. Being un-
willing, however, to begin hoftilities without fome
caufe of quarrel more fpecious than thefe prctcn-
fions, many of which were obfolete, and others
dubious, he demanded permiffion to march through
Piedmont in his way to the Milanefe, hoping that
the Duke, from an excefs of attachment to the
Imperial intereft, might refufe this requeft, and
thus give a greater appearance of juftice to all his
operations againft him. But, if we may believe
. the hiftorians of Savoy, who appear to be better
informed with regard to this particular than thofe
of
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 117
of Francci the Duke readily, and with a good ^ ^^^ ^
grate, granted what it was not in his power to \u.^y— .j
deny, promifing free paffage to the French troops as *^^^'
was deiired ; (o that Francis, as the only method
now left of juftifying the meafures which he deter-
mined to take, lyas obliged to infift for full fatif-
faflion with regard to every thing that either the
crown of France or his mother Louife could de-
mand of the houfe of Savoy *• Such an evafive
anfwcr, as might have been expefted, being made
to this requifition, the French army under the ad-
miral Brion poured at once into the Duke's terri-
tories at different places. The countries of Brefle
and Bugey, united at that time to Savoy, were
over-run in a moment. Moft of the towns in the
dutchy of Savoy opened their gates at the approach
of die enemy; a few which attempted to make re-
fiftancc were eafily forced ; and before the end of
the campaign, the Duke faw himfelf ftripped of
all his dominions, but the province of Piedmont,
in which there were not many places in a condition
to be defended.
To complete the Duke's misfortunes, the city xhecUyof
of Geneva, the fovereignty of which he claimed, ^,*"ri * "'
and in fome degree poffefled, threw off his yoke, *''**"^y'
and its revolt drew along with it the lofs of the ad-
jacent territories. Geneva ,was, at that time, an
* Hlftoire Genealogiqae de Savoye, par Gaichendn, 2 toiDt
folp Lyon. 1660. i. 639, Sec.
I 3 Imperial
118 THE REIGN OF TH^
Imperial city; and though under die direft donni-
nion of its own bifliops, and the remote fovercignty
'^3^* of the Dukes of Savoy, the form of its internal
conjftitution was purely repub^can, being governed
by fyndics and a council chofen by the citizens.
From thefe diftindt and often clafhrng jurifdiftions,
two oppofite parties took their rife, and had long
fubfifted in the ftate ; the one cprnpofed of ^e ad-
vocates for the privileges of the coijnmunity, af-
fumed the name of Eignoiz, or confederates in de-
fence of liberty i and branded the other, which
fupported the epifcopal or ducal prei-ogatives, with
the name of.Mammelukes or flaves. At length, the
»S3*- Proteftant opinions beginning to Iprcad among the
citizensi infpired fuch as embraced them with that
bold enterprifing fpirit which always accompanied
or was naturally produced by them in their firft
operations. As both the Duke and Bifliopwere
from intereft, from prejudice, and from political
confiderations, violent enemies of the Reformation,
all the new converts joined with warmth the p^uty
of the Eignotz ; and zeal for religion, mingling with
the love of liberty, added ftrength to that generous
paffion. The rage and animofity of two fadions,
Ihut up within the fame walls, occafioned frequent
infurredlions, which terminating moftly to the ad-
vantage of the friends of liberty, they daily became
more powerful.
The Duke and Bifhop, forgetting their ancient
contefts about jurifdidtion, had united againft their
common
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 119
common enehiies, and each attacked thenn with his ^ ^^ ^
proper weapons. ' The Biftiop excommunicated ^ — — #
the people of Geneva as gyilty of a double crime; '^'^'
of impiety, in apoftatifing from the eftablilhed re-
ligion ; and of facrilege, in invading the rights of
his fee. The Duke attacked them as rebels againft
their lawful Prince, and attempted to render him-
fclf Hiaftcr of the city, firft by furprife, and then
by open force. The citizens, defpifing the thun- 1534.
der of the Bilhop's cenfures, boldly aflerted their
independence againft the Duke -, and pardy by their
own valour, partly by the powerful affiftance which
they received from the canton of Berne, • together
with fonae Ihiall fupplies both of men and money,
fccretly fiirnifhed by the King of France, they de-
feated all his attempts. Not fatisfied with having
repulfed him, or with remaining always upon the
defenfive themfelves, they no\y took advantage of
the. Duke's inability to refift them, while over-
whelmed by the armie? of France, and feiz«d fe-
veral cafUes and places of ftrength which he pof-
feffed in the neighbourhood of Geneva ; thus dcr
liveriiig the city from thofe odious monuments of
its former fubjeftion, and rendering the public li-
berty more fecure for the future. At the fame
time the canton of Berne invaded and conquered
the Pays de Vaud, to which it had fome preten-.
fions. The canton of Friburgh, though zealoufly
attached ux the Catholic religion, and having no
fubjcft of conteft with the Duke, laid hold on part
of the fpoils of that unfortqnate Priqce, A great
I 4 portion
VI.
'535-
no THE REIGN. OF THE
^ ^n? ^ portion of thefe conquefts or ufurpations being ftiD
retained by the two cantons, add confiderably to
their power> and have become the moft valuable
part of their territories, Geneva, notwithftanding
many fchemes and enterprizes of the Dukes of
Savoy to re-eftablifh their dominion over it, ftill
keeps poffeflion of its independence 5 and in con-
fequence of that blefling, has attained a degree of
confideration, wealth, and elegance, which it could
not otherwife have reached ^
The Empc- Amidst fuch z fucceffion of difaftrous events,
to^fliitthe the Duke of Savoy had no other refouree but the
^^j^^ Emperor's proteftion, which, upon his return
from Ttinis, he demanded with the mofl: earneft
importunity i and as his misfortunes were occa-
fioned chiefly by his attachment to the Imperial
intereft, he had a juft title to immediate aflift-
ance. Charles, however, was not in a condition
to fupport him with that vigour and difpatch
which the exigency of his affairs called for. Moft
of the troops employed in the African expedition,
having been raifed for that fervice alone, were
difbanded as'foon as it was finifhedj the veteran
^ forces under Antonio de Leyva were hardly fuf-
ficient for die defence of the Milanefe^ and the
' Hift, dc la Villc de Geneve, par Spon, 12®, Utr. 1685,
p. 99. Hift. de la Reformation de Saifie, par Rouchat. Gen.
1728, tom. iv. p. 294„ &c; torn. v. p. 216, &c. Mem. de
BciUy, 181.
Jumper
or s
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 121
Emperor's treafury was, entirely drained by his ex- b o^ o k
traordinary efforts againft the Infidels. ^ -/ ,^
1535-
But the death of Francis Sforza, occafioned, oa. 14.
according to fome hiftorians, by the terror of a sfoiwDukt
French invafion, which had twice been fatal to *'^^*'**'*^
his &mily3 afforded the Emperor full leifure to
prepare for action. By this unexpefted event, the
nature of the war, and the c^ufes of difcord, were
totally changed. Francis's firft pretext for taking
arms, in order to chaftife Sforza for the infult of-
fered to the dignity of his crown, was at once cut
off; but as that Prince died without iffue, all
Francis's rights to the dutchy of Milan, which
he had yielded only to Sforza and his pofterity^
returned back to him in full' force. As the re-
covery of the Milanefe was the favourite objeft of
that Monarch, he inftahtly renewed his claim to
it; and if he had fupported his pretenfions by
ordering the powerful army quartered in Savoy to
advance without lofing a moment towards Milan,
he could hardly have failed to fecure the important
point of poffeffion. But Francis, who became
lefs enterprifing as he advanced in years, and
who was overawed at fome times into an ex-
cefs of caution by the remembrance of his pafl:
misfortunes, endeavoured to eftablifh his rights
by ncgociation, not by arms ; and from a timid ttmcUU
moderation, fatal in all great affairs, neglefted tothu^
to improve the favourable opportunity which pre- ****''**y-
fented itfelf. Charles was more decifive in hi^
operations^ and in quality of fovereign, took
poffeffion
m THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K pofifeflion of the dufchy, as a vacant fief of the
u — ,^1— ^ Empire. While Francis endeavoured to explain
'^3^\ and aflcrt his title to it, by argunients and me-
morials, or employed various arts in order to re-
concile the Italian powers to the thoughts of his
regaining footing in Italy, his rival was filently
taking effeftual fteps to prevent it. The Empe-
ror, however, was very careful not to difcover
too early any intention of this kind ; but feeming
to admit the equity of Francis's claim, he appeared
folicitous only about giviftg him pofleffion in foch
a manner as might not difturb the peace of Eu-
rope, or overturn the balance of power in Italy,
which the politicians of that country were fo de-
firous of preferving. By .this artifice he deceived
Francis, and gained fo much confidence i*ith the
reft of Europe, that, almoft without incurrirtg any
fulpicion, he involved the affair in new diificultiesj
and protrafted the negociations at pleafure. Some-
times he propofed to gr^t the inveftiture of Milan
to the Duke of Orleans, Francis's fecond fen,
fometimes to the Duke of Angouleme, his thitd
fon ; as the views and inclinations of the French
court varied, he transferred his cholte alternately
fi-om the one to the other, with fuch profound
and well-condudted diffimulation, that neither
Francis nor his minifters feem to have penetrated
his real intention j and all military operaticfns
were entirely fiilpended, as if nothing had remained
but to enter quietly into poffeffiori of what they
demanded.
During
EMPEROR CHARLES V. v laj
DxTRiNo the interval of leiftire gained in this ^ ^^ ^
manner, Charles, on his return from Tunis, affcm- \ — —•
bled die dates both of Sicily and' Naples, and as chJrUs>
they thought themfelves gready honoured by the [J^^j;/,*"*"'
prefence of their Ibvereign, and were no lefs pkafed
with the apparent difintcreftcdncfs of his expedi-
tion into Africa, than dazzled. by the fuccefs which
had attended his arms, prevailed on them to vote
him luch liberal fubfidies as were feldom granted
in that age. This enabled hrm to recruit his ve-
teran troops, to levy a body of Germans, and to
taike every other proper precaution for execudng
or fupporting the meafurep on which he had de-
tiSFTiiined. Bellay, the Frejnch envoy in Gi^rmany,
h'&ving difcovcred the intention of raifing troops
in that country, notwithfljanding all the pretexts
employed in order to coniteal it, firft alafmed his
mB&cr with this evident jproof of the Emperor's
infincerity*. But Francisj was fo pofiefied at that
ditie with the rage of ncgjociation, in all the arti-
fices and refinements of which his rival far forpafled
him, that injftead of beginning his military opera-
tions, and pwfhing them with vigour, or feizing
the Milanefe before the Imperial army was aflcm-
Mcd, he fatisficd himfelf with making new offers
to the Emperor, in order to procure the inveftiture
by his voluntary deed. His offers were, indeed,
fo liberal and advantageous, that if ever Charles had
intended to grant his demand, he could not have
r^efted them with decency. He dcxteroufly
t M«m. dc BcIIay. 192.
eluded
124 THE REIGN OF THE
m
eluded them by declaring that until he confulted
the Pope in perfon, he could not take his filial
refolution with regard to a point which fb nearly
concerned the peace of Italy. By this evafion he
gained fome farther time for ripening the fchcmes
which he had in view*.- -
^be Empc Xhe Empcror at laft advanced towards Rome,
tiomc. and made his publjic eptry into that city with ex-
'^^" * traordinary pomp i but it being found neceflary
to remove the ruins of an ancient temple of Peace,
in order to widen one of the ftreets, through
which the cavalcade ha<^ to pafs, all the hiftorians
take notice of this trivial circumftance, and they
are fond to interpret it as an omen of the bloody
war that followed. Charles, it is certain, had by
this time baniflied all thoughts of peace; and
at laft threw off the liiafk, with which he had
fo long covered his defigns fi"om the court of
France, by a declaration of his fentiment^ no lels
Angular than explicit. The French ambafiadors
having in their matter's name demanded a defi-
nitive reply to his proportions concerning the in- -
veftiture of Milan, Charles promifed to give it
next day in prefence of the Pope and Cardinals
f?ipuWic affembled in full confiftory. Thefe being ac-
jlfnfk** cordingly met, and all the foreign ambafiadors
invited to attend, the Emperor ftood up, and ad-
drefiing himfelf to the Pc^e, expatiated for fome
time on die fincerity of his own wiflies for the
peace of Chriftendom, as well as his abhorrence
of war, the miferies of which he enumerated at
great
••raocii.
EMPE.ROR CHARLES V. 125
«
great length, with ftudied and elaborate oratory; ® ^^ ^
he complained that all his endeavours to preferve W i^ ^ -i^j
the tranquillity of Europe had hitherto been de- '*^^
feated by the reftlefs and unjuft ambition of the
French King; that even during his minority he
had proofs of the unfriendly and hoftile intentions
of that Monarch j that afterwards, he had openly
attempted to wreft from him the Imperial crown
which belonged to him by a title no lefs juft than
natural; that he had next invaded his kingdom
of Navarre ; that not fatisficd with this, he had
attacked his territories as well as thofe of his allies
both in Italy and the Low- Countries ; that when
the valour of the Imperial troops, rendered* irre-
fiftible by the proteftion of the Almighty, had
checked his progrefs, ruined his armies, and
feized his perfon, he continued to purfue by de-
ceit what he had undertaken with injuftice ; that
he had violated every article in the treaty of Ma-
drid to which he owed his libertv, and as foon as
he returned to his dominions took meafures for
rekindling the war which that pacification had
happily extinguifhed ; that when new misfortunes
compelled him to fue again for peace at Cambray,
he concluded and obferved it with equal infincerity ;
that foon after he had formed dangerous connexions
with the heretical Princes in Germany, and incited
them to. difturb the tranquillity of the Empire ;
that now /he had driven the Duke of Savoy, a
Prince married to a fifter of the Emprefs, and
joined in clofe alliance with Spain, out of the greater
.part of his territories ; that after injuries fo often
repeated.
tet
146 THE REIGN OF THE
repeated, mi amidft Ifi many &moc& pf difconi, all
hppc of amity or concord t^ecame deiperate -, and
«<53<* though he himfelf was ftill i«^illing to grant (he in-*
veftiture of Milan to one of the Piincies of Fraace,
there was little probability of that event's taking
place, as Francis, on the one hand, would not coo-
fent to what was neceffaiy for fecuriDg the tran*
quillity of Europe, nor on the other, could he think
it reafonable or fafe to give a rival the uncon-
ditional pofleflion pf all that he demanded. " Ld
us not, however, added he, continue wantonly to
rb.iiengcs fhed the blood of our innocent fubjefts ; let ua
fmgiecom. decide the quarrel man to man, with what arms
he pkafes to chufe, in our Ihirts, on an ifland, a
fridge, or aboard a galley moored in a river ; let
the dutchy of Burgundy be put in depofit on his
part, and that of Milan on mioe ; thefe Ihall be
jthe prize of the conqueror; and afi^r that, let
the united forces of Germany, Spain, and France,
be employed to humble the power of the Turk,
and to extirpate herefy out of Chriftendom* But
if he, by declining this method of terminating
our differences, renders war inevitable, nothing
fhall divert me from profecuting it to fuch extre-
mity, as jGhall reduce one of us to be the poorcft
gentleman in his own dominions. Nor do I fear
that it will be on me this misfortune fhall fall j I
enter upon aftion with the faireft profpedt of fuc-
cefs ; the juftice of my caufe, the union of my
fubjeds, the number and valour of my troopsj
the experience and fidelity of my generals, all
combine to enfure it. Of all thefe advantages,
2 . the
EMPEROR CHARLES V- 117
the King of France is deftitute 5 and were my re- ^ ^^^ *
fources no more certain, and my hopes of vidory c— ./^-^
no better founded than his, I would inftantly throw '^^ *
myfelf at his feet, and with folded hands, and a
rope about my neck, implore his mercy **."
This long harangue the Erpperor delivered
with an elevated voice, a haughty tone, and the
greateft vehemence of expreffion and gefture. The
French ambafladors, who did not fully compre-
hend his meaning, as he Ipake in the Spanifh
tongue, were totally difconcerted, and at a lofs how
they fliould anfwer fuch an unexpefted inveftive ;
when one of them began to vindicate his matter's
conduft, Charles interpofed abruptly, and would
nof permit him to proceed. The Pope, without
entering into any particular detail, fatisfied himfelf
with afliort but pathetic recommendation of peace,
together with an offer of employing his finqere
endeavours in order to procure that blefling to
Chriilendom; and the aficmbly broke up in the
greatdt aftonifhment at the extraordinary fcene
which had been exhibited. In no part of his
conduft, indeed, did Charles ever deviate {0 Thcmnti»«
widely from his general charafter. Inflead of meifJr«,"
that prudent recoUedion,, that compofed and re-
gular deportment fo ftriftly attentive to decorum,
and fo admirably adapted to conceal his own paf-
ik>DS, for which he was at all other times conlpicu-
ous, he appears on this occafion before one of the
^ Bellay, 199. Sandov. Hlftor. del Emper. ii. 2z6.
moft
128 THE REIGN OF THE
^ P ^ ^ moft auguft aflemblics in Europe, boafting of his
^— -v^^^i^ own jpower and exploits with infolence ; inveighing
'^^ * againft his enemy with indecency ; and challenging
him to combat with an oftentatious valour, more
becoming a champion in romance, than the firft
Monarch in Chriftendqm. But the well-known
and powerful operation of continued profperity,
as well as of exaggerated praife, even upon the
firmeft minds, fufficiently account for this feeming
inconfiftency. After having compelled Solyman
to retreat, and having ftripped Barbarofla of a
kingdom, Charles began to confider his arms as
invincible. He had been entertained, ever fince
his return from Africa, with repeated fcenes of
triumphs and public rejoicings; the orators and
poets of Italy, the moft elegant at that time in
Europe, had exhaufted their genius in panegyric
on his conduft and merit, to v/hich the aftrologers
added magnificent promifes of a more Iplendid for-
tune ftill in ftore. Intoxicated with all thefe, he
forgot his ufual referve and moderation, and was
unable to reftrain this extravagant fally of vanity,
wliich became the more remarkable, by being
bodi fo uncommon and fo public.
He himfelf feems to have been immediately
fenfible of the impropriety of his behaviour, and
when the French ambaffadors demanded next day
a more clear explanation of what he had faid con-
c::;:ng the combat, he told them that they were
not to confider his propofal as a formal challenge
^ t ) tJieir mafter, but as an expedient for preventing
bloodihed i
EMPEROR CHARLES V* 12^
bloodfhed ; he endeavoured to" foften other expref-
fions in his difcourfe ; and fpoke in terms full of
refpeft towards Francis. But though this flight
apology was far from being fufficient to remove the
ofiencc which had been given, Francis, by an un-
accountable infatuation, continued to negociate, as
if it had flill been pofTible to bring their differences
to a period by an amicable compofition. Charles,
finding him fo eager to run into the fnare, favoured
the deception, and, by feeming to Men to his pro*
pofalsj gained farther time to prepare for the execu-
tion of his own defigns K
At laft, the Imperial army aflembled on the chiriw
frontiers of the Milanefe, to the amount of forty fTancV
thouland foot and ten thoufand horfr, while that
of France encamped near Vercelli in Piedmont,
^^g greatly inferior in number, and weakened
by the departure of a body of Swifs, whom Charles
artfully perfuaded the popifh cantons to recal, that
they might not lerve againft the Duke of Savoy,
their ancient ally. The French general, not dar-
ing to rifque a battle, retired as foon as the Impe-
rialifls advanced. The Emperor put himfelf at the Miy«i
head of his forces, which the Marquis del Guafto,
the Duke of Alva, and Ferdinand de Gonzaga
commanded under him, though the fupreme di*
rcftion of the whole was committed to Antonio dc
Lcyva, whofe abilities and experience juftly enti-
tled him to that diftindion. Charles foon difco-
* Mem. ic Bellay, 205, &c.
Vol, III. K rcrc4
13(5 THE REIGN OFTHfi
i o OK vered his intention not to confine his operations to
^.— xAi^ the recovery of Piedmont and Savoy, but to pulh
'^^^' forward and invade the fbuthern provinces of France.
This fcheme he had long meditated, and had long
been taking meafures for executing it with *luch
vigour as might enfure fuccefs. He had remitted
large fums to his filler, the governefs of the Low-
Countries, and to his brother, the King of the
Romans, inftrufting them to levy all the forces in
their power, in order to form two fcparate bodies,
the one to enter France on the fide of Picardy,
. the other on the fide of Champagne ; while he, with
the main army, fell upon the oppofite frontier of
the kingdom. Trufting to thefe vaft preparations,
he thought it impoflible that Francis could refift
fo many uhexpcfted attacks, on luch different
quarters ; and began his cnterprize with fuch con-
fidence of its happy iflue, that he defired Jovius
the hiftorian, to make a large provifion of paper
fufficient to record the vidtories which he was go-
ing to obtain.
His minifters and generals, inftead of entertain-
ing the fame fanguine hopes, reprefented to him
in the- fl:rongeft terms the danger of leading his
troops fo far from his own territories, to fuch a
diftance from his magazines, and into provinces
which did not yield fufficient fubfifl:ence for their
own inhabitants. They entreated him to confider
the inexhauftible refources of France in maintain-
ing a defcnfivc war, and tlie active zeal with which
a gallant
EMPEROR CHARLES V* iji
& gallant nobility would ferve a Prince whom '^ ^j^ '^
they loved, in repelling the enemies of thtir coiln- ^ — ^^'-p-^
try; they recalled to his remembrance the fatal
mifcarriage of Bourbon and Pefcara, • when they
ventured upon the fame enterprize under circum-
ftances which feemed as certain to promife fuccefs ;
the Marquis del Guafto, in particular, fell on his
knees, and conjured him to abandon the undertak-
ing as delperate. But many circumftances com-
bined in leading Charles to difregard all their re-
monftrances. He could feldom be brought, on
any occafion, to depart from a refolution which he
had once taken ; he was too apt to under-rate and
delpife the talents of his rival the King of France,
jbecaufe they differed fo widely from his own; he
was blinded by the prefumption which accompanies
profperity; and relied, perhaps, in fome degree,
on the prophecies which predidted the increafe of
his own grandeur. He not only adhered bbfti-
nately to his own plan, but determined to advance
towards France without waiting for the reduftion
of any part of Piedmont, except fuch towns as were
abfblutely necef&ry for preferving his communi-
cation with the Milanefe.
Thi Marquis de Saluccs, to whom Francis had ^^ofen
tntrullcd the command of a fmall body of troops Ouke of .
left fot the. defence of Piedmont, rendered this ''**'^' *"
more cafy than Charles had any reafon to expeft.
That nobleman, educated in the court of France,
fiflinguifhcd by continual marks of the King's fa-
K 2 vour>
tja THE REIGN OF tHE
BOOK vour, and honoured fo lately wth a charge of fuch
i.,-.vi^ importance, fuddenly, and without any provo-
*536- ckion or pretext of difguft, revolted from his be-
nefaftor. His motives to this treacherous aftion
ivere as childifh as the deed itfelf was bafe. Being
ftrongly poffeffed with a fuperftitious faith in divi-
nation and aftrology, he believed with full aflur-
ance, that the fatal period of the French nation
was at hand ; that on its ruins the Emperor would
cftablifh an uniyerfal monarchy; that therefore he
ought to follow the diftates of prudence^ in attach-
ing himfelf to his rifing fortune, and could incur
ho blame fcft* deferting a Prince whom Heaven had
devoted to deftruftion ^. . His treafon became ftill
more odious, by his employing that very authority
with which Francis had invcfted him, in order to
open the kingdom to his enemies. Whatever
meafures were propofed or undertaken by the of-
ficers under his command for the defence of their
conquefts, he rejefted or defeated. Whatever pro-
perly belonged to himfelf^ as commander in chiefi
to provide or perform for that purpofe, he totally
neglefted. In this manner, he rendered, towns
even of the greateft confequencc untenable, by
leaving them deftitute either of provifions, or am-
' munition, or artillery, or aflifiicient garriibn^ and
the Imperialifts muft have reduced Piedmont in as
Ihort a time as was neccffary to march through it,
if Montpezat, the governor of Foffano, had not, by
^ BelUy, lit, tu S46, b.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ijj
an extraordinary effort of courage and military con- B a o ic
duft, detained them almoft a month before that ^--^^^
inconfiderable place, '^^ *
By this meritorious and fealbhable fervice, he Frtacii»i
gained his mailer Ibificient time for affembling his d/fencTof ^
forces, and for concerting a fyftem of defence " *"•*
agsunft a danger which he now faw to be inevi-
table. . Francis fixed upon the only proper and ef-
fe&ual plan for defeating the invafion of a power-
ful enemy s and his prudence in chufing this plan,
as well as his perfeverance in executing it, deiervc
the greater praife, as it was equally contrary to his
own 'natural temper, and to the genius of the
French nation. He determined to remain altoge-
ther upon the defenfive ; never to hazard a battle^
or even a great Ikirmifh, without certainty of fuc-
cefss to fortify his camps in a regular manner i to
throw garrifons only into towns of great ftrength;
to deprive the enemy of fubfiftence, by laying waftc
the country before them ; and to fave the whole
kingdom, by facrificing one of its provinces. The j^^ruH
execution of this plan he committed entirely to the rency with
marechal Montmorency, who was the author of it; d«a9f iu*
a man wonderfully fitted by nature for fuch a trufl.
Haughty, firverc, confident in his own abilities, and
defpifmg thofe of other men j incapable of being
diverted fit)m any refolution by remonftrances or
entreaties; and, in profecuting any fcheme, regard-
kis alike of love or of pity.
K 3 Mont-
134 THE REIGN OF THE
p o o K Montmorency made choice of a ftrong camp
t- — ^-— ' under -the walls of Avignon, at the confluence of
He'hLmps the Rhone and the Durance, one of which plenti-
**' ^"^"°°' fully fupplied hi? troops with all neceffaries from
the inland provinces, and the other covered his
canap on that fide where it was moft probable thq
enemy would approach. He laboured with un-
wearied induftry to render the fortifications of this
camp impregnable, and afiembled there a confider-
iible army, though greatly inferior to that of the
^nemy J while th? King with another body of troops
encamped at Valence higher up the Rhone. Mar-
feilles and Aries were the only towns he thought it
neceflary to defend; the. former, in order to retain
the command of the fea; the latter, as the harrier
of the province of Langiiedoc^ and each -of thefe
he furnifhed with numerous garrifons of his beft
troops, commanded by officers on whole fidelity
and valour he could rely. The inhabitants of the
other towns, as well as of the open country, were
compelled to abandon their houfes, and were con-
duced to the mountains, to the camp. at Avignon,
or to the inland provinces. The fortifications of
fuch places as might have afforded fhelter prile-
fence to the enemy, were thrown down. Corn,
forage, and provifions of every kind, were carried
away or deftroyed ; all the mills ^id ovens were
ruined, and the wells filled up or rendered ufelcfs,
The deyaftation extended from the Alps to Mar-
feillf s^ and from die Jfca to the confines of Dau-
phinc i
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 13^
phkie ; nor docs hiftory afFord any inftance among ^ ^ <> ^
civilized nations, in which this cruel expedient for \ ■ '^^mj
the public fafety was employed with the fame *^^^'
rigour.
Meanwhile, the Emperor arrived with the van^charieitaw
of his army on the frontiers of Provence, and was ^*" '^
ftill fo poffefled with confidence of fuccefs, that
during a few days, when he was obliged to halt
until the reft of his troops came up, he began to
divide his future conquefts among his officers; and
as a new incitement to ferve Tiim with zeaJ, gave
them liberal promifes of offices, lands, and ho-
nours in France \ The face of defolation, how-
ever, which prefented itfelf to him, when he en*
tered the country, began to damp his hopes j and
convinced him that a Monarch, who, in order to
difh^fs an enemy, had voluntarily ruined one of
his richeft provinces, would defend the reft witl^
defpcrate obflinacy. Nor was it long before he
became fenfible that Francis's plan of defence wa3
as prudent as it appeared to be extraordinary*
His fleet, on which Charles chiefly depended for
fublifteace, was prevented for fbme time by con-,
trary winds> and other accidents to which naval
operations are fubjeft, from approaching the
French coaft; even after its arrival, it afforded
at beft a precarious and fcanty fupply to fuch a
numerous body of troops"; nothing was to be
found in the country itfelf for their fupport 5 nor
' Bellay, 266, a. ^ Sandov. ii. 231,
K 4 could
Ii36.
Jkf«rfciUei,
136 THE REIGN OF THE
could they draw any confiderable aid from the do-
minions of the Duke of Savoy, exhaufted already
by maintaining two great armies. The Emperor
was no lefs embarrafled how to employ, than how
to fubfift his forces ; for though he was now in pof-
fcflion of almoft an entire province, he could not
be faid to have the command of it, while he held
only defencekfs towns ; and while the French, be-
fides their camp at Avignon, continued mafters of
Marfeilles and Aries. At firft he thought of at-
tacking the camp, and of terminating the war by
one decifive blow 5 but flcilful ofEcers, who were
appointed to view it^ declared tJie attempt to be
Bffffftei utterly imprafticable. fie then gave orders to in-
vefl: Marfeilles and Aries, hoping that the French
would quit their advantageous poft in order to re-
lieve them i but Montmorency adhering firmly to
his plan, remained immoveable at Avignon, and
the Imperialifts met with fuch a warm reception
from the garrifons of both towns, that they relin-
quilhed their enterprizes witli lofs and dilgrace.
As a lafl: effort, the Emperor advanced once more
towards Avignon, though with an army harafled by
the perpetual incurfions of fmall parties of the
French light troops, weakened by difeafes, and
difpirited by difafters, which feemed the more in-
tolerable, becaufe they were unexpefted,
Mofitmn. During thefe operations, Montmorency found
titydein himfclf cxpoled to greater danger from his own
bispVao^of troops than from die enemy i and their inconfi^
^"*^ 4eraw
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 137
derate valour went near to liave precipitated the '^ ^ ^ *
kingdom into thofe c^amities, which he with / -#
fuch induftry and caution had endeavoured to' '^^^
avoid. Unaccuftomed to behold an enemy ra-
vaging their country almoft without controul;
impatient of fuch long inaftion; unacquainted
with the flow and remote, but certain effefts of
Montmorency's fyftem of defence; the French
wilhed for a battle with no lefs ardour than the
Impcrialifts. They confidered the condudt of
their general as a difgrace to their courttry. His
caution they imputed to timidity; his circum-
fpeftion to want of ipirit ; and the conftancy with
which he purfued his plan, to obftinacy or pride.
Thefc refledtions, whifpered at firft among the
foldiers and fubalterns, were adopted, by degrees,
by officers of higher rank ; and as many of them
envied Montmorency's favour with the King, and
more were diffatisfied with his harih difgufting
manner, the difcontent foon became great in his
camp, which was filled with general murmurings,
and almoft open complaints againft his meafures*
Montmorency, on whom the fentiments of his
own troops made as little impreflion as the infults
of the enemy, adhered fteadily to his fyftem;
though, in order to reconcile the army to his
maxims, no lefs contrary to the genius of the na-
tion, than IQ the ideas of war among undifciplined
troops, he afllimed an unufual affability in his
deportment, and often explained, with great con-
ddcenfion, the motives of his conduit, the advan-
cages which h^d already refulted firom itj and the
certain •
138 THE REIGN OF THE
5 ^^ ^ certain fuccefs with which it would be attended.
^-^s.^^ At laft Francis joined his army at Avignon,
'^^^' which having received feveral reinforcennents, he
* now confidered as of ftrength fufEcient to face the
enemy. As he had put no fmall conftraint upon
himfelf, in confenting that his troops Ihould re-
main fo long upon the defenfive, it can hardly be
doubted but that his fondnefs for what was daring
and fplendid, added to the impatience both of
-officers and foldiers, would at laft have over-ruled
Montmorency's falutary caution "•
Mdw'Jlith- Happily the retreat of the enemy delivered the
^condiiion kingdom from the danger which any rafh.refb-
miarroy. lution might havc occafioned. The Emperor,
after (pending two inglorious months in Provence,
without having performed any thing fuitable to
Jiis vaft preparations, or that could juftify the
.confidence with which he had boafted of his own
power, found that, befides Antonio de Leyva,
and other officers of diftinftion, he had loft one
^aif of his troops by difeafes, or by famine j and
that the reft were in no condition to ftru^le any
Jonger with calamities, by which fo many of their
companions had perifhed. Neceffity, therefore,
extorted from him orders to retire; and though
he was fbme time in motion before the French
fufpecled his intention, a body of light troops,
affifted by crov/ds of peafants, eager to be re-
venged on thofe who had brought fuch defblatioa
* Mem. de Bcllay^ 269, ^c. 512, &c*
oa
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 139
on their country, hung upon the rear of the Im- ■ ^^^ ^
perialifts, and by feizing every favourable oppor- »•.— >'--^
tunity of attacking them, threw theni often into *^^
confufipn. The road by which they fled, for they
purfued their march with fuch difordcr and pre-
cipitation, that it fcarcely deferves the name of ^
retreat, was ftrewed with arms or baggage, which
in their hurry and trepidation they had abandoned,
and covered with the fick, the wounded, and the
dead; infomuch that Martin Bellay, an eye-
witnefs of their calamities, endeavours to give his
readers fbme idea of it, by comparing their mi-
fcries to thofe which the Jews fufFered from the
yiftorious and deftruftive arms of the Romans •.
If Montmorency, at this critical moment, had ad-
vanced with all his forces, nothing could have
faved the whole Imperial ^rmy from jutter ruin.
But that general, by Handing fo long and fo ob-
ftinately on the defenfive, had become cautious
to excefs ; his mind, tenacious of any beiit it had
once taken, could not afliime a contrary one as
fuddcnly as the change of circumftances required ;
and he ftill continued to repeat his favourite
maxims, that it was more prudent to allow the
lion to efcape, than to drive him to defpair, and
that a bridge of gold fliould be made for a retreat-
ing enemy.
The Emperor having condiifted the (battered
remains of his troops to the frontiers of Milan,
f Mcip, dc Bellay, 316. Sandov. Hift. del Ecnper. ii. 232.
an4 -
t40 THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K and appointed the marquis del Guafto to luccced
4 i. i-w-1 — ; Leyva in the government of the dutchy, fet out for
'^^^ Genoa. As he could not bear to expofe himfelf
to the fcorn of the Italians, after fuch a fad reverie
of fortune ; and did not chufe, under his prefent
circumftances, to levifit thofe cities through which
he hadfo lately pafled in triumph for one conqueft,
Wmmbcr. and in certjin expedarion of another i he embarked
direfUy for Spain p.
Ci^HoM j^oi^ ^as the progrels of his arms on the oppo-
fite frontier of France fuch as to alleviate, in any
degree, the lofles which he had fuftained in Prp-
vcnce. Bellay, by his addrefs and intrigues, had
prevailed on fo many of the German Princes to
withdraw the contingent of troops which they had
fiirnilhed to the King of the Romans, that he
was obliged to lay aiide all thoughts of his in-
tended irruption into Champagne. Though a
poweiful army levied in the Low-Countries en-^
tered Picardy, which they found but feebly guard-
cd> while the ftrength of the kingdom was drawn
towards the fouth; yet the nobility taking arms
with their ufual alacrity, fupplied by their Ipirit
the defefts of the King's preparations, and de-
fended Peronne, and other towns which were at-
tacked, with fuch vigour, as oblige^ the enemy
to retire, without making any conqueft of ira^
portance**.
P Jovii Hiftor. lib. xxxv. p. 17^^, &c«
9 Mem. dc Bdlay, 318, &c,
Th0»
EMPEROR CHARLES V. t^f
Thus Fr^cis, by the prudence of his own * %p ^ .
meaiures, and by die union and valour of his fnK- » - ' _f
jcfts, rendered abortive thofe vaft efforts in which **^^
his rival had almoft exhaufted his whole force.
As this humbled the Emperor's arrogance no lefi
than it checked his power, he was mortified more
fenfibly on this occafion than on any other, during
the courfe of the long contefts between him and
the French Monarch.
One circumftance alone embittered the joy P***^|2l!^
widi which the fuccefs of the campaign infpired "**
Francis. That was the death of the ' Dauphin,
his eldcft fon, a Prince of great hopes, and ex-
tremely beloved by the people on account of his
refemblance to his father. This happening fud- ^mrtu^
denly, was imputed to poifon, not only by thc^**^
vulgar, fond of afcribing the death of illuftrious
perfonages to extraordinary caufes, but by the
King and his minifters. The count de Monte-
cuculi, an Italian nobleman, cup-bearer to the
Dauphin being feized on fufpicion and put to
the torture, openly charged the Imperial gene-»
rals, Gonzaga and Lcyva, with having inftigated
him to the commiffion of that crime: he even
threw out fome indireft and obfcure accufations
againft the Emperor himfelf At a time when
all France was exafperated to the utmoft againft
Charles, this uncertain and extorted charge wa$
confidered as an inconteftible proof of gujlti
while the confidence with which both he and hij
Q&csn aflerted their own innocence^ together
with
*4a THE REIGK OF Ttt.e
BOOK -^th the indignation, as well as horror, which' thejf
^iw-^.- .^ exprefled on their being fuppofed capable of fuch
'^^^* a deteftable aftion, were little attended fo, and
lefs regarded'. It is evident, however, that the
Emperor could have no inducement to perpetrate
llich a crime, as Francis was ftill in the vigour
of life himfelf, and had two fons, befide the Dau-
phin, grown up almoft to the age of manhood.
That fingle confideration, without nientioning the
Emperor's general charafter, unblemilhed by the
imputation of any deed refembling this in atrocity,
is more than fufficient to counterbalance the weight
of a dubious teftimony uttered during the anguifli
of torture *. According to the moft unprejudiced
hiftorians, the Dauphin's death was occafioned by
his having drunk too freely of cold water after
over-heating himfelf at tennis j and this account,
as it is the moft fimple, is likewife the moft cre-
dible. But if his days were cut ftiort by poifon,
it is not improbable that the Emperor conjec-
tured rightly, when he affirmed that it had been
adminiftered by the cireftion of Cadiarinc of Me-
dici, in order to fecure the crown to the Duke of
Orleans, her huft>and'. The advantages rcfult-
ing to her by the Dauphin's death, were obvious
as well as great -, nor did her boundlefs and daring
ambition ever recoil from any adion neceffary to-
wards attaining the objeds which ihe had in view.
' Mezn. de Bellay, 289.
• Sandov. HifL del Einper. ii. 231.
« Vcj» y Zaniga Vida de Carlcr V. p. 75.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. Uf
Next year opened with a tranfaftion very un- ^ © o k
common^ but fo incapable of producing any v ,,' j
cfFeA, that it would not deferve to be mentioned, d^ '"^V
if it were not a ftriking proof of the perfonal J|,'*„f J|**"
animofity which mingled itfeif in all the hoftili- Pansagain«r
'' ^ theEinpc-
ties between Charles and Francis, and which often ror,
betrayed them into fuch indecencies towards each
other, as leffened the dignity of both. Francis,
accompanied by the peers and princes of the
blood, having taken his feat in the parliament of
Paris with the ufual folemnities, the advocate-
general appeared ; and* after accufing Charles of
Auftria (for fo he affedted to call the Emperor)
of having violated the treaty of Cambray, by
which he was abfolved from the homage due to
the crown of France for the counties of Artois and
Flanders ; infifted that this treaty being now void,
he was ftill to be confidered as a vafTal of the
crown, and by confequence, had been guilty of
rebellion in taking arms againft his fovereign;
and therefore he demanded that Charles fliould
be iummoned to appear in p^rfon, or by hi»
counfel, before the parliament of Paris, his legal
judges, to anfwer for this crime. The requeft was
granted > a herald repaired to the frontiers of Pi-
cardy, and fummoned him with the accuftomed
formalities to appear againft a day prefixed. That
term being expired, and no perfon appearing in
his name, .the parliament gave judgment, " That .
Charles of Auftria had forfeited by rebellion and
contumacy thofe fiefs j declared Flanders and
Artois to be rc-unitcd ta the crown of France j*'
8 zfid
144 THE RfiIGN OP THE
B o o K and ordered their decree for diis purpofe to be
%^ — J— ^ publilhed by found of trumpet on the frontiers of
'*^^* thefe provinces "4
Ctnpiifii Sooi^ after this vain diiplay of" his refentmenf,
thrLow. rather than of his power, Francis marched to-
coufitriei. ^ards the Low-Countries, as if* he had intended^
**««^ to execute the fentence which his parliament had
pronounced, and to feize thofe territories which
it had awarded to him. As the Queen of Hun-
gary, to whom hex' brother the Emperor had
committed the government of that part of his
dominions, was not prepared for fo early a cam-
paign, he at firft made fome progrefs, and took
leveral towns of importance. But being obliged
fooft to leave his army, in order to fuperintend
the other operations of war, the Flemings having
affembled a numerous army, not only recovered
mod of the places which they had loft, but. began
to make conquefts in their turn. At laft they
invefted Terouenrie, and the Duke of Orleans,
now Dauphin, by the death of his brother, and
Montmorency, whom Francis had honoured with
the conftable's fword, as the reward of his great
fervices during the former campaign, determined
A fiifpen. to hazard a batde in order to relieve it. While
they were advancing for this purpofe, and within
a few miles of the enemy, they were ftopt ftiort
by the arrival of an herald from the Qijcen of
* Lectres «t Memoirei d'Eut, pav Ribier^ z torn. Blois^
i666. torn. i. p. i.
Hungary,
<ofi of arms
EMJ^EROJl CHARLES V. i4S
'Hungary, Jicqufdqtijig him that a fMfpenfipn ci" ® ^^^ "^
arms was now agri?ed uppn, ^-^ — >^— «*
This uncxpcfted eyieint was x)wmg to the zeal-
ous ippdcavoprs pf the two .fitters, the Queens of.
France and of Hungary, wjio had long laboured
to reconcile the cop^:ending Monarchs. The war
in the NetherUij4^ ^d laid w^ t!t\p frontier
prov)nc^ of ^xoth cpiJn^ries, without any i:cal ad-
vantage^ to , either. The Friench ,arj4 FtTOngs
equally r^grcft^d the inteicniptipn of thf^ir com-
raerce, wh^h w^ , benefici^ to both. Charles
4s w^ as Fr^cis, who had each drained to the
utmoft, in order to fupport the v^ operations of
the former campaign, found that they could not
now k^ep armies on foot in this quarter, without
weakening their operations in Piedmont, where
both wiibed to pulh the war with the greatcft
rigour. All thefe circumftances facilitated the J«ir3o»
ncgpciatiQas of the two Queens ; a truce was con-
cluded, to continue in force for ten months^ but
it extended na farther than the Low-Countries *.
Ik Piedmont the war was ftill profecuted with "ti^t,
great animofity ; and though neither Charles nor
Francis could make the powerful efforts to which
this animofity prompted them, they continued to
exert themfdves like combatants, whofe rancour
remains afiacr their ftrength is exhaulted. Towns
were altematdy loft and retaken 5 Ikirmiflies were
^ Memoire» de Ribier, ^6.
Vol. hi. L fought
146 THE REIGN OF THE
^^j^*^ fought every day; and much blocxi was fhcd,
Vi—v^ without any decifive aftion, that gave a decided
'^^^' fuperiority to either fide. At laft the two Queens,
determining not to leave unfinilhed the good work
which they had begun, prevailed, by their im-
portunate folicitations, the one on her brother,
the other on her hufband, to confent alfo to a
truce in Piedmont for three months. The con-
ditions of it were, that each fhould keep poffef-
fion of what was in his hands, and after leaving
garrifons in the towns, fhould withdraw his army
out of the province; and that plenipotentiaries
fhould be appointed to adjuil all matters in diipute
by a final treaty''.
Modfcsof The powerfiil motives which inclined both
Princes to this accommodation, have been often
mentioned. The expences of the war had far
exceeded the fums which their revenues were
capable of fupplying, nor durft they venture
upon any great addition to the impofitions then
eftabliflied, as fubjedts had not yet learnt to bear
with patience the immenfe burdens to which
they have become accuftomed in modern times.
The Emperor in particular, though he had con-
trafted debts which in that age appeared prodi-
gious *, had it not in his power to pay the large
arrears long due to his army. At the fame time
he had no prolped of deriving any aid in money
or men either fi-om the Pope or Venetians, though
f Mcmoires de Ribier, 62. f Ribier, i. 294.
he
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 147
he had employed promifes and threats, alternately, ^ ^^^ ^
in order to procure, it. But he found the former v-^y ^
not only fixed in his refolution of adhering fteadily ''^^^'
to the neutrality which he had always declared
to be fuitable to . his charader, but paffiqnately
defirous of brining about a peace. He per-
ceived that the latter were ftill intent on their an-
cient objedt of holding the balance even between
the rivals, and folicitous not to throw too great a
weight into either fcale.
What nnade a deeper impreflion on Charles or which,
than all thefe, was the dread of the Turkiih arms, liancc with
wliich, by his league with Solyman, Francis had Emperorthe
drawn upon him. Though Francis, without the ^bh."^'
afliflance of a fiogle all}r, had a war to maintain
againil an enemy greatly fuperior in power to
himfelf, yet fo great was the horror of Chriftians,
in that age, at any union with Infidels, which
they confidered not only as dilhonourable but
profane, that it was long before he could be
brought to avail himfelf of the obvious advan-
tages refulting fi-ojn fuch a confederacy. Neceflity
at laft furmounted his delicacy and fcruples. To-
wards the clofe of the preceding year. La Foreft,
a fecret agent at the Ottoman Porte, had con-
cluded a treaty with the Sultan, whereby Soly-
man engaged to invade the kingdom of Naples,
during the next campaign, and to attack the King
of the Romans in Hungary with a powerful army,
while Francis undertook to enter the Milanefe at .
the fame time with a proper force. Solyman had
L 2 punftually
148 THE REIGN OF THE
• <^o K pxinftually perftnro^ ^?vhat was monnbent on
^■ ^^^ him. BarbarolGi with a great fleet ap^ared on
*^^^' the coaft of Napks, filled that kingdom, from
which all the troc^s had been drawn towards
Piedmont, with confternation, landed wkhout
refiftance near Tarantb, obliged Caftro, a place
of fomc ftrength, to furrender, }dundered the ad-
jacent country, and was taking meafures for fe-
curing and extending his conquefts, when the
unexpefted arrival of Doria, together with the
Pope's gallies, and a fquadron of the Venetian
fleet, made .it prudent for him to retire. In
Hungary the progrefs of the Turfcs was more for-
midable. Mahmct, their general, after 'gmning
feveral fmall advantages, defeated the Germans
in a great batde at Eflek on the Drave ■. Hap-
pily for Chriftendom, it was not in Francis's
power to execute with equal exaftnels what he
had ftipulated ; nbr could he aSfembie at diis junc-
ture an army ftrong enough to pehetrate iilto die
Milanefe. ^y this he failed in recovering polfef-
fion of that dutchy ; and Italy was not only faved
from the csflamities of a new war, but from feel-
ing the defolating rage of the Turkifli arms, as
an addition to all that it had fuflfered\ As the
Emperor knew that he could n<*t 4ong refill the
efforts of two fiich powerfol confederates, nor
could expeft that the fame fortunate accidents
would concur a iecond time to deliver Naples,
■ Iftuanhdfi HiftHttOg. lib. xiii. p«'l39«
^ Jovii Hift. lib. xxxv. p. 183.
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 149
and to preferve the Milanefe : as he forefaw that ' y? *
the Italian ftates would not only tax him loudly i.«-v-i«i
with infatiable anibition> but might even turn *^^^
their arms againft him, if he fhould be fo re-
gardlefs of their danger as obftinately to protraft
the -war, he thought it neceflary, both for his fafety
and reputation, to give his content to a truce.
Nor was Francis willing to fuftdn all the blame of
obftrufting the re-eftabli(hment of tranquillity, or '
to expofe himfelf on that account to the danger
of being deferted by the Swifs and other fo-
reigners in his fervice. He even began to appre-
hend that his own fubjefts would ferve him coldly,
if by contributing to aggrandize the power of the
Infidels^ which it was his duty, and had been the
ambition of his ^ceftors to deprcfs, he continued
to a& in direft oppofifion to all the principles
which ought p influence a Monarch diflinguifhed
by the tide pf Moft Chriftian King. He chofe,
for all thejfe reafons, rather to run the rifk of cjif-
obliging his new ally the Sultan^ than, by ap un-
*feaibnable adherence to the treaty with him, tp
forfeit i^h^t ^as of ^eater ponfecjuence.
But though both parties confented to a truce, NegocU.
the plenipotentiaries found infuperable difficul- |^^ace\V-
ties in fettling the articles of a 4efinitive treaty, JJ^*J*^^ ^^^
Each of the Monarchs, with thf arrogance of a F^ancit.
conqueror, aimed at giving la\y to the other ; and
neither would fo far acknowledge his inferiority,
as to facrifice any point of honour, or fo relinquilh
any matter of right; fo that die plenipotentiaries
L 3 fpent
150 THE REIGN OF THE
* %? ^ ^P^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ "^^S ^^^ fruidefs ncgociations,
n^oj^mj and feparated after agreeing to prolong the truce
'53^' fof a few months.
The Pope The Pope, howcvcr, did not delpair of accom-
thdc"in*per- plifliing a point in which the plenipotentiaries
^^"* had failed, and took upon himfelf the ible burden
of negociating a peace. To form a confederacy
capable of defending Chriftendom from the for-
midable inroads of the Turkifh arms, and to con-
cert effeftual meafures for the extirpation of the
Lutheran herefy, were two great objedts which
Paul had much at heart, and he confidered the
union of the Emperor with the King of France as
an effential preliminary to both. To be the
inftrument of reconciling thefe contending Mo-
narchs, whom his predeceffors by their interefted
and indecent intrigues had fo often embroiled,
was a circumftance which could not fail of throw-
ing diftinguifhed luftre on his charafter and ad-
miniftration. Nor was he without hopes that,
while lie purfued this laudable end, he might
fecure advantages to his own family, the aggran*
dizing of which he did not negledt, thou^ he
aimed at it with a lefs audacious ambition than
was common among the Popes of that century.
Influenced by thefe confiderations, he propoied
an interview between the two Monarchs at Nice,
and offered to repair thither in perfon, that he
might a6t as mediator in compofing all their dif-
ferences. When a Pontiff of a venerable charac-
ter, and of a very advanced age, was willing,
from
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 151
from his zeal frr peace, to undergo the fatigues book
of fo long a journey, neither Charles nor Francis v— ^.-w
could with' decency decline the interview. But '^3^'
though both came to the place of rendezvous, fo
great was the di^iculty of adjufting the ceremonial,
or fuch the remains of diftruft and rancour on
each fide, diat they refijfed to fee one another,
and every thing was tranfa&ed by the interven-
tion of the Pope, who vifited them alternately.
With all his zeal and ingenuity he could not find
out a method of removing the obftacles which
prevented a final accommodation, particularly thofe
arifing from the pofleffion of the Milanefe ; nor
was all the weight of his authority fufficient to
overcome the obflinate perfcverance of either
Monarch in afierting his own claims. At laft, Atmcefor
that he might not feem to have laboured altogether ^^Jmu
widiout efFed, he prevailed on them to fign a j„Jj!7i.
truce for ten years, upon the fame condition
with the former, that each fhould retain what was
now in his pofleffion, and in the mean time fhould
fend ambafladors to Rome, to difcufs their preten-
&ons at leifure "^^
Thus ended a war of no long continuance, but
YCTy extenfive in its operations, and in which both
parties exerted their utmoft ftrength. Though
Francis failed in the objed that he had princi-
* Recueil desTraitez, 11. 210. Relatione del Nicolo Tiepolo
de rAbocamento di Nlzza, chez Du Mont Corps Diplomat,
par. ii. p. 174.,
L 4 pally
iS2 . THE REi,GN Of THE
B y? ^ pally in view, the recovery of the Milaricfe, he
v--^ " ^ acquired, neVcrthelcfs, greait reputation by the
''5*** wifdom of his meafures as ^ell as the fiicccfs of
his arms in repelling a fornnidable invafion j and
by keeping p6fleflion of one half of the Duke of
Sivdy's dominions, he added no ihconfiderable
accel&on of ftrength to his kingdom: Whereas
Charles, repulfed and baffled, after having boafted
fo arrogantly of vidtory, purchafed an ingtorious
truce, by facrificing an dly who had rafhly confided
too much in his friendfliip ahd power. The un-
fortunate Duke murmured, complained, and re-
• monftrated againft a treaty fo much to his dif-
advantage, but in vain; he had no itieans of
redrefs, and was obliged to fubmit. Of all his
dominions, Nice, with its dependencies, was the
only corner of ^hich he himfclf kept poffeffion.
He faw the reft divided between a powerful in-
vader and the ally to whofe proteftion he had trufted,
while he remained a fad monument of the impru-
dence of weak princes, who, by taking part in the
quarrel of nnighty neighbours, between whom they
happen to be fituated^ are cruflied and over-
whelmed in the fhock.
Interview A FEW days aftcT figning the treaty of truce,
ciirricrand thd Empcror fet fail for Barcelona, but was driven
A^gurii-" ^y contrary winds to the ifland St. Margaret
on the coaft of Provence. When Francis, who
happened to be not far diftant, heard of this, he
coniidered it as an office of civility to invite him
to take Ihelter in his dominions, and propoled a
perfonal
r;<s.
EMPEROk CHAFLLES V. i^;i
pcrfbnal intern^ with him it AigUfts^mofte^s. • ^^ "^
The Emperor, vifho would not be outdone by hi^ w -v' ^
rival in c6mplaifance, inftantly repaired, thithef . *^^*'
As foon as he taft anthor in the road, Frafttis, ^
without waiting to fettle any point of ceremony,
but relying impficitlyoii the ErtipcftiPs honour
for his fecurity, rifited him on bo^d hii gflBey^
and was received and entertiuned with thfe warmeft
dcmonftratioils of eftetm and affcftion. Next day
the £mpeH)r i-epaid the confidence which the King
had placed in him. He landed at Aiguea-mortes
with ns little precautioh, and ttlet with a reccptioit
equally cohdial. He rettiained on fliore during
die night, and in bbth vifits the two Mohafchs vied
widi each other in expreflions of f efpcft and friend*
(hip ^. After twenty years of open hoftilities, or
of fecrfet enmity j after fo mahy injuries tecipro*
catty inflifted or endured j ifter having formally
given the lie and challenged one another to fingle
combat; aftfer die Emperor had inveighed fo pub-
licly againft t'rincis as a Prince void of honour or
integrity; and after iFrancis had accufed him of
being acce^kry to the murder of his eldeft fon,
fiich ah interview appears aJtbgether Angular and
cveh unnatural. But die hiftory of tfiefe Monarchs
abounds v^ith fuch iurprifing tranfmons. Ifrom
implacable hatred they appeared to pafs, in a
mortient, t6 the rtioft corcBal reconcilement j from
^ SaiidoV. Hift. vol. ii. 238. Relation dc rantrevnc de
jChari. V. & Fran. I. par M. tie fa Ahbirtr Hifr. de Laitgncd.
pkf D. D. De Vic & Vaifetle, torn, v* Pi4euves, p. 93.
fufpicion
T54 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK fuipicion and diftruft to pcrfe£t confidence; and
^^,.,.1.^ from pradifing all the dark arts of a deceitful po-
'SJ** licy, they could alTume, of a fudden, the liberal
and open nianners of two gallant gendeaien.
The Pope, befides the glory of having rcftored
peace to Europe^ gained^ according to his expe6b-
ationj a point of great confequence to his family^
by prevailing on the Emperor to betroth Margaret
of Auftria, his natural daughter, formerly the wife
of Alexander di Medici, to his grandfon 0£l:avio
Farnefe, and in confideration of this marriage, to
beftow feveral honours and territories upon his fii-
The iffiiffi. ture fbn-in-law. A very tragical event, which hap-
Aienoder pcncd about the beginning of the year one thou-
^Medid. ji^d fiyg hundred and thirty-feven, had deprived
Margaret of her firft huflband That young Prince,
whom the Emperor's partiality had raifed to the
fuprcme power in Florence, upon the ruins of the
public liberty, negleded entirely the cares of go-
vernment, and abandoned himfelf to the moft dif-
folute debauchery. Lorenzo di Medici his neareft
kinfman was not only the companion but diredx>r
of his pleafures, and employing all the powers of a
cultivated and inventive genius in this diihonouF-
able miniftry, added fuch elegance as well as va-
riety to vice, as gained him an abfolute afcendanc
over the mind of Alexander. But while Lorenzo
feemed to be funk in luxury, and affefted fuch an
appearance of indolence and effeminacy, that he
would not wear a fword, and trembled at the fight
of
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 155
of blood, he concealed under that difguife, a dark, ^ ^^ ^
defigning, audacious ipirit. Prompted either by -^ -,-.^
the love of liberty, or allured by the hope of at- '^^**
taining the fiipreme power, he detemiined to ailaf^
fmate Alexander his benefador and friend. Though
he long revolved this defign in his mind, his re-
ierved and fuipicious temper prevented him from
communicating it to any perfbn whatever ; and
continuing to live with Alexander in their ufual &-
mifiarity, he, one night, under pretence of having
fecured him an aflignation with a lady of high
rank whom he had often fblicited, drew that
unwary Prince into a fecret apartment of his
houie, and there ftabbed him, while he lay care-
lefsly on a couch expecting the arrival of the
lady whofe company he had been, promifed.
But no fooner was the deed done, than Hand-
ing aftooiihed, and ftruck with horror at its
atrocity, he forgot, in a moment, all the motives
which had induced hina to commit it. Inftead of
roufing the people to recover their liberty by pub-
liftiing the death of the tyrant, inftead of taldng
any ftep towards opening his own way to the dig.
nity now vacant, he lodked the door of the apart-
ment, and, like a man bereaved of reaibn and pre*
fence of mind, fled with the utmoft precipitation
out of the Florentine territories. It was late next
morning before the fate of the unfortunate Prince
was known, as his attendants, accuftomed to his
irregularities, never entered his apartment early.
Immediately the chief perfons in the ftate aflembled*
Being induced pardy by the zeal of cardinal Cibo
for
i^6 THE REIGK.OF THE
n o (\,ic. fyf the hoo& of Mecfici, to which he was nearly
t_ ^w relaeedy partty by the authoritf of Francis Guicci-
CotoiJdi ^^^y ^"^ pccalled to their racmory, and rtprc*
^i«><«^ fenced in ftriking colours the caprice as well as tur-
fhVbeaiior buknce of their ancient popular government^ they
ti^fr^tT' agreed to jdace Cofmo di Mecfici, a youth of eigh-
teen, the only male heir of that illuftrious houfe>
ftt the head of the government; though at the fame
time liich was their love of liberty, that they cfta-
bliihed feveral regulations in order to circumicribe
and moderate his power.
His gorern- Mbakwhilb Loreuzo having reached a place of
».nt oppof. f^fy^^ j^^ known what he had done, to PhiKp
FiorentiAe StToizi and dic Other Florentines who had been
driven into exile, or who had voluntarily retired,
when the republican form of government was abo-
liihed> in order to make way for the dominion of
the Medici. By them, the deed was extolled with
extravagant praiies, and the virtue of Lorenzo
was compared with that of the elder Brutus, who
difiegarded die ties of blood, or with that of the
younger, who forgot the fiieodihip and fevours
of the ^rant, that they might preferve or reco-
ver die liberty of their country *. Nor did they
reft fatisfied widi empty panegyrics; they im-
mediately quitted their diflfercnt places of re-
treat, aflcmblcd forces, animated dieh- vaflafa and
partizans to take amis, and to fcize this opportu-
laity of re-eftahfifhing the puMic Uberty on. its an-
^ Lettere*di Pxisdpiy torn. iiL p. 52.
cient
£MPEROR CHARLfiS V. 157
ciMt Ibundadon. Being Ape&ly affiftod ibf the ''%^*^'
Fimch ambsifiador ftt Rotne^ and ftcretly ^noou*- 1 ■>. ii^
raged by the Pope, who bore no^ood-^ivyi totfae '^
hoole of Medici^ they entered the f^ktentine do-
mkuoos with a confxierable bec^ of men. Bui
the perfoQs who had eleded Coiino :p(ifle0ed aoc
only the ixieans of ftipportiiig hi&igovetfinaent> hot
. abilities to employ them in the moft proper man-^
ner. Tiiey leviedo i^th the gr^teft lex^idoQ, a
good number of troops ^ >they ««ndeavoured by
every lut to gain the citizens of great^ authority^
and to render the adminiftration of die young
Prince agreeable t9 the people. Abo^^ all, they
coorted the Emperor's prctt0£tioaj.as the only firm
foundationofCofmo'sd^nky and power. <Iharles»
knowing the jn*<;3)enfity of the {Florentines to the
friendfiiip c^ fxance, and howxnuch all the parti*
zans of a republican government detefled him m
the^preflbriof their liberties, faw.it to be greedy
for his intereft to prevent 4:he je^tcftahMfcrneitt of
the ancient conflitutiDn in :Florence. For ibis
reaibn, he not only aduiowledged Cofmo as head
of the Florentine ftate, and conferred onihim 41
the titles of honour with which Alexander had been
il^gnified^ but ei^aged to defend him to the i^t-
xno&i and as a:pfe(%e of this> ordered the com-
manders of fuch of his troop3 as were ^ftationed oq
the &ontiers of Tufcany, to fypport *him agabft
all aggreflbrs. .. By their aid^ Cofnao obtained an
eaiy vi^ry over the ^exaks, whoie troops he fur-
priJE^l in the night-time^ and took moft of the
9 chiefs
15« THE REIGN OF THE
* %P ^ chicfi prifoners: an event which broke all their
c^Jw meafures^ and fully eftablifhed his own authority.
■53^* But though he was extremely defirous of the addi-
tional honour of marrying the Emperor's daughter^
the widow of his. predcceffor, Charles, fecure al-
ready of his attachment, chofe rather to gratify the
Pope, by befltowing her on his nephew ^
Tbeffknd. During the war between the Emperor and
Frandt*Md Francis, an event had happened which abated in
Te^nlto^'* fomc degree the warmth and cordiality of friend-
Abau. fi^ip which had long fubfifted between the latter
and the Kmg of England. James the Fifth of
Scotland, an enterprizing young P^nce, having
heard of the Emperor's intention to invade Pro-
vence, was fo fond of fhewing that he did not yield
to any of his anceftors in the fincerityof his attach-
ment to-the French crown, and fo eager to diftin-
guilh himfelf by Ibme military exploit, that he le-
vied a body of troops with an intention of leading
them in perfon to the afliftance of the King of
France. Though fome unfortunate accidents pre-
vented his carrying any troops into France, nothing
could divert' him from going thither in pcrlbn.
Immediately upon his landing, he haftencd to Pro-
vence, but had been detained fo long in his voy-
age, that he came too late to have any fhare in the
military operations, and met the King on his return
' Jovii Hift. c. xcviii. p, ai^ Sec. Belcarii CommeBt. I.
3cxii. p. 696. Iftoria dc fiii Tempi di Giov. Bat. Adriani.
Yen, 1587. p. 10.
afier
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 159
after the retreat of the Impcrialifts. But Francis was ^ ^^^ '^
fo greatly plcafcd with his zeal, and no lefe with u-^^.^^j
his manners and converfation, that he could not '^* *
refufe him his daughter Magdalen, whom he de- Jtn. u
manded in marriage. It mortified Henry ex- '^^^*
tremcly to fee a Prince of whom he was immode-
rately jealous, form an alliance, from which he
derived fuch an acceflion of reputation as well as
fccurity*. He could not, however, with decency,
oppofe Francis's beftowing his daughter upon a
Monarch defccnded from a race of Princes, the
moil ancient and &ithful allies of the French crown.
But when James, upon the fudden death of Mag-
dalen, demanded as his fecondwife Maryof Guife,
he wannly folicited Francis to deny his fuit, and
in order to difappoint him, afked that lady in mar^
riage for himfelf. When Francis preferred the
Scottifh King's fincere courtfhip to his artflil and
malevolent propofal, he difcovered much di0atii^
ia£tion. The pacification agreed upon at Nice,
and the fantiiliar interview of the two rivals at
Aigues-mortes, filled Henry's mind with new
fufpicions, as if Francis had altogether renounced'
his friendfhip fc^ the fake of new connexions
with the Emperor. Charles, thoroughly ac- The
quainted with the temper of the Englifh King, SwyJ
and watchfiil to obferve all the fhifrings and ca*
pric^ of his pallions, thought this a favourable
opportunity of renewing his negotiations with
« Hift« of Scodaad, vol. i. p. 77.
him.
^69 THP REIGN Q)F THE
* %j * fcs^* ^whiqh h^d bcjcn ^qng broken off. By the
^€^ (^ Q^qen Cadwine^ whqfe intereft the Em-
peror coMld '<iot with .c^ecency haiyt ^bando^cidj the
chief caufe of jjheir dUcord was remoyed ; fo diat
j»«Hhout tQUChing uppn ihe ^qate queition of her
ciivprce, he 9)ight now ,t|ikc what nu^^fures he
ihoiight nwft <}fFc<S^Wftl,for reg^ning Heivy's gpod-
(wiU. For thi? puq>ofe, he beg^Jji with propqfwg
;feyer9l «nari;iflge-tre^tt€s .to the King. IJe offered
fhi^ niQc^ a (kwght»r of the King of Denmark, to
•Hcmy himfelf > he demanded the princeis Mary
ibrone of the Princes of Portugal, and was even
willing to receive her as the King's illegitimate
^daughter ^. Though none of theie ^oje&ed alii-
:ances ever took place, or perhaps were ever feri-
oufly intended, they occafioned fuch fiequent in-
^tercourfe between the courts, and fo many red-
iprocal profeffKJtns of civility and eAeem^ as confi-
derably abated the edge of Henry's raincour. againft
<the Emperor, and paved the w^y for that union
between them .which afterwards proved So diiad-
.vantageous' tD the French King.
Progteftof Tjhe ambddous ichemes in which the Emperor
had been engaged, and the wars he had been car-
rying on for icMnc years, proved, as ufiial, ex-
tremely favourable to the progrefs of the Reform-
ation in Gcniiany. While Charles was abfcjac
upon his African expedition, or intent on his
projcfts againft France, his chief objeft in Gci-
^ Mem. de Ribier, t. i. 496*
man|
EMPEROR CHARLES V; ifi
many was to prevent the diflenfions about religion *
from difturbing the public tranquillity, by grant-
o o fC-
VI.
ing fuch indulgence to the Proteftant Princes as *^^^'
might induce them to concur with his meafures,
or at leaft hinder them from taking part with his
rival. For this rcafpn, he was careful to fccure to
the Protcftants the pofleffion of alj the advantages,
which they had gained by the articles of pacifj-
catiofi at Nuremberg, in the year one thoufand
five hundred and thirty-two * ; and except fome
flight trouble from the proceedings of the Impe-
rial chamber, they met with nothing to difturb
them in the exercife of their religion, or to inter-
rupt the futfcefsflil zeal with which they propagated
their opinions. Meanwhile the Pope continued N>ror?f.
his ncgociations for. convoking a general council ; ^{^[ViiZt
and though the Proteftants had cxprefTcd great l'[^^Jlll^
diffatisfadlion with his intention to fix upon Man- c^'""«'i-
tua as the place of meeting, he adhered obftinately
to his choice, iffued a bull on the fecond of June,
one thoufand five hundred and thirty-fix, appoint-
ing it to afiemble in that . city on the twenty-third
of May the year following j he nominated three
cardinals to prefide in his namej enjoined all
Chriftian Princes to countenance it by their au-
thority, and invited the Prelates of every nation
to attend in perfon. This fummons of a council,
.an affembly which from its nature and intention
demanded quiet times, as well as pacific difpofi-
tions, at the very junfture when the Emperor was
* Du Mont Corps Diplom. torn. iv. part 2. p. ij?.
Vol. III. M on
[gi THE REIGN OF THE
on his march towards France^ and ready to involTe
a great part of Europe in the confufions of war,
'53*« appeared to every perfon extremely unieafonable.
It was intimated^ howevef, to all the different
> courts by nuncios difpatched of purpofe *. With
an intention to gratify the Germans, the Emperor,
during his refidence in Rome, had warmly Iblicit-
ed the Pope to call a council ; but being at the
fame time wiUing to try every art in order to pcr-
luade Paul to depart from die neutrality which he
preferved between him and Francis> he lent Heldo
his vice-cl^anccllor into Germany, along with a
nuncio difpatched thither> infbudting him to fe-
cond all the nuncio's reprefentations, and to en-
force them with the whole weight of the Imperial
Feb. 15, authority. The Proteftants gave them audience
'537* at SmaJkalde, where they had afTembled in a body,
in order to receive them. But after weighing all
their arguments they unanimoufly refiifed to ac-
knowledge a council fummoned in the name and
by the authority of the Pope alone j in which he
aflumed the fole right of prefiding^ which was
to be held in a city not only far diftant from Ger-
many, b^t fubjedl to a Prince, who was a flranger
to them, and clofely connected with the court of
Rome ; and to which their divines could not repair
with fafety, efpecially after their doftrines had been
ftigmatized in the very bull of convocation with
the name of herefy, Thefe and many other ob-
k Pallavic. Hill. Cone. Trid. 113.
jedUoas
EMPEROR CHARLES V. iSj
jeftions againft the council, which appeared to thein book
imanfwerable, they enumerated in a large mani- i_ -/-^
fefto, which they publiihed in vindication of their '^^*'
condudk '.
Against this the court of Rome exclaimed as
a flagrant ppoof of their obftinacy and prefump-
rion, and the Pope ftill perfifted in his refolution
to hold the council at the time and in the place
appointed. But fome unexpe6ted difficulties be- ^
ing ftarted by the Duke of Mantua, both about
the right of jurifdidion over the perfons who re-
forted to the council, and the fecurity of his ca-
pital amidft fuch a concourfe of ftrangers, the
Pope, after fruitlefs endeavour^ to adjuft thefe, oaob.g,
firft prorogued the council for fome months, and '^^ '
afterwards transferring the place of meeting to Vi-
cenza in the Venetian territories, appointed it to
aflcmble on the firft of May in the following year.
As neither the Emperor, nor the French King,
who had not then come to any accommodation,
would permit their fubjedls to repair thither, not a
fingle prelate appeared on the day prefixed, and tlie
Pope, that his authority might not become alto-
gether contemptible by fo many inefFedual ef-
forts to convoke that aflembly, put off the meet-
ing by an indefinite prorogation ".
' Sleidan, 1. xii. IS3, &c» Seckend. Com. lib. iii. p.
" F. Paul, 117. Pallavic. 117.
M 2 But,
i64 THE REIGN OF THE
* ^^^ ^ But, tliat he might ^ot fcem to have turned
^ '^^wm j his whole attention towards a reformation which
A partial he was DOt able to accompliih, while he negleded
of ab^fcsTy that which was in his own powen he d^uted a
the Pope, certain number of cardinals and Bithops, widi
full authority to inquire into the abufes and cor-
ruptions of the Roman court ; and to propofe the
moft efFeftual method of removing them. This
fcrutiny, undertaken with reluftance, 'was carried
on flowly and with remiffnefs. All defe6ts were
touched with a gentle hand, afraid of probing too
deep, or of difcovering too much. But even by
this partial examination, many irregularities were
detefted, and many enormities expofed to light,
while the remedies which they fuggefted as moft
proper, were either inadequate, or were never ap-
plied. The report and refolutiq^* of thefe depu-
ties, though intended to be Tcept fecret, were
tranfmitted by fome accident into Germany, and
being immediately made public, afforded ample
matter for refleftion and triumph to the Pro-
teftants ". On the one hand they demonftrated
the neceflTity of a reformation in the head as well
as the members of the church, and even pointed
out many of the corruptions againft which Luther
and his followers had remonftrated with the great-
eft vehemence. Theyftiewed, on the other hand,
that it was vain to expeft this reformation from
ccclefiaftics themfelves, who, as Luther ftrongly
■ Sleidan, 233.
exprefled
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 165
cxprcfled it, piddled at curing warts, while they ^ ^.^ '^
overlooked or confirmed ulcers **. c -•^'•^mj
1539.
The earneftnefs with which the Emperor feem- a league
ed, at firft, to prefs their acquiefcing in the Pope's oppofitjon
fcheme of holding a council in Italy, alarmed the L"* '*!?'!'/
Protcftant Princes fo much, that they thought it
prudent to ftrengthen their confederacy, by admit-
ting feveral new members who folicited that pri- , ,
vilege, particularly the King of Denmark. Heldo,
who, during his refidence in Germany, had ob-
ferved ail the advantages which they derived from
that union, endeavoured to counterbalance its ef-
fefts by an alliance among the Catholic powers of
the Empire. This league, diftinguilhed by the
name of Hcly, was merely defcnfive j and though
concluded by- Heldo in the Emperor's name, was
afterwards difowncd by him^ and fubfcribed by
very few Princes *",
The Proteftants foon got intelligence of this Alarms the
aflbciation, notwithftanding all the* endeavours of ^'"'^"^•*
the contrafting parties to conceal it j and their
zeal, always apt to fiifpeft and to dread, even to
cxcefs, every thing that feemed to threaten reli-
gion, inftantly took the alarm, as if the Emperor
had been juft ready to enter upon the execution
of fome formidable plan for the extirpation of
their opinions. In order to difappoint this, they
* Seek. 1. Hi. 164. 1^ Seek. 1. Hi. J71. Recueil
dc Traitcz.
M 3 held
i66 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK held frequent confultations, they courted the Kings
\.^..'>^'^^ of France and England with great afliduity, and
is:9* even began to think of raifing the refpedivc con-
tingents both in men and money which they were
obliged to furnifh by the treaty of Smalkalde.
But it was not long before they were convinced
that thefe apprehenfions were without foundation,
and that the Emperor, to whom repofe was ablb-
lutely necefifary after efforts (o much beyond his
ftrength in the war Jwith France, had no thoughts
of difturbing the tranquillity of Germany. As a
April 19. proof of this, at an interview with the Proteftant
Princes in Francfort, his ambafladors agreed that
all conceffions in their favour, particularly thofe
contained in the pacification of Nuremberg, fhould
continue in force for fifteen months ; that during ^
this period all proceedings of the Imperial chamber
againft them fhould be fufpended ; that a confer-
ence fhould be held by a few divines of each party,
in order to difcufs the points in controverfy, and
to propofe articles of accommodation which fhould
be laid before the next Diet. Though the Empe-
ror, that he might not irritate the Pope, who re-
monftrated againft the firfl part of diis agreement
as impolitic, and againft the latter as an impious
enci-oachment upon his prerogative, never formally
ratified this convention, it was obferved with con-
fiderable exaftnefs, and greatly ftrengthened the
bafis of that ecclefiaflical liberty, for which the
Protellants contended ^.
9 F. Paul, 82. Slcid. 247. Scck.'l. iii. aoo,
A FLW
EMPEROR CHARLES V. Hj
A FEW days after the convention at Francfort, ^ ^^^ ^
Geoige Duke of Saxony died, and his death was \^m,^immj
an event of great advantage to the Reformation. a^.^I^,
That Prince, the head of the Albertine, or younger J| *f ^^t'
branch of the Saxon family, poffeflied, as marquis bJi<hc<* »«
of Mifnia and Thuringia, extenfive territories, ofSixony.
comprehending Drefden, Leipfic, and other cities
now the moft confiderable in the eleftorate. From
the firft dawn of the Reformation, he had been its
enemy as avowedly as the eledtoral Princes were
its proteftors, and had carried on his oppofition
not Only with all the zeal flowing from religious
prejudices, but with a virulence infpired'by peribnal
antipathy to Luther, and imbittered by the domef-
tic aaimofity fublifting between him and the other
branch of his family. By his death without iffue,
his fucceffion fell to* his brother Henry, whofe at-
tachment to the Proteftant religion furpafled, if
poffible, that of his predeceflbr to popery. Henry
no fooner took poflefTion of his new dominions,
than, difregarding a claufe in George's wiU, dic-
tated by his bigotry, whereby he bequeathed all his
territories to the Emperor and King of the Ro-
mans, if his brother ftiould attempt to make any
innovation in religion, he invited fome Proteftant
divines, and among them Luther himfcif, to Leipfic.
By their advice and alliftance, he overturned in a
few weeks the whole fyftem of ancient rites, efta-
biilhing the foil exercife of the reformed religion,
with the univerfal applaufe of his fubjefts, who
had long wifhed for this change, which the au-
M 4 thority
t68 THE REIGN OF t.HE
^ %^ ^ thority of their Duke alone had hitherto prevent-
^-^,L^ ed'. This revolution delivered the Proteftants
'^^'' from the danger to which they were expofed by
having an inveterate enemy fituated in the middle
of their territories j and the territories of the prin-
ces and cities attached to their caufe, now extended
in one great and almoft unbroken line from the
fhore of the Baltic to the banks of the Rhine.
-A mutiny of SooN after thc conclufion of the truce at Nice,
ifoops. an event happened, which fatisfied all Europe that
Charles had profecuted the war to the utmoft ex-
tremity that the ftate of his affairs, would permit
Vaft arrears were due to his troops, whom he had
long amufed with vain hopes and promifes. As
they now forcfaw what little attention would be
, paid to their demands, when by the re-eftablifh-
ment of peace their fervices became of lefs im-
portance, they loft all patience, broke out into
an open mutiny, and declared that they thought
themfelves entided to feize by violence what was
detained from diem contrary to all juftice^ Nor
was this Ipirit of fedition confined to one part of
the Emperor's dominions ; the mutiny was almoft
as general as the grievance which gave rife to it.
The foldiers in the Milanefe plundered the open
country without controul, and filled the capital
itfelf with confternation. * Thofe in garrifon at
Goletta threatened to give up that important
fortrefs to Barbarofla. In Sicily the troops pro-
' Sleidant 249.
ceeded
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 691
ceeded to ftill greater exceflcs ;^ having driven *
away their officers, they elefted others in their
(lead, defeated a body of men whom the viceroy *^^^'
fent againft them, took and pillaged feveral cities,
conducing themfelvts all the while in fuch a
manner, that their \ operations refembled rather
the regular proceedings of a concerted rebellion,
than the rafhnefs and violence of a military mu-
tiny. But by the addrefs and prudence of the
generals, who partly by borrowing money in dieir
own name, or in that of their m'after, partly by
extorting large fums from the cities in their re-
fpeftive provinces, raifed what was fufficient to
difcharge the arrears of the Ibldiers, thefe infur-
reftions were quelled. The greater part of the \
troops were difbanded, fuch a number only being
kq)t in pay as was necefTary for garrifoning the
principal towns, and protefting the fea-coafts from
the infults of the Turks '.
It was happy for the Emperor that the abilities ^*2"?^*
of his generals extricated him out of thefe diffi- at Toledo,
cultics, which it exceeded his own power to have
removed. He had depended,^ as his chief re-
fource for difcharging the arrears due to his fol-.
diers, upon the fiibfidies which he expefted from
his Caftilian fubjedts. For thi^ purpofe, he af-
fembled the Cortes of Caftile at Toledo, and
having reprefented to them the extraordinary ex- .
pence of his military operations, together with the
' JoYii Hiflor. 1. xxxvii. 203. c. Sandov. Ferreras, ix.
209.
great
170 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK great debts in which thefe had neccffarily involved
%, ^' f him, he propofed to levy fuch fupplics as the prc-
"^^^' fent exigency of his affairs demanded, by a general
The com- excifc QH commoditics. But die Spaniards al-
Si^tlflc. ready felt themfelyes opprefled with a load of taxes
X^Wjn" unknown to their anceftors. They had often com-
plained that their country was drained not only of
its wealth but of its inhabitants, in order to prp-
£scute quarrels in which it was not interefted, and
to fight battles from which it could reap no bene-
fit, and they detenriined not to add voluntarily to
their own burdens, or to fiirnifti the Emperor
with the means of engaging in new enterprizes no
leis ruinous to" the kingdom than moft of tho&
which he had hitherto carried on. The nobles,
in particular, inveighed with great vehemence
againfi: the impofition propo&d, as an encroach-
ment upon the valuable and diftinguiihing privi-
lege of their order, that of being exempted, from
the payment of any tax. They demanded a con-
ference with the reprefentatives of the cities con-
cerning the ft^te ci the nation. They contended
that if Charles would imitate the example of his
predcceflbrs, who had refided conftandy in Spain,
and would avoid entangling himfelf in a muld-
plicity of tranfaftions foreign to the concerns of
his Spanifli dominions, the ftated revenues o£ the
crown *ould be fully fuificient to defray the ne-
ceffary expences of government. TJiey reprc-
feated to him, that it would be unjuft to lay new
burdens upon the people, while this prudent and
cfFeftual method of re-eftablilhing public credit,
9 and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 171
and fecuring national opulence^ was totally neg-
kfted'. Charles, after employing arguments,
entreaties, and promiies, but without fuccefs, in '^5^*
order to overcome their obftinacy, difmifled the
alTembly with great indignation. From thatpe- rhetaotst
riod neither the nobles nor the prelates have been orthc clU!
called to thefe aflemblies, on pretence that fuch i*^'
as pay no part of the public taxes, Ihould not
claim any vote in laying them on. None have
been admitted to the Cortes but the procurators
or reprcfentatives of eighteen cities. Thefe, to
the number o[ thirty-fix, being two from each
community, form an aflbmbly which bears no re--
femblancc cither in power or dignity or independ-
ence to the ancient Cortes, and are abfolutely at
the devotion of the court in all their determina-
tions '. Thus the imprudent zeal with which the
Caftilian nobles had fupported the regal preroga-
tive, in oppofition to the claims of the commons
during the commotions in the year one thoufand
live hundred ajid twenty-one, proved at laft fatal
to their own body. By enabling Charles to de-
prcfs one of the orders in the ftate, they deftroyed
that balance to which the conftitution owed its
fecurity, and put it in his power, or in that of his
fucceflbrs, to humble the other, and to ftrip it of
its mcrfl valuable privileges.
' Sandov. Hid. vol. ii. 269.
■ Saodov. ibid. Le Science du Goveraement, par M. it
Real, torn. ii. p. 102.
At
172 THE REIGN OF THE
book' At that time, however, the Spanifh grandees
^■^■^-1 ftill poffefled extraordinary power as well as pri-
TheSp?nifli vUcges, which they exercifed and defended with
*""^'ff(rd ^" haughtinefs peculiar to themfelves. Of this
high privU the Ennperor himfelf had a mortifying proof du-
*'"* ring the meeting of the Cortes at Toledo. As
he was returning one day from a tournament ac-
companied by moft of the nobility, one of the
ferjeants of the court, out of officious zeal to clear
the way for the Emperor, ftruck the Duke of In-
fantado's horfe with his batton, which that haugh-
ty grandee refenting, drew his Iword, beat and
wounded the officer. Charles, provoked at fuch
an infolent deed in; his prefence, immediately
• ordered Ronquillo the judge of the court to arreft
the Duke; Ronquillo advanced to execute his
charge, when the conftable of Caftile interpofing,
checked him, claimed the right of juriftii&ion
over a grandee as a privilege of his office, and
ciondufted Infantado to his own apartment. All
the nobles prefent were fo pleafed with the bold-
nefs of the conftable in aflerting the rights of their
order, that, deferting the Emperor, they attended
him to his houfe with infinite applaufes, and
Charles returned to the palace unaccompanied by
.any perfon but the cardinal Tavera. The Em-
peror, how fenfible foever of the affront, faw the
danger of irritating a jealous and high-fpirited
order of men, whom the flighteft appearance of
offence might drive to the moft unwarrantable ex-
tremities. For that reafon, inftead of ftraining
at
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 173
ac any ill-timed exertion of his prerogative, he » o o k
prudently connived at the arrogance of a body too ^ J ,»
potent for him to controul, and fent next morn- '^J^*
ing to the Duke of Infantado, offering to inflift
what puniihment he pleafed on the perfon who
had affronted him. The Duke confidering this
as a full reparation to his honour, inftandy for-
gave the officer; beftowing on him, befides, a
confiderable prefent as a compenfation for his
wound- Thus the affair was entirely forgotten * ;
nor would it have deferved to be mentioned, if it
were not a ftriking example of the haughty and
independent fpirit of the Spanilh nobles in that
age, as well as an inftance of the Emperor's dex-
terity in accommodating his condudt to the cir-
cumAances in which he was placed.
Charles was far from difcovering any fuch infurreaion
coridefcenfion or lenity towards the citizens of "* ^*^*"'*
Ghent, who not long after broke out into open
rebellion againft his government* An event
which happened in the year one thoufand five
hundred and thirty-fix^ gave occafioh to this rafh
infurreftion io fatal to that flourilhing city. At
that time the Queen dowager of Hungary, gover-
nefs of the Netherlands, having received orders
from her brother to invade France with all the
forces which fhe could raife, fhe afTcmblcd the
States of the United Provinces, and obtained
from them a fubfidy of twelve hundred thoufand
' Sandov. ii. 274. Ferreras, ix. 212. Miniann, J13.
florins.
174 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK florins, to defray the expencc of that undertaking*
^ , / . Of this fum, the county of Flanders was obliged
'53^' to pay a third part as its proportion. But the
Pretenfions citizcns of Ghcnt, thc moft confiderable city
of^he cm- j^ ^^^ country, avcrfe to a war with France, with
which they carried on an extenfive and gainful
commerce, refiifcd to pay their quota, and con-
tended, that in confcquence of ftipulations be-
tween them and thc anceftors of their prefcnt fo-
vereign the Emperor, no tax could be levied upon
them, unlefs they had given their exprels confent
to thc impofition of it. The governcfs, on thc
other hand, maintained, that as the fubfidy of
twelve hundred thoufand florins had been granted
by thc States of Flanders, of which their rcprc-
fentatives were members, they were bound, of
courfe, to conform to what was enaded by them,
as it is the firft principle in fociety, on which the
tranquillity and order of government depend, that
the inclinations of thc minority muft be over-
ruled by the judgment and deciilon of the fuperior
number.
l^tt^^* The citizens of Ghent, however, were not will-
ihem. ing to relinquifh a privilege of fuch high import-
i ance as that which thev ^claimec^. Ijf^^ing been
^couftomed, under the government of the houfe
of Burgundy, to enjoy extenfive immunities, and
to be treated with much indulgence, they dif-
dained to facrifice to the delegated power of a
regent, diole rights and liberties which they had
often and fucccfsfully affertcd againft their grcateft
Princes.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. t^^
Princes. The Queen, though Ihe endeavoutcd ^
at firft to footh them, and to reconcile them to
their duty by various conceffions, was at laft fo '^^'*
much irritated by the ojjftinacy with which they
adhered to their claim, that Ihe ordered all the
cidzens of Ghent, on whom (he could lay hold in
any part of the Netherlands, to be arretted. But
this rafli a£tion made an impreflioh very different
fiom what (he expefted, on men, whofe minds
were agitated with all the violent palfions which
indignation at oppreffion and zeal for liberty in-
fpire. Lcfs- affeded with the danger of their
friends and companions, than irritated at die
govemefe, they openly delpifed her authority, and
fent deputies to the other towns of Flanders, con-
juring them not to abandon their country at fuch
a junfture, but to concur with them in vindi-
cating its rights againft the encroachments of a
woman, who either did not know or did not re-
gard their immunities. All but a few incon-
fiderable towns declined entering into any confe-
deracy againft the governefs : they joined, how-
ever, in petitioning her to put off the term for
payment of the tax fo long, that they might have
it in their power to lend fome of their number into
Spain, in order to lay their title to exemption
before their fovereign. This fhe granted with
fome difficulty. But Charles received their com-
miflioners with an haughtinefs to which they were
not accuftomed from their ancient Princes, and
enjoining them to yield the fame refpeftful obedi-
ence to His fifter, which they owed to him in per-
fon.
176 THE REIGN OF THE
fon, remitted the examination of their claim to
the council of Malines. This court, which is
'5^' properly a (landing committee of the parliament
or dates of the country, and which poffefles the
fupreme jurifdiftion in all matters civil as well as
criminal ^, |5ronounced the claim of the citizens of
Ghent to be ill-founded, and appointed them forth-
with to pay their proportion of the tax,
V'^.^Md Enraged at this decifion, which they confi-
offer to Tub- dercd as notorioufly unjuft, and rendered defpcrate
France. on feeing their rights betrayed by that very court
which was bound to proted them, the people of
Ghent ran to arms in a tumultuary manner, drove
fuch of the nobility as refided among them out of
the city j fecured feveral of the Emperor's officers -,
pu: one of them to the torture, whom they ac-
cufed of having ftolen or deftroyed the record that
contained a ratification of the privileges of ejc-
emption from taxes which they pleaded ; chofe a
council to which they committed the direftion of
their affairs ; gave orders for repairing and adding
to their fortifications i and openly erefted the
flandard of rebellion againft their fovercign^.
, Senfible, however, of their inability to fupport what
their zeal had prompted them to undertake, and
defirous of fecuring a proteftor againft the for-
f Defcrittione ill tutti Paed Baffi di Lad. Guicciardin',
Ant. 157I. fol. p. 53.
* Memoires fur la Revoke dc Gantois en 1559, par Jean
d'fiollander, eerie en 1547. A la Haye, 174.7. P. Heuier.
^er. AuAr, lib. ^i. p. 262. Sandov. HiAor. (091.11. p. z^i^
midable
feMPE'ROR CHARLES V. '177
taidable forces by which they might expeft foon to * ^^ ^
be attacked, they fcnt ibme of their number to y^^^L^
Francis, offering not ohiy to acknowledge him as '^^^
their fovereign, and to put him in immediate pof-
feffion of Ghent, but to aflift him with all their
forces in recovering thbfe provinces in the Nether-
lands, which had anciently belonged to the crown
of France, and had been fo lately re-united, to it by.
the decree of the parliarpent of Paris. This un-
expected propofition coming from perfons who had
it in their power to have performed inftantly onfe
part of what they undertook, and who could con-
tribute fo effeftually towards the execution of the
whofej opened great as well as alluring prolpefts to
Frmcis's ambition. The counties of Flanders and
Artois were of greater value than the dutchy of
Milan, i^hich he had fo long laboured to acquire
with paffionate but fruitlefs defire ; their fituation
with refpeft to France rendered it more eafy to
conquer or to defend them j and they rhight be
formed into a feparate principality for the Duke of
Orleans, no lefs fuitable to his dignity thaii that
which his father aimed at obtaining. To this, the
Flemings^ who were acquainted with the French
manners and government^ would not have been
averfe ; and his own fubjeflis j weary of their de-^
ftru6kive expeditions into It^y, would have turned
their arrtis towards this quarter with more good-
will, and with gfcater vigour. Several confident- Francis iem
tions, neverthelefs, prevented Francis from laying offSr?
hold of this opportunity, the molt favourable in
VoLi III. N appear-. •
178 /THE REIGN GF THE
* ^vr ^ appearance which had ever prefented itfelf, of «i-
K-^^»,^ tending his own dominions^ or diftrefllng the Elm-
'539- peror. From the time of their interview at Aigues--
itoortes, Charks had continued to court the King
of France with wonderful attention ; and often flat-
tered him with hopes of gratifying at laft his wifhes
concerning the Milancfe, by granting the invcfti-
ture of it either to him or to one of his fons. But
though thefe hopes and promifes were thrown out
with no other intention than to detach him from
his confederacy with the Grand Seignior, or to raife
fufpicions in Solyman's mind by the appearance of
a cordial and familiar intercourfe fubfifting between
the courts of Paris and Madrid, Francis was weak
enough to catch at the fhadow by which he had been
fo often amufed, and from eagernefs to feize it, re-
linquifhed what muft have proved a more fubftan-
tial acquifition. Befides this, the Dauphin, jealous
to excefs of his brother, and unwilling that a Prince
who feemed to be of a reftlefs and entefprizing na-
ture fhould obtain an eftablifhment, which from its
fituation might be confidered almpft as a domeftic
one, made ufe of Montmorency, who, by a lingu-
lar piece of good fortune, was at the fame time the
favourite of the father and of the Ion, to defeat the
application of the Flemings, and to divert the King
from efpoufing their caufe. .Montmorency, ac-
cordingly, reprefented, in ftrong terms, the repu-
,• tation and power which Francis would ac<5[uire by
recovering that footing which he had formerly in
Italy^ and that nothing could be fo efficacious to
'...:? f. over-
EMPEROk CHARLES f. *79
6vcrcome the Emperor's averfion to this as a facred * ^^ ^
adherence to the truce, and refufing, on an occafion *-— >^^
fo inviting, to countenance the rebellious fubjefts of ^^^^
his rival. Francis, apt of" himfelf to over-rate thfe
value of the Milancfe, becaufe he eftimated it from
the length of time as well as from the great efforts
which he had employed in order to reconquer it,
and fond of every aAion which had the appearance
of gencrofity, aflented without difficulty to fenti-
ments fo agreeable to his own, rejefted the propo-
fitions of the citizens of Ghent, and difmiflcd their
deputies with an harlh anfwer \
Not latisfied with this, by a farther refinement Commun!-
in gene'rpfity, he communicated to the Emperor "lem^ioM
his whole negociation with the malecontents, and
all that he knew of their fchemes and intentions ^.
This convincing proof of Francis's difinterefted-
i\ds relieved Charles fi-bm the moft difquieting
apprehenfions, and opened a way to extricate him-
ielf out of all his difficulties. He had already re-
ceived full information of all the tranfaftions in the
Netherlands, and of the rage with which the people
of Ghent had taken arms againft his government.
He was thoroughly acquainted with the genius and
qualities of his fubjefts in that country ; with their
love of liberty ; their attachment to their ancient
privileges and cuftoms j as well as the invincible
* Mem. deBellay, p. 263. P. Heuter. Rcr. Auftr. lib. xi,
1263. ^ S»ido7« Hiilor. tool* ii. 284.
to the Bin*
perot.
i8o
THE REIGN OF THE
* %? ^ pbftinacy witfi which their minds, flow but firm
w--^Aw and perfevering, adhered to any meafure on which
'^^^' they had deliberately refolved. He eafily faw what
encouragement and fupport they might have de-
rived from the afliftance of France ; and though
. now free from any danger on that quarter, he was
Hill fenfible that fome immediate as well as vigor-
ous interpofition was neceflary, in order to prevent
the fpirit of difafFedbion from fpreading in a coun-
try where the number of cities, the multitude of
people, together with the great wealth difiufed
among them by commerce, rendered it peculiarly
formidable, and would fupply it with inexhauftible
refources. No expedient, after long deliberation,
appeared to him fo efiedhial as his going in perfon
to, the Netherlands; and the governefs his lifter
being of the fame opinion, warmly folicited him
tp undertake the journey. There were only two
different routes which he could take ; one by land
through Italy and Germany, the other entirely by
fea, from fome port in Spain to one in the Low-
Countries. But the former was more tedious than
fuited the prefent exigency of his affairs; nor could
he in confiftency with his dignity, or even his £sl£g^
ty, pals through Germany without fuch a train
both of attendants and of troops, as would have
added greatly to the tim^ that he muft have con-
fumed in his journey; th^ latter was dangerous at
this feafon, and while he remained uncertain with
relpedt to the friendfhip of the King of England^
was not to be ventured upon> unlefe under the coar
voy
Chfttlet**
tioat con-
cerning hii
journey to
the Nether-
Undi.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. v^f
toy of a powerful fleet. This perplexing fitua* book
don, in which he was under the neceflity of chuf- i^ ^-_j
ing, and did not know what to chufe, inlpired him '^39«
at laft with the fingular and feemingly extravagant
thought of pafling through France, as the molt pr»poie« to
expeditious way of reaching the Netherlands. • He I'^^cl!^^^
propofed in his council to demand Francis's per-
miflion for that purpofe. All his counfellors join-
ed with one voice in condemning the meafure as
no lefs ralh than unprecedented, and which muft
infallibly expofe him to difgrace or to danger j to
difgracc, if the demand were rejefted in the nrianner
that he had reafon to expeft ; to danger, if he put
his pcrfon in the power of an enemy whom he had
often offended, who had ancient injuries to re-
venge, as well as fubjefts of prefent conteft ftill
remaining undecided. But Charles, wha had ftu-
died the charafter of his rival with greater care
and more profound difcernment than any of his
minifters, perfifted in his plan, and flattered hin^-
feif that it might be accomplilhed not only with-^
out danger to his own perfon, but even without
the expence of any conceflion detrinr^ntal to his
crown.
With this view he communicated the matter TowWck
to the French ambaflador at his court, and fent fonfenu.
GranvcUe his chief minifter to Paris, in order to
obtain from Francis permiffion to pafs through
his dominions, and to promife that he would foon
fettle the aflTair of the Milanefe to his fatisfaftion.
But at the lame time he entreated that Francis
N 1 would
J«4» .THE REIGN OF THE !
^ %^ ^'^ would not exaft any new promife, or even infift tMr
^-^■ w former engagements, at this jundture, left what-
»539' gy^j. jj^ Ihould grantj under his prefent circum^
ftances, might feem rather to be extorted by ne-
ceffity, than to flow fix)m fricndlhip or the love of
juftice. Francis, inftead of attending to the fnare
which fuch a flight artifice fcarcely concealed, was
fo dai^zled with the fplendour of overcoming an
enemy by a6ls of generofity, and {o pleaied witii
the air of fuperiority which the re6titude and difin*
tereftedncfs of his proceedings gave him on this
occafion, that he at once aflented to all that wa9
demanded. Judging of the Emperor's heart by
his own, he imagined that the iendments of gra*
titude, arifi.ng from the remembrance of good of-
fices and liberal treatment, would determine him
more forcibly to fulfil what he had fo often pro-
mifed, than the moil precife (lipulations that could
be inferted in any treaty.
in«recep- ypoN this, Charlcs, to whopn every moment
kbgdSm/ was precious, fet out, notwithftanding the fears
and fufpicions of his Spaniih fubjefts, with a fmall
but fplendid train of about an hundred pcrfons.
At Bayonne, on the frontiers of France, he was re-
. ceivcd by the Dauphin and the Duke of Orleans,
attended by thp conftable Montmorency. The
two Princes offered to go into Spain, and to remain
there as hoftagcs for the Emperor's fafety/ but
this he rejefted, declaring, that he relied with im-
plicit confidence on the King's honour, and had
pcver demanded^ nor would accept of any other
pledge
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 483
pledge for his fecurity. In all the towos through ^ 9^^ *
which he paffed, the greatcft poffible magnificence — ^^
was difpiayedi the magiftratcs prefcnted him the ^^^
keys of the gates; the prifon doors were fct openj
and, by the royal honours paid to him, Ije appear-
ed more like the fovereign of the country than a
foreign prince. The King advanced as fa)- as
Chateiherault to meet him ; their interview was is4«»
diftinguifhed by the warmeft expreffions of friend-
Ihip and regard. They proceeded together to-
W2u-ds Paris, and prcfented to the inhabitants of
that city, the extraordinary fpe6lacle of two rival
Monarchs, whofe enmity had difturbed and laid
vn&t Europe during twenty years, making their
folemn entry together with all the fymptoms of a
confidential harmony, as if they had forgotten for
ever paft injuries, and would never revive hoftili-
tics for the future ^
Charles remained fix days at Paris 5 but amidft *^^* ???*•
the perpetual carefles of the French court, and tude,
the various entertainments contrived to amufe or
to do him honour, he difcovered an extreme im-
patience to continue his journey, arifing as much
from an apprehenfion of danger which conftantly
haunted him, as fr6m*the neceflfity of his pre-
fence in the Low-Countries. Confcious of the
difingenuity of his own intentions, he trembled
when he refleded that fome fatal accident might
betray them to his rival, or lead him to fufpcd
^ TluaB. Hift. lib. i. c. 14. Mem. de Bellay, 264.
N 4 thcms
i84 THE REIGN OF THE
* %f ^ them ; and though his artifices to conceal them
^^'J'^mf ihould be fuccefsfu]^ he could not help fearing
^^*^ that motives of intereft might at laft triumph over
the fcruples of honour, and tempt Francis to
avail himfelf of the advantage now in his hands.
Nor were there wanting perfons among the French
uiiniftcrs, who advifed tlie King to turn his own
arts againft the Emperor, and as the retribution
due for fo many inftances of fraud or falfehood, to
feize and detain his perfon until he granted him
full fatisfaAion with regard to all the juil claims
of the French crown. But no confideration could
induce Francis to violate the faith which he had
pledged, nor could any argument convince him
that Charles, after all the promifes that he had
given, and all the favours which he had receive^,
might ftill be capable of deceiving him. Full of
this falfe confidence, he accompanied him to St.
Quintin ; ^nd the two Princes, who had met him
on the borders of Spain, did not take leave of
him until he entered his dominions in the Lowi*
Countries,
•na^ifingc As foon as thp Emperor reached his own tcr-
'*"*^^' ritories, the French ambaffadors demanded the
jtaDiryH. accompliihment of what he had promifed con-
cerning the inveftiture of Milan j but Charles^
under the plaufible pretext that his whole atten-
tion was then engrofled by the confultadons nc-
cefiary towards fupprefling the rebellion in Ghent,
' put o£F the matter for fome time. But in order
to prevent Francis from fufpefting his fincerity,
he
EMPERbH CHARLES V. ig^
lie (till continued to talk of his refolutions with book
VI
recked: to that matter in the fame ftrain as wheri ^-^^- ^
he entered France, and even wrote to the King '540.
much to the fame purpofc, though in general
terms, and with equivocal expreffions, which he
might afterwards explain away or interpret at plea-^
fure *.
Meakwhile, the unfortunate citizens of Ghent^ Reauaion
deftitute of leaders capable either of directing their *^ ****'
councils, or conducting their troops ; abandoned .
by the French King, and unfupported by their
countrymen ; were unable to refift their offended
fovereign, who was ready to advance againft them
widr one body of troops which he had raifed in
the Netherlands, with another drawn out of Ger-
many, and a third which had arrived from Spain
by fea. The near approach of danger made
them, at laft, fo fenfible of their own folly, that
they fent ambafladors to the Emperor, imploring
his mercy, and offering to fet open their gates at
his approach. Charles, without vouchfafing them
any other anfwer, than that he would appear
among them as their fovereign, with the fceptrc
and the i^ord in his hand, began his march at
the head of his troops. Though he chofe to enter
the city on the twenty-fourth of February, his
birth-day, he was touched with nothing of that
tendernels or indulgence which was natursdito-
* Mcmoi/es it Ribier, 1. 504,
wards
ii6 . THE REIGN OF THE *
f
* %f ^ wards the place of his nativity. Twenty-fix of
C-— nA-i the principal citizens were put to death j a greater
•n/p""'A- 'luinber was fent into banifhmentj the city was
Stblw/^ declared to have forfeited all its privil^s and
Apfti ao. immunities j the revenues belonging to it were
confifcateds its ancient form of government was
abolifhed -, the nomination of its magi{bate3 wa$
veiled for the future in the Emperor and his fuc-
cefibrs -, a new fyftem of laws and political admi-
niftration was prefcribed ^ and in order to bridle
the feditious Ipirit of the citizens^ orders were
given to ereft a ftrong citadel, for defraying die
expence of which a fine of an hundred and fifty
thoufand florins was impofed on the inhabitants^
together with an annual tax of fix thoufand florins
for the fupport of the garrifon ^ By thefe rigor-
ous proceedings, Charles not only piuiifhed the
citizens of Ghent, but fet an awfijl exaniple of
fcverity before his other fubje&s in the Netherlands,
whofe immunities and privileges, partly the eflfed,
partly the caufe of their extenfive commerce, cir-
cumfcribed the prerogative of their Sovereign with-
in very narrow bounds, and often ftood in the way
of meafures which he wifhed to undertake, or fet-
tered and retarded him in his operations.
fofeMofuU Charles having thus vindicated arid rc-efta-
fiihitcR. bliftied his authority in the Low-Countri*s, and
gagementt
toFxancii*
^ Les Coutumes & Loix da Compte de Plandre^ par Alex.
le Grande, 3 torn. foL Cambray, 17191 torn* i. p. 169*
^ Harsei Annalei Brabantis, vol. L 6i6. »
being
EMPEROR CHARLES V, x97
hdng now under no neceflSty of contintiing the » o o ic
fame fcene of falfehood and diffimulation with -c-^-u^^
vhich he had long amufed Francis, began gradu- '«**•
ally to throw afide the veil under which he had
concealed his intentions with^reipefk to the Mila^
nefc. At firft, he eluded the demands of the
French ambafTadors, when they again renunded
him of his promifes -, then he propoied, by way-
of equivalent for the dutchy of Milan, to grant
the Duke of Orleans the inveftiture of Flanders,
clogging the offer, however, with impradticable
condkions, or fuch as he knew would be rcjc<5b-
cd *. At laft, befng driven from all his evafions
and fubterfugcs by their infifting for a categorical
anfwcr, he peremptorily refiifed to give up a ter-
ritory of fuch value, or voluntarily to make fuch
a liberal addition to the llrength of an enemy by
diminiihing his own power ^ He denied at the
f^ne time, that he had ever made any p/omife
which could bind him to an a^ion fb fooliih, and
fo contrary to his own intereft^
Of all the tranfaftions in the Emperor's life«
this, without doubt, reflects the greateft difhonour
on his reputation'. Though Charles was not ex^
tremely fi:rupulous at other times about the means
which he employed for accomplifiiing his endsj
and was not always obiervant of the itrid pre-*
* Mem. de Ribier, i. 509. 514. * Ribier, i. 519.
' Bellay, 365-6.
> Jovii Hill; lib. xxxix* p. 238, a*
cepts
18^ THE REIGN OF THE
cepts of veracity and honour, he had hitherto'
maintained Ibme regard for the maxims of that
'54o« lefs precife and rigid morality by which Mo-
narths think' themfelves entitled to regulate their
conduft. But, on this occafion, the fcheme that
he formed of deceiving a generous and open-
hearted Prince i the illiberal and mean artifices by
which he carried it on ; the infenfibility with which
he received all the marks of his friendfhip, as
well as the ingratitude with which he requited
them ; are all equally unbecoming the dignity of
his charafter, and ihconfiftent with the grandeur
pf his views.
This tranfaftion expofed Francis to as much
fcorn as it did the Emperor to cenfure^ After
the experience of a long reign, afiier fo many op-
portunities of difcovering the duplicity and artifices
of his rival, the credulous fimplicity with which
he trufted him at this junfture feemed to merit
no other return than what it aftually met with-
Francis, however, rcmonftrated and exclaimed,
as if this had been the firfl inftance in which the
Emperor had deceived him. Feeling, as is ufual,
the infult which was offered to his underftanding
ftill more fenfibly than the injury done to his in-
tereft, he difcovered fuch refentment, as made it
obvious tjiat he would lay hold on the firft oppor-
tunity of being revenged, and that a war, no, lefs
rancorous than that which had Co lately raged,
would foon break out anew in Europe.
But
EMPERQR CHARLES V. 189
But lingular as the tranfadtion which has been * ^^ »
related may appear^ this year is rendered (till more \m,^^Lm^
memorable by the eftablilhment of the Order of xh/v^
Jcfuits i a body whofe influence on ecclefiaftical- as t"e*iftft^.
well as civil affairs hath been fo confiderable> that tionofthc
an account of the genius of its laws and govern-^ jefutt,
mentjviftly merits a place in hiftory. When men
take a view of the rapid progrefs of this fociety to-
wards wealdi and power 3 when they contemplate
die admirable prudence ^if^ith which it has been
governed i when they attend to the perfevering and
fyftematic Ijpirit with which its fchemes have been
carried on ; they arc apt to afcribe fuch a Angular
inftitution to the fuperior wifdom of ijts feunder,
and to fuppofe that he had formed and digefted hi^
plan with profound policy. But the Jefuits, as;
well as the other monaftic orders^ are indebted for
the exiftence of their order not to the wifdom of
their founder, but to his enthufiafm. Ignatio
Loyola, whom I have already mentioned on occa-^
fion of the wound which he received in defending
Pampeluna \ was a fanatic diftinguifhed by extra-
vagancies in fendment and condudt, no lefs incom-
patible with the maxims of Ibber reafon, than re-
pugnant to the fpirit of true religion. The wild
adventures, and vifionary fchemes, in which his
enthufiafm engaged him, equal any thing recorded
in the legends of the Romilh faints ; but are un«
worthy of notice in hiflory,
^ Vol. ii. Book ii. p. 192. .
Prompt-*
r^ .THE REIGN OF tH^ '
* %^ ^ • PROMPTED by this fanatical fpirit, or incited by
<w- — -^ the love of power and d^nftion, from which
Fioa^fctftn ^^^ pfctcndcrs to fuperior (andtity are not exempt,
itt^il^dk Loyo^ ^^^ ambitious of becoming the founder of
a religious order. The plan, which he formed of
its Gonftitution and laws, was foggefted, as he gave
out, and as his followers ftill teach, by the imme-
diate infpiration of heaven *. But notwithftanding
. this high pretenfion, his defign met at firft with
violent oppofition. The Pope, to whom Loyola
had applied for the fanftion of his authority to con-^
firm the inftitution, referred his petition to a com-
mittee of Cardinals, They reprefented the efta-
blifliment to be unneceflary as well as dangerous,
and Paul refufed to grant his approbation of Tc,
At laft, Loyola removed all his fcruples by an offer
which it was impoflible for any Pope to refift.
TbePopc'i He propofed that befidcs the three vows of poverty,
^firming' of chaftitv, and of monadic obedience, which arc
the Older, common to all the orders of regulars, die members
of his fociety Ihould take a fourth vow of obe-
dience to the Pope, binding themfelves^to go
whitherfoever he Ihould command for the fervicc
of religion, and without requiring any riling from
the Holy See for their fupport. At a time when
the p^pal authority had received fuch a fhock by
the revolt of fo many nations from the Romifh
church ; at a time when every part of the popilh
fyftem was attacked with fo much violence and
* Compte rendu des Conftitutions dcs Jifuites, au Park-
meat de Provence, par JJl. dc Monclar, p. 285,
r ' fuccefs.
EMPfiROR CHARLES V. i^r
fticceis, the acquifirion of a body of men, dius book
peculiarly devoted to the See of Rome^ and whom ^■ ^' ^
it might fet in oppofition to all its enemies, was aa 'i*^*
objedt of the higheft confequence. Paul, inftantly Scpt; 27,
perceiving this, confirmed the inftitution of the Je-
fuits by his bull \ granted the moft ample privi-
leges to the members of the fociety j and appointed
Loyola to be the firft general of the order. The
event hath fully juftified Paul's difcernment, in ex-
pefting fuch beneficial confequences to the See: of
Rome from this inftitution. In lefs than half a
century, the fociety obtained eftablifhments in
every country that adhered to the Roman catholic
church ; its power and wealth increafed amazmgly;
the number of its members becanie great j their
charafter as well as accomplifliments were ftiil
► greater; and the Jefuifs were celebrated by the
friends, and dreaded by the enemies of the Romifh
faith, as the moft able and enterprizing order in the
church*
The conftitution and laws of the fociety were, its con«im.
perfefted .by Laynez and Aquaviva, the two ge- nfu" metir
nerals who fucceeded Loyola, men far fuperior to J^^^^jJ^'
their maftcr in abilities, and in the fcience of go-
vernment. They framed that fyftem of profound
and artful policy which diftinguilhes the order.
The large infufion of fanaticifm, mingled with
ks regulations, fhould be imputed to Loyola its
founder. Many circumftances concurred in giving
a peculiarity of charafter to the order of Jefuits,
and in formihg the members of it not only to
• take
T9^ THE REIGN OF THE
* %P ^ ^^ ^ greater part in the affairs of the world thto
w^-vA-i/ any other body of monks, but to acquire /uperipr
*^^^' influence in the cpnduft of them*
The Dbjeft The primary objed of almoft all the monaftlc
of the order •/• r i ti t r
fiiigttUr. orders is to feparate men from the world, and from
any concern in its affairs^ In the folitude and filence
of the cloifter, the monk is called to work out his
own falvation by extraordinary afts of mortification
and piety* He is dead to the world, and ought not
to mingle in its tranfaftions. He can be of no be-
nefit to mankind) but by his e3cample and by his
prayers. On the contrary, the Jefuits are taught to
confider themfelves as formed for aftion. They arc
chofen foldicrs, bound to exert themfelves conti-
nually in the fervice of God, and of the Pope, his
vicar on earth* Whatever tends to inftrudt the
ignorant ; whatever can be of life to reclaim or to
oppofe the enemies of the Holy See, is their proper,
objeft. That they may have full leifure for this
aftive fervice, they are totally exempted from thofe
fundtiorts, the performance of which is the chief
bufinefs of other monks.^ They appear in no
proceflions ; they praftife no rigorous aufterities ;
they do not confume one half of their time in the
repetition of tedious offices^. But they are re-
quired to attend to all the tranfa<^pns of the
world, on account of the influence which thefe
may have upon religion; they are direfted to
^ Compte rend a ^ par M. de Mondar, p. xiii. 290. Sor
, la Deftru^. des jefuius; par M. D'AIembert^ p. 42.
ftudy
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 193
ftudy the difpofirioni of ixyfons i;i high rank, » ^^^ ^
and to cultivate their fiiendflup.' ; and by the very c— y-j
conftitution, as well as genius of the order, a fpi- '^'
lit of a&ion and intrigue is infufed in^ alkits
members.
As the object of the fociety of Jefults differed fewUiriUtt
&om that of the other monaiHc orders, the di- atiopoikj,
veriity was no leis in the form of its government. SAtliTei^a
The other orders are to be confidered as volun- U ihe^lll!
tary aflbciations, in which whatever affedls the "^
whole body, is regulated by the common fuffrage
of all its members. The executive power is veil-
ed in the perfons placed at the head of each con-
vent, or of the whole fociety j the legillative au-
thority refides in the community. Affairs of mo-
ment, relating to particular convents, arc deter-
mined in conventual chapters 5 fuch as relpeft the
whole order are confidered in general congrega*
tions. But Loyola, full of the ideas of implicit
obedience, which he had derived from his military
profeflion, appointed that the government of his
order fhould be purely monarchical, A General,
chofen for life by deputies from the feveral pro-i
vinces, poflcfled power that was fupreme and in-
dependent, extending to every perfon, and to every
cafe. He, by his fole authority, nominated pro-
vincials, reftors, and every other officer employed
in the government of the fociety, and could re-
move them at pleafure. In him was vefted the
' Coxnpte par M. de Monclar, p. is.
Vol, III. O fovc-
194 THE REIGN OF THE
* %? ^ ^^vereign Bdmimftwtion of the revenues and fends
u^.*^ of the order. F/fery member bdonging to it was
^^^' at his difpofal ; and hf his uneontrobUe mandate,
he f|buid ,impo(e on them any talk, or employ
them in what fervice (bevcr he pleafed. To his
commands they were required not only to yield
outward obedience, but to refign up to him the
inclinations of their own wills, and the fentiments
of their own underftandings. They were to liften
to his ii^undbions, as if they had been uttered by
•Chrift iiinafclf. Under his direftion, they were to
^'he.mere paffive inftruments, like clay in th^ hands
of the potter, or like dead carcafes incapable of
refiflance "*• S.uch a Angular form of policy could
not fail to imprcfs its charafter on aU the memr
bers of the order, and to give a peculiar force to
all its operations. There is not in the annals of
mankind any example of fuch a perfeft ^;ipodfm,
cxcrcifed not over monks fhut up in the cells of a
convent, but over men difperfed among all the
nations of the earth.
circumftan. As the conftitutions of the order veft, in the Ge-
ces which ' ^
enable htm ncral, luch abfolutc dominion over all its members,
uJlth the they carefully provide for his being perfe6Uy in-
I7h:»i!^' formed with refpeft to die charafler and abilities
of his fubjefts. Every novice who offers himfelf
as a candidate for entering into the order, is oblig-
• Comptc rcndo au Parfcm. de Bretagne, par M. <te Cba-
lotais, p. 41, &c. Comptc par M. dc Monclar, 83. i8j.
ed
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 195
cd to manififiiis £<mfaencc to the fuperioc, or to a ® ^^^ *
p^on appoiAted by him j and in doing this is re- w-v-^^J
quired to coof^ not only his^iins and de£b6b, but \^^'
to diftoyer the inclinadons^ thepalfions^ and the
bept <^ his ibul. This manifeftation rnxxSt be re-
newed every fix months ". The fociety, not fatifr
fied with penetrating in this manner into the inner^
moil recefles of the heart, dire&s each oiember to
oMbrve the words and adtion^ c^ the novices ; the^
are confiituted ipies upon their coi^d s $u)4 f^^p
bound to diicloie every thing of importance con-
cerning them to the fuperior. |n .order that i(his
fcrutiny into their charaftcr may be as complete as
pofilhle, along noviciate mud expirie, ducipg'Vfrhich
they pals dux)ugh the feveral gradations of ranks in
the fociety, and dicy muft have attained the Ml
age of thirty-three years before they c^n be admit-
ted to take the final vows,i by which they become
fr^fefftd members ". By thefe various method^^.
die foperiors, under whoie imnoedkte inipe&ion
the novices are j^aced, acquire a thorough know-
ledge of their difppfidons and talents. In order
that the General, who is the foul that animates aivl
moves the whole fociety, may have under his eye
every thing neceflary to inform or dire& lum, the
provincials and heads of the feveral houfes are
obliged to tranfmit to him regular and frequent re-
ports concerning die members under their inipcc-
* Compte pftr M. de Moncltr^ p. I si 9 &c.
• Compte par M. de Mond. 215. 241. Saria Deftr. det
Jef. par M. d'Aleofb. p. 79.
O a don*
I540.
I9« THE REIGN OF THE
" ^i^ '^ tion. In thefc they defcend into minute details
with refpeft to the chafaftcr of each perfon, his
abilities natural or acquired, his temper, his expe-
rience in affairs, and the particular department for
which he is beft fitted ^. Thefe reports, when di-
gefted and arranged, are entered into rcgiftcrs kept
on purpofe that the General may, at one com-
prehenfive view, furvey the ftate of the fociety
in every corner of the earth; obferve the qua-
lifications and talents of its members ; and thu$
choofe, with perfeft information, die inftru-
mehts, which his abfolute power can employ
P M. de Chalotais has made a calcttlation of the d umber
of tkefe reports, which the General of the Jefuiu moil aa*
Boally receive according to the regulations of the fociety.
Thefe amoont in all to 6584. If this fum be divided by 37,
the number of j)rovinces in the order, it will appear that 177
reports concerning the ftate of each province are tranfmitted
to Rome annually. Compte, p. 5». Befides tliis^ there may
be extraordinary letters, or fiich as are fent by the monitors or
(piea whom the General and Provincials entertain in each
hoof^. Compte par M. de Moncl. p* 43 !• Hill, des Jefnites,
Amft* 1761, torn. iv. p. 56. The provincials and heads of
houfes not only report coocembg the members of the fociety,
but are bound to give the General an account of the civil aF-
. fairs in the country wherein they are fettled, as far as their
knowledge of thefe may be of benefit to religion. This cod«
dition may extend to ^vcry particular, fo that the General ts
farniihed with full information concerning the tranfadlions of
' tvery Prince and State in the world. Compte par M. de
Moncl. 443. Hid. des Jefuit. ibid. p. 58. When the affkiri
with refpe^ to which the provincials or rcAors write are of
. importance, they are direded to nfe cyphers ; and each of
them has a particular cypher from the General. Compte par
M. Chalotais, p. 54.
in
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 197.
in any fefvictf for which he thinks meet to dcftine ® ^^^ *
them \ 4^-^^,^
As it was the profefled intention of the order p^p^i^
of Jefbits to labour with unwearied zeal in pror in^fX!
moting the falvation of men, this engaged them, ^^f **
of courfc, in many aftive funftions. From their
firil inftitution, they confidcrcd the educatioa
of youth as their pecuKar. province j they aimed
at being Ipiritual guides and confeflbrs j they
preached frcquendy in order to inftruft the people;
they let out as miilionaries to convert unbelieving
nations. The novelty, of the inftitution, as weU
as the Angularity of its objeds, procured the or-
der many admirers and patrons. The governors
of the fociety had the addrefs to avail themfelves
of every circiinnftance in its favour, and in a fhort .
time the number as well as influence of its mem*
bers increaied wonderfully. Before the expira-
tion of the fixteenth century, the Jefuits had ob«
taincd the chief direftion of the education of youth
in every Catholic country in Europe. They had
become the confeflbrs of almoft all its monarchy
a fun£iion of no fmall importance in any reign,
but under a weak Prince, fupenor even to that
of minifter. They were the Ipiritual guides of
almoft every perfon eminent for rank Or power.
They poffeflcd the higheft degree of confidence
and interefl; with the papal court, as the moft
t Compte par M. de Mond. p. 215. ^^39.— Qomptc j a^
M- de Ciialoiais, p. 52. 222.
O 2 zealous
19* THE REIGN OF TH&
K zealous aiid able champions for ks a^fthoiiiy.
The advantages which an a&ive and enterprifuig
■•*] ^^' body of men might derive from all thcfc circum-
ftances ai^e obvious. They formed the minds of
men in their youth. They retained an tfeetidant
over them in their advasced years. They pof-
fefled, at different periods, thc'direftion of the
*K)ft confiderable courts in Europe. They min-
gled in all afftirs. They cook part in every in-
trigue and revolution. The General, by means
€>{ -the extenfive intdHgenee which he received,
^uld regtikte the operations of the order witii the
moft perfect difcernment, and by meatis of his ab-
fblute power could carry them on with the utmoft
vigour and efleft '.
Pffogreft of Together with the power of the order^ its
itiweaiih. wealth continued to increafe. V^ous expedi-
ents were devifed for eluding die obligation of
the vo^ of poverty. The order acquired ample
foflcffions in every Catholic country j and by the
. Rumbeis as well as ma^mficenee of its public
buildings^: together with the valiue of its' pFopertyi
' Wken Loyola, in the year 1540, jietitioned the Pope to
fiuthorize the inHioition of the order, he had only tea diA
ciples. But iQ the year 1608, fixty-dight years after their firft
inftitutibn, the number of Jefuics had ittcreafcd to ten thou*
land five huhdred and eighty-one. In the year i7io» die or«
der pofTefled ti^enty-fiiur proffJIM hotifes ; fifty-nine houf^s af
probation ; three hundred and forty refidencies ; fix hundred
and twelve colleges ; two hundred niiflions ; one hundred and
fifty feminaries and boarding- fchools ; and confided of 19,998
Jefuits. Hift. des Jefoites, torn. i. jp, 20,
• moveable
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 199
moveable 0r real, it vifrf with the moft opulent of ^ ^^^ k.
the modqaftic fraternitjies. Befides the foyrcesof <
weakh .CQi(nnH>n to aU the regidar clergy^ the Jer
fuits poflei&d one whkb vm peculiar to themfel ves.
Under pretext of promoting the fuccei^ of their
miflions^ and of facilitating the fupport of their
miflionaries^ they obtained a fpecial licence from
the court of Rome, to trade with the nations which
they laboured to convert. In confequence of this,
they engs^d in an extenfive and lucrative com-
merce, both in the Eaft and Weft Indies. They •
q)cned warehouies in different parts of Europe, ^
which they vended thetr commodities. Not fatisfied
with trade alone, they imitated the example of other
commcfcial fociedes, and aimed at obtaining iettle-
meats. They acquired pofleffion accordingly of a
large and fertile province in the fouthern continent
of America, and reigned as Sovereigns over ibme
hundred thoufand fubjeds *.
Unhappily for mankind, the vaft influence ^raicioui
which the order of Jefuits acquired by all thcfe tn^tt ©«
difierent means, has been often exerted with the **''**^""**^
raoft pernicious effed. Such was tlie tendency of
that difdpKne obferved by the fociety in forming
its members, and fuch the funcbmental maxims
in its conftitution, that every Jefuit was taught to
regard the intercft of the order as the capital ob-
jed, to which every confideration was to be facri*
• Hiil. dts JeC: iv. 168 — 196, &€•
O 4 ficed«
aoo THE REIGN OF THE
• ^^ * ficcd This fymt of stttachmenc to their order,
w . J , mf the moft ardent, perliaps, that ever influenced any
''^^ body of menS is the charaderiftic principle of tbe
Jefuits, and ferves as a key to the genius of their
policy^ as well as to d^e peculiarides in dicir fenti*
ments and condu&*
As it was for the honour and advantage of the fo^
cietyj that its members Ihould pofiefs an afcendant
over peribns in high rank or of great power, the
dcfire 6f acquiring and preferving fiich a direftion
# of their conduA, with greater facility^ has led the
Jefuits to propagate a iyftem of relaxed and pliant
morality, which accommodates itfelf to the paffions
of men, which juftifies their vices, which tokrates
their imperfe£bions, which authorizes almofl: every
aftion that the moft audacious or crafty politician
would wifh to perpetrate.
As the profperity of the order was intimately
connefted with die preiervation of the papal au*
thority, the Jefuits, influenced by the fame prin-
ciple of attachment to the interefts of their fo-
ciety, have been the moft zealous patrons of thoie
dofbrines, which tend to exalt ecclefiaftical power
on the ruins of civil government. They have at-
tributed to the court of Rome a jurifdiftion as
extenfive and abfolute as was claimed by the moft
prefumptuous pontiffs in the dark ages. They
< Comptc par M. de MoncK p. 285:
• . have
EMPEROR CHARLES V. adi
have contended for the entire independence of *^ ^ "^
ecclefiaftics on the civil magiftrate. They have w — 1^,^
publifhed liich tenets concerning the duty of op- *5***
pofing Princes who were enemies of the Catholic
faiths as countenanced the mofl atrocious crinmes^
sjid tended to diffolve all the ties which conneft
fubje&s with their rulers.
As the order derived both reputation and au«
thority from the zeal with which it flood forth in
defence of the Romilh church ^ainft the attacks'^
of the rrformcrs, its members, proud of this dif-
tinftion, have confidered it as their peculiar func-
tion to combat the opinions, and to check the
progrefs of the Proteftants. They have made ufe
of every art, and have employed every weapon
againft them. They have fet themfclves in oppo-
fition to every gentle or tolerating mealure in
their favourl They have inceiSantiy ftirred up
ag^nft them all the rage of ecclefiaitical and civil
perfccution.
Monks of other denominations have, indeed,
ventured to teach the fame pernicious doftrines,
and have held opinions equally inconfiftent with
the order and happinefs of civil fociety. But
they, from reafons which are obvious, have either
delivered iuch opinions with greater referve, or
have propagated therfi with lefs fuccels. Who-
ever recollefts the events which have happened in
Europe during two centuries, will find that the
Jefiiits
fQ% THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K Jefuits may juiUy be conGdered a^ i^ffOoSbk fof
i^-^-_f moft of the pernicious efib£U ariflngfiom thatew-
^^^ rupt and dangerous cafuiftry, bom tiiofe eattraira-
gant tenets concerning ecckfiaftical power, and
from ^at intolerant %irit, which have been the
di%race of the church of Rome throttghout that
period^ and which have brought io oiany calamities
upon civil fociety ",
Someadvan- BuT amidft many bad coniequences flowii^
l^fro'^'hi froni the inftitution of this order, mankind, it
ISuiT/ot" muft be acknowledged, have derived from it
«kr. ibme confrderable advantages. A& the Jefuits
made the education of youth one of their capital
objefb, and as didr firft attempts to eftabliih
colleges for the reception of ftudents were vio-
lently oppofcd by the univerfities in different
countries, it became necefiary iot them, as the
moft effedual method of acquiring the public
iavour, to furpafs their rivals in icience and in-
l>irt?coiariy duftry. This prompted them to cultivate the
* ftudy of ancient literature with extraordinary ar-
dour. This put them upon various methods for
facilitating the inftruftion of youth -, and by the
improvements which they made in it, they have
contributed fo much towards the progrefs of po-
lite learning, that on this account they have me-
rited well of fociety. Nor has the order of Je-
fi^its been fuccefsful only in teaching tlie elemcnta
» Encyclopedic^ art. Je/uiies^ torn. viii. 513.
of
EMPEROR CHARLES V. aoj
rf fiterature; it has produced likewHe eminent ^ ^^^ ^
n^aifterd in many branches of icience, and can alone i_ / ^
boaft df a greater number of ingenious authors, *5^'
dian all the other religious fratsernities taken
togiether\
BvT it is in the new world that the Jcfuits have ■?»« «^p^
exhibited the mod: wonderful difplay of their ablH* the fenie.
ties, and have contributed moft effeftually to the jrfuitt in***
benefit of the human fpccies. The conquerors of '*"*«"*y*
]diat tin&rtuaate quarter of the globe aAed at {ir&
as if .&€y had nothing in view, but to plunder, to
* M. d'Alemb^rt has ohferved, that though the Jefoits hava
xbade extraorJixiafy progref^ in erudition ef every fpecies j
though they catf rackon tip many of their brethren who haV«
been enlineitt siaihetbatioians, antiqoaries, and critics ;
fhoa^ th^ have even formed fome orators of reputation ; '
yet the order has never produced one man, whofe mind was
U> sioch enlightened with foaod knowledge^ as to merit thd
name of i |^it)5fopher. Bat it ftems to be the anavoidable
tiln^ of moniAie education to contradl and fetter the humaA
ninal. trhe partial attachment of a monk to the incereft of
bis ord€#« which b often incompatible with that of other ci-
tizens? the habit of implieit obedience to the will of a fupe-
rior, together with the frequent return of the wtfarifome ami
/riifblobs ddties of the cloifter, debafe his facttlties^ and ex*-
tinguii& that generofity of ibntiment and fpirit, which qoali-
fie» men for tUinfcing or feeling juMy with refpe^ to what is
pro|»Br in life and condud. . Father Paul of Venice is, per.
haps, the only perfon educated in a doiftef, that ever was
ai together fuperior to its prejodites, or who viewed the cranio
adieus of men, and rai/biyed clb«cerniiig the^iftiefefis of £o^
cadty,'Widt the enlarged fentiinehtsof a pKilofqpher^ with the
difc^nmeotfjof a^man^cqaveifant in affairs, and with the
]ib«ridity>3f agentleipantf .. . ^
204 TH£ REIGN OF THE
^ %? ^ enflavc, and to exterminate its inhabitants. The
%,„^0.,^LmJ Jefuits alone made humanity the objeft of their
'5^ fettling there. About the beginning of the laft
century they obtained admiflion into the fertile
province of Paraguay, which ftretches acrofs the
fouthern continent of America, from the bottom
of the mountains of Potofi, to the confines of the
Spanifh and Portuguefe fettlemcnts on the banks of
the river de la Plata. They found the inhabit-
ants in a ftate little different from that which
takes place among men when they firft begin to
unite together ; ftrangers ta the arts j ^ fubfifling
precarioufly by hunting or fifhingj and hardly
acquainted with the firft principles of fubordina-
tion and government. The Jefuits fct them-
felves to inftrufl and to civilize thefe favages.
They taught them to cultivate the ground, to
rear tame animals, and to build houles. They
brought them to live together in villages^ They
trained them to arts and manufadures* They
made them tafte the iweets of focietys and accuf-
tomed them to thi bleffings of fecurity and order-
Thefe people became the fubjefts of their bene-
faftors 5 who have governed them with a tendci:
attention, reiembling that with which a ^ther di-
reds his children. Reipe£ted and beloved alipoft
to adoration, a few Jefuits prefided over fbmc
hundred thoufand Indians. They maintained a
perfeft equality among all the members of the
community. Each of them was obliged tola-r
bour not for himfelf alone, but for the puUic.
I'hc produce of their fields^ togedier >mth rfic
finite
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
fruit$ of their induftry of every fpefieSj were de-
pofised in common ftorehoufes, from which each
individyal rcceiycd every thing ncceffaryfor the '54o»
fupply of his wants. By this iciflitutionj abnolt: all
the paffions which difturb the peace of fociety^ and
render the members of it unhappy> were extin-*
guifhed. A few magillrates, chofen from among
their countrymen, by the Indians themfelves^
watched over the public tranquillity and fecured
obedience to the laws. The fanguinary puniih-
ments freqiient under other governments were un-
known. An admonition from a Jefuit; a flight
mark of in&ny; or, on.ibme lingular occalion, a
few laihes with a whip, were fufficient to maintain
good order among thefe innocent and happy people ^.
But even in this meritorious effort of the Je- e»«ii ff»e
fuits for the good of mankind, the genius and ||*^VJ^*"
Jpirit of their order have niinglcd and are dif- Hey of the
cemible. They plainly aimed at eftablifhing in Mr^biL'
Paraguay an independent empire, fubjeft to the
fociety alone^rand which, by the fuperior excel-
koce of its' conftitution and police, could fcarcely
have fidled to extend its dominion over all the
fouthem' continent of America. With this view,
in order to prevent the Spaniards or Portuguefe
in the adjacent fettlcments, from acquiring any
dangero\2s influence over the people within tlie
7 Hid. da Paraguay par Yti^ de Cliarlevoix, torn. ii. 42*
&c. Voyage au Perou par Den G. Juan k D. Ant. de Ulloa,
iom. t. 540, &c. Par. 410. 1752.
liriilts
ao6 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK Kmits of the province fubjeft to the ioclety, the
t _ S ^ Jcfuits cndeavoiired to infpire the Indians with
'540* hatred and contempt of thefe nations* They cut
off all intcrcourie between their (ubjeAs and die
Spanifli or Portuguefe fetdements. They prohi-
bited any jMivatc trader of either nation from
entering their territories. When diejs were obliged
to admit any perfon in ^ public chara£ber from
the neighbouring gowrnments, they did not per-
mit him to have any converfation with their &dK
jefts, and no Indian was allowed evm to enter
the houfe where thefe Grangers refided, unle& in
the prefence of a Jefoit.* In order to render any
commuRication between them as dijfiicute as pof-
fiblc, they induftrioufly avoided giving the In-
dians any knowledge of the Spanifh, or of any
Other European language; but encouraged the
different tribes, which they had civilized, to acquire
a certain dialed of the Indian tongue, and laboured
to make that the univcrfar language throu^out
their dominions. As dl thefe precautions, iirith-
out military force, would have* been infufficicnt
to have rendered their empire fccure and perma-
nent, they inftrufted' their -ftibjefts *in the Euro-
pean arts of war. They formed them fcto bodies
of cavalry and infantry; complctdfy • armed and
reguWly difciplined. "They provided a great
"train of artillery, as well as magazines ftored with
all the implements of war. Thus they eftablifh-
ed ^n army fo numerous and well-appointed, as
to be formidable in a country, where a few lickly
and. ill-difciplined battalions compofed ijl the
military
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ^07
ndytaiy force kept 4m foot by die Spaniards or ■ <>^J> k
Poptuguefe •. ^ / i^
»S40.
The Jefuks gaiaed no confideraUe degree of i^«»^n for
power during the reign of Charles V. who, with fuli^view
his ufiial :^citjr, difccmed the dangerous ten- t^^^f^
dency of the i»ftitiition> and clieckedits progress*. "^jjj[^|
Bat as the order was foiinded in the period of
which I write the hifbory, and as the agp to which
1 addsefi this work hath ieen its fail, the view
which I have exhibited of the laws and genius of
this fcrmidable body will not, I hope, be unac-
ceptable to my readers -, efpecially as one circunw
ftmce has enabled n>e fo enter into this derail
with particular advantage. £urope had ol^Ierv^,
for two centuries, the ambitbn and power of the
order* But whale it felt many fatal effb£b qf
thefe^ it could not fuUy diicern the caufes iSo
which they were to be imputed. It was unae*
quatnted wfdi many of the fingular regulations in
the political conilitution or government of die
Jefuits, which formed the enterprifing ipirit. of
intrigue that diftittguifhed its members, and ele-
vated the body itf^lf to fuch a height of power.
It was a fundamental maxim widi the Jefuits,
iirom their firft inftitution, not to publiih the rules
of their order. Thefe they kept concealed as an
impenetrable myftery. They never communi-
. * Voyage de Juan & de Ulloa, torn, h 549, Recdeil d^
touted les Pieces qni ont pixu fur les Affaires des jtfuiu ea
< PorcQga], torn. i. p. 7, &c.
* Compte par M. de Mood, p* 3ii«
I cated
2o8 THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K ^^ tij^m to ftrangers ; nor even to the greater
^- — J-*' part of their own members. They 'refiifcd to
*^°* produce them when required by courts of jufticc S
and by a ffirange fcdeciim in policy, the civil
power in different countries authoriicd or coo-
nived at the eftablifhment of an order of men,
whofe conilitution and laws were concealed with
a iblicitude, /vriuch alone was a good reaibn for
excluding them. During the f^ofccutions lately
carried on againil them in Portugal and France>
the Jefiiits have been fo inconfiderate as to
produce the myfterious voliunes of their in-
ftitute. By the aid of thefe audiendc records,
the princi[^es of their government may be dcH-
.neated, and the foiirces of their power inveftigated
with a degree of certainty and precifion, which,
previous to that event, it was impoiiible to at*
tain ''. But as I have pointed out the dangerous
tendency of the conftitution and ^irit of the order
vntk the freedom becoming an hiftorian, the can-
dour and impartiality no lefs requifite in that
^ Hift. des Jef. torn. iii. 236^ &c. Compte par M. de
Chalot. p. 38.
« The greater part of my information concerning the go-
vernment and laws of ihe order of Jefuits, I have derived from
the reports of M. de Chalotais and M. de Mondar. I reft
not my narrative, however, upon the authority even of the(e
refpedlable magiHrates and elegant writers, but upon inna«
merable pafTages which they have ex trailed from the conftltu-
tions of the order, depofited in their hands. Hofpinian, a
Proteftant Divine of Zurich, in his Hifioria Jefuitka, printed
A. D. 16 1 9, publifhed a fmni! part of the conftitutions of
the Jefuits, of which by fome accident he had got a copy;
p. 13-5+-
charaftcr
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ao^
t
diarader call on me to add one obfervation, * 9^^ ^
That no clafs of regular clergy in the Romifti w.-u-^i
church has been more eminent for decency, and "^*°*
even purity of manners, than the major part, ►of
the order of Jefuits**. The maxims of an in-
triguing, ambitious, interefted policy, might in-
fluence thofe who gbverned the fociety, and' might
even corrupt the heart,, and pervert the condudt
of fome individuals, while the greater number*
engaged in literary purfuits, or employed in the
fiinftions of religion, was left to the guidance of
thofe common principles which reftrain men from
vice, and excite them to what is becoming and
laudable. The caufes which occafioned the ruin
of this mighty body, as well as the circumftances
and cffcds with which it has been attended in the
diflfercnt countries of Europe, though objefts ex-
tremely worthy the attention of every intelligent
obferver of human affairs, do not falJt within the
period of this hiftory.
' No fooner had Charles re-eftablifhed order in Affaiwof
the Low-Countries, than he was obliged to turn """*^*
his attention to the affairs in Germany, The Pro-
telbnts prefTed him earnefUy to appoint that con-
ference between a feleft number of the divines of
each party, which had been ftipulated in the con-
vention at Francfort. The Pope confidered fuch
an attempt to examine into the points in dilpute,
or to decide concerning them, as derogatory to his
•» Sur. la Dcftrua, dcs Jef. par M, D'AIcmbert, p. 55.
Vol. Ill, P right
-410
THE REIGN OF THE
A coofer-
eoce be-
tween the
Papifh and
Proteftant
divinet,
ione 25.
iec«6.
* ^yP ^ right of being the fopreme judge in controverfy;
Ui-n^-J and being convinced that fdch a conference would
' *^' cither be ineffedhial by deccntiining nothing, or
prove dangerous by determining too much, he cm-
ployed every art to prevent it. The Emperor,
however, finding it more for his intereft to footh
the Gernmans than to gratify Paul, paid little regard
to his remonftraaces. In a diet held at Hagucnaw,
matters were ripened for the conference. In an-
other diet ailembled at Worms, the conference was
begun, Melandhon on the one fide and Eckius on
the other, fuftaining the principal part in the dif-
putc; but after they had made ibme progrefs,
though without concluding any, thing, it was fuf-
pended by the Emperor's command, that it might
be renewed with greater folemnity in his own prc-
fence in a diet fummoned to meet at Ratifbon.
This aflembly was opened with great pomp,' and
with a general expectation that its proceedings
would be vigorous and decifive. By the confent
of both parties, the Eniperor was entrufted with
the power of nominating the perfons who Ihould
manage the conference, which it was agreed fhould
be conducted not in the form of a public dilpu-
tation, but as a friendly fcrutiny or examination
into the, articles which had given rife to the pre-
fent controverfies. He appointed Eckius, Crop-
per, and Pflug, on the part of the Catholics ;
Melanfthon, Bucer, and Piftorius, on that of the
Proteftantsj all men of diftinguiflied reputation
among their own adherents, and, except Eckius,
all eminent for moderation, as well as defirous of
peace.
1S4X-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. air
peace. As they were about to begin their con- book
fultations, the Emperor put into their hands a >,, -.>,p^ ■j
book, compofed, as he faid, by a learned divine **^'*
in the Low- Countries, with fuch extraordinary
perfpicuity and temper, as, in his opinion, might
go fer to unite and comprehend the two contend-
ing parties. Cropper, a canon of Cologne, whom
he had named among the managers of the confer-
ence, a man of addrefs as well as of erudition, was
afterwards fufpefted to be the author of this fliort
treatife. It contained pofitions with regard to
twenty-two of the chief articles in theology, which
included moft of the queftions then agitated in the
controverfy between the Lutherans and the church
of Rome, By ranging his fentiments in a natural
order, and exprefling them with great fimplicity ; .
by employing often the very words of fcripture, or ^
of the primitive fathers j by foftening the rigour of
fome opinions, and explaining away what was ab-
furd in others ; by conceffions, fometimes on one
fide, and fometimes on the others and efpecially
by baniftiing as much as poffible fcholaftic phrafes,
diofe words and terms of art in controverfy, which
fcrvc as badges of diftindion to different fefts, and
for which theologians often contend more fiercely
than for opinions themfelves; he at.laft framed
his ^ork in fuch a manner, as promifed fairer than
any thing that had hitherto been attempted, to com-
pofe and to terminate religious diffenfions '•
* Goldaft. Confllt. Imper. ii. p. 182,
Pa But
212 THE REIGN OF THE
B o^o K But the attention of the age was turned, with
u- -y> ^t fuch acute obfervation, towards theological con-
fruitiefi.' tr.overfies, that it was not eafy to impofe on it by
any glofs, how artful or Ipecious foever. The
length and eagernefs of the difpute had feparated
the contending parties fo completely, and had fet
their nninds at fuch variance, that they were not
to be reconciled by partial conceffions. All the
zealous Catholics, particularly the ecclefiaftics
who had a feat in the diet, joined in condemning
Cropper's treatife as too favourable to the Luthe-
. ran opinion, the poifon of which herefy it con-
veyed, as they pretended, with greater danger,
becaufe it was in fome degree difguifed. The
rigid Proteftants, efpecially Luther himfelf^ and
his patron the Eledlor of Saxony, were for rejeft-
ing it as an impious compound of error and truth,
craftily prepared that it miglit impofe on the
weak, the timid, and the unthinking. But the
divines, to whom the examination of it was com-
mitted, entered upon that bufinefs with greater
deliberation and temper. As it was more eafy in
itfelf, as well as more confiftent with the dignity
of the church to make conceffions, and even al-
terations with regard to fpeculative opinions, the
difcuffion whereof is confined chiefly to fchools,
and which prefent nothing to the people that
either ftrikes their imagination or afFefts their
fenfes, they came to an accommodation about
thefe without much labour, and even defined the
great article concerning juftification to their mu-
tual farisfadion. But, when they proceeded to
points
EMPEROR CHARLES V. aij
points of jurifdiftion, where the intereft and au-
thority of the Roman See were concerned> or to
the rites a^id forms of external worlhip, where '^^''
every change that could be made muft be public,
and draw the obfervation of the people, there the
Catholics were altogether untraftable ; nor could
the church either with fafety or with honour
abolifli its ancient inftitutions. AH the articles
relative to the- power of the Pope, the authority
of councils, the adminillration of the iacraments,
the worlhip of faints, and many other particu-
lars, did not, in their nature, admit of any tem-
perament; fo that after labouring long to bring
about an accommodation with refpedt to tliefe,
the Emperor found all his endeavours inefifec-
tual. Being impatient, however, to clofe the
diet, he at laft prevailed on a majority of the
members to approve of the following recefs ;
" That the articles concerning which the divines Recefs of
had agreed in the conference, fliould be held as R/j;Xn**[n,
points decided, and be obferved inviolably by all j **^^"[j®^ *
that the other articles about which they had dif- council,
fered, fhould be referred to the determination of " ^ * '
a general council, or if that could not be obtain-
ed, to a national fynod of Germany ; and if it
fhould prove imprafticable, likewife, to aflemble
a fynod, that a general diet of the Empire, fhould
be called within eighteen months, in order to give
fome final judgment upon the whole contrcverfy ^
that the Emperor fhould ufe all his intereft and
authority with the Pope, to procure the meeting
P 3 eithcif
ai4 THE REIGN OF THE
B ^^ ^ either of a general council or fynod ; that, in the
mean time, no innovations fhould be attempted,
v»
'^*'* no endeavours fhould be employed to gain pro-
lelytes ; and neither the revenues of the church,
nor the rights of monafteries, ftiould be invaded ^
gives of. All the proceedings of this diet, as well as the
iTpIpIrb recefs in which they tei-minated, gave great of-
and Protcft. fencc to the Popc. The power which the Ger-
mans had aflumed of appointing their own divines
to examine and determine matters of controverfy,
he confidered as a very dangerous invafion of his
rights;' the renewing of their ancient propofal
concerning a national fynod, which had been fo
often rejedted by him and his predeceflbrs, ap-
peared extremely undutiful; but the bare men-
tion of allowing a diet, compofed chiefly of lay-
men, to pafs judgment with relpeft to articles of
faith, was deemed no lefs criminal and profane,
than the worft of thofe herefies which they feem-
ed zealous to fupprefs. On the other hand, the
Proteftants were no lefs diffatisfied with a recefs,
that confiderably abridged the liberty which they
«tVfl*?be ^^J^y^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^' -^s they murmured loudly
tfotcftanu. againft it, Charles, unwilling to leave any fceda
of difcontent in the Empire, granted them a pri-
vate declaration, in the moft ample terms, ex-
empting them from whatever they thought op-
t Sleidan, 267, &c. PaJIav. 1. iv. c. 11. p. 156. F. Paul,
p. ^6. Seckcnd. 1. iii. 256.
prcilivc
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
215
prefiiye or injurious in the reccfs, and afcertaining ^ 9J^ ^
to thenn the full pofleflion of all the privileges l. ^^L^
which they had ever enjoyed ^. '^♦**
Extraordinary as thefe conceffions may ap- Aff«riof
pear, the fituation of the Emperor's affairs at this °****'^*
jun6hire made it neceflary for him to grant them.
He forefaw a rupture with France to be not only
unavoidable, but near at hand, and durft not
g^ve any fuch caufe of dilguft or fear to the Pro-
teftants, as might force them, in felf-defence, to
court the proteftign of the French King, from ^
whom, at prefent, they were much alienated.
The rapid pfogrefs of the Turks in Hungary,
was a more powerful and urgent motive to that
moderation which Charles difcovered. A great
revolution had happened in that kingdom; John
Zapol Scaspus having chofen, as has been related,
rather to poffcfs a tributary kingdom, than to
renounce the royal dignity to which he had been
accuftomed, had, by the affiftance of his mighty
proteftor Solyman, wrefted from Ferdinand a
great part of the country, and left him only the
precarious pofTcflion of the reft. But being a
prince of pacific qualities, the frequent attempts
of Ferdinand, or of his partifans among the Hun-
garians, to recover what they had loft, greatly
difquicted him 5 and the neceffity on thefe ocCa-
fions, of calling in the Turks, whom he confidered
< Sleid. 283. Seckend. 366. Dumont Corps Diplom. iv.
p. ii. p. 2io«.
P 4 and
ai6 THE REIGN OF THE
^ 9^^ ^ and felt to be his mafters rather than auxiliaries,
w-^. — was hardly lefs mortifying. In order, 'therefore,
a'.d^Vsss. ^^ avoid thefe diftreff^s, as well as to fecure quiet
and leifure for cultivating the arts and enjoying
amufements in which he delighted, he fecretly
caoae to an agreement with his competitor, on this
condition -, That Ferdinand fhould agknowledge
him as King of Hungary, and leave him, during
life, the unmolefted poffeflion of that part of the
kingdom now in his power ; but that, upon his de-
mife, the fole right of the whole fhould devolve
upon Ferdinand **. As John had never been mar-
ried, and was then far advanced in life, the terms
of the contraft feemed very favourable to Ferdi-
nand. But, foon after, fome of the Hungarian
nobles, folicitous to prevent a foreigner from af-
ceiiding tlieir throjic, prevailed on John to put an
end to a long celibacy, by marrying Ifabella, the
Dc th of diuightcr of Sigifmond King of Poland. John
Huf!i^lry. ' nad the fatisfaftion, before his death, whith hap-
pencd within lefs than a year after his marriage, to
fee a fon born to inherit his kingdom. To him,
without regarding his treaty with Ferdinand, which
he conficfcred, no doubt, as void, upon an event
not forefcen when it was concluded, he bequeath-
ed his crown ; appointing the Queen and George
Martinuzzi, biftiop of Waradin, guardians of his
fon, and regents of the kingdom. The greater
part of the Hungarians immediately acknow-
ledged the young Prince as King, to whom,, in
* liluanhaffii HiH. Hung. lib. xiL p. 135.
memory
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 217
memory of the founder of their monarchy, they ® ^^ ^
gave the name of Stephen '• \^.^^^^
Ferdinan'd, though extremely difconcerted by ^^^^|"'"^''
tills unexpected event, refolved not to abandon obtain ihe
the kingdom which he flattered himfelf with having
acquired by his compaft with John. He fent
ambaflTadors to the Queen to claim poffeffion, and
to offer the province of Tranfylvania as a fettle-
ment for her fon, preparing at the fame time to
affcrt his right by force of arms. But John had
committed the care of his fon to perfons, who had
too' much fpirit to give up the crown tamely, and
who poffeffed abilities fufficient to defend it. The
Queen, to all the addrefs peculiar to her own fex,
added a mafculine courage, ambition, and magnani-
mity. Martinuzzi, who had raifed himfelf from chiraacr
the loweft rank in life to his prefent dignity, was 0? Kf^mi-
one of thofe extraordinary men, who, by the extent °"***'
as well as variety of their talents, are fitted to a6t
a fuperior part in buttling and factious times. In ' ""
difcharging the funftions of his ecclefiaftical
office, he put on the femblance of an humble and
auftere fanftity. In civil tranfaftions, he difco-
vered induftry, dexterity, ' and boldnefs. During
war he laid afide the caflbck, and appeared on
horfeback with his fcymitar and buckler, as adtive,
as oftentatious, and as gallant as any of his coun-
trymen. Amidft all thefe different and contra-
dictory forms which he could affume, an infa-
Jovii Hid. lib. xxxix. p« 239, a. Uc,
tiablc
ai8 THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K tiabk defire of daminion and authority was oon-
%m^^l,mA Ipicuous. From fuch perfbns it was obvious what
*^*'* anfwcr Ferdinand had to cxpedt. He foon per-
ceived that he muft depend oa arms alone for re-
covering Hungary. Having levied for this pur-
pofe a confiderable body of Germans^ whom his
partifans among the Hungarians joined with their
vailak, he ordered them to march into that part
* , of the kingdom which adhered to Stephen. Mar-
tinuzzi, unable to make head againft fuch a power-
fol ,army in the field, fatisfied himfelf with hold-
ing out the towns, all of which, efpecially Buda,
the place of greateft confequence, he provided
with every thing neceflaiy for defence j and* in
CiHs in the the mean tirr.e he fent ambaflkdors to Solyman,
befeeching him to extend towards the fon, the
feme Imperial proceftion which had fo long main-
tained the fether on his throne. The Sultan,
though Ferdinand ufed his utmoft endeavours to
thwart this negociation, and even offered to* ac-
cept of the. Hungarian crown on the fame igno-
minious condition of paying tribute to the Otto-
man Porte, by which^ John had held it, faw fuch
prcfpcfts of advantage from efpoufing the intereft
of the young King, that he inftantly pronfiifed
him his proteftion ; and commanding one army
to advance forthwith towards Hungary, he him-
felf followed witl\ another. Meanwhile the Ger-
mans, hoping to terminate the v/ar by die reduc-
tion of a city in which the King and his mother
were Ihut up, had formed the fiege of Buda.
Martinuzzi, having drawn thither the.flxengdi of
7 the
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ii)
tRc Hungskrian nobility, defended the town with * ^^ ^
fuch courage and (kill, as allowed the Turicifb ^^>— ^/-^
forces tinie to come up to its relief. Tfiey in- *^'*
ftandy attacked the Gernuns, weakened by fedgu^*
difeafes, and defertion, and defeated them with
great flaughter ^.
SoLYMAN foon after joined his viftorious troops* So>y««n*«
and being weary ot lo many expenlive expcdi- conduo. ,
tions undertaken in defence of donunions which
were not his own, or being unable to refift this
alluring opportunity of feizing a kingdom, while
pofiefled by an infant, under the guardianfhip of
a woman and a prieft, he allowed 'interefted con-
fideradons to triumph with too much facility
over the principles of honour and the fentimenta
of humanity. What he planned ungencroufly,
he executed by fraud. Having prevailed on the
Queen to fend her fon, whom he pretended to be
defirous of feeing, into his camp, and having, ac
the fame time, invited the chief of the nobility
to an entertainment there, while they, fufpe&ing
no treachery, gave themfelves up to the mirth
and jollity of the feaft,'a feleft band of troops by
the Sultan's orders feized one of the gates of
Buda. Being thus mafter of die capital, of the
King's perfon, and of the leading men among the
nobles, he gave ol-ders to conduct the Queen,
together with her fon, to Tranfylvania, which pro-
vince he allotted to them, and appointing a
^ lilaanhaffii Hift. Hung. lib. xiv. p. 150.
Baflia
lao THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K Baflia to prefide in Buda with a large body of
t^,^^!,^ foldiers, annexed Hungary to the Ottoman em-
'?*'* pire. The tears and complaints of the unhappy
Queen had no influence to change his purpofe, nor
could Martinuzzi either refift his abfolute and
uncontroulable command^ or prevail on him to
recall it \
Fer«nand*i Before thc account of this violent ufiirpation
Soiyman, reached Ferdinand, he was fo unlucky as to have
di^atched other ambafladors to Solymah with a
frelh reprefentation of his right to the crown of
Hungary, as well as a renewal of his former over-
tyre to hold the kingdom of the Ottoman Porte,
and to pay for it an annual tribute. This ill-
timed propofal was rejefted with fcorn. The Sul-
tan, elated with fuccefs, and thinking that he might
prefcribe what terms he pleafed to a. Prince who
voluntarily proffered conditions fo unbecoming his
own dignity, declared that he would not fufpend
the operations of war, unlefs Ferdinand inftantly
evacuated all the towns which he ftill held in
Hungary, and confent^d to the impofition of a
tribute upon Auftria, in order to reimburfe the
fums which his prefumptuous invafion of Hungary
had obliged the Ottoman Porte to expend in de-
fence of that kingdom "".
*t>'"
» Ifliianhaflil F!/l. Hung. lib. xiv. p. 56. Jovii Hifter..
lib. xxxix, p. 2476, &c.
« Iftuaiihaffii Hift. Kung. lib. xiv. p. 159.
In
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 221
In. this ftate were the affairs of Hungary. As ® ^^ ^
the unfortunate events there had either happened s^^^L,^
before the diffolution of the diet at Rati(bon, or ^^^^*
were dreaded at that tirne, Charles faw the danger
of irritating and inflaming the minds of the Ger-
mans, while a formidable enemy was ready to break
into the Empire j and perceived that he could not
expeft any vigorous afTiftance either towards the
recovery of Hungary, or the defence of the Auftrian
frontier, unlefs he courted and fatisfied the Pro-
teftants. By the concelTions which have been
mentioned, he gained this point,. and fuch liberal
fupplies both of men and money were voted for ,
carrying on the war againft the Turks, as left him
under little anxiety about the fecOrity of Germany
during next campaign ".
Immediately upon the conclufion of the diet. Emperor
the Emperor fet out for Italy. As he pafTed
through Lucca he had a (hort interview with the
Pope } but nothing could be concluded concern-
ing the proper method of compofing the religious
difputes in Germany, between two Princes, whofe
views and intereft with regard to that matter were
at this junfture fo oppofite. The Pope's endea-
vours to remove the caufes of difcord between
Charles and Francis, and to extinguifh thofe
mutual animofities which threatened to break out
fuddenly into open hoftility, were not more fuc-
cefsful.
• SIcid, 283.
Th?
ft22 THE REIGN OF THE
fi o^o K Xnfe Empefor's thoughts were bent fo entirely,
^' V ^ at that time, on the great enterprize which he had
HiiUpldi- concerted againft Algiers, that he liftened with
li^icM 'lifd ^^^^ attention to the Pope's fchemes or overtures,
motjTciof and haftened to join his arnny and fleet *.
ic
Algiers ftiU continued in that ftate of depend-
ence on the Turkifh empire to which Barbaroffa
had fubjefted it. Ever fince he, as Captam Bafha,
commanded the Ottdrtian fket, Algiers had been
governed by Hafc6n-Aga, a renegado eunuch,
who, by paffing through every ftatiott in the Cor-
fair's fervice, had acquired fuch- experience in war,
that he was weU fitted for a ftation which required
a man of tried and daring courage. Hafcen, in
order to (hew how well he dcferved that dignity,
carried on his piratical depredations againfl the
Chriftian States with amazing adtivity, and out-
did, if poflible, Barbaroffa himfelf in boldnefs and
cruelty. The commerce of the Mediterranean
was greatly interrupted by his cruifcrs, and fuch
frequent alarms given to the coaft of Spain, that
there was a neceflity of ereftlng watch-towers at
proper diftances, and of keeping guards conftantly
on foot, in order to defcry the approach of his
fquadrons, and to proteft the inhabitants from their
defcents '. Of this the Emperor had received re-
peated and clamorous complaints from his fubjedts,
who reprefented it as an enterprifc correlponding to
• Sandov. Hidor. torn. ii. 298.
P Jovii Hill. U xl. p. z66.
his
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 223
hk power, and becoming his humanity, to reduce
Algiers, which, fincc the conqucft of Tunis; was
the common receptacle of all the frce-booters 5 and '^*'*
to exterminate, that lawlefs race, the implacable
enemies of the Chriftian name. Moved pjutiy by
their entreaties, and partly allured by the hope of
adding to the glory which he had acquired by his
laft expedition into Africa, Charles, before he left
Madrid, in his way to the Low-Countries, had
iifued orders both in Spain and Italy to prepare a
fleet and army for this purpofc. No change in
circumftances, fince that time, could divert him
from this refolution, or prevail on him to turn his
arms towards Hungary ; though the fuccefs of the
Turks in that country feemed more immediately
to require his prefence there ; though many of his
moft faithful adherents in Germany urged that the
defence of the Empire ought to be his firft and
peculiar care ; though fuch as bore him no good*
will ridiculed his prepoftcrous condudt in flying
from an enemy almoft at hand, that he might go
in queft of a remote and more ignoble foe. But
to attack the Sultan in Hungary, how fplendid
foever that meafure might appear, was an under-
taking which exceeded his power, and was not con-
fiftent with his interefl:. To draw troops out of
Spain or Italy, to march them into a country fo
diftant as Hungary, to provide the vaft apparatus
neceflfary for tranfporting thither the artillery, am-
munition, and baggage of a regular army, and to
pujh the war in that quarter, where there was little
profpeft of bringing it to an iflfuc during feveral
i campaigns.
124 THE REIGN OF THE
^ %? ^ campaigns, were undertakings fo expenfive and nn-
u*>-v^^ wieldy as did not correlpond with the low cohdition
'^*'' of the Emperor's treafury. ,While his principal
force was thus employed, his dominions in Italy
and the Low-Countries muft have lain open to
the French King, who would not have allowed fuch
a favourable opportunity of attacking them to go
unimproved. .Whereas the African expedition,
the preparations for which were already finilhcd,
and almoft the whole expence of it defrayed, ^ould
depend upon a fingle effort ; and befides the fe-
curity and fatisfaclion which the fuccefe of it muft
give his fubjefts, would detain him during fo
Ihort a fpace, that Francis could hardly take ad-
vantage of his abfence, to invade his dominions
in Europe.
ntioof.
Hiipwpi- On all thefe accounts, Charles adhered to his
firft plan, and with fuch determined obftinacy,
that he paid ho regard to the Pope, who advifed,
or to Andrew Doria who conjured him not to ex-
pofe his whole armament to almoft unavoidable
deftrudlion, by venturing to approach the danger-
ous coaft of Algiers at fuch an advanced fealbn of
the year, and when the autumnal, winds were fo
\iolent. Having en^ibarked on board Doria's
gallies at Porto- Venere in the Genocfe territories,
he fpon found that this experienced failor had not
judged wrong concerning the element with which
he was fo v/cU acquainted ; for fuch a ftorm arofe
that it was with the utmoft difficulty and danger
he reached Sardinia, the place of general rendez-
- vous.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 225
vous. But as his courage was undaunted^ and • ^^^ *
his temper often mflexibk, neither the remon- w-v*^-^
ftrances of the Pope and Doria^ nor the danger to '^^*
which he had already been expofed by diiregard-
ing dienni> had any other efFed than to confirm him
in his Iktal refoludon. The fbrce> indeed^ which
he had coUefted was fuch as might have inlpired a
Prince lels adventurous^ and lefs confident in his
own fchemesj with the moft fanguine hopes of
fuccels. It confifted of twenty thoufand foot^ and
two tfaouiand horfe^ Spaniards, Italians, and Ger^
mans, nnoftiy veterans, together with three thou-
iaad vc^nteers, the flower c^ the Spaniih and
Italian nobility, fond of paying court to the Em-
peror by aittending him in his favourite expedi*^
tion, and eager to fliare in the glory which they
believed he was going to reap; to thefe were
added a thoufand ibldiers lent firom Malu by the
order of St. John, Jed by an hundred of its moft
gallant Knights.
The voyage, from Majorca to the African 'Landi in
coaft, was not lefs tedious, or full of hazard, than ^^""*
that which he had juft finilhed. When he ap-
proached die land, the roll of the fea, and ve-
hemence of the winds, would not permit the troopi
to difembark. But at laft, the Emperor, feizing
a fiivourable opportunity, landed them without
oppofidon, not far from Algiers, and immediately
advanced towards the town. To oppofe this
mighty army, Hafcen had only eight hundred
Turks, and five thoufand Moors, pardy natives
Vol, hi. Q^ of
•rmjr.
426 THE REIGN OF THE
^ %? ^ of Africa, and pardy refugees from Granada. He
^■- w — ^ returned, however, a fierce and haughty anfwer
'^*'' when fummoned to furrender. But with fuch a
handflil of foldiers, neither his deiperate courage,
nor confummate (kill in war, could have long re-
fifted forces fuperior to thofe which had defeated
BarbaroiTa at the head of fixty thoufand men, and
which had reduced Tunis, in ipite of all his en-
deavours to fave it.
The difaf- But how far foever the Emperor migKt think
ters which . i /^ /•
hefei-hij himfelf beyond the reach of any danger from the
enemy, he was fuddenly expofed to a more di^ead-
ful calamity, and one agaitift which human pru-
dence and human efforts availed nothing. On
the fecond day after his landing, and before he
)iad time for any thing but to diiperfe ibme light-
armed Arabs who molefted his troops on their
march, the clouds began to gather, and the hea-
vens to appear with a fierce and threatening aipeft.
Towards evening, rain began to fall, accompanied
with violent wind; and the rage of the tempcft
increafing, during the night, the foldiers, who
had brought nothing afhore but their arms, re-
mained expofed to all its fury, without tents, or
fhelter, or cover of any kind. The ground was.
foon fo wet that they could not lie down on it >
their camp being in a low fituation was overflow-
ed with water, and they funk at every flep to the
ankles jn mud ; while the wind blew with fuch
impetuofity, that, to prevent their falling, they
were obliged to thruft their fpears into the ground^^
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 227
and to fupport themfelves by taking hold of them. " ^^^ ^
Haicen was too vigilant an officer to allow an ^^■ v ' ■ »
enemy in fuch diflxefs. to remain unmolefted. '^*'"
About the dawn of morning, he fallied out with
foldicrs, who having been fcreened from the ftorm
under their own roofs, were frefh and vigorous. A
body of Italians, who were ftationcd neareft the
city, dilpirited and benumbed with cold, fled at
the approach of the Turks. The troops at the
poft behind them difcovered greater courage -, but
as the rain had extinguifhed their matches, and
wet their powder, their mufkets were ufelefs, and
having fcarcely ftrcngth to handle their other
arms, they were foon thrown into confiifion.
AJmoft the whole army, with the Emperor him-
felf in perfon, was obliged to advance, before
the enemy could be repulfed, who, after ipread-
ing llich general confternation, and killing a con*
iiderable number of men, retired at laft in good
order.
But all feeling or remembrance of this lols
and ^danger were quickly obliterated by a more
dreadful as well as. afFefting fpeftacle. It was
now broad day ; the hurricane had abated nothing
of its violence, and the fea appeared agitated with
all the rage of which that deftruftive element is
capable i all the fhips, on which alone the whole
army knew that their fafety and fubfiftence de-
pended, were feen driven from their anchors,
fome daihing againft each other, fome beat to
pieces on the rocks, many forced afhore, ^nd not a
0^2 few
VkiAceU
tza8 THE REIGN OF THE
* %? '^ few finking in the waves. In lefi than an how,
^-v—i^ fifteen fliips of war, and an hundred and forty
'^*'* tranfports with eight thoufand men, perifhed; and
fuch of the unhappy crews as cfcaped the fiiry of
the fca, were murdered widiout mercy by riie
Arabs, as foon as they reached land. The
Emperor ftood in filent anguifh and aAonilhment
beholding this fatal event, which at once blafted afl
his hopes of fuccefs, and buried in the depths
the vaft ftores which he had provided, as weU
for annoying the enemy, as for fubfifting his own
troops. He had it not in his power to afibrd
them any other afliftance or relief than by folding
fome troops to drive away the Arabs, and thus de-
livering a few ^ho were fo fortunate as to get
aftiore fiom the cruel fate which their companions
had met with. At laft the wind began to fall, .and
to pve fome hopes that as niany fhips might cf-
cape, as would be fufficient to (ave the army fiom
perifiiing by famine, and traniport them back to
Europe. But thefe were only hopes ; the approach
of evening covered the fea with darknefs ; and it
being impoflible for the officers aboard the- fhips
which had outlived the florm, to fend any intelli-
gence to their companions who were afhore, they
remained during the night in all the anguifh of
fufpenfe and uncertainty. Next day, a boat dif^
patched by Doria, made fhift to reach land, with
information, that having weathered out the flxmn^
to which, during fifty years knowledge of the fea^
he had never ieen any equal in fiercenefi «id faor-
EMPEROR CHARLES V, ca^
ror, he had found it neceflary to bear away with ^ ^^^' ^
his ihatteied fhips to Cape Metafliz. He advifed Ui-v^
the Emperor, as the face of the flcy was ftill low- '^'*
ering and tempefhious, to march with all ipeed to
that place^ where the troops could re- embark with
greater eafe.
Whatever comfort this intelligence afforded oMigeat#
Charles^ from being afTured that part of his fleet '•^""'
had efcapedy was balanced by the new cares and
perplexity in which it involved him with regard to
his army. Metafuz was at leaft three days march
fitffici his preient camp ; all the provifions which he
had brought alhore at his firft landing were now
confiuned; his foldiers^ worn out with fatigue, were
hardly able for fuch a march, even in a friendly
coumrys and being diipirited by a iucceffion of^
hardfhips, which vi£lx>ry it&If would fcarcely have
rendered tolerable, they were in no condition to
undergo new toils. But the fituation of the army
was fuch, as allowed not one moment for delibe-
ration, nor left it in the leaft doubtful what to
chooie. They were ordered inftantly to march,
the wounded, the fiqjc, and the feeble, being placed
hi the centres fuch as feemed moft vigorous were
Rationed in the front and rear. Then the fad ef«
kSka of what they had fufiered began to appear
more manifeilly than ever, and hew calamities were
added to all thofe which they had already endured.
Some could hardly bear the weight of their armsi
others, Ipent with the toil of forcing their way
through deep and almoft impaflable roads, funk
0^3 down
♦
230 THE REIGN OF THE •
* %^ ^ dovirn and died j many pcrifhed by famine, as the
i^m^^ whole army fubfifted chiefly on roots and berries,
*^*'' or the flefti of horfes, killed by the Emperor's or-
der, and diftributed among the feveral battalions ;
many were drowned in brooks, which were fwoln
fo much by the exceflive rains, that in pafling diem
they waded up to the chin ; not a few were killed
f by the enemy, who, during the greateft part of
their retreat, alarmed, haraflfed, and annoyed them
night and day. At laft they arrived at Metafuz;
and the weather being now fo calm as to rcftore
their communication with the fleet, they were fup-
plied with plenty of provifions, and cheered with
the profped of fafety.
Hiiforti- _ During this dreadfiil feries of calamities, the
Emperor difcovered great qualities, many of
wliich a long continued flow of pro(perity had
fcarcely afforded him an opportunity of difplay-
ing. He appeared confpicuous for firmnefs and
conftancy of Ipirit, for magnanimity, fortitude,
- humanity, and compaflion. He endured as great
hardfliips as the meaneft foldieri he expofed his
own perfon wherever danger threatened ; he en-
couraged the delponding; vifited the fick and
wounded; and animated all by his words and
example. When the army embarked, he was
among the lafl: who left the fhore, although a body
of Arabs hovered at no great diftance, ready to
fall on the rear. By thefe virtues, Charles atoned,
in fome degree, for his obftinacy and prefump-
tion in undertaking an expedition fo fatal to his
fubjedls.
The
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ajt
The calamities which attended this unfprtunate ^ ^^^ ^
cntcrprizc did not end here ; for no fooner were ui-^».i^
the forces got on board, than a new ftorm arifmg, Retu?nl w
though lefe furious than the former, fcattered the ^»'<^p«-
fleet, and obliged them, feparateiy, to make to-
wards fuch ports in Spain or Italy as they could
firft reach ; thus Iprcading the account of their
difafters, with all the circumftances of aggravation
and horror, which their imagination, ftill under the
influence of fear, fuggefted. The Emperor him-
felf, after cfcaping great dangers, and being forced
into the port of Bugia in Africa, where he was Decern. 2.
obliged by contrary winds to remain feveral weeks,
arrived at laft in Spain, in a condition very different
from that in which he had returned from his
former expedition againft the Infidels ''.
* Carol. V. Expeditio ad ArgyriaoiyperNicoIaum Village
nonem Eqaitem Rhodium, ap. Scardiooi, v. ii. 365. Jovii
Hid. 1. xl. p. 269, &c Vera y Zaniga Vida «ie Carlos V.
p. 83^ Sandov. Hiftor. ii. 299, &c.
0,4
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
REIGN
OP THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
B O O K VIL
THE calamities which the Emperor fufiered ^ vi!! *
in his iinfortunate enterprize againfb Algiers ^ ■>* -^
ivere great I and the account of theie> which ai^- ReMwiiof
mealed in proportion as it fpread at a greater F^^cit!!^
diftancc from the fcene of his difkfters> encouraged f^j"'^^^'^
Francis to begin hoftilities^ on. which he had been
(oi£ ibme dme refolved. But he did not think
it prudent to produce^ as the motives of this re**
ii^tion^ either his ancient pretenfions to the dutchy
of Milan> or die Emperor's difingenuity in vio-
ladog his repeated promifes with regard to die
reftitudon of that country. The former might
liave been a good reaibn againft concluding the
truce of Nice^ but was none for breaking it ; the
btter coul4 not be urged widiout expofmg his
oiyn
234 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK own credulity as much as the Emperor's want of
V ^,1.^ integrity. A violent and. unwarrantable aflion
»54»' of one of the Imperial generals fumifhcd him
with a reafon to juftify his taking arms, which
was of greater weight than either of thefe, and
fuch as would have roufed him, if he had been
as defirous of peace as he was eager for war.
Francis, by figning the treaty of truce at Nice,
without confulting Solyman, gave (as he forefaw)
great offence to that haughty Monarch, who con-
fidered an alliance with him as an honour of which
a Chriftian prince had cauie to be proud. The
friendly interview of the French King with the
Emperor in Provence, followed by fuch extra-
ordinary appearances of union and confidence which
diftinguiflied tht reception of Charles when he
paffed through the dominions of Francis to the
Low-Countries, induced the Sultan to fuiped th*
the two rivals had at laft forgotten their ancient
enmity, in order that they might form fuch a ge-
neral confederacy againft^ the Ottoman power, as
had been long wifhed for in Chriftendom, and often
attempted in vain. Charles, with his ufual art,
endeavoured to confirm and ftrengthen thefe fufpi-
cions, by inftrufting his emiffaries at Conftanti-
nople, as well as in thofe courts with which Soly-
man held any intelligence, to reprefent the concord
between him and Francis to be fo entire, that^heir
fentiments, views, and purfuits, would be die
fame for the future*. It was not without dilfi-
* Mem. dc Ribier, tom^ L p. 502.
Cttlty
EMPEROR CHAULES V. 23$
culty that Francis effaced thefe impreflions j but ^ ^,^ ^
the addrefs of Rincon, the French annbaflador at
the Porte, together with the inanifi^ft advantage
of carrying on hoftilities againft the houfe of
Auftria in concert with France; prevailed at length
on the Sultan not only to banifli his fulpicions, but
to enter into a clofer conjunftion with Francis than
ever. Rincon returned into France, in order to
communicate to his mafter a fcheme of the Sultan's,
for gaining die concurrence of the Venetians in
their operations againft the common enemy. Soly-
man having lately concluded a peace with that re-
public, to which the mediation of Francis and the
good offices of Rincon had greatly contributed,
thought it not impoffible to allure the fenate by
fuch advantages, as, together with the example of
the French Monarch, might overbalance any
fcruples arifing either from decency or caution,
that could operate on the other fide. Francis,
warmly approving of this mieafure, difpatched Rin-
con back to Conftantinople, and, direfting him to
go by Venice along with Fregofo, a Genoefe exile,
whom he appointed his ambaffador to that repub-
lic, empowered them to ncgociate the matter with
the fenate, to whom Solyman had fent an envoy
for die fame purpofe ^ The marquis del Guafto,
governor of the Milanefe, an officer of great abili-
ties, but capable of attempting and executing the
moft atrocious adions, got intelligence of the mo-
tions and deftination of thefe ambaffadors. As he
^ Hift. dc Vcnct. dc Paruta, iv* 125,
knew
1541.
«56 • THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK kftew how much his matter wifhcd to difcovcr the
i^^-v-^ intentions of the French King, and of what con-
*S4»* fequence it was to retard the execution of his mea-
Themorder furcs, hc employed fome foldicrs belonging to the
baftdo'w his garrifon of Pavia fco lie in wait for Rincon and
jwtcxt for pj^g^^Q ^ ^^y faiig^ (jQ^a the Po, who murdered
rfi^m and moft of their attendants, and feizcd their
papers. Upon i^ceiving an account of this bar-
barous outrage, committed, duririg the fubfiftence
of a truce, againft perfons held facred by the moft
uncivilized nations, Francis's grief for the unhappy
fate of two fervants whom he loved and trufted, his
uneafinefs at the interruption of his ichem^ by
their death, and every other paffion, were fiwl-
lowed up and \o& in the indignation which this in*
fblt on die honour of his crown excited. He m-
claimed loudly againft Guaiio, who, having drawn
upon hirnfelf all the in&my of affaflination with-
out naaking any difcovcry of importance, os the
ambafTadors had left their inftru&ions and -other
papers of confequence behind them, now boldly
denied his being acceftary in any wife to the
crime. He fent an ambaffador to the Emperor,
to demand fuitable reparation for an indignity,
which no prince, how inconfiderable orpufiUani-
mous foever, could tamely endure: and when
Charles, impatient at that time to fet out on his
African expedition, endeavoured to put him off
with an evafive anfwer, he appealed to ail the
courts in Europe, fetcing forth the heinoufiaefe
of the injury, the fpirit of moderation with
which he had applied for redrcfs, and the ini-
5 qui<7
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 1237
quity of the Emperor in difregarding this juft » o o jc
itqueft. -
Notwithstanding the confidence widi which
Guafio aflerted his own innocence, the accufa-
tions of the French gained greater credit than all
his proteftations j and Bellay, the French com-
mander in Piedmont, procured, at length, by his
induftry and addrefs, fuch a minute detail of the
tranfai£tion> with the teftimony df fo many of the
parties concerned^ as amounted almoft to a legal
proof of the marquises guilt. In coniequence of
this opinion of the public, confirmed by fuch itrong
evidence^ Francis's complaints were univerfally
allowed to be well founded, and the fteps which
he took towards renewing hoftilities, were afcribed
not merely to ambition or refentment, but to the
unavoidable neceifity of vindicating the honour of
his crown *^.
However juft Francis might efteem his own
caufe, he did not truft fo much to that, as to
negkd the proper precautions for g^ing other
allies befides the Sultan, by whofe aid he might
counterbalance the Emperor's fuperior power,
Btit his tiegociations to this effed were attended
with very Kttk fiiccels. Henry VIII; eagerly
bent .at that time upon fchemes againft Scotland,
which he knew would at once diffolve his union
with France, was inclinable rather to take part
« l^lb^, 367, Uc. Jovu Hift. lib. xk 268.
with
>54«»
^38 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK with the Emperor, th^ to contribute in any dc-
u_,-/^ gree towards favouring the operations againft him.
*S4«- The Pope adhered inviolably to his ancient fyftem
of neutrality. The Venetians, notwithftanding
Solyman's folicitations, imitated the Pope's ex-
ample. The Germans, fatisfied with the religious
liberty which they enjoyed, found it- more their in-
tereft to gratify. than to irritate the Emperor; fo
that the Kings of Denmark and Sweden, who on
this occafion were firft drawn in to intereft them-
- felves in the quarrels of the more potent Monarchs
of the fouth, and the duke of Cleves, who had a
difpute with the Emperor about the poileflion of
Guelders, were the only confederates whom Fran-
cis fecured. But the dominions of the two former
lay at fuch a diftance, and the power of the latter
was fo inconfiderable, that he gained little by their
alliance.
Fraiwis'i BuT Francis by vigorous efforts of his own
itf Jtrini" aftivity fupplied every dcfeft. Being afflifted at
^ **'• this time with a diftemper, which was the effeft of
his irregular pleafures, and which prevented his
purfuing them with the fame licentious indu^ence,
he applied to bufinefs with more than his ufual in-
duftry. The fame caufe which occafioned this ex-
traordinary attention to his affairs^ rendered him
morofe and diffatisfied with the minifters whom he
had hitherto employed. This accidental peevifh-
nefs being fliarpened by refleding on the falie fteps
into which he had lately been betrayed, as well as
the infults to which he had been expofed, fome of
' thofc
BMPEROR CHARLES V. 239
thofe in whom he had ufually placed the greateft ® ^.^ ^
confidence felt the e&fts of this change in his <— -n,--^
temper, and were deprived of their offices. At ^^^^'
lafl: he difgraced Montmorency himfelf, who had
long direfted affairs, as well civil as military, with
all the authority of a minifter no lefs beloved than
trufted by his mafter , and Francis being fond of
ftiewing .that the fall of fuch a powerful favourite
did not affe6t the vigour or prudence of his admi-
niftration, this was a new niotive to redouble his
diligence in preparing to open the war by fome
fplendid and extraordinary effort.
He, accordingly brought into the field five 154*.
armies. One to ad in Luxembourg under the fiv\a?m?u
duke of Orleans, accompanied by the duke of g^id.^^*
Lorrsdne as his inftruftor in the art of war. An-
other commanded by the dauphin marched to-
wards the frontiers of Spain. A third led by Van
Roffem the marlhal of Guelders, and compofed
chiefly of the troops of Cleves, had Brabant al-
lotted for the theatre of its operations. A fourth,
of which the duke of Vendome was general,
hovered on the borders of Flanders. The laft,
confifling of the forces cantoned in Piedmont, was
deftined for the admiral Annebaut. The dauphin
and his brother were appointed to command
where the chief exertions were intended, and the
grcatefl honour to be reaped; the army of the
former amounted to forty thoufand, that of the
latter to thirty thoufand men. Nothing appears
more /urpriling than that Francis did not pour
with
249 THE REIGN OF THE
B o o ic ^xth thefe numerous and irrefiftible armies into
s^^^ the Milaneibj which had fo long been the obje&
^^'' of his wifhes sis well as enterprizes i and that he
fhould choofe rather to turn almoft his whole
llrex^gdi into anodier diredion^ and towards new
conquefts. But the remembrance of die diiafters
which he had met widi in his former expeditions
into Italy, together with the difficulty of fuppbrt-
ing a war carried on at fuch a diftance 6xun his
own dominions^ had gradually abated his violent
inclination to obtain footing in that country, and
made him willing to try the fortune of his arms ia
another quarter. At the fame time he ezpe£ted
to make &ch a powerful impreffion on the fron-
tier of Spain, where there were few towns of jiay
ftrengthj and no army afiembled tp oppole hw«
as might enable him to recover pofle0k)A of the
country of Roufillon, lately difmembered from the
French crown» before Charles could bring into
the field any force able to obftruft his prggrefs*
The ncceflity of fupporting his ally the duke of
Cleves, and the hope of drawing a confiderabk
body of foldiers out of Germany by his means,
. determined him to aft with vigour in the I-ow-
Countries.
jofl«. The dauphin and duke of Orleans opened the
nxiMy campaign much about the fame time; the former
laying fieg^ to Perpignan the capital of Roufil*
Ion, and the latter entering Luxembourg. The
duke of Orleans pulhed his operadons with the
greateft rapidity and fuccefs^ one town filing
after
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ^41
after another^ until no place in that large dutchy book
remained in the Emperor's. hands but Thionville. u . -.- . . j
Nor could he have failed of over-running the '****
adjacent provinces with the fame eafe, if he had
Rot voluntarily ftopt ftiort in this career of viftory.
But a report prevailing that the Emperor had de-
termined to hazard a battle in order to fave Per-
pignan, on a fudden the duke, prompted by youth-
ful ardour, or moved, perhaps, by jealoufy of his
brother, whom he both envied and hated, aban-
doned his own conqueft, and haftened towards
Roufillon, in order to divide with him the glory of
the viftory.
On his departure fome of his troops were dif-
banded, others deferted their colours, and the
reft, cantoned in die towns which he had takeil>
remained inaftive. By this conduct, which leaves
a diflionourable imputation either on his under-
ftanding or his heart, or on both, he not only
renounced whatever he could have hoped from
^ fuch a promifing commencement of the cam-
paign, but gave the enemy an opportunity of re-
covering, before the end of fummer, all the con-
quefts which he had gained. On the Spanifh
frontier, the Emperor was not fo inconfiderate as
to venture on a battle, the lofs of which might
have endangered his kingdom. Perpignan, though ,
poorly fortified, ind briikly attacked, having been
largely fupplied with aftnmunition and provifions
by thi vigilance of Doria, S was defended fo long
' Sigonii Vita A. Doris, p. 1191*
Vol. III. R and
24a THE REIGN OF TH£
B ^ o K and fo vigoroufly by the duke of Alva, the pcr-
u.^yl>-^ fevering obftinacy of whofe temper fitted him ad-
*^^** mirably for fuch a fervice, that at laft the French,
after a fiege of three months, wailed by difeafes,
repulfed in feveral aflaults, and defpairing of fuc-
cefs> relinquiihed the undertaking^ and retired
into their own country** Thus all Francis's
mighty preparations, either from fomc defeft in
his own conduft, or from the liiperior power and
prudence of his rival, produced no efFefts which
bore any proportion to his expence and efforts, or
fuch as gratified, in any degree, his own hopes, or
anfwered the expeflation of Europe. The only
folid advantage of the campaign was the acquifition
of a few towns in Piedmont, which Bellay gained
rather by flratagem and addrefs, than by the force
of his arms^
^ I543* The Emperor and Francis,, though both con-
tions for fiderably exhauflcd by fuch great but indecifive
efforts, difcovering no abatement of their mutual
animofity, employed all their attention, tried every
expedient, and turned themfelves towards every
quarter, in order to acquire new allies, together
with fuch a reinforcement of flrength as would
give them the fuperiority in the cnfuing campaign.
Charles, taking advantage of the terror and refcnt-
ment of the Spaniards, upon the fudden invafion
of their country, prevailed on the Cortes of the
feveral kingdoms to grant him fubfidies with a
« Sandov. Hift. torn. ii. 319.
f Sandov. Hift. ii. 318. Bellay, 387, &c. Ferrer, ix. 237.
9 more
another
canopaign.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 243
more liberal hand than ufual. At-the fame time book
he borrowed a large fum from John King of u -.- j
Portugal, and, by way of fecurity for his repay- '543*
ment, pyt him in pofleffion of the Molucca Ifles
in the Eaft Indies, with the gainful commerce
of precious fpices, which that fequeftered corner
of the globe yields. Not fatisfied with this, he
negociated a marriage between Philip his only fon,
now in his fixteenth year, and Mary daughter of
that Monarch, with whom her father, the moft
opulent prince in Europe, gave a large dower;
and having likewife perfuaded the Cortes of
Aragon and Valencia to recognife Philip as the
heir of thefe crowns, he obtained from them the
donative ^ufual on fuch occafions^. Thefe ex-
traordinary fupplies enabled him to make fuch
additions to his forces in ?pain, that he could
detach a great body into the Low-Countries, and
yet referve as many as were fofncient for -the de-
fence of the kingdom. Having thus provided for
the fecurity of Spain, and committed the govern-
ment of it to his fon, he failed for Italy, in his
way to Germany. But how attentive foever to ^u^
raifc the funds for carrying on the war, or eager
to g^afp at any new expedient for that purpofe, he
was not fo inconfiderate as to accept of an over-
ture which Paul, knowing his neceffities, artfully
threw out to him. That ambitious Pontiff^ no
lefs fagacious to difcern, than watchful to feize
opportunities of aggrandifing his family, folicited
< Ferrtras, ix. 238. 441. Jovii Hid. lib. xlii. 298. 6.
R % him
•i44 THE REIGN OF THE
B V,? ^ ^^^ fo grant Odtavio his grandchild, whom th^
C>-v-— ^ Emperor had admitted to the hpnour of being his
'5*3' fon-in-law, the inveftittlre of the dutchy of Mi-
lan, in return for which he promifed fuch a fum
of money as would have gone far towards fup-
plying all his prefent exigencies. But Charles,
as well from unwiUingnefs to alienate a province
of fo much value, as from difguft at the Pope,
who had hitherto refiifed to join in the war againft
Francis, reje(9:cd the propofal. His diflatisfadion
with Paul at that jun6hire was fo great, that he
even refufed to approve his alienating Parma
and Placentia from the patrimony of St. Peter,
and fettling them on his fon and grandfon as
a fief to be held of the Holy See. As no
other expedient for raifing money among the
Italian ftates remained, he confented to withdraw
the garrifons which he had hitherto kept in die
citadels of Florence and Leghorn ; in confidera*
tion for v/hich, he received a large prefent fi-om
Cofmo di Medici, who by this means fecured his
own independence, and got pofleffion of two
forts, which were juftly called the fetters of Tuf-
cany ^.
Th'-Errpe. BuT Charles, while he feemed to have turned
cbtion?"*' ^^^ whole attention towards raifing the fums ne-
^uh Henry ccflary for defraying the expences of the year,
had not been negligent of objedts more diftant,
though no lefs important, and had concluded a
" Adrian! Iftorja, i. 195. SIcid. 312. Jovii Hift.lib. xUii.
p. 301. Vita di Cof. Medici di Baldini, p. 34.
league
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 245
league offenfive and defenfive with Hehry VIII. ^ ^^ ^
from which he derived, in the end, greater advan- v,..— ^.^
tage than from all his other preparations. Several '54J.
flight circumftances, which have already been n^en-
tioned, had begun to alienate the afFeftions of that
Monarch from Francis, with whom he had been for
fome time in clofe alliance ; and new incidents of
greater moment had occurred to increafe his difgufl:
and animofity. Henry, defirous of eftablifhing an Henry',
uniformity in religion in Great Britain, as well as F"an"7^4^
fond of making profelytes to his own opinions, had ScoUand.
formed a fcheme of perfuading his nephew the
King of Scots to renounce the Pope's fupremacy,
and to adopt the fame fyftem of reformation, which
he had introduced into England. This meafure
he purfiied with his ufual eagernefs and impetuo-
fity, making fuch advantageous offers to James,
whom he confidered as not over-fcrupuloufly at-
tached to any religious tenets, that he hardly
doubted of fuccefs. His propofitions were ac-
cordingly received in fuch a manner, that he flat-
tered himfelf with having gained his point. But
the Scottifh ecclefiaftics, forefecing how fatal the
union of their Sovereign with England muft prove
both to their own power, and to the eftablifhed
fyftem of religion 5 and the partifans of France, no
lefs convinced that it would put an epd to the in*
fluence of that crown upon the public councils of
Scodand; combined together, and by their infinua-
tions defeated Henry's fcheme at die very moment
when he expedted it to have taken efFeft*, Too
^ Hift. of Scot!, vol. X. p* 7if &c. 9th edit. 8vo.
R 3 haughty
^46 THE REIGN OF THE
® VI?. ^ haughty to brQok fuch a difappointment, which he
imputed as much to the arts of the French, as to
'^^* the levity of the Scottifh Monarch, he took arms
againft Scotland, threatening to fubdue the king-
dom, fuice he could not gain the friendfhip of its
King. At the fame time, his refentment againft
Francis quickened his negociations with the Em-
peror, an alliance with whom he was now as for-
ward to accept as the other could be to offer it.
During this war with Scodand, and before the con-
clufion of his negociations with Charles, James V.
died, leaving his crown to Mary his only daughter,
an infant a few days old. Upon this event, Henry
1 altered at once his whole fyftem with regard to Scot-
land, and abandoning all thoughts of conquering it,
aimed at what was more advantageous as well as
more prafticable, an union with that kingdom by a
marriage between Edward his only fon and the
young Queen. But here, too, he apprehended a
vigorous oppofition from the French fadtion in
Scodand, which began to beftir itfelf in order to
thwart the meafure. The neceffity of crufhing this
party among the Scots, and of preventing Francis
from furnifhing them any effeftual aid, confirmed
Henry's refolution of breaking -with France, and
pufhed him on to put a finifhing hand to the treaty
of confederacy widi the Emperor.
Feb. It. In this league were contained firft of all, ar-
CiweTn ^^^^^ ^^^ fecuring their future amity and mutual
chtriet aod dcfcnce ; then were enumerated the demands
which they were rcfpedtively to make upon Fran-
cis ^
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 547
CIS ; and the plan of their opcrfitions was fixed, * ^^ ^
if he (hould refiife to grant diem farisfeftion. ^-^sr-^
They agreed to require that Francis fliould not *^*^*
only renounce his alliance with Solyman, which
had been the fource of infinite calamities to
Chriftendom, but alfo that he Ihould make repa-
ration for the damages which that unnatural union
had occafioned ; that he fhould reftore Burgundy
to the Emperor ; that he fhould defift immediately
from hoftilities, and leave Charles at leifure to
oppofe the common enemy of the Chriftian faith ;
and that he fhould immediately pay the fums due
to Henry, or put fome towns in his hands as fe-
curity to that effeft. If, within forty days, he
did not comply with thefe demands, they then
engaged to invade France each with twenty thou-
fand foot and five thoufand horfe, and not to lay
down their arms until they had recovered Bur-
&^yj together with the towns on the Somme>
for the Emperor, and Normandy and Guiennc,
or even the whole realm of France, for Henry ^,
Their heralds, accordingly, fet out with thefe
hau^ty requifitions ; and though they were not
peroiitted to enter France, the two Monarch*
held thcmfelves fully entitled to execute whater^
was ftipulated in their treaty,
Francis, on his part, was not kfs diligent in rrtneirt
preparing for the approacljing campaign. Hav- ^'^'^^^
ing early obferved fymptoms of Henry's dif- »»»•
^ Rym. xiv. 768. H«rb. 23S.
R 4 guft
ft48 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK guft and alienation, and finding all his endeavours
w. .y '-W to footh and reconcile him ineffe6hial, he knew
'543. i^js temper too well not to exped: that open hofti-
lities would quickly follow upon this ceflfation of
friendftiip. For this reafon he redoubled his en-
deavours to obtain from Solyman fuch aid as might
counterbalance the great acceffion of ftrength
which the Emperor would receive by his alliance
with England. In order to fupply the place of
the two ambafladors who had been murdered by
Guafto, he fent as his envoy, firft to Venice, and
then to Conftantinople, Paulin, who, though in no
higher rank than acaptain of foot, wasdeemed worthy
of being raifed to. this important ftation, to which
he was recommended by BeUay, who had trained
him to the arts of negociarion, and made trial of
his talents and addrefs on feveral occafions. Nor
did he belie the opinion conceived of his courage
and abilities. Haftening to Conftantinople, with-
out regarding the dangers to which he was ex-
pofed, he urged his mafter's demands with fuch
boldnefs, and availed himfelf of every circum-
ftance with fuch dexterity, that quickly he re-
moved all the Sultan's difficulties. As fome of the
Bafhaws, fwayed cither by their own opinion, or
influenced by the Emperor's emiffaries, who had
made their way even into this court, had declared
in the Divan againft afting in concert with France,
he found means either 50 convince or filencc then) ^,
k Sandov. Hiftor. torn, ii, 346. Jo?ii Hift. lib. xli. 285,
Sec. 300, &c. Brantomct
Ac
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 549
At lafl: he obtained orders for Barbarofla to fail ^ ^^ ^
with a powerful fleet, and to regulate all his ope- v— ^Ai^
rations by the direftions of the French King. ^^^^*
Francis was not equally fuccefsful in his attempts
to gain the Princes of the Empire. The extraor-
dinary rigour with which he thought it necefTary
to punifh fuch of his fubjefts as had embraced the
Proteflant opinions, in order to give fbme notable
evidence of his own zeal for the Catholic faith,
and to wipe off the imputations to which he was
liable from his confederacy with the Turks, placed
an infuperable barrier between him and fuch of
the Germans as intereft or inclination would have
prompted mofl readily to join him '. His chief
advantage, however, over the Emperor, he de-
rived on this, as on other occafions, from the
contiguity of his dominions, as well as from the
extent of the royal authority in France, which
exempted him from all the delays and difappoint-
ments unavoidable wherever popular afTemblies
provide for the expences of government by occa-
fional and frugal fubfidies. Hence his domeftic
preparations were always carried on with vigour,
and rapidity, while thofe of the Emperor, unlefs
when quickened by fome foreign fupply, or fomc
temporary expedient, were extremely flow and
dilatory.
Long before any army was in readinefs to op- opentioM
pofe him, Francis took the field in the Low- coumr!^'
^ Seek. lib. iii«403.
Countries,
t5(3 THE RELGN OF THE ,
B ^? * Countries, againft which he turned th* whole
w*- v -i»j weight of the war. He made himfclf mailer of
*^^ Lindrecy, which he determined to keep as the
key to the whole province of Hainault 5 and or-
dered it to be fortified with great care. Turning
from thence to the right, he entered the dutchy
of Luxembourg, and found it in the fame de-
fcncelefs ftate as in the former year. While he
was thus employed, the Emperor having drawn
together an army, compofed of all the different
nations fubjeft to his government, entered the
territories of the Duke of Cleves, on whom he
had vowed to inflidb exemplary vengeance. This
prince, whofe conduct and fituation were limilar
to that of Robert de la Mark in the firft war be-
tween Charles and Francis, refembled him like-
wife in his fate. Unable, with his feeljlc army,
to face the Emperor, who advanced at the head
of forty-four thoufand men, he retired at his ap-
proach; and the Jmperialifts being at liberty to
aft as they pleafed, immediately invefted Dxiren.
The Bmpe- That town, though gallantly defended, was taken
mafterof by afiault ; all the inhabitants were put to the
cf cietlil^^ fword, and the place itfelf reduced to afhes. This
Auguft 14. dreadful example of feverity ftruck the people of
the country with fuch general terror, that all the
other towns, even fuch as were capable of refift-
ance, fent their keys to the Emperor; and before a
body of French, detached to his aflillance, could
come up, the Duke himfelf was obliged to make
his fubmiffion to Charles in the moft abjeft man-
ner. Being admitted into the Imperial prefence,
he
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ast
he kneeled, together with eight of His principal ^ ^ ^ ?•
fubjefts, and implored mercy. The Emperor al- w>-v-^«^
lowed him to remain in that ignominious pofturc, '^^*
and eying him with an haughty and fevere look^
without deigning to anfwer a fingle word, re-
mitted him to his minifters. The conditionj,
however, which they prcfcribed were not fo rigor-
ous as he had reafon to have expected after fuch a
reception. He was obliged to renounce his alii- stpt j.
ance with France and Denmark ; to .refign all his
pretenfions to the dutchy of Gueldries ; to enter
into perpetual amity with the Emperor and King
of the Romans. In return for which, all his he-
reditary dominions were reftored, except two towns
which the Emperor kept as pledges of the puke!s
fidelity during the continuance of the war-j and
he was reinftatcd in his privileges as a Prince of
the Empire. 'Not long after, Charles, as a proqf
of the fincerity of his reconcilement, gave him
in marriage one of the daughters of his brodier
Ferdinand ".
• ♦ Having thus chaftifed the prefumption of the Bcu^jfi
Duke of Cleves, . detached one of his allies from " '*^*
Francis, a,nd annexed to his own dominions in the '
Low-Countries a confiderable province which lay
contiguous to them, Charles advanced towards
Hainault, and laid fiege to Landrecy. There, as •
the firft fruits of his alliance with Henry, he wai
" Harxi Annal. Brabant, t. i. 628. Recueil des Traicez,
t. u. 226.
joined
4j:« THE REIGN OF THE
^ VI? ^ pmtd by fix thoufand Englifh under Sir John Wal-
v,^^.!— j' lop. The garrifon, confiding of veteran troops
'^♦^ commanded by De la Lande and Dcfle, two offi-
xers of reputation, made a vigorous refiftance.
Francis approached with all his forces to relieve
that place j Charles covered the fiege ; both were
determined to hazard an engagement i and all Eu-
rope expefted to fee this conteft, which had conti-
nued fo long, decided at lait by a battle between
two great armies, led by their refpeftive Monarchs
in perfon. But the ground which feparated their
two camps was fuch, as put the difadvantage ma-
nifeftly on his fide who fhould venture to attack,
and neither of them chofe to run that rifquc.
Amidft a variety of movements, in order to draw
the enemy into the fnare, or to avoid it themfelves,
Francis, with admirable conduA and equal good
fortune, threw firft a fupply of frefli troops, and
then a convoy of provifions, into the town, fo that
the Emperor, defpairing of fuccefs, withdrew into
winter-quarters", in order to preferve his army fi-om
being entirely ruined by the rigour of the feaibiu
November. DuRiNG this Campaign, Solyman fulfilled his
^amHuiu* engagements to the French King with great punc-
•^* tuality. He himfelf marched into Hungary with
a numerous army ; and as the Princes of the Em-
pire made no great effort to fave a country which
Charles, by employing his own force againft Fran-
cis, fccmcd willing to facrificc, there was no ap-
• Bellay, 405, ^c«
pearancc
EMPEROR CHARLES V. tS3
pearance of any body of troops to oppofe his pro- book
grefs. He befieged, one after another, Quinque ^ ^ ' ■■i^
Ecclefias, Alba, and Gran, the three moft confi- '^♦*'
derable towns in the kingdom, of which Ferdi-
nand had kept poffeflion. The firft was taken by
ftorm; the other two furrehdered ; and the whole
kingdom, a fmall corner excepted, was fubjedted
to the Turkifh yoke^ About the fame time, Btrbarofla't
Barbaroffa failed with a fleet of an hundred and itd^^**
ten gallies, and coafting along the Ihore of Cala-
bria, made a defcent at Rheggio, which he plun-
dered and burnt; and advancing from thence to
the mouth of the Tiber, he ftopt there to water.
The citizens of Rome, ignorant of his deftina-
tion, and filled with terror, began to fly with fuch
general precipitation, that the city would have
been totally deferted, if they had not refumed cou-
rage upon letters from Paulin the French envoy,
aflurirtg them that no violence or injury would be
offered by the Turks to any ftate in alliance with
the King his matter p. From Oftia, BarbaroiTa
failed to Marfeilles, and being joined by the French
fleet with a body of land forces on board, under
the count d'Enguien, a gallant young prince of
the houfe of Bourbon, they direfted their courfe
towards Nice, the fole retreat qf the unfortunate
Duke of Savoy. There, to the aftoniftiment and Augnft !••
icandal of all Chriftendom, the Lilies of France
and Crefcent of Mahomet appeared in conjunftion
• Iftaanhaff. Hiftor. Hung. I. xr. 167.
' JoviiHiii. 1. xliii. 304, &Ct Fallavic. j6o»
againfl
»543-
254 THE REIGN OF THE
^ %i? ^ ^g^^nft a fortrefs on which the Croft of Savoy wtw
difplayed. The town, however, was bravely de-
fended againft their combined force by Montfort a
Savoyard gentleman, who flood a general affault,
and repulfed the enemy with great lofs^ before he
retired in!o the caftle. That fort, fituated upon a
rock, on which the artillery made no impreflion,
and which could not be undermined, he held out
fo long, that Doria had time to approach with his
fleet, and the Marquis del Guafto to march with a
Sept. g. body of troops from Milan. Upon intelligence
of this, the French and Turks raifed the fiege ^ ;
and Francis had not even the confolation of luc-
cefs, to render the infamy which he drew on him-
felf by calling in fuchj an auxiliary, more tole-
rable. * '
Prepara- . From the fmall progrcfs of either party during
tsonifori • . . . I . 1 1 f
newoMn- this Campaign, It was obvious to what a length
'****• the war might be drawn out between two princes,
whofe power was fo equally balanced, and who,
by their own talents or aftivity, could fo vary and
multiply their refources. TJie trial which they '
had now made of each other's ftrength might have
taught them the imprudence of perfifting in a war,
wherein there was greater appearance of their dif-
treffing, their own dominions than of conquering
thofe of their adverfary, and Ihould have difpofed
both to wifh for peace. If Charles and Francis
^ Guichenon Hiftoirc de Savoye, t. i. p. 651. Bellay,
425, &c.
had
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 455
had been influenced by confiderations of intereft ^ 00 R
or prudence alone, this, without doubt, lAuft have u,->^-hi
been the manner in which they would have reafon- ■^*^'
cd. But the perfonal animofity, which mmgled
itfelf in all their quarrels, had grown to be fo vio-
lent and implacable, that, for the pleafure of gra*
dfying it, they difregarded every thing elfe ; and
were infinitely more felicitous how to hurt each
other, than how to fecure what would be of ad-
vantage to themfelves. No fooner then did the
feafbn force them to fufpend hoftilities, than, with-
out paying any attention to the Pope's repeated
endeavours or paternal exhortations to re-eftablilh
peace, they began to provide for the operations of
the next year with new vigour, and an activity in-
crealing with their hatred. Charles turned his
chief attention towards gaining the Princes of the
Empire, and endeavoured to roufe the formidable
but unwieldy flrength of the Germanic body againft Afftin of
Francis. In order to underftand the propriety of *'"*°^'
the fteps which he took for that purpofe, it is ne-
ceflary to review the chief tranfaftions in that coun-
try fincc the diet of Ratifbon in the year one thou-
find five hundred and forty-one.
Much about the time that aflembly broke up, Mauriceof
Maurice fucceeded his father Henry in the govern- ceedshii f^
ment of that part of Saxony which belonged to the ^'*"*
Albertine branch of the Saxon family. This young
prince, then only in his twentieth year, had, even
at that early period, begun to difcover the great ta-
lents
156 THE REIGN OF THE
• VI? ^ ^^^^ which qualified him^ for afting fuch a diftin-
%— v-^ guifhed part in the affairs of Germany. As foon
'^*^' as he entered upon the adminiftration, he ftruck
cut into fuch a new and Angular path, as fliewed
that he aimed, from the beginning, at fomething
The Tiewi great and uncommon. Though zealoufly attached
of'^thu**"^ to the Proteftant opinions, both from education
JfiiTcL ^^ principle, he refufed to accede to the league of
Smalkalde, being determined, as he faid, to main-
tain the purity of religion, which was the original
objeft of that confederacy, but not to entangle
himfelf in the political interefts or combinations to
which it had given rife. At the fame time, • fore-
feeing a rupture between Charles and the confede-
rates of Smalkalde, and perceiving which of them
was moft likely to prevail in the conteft, inftead of
that jealoufy and diftruft which the other Protefl-
ants exprefled of all the Emperor's defigns, he
afFefted to place in him an unbounded confidence;
and courted his favour with the utmoft affiduity.
When the other Proteftants, in the year fifteen
hundred and forty-two, either declined aflifling
Ferdinand in Hungary, or afforded him reluctant
and feeble aid, Maurice marched thither in -per-
fon, and rendered himfelf confpicuous by his zeal
^nd courage. From the fame motive, he had led
to the Emperor's afTiftancc, during the laft cam-
paign, a body of his own troops ^ and the gracc-
fulnefs of his perfon, his dexterity in all military
exercifes, together with his intrepidity, which,
courted and delighted in danger, did not diftin-
guifli
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 257
guilh him more in the field, than his great abilities ^ ^^f ^
and infinuating addrefs won upon the Eniperor's v^ — ,^-*^
confidence and favour ^ While by this conduft, '^*^'
which appeared extraordinary to thofe who held
the fame opinions with him concerning religion^
Maurice endeavoured to pay court to the Empe-
ror, he began to difcover fome degree of jealoufy
of his coufin the Eledtor of Saxony. This, which
proved in the fequel fo fatal to the Eleftor, had '
almoft occafioned an open rupture between tliem ;
and foon after Maurice's accefTion to the govern-
ment, they both took arms with equal rage, upon
account of a dilpute about the right of jurifdiftion
over a paltry town fituated on the Moldaw. They
were prevented, however, from proceeding to ac-
tion by the mediation of the Landgrave of Hefle,
whole daughter Maurice had married, as well as
by the powerful and authoritative admonitions of
Luther '.
Amidst thefe tranfaftions, the Pope, though TfcePope
propofei to
extremely irritated at the Emperor's conceffions bdd age-
to the Proteftants at the diet of Raeifbon, was fo JuIct^J,
warmly folicited on all hands, by fuch as were
moft devoutly attached to the See of Rome, no
lels than by thofe whofe fidelity pr defigns he fuf-
pedcd, to fummon a general council, that he
found it impoflible to avoid any longer calling
that aflembly. The impatience for its meeting,
' Sleid. 317. Seek. 1. iii. 371. 386. 428.
*^Sleid« 292* Seek. K iii. 403*
VOi.. III. S • and
^58 THE REIGN. OF THE
' Y,? * and rixe expeftations of great cffedbs from its cfo-
V- ■yl.^j ciiions, feertied to grow in propordon to the diffi-
'^**' culty of obtaining it. He (till a(fiiered» however,,
to his original resolution of holding it in ibme town
of Italy, where, by the number of eccleflaftics, re-
tainers to his court, and depending on his favour,
who could repair to it without difficV|lty or expence,
he might mfluence and even dircft all its proceed-
ings. This propofition^ though often rcjefted by
the Germans, he inftruded his nuncio to the diet
March 3. held at Spires, in the year one thoufaod five hun-
dred and forty- two, to renew once more^ and tf he
found it gave no greater fatisfaction than formerly,
he empowered him, as a laft conceflion, to propoie
for the place of meeting, Trent, a city in the Tyrol,
fubjed tz> the King of the Romans, and fiti:^ed on
the confines between Germany and Italy, The
Catholic princes in the diet, after giving it as their
opinion that the council might have been held with
greater advantage in Ratifbon^ Cologne, or fome of
the great cities of the Empire, were at length in-
duced to approve of the place which the Pope had
named. The. Proteftants unanimo^fly exprefied
their cHiracisfaftioni and protcfted that they would
pay no regard to a council held beyond the pre-
cincts of the Empire, called by the Pope's autho-
rity, and in which he affumed the ri^t of prc^
fiding \
M^yii. The Pope, without taking any notice of their
Sun'moM ii objeaions;^ publifhed the bull of iiuimation» named
to meet*
* Sleid. 291. Scdc. h iii/aSj,
. . thfcc
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 459
three cardinals to prefxdc as his l^iates, and jq[)- ^%n. ^
pointed them to repair to Trent before the firft of ^0^ / '^ $
November^ the day he had fixed for opening die '^'
council. But if Paul had defined the meeting of t
council as fincerely as he pretended^ he would noe
have pitched on foch an improper time for calling
it Inftead of that general union and tranquilfity^
without which the deliberations of a council could
neither be conduced with fecurity^ nor attended
with authority^ fudi a fierce war was juft kindled
between the Emperor and Francis^ as rendered it
impoffible for the ecclefiaftics fi-om many parts of
Europe to refort thither in fafety. The legates^
accordingly^ remained feveral months atTrenti but
as no pcrfon appeared there, except a few prelates
from the ecclefiaftical ftate, the Pope, in order to obitgeite
avoid the ridicule and contempt which this drew
Upon him from the enemies of the church> re-
called them and prorogued the council ".
Unhappily for the authority of the papal fee> The Empe*
at the very time that the German Proteftants took tbt Pr^ab*
every occafion of pouring contempt upon it, the
Emperor and King of the Romans found it necef-
fary not only to connive at their condud, but to
court their favour by repeated a^ of indulgence.
In the fame diet of Spires, in which they had pro-
tefted in the moft difrefpeftful terms againft a(^
fembliag a council at Trent, Ferdinand, who dc-
' F. Paul, p. 97. $leid/296.
S a pended
Qfio: THE REIGN OF THE
* ^^'^' pended on their aid for the defence of Hungary^
^ ^ - > not only perniittdd that proteftation Co be inferred
"■^t^* in the .records of the diet, but renewed in their fa-
vour all the Emperor's conceflions at Ratiftoa,
adding to them whatever they demanded for their
farther fecurity. • Among other particulars, he
granted a fufpenfion of a decree of tlie Impend
chamber againfl: the city of Goflar (one of thofe
which had entered into the league of Smalkalde)>
on account of its having feized the ecclefiaftical
revenues within its domains, and enjoined Henry
Dyke of Brunfwick to defifl: from his attempts to
carry that decree into execution. But Henry, a
furious bigot,, and no lefs obftiqate than ralh in all
his undertakings, continuing to difquiet the people
Their »*- of Goflar by his incurfions, the Eleftor of Saxony
feldr'risr' and Landgrave of Hefle, that they might not fuf-
fer any member of the Smalkaldic body to be op-
prefled, afTembled their forces, declared war in form
againfl: Henry, and in the fpace of a few weeks,
fl:ripping him entirely of his dominions, drove him
as a wretched exile to take refuge in the court of
Bavaria. By this aft of vengeance, no lefs feveie
than fudden, they filled all Germany with dread of
their power, and the confederates of Smalkalde ap-
peared, by this firfl: effort of their arms, to be as
ready as they wcx-e able to protedt thofe who had
joined their alTociation '.
« Slcid. 296. Commcmoratio ruccinfta Cau(arom Belli, &c.
a Smalkaldicis contra Henr. Brunfiv. ab iifdcia edita: aj.
Scardium, torn. ii. 307.
Embold-
EMPEROR CH-AR^LES V. a6i
Emboldened by fo many conceflions in their * ^J^ *^
•favour, as well as by tht progrefs which their opi- \ ^1^
nions daily made, the princes gf • the league of S mal- *^^'
kalde took a folemn pr6tdl againft the Imperial
-chamber, and declined its jurifdiftion for the future,
becaufe that court had not been Vifitedor reformed
according to the decree of Ratifbon,- and continued
to difcover a moft indecent partiality in all its pro-
breedings. Not long after this, they ventured a ftep
farther; and protefting againft the recefsof a diet
held at Nuremberg, ^?vhich provided for the defence
-of Hungary, refufed to furnifh their contingent for n^ii «;,
that purpofe, unlefs the Imperial chamber were re- '^*^* i
formed, and full fecurity were granted thprn if! every " , ' 'J
-poifit with regard to religion ^ ' •
SvcH were the lengths to which the«Prx)teftant8 Diet it
had proceeded, and fuch their confidence in their 15*^!'
own powef j"^ when the Emperor returned from tiie
Low-Qountries, to hold a diet,, which he had fiimt
moned to meet at Spires, * The -rcfpeft due to the
Emperor, as well as the importance of the affairs
which were to be laid before it, rendered this af*
fembly extremely full. AIL the Ete&ors, a* great
number of princes ecclefiailical acid* fecular^ widi
-the deputies of moft of the cicifes, were prefent.
Charles foon perceived that this was not a time to
offend the je^us fpirit ofc the Proteft^ts, . by a^
lerting in any high tone the authority and *do£trine6
of the church, or by abridging, in- iJbie'fmalleft aii.
7 Sleida 304.. 30^* Seckj.1. ili« 4^. 4}^ ' -: -.1
S3 ' * ticki
fSt THE REIGN OF THE
^ VI? * ^^^ ^^ libcrtjnwliich they now enjoyed; but that,
^^w-^-j on the contrary, if he expeded any fupport from
'^^ thein, or wifhed to pre&rve Germany from intef-
cine diibrders ivhile he was engaged in a foreign
waTj he muft footh them by new conceflions, and a
more ample extenfion of their religious privileges.
He began^ accordingly, with courting the Ele&or
of Saxony, and Landgrave of Hefle, the heads of
the Proteftant party, and by giving up fbi;ne thingt
in their favour, and granting liberal promifes with
regard to others, he fecured himielf from any dan-
TiMVmpr- ger of .oppofition on their part. Having gained
£" j?**" this capital point, he then ventured to addrefi the
j^^ diet wkh greater fieedom. He began by rcpre-
ienting his own zeal, .and unwearied efforts with
regard to two things moil eflential to Chriftendom,
:die procuring of a general council in order to corn-
pole the religious diflenfions which had unhaj^ily
triien in Germany, and the providing Ibme proper
Miieans &r checking the formidable progreis of the
Turkiih arm^. But he pbfiarvedi with deep regret,
diat his pioua endeavours had been entirely dcfeat-
M by tiic vnjuftifiable ambition of the French
King, who having wantX)nly kindled the flame of
war in Europe, which had been fo lately extin-
guilhed by the truce of Nice, rendered it hnpof«
iible for the fetbers of the church to aflemble in
council^ or to delS^erate with lecuritys and obliged
jiim to tmpjoy tboie forces in his own defence,
whiciii with greater fatis&dion to himiiblC as ^^
lUmxthoMm to Chriftendom, he would have
tmt^Bffupftti^jM^ ThM Francis, not
ij thi/iking
EMPEROU CHAR-LES V. .4fi3
inking it enough to have called him off from op- ^ ^^ ^
pofing the Mahometans^ had^ with unexampled s^^^-^m^
impiety, invited them into the heart of Chriften- '^"^
dom, and, joining his arms to theirs, had optnly
attacked the D«kc of Savoy a member of the Em-
pire : That Barbaroi&'s fleet was now in one of the
ports of France^ waiting only the return of fpring
to carry terror and defolation to the coaft of feme
Chriftian ftate : That in Aich a fituation it was folly
to think of difbnc expeditions againft the Turk,
or of marching to oppofe his armies in Hungary,
while fuch a power^l ally received him into the
centre of Europe, axid gave him footing there.
It was a di^te of prudence, he addedj to oppoie
die neareft and moft imminent dai^r, Bi& of all^
and by humbling the power of France, to deprive '
Solyman of the advantages, which he deriv^ from
the unnatural confederacy formed between him and
a Monarch wha ftill arrogated the name of Moft
Chriftian : That, ja truth, a war againft the Fxiench
King and the Sultan ought to be confidered as the
fame thing; and that every advantage gained over
the former, was a ievere and fenfible blow to the
latter : On all thele accounts, he conchided with
demanding their aid againft Francis, not merely
as an enemy of the Germanic body, or of him
who was its hftd, but as an avowed ally of the
Infidels,' and a public enemy ix> the Chriftiaa
name. • /^ ^ ^ .
In order to giv^ greater wdg|ht tfy tha ^riokat
mvcaivt oif die Emperor, :tbe Kfaig iq^ the R«-
S 4 ^^^ mans
/264 THEREIGNOFTHE
^ VI? ^ ^^^^ Giood up, and related the rapid conqucfts of
4^ ^ the Sultan in Hungary, occafioned, as he faid, by
'^^' the fatal neceflity impofed on his brother, of em-
ploying his arms againft France. When he had
finiflied, the ambaffadors of Savoy gave Ji detail of
Barbarofla's operations at Nice, and of the ravages
which he had committed on that coaft. All thefc,
' added to the general indignation which Francis's
unprecedented union with the Turks excited in
Europe, made fuch an imprcffion on the diet as
the Emperor wiihed, and difpofed moft of the
members: to grant him fuch effedtual aid as he had
demanded. The ambafiadors whom Francis had
fent to explain the motives of his conduit, were
not permitted to enter the bounds of the Empire;
and the apotogy which they publiftxed for their
matter, . vindicating his.alliince with Solyman, by
examples drawn fpm fcripture, and the praftice of
Chriftian princes, was litdc regai'ded by men who
were irritated already, or prejudiced againft him to
fuch a degree, as to be incapable of allowing their
• proper weight to any arguments in his behalf.
ni8vaft Such being the favourable difpofition of the
inordtrto Gcrmans, Charles perceived that nothing could
Froiefl^aoti. ^ow obftruft fcis gaining all that he aimed at, but
the fears and jealoufies of the Proteftants, which
he determined to quiet by granting every thing
that the utmoft folicitude of thefe paffions coulcl
defire for the fecurity of their religion. With
this .view, he confented to a recefs, whereby all
tke rigorous ;^dsJuth^rto ifiued againft the Pro^
* tcftants
EMPEROR CHARLES V, ^65
tefUnts were fufpended; a council either general ^ %.^ ^
or national to be aflembled in Germany was de- s— -.--^
d^ed neceflary, in order to re-^eftablifh peace in '^^
the church; until one of thefe ihould be held
(which the Emperor undertook to bring about
as fbon as poffible), the |rce and public exercile
of the Proteftant religion was authorized 5 the
Imperial chamber was enjoined to give no molefta-
tlon to the Proteftants j and when the term, for
which the prefent judges in that court were eleded,
Ihould expire, perfons duly qualified were then
to be admitted as members, without any diftinc-
tion on account of religion. In return for thefe Aid tnnttd
extraordinary afts of indulgence, the Proteftants ^
concurred with the other members of the diet, in
declaring war againft Francis in name of the
empire; in voting the Emperor a body of twenty-
four thoufand foot and four thoufand horfe, to be
maintained at the public expence for fix months,
and to be employed againft France; and at the
fame time the diet impofed a poll-tax to be levied
throughout all Germany on every perfon without
exception, for the fupport of the war againft the
Turks,
Charlies, while he gave the greateft attention ch«ri«i't
to the ipinute and intricate detail of particulars wXtJelT'
neceffary towards conduding the deliberations of g*'5l^*
a numerous and divided affembly to fuch a fuc-
felsfol period, negociated a feparate peace with
the. King of Denmark; who, though he had hi-
therto performed nothing confiderable in confe-
<juence
a66 THE REIGN OF THE
■ VI? ^ q^cncc of his alliance with Francis^ had it in his
*-— nA^ powerj however, to make a fbnnidable diverfion
'^^ in favour of that Mcmarch '. At. the fame time,
he did not negled proper s^plicadons to the
King of England, in order to roule him to more
vigorous efforts againil their comqion enemy-
Little, indeed, was wanting to accomplifli this ;
for fuch events had happened in Scotland as in-*
flamed Henry to the moft violent pitch of refent-
ment ^gainft Francis. Havir^ concluded with
the parliament of Scodand a treaty of marriage
between his (on and their young Queen, by whip h
he reckoned himfelf fecure of effefting the union
of the two kingdoms, which had been long dc-
fired, and often attempted without focccfs by his
predeceffors, Mary of Guife the Queen-mother,
cardinal Beatoun, and other partisans of France,
found means not only to break off the match,
but to alienate the Scottilh nation entirely from
the friendfliip of England, and to ftrengrfien its
ancient attachment to France. Henry, however,
did not abandon an objeft of fo much importance j
and as ^he humbling of Francis, befides the plea-
furd of taking revenge upon an enemy who had
difappointed a favourite meafure, appeared the
moft effeftual method of bringing the Scots to
accept once more of the tieaty which they had
rclinquifhed, he was fo eager to accomplifli this, that
he was ready to fecond whatever the Emperor
could propofe to be attempted againft that Mo-
» Dumoiit Corps Oiplom. t. iv. p. it. p. 27^.'
narch.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 267
narch. The plan, accordingly, which they con- ■ ^^p 't
certedj was fuch, if it had been pundkually exc- < — -sA^
cincd, as muft have ruined France in the firft '^^
place, and would have augmented io prodigioufly
the Emperor's power and territories, as might in the
end have proved fatal to the liberties of Europe.
They agreed to invade France each with an army
of twenty-five thoufand men, and, without Ipfing
tifnc in befieging the frontier towns, to advance
direftly towards the interior provinces, and to join
their forces near Paris *.
Francis ftood alone in oppofition to all the TbcFrenck
enemies whom Chai*les was muftcring againft himw fieidin*
Solyman had been the only ally who did not defert P"*****^
him if but the afliftance which he received from
him had rendered him fo odiou» to all Chriften-
dom, that he refolved rather to forego all the ad-
vantages of his friendlhip, than to become, on
that account, the objedt of general deteftation.
For this reafbn, he difmiiTed Barbaroila as foon as
winter was over, who, after ravaging die coaft of
Naples and Tufcany, returned to Conftantinople.
As Francis could not hope to equal die forces of
£0 many powers combined agajnft him, he en-
deavoured to fupply that defeft by difpatch, which
was more in his power, and to get the ftart of him
in takii^ the field. Early in the fpring the count luTfftCa.
d'Enguien invcfted Carignan, a town in Piedmont, '**"*■•
which the marquis del Guafto the Imperial gene*
f Herbert, ^45. Btllay, 44*.
ral
a6i THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K ral having furprifed the former year, confidered
x_ / ,f as of fo much importance, that he had fortified
'544. it at great expencc. The count puflied the fiegc
with fuch vigour, that Guafto, fond -of his own
conqueft, and feeing no other way of faving it
from falling into the hands of the French, re-
folved to hazard a batde in order to relieve it.
Tbeimpe- He began his march from Milan for this purpofe,
Iir»!d»*to ^^d ^ ^^ was at no pains to conceal his intention,
9«iieveit. it was foon known jn the French camp. En-
guien, a gallant and enterprifing young man,
• wifhed paffionately to try the fortune of a batde ;
his troops defired it with no lefs ardour ; but the
peremptory injunftion of the King not to venture
a general engagement, flowing from a prudent
attention to the prefent fituation of affairs, as
well sis from thd remembrance of former difafters,
reftrained him from venturing upon it. Unwill-
ing, however, to abandon Carignan, when it was
juft ready to yield, and eager to diftinguifli his
command by fome memorable aftion, he dif-
patched Monluc to 'court, in order to lay before
the King the advantages of fighting the enemy,
and the hopes which he had of viftory. The
King referred the matter to his privy council ; all
the minifters declared, one after another, againft
fighting, and fupported their fentiments by rea-
fons extremely plaufible. While they were deli-
vering their opinions, Monluc, who was per-
mitted to be prefent, difcovered liich vifiblc and
extravagant fymptoms of impatience to.fpeak, as
well as fuch diffatisfaaion with what he heard, that
Francis,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. .^9
Francis, diverted with his af^arance, called on^ ^^ ^
him to declare what he could, offer in reply to ^,^^i^— ,^
fefuiments which leemed to be as juft as they '^***
were general. Upon, this, Monluc, a plain but
ipirited foldier, ,and of known courage, repre-
iented * the good condition of the troops, their
eagernefe to meet the cqcmy in the field, their
confidence in their officers, together with the ever-
lafting. infamy which the declining of a battle
would bring on the French arms j and he lu^ed
•his arguments with fuch lively impetupfity, and
fuch a flow of military eloquence, as gained over to
his opinion, not only the King, naturally fond of
daring adtions, but feveral of the council. Fran- '
cis, catching die fame enthuGafm which had ani-
mated his troops, fuddenly ftarted up, and having
lifted his hands to Heaven, and implored the
Divine protection, he then addrelTcd himfelf to
Monluc, " Go, fays he, return to Piedmont, and
fight in the name of God **."
No fooner was it known that the King had BaMeof
given Enguien leave to fight the Imperialifts, ^"^^«^
than fuch was the martial ardour of the gallant
and high-fpirited gendemen of that age, that the
court was quite deferted, every perfon defirous
of reputation, or capable of fervice, hurrying to
Piedmont, in order to fhare, as volunteers, in
the danger and glory of the aftion. Encouraged
%Y the arrival of fo many brave officers, Enguien
^ Memoirei de MonIac«
immc-*
270 THE REIGN OF THE
• ^j^ ^^ immediately prepared for battle^ nor did Gusito
u^...^»ii»# decline the combat. The nufhber of cavalry was
'^^ almoft equal, but the Impefbl infantry exceeded
the French by at leaft ten thooiand men. They
April II. iDct near Cerifoles, in an open plain, which af-
forded to neither any advantage of ground, and
both had full time to form their army in proper
order. The fhock was fuch as might have been
cxpefted between veteran troq>s, violent and ob-
ftinate. The French cavahy rufliing forward to
the charge with diexr ufoal vivacity, bore down
every thing that oppofed them ; but, on the other
hand> the fteady and difciplincd valour of the
Spanilh infantry having forced the body which •
they encountered to give way, victory remained
in fufpenfe, ready to declare for whichever ge-
neral could make the beft ufe of that critical mo-
ment. Guafto, engaged in that part of his army
which was thrown into diforder, and afraid of
falling into the hands of the French, whofe vcnge- '
ance he dreaded on account of the murder of
Rincon and Fregofo, loft his prefence of mind,
' and forgot to order a large body of referve to ad-
vance 5 whereas Enguien, with admirable courage
and equal conduft, fupported, at the head of his
gens d'armes, fuch of his battalions as began to
yield ; and at the fame time he ordered the Swifi
in his fervice, v/ho had been victorious wherever
they fought, to fall upon the Spaniards. ThiB
motion proved decifivc. All that foUowed w*
confulion and flaughter. The marquis del Guafto,
wounded in the thigli, efcaped only by the fwift-
neis
EMPEROR CHARLES V. . 271
ncia of hk horfe. The viftoty of the French was book.
complete^ ten diou£md of the Imperialifts being ^ — .U^
ilaia, and a oonfiderabk number, with aM their '^^
teacs^ baggage, and aruUery, takesu On the part
of the conquerors, their joy was without allay,
a few only being killed, and among thefe no officer
ofdiftinaion^
This iplcndid afkion, befide the reputation with Effea«rfit.
which it was attended, delivered France from an
imminent danger, as it ruined the army with which
Guafto had intended to invade the country between
the Rhone and Saone, where there were neither
fortified towns nor regular forces to oppofe liis
progrefs. But it was npt in Francis's power to
purfue the viAory with fuch vigour as tx> reap
the advantages which it maght have yielded ; for
though the Milanefe remsuned now alAoil de-
fenceleis; though the inhabitants, who had long
murmured under the rigour of the Imperial go-
vernment, "were ready to throw off the yoke;
though Enguien, flulhed with fuccefs, urged the
King to feize this happy op^rtunity of recovering
a country, the acquifition of which had been long
his favourite objeftj yet, as the Emperor and
King of Englajid were preparing to break in upon
the oppofue frontier of France with numerous ar-
mies, it became neceflary to facrifice all choughta
of conqueft to the public fafety, and to recal
^ Bellay, 429, 8cQ. Memoircs de Monluc. Jovii Hid. 1.
jcliv. p. 327. 6.
twelve
aya . THE REIgN OF THE
twelve thoufand of Enguien's beft troops to be
employed in defence of the kingdom. Enguicn's
^^^' fubfequent operations were, of confequence, fo
languid and inconfiderable, tliat the reduftioii of
Carignan and fome other towns in Piedmont,
was all that he gained by his great viftcwy at
Cerifoles ^
OperaiioM The Emperor, as ufual, was late in taking the
o>iijiuieT* field, but he appeared, 'towards the beginning of
June, at the head of an army more numerous,
and better appointed than any which he had hi-
therto led againft France. It amounted almcft
to fifty thoufand men, • and part of it having re-
duced Luxembourg and fome other towns in the
Netherlands, before he himfelf joined it, he now
marched with the whole towards the frontiers of
June. Chamjfl|^ne. Charles, according to his agree-
ment wkh the King of England, ought to have
advanced direftly towards Paris ; and the Dau^r
phin, who commanded the only army to which
Francis trufted for the fecurity of his dominions,
was in no condition to oppofe him. But the fuc-
cefs with which the French had defended Provence
in the year one thoufand five hundred and thirty-
fix, had taught them the moil efFeftual method of
diftrefling an invading enemy. Champagne, a
country abounding more in vines than corn, was
incapable of maintaining a great army j and be-
fore the Emperor's approach, whatever could be
* Bellay, 438, &c.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ayj
of any ufe to his troops had been carried off or ^ ^^ ^
dcftroyedi Thjis rendered it neceflary for him to s^-^^-l.^
be matter of fome places of ftrength, in order to '^^"^
fecure the convoys, on which alone he now per-
ceived that he muft depend for fubfiftence 5 and
he founa the frontier towns fo ill provided for
defence, that he hoped it would not be a work
either of much time or difficulty to reduce them. '
Accordingly Ligny and Commercy^ which he
firft attacked, furrendered. after a Ihort reflftancc.
He then in vetted St; Difier, which, though it TheEmpei
commanded an important pafs on the Marne, s^Difiet!
was deflitute of every thing neceflary for fuftain- J"*^ *'
ing a fiege. But the count de Sancerre and M.
de la Lande, who had acquired fuch reputation
by the defence of Landrecy, generoufly threw
themfelves into the town, and undertook to hold
it out to the latt extremity. The Empeftr foon
found how capable they were of making g^d their
promife, and that he could not expe6t to take the
town without befieging it in form. This ac-
cordingly he undertook ; and as it was his nature
never to abandon any enterprife in which he had
once engaged, he perfifted in it with an incon-
fidcrate obftinacy<
Th£ King of England's preparations for the Henryviir,
campaign were complete long before the Em- logac*
pcror's 5 but as he did not choofc, on the one
hand, to encounter alone the whole power of
France, and was unwilling, on the other, that
his troops fhould re9iain inadlive, he took that
YoL. ly. T . oppor- .
274 THE REIGN OF TH£
BOOK opportunity of chaftifing the Scots, by lending 6is
u— ,^ fieet> together with a confiderable part of his in-
'5**' fantry, under the earl of Hertford, to invade their
country. Hertford executed his commiffion with
vigour, plundered and burnt Edinburgh and Leith,
laid wafte the adjacent country, and reimbarked his
men with fuch difpatch, that they joined their
July 14. Ibvereign foon> after his landing in France *. When
Henry arrived in that kingdom, he found the Em-
peror engaged in the fiege of St. Difier ; an ambd^
lador, however, wliom he fent to congratulate the
Englilh Monarch on his fafe arrival on the con-
tinent, folicited him to march, in terms of the
treaty, direftly to Paris. But Charles had fct his
ally fuch an ill example of fulfilling the conditions
of their confederacy with exaftnefs, tliat Henry^
obferving him employ his time and forces in taking
towns ^ his own behoof, faw no reafon why he
fhould iiot attempt tlie reduftion of fome places
that lay conveniently for. himfelf. Without pay-
ing any regard to the Emperor's remonftrances, he
immediately invefted Boulogne, and commanded
the duke of Norfolk to prefs the fiege of Mon-
treuil, which had been begun before his arrival, by
a body of Flemings, in conjunftion with fomc
Englilh troops. While Charles and Henry fhew-
ed fuch attention each to his own intereft^ tiiey
both neglected the common caufe. Inftead of the
union and confidence requifite towards conducing,
the great plan that they had formed, they carlf
♦ KifL Scotland, u ii*.
' .difcovered:
£MPEkOR CHARLES V;
m
difcovercd a mutualjealoufyofeach other, which, by book
degree?, begot diftruft, and ended in open h^red\ u— v-I^
1544.
By thi stime, Francis had, with uni^earied in- caiiant d«.
duftry, dra^n together an army, capable, as well ^linf ^
from the number as from the valour of the
troops, of making head againft the enemy. But
the dauphin, who ftill a<9:ed as general, prudendy
declining a battle, the lofs of which would have
endangered the kingdom, fatisfied himfclf ^ with
haraffing the Emperor with his light troops, cut-
ting off his convoys, and laying wafte the coun-
try around him. Thoi^h extremely diftrefled
by thefe operations^ Charles ftiU prefied the fiege
of St. Diner, which SanCerre defended with afto-
nilhing fortitude and conduct. He flood repeated
aflaillts, repulfmg the enemy in them all; and
undifmayed even by the death of ^s brave afibciate
De la Lande, who Ivas killed by a cannon-ball, he
continued to fhew the fime bold countenance and
obflinate relblution. At the end of five weeks^
he was Hill in a condition t6 hold out fome time
longer, when an artifice of Granville's induced
him to furrender. That crafty politician, having
intercepted the key to riie cypher which die Duke
of Guife ufed in communicating intelligence to
Sancerre, forged a letter in his nanjc, audiorizing
Sancerre to capitulate, as the King, though highly
fatisfied with his behaviour, thought it, impru-
dent to hazard i battle, for his relief This letter
* Herbert.
T 2 he
^^6^ 'SHE REIGN OF THE
B y,? ^ h^ conveyed into the town in a manner whidr
Ci-^il-j could raife no fufpicion, and the governor fell
*5^ into the fnare. Even then, he obtained filch ho-
nourable conditions as his gallant defence nicrit-
ed, and among others a ceffation of hoftilities for
eight days, at the expiration of which he bound
himfelf to open the gates, if Francis, during that
time, did not attack the Imperial army, and
throw ficfh troops into the town ^. Thus San.-
cerre, by detaining the Emperor fo long before
an inconfiderable place, afforded his fovereign full
time to affemble all his forces, and what rarely
falls to the lot of an officer in fuch an inferior
command, acquired the glory of having faved his
country.
Angofti7, As foon as St. Dificr furrendercd, the Emperor
ror^penTi"*" advanccd into the heart of Champagnt, but San-
thThwtV ^^'■^^'s obflinate refiftance had damped his fan-
Frauce. guine hopcs of penetrating to Paris, and led him
ferioufly to refledt on what he might expedb be-
fore towns of greater ftrength, and defended by
more numerous garrifons. At the fame time,
the procuring fubfiflence for his army was at-
tended with great difficulty, which increafcd in
proportion as he withdrew farther from his own
frontier. He had loft a great number of his beft
troops in the fiege of St. Difier, and many fdl
daily in fkirmifhes, which it was not in his power
to avoid, though .they wafted bis army infenfibly,
^ Brantome, tom.vi. 489.
witiiout
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ^^.
without leading to any decifive aftion. Th€ fea-^ o o k
fon advanced apace, and he had not yet the com- v ^ - v -i
mand either of a fufficient extent of territory, or *^^^
of any fuch confiderable town as rendered it fafe
to winter in the enemy's country. Great arrears
too were due to his foldiers, who were upon the
point of mutinying for their pay, while he knew
not from what funds to fatisfy them. All thefe
confiderations induced him to liften to the over-
tures of peace, which a Spanifh Dominican, the
confeflbr of his fifter the Queen of France, had fe-
crctly made to his confeflbr, a 4nonk of the fame
order. In confequence of this, plenipotentiaries
were named orv both fides, and began their con-
ferences in Chaufl'e, a fmall village near Chalons. '
At theifame time, Charles, either from a defire
of making one great final effort againft Franc;e, cir
merely to gain a pretext for deferting his ally and
concluding a feparate peace, fent an ambaflfador
formally to require Henry^ according to the fti-
pulation in their treaty, to advance towards Paris.
While he expefted a return from him, and waited .
thcJflTue of the conferences at Chauli'e, he con-
tinued to march forward, though in the utmoft
diftrefs from fcarcity pf provifions. But at laft,
by a fortunate motion on his part> or through
fome negleft or treachery on that of the French,
he furprifed firft Efperney and then Chateau
Thierry, in both which were confiderable maga-
zines. No fooner was it known that thefe towns,
-the latter of which is not Xs^o days march from
Paris, were in the hands of the enemy, than that
T ^ great
^78 THE REIGN OF THE
^ VI? ^ 8^^^* capital, dcfencekfs, and fufceptiblc of any
Vi — «^^-> violent alarm in proportion to its greatnefs, was
1544* gug(j ^j^},^ confternation. The inhabitants, as if
the Emperor had been already at their gates, fled
in the wildcft confufion and defpair, many fend-
ing their wives and children down the Seine to
Roiien, others to Orleans, and the towns upon
the Loire. Francis himfelf^ more afflicted with
this than with any other event during his reign^^
and fcnfible as well of the triumph that his rival
would enjoy in infulting his capital, as of the
danger to which the kingdom was expofcd, could
. not refrain from crying out, in the firft emotion
of his furprife and forrow, " Hoyr dear, O my
God, do I pay for this crown, which I thought
thou hadft granted me freely * !" But recovering
in a moment from this fudden fally of pecvifhnefs
and impatience, he devoutly added, " Thy will,
however, be done ;*' and proceeded to iflue the
neceflfary orders for oppofing the enemy with his
ufual aftivity and prefence of mind. The dau-
phin detached eight thoufand men to Paris, which
revived the courage of the affrighted citizens ; he
threw a ftrong garrifon into Mcaux, and by ^
forced march got into Ferte, between the Impe-
rialifts and the capital.
OMiged to Upon this, the Emperor^ who began again to
feel the want of provifions, perceiving that the
iJ^uphin ftill prudently Reclined a battle^ and not
« Brantome, topn^ 7u 38i«
darifig
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 279
faring to attack his camp with forces fo much book
ihattered and reduced by hard fervice, turned v-— v-^
luddenly to the right, and began to fall back to- '5^'
"wards Soiffons, Having about this time received
Henry's anfwer, whereby he refufed to abandon
the fieges of Boulogne and Montreuil, of both .
^hich he expefted every moment to get polTeffion,
he thought himfelf abfolved from all obligations of
adhering to the treaty with him, and at full liberty
to confult his own intereft in what manner foever
lie pleafed. He confented, therefore, to renew
the conference, which the furprife of Efperney
had broken off. To conclude a peace between Peace he-
two princes, one of whom greatly defired, and Inrpraods
the other greatly needed it, did not require a long cr"Jp"^''*"'
•negociation. It was figned at Crefpy, a fmall
town near Meaux, on the eighteenth of Septem-
ber, The chief articles of it were, That all the
conquefts which either paity had made fincc
the truce of Nice fhaH be reftored; That the
Emperor Ihall give in marriage to the Duke of
Orleans, cither his own eldeft daughter, or the
fecond daughter of his brother Ferdinand » That
if he choie to beftow on him his own daughter,
he Ihall fettle on her all the provinces of the Low-
Countries, to be erefted into an independent
ftate, which Ihall defcend to the male iflue of the
marriage ; That if he determined to give him his
niece, he ihail, with her, grant him the invefti-
ture of Milan and its dependencies; That he
Ihall within four mondis declare which of thefe
two Princcffes he had pitched upon, and fiilfil
T 4 the
aSo THE. REIGN OF THE
^ %u ^ ^^^ refpeftivc conditions upon the confummation
^"-^■^- of the marriage, which fhall take place within a
'^^*' year froni the date of the treaty j That as foon as
the Duke of Orleans is put in poffeflion either of
the Low-Countries or of Milan, Francis fhall rc-
ftore to the Duke of Savoy all that he now poflefles
of his territories, except Pignerol and Montmilian i
That Francis fhall renouncei all pietenfions to the
kingdom of Naples, or to the fovereignty of
Flanders and Artois, and Charles fhall give up his
claim to the dutchy of Burgundy and county of
Ch^rolois i That Francis fhall give no aid to thp
exiled King of Navarre; That both Monarchs
fhall join in making war upon the Turk, towards
which the King fhall furnifli, when required by the
Emperor and Empire, fix hundred men at arms,
and ten thoufand foot ^.
Morivcsof Besides the immediate motives to this peace,
iu arifing from the diftrefs of his army through want
of provifions i fiom the difficulty of retreating
out of France i and the imppflibility of fecuring
winter-quaiters there; the Emperor was influ-
enced by other confiderations, more diftant in-
deed, but not Itfs weighty, 1 he Pope was of-
fended to a great degree, as weU at his concef-
fions to the Proteftants in the late diet, as at his
confenting to call a council, and to admit of
publip difputations in Germany with a view of
* Recucil dc8 Traitez, t. i. 227. Bdios dc Caafis Pacis
Cr^^ia?* in AGtU £rudit. Lipf. 1763.
fktcr-
IS44»
EMPEROR CHARLES V. agi
determining the doArines in ccntroverfy. Paul ^
conQdering both thefe fteps as facrilegious en-
crqachments on the jurifdidion as well as privi-
Jeges of the Holy See, had addrefled to the Em-
peror a remonftrance rather than a letter on this
fubjeft, written with fuch acrimony of language,
and in a ftyle of fuch high authority, as difcover-
ed more of an intention to draw on a quarrel than
of a defire to reclaim him. This ill humour was
not a little inflamed by the Emperor's league with
Henry of England, which being contrafted with
an heretic, excommunicated by the apoftolic fee,
appeared to the. Pope a profane alliance, ^nd was
not lefs dreaded by him than that of Francis with
Solyman. Paul's fon and grandfon, highly ixi-.
cenfed at th<5 Ennperor for having refufed to gra-
tify them with regard to the alienation of Parma
and Placentia, contributed by their fuggeftions to
four and difguft him ftill more. To all which was
added the powerful operation of the flattery and
promifes which Francis inceflantly employed to
gain him. Though from his defire of maintain-
jDg a neutrality, the Pope had hitherto fqpprefled
his own refentment, ha4 eluded the artifices of his
own &mily, and re|ifted the folicitations of the
French King, it was not fafe to rely much on the
fteadinefs of a m^n whom his paflTions, his friends,
and his intereft combined to fliake. The union of
the Pope with France, Charles well knew, would
Jnftantly expofe his dominions in Italy to be at-
tacked. The Venetians, he forefaw, would pro-
)>ably follow the example of a PontiflT, who was
confider-
282 THE REIGN OF THE
• va ^ <^onfidcred as a model of political wifdom among
» — r"^ the Italians ; and thus, at a junfture when he fek
*^*** himfelf hardly equal to the burden of the prefcnt
^ war, he would be overwhelmed with the weight of a
new confederacy againft him *. At the fame time,
the Turks, almoft unrefifted, made fuch progrels
in Hungary, reducing town after town, that they
approached near to the confines of the Auftrian
provinces ''. Above all thefe, the extraordinary
progrefs of the Proteftant doftrines in Germany,
and the dangerous combination into which the
Princes of that profeffion had entered, called for
his immediate attention. Almoft one half of Ger-
many had revolted from the eftablifhed church ;
the fidelity of the reft was much Ihaken ,- the no-
bility of Auftria had demanded of Ferdinand the
free exercifc of religion * i the Bohemians, among
whom fome feeds of the doftrines of Hufs ftiU
remained, openly favoured the new opinions j the
archbilhop of Cologne, with a ?eal which is fel*
dom found among ecclefiaflics, had begun the re-
formation of his diocefe -, nor was it poflibk, un-
lefs fome timely and effeftual check were given to
the fpirit of innovation, to forefee where it would
end. He himfelf had been a witnefs, in the late
diet, to the peremptory and decifive tone which
the Proteftants had now affumed. He had feen
)k»w^ from confidence in their number and union,
* ?. Paul, ICO. Pallavic. 163.
* lAuanhafHi Hift. Hung. 177.
1 Sleid. 285.
tlicy
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 283
they had forgotten the humble flyk of rfieir firft ^ ^^^ ^
petitions, and had grown to fuch boldneis as s^'-^^mJ
openly to dcfpife the Pope, and to fhcw no great '^^
reverence for the Imperial dignity itfelf. If, there-
fore, he wilhed to maintain cither the ancient re-
ligion or his own authority, and would not chooiib
■to dwindle into a mere nominal head of the Em-
pire, fome vigorous and fpeedy effort was requifite
on his part, which could not be made during a
war that required the greatcft exertion of hia
ftrength againft a foreign and powerful enemy.
Such being the Emperor's inducements to
peace, he had the addrefs to frame the treaty of
Crelpy fo as to promote all the ends which he had
in view. By coming to an agreement with Fran-
cis, he took from the Pope all profpeft of advan-
tage in courting the friendfhip of that Monarch in
preference to his. By the provifo with jegard to a
war with the Turks, he not only deprived Soly,
man of a powerful ally, but turned the arms of
that ally againft him. By a private article, not
inferted in the treaty, that it might not raife any .
unfeafonable alarm, he agreed with Francis that
botfi fhould exert all their influence and power in
order to procure a general council, to aflert its
authority, and to exteripinate the Protcftant hcrely
out of Iheir dominions. This cut off all chance
of alliftance which tlie confederates of Smalkalde
jnight cxpeft from the French King^j and left
f Seek, 1, iii, 496,
theif
>544-
284 THE REIGN 0-F TH£ .
® VI? ^ ^^^^^ folicitations, or his jealoufy of an ancient ri-
val, fhould hereafter tempt Francis to forget this
engagement, he left him embarrafled with a war
againft England^ which would put it out of his
power to take any confiderable part in the affairs of
Germany.
w»reoo- Henry, pofTeffed at all times with an high idea
fwe.n or his own power and importance, felt, m the moft
Engl^." fenfiblc manner, the ncglefl: with which the Em-
peror had treated him in concluding a fepai*atc
peace. But the fituation of his affairs was fuch as
fomewhat alleviated the mortification which this
occ^fioned, For though he was obliged to recall
Sept. P4. the Duke of Norfolk from the fiege of MontreuiJ,
becaufe the Flemifli troops received orders to re-
tire, Boulogne had furrendered bcfoie the negoci-
ations at Crefpy were brought to an ifTue. While
elated with vanity on account of this conquefl, and
inflamed with indignation againft the Emperor, the
ambaffadors whom Francis fent to make overtures
of peace, found him too arrogant to grant what
was moderate or equitable. His demands were
indeed extravagant, and made in the tone of a
conqueror -, that Francis fhould renounce his alli-
ance with Scotland, and not only pay up the ar-
rears of former debts, but reimburfe the money
which Henry had expended in the prefent war,
Francis, though fincerely defirous of peace, and
willing to yield agreajt deal in order to obtain ^t,
being now free from th? prefTure of the Imperial
arms, rejcfted thefe ingnominious propofitions
with
EMPEROR CHARLES V. aSj
with difdain ; and Henry dq>arting for England^ ^ yjj^ ^
hoftilities continued between the two nations "• • — ^r-^
1544.
The treaty of peace, how acceptable foever to Thed.u-;
the people of France, whom it delivered from the tisBed with
dread of an enemy who had penetrated into the crefpy*"
heart of the kingdom, was loudly complained of
by the dauphin. He confidered it as a manifeft
proof of the King his father's extraordinary par-
tiality towards his younger brother, now Duke of
Orleans, and complained that, from his eagernels
to gain an eftabliftiment for a favourite fon, he
had facrificed the honour of the kingdom, and re-
nounced die moll ancient as well as valuable rights
of the crown. But as he durft not venture to
offend the King by refufing to ratify it, though
extremely defirous at the fame time of fecuring to
himfelf the privilege of reclaiming what was now
alienated fo much to his detriment, he fecretly
protefted, in prefence of Ibme of his adherents,
againft the whole tranfaflion ; and declared what-
ever he (hould be obliged to do in order to con- •
firm it, null in itfelf, and void of all obligation.
The parliament of Thouloufe, probably by the
inftigation of his partilans, did the fame". But
Francis, highly pleafed as well with having deli-
vered his fubjedts from the miferies of an invafion,
as with the profpeft of acquiring an independent
Settlement for his fon at no greater price than that .
■ Mem. dc Ribicr, t. i. p. 572. Herbert, 244-
• Rccucil dcTraiicz, t. ii. 235. 238,
of
286 THE REIGNf OF THfi
B o o K i^f renouncing conqutfts to which he had no juft
^.i.^^^ claim s titles which had brought (b much expence
'^^* and fo many difafters upon the nation 5 and rights
grown obfolete and of no vahie ; ratified the treaty
with great joy, Charles, within the time prefcrib-
ed by the treaty, declared his intention of giving
Ferdinand's daughter in marriage to the Duke of
Orleans, together with the dutchy of Milan as her
dowry ^, Every circumftance feemed to promiie
the continuance of peace. The Emperor, cruelly
affliAed with the gout, appeared to be in no con-
dition to undertake any enterprife where great ac-
tivity was requifite, or much fatigue to be endured
He himfelf felt this, or wilhed at leaft that it fliould
be believed ; and being fo much difabled by this
excruciating diftemper, when a French ambaiSador
followed him to Brufiels, in order to be prefent at
his ratification of the treaty of peace, that it was
widi the utmoft difficulty that he figned his name,
he obferved, that there was no great danger of
his violating thefe articles, as a hand that could
hardly hold a pen, was little able to brandifh a
lance.
The Em. The violcncc of his difeafe confined the Em-
fchcmri peror ^ feveral months in Bruffels, and was the
Ill'of^/^^ apparent caufc of putting off the execution of the
^any. g^eat fchcmc which he had formed in order to
humble the Proteftant party in Germany. But
there were other reafons for this delay. For,
P Recttexl de Traitez, t. ii. 238.
however
1 1
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ^Zj
however prevalent the motives were which deter- * ^^ ^
mined him to undertake this enterprife, the nature c^v^
of that great body which he was about to attack^ '^^^
as well as the fituation of his own affairs, made it
ncceffary to deliberate long, to proceed with cau-
tion, and not too fuddenly to throw aiide the veil
under which he had hitherto concealed his real ftnd-
ments and fchemes. He was fenfible that the Pro-
teftants, confcious of their own ftrength, but under
continual apprehenfions of his defigns, had all the .
boldnefs of a powerful confederacy joined to the
jealouly of a feeble faAion ; and were no lefs quick-
fighted to difcern the firft appearance oif danger^
thaa ready to take arms in order to repel it. At
the fame time, he ftill continued involved in a
Turkifh war j and though, in order to deliver him-
fcif from this incumbrance, he had determined to
ferid an envoy to the Porte with moll advant^ous
and even fubmiflive overtures of peace, the refo-
lutions of that haughty court were fo uncertain^
that before thefe were known, it would have been
highly imprudent to have kindled the flames of
civil war in his own dominions.
Upon this account, he appeared diflatisfied with Th«Poi«
a bull iflued by the Pope immediately after the peace ^€^"1'** *
of Crefpy, fummoning the council to afTemble at "^^^^
Trent early next fpring, and exhorting all Chriftian j^'*"*^*
Princes to embrace the opportunity that the pre-
fcnt happy interval of tranquillity afforded them,
of fupprefling thofe hcrcfics which threatened to
fubvert
a88 THE REIGN OF THE .
^ vi? ^ fubvert whatever was facrcd or venerable arnon^
w-^v— ^ Chriftians, But after fuch a flight cxprcfiion of
'^** diflike, as was neceflary in order to cover his de*
figns, he determined to countenance the council,
which might become no inconfiderable inftrument
towards accomplifliing his projedts, and therefore
not only appointed ambafladors to appear there in
his name, but ordered the ecclefiaflics in his do-
minions to attend at the time pre%ed ^4
,»545- Such were the Emperor's views, when the Im-
Worms, perial diet, after feveral prorogations, was opened
Mwcb24. at Worms, The Proteftants, who enjoyed the
free exercife of their religion by a very precarious
tenure, having no other fecurity for it than the
recefs of the laft diet, which was to continue in
force only until the meeting of a council, wifhed
earneftly to eftablilh that important privilege
upon fome firmer bafis, and to hold it by a per-
petual not a temporary title. But inftead of
offering them any additional fecurity, Ferdinand
opened the diet with obferving, that there were
two points, chiefly, which. required confideration>
the profecution of the war againft the Turks, arid
the ftate of religion ; that the former was the moft
urgent, as Solyman, after conquering the greateft
part of Hungary, was now ready to fall upon the
Auftrian provinces 5 that the Emperor, who, from
the beginning of his reign, had neglefted no op-
^ F. Paul, X04.
portunity
EMPERbk CHAkLES V. ^89
forturiity of annoying this formidable eiiemy, and ^ ^^^ ^
^ith the hazard of his own perfon had refitted his ^^-^-- ^
attacks, being animated ftill with the fame zeal, '^*^'
had now confented to ttop fhortin the career of his
fbccefs againft France, that, in conjunftion with
his ancient rival, he might turn his arms with
greater vigour againtt the common adverfary of
the Chriftian faith ; that it became all the members
of the Empire to fecond thofe pious endeavours of
its head ; that, therefore, they ought^ without
delay, to vote him fuch effeftual aid as not only
their duty but their intereft called upon them to
furnilh ; that the controverfies about religion were
fo intricate, and of fuch difficult difcuffion, as. to
give ho hope of its being poffible to bring them
at prefent to any final iffue 5 that by perfeverance Ferdinand
and repeated felicitations the Emperor had 2ZcTrmln%tl
fcngth prevailed on the Pope to call a council, for ^l^^^^^\
which they had fo often wifhed and petitioned j council,
that the time appointed for its meeting was now
come, and both parties ought to wait for its de-
crees, and fubmit to them as the decifions of the
univerfal church. .
The popifli members of the diet received this
declaration with great applaufe, and fignified their
entire acquiefcence in every particular which it
contained. The Proteftants exprcffed great fur-
prife at propofitions, which were fo manifeftly
repugnant to the recefs of the former diet j they
in lifted that the queftions with regai-d to religion,
as firft in dignity and importance, ought to come
Vol. hi. U firft
^96 THE R£IGN OF THE
^ firfi: under deliberation; that/ alarming as the
progrefs of the Turks was to all Germany, the
^^♦^* fecuring the free exercife of their religion touched
them ftill more nearly, nor could they profecutc
a foreign war with fpirit, while folicitous and un-
, certain about their domeftic tranquillity; that if
the latter were once rendered firm and permanent,
they would concur with their countrymen in
pulhing the former, and yield to none of them in
aftivity or zeal. But if the danger from the
Turkilh arms was indeed fo imminent, as not to
admit of fuch a delay as would be occafioned by
an immediate examination of the controverted
points in religion, they required that a diet fhould
be.inftandy appointed, to which the final fettle-
mcnt of their religious difputes fhould be referred;
and that in the mean time the decree of the for-
jner diet concerning religion fhould be explained
in a point which they deemed eflcntial. By the
recefs of Spires it was provided, that they fhould
enjoy unmolefted the public exercife of their re-
ligion, until the meeting of a legal council ; but
as the Pope had now called a council, to which
Ferdinand had required them to fubmit, they be-
gan to fufpeft that their adverfaries might take
advantage of an ambiguity in the terms of the re-
cefs, and pretending that the event therein men-
tioned had now taken place, might pronounce them
to be no longer entitled to the fame indulgence.
In order to guard againfl this interpretation, they
renewed their former remonfbances againft a
council called to meet without the bounds of the
Empire,
£MPEROR CHARLES V. igt
Empire, fummoned by the Pope's authority, and book
in which he aflbmed the right of prefiding ; and ^_ -,-^
declared that, notwithftanding the convocation of *^^^'
any fuch illegal aflembly, they ftill held the recefs
of the late diet to be in full force.
At other jundlures, when the Emperor Empcrorar.
thought it of advantage to footh and gain the Pro- wo'im.
teftants, he had devifed expedients for giving
them fatisfaftion with regard to demands feem-
ingly more extravagant ; but his views at prefcnt
being very different, Ferdinand, by his command,
adhered inflexibly to his firft propofitions, and
would make no concefllons which had the mod
remote ten<3ency to throw difcredit on the coun-
cil, or to weaken its authority. The Proteftants,
on their part, were no lefs inflexible ; and, after
much time fpent in fruitlefs endeavours to con-
vince each other, they came to no agreement.
Nor did the prefence of the Emperor, who upon
%his recovery arrived at Worms, contribute in any May 15,
degree to render the Proteftants more compliant.
Fully convinced that they were maintaining the
caufe of God and of truth, they Ihewed themfelves
fuperior to the allurements of intereft, or the fug-
geftions of fear ; and in proportion as the Em-
peror redoubled his folicitations, or difcovered his
defigns, their boldhefs feems to have increafed.
At laft they openly declared, that they would not TheProtef.
even deign to vindicate their tenets in prefence of ciiim aii'
a council, aflembled not to examine, but to con- I'itrthr
demn them j and that they would pay no* regard "rcnu ^^
U 2 to
this diet.
%c^% , THE REIGN OF THE
B o o K to an aflembly held under the influence of a PopCi
*— >^-Lw who had already precluded himfelf from all tide
^^*^* to aft as a judge, by his having ftigmatized their
opinions with the name of herefy, and denounced
againft them the heavieft cenfures, which, in
the plenitude of his ufurped power, he could
infiift '.
^ndua of While the Proteftants, with fuch union as well
Saxony in as firmncfs, rejefted all intercourfe with the coun-
cil, and refufed their aflent to the Imperial de-
mands in refpeft to the Turkifli war, Maurice of
Saxony alone fhewed an inclination to gratify the
Emperor with regard to both. Though he pro-
fefled an inviolable regard for the Proteflant re-
ligion, he aflumed an appearance of moderation
peculiar to himfelf, by which he confirmed the
favourable fendments which the Emperor already
entertained of him, and gradually paved the way
for executing the ambitious defigns which always
occupied his aftive and enterprifing mind ■. His
example, however, had little influence upon fuch
as agreed with him in their religious opinions;
and Charles perceived that he could not hope
either to procure prefent aid from the Protellants
againfl: the Turks, or to quiet their fears and jea-
loufies on account of their religion. But, as his
Ichemes were not yet ripe for execution, nor his
preparations fo far advanced that he could force
' Sleid. 343, &c. Seek. iii. 545, Sec. Thuan. Hiilor.
lib. ii. p. 56.
* Seek. ill. $7i»
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 295
the compliance of the Proteftants, or punifh their ^ ^^ ^
obftinacy, he artfully concealed his own intentions. ^— v^-^^^
That he might augment their fecurity, he appointed Auguft4.
a diet to be held at Ratifbon early next year, in
order to adjuft what was ^ now left undetermined;
and previous to it, he agreed that a certain number
of divines of each party fhould meet, in order tg
confer upon the points in difpute \
But, how far foever this appearance of a defirc TfcProtef-
to maintain the prefent tranquillity might have l^ilnvlii^
impofed upon the Proteftants, the Emperor was ^^'••Empc-
incapable of fuch uniform and thorough diffimu-
lation, as to hide altogether from their view the
dangerous dcfigns which he was meditating •
againft them. Herman count de Wied, Arch-
bilhop and Eleftor of Cologne, a prelate confpi-
cuoxjs for his virtue and primiuve fimplicity of
manners, though not more diftinguiihed for learn^
ing than the other defcendants of noble families,
who in that age poflefled moft of the great bene-
fices in Germany, having become a profelytp to
the doftrines of the Reformers, had begun in the
year one thoufand five hundred and forty-three,
with the afliftance of Melanfthon and Bucer, to
aboiilh the ancient fuperftition in his diocefe, and
to introduce in its place the rites eftablifhed
among the Proteftants. But the canons of his
cathedral, who were not pofiTeffed wi^h the fame
ipirit of innovation, and who forefaw how fatal
« SIcid. 351.
U 3 the
(i94 THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^ P ^ the levelling genius of the new fedt would prove
w-s/"^-^ to their dignity and wealth, oppofed, from the
'^^^* beginning, this unprecedented enterprife of their
Archbilhop, with all the zeal flowing from reve-
rence, for old inftitutions, heightened by concern
for their own intereft. This oppofition, which
the Archbifhop confidered only as a new argu-
ment to demonflrate the neceflity of a reforma-
tion, neither fhook his refolution, nor flackened
his ardour in profecuting his plan. The canons,
perceiving all their endeavours to check his ca-
reer to be ineffeftual, folemnly protcfled againft
his proceedings, and appealed for redrcfs to the
Pope and Emperor, the former as his ecclefiafti-
cal, the latter as his civil fuperior. This ap-
peal being laid before the Emperor, during his
refidence in Worms, he took the canons of Co-
logne under his immediate prote6tion; enjoined
them to proceed with rigour againft all who re-
volted from the eftablilhed church; prohibited the
Archbifhop to make any innovation in his diocefe;
and fummoned him to appear at Bruflels within
thirty days, to anfwer the accufations which fhould
be preferred againft him ".
To this clear evidence of his hoftile intentions
againft the Proteftant party, Charles added other
proofs ftill more explicit. In his, hereditary do-
minions of the Low-Countries, he perfecuted all
yrho were fufpefted of Lutheranifm with unrclent-
P Slcid. 310. 340. 351. Scckcnd. iii. 443. 553.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 295
ing rigour. As foon as he arrived at Worms, he book
filcnccd-thc Proteftant preachers in that city. He * — .-L^
allowed an Italian monk to inveigh againft the '^^^'
Lutherans from the pulpit of his chapel, and to
call upon him, as he regarded the favour of God,
to exterminate that peftilent herefy. He difpatched
the cmbafly, which has been already mentioned,
to Conftantinople, with overtures of peace, that
he might be free from any apprehenfions of danger
or interruption from that quarter. Nor did any of
thefe fteps, or their dangerous tendency, efcape the
jealous obfervation of the Proteftants, or fail to
alarm their fears, and to excite their folicitude for
the fafety of their feet.
Meanwhile, Charles's good fortune, which D^'aihoftht
predominated on all occafions over that of his o^tlnl
rival Francis, extricated him out of a difficulty,
from which, with all his fagacity and addrefs, he
would have found it no eafy matter to have difen-
tangled himfelf. Juft about the time when the scpt. s.
Duke of Orleans fnould have received Ferdi-
nand's daughter in marriage, and together with
her the pofleflion of the Milanefe, he died of a
malignant fever. By this event, the Emperor
was freed from the neceflity of giving up an im-
portant province into the hands of an enemy, or
from the indecency of violating a recent and fo-
lemn engagement, which muft have occafioned an
immediate rupture widi France. He afFeaed>
however, to exprefs great forrow for the untimely
death of a young Prince, who was to have been
U 4 fo
296 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK fo nearly allied to him; but he carefully avoided
^-— v-w entering into any frefh difcuflions concerning the
'^^^' Milanefe; and would not liften to a propofal
which came from Francis of new-modelling the
treaty of Crefpy, fo as to make him fome repara-
tion for the advantages which he had loft by the
demife of his fon. In the npore aftive and vigorous
part of Francis's reign, a declaration of war would
have been the certain and inftantaneou3 confequence
of fuch a flat refufal to comply with a demand
feemingly fo equitable ; but the declining ftate of
his own health, the exhaufted condition of his
kingdoms, together with the burden of the war
againft England, obliged him, at prefent, to dif-
femble his refentment, and to put oflf thoughts
of revenge to fome other jundure. In confe-
quence of this event, the unfortunate Duke of
Savoy loft all hope of obtaining the reftitution of
his territories ; and the rights or claims rclinquilhed
by the treaty of Crefpy, returned in full force to
the crown of France> to ferve as pretexts for future
wars *,
The Pore Upon the firft intelligence of the Duke of Or-
du'ch'e^of leans's death, the confederates of Smalkalde flat-
Parma and tcrcd thcmfclves that the efTential alterations which
Placentia
t« his fan. appeared to be unavoidable confequences of it could
hardly fail of producing a rupture, which would
prove the means of their fafcty. But they were net
more difappointed with regard to diis, than in their
» Belcarii Coropicfit. 769. Paruta, Hifl. Vcnet. iv. p. 177.
expeA-
EMPEROR CHARLES V- 297
cxpeftations from an event which feemed to ,be ^ ^^ ^
the certain prelude of a quarrel between the v- — -'—J
Emperor and the Pope. When Paul, whofe '^*^'
paflion for aggrandizing his family increafed as
he advanced in years, and as he faw the dig-
nity and power which they derived immediately
from him becoming more precarious, found
that he could not bring Charles to approve of
. his ambitious fchemes, he ventured to grant his
fon Peter Lewis the inveftiture* of Parma and
Placentia, though at the rifle of incurring the dif-
pleafure of the Emperor. At a time when a great /
part of Europe inveighed openly againft the cor-
rupt manners and exorbitant power of Ecclefiaftics,
and when a council was fummoned to reform the
diforders in the church, this indecent grant of luch
a principality, to a fon of whofe illegitimate birdi
the Pope ought to have been alhamed, and whofe .
licentious morals all good men detefted, gave ge-
neral ofFehce. Some Cardinals in the Imperial
intereft remonftrated againft fuch an unbecoming
alienation of the patrimony of the church ; the
Spanifh ambaflfador would not be prefent at the fo-
lemnity of his infeofment > and upon pretext that
thefe cities were part of the Milanefe ftate, the
Empieror peremptorily refiifed to confirm the deed
of inveftiture. But both the Emperor and Pope
being intent upon one common objedl in Germany,
they facrificed their particular paflions to diat pub-
lic caufe, and fuppreffed the emotions of jealouly
or refentment which were rifing on this occafion,
that
^98 . THE REIGN OF THE
* vi? ^ ^^^ ^^^ might jointly puriue what each deemed
<u^.^-^ to be of greater importance ^.
J545*
Henry of About this timc thc peacc of Germany wai
kindles a difturbed by a violent but Ihort eruption of Henry
ttloy? ^" Duke of Brunfwick. This Prince, though ftiU
ftript of his dominions, which, the Emperor held
in fequeftration, until his differences with the con-
federates of Smalkalde fhould be adjufted, poffefC-
cd however fo nnuch credit in Germany, that he
undertook to raife for the French King a confidcr-
able body of troops to be employed in the war
againft England. The money ftipulated for this
purpofe was duly advanced by Francis ; the troops
were levied ; but Henry, inftead of leading them
towards France, fuddenly entered his own domi-
nions at their head, in ^opes of recovering poflcf-
fion of them before any army could be aflembled
to oppofc him. The confederates were not more
furprifed at this unexpefted attack, than the King
of France was aftoniftied at a mean thievifli fraud,
fo unbecoming the character of a Prince. But
the Landgrave of Heffe, with incredible expedi-
tion, coUefted as many men as piit a ftop to the
progrefs of Henry's undifciplined forces, and be-
ing joined by his fon-in-law, Maurice, and by
fome troops belonging to the Eleftor of Saxony,
he gained fuch advantages over Henry, who was
ralh and bold in forming his fchemes, but feeble
7 Parota, Hift. Veoet. iv. 178. Pallavic. 180.
9 and
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
299
and undetermined in executing them, as obliged book..
him to difband his army, and to furrender himfelf, u.-vAj?
together with his eldeft fon, prifoners at difcretion. *^*^*
He was kept in clofe confinement, until a new re-
verie of affairs procured him liberty '.
As this defeat of Henry's wild enterprife added TheRefor-
1 r 1 r^ n mat'on of
new reputation to the arms of the Proteftants, the thePaUd-
cftablilhment of the Proteflant religion in the Pa- "*'*'
latinate brought a great acceCTion of firength to
their party. Frederick, who fucceeded his brother
Lewis in that Eleftorate, had long been fufpefted
of a fecr^t propenfity to the doftrines of die Re-
formers, which, upon his acceffion to the princi-
pality, he openly manifefled. But as he expcfted
that fomething effe6lual towards a general and legal
eftablifhment of religion, would be the fruit of fo
many diets, conferences, and negociations, he did
not, at firfV, attempt any public innovation in his
dominions. Finding all thefe ifTue in nothing, he jan. la.
thought himfelf called, at length, to countenance
by his authority the fyflem which he approved of,
and to gratify the wifhes of his fubjefts, who, by
their intercourfe with the Proteflant ftates, had
univerfally imbibed their opinions. As the warmth
and impetuofity which accompanied the fpirit of
Reformation in its firlt efforts, had fomewhat abat--
ed, this change was made with great order and re-
gularity ; the ancient rites were aboliflied, and new
forms introduced, without any afts of violence, or
' Sleid. 352. Seek. iii. 567.
fymptom
5o(3 THE REIGN OF THE
fymptom of difcontent. Though Frederick adopts
ed the religious fyftem of the Proteftants, he imi-
'^^^* tated the example of Maurice, and did not accede
to the league of Smalkalde %
The council A FEW wccks before this revolution in the Pa-
^em^icsat j^|.j,^aj.g^ ^g general council was opened v/ith die
accuftomed folemnities at Trent. The eyes of the
Catholic ftates were turned with much expeftation
towards an aflembly, which all had confidered as
capable of applying an effeftual remedy for the
diforders of the church when they firft broke out,
though many were afraid that it was now too late
to hope for great benefit from it, when the malady,
by being fuiffered to increafe during twenty-eight
years, had beconfie inveterate, and grown to fuch
extreme violence. The Pope, by his laft bull of
convocation, h^d appointed the firft meeting to be
held in March. Bu: his views, and thofe of the
Emperor, v/ere fo different, that almoft the whole
yearwas fpent in negociations. Charles, who fore-
law that the rigorous decrees of the council againfl
the Proteilants would foon drive them, in felf-
defence as well as fiom refentment, to fome delpe-
rate extreme, laboured to put off its meeting until
his warlike preparations were fo far advanced,
that he might be in a condition to fecond its de-
fifions by the force of his arms. The Pope, who
Jiad early fent to Trent the legates who were to
• Slcid. 356. Seek. 1. iii. 616.
preCde
EMPEROR CriARLES V. 301
prcfide in his name, knowing to what contempt ^ ^^ ^
it would expofe his authority, and what fufpicions wnAu
it would beget of his intentions, if the fathers of '^^*
the council fliould remain in a ftate of inaftivity,
when the church was in fuch danger as to require
their immediate and vigorous interpofition, in-
filled either upon tranflating the council to Ibme
city in Italy, or upon fulpending altogether its
proceedings at that junfture, or upon authorizing
it to begin its deliberations immediately. The
Emperor rejected the two former expedients as
equally ofFenfive to the Germans of every deno-
mination, but finding it impoflible to elude the
latter, he propofed that the council fliould begin
with reforming the diforders in the church, before
it proceeded to examine or define articles of faith.
This was the very thing which the court of Rome
dreaded moft, and which had prompted it to em-
ploy fo many artifices in order to prevent the
meeting of fuch a dangerous judicatory. Paul,
though more compliant than fome of his prede-
ceffors with regard to calling a council, « was . no
lels jealous than they had been of its jurifdidion,
and faw what matter of triumph fuch a method
of proceeding would afford the heretics. He ap- ^
prehended confequcnces not only humbling but
fatal to the papal fee, if the council came to con-
fider an inqueft into abufes as their only bufinefs ;
or if inferior prelates were allowed to gratify their
own envy and peevilhnefs, by prefcribing rules to
thofe .who were exalted above them in dignity and
power.
joa THE REIGN OF THE
* VI? ^ J?ovf^tr. Without liftening, therefore, to this in-»
*i— XT— ' fidious propofal of the Emperor, he inftrufted his
*^ * legates to open the council.
j*n. ig. The firft feflion was Ipent in matters of form,
^^proceed- j^ ^ fubfequcnt one, it was agreed that the fram-
ing a confeflion of faith, wherein fhould be con-
tained all the articles which the church required
its members to believe, ought to be the firft and
principal bufinefs of the council; but that, at the
fame time, due attention fhould be ^ven to what
was neceflary towards the reformation of manners
and difcipline. From this firft fymptom of the
fpirit with which the council was animated, from
the high tone of authority which the legates who
prefided in it afllimed, and from the implicit de-
ference with which moft of the members followed
their diredlions, the Proteftants conjeftured with
eafe what decifions they might expedt. It afto-
nifhed them, however, to fee forty prelates (for
no greater number were yet aflembled) aflume
authority as reprefentatives of the univerfal church,
and proceed to determine the moft important
points of doftrine in its name. Senfible of this
indecency, as well as of the ridicule with which
it might be attended, the council advanced flowly
in its deliberations, and all its proceedings were
for fome time languilhing and feeble ^. As foon
as the confederates of Smalkalde received inform-
^ F. Paul, 120> Sec, Pallavic. p. 180, &c.
ation
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 303
ation of the opening of the council, they publifti- ^ ^^ ^
ed a long manifefto, containing a renewal of their w-^-^^
proteft againfl: its meeting, together with the rea- ^^^
fons which induced them to decline its jurifdic-
tions *". The Pope and Emperor, on their part,
were fo little felicitous to quicken or add vigour
to its operations, as plsdnly difcovered that fome
objeft of greater importance occupied and inte-
refted them.
The Proteftants were not inattentive or uncon- Appreben.
cerned fpeftators of the motions of the fovereign proieaanw.
Pontiff and of Charles, and they entertained every
day more violent fufpicions of their intentions, in
confequence of intelligence received from different
quarters of the machinations carrying on againfl:
them. The King of England informed them, that
the Emperor having long refolved to exterminate
their opinions, would not fail to employ this inter-
val of tranquillity which he now enjoyed, as the
moft favourable jun6ture for carrying his defign
into execution. The merchants of Augfburg,
which was at that time a city of extenfive trade, * *
received advice, by means of their correfpondents
in Italy, among whom were fome who fecr^dy fa-
voured the Proteftant caufe **, that a dangerous con-
federacy againfl it was forming between the Pope
and Emperor. In confirmation of this, they heard
from the Low-Countries that Charles had ifTued
orders, though with every precaution which could
^ Seckend. I. iii. 602, Sec. ^ Seek. 1. iii. 579.
keep
304 "THE REIGN OF THEl
* vif ^ keep the meafure concealed, for railing troops both
u.i—^,-i— ^ there and in other parts of his dominions. Such a
'5*^* variety of information, corroborating all that their
own jealoufy or obfervation led them to appre-
hend, left the Proteftants little rcafon to doubt of
Their deli- the Empcror's hoftile intentions. Under this im-
beratiom. ^j-^ff^Qj^^ ^q dcputics of the Confederates of Smal*
kalde affembled at Francfort, and by communicat-
ing their intelligence and fentiments to each other,
reciprocally heightened their fenfe of the impend-
ing danger. But their union was not fuch as
their fituation required, or the preparations of
their enemies rendered neceffary. Their league
had now fubfifted ten years. Among fo many
members, whofe territories were intermingled with
each other, and who, according to the cuftom of
Germany, had created an infinite variety of mu-
tual rights and claims by intermarriages, alliances,
and contrafts of different kinds, fubjefts of jea-
loufy and difcord had unavoidably arifen. Some
of the confederates, being connedled with the
Duke of Brunfwick, were highly difgufted with
the Landgrave, on account of the rigour with
which he had treated that rafh and unfortunate
Prince. Others taxed the Eleftor of Saxony and
Landgrave, the heads of the league, with having
involved the members in unneceflary and exorbi-
tant expences by their profufenefs or want of ceco-
nomy. The views, likewife, and temper of thofc
two Princes, who, by their fuperior pov/er and au-
thority, influenced and directed die whole body,
being extremely different, rendered all its mo-
tions
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 305
lions languid, at a time when the utmoft vigour ^ ^^ ^
and djlpatch were requifitc. The Landgrave, of a v^v^--^
violent and enterprifmg tennper, but not forgetful, '^*
amidft his zeal for religion, of the ufual maxims of
human poliqr, infifted that, as the danger which
threatened them was manifeft and unavoidable, they
Ihould have recourfe to the moft eflFeftual expedi^
ent for fecuring their own fafety, by courting the
protcflion of the Kings of France and England,
or by joining in alliance with the Proteftant can-
tons of Swiflcrland, from whom they might expedt
fuch powerful and prcfent afliftance as their fitua-
tion demanded. The Eleftor, on the other hand,
with the moft uprijght intentions of any Prince in
that age, and with talents which might have qua-
lified him abundantly for the adminiftration of go-^
vcmment in any tranquil period, was poffefled with
fuch fuperftitious veneration for all the parts of the
Lutheran fyftem, and fuch bigoted attachment to
all its tenets, as made him averfe to an union with
thofe who differed from him in any article of faith,
and rendered him very incapable of undertaking its
defence in times of difficulty and danger. He
feemed to think, that the concerns of religion wer^
to be regulated by principles and maxims totally
different from thofe which apply to the common
affairs of life ; and being fwayed too much by the
opinions of Luther, who was not only a ftranger
to the rules of political condudt, but defpifed therii j
he often difcovered an uncomplying fpirit, that
proved of the greateft detriment to the caufe which
he wifhed to fupport. Influenced, qi\ thjs occ4-
VoL. IIL X fign,
3o6 THEREIGNOFTHE
BOOK fjQn, by the fevere and rigid notions of that Hc^
w-^/--i former, he rcfufed to enter into any confederacy
'^*^* with Francis, becaufe he was a perfccutor of the
truth; or tofolicit the friendfhip of Henry, be-
caufe he was no lefs impious and profane than the
Pope himfelfi or even to join in alliance with
the Swifs, becaufe they differed from the Ger-
mans in feveral effential articles of faith. This
diffenfion, about a point of fuch confequcnce,
produced its natural effefts. Each fecretly cen-
fured and reproached the other. The Landgrave
confidered the Eleftor as fettered by narrow pre-
judices, unworthy of a Prince called to aft a chief
part in a fccne of fuch importance. The Eleftor
fufpcfted the Landgrave of loofe principles and
ambitious views, which correfponded ill with the
facred caufe wherein they were engaged. But
though the Eleftor's fcruples {)revented their
timely application for foreign aid ; and the jea-
loufy or dlfcontent of the other Princes defeated a
propofal for renewing their original confederacy,
the term during which it was to continue in force
being on the point of expiring ; yet the fenfe of their
common danger induced them to agree with re-
gdi'd to other points, particularly that they would
never acknowledge the affembly at Trent as a
lawful council, nor Hifrer the Archbifliop of Co-
logne to be oppreifcd on account of the fteps
which he had taken towards the reformatioii of
his diccefe *.
« Seek. 1. Hi. 566. 570, 613. Sleid. 355.
The
iEMPEROR CHARL£S V. 307
The LandgravCi about this time, defirous of ^ ^^ ^
penetrating to the bottom of the Emperor's in- i^-^,!^
tcntions, wrote to Granvelle, whom he knew to ThJn^^neV-
bc thoroughly acquainted with all his matter's ^'[^^^j^*^
fchcmcs, informing him of the feveral particulars Empwor. '
which raifed the fufpicions of the Proteftants, and
begging an explicit declaration of what they had
to fear or to hopei Granvelle, in return, affured
them, that the intelligence which they had receiv-
ed of the Emperor's military preparations was
exaggerated, and all their fufpicions deftitute of
foundation ; that though, in order to guard his
frontiers againft any infult of the French or Eng-
lifti, he had commanded a fmall body of men
to be raifed in the Low-Countries, he was as fo-
licitous as ever to maintain tranquillity in Ger-
many ^
But the Emperor's a6tions-did not correfpond
with thefe profeflions of his minifter. For, inftead
of appointing men of known moderation and a pa-
cific temper to appear in defence of the Catholic
do6trines at the conference which had been agreed
on, he made choice of fierce bigots, attached to
their own fyftem with a blind obftinacy, that ren-
dered all hope of a reconcilement defperate. Mal-
vcnda, a Spanifh divine, who took upon him the
conduft of the debate on the part of the Catholics, ,
managed it with all the fubtle dexterity of a fcho-
laftic metaphyfician, more ftudious to perplex his
^ Sleid. 356.
X 2 adver-
3o8 THE REIGN, &c.
adverfaries than to convince them, and more in-
tent on palliating error than on difcovering truth.
The Proteftants, filled with indignation, as well at
his fophiftry as at fome regulations which the Em-
peror endeavoured to impofe on the dilputants,
broke ofF the conference abruptly, being now folly
convinced that, in all his late meafures, tke Em-
peror could have no other view than to amufe them,
and to gain time for ripening his own fchemes ^
s Sleid. 358. Seek. I. iii. 620.
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
k E I G N
OF THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
BOOK VIII.
WJH[ I L E appearances of danger daily in- b o o k
creafed, and the tcmpeft which had been ^^"i'^
fo long a gathering was ready to break forth in all i«;46.
its violence againft the Proteftant church, Luther Luther,
was faved, by a feafonable death, from feeling
or beholding its deftruftive rage. Having gone,
though in a declining ftate of health, and during
a rigorous feafon, to his native city of Eyfleben,
in order to compofe, by his authority, a diflen-
fion among the counts of Mansfield, he was feized Feb. i8,
with a violent inflammation in his ilomach, which
in a few days put an end to his l*fe, in the fixty-
third year of his age. Ajs he was raifed up by Pro-
vidence to be the author of one of the greateft
and moft interefting revolutions recorded in hif-
lory, there is not any perfon perhaps whofe cha-
X 3 rafter
310 TrtE REIGN OF THE
B VI n ^'^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ drawn with fuch oppofite colours.
^ - y -^ In his own age, one party, ftruck with horror
^^*^* and inflamed with rage, when they faw with what
a daring hand he overturned every thing which
they held to be facred, or valued as beneficial,
imputed to him not only all the defefts and vices
of a man, but the qualities of a daemo#. The
other, warmed with the admiration and gratitude,
which they thought he merited as the reftorer of
light ^d liberty to the Chriftian church, afcribed
to him peifeftions above the condition of huma-
nity, and viewed all his aftions with a veneration
bordering on that which fhould be paid only to
thofe who are guided by the immediate inlpira-.
Hi«rha. tion of Heaven, It is his ovvn co^nduct, not the
''''''''* undiftinguifliing cenfure or the exaggerated praife
of his contemporaries, that ought tp regulate the
opinions of the prefent age concerning him.
Zeal for what he regarded as truth, undaunted
intrepidity to maintain his own fyftem, abilities,
both natural and acquired, to defend his prin-
ciples, and unwearied induftry in propagating
them, are virtues which fliine fo conipicuoufly in
every part of his behaviour, that even his enemies
• muft allow him to have poffefled them in an emi-
nent degree. J^o thefe may be added, with equal
juftice, fuch puT^ty and even aufterity of manners,
•as became one who afTumed the charafter of a
Reformer J fuch fanftit^ qf life as fuited the
dodlrine which he delivered ; and fuch perfect dif-
intereftednefs as affords no flight prefumption of
iiis 'fiiicerity* * Superior to all felfifh confidcra-
5 tions^
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 311
lions, a ftranger to the elegancies of life, and ® y.fj ^
defpifing its pleafures, he left the honours and ' — ^^
emoluments of the church to his difciples, re- '^^^'
HUiiniog fatiafied himfelf in his original ftate of
prolefibr in the univerfity, and paftor of the town
of Wkteaaaberg, with the moderate appointments
annex^ to chefe offices. His extraordinary qua-
tties were allayed with no inconfiderable mixture
of human frailty and human paffions. Thcfe,
however, were of fuch a nature, ^ that they cannot
be imputed to malevolence or corruption o( heart,
but feem to have taken their rife from the fame
fource with naany of his virtues. His mind,
forcible and vehement in all its operations, roufed
by great' objects, or agitated by violent paffiqns,
br^e out, on many occafions, with an impetuo-
fity which aftonifhes men of feebler fpirits, or
fuch as arc placed in a more tranquil fituation.
By carrying fome praife- worthy difpofitions to
excefs, he bordered fometimes on what was cul-
pable, and was (rften betrayed into adions which
cxpofed him to cenfure. His confidence that his
own opinions were well founded, approached to
arrogance ; his courage in aiferting them, to rafh-
ncfsi his firmnels in adhering to them, to obfti-
nacy; and his zeal in confuting his adverfaries,
to rage and fcurrility. Accuftomed himfelf to
confider every thing as fubordthate to truth, he
cxpeded the fame deference for it from other
menj and, withoift: making any allowances for
their timidity or prejudices, he poured forth
X 4 • againft
BOOK
VUI.
312 THE REIGN OF THE
againft fuch as difappointed . him in this parti-
cular, a torrent of inveftive mingled with con-
^^^ ' tempt. Regardlefs of any diftindion of rank or
charafter when his doctrines were attacked, he
ehallifed all his . adverfaries indifcriminately, with
the fame rough hands neither the royal dignity
of Henry VIII. nor the eminent learning and
abilities of Erafmus, fcreened them from the
fame grofs abufe with which he treated Tetzel or
Eccius.
But thefe indecencies of which Luther was
guilty, muft not be imputed wholly to the vio-
lence of his temper. They ought to be charged
in part on the manners^ of the age. Among a
rude people, unacquainted with thofe maxims,
which by putting continual reftraint on the paf-
fions of individuals, have polifhed fociety and
- rendered it agreeable, diiputes of every kind wer?
managed with heat, ajid ftrong emotions were
uttered in their natural language, without referve
or delicacy. At die feme time, the works of
learned men were all compofed in Latin, and
they were not only authorized, by the example of
eminent writers in that language, to ufe their
antagonifts with the moll illiberal fcurrility; but,
in a dead tongue, indecencies of every kind ap-
^ pear left fliocking than .in a living language,
, whofe idioms and phrafes feem grofs, becaufe
^ they are familiar,
u
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 315
In palling judgment upon the charafters of B o o k
men, we ought to try them by the principles and y^-^Li
maxims of their own age, not by thofe of an- '^^^'
other. For, although virtue and vice are at all
times the fame, manners and cuftoms vary con-
tinually. Some parts qf Luther's behaviour, which
to us appear moft culpable, gave no difguft to his
contemporaries. It was even by fome of thofe
qualities, which we are now apt to blatne, that he
was fitted for accompliihing the great work which
he undertook. To roufe mankind, when funk
in ignorance or fuperftition, and to encounter '
the rage of bigcftry armed with power, required
the utmoft vehemence of zeal, as well as a temper
daring to excefs. A gentle call would neither
have reached, nor have excited thofe to whom it
muft have been addreffed. A fpirit more amiable,
but lels vigorous than Luther's, would have Ihrunk
back from the dangers which he braved and
furmounted. Towards the clofe of Luther's life,
though without any perceptible diminution of his
zeal or abilities, the infirmities of his temper in-
creafed upon him, fo that he grew daily more
peevifh, more irafcible, and more impatient of
contradiftion. Having lived to be a witnefs of
his own amazing fuccefs ; to fee a great part of
Europe embrace his doftrines ; and to fliake the
foundation of the papal throne, before which the
mightieft Monarchs ^had trembled, he difcovered,
on fome occafions, fymptoms of vanity and felf-
applaufe. He muft have been, indeed, more than
ITian^ if^ upon contemplating all that he aftuaJly
accom-
314 THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^ o K accompliflicd, be had never felt any footinjcnt of
tliis kind rifing in his breaft*.
15,^6,
Some time before his death he ^t his ftrength
declining, his conftitution being worn out by a
prodigious multiplicity of bufinefe, added to the
labour of difcharging his minifterial funftion with
unr.2mitting diligence, to the fatigue of conftant
ftudy, befides the compofition of works as vo-
luminous as if he had enjoyed uninterrupted lei-
fure and retirement. His natural intrepidity did
not forfake him at the approach of death ; his
laft converfation with his friends was concerning
• the liappinefs referved for good men in a fiiture
life, of which he fpoke with the fervour and delight
natural to one who expefted and wilhed to enter
* A remarkable inftancc of this, as well as of ft certain An-
gularity and elevation of fentiment^ is found in Ms Laft Will.
Though the effeds which he had to bequeaJbh were very
inconfiderable, he choii^hc it nece^ary to make a Teftaaicnc»
but fcorned to frame it with the ufual legal formalities. No-
tus fum^ fays he, in C(cIo> in terra, & inferno, 6i audorica-
tern ad hoc fuflicientem habeo, ut mihi fpli credatur, cum
Deus mihi, iiooiini licet dainnabili, et miferabilt peccateri,
ex paterna mifericordia Evangelium £iii fui crediderit* dede-
ritque ut in eo verax & fiiielis fuerim, ita ut mviii in nundo
illud per me acceperint, ic me pro Dodore veritatis agoove-
rint, fpreto banno Papas, Cscdins, Regum, Principum &
facerdotum, immo omnium daemon urn odio. Quidni, igicur,
ad difpofitionem hanc, in re exigua, fufficiat, fi adiit mantti
mea: teftimonium, 6c dici poffit, bzc fcripfit D. Martinoa JLji-
ther, Notarius Dei> & teftis Evaogelii ejus* Sec 1. ait.
p. 651.
loon
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 315
foon upon the enjoyment of it *. The account of ^ o o k
his death filled the Roman Catholic party with ex- ^_ -^- ^
£eflivc as well as indecent joy, and damped the '54^
Spirits of all his followers j neidier party fufiiciendy
coniidering that his doftrines were now fo firmly
rooted, as to be in a condition to flourilh inde- ,
pendent of the hand which firft had planted tliem.
His funeral was celebrated by order of the Eledior
of Saxony with extraordinary pomp. He left
feveral children by his wife Catherine a Boria, who
furvived him. Towards the end of the lafl cen-
tury, there were in Saxony fome of his defcendants
in decent and honourable ftations ^^
The Emperor, meanwhile, purJlied the plan TheEmpe.
of diflimulation with which he had fet out, em- ^^onntT
ploying every art to amufe the Proteftants, and to J""f^ "jj,
quiet their fears and jealoufies. For this purpofe P'«e*aDii,
be contrived to have an interview with the Land-
grave of Hefle, the mofl active of all the confe-
derates, and the molt fufpicious of his defigns.
To him he made fuch warm profefTions of his MaicbaS.
concern for the happinefs of Germany, and of his
averfion to all violent meafures ; he denied in
fuch exprefs terms, his having entered into any
league, or having begun any military preparations
which fhould give any juft caufe of alarm to the
Proteftants, as feem to have difpelled all the Land-
grave's doubts and apprehenfions, and fent him
* Sleid. 362. Secl^. lib. iii* 632, &c,
t Seek. It iii. 65 1«
aw^
3i6 THE REIGN OF THE
B
V
o o K away fully fatisfied of his pacific intentions. This
"-^r^-u artifice was of great advantage, and efFeftually
^^* anfwered the purpofe for which it was employed.
The Landgrave upon his leaving Spires, where
he had been admitted to this interview, went to
Worms, where the Smalkaldic confederates were
afiembled, and • gave them fuch a flattering repre-
fentation of the Emperor's favourable difpofitipn
towards them, that they, who were too apt, as well
from the temper of the Genr^an nation, as from the
genius of ail great aflbciations or bodies of men, to
be flow, and dilatory, and undecifive in their deli-
berations, thought there was no neceflity of taking
any immediate meafures againfl: danger, which ap-
peared to be diftant or imaginary*",
Frocffd:ng8 Such events, however, foon occurred, as fta?-
€\\ »..,tn(i gered the credit which the Proteftants had given
to the Emperor's declarations. The council of
Trent, though fl:ill compofcd of a fmall number of
Italian and Spanifli prelates, without a finglc de-
puty from many of the kingdoms which it afliimed
a right of binding by its decrees, being afhamed
of its long inaclivity, proceeded now to fettle
articles of the greateft importance. Having be-
gun with examining the firft and chief point in
controverfy between the .church of Rome and the
Reformers, concerning the rule which fhould be
held as fupreme and decifive in matters of faith,
the council, by its infallible authority, deter-
« Slcid, Hift. 367. 373.
mined}
the Protcft.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 317
mined, " That the books to which the defigna-
tion of Jpocryphal hath been given, are of equal
audioritywith thofe which were received by the AprV/i!'
Jews and primitive Chriftians into the facrcd
canon ; that the traditions handed down from the
apoftolic age, and preferved in the church, are
entitled to as much regard as the doftrines and
precepts which the infpired authors have com-
mitted to writings that the Latin tranflation of
the Scripuires, made or revifed by St. Jerome,
and known by the name of the Vulgate tranflation,
fhould be read in churches, and appealed to in the
fchools as authentic and canonical," Againll all
who difclaimed the truth of thefe tenets, anathemas
were denounced in the name and by the authority
of the Holy Ghoft. The decifion of thefe points,
which undermined the main foundation of the
Lutheran fyftem, was a plain warning to the Pro-
teftants what judgment they might expedt when
the council Ihould have leifure to take into con-
fideration the particular and fuboj dinate articles of
their creed ^.
'. This difcovery of the council's readinefs to
condemn the opinions of the Proceftants, was foon .
followed by a ftriking inftance of the Pope's re-
Iblution to punilh fuch as embraced them. The
appeal of the canons of Cologne againfl: their
Archbilhop having been carried to Rome, Paul
eagerly feized on that opportunity, both of dif*
^ F. Paul, 141. Pallav. 206.
playing
;ji8 ' THE REIGN OF THE
B o, o K playing the extent of his own authority, and ol*
%— .^^pw teaching the German ecckfiaftics the danger of
1546- revolting from the eftablifhed church. As no
perfon appeared in behalf of the Archbifliop, he
was held to be convifted of the crime of hercfy,
AprU 16. ^^ ^ Papal bull was iffued, depriving him of hi«
ccclefiaftical dignity, inflifting on him the fentencc
of excommunication, and abfolving his fubjefts
from the oath of allegiance which they had taken
to him as their civil fupcrior. The countenance
which he^had given to the l/Utheran herefy was
the only crime imputed to him, as well as the
only reafon affigned to juftify the extraordinary
feverity of this decree. The Proteftants could
hardly believe that Paul, how zealous foever he
might be to dfefend the eftabliftied fyftem, or to
humble thofe who invaded it, would have ven-
tured to proceed to fuch extremities againft a
Prince and Eleftor of the Empire, without hav-
ing previoufly fecured fuch powerful protection as
would render his cenfure fomething more than an
impotent and defpicable fally of refentment. They
were bf courfe deeply alarmed at this fentencc
againft the Archbifhop, confidering it as a fure
indication of the malevolent intentions not only
of the Pope, but of the Emperor, againft the whole
party \
about to Upon this frefh revival of their fears, wirfi
hoftiiitre? f^ch violence as is natural to men roufcd from a
againft the
Proceftaacf. . , , ,
* Slcid. 354. F. Paul, 155. Pallavic. 224.
falfc
' EMPEROR CHARLES V. 319
falfe fecurity, and confeious of their having been ^ ^ ^^ ^
deceived, Charks faw that npw it becatne neceffary <-— nA^
to throw afide the maik, and to declare openly '^ *
what paa't he determined to aft. By a long feries
of artifice and fellacy, he had gained fo much:
dfne, that his itieafures, though not altogether
ripe for execution, were in great foiwardnefs. The
Pope, by hk proceedings againft the Eleftor of
Cologne, a* well as by the decree of the council^
had precipitated matters into fuch a ficuation, as
retidered a breach between the Emperor and the
PrOteftants almoft unavoidable. Charles had there-
fore no choice left him, but either to take part with ^
them in overturning what the See of Rome had
determined, or to I'upport the authority of die
church openly by force of arms. Nor did the 'Negoriatet
Pope think it enough to have brought the Em- f'ope,
peror under a neceffity of afting 5 he prefled him
to begin his operations, by promifing to fecond
him with fuch vigour as could not well fail of fe-
curing his fuccefs. Tranfported by his zeal againft
herefy, Paul forgot all the prudent and cautious
maxims of the Papal See, with regard to the
danger of extending the Imperial authority be-
yond due bounds ^ and in order to crufli the Lu-
therans, he was willing to contribute towards
raifmg up a mafter that might one day prove
formidable to himfelf as well as to die reft of
Italy.
But, befides the certain expeftation of affift- concludes a
ance from the Pope, Charles was now ftcure from sgiymw.
any
320 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK any danger -of interruption to his defigns by the
i...-s!-w Turkifh arms. His negociations at the Porte,
'^*^' which he had carried on with great afliduity fincc
the peace of Crefpy, were on the point of being
terminated in fuch a manner as he defired. Soly-
man, partly in compliance with the French King,
who, in order to avoid the difagreeable obliga-
tion of joining the Emperor againfl: his ancient
ally, laboured with great zeal to bring about an
. accommodation between them; and partly from
its being neceffary to turn his arms towards the
caflr, where the Perfians threatened to invade his
dominions, confented without difficulty to a truce
for five years. The chief article of it was. That
each Ihould retain pofleffion of what he now held
in Hungary j and Ferdinand, as a facrificc to the
pride of the Sultan, fubmitted to pay an annual
tribute of fifty thoufand crowns *.
Ga?niMau. BuT it was upon the aid and concurrence of the
other*"* Germans themfelves that the Emperor relied with
Princetio the grcatcft confidence. The Germanic body,
he knew, were of fuch vaft ftrength, as to be in-
vincible if it were united, and that it was only by
emjJloying its own force that he could hope to
fubdue it. Happily for him, the union of the
feveral members in this great fyftem was fo feeble,
the whole frame was fo loofely compafted, and
its different parts tended fb violently towards fe-
• Iduanhaffii Hift. Han. i8o. Mem. de Ribier, torn. i.
582.
paration
Germaflj*
EMPEROk CJlAftLES V- 32t
paration from each other, that it was almoft im- ® ^^^ ^
poffible for it, on any important emergence, to v . ^.^-i,^
join in a general or vigorous effort. In the pre- '^^°*
fent jundture, the fources of difcord were as many,
»• and as various, as had been known on any occa-
fion. The Roman Catholics, animated with zeal
in defence of their religion proportional to the
fiercenefs with which it had been attacked, were
eager to fecond any attempt to humble thofe in-
novators, who had overturned it in many pro-
vinces, and endangered it in more. John and
Albert of Brandenburg, as well as feveral other
Princes, incenfed at the haughtinefs and rigour
with which the Duke of Brunlwick had been
treated by the confederates of Smalkalde, were
impatient to rtfcue him, and to be revenged on
them. Charles obfervcd, with fatisfaftion, the
working of thofe palfiom in their minds, and
counting on them as ' fure auxUiaries whenever
he Ihould think it proper to aft, he found it, in
the mean time, more neceffary to moderate than
to inflame their rage.
' Such was the fituation of aflTairs, fuch the dif- HoMt a <iiac
ccrnment with which the Emperor forefaw and '^^•'**^
provided for every event, when the diet of the
Empire met at Ratiflx>n. Many of the Roman
Catholic members appeared there in perfon, but
moft of the confederates of Smalkalde, under
pretence of beihg unable to bear the expence oc-
cafioncd by the late unncceffaiy frequency of fuch
Vol. III. Y aflem*
312 THE REIGN OF THE
" vin ^ aflcmblies, fent only deputies. Their jealotify
1 1 ")t t»J
of the Emperor, together with an apprehcn-
'^*^* fion that violence niight> perhaps, be employ-
ed, in order to force their approbation of what
he (hould propofe in the diet, was the true caule
of their abfence. The fpeech with which the
Emperor opened the diet was extremely anfld.
After profefling, in common form, his regard
for the profpcrity of the Germanic body, and
declaring, that, in order to beftow his whole, at*
tention upoa the re-eftablifhment of its order
and tranquillity, he had at prefent abandoned all
other cares, rejeded the moft prelfing fblicitadons
of his other fubjedls to refide among them, and
poftponed affairs of the greateft importance; he
took notice, with fome difapprobation, that his
difmtereftcd example had not been imitated $
many members of chief confideration having ne-
glefted to attend an affembly to which he had
repaired with fuch manifeft inconvenience to him-
felf He then mentioned their unhappy diflcn-*
fions about religion ; lamented the ill luccefs of
his paft endeavours to compofe them ; complain-
ed of the abrupt diflblution of the late conference,
and craved their advice with regard to the bcft
and moft effedual method of reftoring union to
the churches of Germany, together with that
happy agreement in articles of faith, which dieir
anceftors had found to be of no lefs advantage to
their civil intcreft, than becoming their Chriftiao
profeffion.
By
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 52J
By this gracious and popular method of con- ® S. ? '^
fulting the members of the diet, rather than of • — ^' — '
iabtruding upon them any opinion of his own, be- ^^^ *
fides the appearance of great moderation, and the
merit of paying much refpeft to their* judgment,
the Emperor dexteroufly avoided difcovering his
own fentiments, and refervcd to himfelf, as his
only part> that of carrying into execution what
ihey Ihould recommend. Nor was he lefs fecure
of fuch ^ decifion as he wifhed to obtain, by ,
referring it wholly to themfelves. The Roman
Catholic members, prompted by their own zeal,
or prepared by his intrigues, joined immediately
in reprefenting that the. authority of the council
now met at Trent ought to be fupreme in all
matters of controverfy ; that all Chriftians fhould
fiibmit to its decrees as the infallible rule of their
faith ; and therefore they befought him to exert
the power, with which he was invefted by the
Almighty, in protefting that aflembly, and" in
compelling the ' Proteftants to acquiefce in its
determinations. The Proteftants, on the other
hand, prefented a memorial, in which, after re-
peating their objedlions to the council of Trent^
they pfopofed, as the only eiFeftual method of
deciding the points in difpute, that either a free
general council fliould be affembled in Germany,
or a national council of the Empire fliould be called,
or a fele£t number of divines fliould be appoint-
ed out of each party to examine and define ar-
ticles of faith. They mentioned the recefles of
feveral diets favourable to this propofition, and
Y 2 which
324 THE REIGN OF THE
^ vifi ^ which had afforded them the profpeft of ter-
' — ^ — f* minatmg all their differences in this amicable
'^*^* manner; they now conjured the Emperor not
tp depart from his former plan, and by offering
violence to their confciences, to bring calamities
upon Germany, the very thought of which mult
fiJl every lover of his country with horror. The
Emperor receiving this paper with a contemptu-
ous fmile, paid no farther regard to it. Hav-
ing already taken his final refolution, and per-
ceiving that nothing but force could compel
Jane 9. them to acquiefce in it, he difpatchcd the Car-
dinal of Trent to Rome, in order to conclude
an alliance with the Pope, the terms of which
were already agreed on ; he commanded a body
of troops, . levied on purpofe in the Low-Coun-
tries, to advance towards Germany ; he gave
commiffions to fcveral officers for raifing men in
different parts of the Empire; he warned John
and Albert -of Brandenburg, that now was the
proper time of exerting themfelves, in order to
refcue their ally, Henry of Brunfwick, from cap-
tivity ^
The Pro- All thefe things could not be tranfafted with-
out the obfervation and knowledge of the Pro-
teftants. The fecret was now in many hands ;
under whatever veil the Emperor ftill affeftcd to
conceal his defigns, his officers kept no fuch myl^
terious referve ; and his allies and fubjefts fpoke
out his 'intentions plainly. Alarmed with reports
^ Sleid. 374. Seek. iii. 6c8.
of
teftantf
aUrined*
EMPEROR CHARLES .V. 325,
of this kind from every quarter, as well as with book
die preparations for war which they could not but v^^-^v^-L-j
obferve, the deputies of the confederates demand- '^*^'
cd audience of the Emperor, and, in the name of
their mafters, required to know whether thefe mi-
litary preparations were carried on by his com-
mand, and for what end, and againft what enemy?
To a queftion put in fuch a tone, and at a time
when fafts were become too notorious to be de-
nied, it was neceffary to give an explicit anfwer,
Charles owned the orders which he had ijfTued,
and profeffing his purpofe not to moleft on ac-
count of religion thofe who ftiould aft as dutiful
fbbjefts; declared that he had nothing in view
but to maintain the rights and prerogatives^ of the
Imperial dignity, and, by punilhing fome fac-
tious members, to pj-eferve the ancient conftitu-
tion of the Empire from being impaired or dif-
iblved by their irregular and licentious conduft.
Though the Emperor did not name 'the perfons
whom he charged with fuch high crimes, and def-
tincd to be the objefts of his vengeance, it was
obvious that he had the Eleftor of Saxony and
Landgrave of Heffe in view. Their deputies
confidering what he had faid, as a plain declar-
ation of his hoftile intentions, immediately re-
tired from Ratifbon ^,
The Cardinal of Trent found it no difficult The Enpe*
matter to peat witli the P6pe, who having at wUhVhe*'
Pope.
« Skid. '576,
Y 3 length
326 THE REIGN OF THE
^ via ^ kngth brought the Emperor to adopt that plan
which he had long recommended, affented with
eagerners to every article that he propofed. The
league was figned a few days after the Cardinal's
arrival at Rome. The pernicious hercfies which
abounded in Germany, the obftinacy of the Pro-
teftants in rejefting the holy council affembled at
Trent, and the neceffity of maintaining found
doftrinc, together with good order in the church,
are mentioned as the motives of this union be-
tween the contrafting parties. In order to check
the growth of thefe evils, and to punilh fuch as
had impioufly contributed to fpread them, the
Emperor, having long and without fuccefs made
trial of gentler remedies, engaged inftantly to
take the field with a fufficient army, that he might
compel all who difowned the council, or had
apoftatized from the religion of their forefathers^
to return into the bofom of the church, and fub-
mit with due obedience to the Holy See. He
likewife bound himfelf not to conclude a peace
with them during fix months without the Pope's
confent, nor without afligning him his fhare in
any conquefts which fliould be made upon them i
and that even after this period he Ihogld not agree
to any accommodation which might be detrimen-
tal to the church, or to the intereft of religion.
On his part, the Pope ftipulated to depofita large
fum in the bank of Venice towards defraying the
expence of the war j to maintain, at his own
charge, during the fpace of fix months, twelve
thoufand foot, and five hundred horfe; to grant
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 327
the Emperor, for one year, half of the ecclefiafti- ^ ^^^ ^
cal revenues throughout Spain 5 to authorize him, u--^— ^
by a bull, to alienate as much of the lands, be- *^*^'
longing to religious houfes in that country, as
would amount to the fum of five hundred thou-
fand crowns ; and to employ not only Ipiritual
cenfures, but military force, againft any Prince who
fhould attempt to interrupt or defeat the execution
of this treaty *».
NoTWXTHSTAt«IDING the eXpHcit terms in which Endeavoon
the extirpation of herefy was declared to be the crarhi"?n*.
objeft of the war which was to follow upon this J^"JJ7he
treaty, Charles ftill endeavoured to perfuade the Proteflaotf.
Germans that he had no defign to abridge their
religious liberty, but that he aimed only at vin-
dicating his own authority, and reprefEng the in-
folence of fuch as had encroached upon it. With
this view, he wrote circular letters in the fame
ftrain with his anfwer to the deputies at Ratifbon,
to moft of the free cities, and to fycral of the
Princes who had embraced the Proceftant doc-
trines. In thefe he complained loudly, but tin
general terms, of the contempt into which the
Imperial dignity had fallen, and of the prelump-
tuous as well as difordcrly behaviour of fome
members of the Empire, He declared that he
now took arms, not in a rdigiouS, but in a civil -
quarrel j not to opprefs any who continued to
behave as quiet and dutiful fubjeds, but tQ
^ Skid. ^%i. Pallav. 255. Damont Corps Diplom. ii«
y 4 humble
3a8 THE REIGN OF THE
® vin ^ ^^"^blc ^^ arrogance of fuch as had thrown off
«4 — .J~^ all fenfe of that fubordination in which they were
^^^^* placed under him^ as head of the Germanic
body. Grofs as this deception was, and mani-
feft as it might have appeared to all who confi-
dered the Emperor's conduft with attention, it
became necefiary for him to make trial of its
effedt ; and fuch was the confidence and dexterity
with which he employed it, that he derived the
moft folid advantages from this artifice. If he
had avowed at once an intention of overturning
the Proteftant church, and of reducing all Ger-
many under its former ftate of fubjedtion to the
Papal See, none of the cities or Princes who had
embraced the new opinions could have remained
neutral after fuch a declaration, far lefs could
they have ventured to affift the Emperor in fuch
an enterprize. Whereas by concealing, and even
difclaiming any intention of that kind, he not
only faved himfelf from the danger of being
overwhelmed by a general confederacy of all the
Proteftant ftates, but he furniflied the rimid'with
an excufe for continuing inadlive, and the dcfign-
ing or interefted with a pretext for joining him,
without expofmg themfelves to the infamy of aban-
doning their own principles, or taking part openly
in fuppreffing them. At the fame time the Em-
peror well knew, that if, by their affiftance, he
were enabled to break the power of the Eledor
pf Saxony and the Landgrave, he might afterwards
prefcribe what terms he pleafed to the feeble re-
pains of a party without union, and d?ftitute of
leaders^
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 32^
leaders^ who would thcn-regrct, too late, their mif- ^ via. '^
taken confidence in him, and their inconfideratc v-^^>*i^
defertion of their ^ociates, *^^' '
The Pope, by a fudden and unforefeen difplay Jj^*^^**p*
of his zeal, had well nigh difconcerted this plan bw pi*n.
which the Emperor had formed with fo much
care and art. Proud of having been the author
of fuch a formidable confederacy againft the Lu-
theran herefy, and happy in thinking that the
glory of extirpating it was referved for his Pon^
tifkate, he publiihed the articles of his league
with the Emperor, in order to demonftrate the
pious intention of their cohfederacy, as well as
to difplay his own zeal, which prompted him to
make fuch extraordinary efforts for maintaining
the faith in its purity. Not fatisfied with this,
he foon after iffued a bull, containing moft libe-
ral promifes of indulgence to all who fliould en-
gage in this holy.enterprize, together with warm
exhortations to fuch as cpuld not bear a part in
it themfelves, to increafe the fervour of their
prayers, and the feverity of their mortifications,
that they might draw down the blefling of Hea-
ven upon thofe who undertook it^ Nor was it
zeal alone which pufhed the Pope to make decla-
rations fo inconfiftent with the account which the
pmperor himfelf gave of his motives for taking
arms. He was much fcandalized at Charles's
^iffimulation in fuch a cayfe j at his feeming to •
* Du Mont Corp? Dip?om#
: . be
»5jo THEREIGNOFTHE
B ^ o K be afhamed of owning his zeal for the church.^
^■■v^j and at his endeavours to nriake that pais for a po-
*54^' litical conteft, which he. ought to have gloried in
as a war which had no other objeft than the de-
• fence of religion. With as much folicitude,
therefore, as the Emperor laboured to difguiie
the purpofe of the confederacy, did the Pope en-
deavour to publilh their real plan, in order that
they might conrye at once to an open rupture with
the Proteftants, that all hope of reconcilement
might be cut off, and that Charles might be
under fewer temptations, and have it lefs. in his
power than at prefent, to betray the interefts of
the church by any accommodation beneficial to
himfelf\
The Emperor, though not a litde offended at
the Pope's indifcretion or malice in making this
difcovery, continued boldly to purfue his own plan^
and to aflert his intentions to be no other than what
he had originally avowed. Several erf* the Proteftant
ftates, whom he had previoufly gained, thought
themfelves juftified, in fome meafure, by his deda-.
rations, for abandoning their affociates, and even
for giving affiftance to him.
The prcpu But thefe artifices did not impofe on the greater
Prac'fhnis'' ^nd founder part of the Proteftant confederates,
Iwn^"! They clearly perceived it to be againft the re-
ifAcc. formed religion that the Emperor had taken arms,
k F. Paul, i88, Tliuan.Hift. i. 6i.
an4
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 331
5ind that not only the fuppreffion of it, but the » o o 1^
extinftion of the German liberties, would be the v*. v '^
certain confequcnce of his obtaining fuch an en- '^***
tire iuperiority as would enable him to execute
his fchemes in their full extent. They determined
therefore, to prepare for their own defence, and
neither to renounce thofe religious truths, to the
knowledge of which they had attained by means fo
wonderful, nor to abandon tKofe civil rights
which had been tranfmitted to them by their an-
ceftors. In order to give the necefTary direftion^
for this purpofe, their <leputies met at Ulm,
foon after their abrupt departure from Ratifbon,
Their deliberations were now condufted with fuch
vigour and unanimity, as the imminent danger
which threatened them required. The contin-
gent of troops, which each of the confederate^
was to furnifli, having been fixed by the original
treaty of union, orders were given for bringing
them immediately into the field. Being fenfible,
at laft, that through the narrow prejudices of
fome of their members, and the imprudent fe-
curity of others, they had negle6ted too long to
ftrengthen themfelves by foreign alliances, they
now applied with great earneflnefs to the Venetians
and Swifs,
To the Venetians they reprefented the Empe- Theyfoii^t
ror*s intention of overturning the prefent fyflem [be ven«-
of Germany, and of raifing himfelf to abfolute *'"*'• ' '
power in that, country by means of foreign force
furnifhed
332 THE REIGN OF THE '
' VII? ^ fumifhed by the Popej they warned them how.
w -. *^ fatal this event would prove to the liberties of
'^♦^* Italy, and that by fufFering Charles to acquire
unliniited authority in the one country, they would
foon feel his donniivon to be no lefs delpotic in
the other ; they befought them, therefore, not to
grant a paiTage through their territories to thofe
troops, which ought to be treated as common
enemies, becaufe by fubdqing Germany they pre-
pared chains for the reft of Europe, Thefe re-
fleftions had not efcaped the fagacity of tliofe
■wife republicans. They had communicated their
fentiments to the Pope, and had endeavoured to
divert him from an alliance, which tended to
render irrefiftible the power of a potentate, whofe
ambition he already knew to be boundlefs. But
they had found Paul fo eager in the profecution
of his own plan, that he difregarded all their re-
monftrances K This attempt to alarm the Pope
having proved unfuccefsful, they declined doing
any thing more towards preventing the dangers
which they forefaw s and in return to the applica-
tion from the confederates of Smalkalde, they in-
formed them, that they could not obftruft the
march of the Pope's troops through an open coun-
try, but by levying an army ftrong enough to face
them in the field -, and that this would draw upon
themfelves the whole weight of his as well a^ of the
Emperor's indignation. For the fame reafon they
declined lending a fum of money, which the
^ Adrian] Ifloriadi faoi Tempi, llv. v. p» 332.
Eleftor
EMPEROR CHARLES V. jjj
Elefldr of Saxony and Landgrave propofed to bor- b o o !c
row of them, towards carrying on the war ". *- _ '_|
The demands of the confederates upon theSwifi or the
were not confined to the obftrufting of the en-
trance of foreigners into Germany 5 they required
of them, as the neareft neighbours and clofeft: allies
of the Empire, to interpofe with their wonted
vigour for the prefervation of its liberties, and not
to ftand as iriadtive Ipeftators, while their brethren
were opprefled and enflaved. But with whatever
zeal the reformed Cantons might have been dif-
pofed to aft when the caufe of the Reformation
was in danger, the Helvetic body was fb divided
with regard to religion, as to render it unfafe for
the Proteftants to take any ftcp without confulting
their Catholic aflbciates; and among them the
emiflaries of the Pope and Emperor had fuch in-
fluence, that a refolution of maintaining an exa<ft
neutrality between the contending parties,' was the
utmoft which could be procured °. .
Being difappointed in both thefe applic'ktions, or ramcit
the Proteftants, not long after, had recourfe to Jj vm.'"'
the Kings of France and England ^ the approach
of danger either overcoming the Eleftor of
Saxony's fcruples, or obliging him to yield to the '^
importunities of his affociates. The fituation of
*. Slfid. 3S1. Paruta Iftor. Vcnct. torn. iv. iSo. Lam-
bertus Hortehfius de Bello Germanico, spud Scardiaro, vol.
ii. p. 547.
» Slcid. 392,
the
3j4 tH£ REIGlSr OF THE
* vin ^ ^^^ Monarchs flattered them with hopes of
L^^^^-^ fuccefs. Though hoftilities between them had
*^*^' continued for fome tirhe after the peace of Creipy^
they became weary at laft of a war, attended with
tio glory or advantage to either, and had lately tcr-^
minatod all their differences by a peace conduded
at Campe near Ardres. Francis having with great
difficulty procured his allies, the Scots, to be in-
cluded in the treaty, in return for that conceffion
he engaged to pay a great fum, which Henry
demanded as due to him on feveral accounts, and
he left Boulogne in the hands of the Englilh, as a
pledge for his faithful performance of that artick.
. But though the re-eftablifhment of peace feemed
to leave the two Monarchs at liberty to turn their
attention towards Germany, fo unfortunate were
the Proteflants, that they derived no immediate
advantage from this circumftance. Henry ap-
peared unwilling to enter into any alliance with
them, but on fuch conditions as would render-
him not only the head, but the fupreme dircdlor
of their league; a pre-eminence which, as the
bonds of union or intereft between them were but
feeble, and as he differed from them fo widely
in his religious fentiments, they had no inclination
to admit **. Francis, more powerfully inclined by
% political confiderations to afford them afEftance,
found his kingdom fo much exhaufted by a long
war, and was fo much afraid of ifritating the
Pope, by entering into clofe union with excona-
•• Rymer, xv. 93, Herbert, 258,
5 municated
^ EMPEROR CMARLES'V. 33^
ttiunicated heretics, that he durft not undertake b ^ « ^
the proteftion of the Smalkaldic league. By this w-v-.,^
ill-timed caution, or by a fuperftitious deference to '^"^ *
fcruples, to which at other times he was not much
addifted, he loft the moft promiling opportunity of
mortifying and diftrcfling his rival, which prefcnted
itfelf during his whole reign.
But, notwithftanding their ill fuccefs in their Protcftanti
ne^ciations with foreign courts, the confederates field with a
found no difficulty at home, in twinging a fuffi- ^'"' ***"'*
cient force into the field. Germany abounded at
that time in inhabitant?; the feudal inftitutions,
which fubfifted in full force, enabled the nobles
to call out their numerous vaffals, and to put '
them ill motion on the Ihorteft warnings the
martial fpirit of the Germans, not broken or ener-
vated by the introdu6tion of commerce and arts,
had acquired additional vigour during the- con-
tinual wars in which they had been employed, for
half a century, either in the pay of the Epnperors,
or the Kings of France. Upon every opporuinity
of entering into fervice, they were accuflomed to
run eagerly to arms s and to every ftandard that
was erefted, volunteers flocked from all quarters p.
Zeal feconded, on this occafion, their native ar-.
dour. Men on whom the doftrines of the Re- r
formation had made that deep impreflion which
accompanies truth when firft difcovered, prepared
to maintain it with proportional vigour i and
P Seek. 1. iii. i6t*
among
3i6 THE REIGN OF THE^
• vii? ^ ^^o^g 21 warlike people, it appeared infamous
u.-y'^ to remain inaftivc, when the defence of religion
'^^^ was the motive for taking arms. Accident com-
bined with all thefe circumftances in faciliuting
the levy of foldiers among the confederates. A
confiderable number of Germans, in the pay of
France, being difmifled by the King on the pro-
Ipeft of peace with England, joined in a body the
ftandard of the Proteftants ''. By fuch a concur-
rence of caufes, they were enabled to aflemble iti
a few weeks an army compofed of feventy thou-
land foot and fifteen thoufand horfe, provided
with a train of an hundred and twenty cannon,
eight hundred ammunition waggons, eight thou-
fand beads of burden, and fix thoufand pioneers '.
This army, one of the moft numerous, and un-
doubtedly the befl: appointed^ of any which had
been levied in Europe during that century, did
not require the united effort of the whole Pro-
tcftant body to raife it. The Eleftor of Saxony,
the Landgrave of Hefle, the Duke of Wurtemberg,
the Princes of Anhalt, and the Imperial cities of
Aufbourg, Ulm, and Strafburg, were the only
powers which contributed towards this great arma-
ment : the Eledors of Cologne, of Brandenburg,
and the Count Palatine, overawed by the Emperor's
threats, or deceived by his profeffions, remained
neuter. John marquis of Brandenburg Bareith,
« Thaan. 1. i. 6^.
' Thuan. ]. i. 6oi. Ludovici ab Avila 8c Zuniga Com-
mentariorum de Bel. Germ. lib. duo. Antw. 1550. i2ino.
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
and Albert of Brandenburg Anipach> though both
early converts to Lutheranifin^ entered openly
into the Emperor's fervice, Undfcr pretext of hav- '^^
ing obtained his promife for the fecurity of the
Proteftant religion $ and Maurice of Saxony loon
followed their exaniple.
The number of their troops, as well as the Theineqw.
amazing rapidity wherewith they had aflembled Emperor*^
them, aftonilhed the Emperor, and filled him SS»**
widi the moft difquieting apprehenfions. He was»
indeed, in no condition to refift fuch a mighty
force. Shut up in Ratifbon, a town of no great
ftrength, whofe inhabitants, being moftly Lu*
therans, would have been more ready to betray
than to afiift him, with only three thoufand Spanifh
foot, who had ferved in Hungary, and about five
thoufand Germans who had joined him fi'om dif-*
ferent parts of the Empire, he muft have been
overwhelmed by the approach of fuch a formidable
army, which he could not fight, nor could he even
hope to retreat from it in fafety. The Pope's
troops^ though in full march to his relief^ had
hardly reaphed the frontiers of Germany i the forces
which he expeftcd from the Low-Countries had
not yet begun to move, and were even far fronj
being complete *. His fituation, however, called
for more immediate fuccour, nor did it feem
prafticable for him to wait for fuch diftant auxilir
aries, with whom his junftion was fo precarious.
* Slni. 3S9. Avils, 8. a.
Vol. III. Z BvT
33$ THE REIGN OF THE
^P ^^ Rui* k happened for tunately for Charks, that
i_ ^ ' - ij)<t confederates did not avail themfdves of the
Thl^- advantage which lay fo.futt in their view. In civil
prademiy yifsTs^ the firft ftcDs. arc commonlv taken with
IlfEOC13t6
infteadof fnuch^ timidity and heUta^on. Men are ibli-
"** citous, at that time, to put on the' iembknce of
moderation and equity 5 they ftrive to gain parti-
fans by fe^ming to adhere ftriftly to known forms;
nor can they be brought, at once, to violate thofe
eftabliihed inftitutions, which in times of tran*
quillity they have beejl accuftomed to reverence,-
hence tfeeir proceedings are crften fteble or di-
latory, when they ought to be^ meft vigorous
afid-doeifiVev InfllieRced by thofe confidcrations,
^ which> hajjpily for the peace of fociety, operate
powerfully on die human mind, the confederates
Gould not- think of throwing off that allegiance
which they owed to. the head of the Empire,
or of turning their arm* againft him without
one fokmn appeal more to his candour, and to
the impartial judgment of their fellow-fulgeds.
July 15. For this purpofc, they addreflbd a letter to the
Emperor, and a manifeflSo to all the inhabitants
of Germany. The tenour of both was the iame.
They reprefehted their own conduft with regard
t6 civil aflS^irs as dutiful and fubmiflive; they
mentioned the inviolable union in- which they had
lived widi the Emperor,- as well as the many and
recent marks of his good-will and gratitude where-
withal they had been- honoured i they aflerted re-
ligion to be the fole caufe of the violence which
the Emperor now meditated againft them> and.-in
' ' 10 proof
proof of this produced many arguments to con- ^ o o k
Vince thofe who were fo weak as to be deceived l-^-'uJ
by the irtifiees with which he endeavoured to *^'*^'
cover his real intentions j they declared their owii
^efolution to rilk every thing in maintenance of
theif religious r^ts, arid foretold the diflblutioii
of the German conftitution, if the Emperor fhoiild
finally prevail againft them V
CfiTARLESi though in fuch a perilous fituatioh- TheEmpe-
as might have infpired him with moderate fenti-* [Z^^^
ments, appeared as inflexible ' and haUghty as if JteEmh
his affairs had been in the moft profperbus ftate, Joiy »«.
His only reply to the addrefs and manifefto of the
Proteftahts, was- to publifh the ban of. the Empire
againft the Elefbor of Saxony and Landgrave of
Hcflc, their leaders, and againft all who fliould
dare to affift them. By this fentence, the ulti- *
ntate and moft rigorous one which the German
jurilprudence has provided for the punilhment of
6raitots, oi* enemies to their Country, they were
declared rebels arid outlaws, and deprived of
evciy privilege which they enjoyed as members
of the Germanic bodyj their goods were confif-
catcdi their fubjefts abfolved from their oath of
allegiance; ^and it became not only lawftil but
meritorious to invade their territories. The nobles,
and free cities, who framed or perfefted the con-
ftitution of the German government, had not been
fo negligent of their owa fafety and privileges as to
^ Sleid. 384.
Z a truft
340 THE REIGN OF THE
* vin ^ ^^ *^ Emperor with this formidable juriidiftioii.
c ^^^mj The authority of a diet of the Empire ought to
'^^* have been interpofed before any of its members
could be put under the ban. But. Charles over-
looked that formality, well knowing that, if his
arms were crowned with fuccefs, there would re-
main none who would have either power or cou-
rage to call in queftion what he had done ". The
Emperor, however, did not found his fentence
againft the Eledor and Landgrave on their revolt
from the* eftablifhed church, or their conduft
with regard to religion ; he afFefted to affign for
it rcafons purely civil, and thofe too exprefled in
fuch general and ambiguous terms, without
fpccifying the nature or circumftances of their
guilt, as rendered it more like an aft of defpotic
power than of a legal and limited jurifdiftion.
Nor was it altogether from choice, or to conceal
his intentions, that Charles Iiad recourfe to the
ambiguity of general expreffionss but he durft
not mention too particularly the caufcs of his fen-
tence, as every aftion which he could have charged
upon the Eleftor and Landgrave as a crime, might
have been employed with equal juftice to condemn
many of the Proteftants whom he ftill pretended
to confider as faithful fubjefts, and whom it
would have been extremely imprudent to alarm
or difguft.
■ SleiJ. 386. Du Mont Corps DipTom. iv. p. 11. 314.
FfcficJ Hifl. Abregc du Droit Publ, 168. 736. 158.
The
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 341
•
The confederates, now perceiving all hopes of * ^ J^ ^
accommodation to be at an end, had only to c ^y^;^
choofe whether they would fubmit without refervc TfcJy m1
to the Emperor's will, or proceed to open hoftili- l^*^^^^
ties. They were not deftitutc either of public charUi. .
Ipirit or of refohition to make the proper choice.
A few days after the ban of the Empire was pub-
lifhed, they, according to the cuftom of that age,
fent a herdd to the Imperial camp with a folemn
declaration of war againft Charles, to whom they
no longer gave any other title than that of pre-
tended Emperor, and renounced aU allegiance, ho-
mage, or duty which he might claim, or which they
had hitherto yielded to him. But previous to this
formality, part of their troops had begun to aft.'
The command of a confiderablc liody of men TheirfJr*
raifcd by the city of Augfbui^ having been given ^^•'*"*^"* ^
to Sebaftian Schertcl, a foldier of fortune, who
by the booty that he got when the Imperialifts
plundered Rome, together with the merit of long
fervice, had acquired wealth and authority which
placed him on a level with the chief of the Ger-
man nobles: that gallant veteran refolvcd, before
he joined the main body of the confederates, to
attempt fomcthing fuitable to his former fame,
and to the cxpeftation of his countrymen. As
the Pope's forces were haftening towards Tyrol,
in order to penetrate into Germany by the nar-
row pailes through the mountains which run acrofs
that country, he advanced thither with the utmoft
rapidity, and feizcd Ehrenberg and Cuffftein,
two ftrong caftles which commanded the principal
Z 3 defiles.
342 THE REIGN OF THE
» vii? ^ d^fil^s. Without ftopping a moment, he con-^
c-,-^ tinued his march towards Infpruck, by getting
^54^* poffeflion of which he would have obliged the
Italians to Hop (hort, and with a fmall body of men
could have refitted all the efForps of the greateft
armies. Caftlcalto, the governor of Trent, know-
' ing what a fatal blow this would be to the Empe-
ror, all whofe defigns muft have proved abortive
if his Italian auxiliaries had been intercq)tcd4
raifed a few troops with the u(moft diipatch, and
threw himfelf into the town. Schertel, however,
^d not abandon the enterprize, and w?s prepar-
ing to attack . the place, when the intelligence of
the approach of the Italians, and an prder from
the Elector and Landgraye, obliged hiip (o defift.
By his retreat the pafies yfcrc left open^ and the
Italians entered Germany without any oppofition^
\>\it from the garrifons which Schcrtd had placed
in Ehrenberg and Cuffftein, and thefe, having no
hopes of being relieved, furrender?d, after a fhort
fefiftance^ *•
* Seckend. lib. ii. 70, Adrian! liloria di fuoi Tempi, lib,
335-
* Seckendorf, the indoftrioas author of the Coin men tarioa
Apologe^icus de Lutheraqifmo, whom I have fo long asd
Safely followed as my guide in German affairs, was a de«
fcendent from Schertcl. With the care and foHcitode of a
German, who was himfelf of noble birth, Seckendorf haa
published a long digreffipn concerning his anceftor, calcnl^te^
chiefly to ibow how;Schertel waa ennobled, aod bis poiflerity
allied to many of ^he moft ancient families in the Empire*
y^mong other curious particulars, he gives as an account of
)>is wealth, the Chief four^c of v^luch was the plunder he got
EMPEROU CHARLES V. - 343
NcML was the recaHrhg rf Schertel the only • ^' ^ *
error of trhkh the confederates were guilty. As <^ .i,^ -j
the foprcmc command of their army was com-^ .n/fitcoo-
mtttcd» in terms of the* league of Smalkaide, to *^"^
the Eleftor of Saxony and Landgrave of Hefie
with equal power, ail the inconveniencies arif-
ing from a divided and co-ordinate authority,
which is always of fatal confcquence in the opera*
rions of war, were immediate]^ felt. The Elec-*
tor, thou^ intrepid in his own petfon to excels^
and mod ardendy zealous in the cauie, was flow
in deliberjiting, uncertain as well as irrefolute in
his determinations, and conftantly preferred mea-
fures which were cautious and fafe, tp fuch as
were bold or decifive. The Landgrave, of a
more a&ive and enterprifing nature, formed all
his reiblutbns with promptitude, wlflied to exe^
wtc them with ^irit, and unSbrmly preferred
fisch meafures as tended to bring the conteft to a '
i^edy ifiue. Thus their maxims, with regard .
to the conduA of the war, differed as widely aa
thofe by which they were influenced in preparing
fin- it. Such perpetual contrariety in tiieir fenti-
ments gave rife, inc^erceptibly, to jealoufy and
die ijMrit of contention. Thefe multiplied die
diflenfions^ flowing from the incompatibility of
their natural tempers, and rendered ihf^m won
9t Rome. His landed eft«te alone was fold by his grandfooc
for fix hundred thoafand florins. By this we may form fome
idea of the riches'amafled by the ConJattieri, or commandert
of mefcenary bands in (hat age. At the cakiiig of Roma
Sckeriel was only a captain. 8eckend. Ub. it. 7 j.
Z 4 violent.
yor.
344 THE REIGN OF THE
* vin ^ vi^^lc'^t. The other members of the league con-
k ^ " '^mm* iidering themfelves as independent, and fubjeft
'^^^ to the Eleftor and Landgrave, only in confe-
quence of the articles of a voluntary confederacy,
did hot long retain a proper veneration for com-
manders who proceeded with fo litde concord ^
^d the numerous army of the Proteftants, like a
vad machine whofe parts are ill compared, and
which is deftitute of any power fufficient to move
and regulate the whole, afted with no confiftency,
vigour, or effcd.
TbePop^'t The Emperor, who was afraid that, by re-
troops jam .. Vi-/. t -i j--r
the Empe. maining at Ratifbon, he might render it impoi-
fible for the Pope's forces to join him, having
boldly advanced to Landfhut on the lier, the
confederates loft fome days in deliberating whe-
ther it was proper to follow him into the territo-
ries of the Duke of Bavaria, a neutral Prince.
When at laft they furmountcd that fcruplc, and
began to move towards his camp, they lliddenly
^bandone^ the defign, and haftened to attack
Ratift>on, in which town Charles could leave only
a fmall ganifon. By this time the Papal troops,
amounting folly to that nun^ber which Paul had
ftipulated to fornifh, had reached Landfhut, and
were foon followed by fix thoufand Spaniards of
the veteran bands ftationed in Naples. The con-
federates, after Schertel's Ipirited but fruitlefs
expedition, feem to have permitted thefe forces
to advance unmolefted to the place of rendez-
vous, without any attempt to attack either them
or
EMPEROU CHARLES V. 345
or the Emperor fcparatcly, or to prevent their book
jundtion *. The Imperial army amounted now to wy^
thirty-fix thoufand men, and was' ftill more for- '^♦^
midable by the difcipline and valour of the troops,
than by their number. Avila, commendador of
Alcantara, who had been prefent in all the wars
carried on by Charles, and had ferved in the
armies which gained the memorable vidtdry at
Pavia, which conquered Tunis, and invaded
France, gives this the preference to any military
force he had ever Icen aflembled ^. Odavio Far-
nefe, the Pope's grandfon, affifted by the ableft
officers formed in the long wars between Charles
and Francis, commanded the Italian auxiliaries.
His brother, the Cardinal Farnefe,, accompanied
him as Papal legate; and in order to give the
war the appearance of a religious enterprize, he
propofed to march at the head of the army, with
a crofs carried before him, and to publiih indul-
gences wherever he came, to all who Ihould give
them any affiftance, as had anciently been the
pra6tice in the Crufades againft the Infidels. But
this the Emperor ftriftly prohibited, as incon-
fiftcnt with ^11 the declarations which he had
made to the Germans of his own party; and the
legate perceiving, to his aftonilhment, that the
cxercife of the Proteftant religion, the extirpa-
tion of which he confidered a$ the fole objedt of
jhe war, was publicly permitted in the Imperial
camp, foon returned in difguft to Italy *.
> Adriaoi Hona de fuoi Tempi, lib. v. 34P.
y Avila, 18. » F. Paul, 191-
The
3+6 . THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK Thj amirai of diefe* troops enabled the Empc-
vrT-v:=^ For tx> &nd fuch ^ reinforcement to the g^rriian
'5*^' at Rfttifton, that the CQO&dcitrtes, xelinquifliii^
^ hopes of reducing, tiukt town^ mardied towards
Ingpldftadt on the Danube, near cso which Charles
Wft9 now encamped. They exclaimed loudly
^g^inft' the Emperor's notorious vidation of the
bws and conilitudon of the Empire^ in having^
^^ed in foreigners to lay wafte Germany^ and to
~ ^pre(s its liberties. As in that age, the domi*
nion of the Roman See was fo odious to the Pro-
teftmts, that the name of the Pope alone was
fu^cient to infpire them mth horror at ^ly en-
terprise which he txatintenanccd, and to raife in
tJieir 'minds the blackeft fufpicions, it came to be
univerfally believed among them, that Paul, not
fatisfied mth attacking diem openly by force of
arms, had difperfed his emiflaries all over Ger*
many, to fet on fire their towns and magazines,
and to poifon the wells and fountains of water.
Nor did this rumour, which was extravagant and
frightful enough to make a deep impreflion on die
credulity of the vulgar, fpread among them only;
even the leaders of the party, blinded by their
prejudices, publilhed a declaration, in which they
accufed the Pope of having employed fuch Anti-
chriftiaa and diabolical arts againft them*. Thefe
icntiments of the confederates were confirmed, in
fome meafure, by the behaviour of the Papal
troops, who, thinking nothing too rigorous to-
* Sleid. 399.
wards
EMPEROjR CI?ARLES V. 347
wards heretics anathematized by^ the church, wefe ^ 90 ^,
guilty of great exceifes in ;he territories of the « — v^Jl^
JLiUtheran States, and aggravated the calamities <:f '^^
waTj by ipingling w^th it aU the cruelty of bigoted
?eal.
The firft pperations in the field, however, di4 Theeoufc.
not correfpond with the violence of thofc paflion^ Tairc?*to/
which animated individuals. The Emperor l>a4 imX^a
prudently taken the relblution of avoiding ari ""y*
adtion with an enemy fi) far fuperior in number ^^
clpecialiy as he forefaw that nothing- could keep
^ body compofed of fo many and fuch diflimilar
members from falling, to pieces, but the prefling
to attack it with an inconliderate precipitancy.
The confederates, though it was no lefs evident
that to them every moment's delay was pernicious,
were ftill prevented by the weaknefs or divifion
of their leaders from exerting that vigour, with
which their fituation, as well as the ardour of their
ibldiers, ought to have infpired them. On their A«|»i 29^
arrival at Ingoldftadt, they found the Emperor
in a camp not remarkable for ftrength, and fur*
rounded only by a flight entrenchment. Before
the camp lay a plain of fuch extent, as afforded
fufiicient Ipace for drawing out their whok army,
and bringing it to aft at once. Every confider-
ation ihoul4 have determined them to have fcized
this oppoftunity of attacking the Emperor; an4
jheir great fuperiority in numbers, the cagerneis of
jhejr troops, together with the liability of the
* Avila, 78, a.
German
348 THE REIGN OF THE
* vn? ^ German infantry in pitched battles, afFordcd them
w-^^-w the moft probable expeftation of vidtorjr. The
'^^* Landgrave urged this with great warmth, declar-
ing that if the fole command were vefted in him,
he would terminate the war on that occafion, and
decide by one general aftion the fate of the two
parties. But the Eleftor, refleding on the valour
and difcipline of the enemy's forcesj animated by
the prefencc of the fimperor, and condufted by
the bcft officers of the age, would not venture
upon an aftion, which he thought to be fo doubt-
ful, as the attacking fuch a body of veterans on
ground which they themfelves had chofen, and
while covered by fortifications which,- though
imperfeft, would afford them no fmall advantage
^ in the combat. Notwithftanding his hefitation
and remonftrances, it was agreed to advance to-
wards thje enemy's camp, in battle array, in order
to make a trial whether by that infult, and by a
furious cannonade which they began, they could
draw the Imperialifts out of dieir works. But the
Emperor had too much fagacity to fall into this
TbeEmpe^ fnore. Hc adhered to his own fyftcm with in-
rhaukr** flexible conftancy; and drawing up his fbldiers
behind their trenches, that they might be ready
to receive the confederates if they fhould venture
upon an affault, calmly waited their approach,
and carefully reftraincd his. own men from any
excurfions or Ikirmifhes which might bring on a
general engagement. Meanwhile, he rode along
the lines, and addreffing the troops of the different
nations in dieir own language, encouraged them
by the cheerfulnefs of his voice and countenance.
he
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 349
he expofed himfelf in places of grcatcft danger, book
and amidft the warmeft fire of the enemy's ar-
tillery, the moft numerous that had hitherto been
brought into the field by any army. Roufcd by
his example, not a man quitted his ranks; it was
thought infamous to difcover any fymptom of fear
when the Emperor appeared fo intrepid j and the
mcaneft foldier plainly perceived, that their dcr
dining the combat at prefent was not the efFeft
of timidity in their, general, but the refult of a
well-grounded caution. The confederates, after
firing feveral hours on die Imperialifts, with more
noife and terror than execution, feeing no pro-
fpeft of alluring them to fight on equal terms,
retired to their own camp. The Emperor cm-
ployed the night with fuch diligence in ftrength-
ening his works, that the confederates, returning , •
to 'the cannonade next day, found that, though
they had now been willing to venture upon fuch
a bold experiment, the opportunity of making an
attack with advantage was loft%
After fiich a difcovcry of the feeblenels or TheFte.
irrefolution of their leaders, and the prudence as j^J^iT''
weD as firmnefs of the Emperor's conduft, the ^^^^*
confederates turned their whole attention towards
preventing the arrival of a powerful reinforcement '»
of ten thoufand foot, and four thoufand horfe,
which the count de Buren was bringing to the
Emperor from the Low-Countries. But though
« Sleid. 395. 397. Avila, 27, a. Lamb. HorcenA ap.
Scard. ii*
that
ft o o f:
Vlll.
350 THE REIGN OF Tllfe
that generd hald to traVciffe fuch air extent of
cotiittry ; though . His route lay through the terri-
^^^ torids 6( fev6ral ftates warmly dil|x)fed to favour
the confederated; though they were apprized of
his approach, and by their Superiority in numbers
. might eafily have detached^ a force fufficient to
overpower him, he advanced With liich rapidity,
dnd by luch well-concerted movements^ while they
oppofed him with fuch rertiiffnefs, and {o little
rtnilitary (kill, that he condnfttfd this body to the
Imperial camp without any' lofs ^
Sept* TO*
Upon ^e arrival of the Flerfiings, in whoiVi he
placed great confidence, the £mperor altered, in
fome degree, his plaA of operations^ and began
tp aft mcwe upon the ofFenfive, though he ftill
avoided a battle with the utmoft induftry. He
made himfelf mafter of Neuburg, Dillingen, and
DonafWert on the Danube; of Nordlingen, and
fcver^l other towns, fituated on the niofk confi-
derable dreams which fall into that mighty riven
By this he got the command of a great extent of
cbuntry, though- not without being obliged to
engage in fcveral fharp encounters, of which the
iuccefs was various, nor without being expofed,
oftener than once, to the danger of being drawn
•titeof- info a battle. Jn this manner the whole autumn
was fpent i neither party gained any remarkable
fuperiority over the other, and nothing was yet
done towards bringing the war to a period. The
Emperor - had often foretold, with confidence,
^ Slcid. 4035
that
bulbar mietk
EMPEROR CHAALES V. ' • J51
&at difcord and the want of money wou&l cottipel ^ ^^^ ^
the confederates^ to difjperfe diat unwieldy body, u>-^-%w
which they had' neither abilities to guide riof '^^^
fUhds to Fuppoit*. Thbugh he waited with im-
patience for the accompliftinftent of his pfediftion,
there was no prolpcdt of that event being at hand.
But he himfelf began to fufFcr from the Want .
of fbr^;e and provifions; even the Catholic
provinces being fo much incenfed at the intro-
du6Hon of foreigners into the Empire, that they
forniflhed them with relurft^ncef, while the camp of
the confederates abounded with a prbfulion of all
neceflkries, which the zeal of their friends in the
adjacent countries poured in with the utmoft li-
berality and good will. Great numbers of the
Italians and Spaniards, unaccuftomcd to the cli-
mate or' food* of Germany, were become unfit for
fervicc through ffcknefs^ ' Confiderable arrears
were now due to the troops, who had fcarcely
received any money from the beginning of the
campaign's the Emperor,, experiencing on this,.
as well as on* former occafions, that fiis jurifdic-
rion was more extenfive than his revenues^ and
that the former enabled him to affemble a greater
numJ^er of foldiers, than the latter werfc fufEcient
to fupport* Upon all thefe accounts, he found it-
drfficuk to keep his army in the fields fome o{
his ableft generals, and even the Dukeof Alvji
a Joach. Camerario, ap. Freherura, vol. lii. p. 4^9.
^ Camcrar. ap Fi-ehcr. ^S^*
himfelf
352 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK himfclf, pcrfevering and obftinatc as he ulually
%^.^^1^ was in the profecution of every meafurc^ advifing
*5^^* him to dilperfe his troops into winter-quarters*
But as the arguments urged againf): any plan
which he had adopted, rarely made much imprcf-
fion upon the Emperor, he paid no regard to their
opinion, and determined to continue his efforts
in order to weary out the confederates; being
well aflured that if he could once oblige them to
feparate,. there was litde probability of their
uniting again in a body ^. Still, however, it re-
mained a doubtful point, whether his lleadinefs
was mofl likely to fail, or their zeal to be ex-
haufted. It was flill uncertain which party, by
firft dividing its forces, would give the fupe-
riority to the other; when an unexpected event
decided the conteft, and occafioned a fatal reverie
in the affairs of the confederates*
Scbcnes of
MattHce of •
Maurice of Saxony having infinuated himlelf
slwiyV "' into the Emperor's confidence, by the arts which
have already been defcribed, no fooner faw hofti-
lities ready to break out between the confederates
of Smalkalde and that monarch, than vaft pro-
fpefts of ambition began to open upon him. That
portion of Saxony, which defcendcd to him from
his anceftors, was far from fatisfying his afpiring
mind; and he perceived with pleafurc the ap-
proach of civil war, as amidft the revolutions and
convulfions occafioned by it, opportunities <^
K Thuan. 83*
acquiring
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 3S3
BO O K
- VIII.
acquiring additional power or dignity, which at
other times are fought in vain, prefent themfelves
to an enterprifing Ipirit. As he was thoroughly '^* '
acquainted with the ftate of the two contending
parties, and the qualities of their leaders, he did
not hefitate long in determining on which fide the
greateft advantages were to be expefted. Having
revolved all thefe things in his o^n breaft, and
having taken his final refolution of joining the
Emperor, he prudently determined to declare
early in his favour; that by the merit of this,
he might acquire a title to a proportional recom-
penfe. With this view, he had' repaired to Ra-
ti/bon in the month of May, under pretext of
attending the diet; and after many conferences Hjiifagoe
with Charles or his minifters, he, with the moft Emperor,
myfterious fecrecy, concluded a treaty, in which
he engaged to concur in affifting the Emperor as
a faithful fubjeft j and Charles, in return, ftipu-
lated to beftow on him all the fpoils of the Eleftor
of Saxony, his dignities as well as territories *.
Hiftory hardly records any treaty that can be
confidered as a more manifeft violation of the
moft powerful principles which ought to influence •
human aftions. Maurice, a profefTed Proteftant,
at a time when the belief of religion, as well as
ze4 for its interefts, took ftrong pofTeflion of
every mind, binds himfelf to contribute his aflift-
ance towards carrying on a war which had mani*
^ Haraci Anna!. Brabant, vol. i. 638. Straifii Corp, 1048.
Thoan. 84..
Vol. III. A a fcftly
354 THE REIGN OF THE
* via ^ ^'^^^y ^^ ^^^^^ obje£b than the extirpation of the
C .^y-~> Proteftant doftrines. He engages to toke arms
'^^^' againft his father-in-law, and to ftrip his neareft
relation of his honours and dominions. He joins
a dubious friend againft a known benefeftor, to
whom his obligations were both great and recent.
Nor was the Prince who ventured upon all this,
one of thofe audacious politicians, who, provided
they can accomplilh their ends, and fecure their
intereft, avowedly difregard the moft facred obli-
gations, and glory in contemning whatever is ho-
nourable or decent- .Maurice's conduft, if the
whole muft be afcribed to policy, was more artful
and maftcrly ; he executed his plan in all its parts,
and yet endeavoured to preferve, in every ftep
which he took, the appearance of what was &ir,
and virtuous, and laudable. It is probable, horn
his fubfequent behaviour, that, with regard to
the Proteftant religion at leaft, his intentions were
upright, that he fondly trufted to the Emperor's
promifes for its fccurity, but that, according to
the fate of all who refine too much in poHcy, and
who tread in dark and crooked paths, in attempt-
ing to deceive others, he himfelf was, in fiwnc de-
gree, deceived.
*
Hh artifices His firft care> however, was to keep the cn-
jn order to , i • t i t t / • * i
conceal his gagemcnts into which he had entered with the
laicnuons. ];; i^^peror clofely concealed : and fo perfe6k a maftcr
waji he in the art of diffimulation, that the confe-
derates, notwithfianding his declining all connexions
with diem, and his remarkable afliduity in paying
court
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 3S5
tourt to the Empefor, feezed to have entertained ^ ^^^ ^
no-fulpicioh of his defign^. £t^en the Eleftor of ^ -'■v- - J '
Saxony, when he marched dt the beginning of the '^* '
campaign to join his rfffotiatfcs, committed his
dominions to Maurice's proteftion, whi(;:h he, with
ah infidiotis appearance of frieridfhip, readily un-
dertook *. But ftitrcely had the Eleftor taken the
field, when M^rice began to confult privately
with the King of the Rofnans how to' invade thofe
very territories, with the defence of which he was
entrcrfted. Soon after, the Emperor fent him a
copy of the Imf)erial ban • denoiineed againft the
Elector and Landgrave* As he \^as next heir to
the former, and particularly iriterefted in pre-
venting ftfangers from getting his dominions into
their pofleflioti, Charles required him, not only
fof his own fake, but upon the allegiance and
duty which he owed to the head of the Empire,
inftaritly to feize and detain in his hands the for-
feited eftates of the Eledtorj warning him, at the
fame time, that if he neglefted to obey thefe
commands, he fhould be held as acceflary to the
crimes of his kinfman, and be liable to the fame
punishment ^.
This artifice, which it h probable Maurice
himfelf fuggeffed, was employed by' him in or-
der that his coriduft towards the Ele6tor might •
feem a matter of neceffity but not of choice, an
aft of obedience to his fuperior, rather than a
* Struvii Corp. 1046. ^ SIcid, 391. Thuan. 84.
A a a voluntary
^S6 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK voluntary invafion of the rights of his kinfman
C-->v-^-^ and ally. But in order to give fome more (pe-
'^^^' cioys appearance to this thin veil with which he
endeavoured to cover his ambition, he, foon
after his return from Ratifbon, had called toge-
ther the dates of his country j and reprefenting to
them that a civil war between the Emperor and
, cpnfederates of Smalkalde was now become un-
avoidable, defired their advice with regard to the
part which he fhould a6l in that event. They
having been prepared, no doubt, and tutored be-
fore-hand, and being defirous of gratifying their
Prince, whom they efteemed as well as loved, gave
fuch counfel as they knew would be moft agree-
able i advifirig him to offer his mediation towards
reconciling the contending parties ; but if that
were rejefted, and he could obtain proper fecurity
for the Proteftant religion, they delivered it as
their opinion that, in all other points, he ought
to yield obedience to the Emperor. Upon re-
ceiving the Imperial refcript, together with the
ban againft the Eledor and Landgrave, Maurice
fiimmoncd the ftates of his country a fecond time;
he laid before them the orders which he had re-
ceived, and mentioned the punifhment with which
he was threatened ia cafe of difobedience -, he ac-
quainted diem that the confederates had refufed
to admit of his mediation, and that the Emperor
had given him the moft fatisfadory declarations
with regard to religion ; he pointed out his Qwn
intereft in fecuring pollcfllon of the ele6toral do-
minions, as well as the danger of allowing fb-an-t
gera
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 357
gers to obtain an eftablilhnient in Saxony s and ^ ^^^ ^
upon the whole, as the point under deliberation ' — - -^
refpefted his fubjefts no lefs than himfelf, he de- ''** '
fired to know their fentiments, how he (hould
fleer' in that difficult and arduous conjun£ture.
The ftates, no lefs obfequious and complaifant
than formerly, profeffing their own reliance on the
Emperor's promifes as a perfeft fccurity for their
religion, propofed that, before he had recourfe to
more violent methods, they would ^ write to the
Elcftor, exhorting him, as the beil means, not
only of appeafing the Emperor, but of prevent-
ing his dominions from being feized by foreign or
hoftilc powers, to give his confent that Maurice
fliould take pofleffion of them quietly and without
oppofition. Maurice himfelf feconded their argu-
ments in a letter to the Landgrave, his father-in-
law. SCch an extravagant propofition was rejefted '
with the fcorn and indignation which it dcferved.
The Landgrave, in return to Maurice, taxed him
with his treachery and ingratitude towards a kinf-
man to whom he was fo deeply indebted i he
treated with contempt his afFeftation of executing
the Imperial ban, which he could not but know
to be altogether void, by the unconftitutional and
arbitrary manner in which it had been iffued 5 he
befought him, not to fuffer himfelf to be fo far
blinded by ambition, as to forget the obligations
of honour and friendfliip, or to betray the Pro-
teftant religion, the extirpation of which out of
Germany, even by the acknowledgment of the
A a 3 Pope
THE REIGN OF TH^
Pope himfelf, was the great objeft of the prefent
He invades BuT Mauricc had proceeded too far to be di-
rieVof"the' vcrCed from purfuing his plan by reproaches or
sixony."*^ arguments. Nothing now remained but to exc-
Novcmbcr. ^"^^ ^^^^ vigour, wh^t he had hitherto carried on
by artifice and diflimulation. Nor was his bold-
ncfs in aftion inferior to his fqbtlety iff contri-
vance. Having aflembled aboyt twelve thoufand
men, he fuddenly invaded one part of the eledloral
provinces, while Ferdinand, with an army com-
pofed of Bohemians and Hungarians^, overran
the other. Maurice, in two iharp encounters,
defeated the troops which the Eleftor had left to
guard his country; and improving thefe advan-
tages to the utmoft, made himfelf mafter of all
the Eledorate, except Wittemberg, Gotha, and
Eifenach, which being places of confiderable
ftrength, and defended by fufEcient garrifons,
refufed to open their. gates. The news of thefe
rapid conquefts foon reached the Im.perial and
confederate camps. In the former, fatisfaftion
with an event, which it was forefcen would be
produftive of the moft important confequences,
was exprefTed by every poiTible demonftration of
joy. The latter was filled with aftonilhment and
terror. The name of Maurice was mentioned
with execration, as an ajioftate from religion, a
J Skid. 405, &c. Tbuan. 85. Camexar. 484.
betrayer
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 359
betrayer of the Germin liberty, and a contemner
of the moft facred and natural ties. Eveiy thing
that the rage or invention of the party could '54^*
fuggeft, in order to blacken and render hini odi-
ous ; invedtives, fatires, and lampoons, die furious
declamations of their preachers, together with the
rude wit of their authors, were all employed
againft him. While he, confiding in the arts
which he had fo long praftifed, as if his actions
could have admitted of ^y ferious juftification,
publilhed a manifefto, containing the fame frivo-
lous reafons for his conduft, which he had former-
ly alleged in the meeting of his ilates^ and in his
letter to the Landgrave °*.
s
The Ekftor, upon the firfl: intelligence of The confe.
Maurice's motions, propofed to return home with ml' e over.
his troops for the defence of Saxony. But the commodl!'
deputies of the league, affemblcd at Ulm, pre- *^^" '^^^^*
vailed on him, at that time, to remain with the
army, and to prefer the fuccefs of the common
caufe before the fecurity of his own dominions.
At length the fufFerings and complaints of his '
fubjefts increafed fo much, that he difcovered the
utmoft impatience to fet out, in order to refcue
diem from the oppreflion of Maurice, and from
the cruelty of the Hungarians, who, having beei>
accuftomed to that licentious and m«"cilefs fpe-
cies of war which was thought lawful againft the
Turks, committed, wherever they came, the wild-
» Slcid. 409, 410,
A a 4 eft
1
36o THE REIGN OF THE
' VII? ^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ rapine and violence. This defirc of
c— .,,-L^ .the Eledtor was fo natural and fo warmly urged,
'^*^- that the deputies at Ulm, though fully fenfiblc
of the unhappy confequences of dividing their
army, durft not refufe their confent, how unwill-^
ing foever to grant it. In this perplexity, they
repaired to the camp of the confederates at Gien-
gen on the Brenz, in order to confult their con-
ftituents. Nor were they lefs at a lofs what to
• determine in this preffing emergence. But, after
having confidered ferioufly the open defertion of
fome of their allies ; the fcandalous lukewarm-
nefs of others, who had hitherto contributed
nothing towards the war; the intolerable load
which had fallen of confequence upon fuch
members as were moft zealous for the caufe, or
moft faitliful to their engagements; the ill fuc-
cefs of all their endeavours to obtain foreign aid;
the unufual length of the 'campaign; the rigour
of the feafon ; together with the great number
of foldiers, and even officers, who had quitted
the fervice on that account ; they concluded that
nothing could fave them, but either the bringing
the contcfl: to the immediate decifion of a battle
by attacking the Imperial army, or an accommo-
dation of all their differences with Charles hy a
treaty. Such was die defpondency and dejeftion
which now opprefied the party, tliat of thefe two
they chofe what was moft feeble and unmanly,
empowering a minifler of the Eledor of Bran-
denburg to propound overtures of peace in their
name to tlie Emperor.
No
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 36c
No fooner did Charles perceive this haughty ® y,,? "^
confederacy, which had fo lately threatened to v-^y.-!^
drive him out of Germany, condefcending to ^hUh^hi
make the firft advances towards an agreement, "J*"^*'-
than concluding their fpirit to be gone, or their
union to be broken, he immediately aflfumcd the
tone of a conqueror ; and, as if they had been
ah*eady at his mercy, would not hear of a nego-
ciation, but upon condition that the Eleftor of
Saxony (hould previoufly give up himfelf and
his dominions abfolutely to his difpofal". As
nothing more intolerable or ignominious could
have been prefcribed, even in the worft lituation
of their affairs, it is no wonder that this pro-
pofition fhould be rejefted by a party, which was
rather humbled and difconcerted than' fubdued*
But though they refufed to fubmit tamely to the
Emperor's will, they wanted fpirit to purfue the
only plan which could have prefcrved their inde-
pendence ; and forgetting that it was the union of
their troops in one body which had hitherto ren-
dered the confederacy formidable, and had more
than once obliged the Imperialifts to think of quit-
ting the field, they inconfiderately abandoned this
advantage, which, in fpite of the divcrfion in
Saxony, would ftiit have kept tlie Emperor in
awe i and yielding to the Elector's entreaties, T'ne rroopt
confented to his propofal of dividing the army. ?edlracy**fc.
Nme thoufand men were left in the dutchy of p"*^**
Wurtemberg, in order to prote6t that province,
* Hortenfius, ap. Scard. ii. 485*
as
362 THEREIGNOFTHE
^ via ^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ Upper Germany ; a
confiderable body marched with the Elcftor to-
wards Saxony ; but the greater part returned with
their refpeftive kaders into their own countricsj
and were difperfed there •.
1346.
Almoft all
the mem-
The moment that the troops feparated, the
bersofit confederaqr ceafed to be the obicQ: of terror; and
ihcEinpe- the members of ity who, v/hile they compofed
part of a great body, had felt but little anxiety
about their own fecurity, began to tremble when
they reflefted that they now flood expofed fingly
to the wh6le weight of the Emperor's vengeance.
Charles did not allow them leifure to recover from
their confternation, or to form any new fchcmcs
of union. As foon as the confederates began to
retire, he put his army in motion, and though it
was now the depth of winter, he refolved to keep
the field, in order to make the moft of that fer-
vourable juncture for which he had waited fo- long-
Some fmall towns, in which the enemy had left
garriibns, immediately opened their gates. Nor-
lingen, Rotenberg, and Hall, Imperial cities^
fubmitted foon after. Though Charles could not
prevent the Eleftor from levying, as he retreated,
large contributions upon the archbilhop of Mentz,
the abbot of Fulda, and odier ecclefiaftics ^ this
was more than balanced by the fubmiflion of
Ulm, one of the chief cities of Suabia, highly
diftinguifhed by its zeal for the Smalkaldic
• Sleid. 411. ^ Thuan. 88.
league.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 363,
league. As foon as. an example was fet of defert- ^ y..^ '^
ing the common caufe, the reft of the members ' — /-1j
"became Jnftantly impatient to follow it, and feem- ^^^*
ed afraid left others, by getting the ftart of them
in returning to their duty, fliould, on that account,
obtain more favourable, terms. The Elector
Palatine, a weak Prince, who, notwithftanding
his profeflions of neutrality, had, very prepofte-
roufly, fent to the confederates four hundred horfe,
a body fo inconfiderable as to be fcarcely any
addition to . their ftrength, but great enough to
render him guiky in the eyes of die Emperor*
made his acknovledgments in the moft abjeft
manner. The inhabitants of Augiburg, fhaken
by fo n(iany inftances of apoftacy, .expelled the
br^ve Schertel out of their city, and accepted'
fuch conditions as the Emperor was pleafed to
grant them.
The Duke of Wurtemberg, though among the
firft who had offered to fubmit, was obliged ta
fuc for pardon on his knees ; and even after this
mortifying humiliation, obtained it with difficul-
ty^. Memmingen, and other free cities in the 1547.
circle of Suabia, being now abandoned by all
theu* former ailbciates, found it neccliary to pro-
vide for their own fafety, by throwing themfclves
oa the Emperor's mercy. Strafburg and Frank-
fort on the Maine, cities far remote from the feat
of danger, difcovered no greater fteadirtefs than
4 Mem. de Ribier, torn. i. 589.
thofe
364 THE REIGN OF THE
* VI ? ^"^ ^'^^^^ which lay more expofed. Thus a confede-
c^---^ racy, lately fo powerful as to fhake the Imperial
*^*^' throne, fell to pieces, and was diflblved in the
fpace of a few weeks ; hardly any member of that
formidable combination now remaining in arms,
but the Eleftor and Landgrave, whom the Em-
peror, having from the beginning marked out as
the viftims of his vengeance, was at no pains to
The rigor- reconcile. Nor did he grant thofe who fubmitted
tiunsim- to him a generous and unconditional pardon.
Ea'^w.*'* Confcious of his own fuperiority, he treated them '
both with haughtinefs and rigour. AH the Princes
in perfon, and the cities by their deputies, were
compelled to implore mercy in the humble pof-
ture of fupplicants. As the Emperor laboured
under great difficulties from the want of money,
he impofed heavy fines upon them, which* he le-
vied with mod . rapacious exaftnefs. The Duke
of Wurtemberg paid three hundred thoufand
crowns ; the city of Augfburg an hundred and
fifty thoufand j Ulm an hundred thoufand ; Frank-
fort eighty thoufand; Memmingen fifty thoufand;
and the refl: in proportion to their abilities, or
their different degrees of guilt. They were
obliged, befides, to renounce the league of Smal-
kalde ; to furnifh affiftance, if required, towards
executing the Imperial ban againft the' Eleftor
and Landgrave; to give up their artillery and
warlike (lores to the Emperor ; to admit garri-
fons into their principal cities and places of
ftrengthj and, in this difarmed and dependent
fituation, to expeft the final award which the Em-
peror
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 3^5
peror fhould think proper to pronounce when the ft o o ic
war came to an iflue \ But, amidft the great u--'^-j
variety of articles diftated by Charles on this occa- '547.
fion, he, in conformity to his original plan, took
care that nothing relating to religion fhould be in-
ferted ; and to fuch a degree were the confederates
humbled or overawed, that, forgetting the zeal
which had fo long animated them, they were foli-
citous only about their own fafety, without ventur-
ing to infift on a point, the mention of which they
faw the Emperor avoiding with fo much induftry.
The inhabitants of Memmingen alone made fome
feeble efforts to procure a promife of proteftion in
the exercife of their religion, but were checked fo
feverely by the Imperial minifters, that diey in-
ftantly fell from their demand.
The Elector of Cologne, whom, notwith-
ftanding the fentence of excommunication iffued
againft him by the Pope, Charles had hitherto
allowed to remain in pofleflion of the archiepif-
copal fee, being now required by the Emperor to
fubmit to the cenfures of the church, this virtu-
ous and difmterefted prelate, unwilling to expofe
his fubjefts to the mifcries of war on his own
account, voluntarily refigned that high dignity.
With a moderation becoming his age and cha- Jio. 25.
racier, he chofe to enjoy trudi together with the
exercife of his religion in the retirement of a pri-
vate life, rather than to difturb fociety by enga-
» Sleld. 411, Sec. Thuan. lib, iv. p, 125. Mem. de Ri-
bier, tom. i. 6c6.
ging
366 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK gjng in a doubtful and violent ftruggle in order tt>
%.
retam his office \
1547. •
TbeEieaor DuRiNG thcfc tranfiftions, the Ele&or of Saxooy
^returns to /- • /- i • zi
Sixony,tnd reachcd the frontiers of his country unmolefted.
feffion'orit' As Maurice could affemble no force equal to die
army which accompanied hnn, he, in a fhort time,
not only recovered Jx)flreffion of his own territories,
but over-ran Mifnia, and ftripped his rivsd of aH
that belonged to him, except Drefden and Leipfic,
which, being towns of fome ftrength, could not
be fudderily reduced. Maurice, obliged to quit
the field, and to fliut himfelf up in his capital,
difpatched courier after courier to the Emperor,
reprefenting his dangerous fituation, and foliciting
him with the moft earneft importunity to march
immediately to his relief " But Charles, bufy at
5hat time in prefcribing terms to fuch members
of the league as were daily returning to their al-
legiance, thought it fufficient to detach Albert
Marquis of Brandenburg- A nfpach with three
thoufand men to his affiftance. Albert, though
an enterprifing and aftive officer, was unexpeft-
cdly furprifed by the Ele6tor, who killed many
of his troops, difperfed the remainder, and took
him prifoner '. Maurice continued as much ex-
pofed as formerly ; and if his enemy had known
how to Improve the opportunity v^hich prefented
itfelf, his ruin muft have been immediate and un-
avoidable. But the Eleftor, no^lefs flow and di-
• SIcid. 418. Thuan. lib. W. 128.
^ A Vila, 99. 6. Mem. de Ribier, torn* i. 620.
latory
^
EMPEROR CHARJl^ES V. 367
latory when invefttd with the fole command, than b o o ic
he had been formerly when joined in authority > — : — L-i
with a partner, never gave any proof of military '^^*
aftivity but in this enterprize againft Albert. In-
ftead of marching diredtly towards Maurice, whom
the defeat of his ally had greatly alarmed, he in-
confiderately liftened to overtures of accommoda-
tion, which his artful antagonift propofed with no
other intention than to amufe him, and to flacken
the vigour of his operations.
Such, indeed, .was the pofture of the Empe- The Empe-
ror's affairs that he coi^d not march inftantly to ed^romlT-*
the relief of his ally. Soon after the feparation Ei'ftof »nd
of the confederate army, he, in order to eafe him- ^*n^8^*»««
felf of the burden of maintaining a fuperfluous
number of troops, had difmiiTed the count of
Buren with his Flemings", imagining that the
Spaniards and Germans, together with the papal
forces, would be fully fufTicient to crufh any de-
gree of vigour that yet remained among the
members of the league. But Paul, growing wife
too late, began now to difcern the imprudence of
that meafiire, from which the more fagacious Ve-
netians had endeavoured in vain to diffuade him.
The rapid progrefs of the Imperial arms, and the
eafe with which they had broken a combination
that appeared no lefs firm than powerful, opened
his eyes at length, and made him not only forget
at once all the advantages whicii he had expeded
« Avila, 83. 6. Mew. de Ribicr, torn. i. 592.
5 from
The Pope
recalls his
368 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK ffojxi fuch a complete triumph over herefy, but
u,^^,„j placed, in the ftrongeft light, .his own impolitic
*5*^* condu6t, in having contributed towards acquiring
for Charles fuch an immenfe increafe" of power,
• as. would enable him, after opprefling the liber-
ties of Germany, to give law with abfolute autho-
rity to all the ftates of Italy. The moment that
he perceived his error, he endeavoured to correft
it. Without giving the Emperor any warning of
troops. j^j3 intention, he ordered Farnefe, his grandibn^
to return inftantly to Italy with all the troops un-
der his command, and at the fame time recalled
the licence which he had granted Charles, of ap-
propriating, to his own ufe, a large fhare of the
church lands in Spain. He was not deftitutc of
pretences to juftify this ^brupt defertion of his
ally. The term of fix months, during wliich the
ftipulations in their treaty were to continue in
force, was now expired ; the league, in oppofi-
tion to which their dliance had been framed,
feemed to be entirely diflipatedj. Charles, in all
his negociations with the Princes and cities which
had fubmittcd to his will, had neither confulted
the Pope, nor had allotted him any part of the
conquefts which he had made, nor had allowed
him any fhare in the vafl contributions which
he had taifed. He had not even made any pro-
•vifion for the fuppreflion of herefy, or the re-
eftablifliment of the Catholic religion, which were
Paul's chief inducements to beflow the treafures
of the church fo liberally in carr}dng on the
war. Thefe colours, however fpecious, did not
conceal
\
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 369
I
conceal from the Emperor that fecret jealoufy book
which was the true motive of the Pope*s condudt. Ui-.^^
But, as Paul's orders with regard to the march *^*^'
of his troops were no lefs peremptory than unex- ,
pefted, it was impoflible to prevent their retreat.
Charles exclaimed loudly againft his treachery, in
abandoning him .ib unfeafonably, while he was
profccuting a war undertaken in obedience to the
papal injunftions, and from which, if fuccefsful,
fo much' honour and advantage would redound
to the church. To complaints he added threats
and cxpoftulations* But Paul remained inflexible;
his troops continued their march towards the ec-
clefiaftical ftate.; and in an elaborate memorial,
intended as an apology for his condud, he dif-
covered new and more manifeft fymptoms of alien-
ation from the Emperor, together with a deep-
rooted dread of his power "". Charles, weakened
by the withdrawing of fo great a body from his .
army, which was already much diminilhed by the
number of garrifons that he had been obliged to
throw into tlie towns which had capitulated, found
it neceffary to recruit his forces by new levies, be*
fore he could venture to march in perfon toward*
Saxony.
The fame and iplendour of his fuccefs could Aconfpi-
not have failed of attrading fuch multitudes of ^^^'^^J^Z
fbldiers into his fervice from all the extenfive ter- 'wn^ent ai
w€0<MU
ritories now fubjeft to his authority, as muft have
* F. PaoU ao8. Pallavic. par. xi. p, 5. Thuao. X26.
Vol. III. B b foon
370 THE REIGN OF THE
^ VII? ^ ^'^^ P^^ ^^^ ^^ ^ condioon of taking the field
s_^^l^ againft the EleAor; but the Hidden and violenc
*^*7« eruption of a conipiraqr at Genoa, as weU as the
great revolutions which that event, extremely my-
fterious in its firil appearances, feemed to portend,
obliged him to avoid entangling himietf in new
operations in Germany, until he had fully difco-
vered its fource and tendency. The form of go-
vernment which had been eftabli(hed in Genoa, at
the time when Andrew Doria rcftored liberty to
his country, though calculated to obliterate the
memory of former diflfenfions, and received at firft
with eager approbation, did not, after a trial o(
near twenty years, give univerfal fadsfaftion to
thofe turbulent and faftious republicans. As the
entire adminiftration of affairs was now lodged in a
certain number of noble femilies, many envying
The objcft them that pre-eminence, wifhed for the reftitution
fpiraiow!* of a popular government, to which diey had been
accuftomed ; and though all reverenced the difin-
terefled virtue of Doria, and admired his talents,
not a few were jealous of that afcendant which he
had acquired in the councils of the commonwealth.
His age, however, his moderation, and his love of
liberty, aflForded ample fecurity to his countrymen
that he would not abufe his power, nor flain the
clofe of his days by attempting to overturn that
fabric, which it had been the labour and pride of
his life to ere£t. But the authority and influence
which in his hands were innocent, they ealily law
would prove delbuftive, if ufurped by any citizen
* of greater ambition, or lefs virtue. A citizen of
this
£WP£R0R CrtARLES V. 371
BOOK
VIII.
this ding/srow ch^a£ter had a£hiaUy formed fuch
pretenlkms^ and lyith ionne profpeft of fuccefs*
Giaanetino Dona, whom his grand unck Andrew '^*^" ^
deftined to be the heir of his private fortune,
aimed hk^swiie at being his fucceilbr in powen
His temper haughty, infolent, and overbearing to
fuch a degi^ee as would hardly have been tolerated
in one born to reign^ was altogether infupportable
in the citizen of a free ftace. The .more fagaciou^
among die Gcnoefe already feared und hated him
as the eiiemy of riiofc liberties for which they were
indebted to his uncle. While Andrew himfelfi
blinded by that violent and undifcerning afFedion
which perfons in advanced age often contraft for
the younger members of their family, fet no bounds
to the indulgence with which he treated him ;
feeniing kfs (blicitous to iecure and perpetuate the
freedom of the commonwealth, than to aggrandize
that undeferving kinfman.
But whatever, fufpicion of Dorians defigns, or
whatever diffatisfaftion with the fyftem of admini-
ftration in the commonwealth, thefe circumftances
might have occafioned, they would have ended, it
is probable, in nothing more than murmurings
and complaints, if John Lewis Fiefco count of
Lavagna, obferving this growing difguft, had not
been encouraged by it to attempt one of the bold-
dl anions recorded in hiftory. That young no- futcoamnt
bkman, the richeft and moft illuftriou3 fubjeft in •h/hwfo'f
the republic, poffefled, in an eminent degree, all *^^y^/"**'
the qualities which win upon the human heart,
B b 2 which
372 THE RfiiGN OF TH£
* viu ^ which command refpeft, or fecurc atcachmenr^
k,^v^-^ He was graceful and majeftic in his perfbn ; msLg-
^^^^' nificcnt even to profufion ; of a generofity that an-
ticipated the wifhcs of his friends, and exceeded
the expcftations of ftrangers ; of an inlinuating
addrefs, gentle manners, and a flowing affability.
But under the appearance of thefe virtues, which
feemed to form him for enjoying and ador&ing
focial life, he concealed all the diipofitians which
mark men out for taking the lead in the moft
dangerous and dark conlpiracies ; an infatiable
and reftlefs ambition, a courage unacquainted with
fear, and a mind that diidained fubordinatioiL .
Such a temper could ill brook that ftadon of in-
feriority, wherein he was placed in the republic ^
and as he envied the power which the elder Dona
had acquired, he was filled with indignation at the
thoughts of its defcending, like an hereditary pof-
feflion, to Giannetino. . Thefe various pillions*
preying with violence on his turbulent and alpir-
ing mind, determined him to attempt overturn-
ing that domination to which he could not ful>-
mit.
int/.guet As the moft effeftual method of accompliihing
wion'Jthe this^ he thought at firft of an alliance with tran-
confi,ix4tor». ^j^^ ^^^ ^^^^ propofcd it to the French ambaflfa-
• dor at Rome ; and after expelling Doria, together
with the Imperial faftion, by his aflTiftanoe, he
offered to put the republic once more under
the protection of that Monarch, hoping in return
for that fervice to be cntrufted with the principal
Iharc^
iii47«
EMPEROR CHARLES V- 373
fliare in the adminiftratlon of government. But ^ ^^^'^
having communicated his fcheme to a few chofen
confidents, from whom he kept nothing ftcret,
Vcrrina, the chief of them, a man of delpcrate
fortune, capable alike of advifing and executing
the moft audacious deeds, remonftrated with ear-
neftnefs againfl: the folly of expofing himfelf to
the moft imminent danger, while he allowed an-
other to reap all the fruits of his fuccefs ; and ex-
horted him warmly to aim himfelf at that pre-
eminence in his country, to which he was deftined
by his illuftrious birth, was called by the voice
of his fellow-citizens, and would be raifed by die
zeal of his frieAds, This difcaurfe opened fuch
great prolpeft^ to Fiefco, and fo fuitable tg his
genius^ that abandoning his own plan, he eagerly
adopted that of Verrina. The other perfons pre-
fent> though fenfible of the hazardous nature of
the undertaking, did not choofe to condemn what
their patron had fo warmly approved. It was
inftandy refolved, m this dark cabal, to aflaflinate
the two Dorias, as well as the principal perfons
of their party, to overturn the eftabliflied fyftem
of government, and to place Fiefco on the ducal
throne of Genoa. Time, however, and prepara-
tions were requifite to ripen fuch a defign for ex-
ecution i and while he was employed in carrying
on thefe, Fiefco made it his chief care to guard
againit every thing that might betray his fecret,
or create fuipicion. The diigyiie he aflumed,
was of all others the moft impenetrable. He
ieemcd to be abandoned , entirely to pleafurc and
6 b 3 dimpation*
374 THE REIGN OF THE
F O O K
viir.
diffipation. A perpetual gaiety, diverfified.by the
piirfuit of all the amufements in which perfbns of
'547. • his age and rank are apt to delight, engroflfed, in
appearance, the whole of his time and thoughts.
But amidft this hurry of diffipation, he prdfecuted
his plan with the moft cool attention, neither re-
tarding the defign by a timi4 hefitation, nor pre-
cipitating the execution by an ^xcefs of impatience.
He continued his correfpondence with the French
ambaflador at Rome, though without communi-
cating to him his real intentions, that by his means
he might fecure the proteftion of the French arms,
if hereafter he Ihould find it neceflary to call them
in to his aid. He entered into a clofe confederacy
with Farnefe Duke of Parma, who being difguft-
ed with the Emperor for refiifing to grant Y^m the
inveftiture of that dutchy, was eager to promote
any meafure that tended to diminifh his influence
in Italy, or to ruin a family fo implicitly devoted
to him as that of Doria. Being fenfiblc that, in a
maritime ftate, the acquifition of naval power was
what he ought chiefly to aim at, he purchafed four
gallies from the Pope, who probably was not unac-
quainted with the defign which he had formed, and
did not difapprove of it. Under colour of fitting
out one of diefe gallies to fail on a cruife againft the
Turks, he not only aflfemblcd a' good number of
his own vaflals, but engaged in his fervice many
bold adventurers, whom the truce between the
Emperor and Soiyman had deprived of their ufual
occupatidn and iybfiftencCf
Whilk
BOOK
v\u.
1547*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 375
Whjle Fkfco was taking thefe important fteps,
he preferved fo admirably his ufual appearance of
being devoted entirely to pleafure and amufement,
and paid court with fuch artful addrefs to the two
Dorias, as impofed not only on the generous and
unfufpicious mind of Andrew, but deceived Gian-
netino, who, confcious of his own criminal inten-
tions, was more apt to diftruft the dcfigns of odiers.
So many inftruments being now prepared, nothing
remained but to ftrike the blow. Various confult-
ations were held by Fkfco with his confidents, in
order to fetdc the manner of doing it with the
greateft certainty and efFeft. At firft, they pro-
pofed to murder the Dorias and their chief adher-
ents, during the celebration of high mafs in the-
principal church 5 but as Andrew was often abfent
irom religious folcmnities, on account of his great
age, that defign was laid afide. It was then con-
certed that Fiefco Ihould invite the uncle and ne-
phew, with all their friends whom he had marked
out as viftims, to his houfe ; where it would be
caly to cut thfim off at once without danger or re-
fiflance ; but as Giannetino was obliged to leave
the town on the day which they had chofen, it be-
came neceffary likewife to alter this plan. They
at laft determined to attempt by open force, what
they found difficult to efFeft by ftratageto, and fix-
ed On the night between the fecond and third of
January, for the execution of their enterprize.
The time was chofen with great propriety i for as
the Poge of the former year^as to quit his office,
B b 4 according
37<5 THE REIGN OF THE
^ viJL ^ according to cuftom, on the firft of the month,
^— ^^ — ' and his fucccflbr could not be elected fooncr than
'^^^' the fourth, the republic remained during that in-
terval in a fort of anarchy, and Fiefco might with
lefs violence take poffeffion of the vacant dignity.
Thcconfpi. Thr morning of that day, Fiefco employed in
Pmbieto vifiting his friends, paffing fome hours among
2ci>pUn. them with a Ipirit as gay and unembarraffed as
at other times. Towards evening, he paid court
to the Dorias with his ufual marks of relpeft, and
^^ furveying their countenance and- behaviour with
the attention natural in his fituation, was happy
to obferve the perfe<5fc fecurity in which they re-
mained, without the leaft forefight or dread of
that ftorm which had been fo long a -gathering,
and was now ready to burft over their heads^
From their palace he haftened to his own, which
flood by itfelf in the middle of a large court, fur-
rounded by a high wall. The gates had been fet
open in the morning, and all perfons, without
diftin6tion, were allo\^d to enter, but ftrong
guards pofted within the court fufFered no one to
return, Verrina, meanwhile, and a few perfons
, trufted with the fecret of the confpiracy, after
condufting Fiefco's vaffals, as well as the crews
of his gallics, into the palace in fmall bodies, with
as little noife as poffible, difperfed themfelves
through the city, and, in the name of their pa-
tron, invited to an entertainment the principal
citizens whom they knew to be difgufted with the
admini-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 377
adminiftration of the Dofias, and to have ihclina- book
VIII
tion as well as courage to attempt a change in ^^^./.-j
rfie government. Of die vaft number of perfons ^^^*
who now filled the palace, a few only knew for
what purpofe they were affembled -, the reft, afto-
nifhcd at finding, inftead of the preparations for
a fcaft, a court crowded with armed men, and apart-
ments filled with the inftruments of war, gazed on
each other with a mixture of curiofity, impatience,
and terror,
Wif iLE their minds were in this ftate of ilzC- FiefcoN «.
penie and agitation, Fiefco appeared. With a {*o'*ul'^
look full of alacrity and. confidence, he addreflcd
himfelf to the perfons of chief diftindlion, telling
them, that they were not now called to partake of
the pleafure of an entertainment, but to join in a
deed of valour, which would lead them to liberty
and immortal renown. He fet before their eyes
the exorbitant as well as intolerable authority of
the elder Doria, which the ambition' of Gianne-
tino, and the partiality of the Emperor to a
family more devoted to him than to their coun-
try, was about to enlarge and to render perpe-
tual. This unrighteous dpminion, continued he,
you have it now in your power to fubvert, and
to cftablifh . the freedom of your country on a
firm bafis. The tyrants muft be cut ofi^. I have
taken the moft effeftual meafures for this pur-
pofe. My aflbciates are numerous. I can de-
pend on allies and proteftors if neceflary. Hap-
pily, the tyrants arc as fecure as I have been pro^
vident.
378 THE REIGN OF THE
^ via ^ vident. Their infoknt contempt of their coun-
trymen has banifhed the fu(picion and timidity
v«-
'^^^* which ufually render the guilty quick-fighted to
difcern, as well as fagacious to guard againft the
vengeance vrfiich they deferve* They will now
feel the blow, before diey fulpeft any hoftile
hand to be nigh. Let us then faUy forth, that
we may deliver our country by one generous
efibrt, almoft unaccompanied with danger, and
certain of fuccefs. Thefe words, uttered with
that irrefiftible fervour which animates the mind
when roufed by great objects, made the dcfired
impreffion on the audience. Fiefco's vaflals,
ready to execute whatever their ms^ef fliould
command, received his difcourfe with a murmur
of applaufe. To many whofe fortunes were de-
fperate, the licence and confofion of an inftirrec-
tion afforded an agreeable profpeft. Thofe of
higher rank and more virtuous fentim«nts, durft
not difcovcr the furprife or horror with which
they were ftruck at the propofal of an enterprize
no lefs unexpefted than atrocious j as each of
them imagined the other to be in the fecret of the
confpiracy, and faw himfelf ilirroundcd by per-
fons who waited only a Cgnal frpm their leader to
perpetrate the greateft crime. With one voice
then all applauded, or feigned to applaud, the un-
dertaking.
His inter. FiEsco having thus fixed and encouraged his
kis wife. alTocjates, before he gave them his laft orders, he
haftened for a moment to the apartment of his
wifej
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 37^
wife, a lady of the nobfe houfe of Cibo, whom he ^ ^^^ ^
loved with tender afie&ion, and whofe beauty and u-^ y w .
virtue rendered her worrfiy of his love. The noife '^^*
of the armed men who crowded the court and
palace, having long, before this reached her ears,
fhe concluded fome hazardous enterprize to be in
hand, and (he trembled for her huiband. He
found her iii ail the angutOi of liticertainty smd
fear ; and as it vOas now impoflibk to keep his de--
fign concealed, he informed her of what he had
undertaken. The profpeft of a fcene fo foil of
horror as well as danger, completed her agOny f
and foreboding immediately in her mind the f^al
iflue of it, fhe endeavoured, by her tears, her en-
treaties, ai%d her delpair, to divert him from his
purpofc. Ficfco, after trying in vain to footh and
to infpire her witii fappe^ broke from a fkuation
kito which an cxccfe of tendernels had unwarily
fedoced him, though it could not (hake his re'-
folution. " Farewell, he cried, as he quitted the
apartment, you ihall either never fee me niore, or
fcM ihall behold tOt-morrow every thing in Genoa
fuh^& to your power/'
As foon as he rejoined his companions, he Theytttick
allotted each his propw ibition 5 fome were ap-
pointed to affank and feize the different gates of '
the city ; fome to make themfelves maflers of the
principal flreets or place? of ftrength : Fiefco
refervdd for himfelf the attack of the harbour
where Doria's gatlies were laid up, as the pofl: of
chief impcHtanoe/ m^ of greatelii: danger. It was
now
38o THE REIGN OF THE
* Viu ^ ^^^ midnight, and the citizens flept in the fe-
curity of peace, when this band of conlpirators.
^
'^*^' numerous, defperate, and well-armed, rufhed out
to execute their plan* They furprifed fome of
the gates, without meeting with any refiftance.
They got poffeffion of others after a fharp con-
fli£t with the foldiers on guard. Vcrfina, with
the galley which had been fitted out againft the
Turks, blocked up the mouth of the Dariena or
little harbour where Doria's fleet lay. All poffi-
bility of efcape being cut Off by this precaution,
when Fiefco attempted to enter the gallies from
the fhore, to which they were made faft, they were
in no condition to make refiftance, as they were
not only unrigged and difarmed, but had no crew
on board, except the 'flaves chained to the oar.
Every quarter of the city was now filled with noiic
and tumult, all the ftreets refounding wrth the
cry of Fiefco and Liberty. At tliat name, fo po-
pular and beloved, many of the lower rank took
arms, and joined the confpirators. The nobles
and partifans of the ariftocracy, aftoniihed or
affrighted, fhut the gates of their houles, and
thought of nothing but of fecuring them from pil-
lage. At laft the noife excited by this fcene of
violence and confufion, reached the palace of
Doria \ Giannetino ftarted immediately from his
bed, and imagining that it was occafioned by
fome mutiny among the failors, rufhed out with
a few attendants, and hurried towards the har-
bour. The gate of St. Thomas, through which
he had to pafs, was already in the pofTedion of the
conlpi-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ^tt
confpirators, who/ the moment he entered, fell • ^^^ *
upon him with the utmoft fuiy, and murdered w^v^^i^
him on the fpot. The fame muft have been die '^'*
fate of the elder Doria, if Jerome de Fiefco had
executed his brother's plan, and had proceeded
immediately to attack him in his palace; but
he, from the fordid confideration of prevent-
ing its being plundered amidft the conflifion^
having forbid his followers to advance, Andrew
gdt intelligence of his .nephew's death, as well as
of his own danger; and mounting on horieback,
faved himfelf by flight. Amidft this general
confteroation, a few fenators had the courage to
aflfemblc in die palace of the republic^. At
firfl, fome of the moft daring among them at-
tempted to rally the fcattered foldiers, and to
attack a body of the confpirators; but being re-
pulfed with lo&, all agreed that nothing now re*
xQained, but to treat with the party which feemed
to be irrefiftible. Deputies were accordmgly
fent to learn of Fiefco what were the concef^
fions with which he would be fatisfied, or rather
to fubmit to whatever terms he Ihould pleafe to
prefcribe.
But by this time Fiefco, with whom they were canfe of
their inir«
carriage.
empowered to negociate, was no more. Juft as ****" "^''
he was about to leave the harbour, where every
thing had fucceeded to his wiih, that he might
join his vi&orious companions, he heard fome
3^ II palazaea della Signoria.
e:^tra*
3S» TttE REIGN OF TH£
» o o ic ^xtraordinaiy uproar qq board the Admkal gal^
1^ ■^^-'-.F ley. Alarmed ^t the noi&j and fearing thai: the
^547- flaves might break idieir chains^ and ovctpowcr
his afibciateS; he ran thither^ but the pbnk
which reached &bm the fhoce ta the veifel hap^
pening to OYerturn, he fell into the fea^ ^vhiUt he
hurried forward too precipitately. Being loaded
with heavy armour, he fiink to the bottom, and
periihed in the very moment when he mull have
taken full pofieffion of every thing that his zmhu
tious heart could defire. Vcrrina was the firft who
difcovered this fatal accident, and foreieeing, at
once, all its confequences, concealed it with the
utmofl: induftry from every one but a few leaders
of the conspiracy. Nor was it cMfficuk, amidfl: the
darknefs and confufion of the ni^, to have kept
it fecret, until a treaty with the fapators flioidd
have put the city -in the power of die donQ>irators«
All their hope$ <rf this were diiconcensed by ike
imprudence of Jerome Fiefco, who, when tlie
. deputies of the fenate inquired for his biodier,
the count of Lavagna, that they mi^t make
their prop9fals to him, rq>l]ed with a childiih va-
nity, " I am now the only perfon to whom that
title belongs, and with me you muft treat." Thefe
words difcovered as well to his fiiends as ta his
enemies what had happen^d^ and made the inN
preiTion which might have been expe&ed upon
both. The deputies encoura^dby this event,
the only one which coidd occafion fiich a fudden
revolution as might turn to their advantage^
aflumed
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ^gj
aflbmed in(bmdy, with admirable prefence of b o o k
mind, a new tone^ fiiitable to the change b their i_ -^r-'^
circun^ancesj ^pd made high demands. While 'S^7«
they endeavoured to gain tinoe by prod-adling the;
negociation, the reft of the fenators were bufy in
aiiembling their partifans^ and in forming a body
capable of defending the palace of the republic*
On the other hand, the confpiratorSj aftoniflied
at the death of a man whom they adored and
tnifted^ and placing no confidence in Jerome> a
g^dy youth, felt their courage die away, and
dieir arms fall from their hands. That profound
and amitzing fecrecy with which the conipiracy
had been concerted, and which had contributed
hitherto fo much to its fuccefs, proved now the
chief caufe of its mifcarriage. The leader was
gone ; the greater part of thofe who a£ted under
him, knew not his confidents, and were ftraogers
to the objed at which he aimed. There was no
perfon among them whofe authority or abilities
entitled him to alEime Fiefqo's place^ or to fini&
his plan ; after having loft the Ipirit which ani-
mated it, life and aftivity deferred the whole body.
Many of the confpirators withdrew to their
houfes, hoping that amidft the darknefs of the
night they had paffed unobferved, and might re-
main unknown. Others fought for fafety by a
timely retreat j and before break of day, moft of
.them fied with precipitation from a city, which, but
a few hours before, was ready to acknowledge them
as mafters.
Next
3«4 THE REIGN OF THE
* vin ^ Next morning every thing was quiet in Genoit $
%^^^mj not an enemy was to be ieen ; few marks of the
TranqtuH- violcncc of thc former night appeared, the con-
w»a2u" ^irators having conduced their enterprize with
GeoM. jjjQj.^ jiQife than bloodlhed, and gained all their
advantages by furprife, rather than by force of
armsf Towards evening, Andrew Doria returned
to the city, being met by all the inhabitants, who
received him with acclamations of joy. Though
the difgrace as well as danger of the preceding
night were frefli in his mind, and thc mangled
body of his kinfman ftill before his eyes, fuch was
his moderation as well as magnanimity, that thc
decree iffued by the fenate againft the conlpirators,
did not exceed that juft mealure of feverity which
was requifite for the fupport of government, and
was diftated neither by the violence of refentment,
nor the rancour of revenge *•*
thetmp«- Afteh takmg the neceflary precautions for
for alarmed . , JT i • i r- i .,
•t this con. preventing the flame, which was now fo happily
%lrtc]r.
* Thuan« 93. Sigonii Vita Andreas Doriae* 1196. Lt
Conjuration du Compte de Fiefque, par Cardin. de Rett*
Adrian! Iftofia, lib. vi. 369. Folietae Cofijoratid Jo. Lad»
Fiefci, ap. Graev. Thef. Ital. i. 885.
* It i$ remaricablej that Cardinal de Rets, at the age of
eighteen, compofed a hiftory of this conrpiracy, containing
fuch a difcovery of his admiration of Fiefco and his enter-
prize, that it is not furprlfing that a mxnillery fo jealous and
difceming as Richlieo^ flioold be led, by the perufa! of it, to
predid the* tarbalent and dangerous fpirit of that young Ec*
defiaftic. Mem. de Retz, tom. i. p. 13.
cxtin-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 385
€Xtingui(hed, from breaking out anew, the firft care ^ ^jj| ^
of the fenate was to fend an ambaflador to the Em- ^-r"v--#
peror,.to give him a particular detail of what had '^*^'
happened, and to beg his affiftance towards the re-
du(5lion of Montobbio, a ftrong fort on the here-
ditary eftate of the Fiefci, in which Jerome had
fliut himfelf up. Charles was no lefs alarmed than
aftonifhed at an event fo Arrange and unexpected.
He could not believe that Fiefco, how bold or
adventurous foever, durft have attempted fuch an
enterprize, but on foreign fuggeftion, and from
the hope of foreign aid. Being informed that the
Duke of Parma was well acquainted with the plan
of the confpirators, he immediately fuppofed that
the Pope could not be ignorant of a meafure,
which his fon had countenanced. Proceeding
from this to a farther conjefture, which Paul's
cautious maxims of policy in other inftances ren-
dered extremely probable, he concluded, that the
French King muft have known and approved of
the defign ; and he began to apprehend that this
fpark might again kindle the flame of war which
had raged fo long in Italy. As he had drained Suf.en^shit
his Italian territories of troops on account of the inCermafly.
German war, he was altogether unprovided for
refilling any hoftile attack in that country j and - ^
on the firft appearance of danger, he muft have
detached thither the greateft part of his forces for
its defence. In this fituation of affairs, it would
have been altogether imprudent in the EmperOr
to have advanced in perfon againft the Eleftor,
Vol. III. C c until
j86 THE REIGN, &c.
^ viji ^ ^^^^^ ^ feould learn with fome degree of ccr-
%mm ^ ^ ' -^ tainty whether fuch a fcene were not about to
^^*^* open in Italy, as might put it out of his power
to keep the field with an army Efficient to op«
poie him.
THB
HISTORY
OP THE
REIGN
OF THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V^
BOOK IX-
THE Emperor's dread of the hoftik inten- b o o ic
tions of "the Pope and French King did i_^ ^A ^
not proceed from any imaginary or iU-groimdcd p,,[,{f7*„.
fulpicion. Paul had already given the ftrongeft io»» «f «!»«
proofs both of his jealoufy and enmity. Charles po"er tu
could not hope, diat Francis> after a rivallhip '*^**^*
of fo long continuance, would behold the great
advantages which he had gained over the confe-
derate Proteftants, without feeling his ancient
emulation revive. He was not deceived in this
conjefture. Francis had obfervcd die rapid pro-
grefs of his arms with deep concern, and though
hitherto, prevented, by circumftances which have
been mentioned, from interpofing in order to
check them, • he was now convinced that, if he
Cc 2 did
388 THE REIGN OF THE
* ^ix ^ ^^^ ^^^ make fomc extraordinary and timely ef-
u-^,r^-> fortj Charles muft acquire fuch a degree of power
'^^^' as ^ould enable him to give law to the reft of
Europe. This apprehenfion, which did not take
its rife from the jealoufy of rivalfhip alone, but
was entertained by the wifeft politicians of the
age, fuggefted various expedients which might
ferve to retard the courfe of the Empcror*s vic-
tories, and to form by degrees fuch a combination
againft him as might put a ftop to his dangerous
career.
NfEocUtes With this view, Francis inftrufted his emif-
with ihc
proicaaots 5 faries in Germany to employ all their addrefs in
order to revive the courage of the confederates,
and to prevent them from fubmitting to the Em-
peror. He made liberal offers of his affiftance to
the Ele£lor and Landgrave, whon^ he knew to be
the moft zealous as well as the moft powerful
of the whole body ; he ufed every argument, and
propofed every advantage, which could either con-
firm their dread of the Emperor's defigns, or de-
termine them not ■ to imitate the inconfiderate
credulity of their afTociates, in giving up their
religion and liberties to his difpofal. ^ While he
took this flep towai'ds continuing the civil war
which raged in Germany, he endeavoured like-
wife to ftir up foreign enemies againft. the Em-
w^hSoiy. peror. He folicited Solyman to feize this fe-
"'"' " vourabie opportunity of invading Hungary,
winch had been drained of all the troops necef-
» fliry for its defence, in order to fbrm the army
againft'
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 389
againft the confederates of Smalkalde. . He ex- ® ^^^ ^
horted the Pope to repair, by a vigorous and fea- v-*.^"-.^
fonable effort^ the error of which he had been *^'^'*
guilty in contributing to raife the Emperor to fuch
a formidable height of power. Finding Paul, both *^'*>^ ^^^^
from the confcioufnefs of his own miftake, and his Vcaeiiaasi
dread of its confequences, abundantly difpofed to
liften ^o what he fuggefted, he availed himfelf of
this favourable difpofition which the Pontiff
began to difcover, as an argument to gain the
Venetians. He endeavoured to convince them
that nothing could fave Italy, and even Europe,
from oppreflion and fervitude, but their joining
with the Pope and him, in giving the firft begin-
ning to a general confederacy, in order to humble
that ambitious potentate, whom they had all equal
reafon to dread.
Having fet on foot thefe negociations in the with the
ibuthem courts, he turned his attention next to- nenmalk
wards thofe in the north of Europe. As the King hnd.^"*'
of Denmark had particular reafons to be offended
with the Emperor, Francis imagined that the
objeft of the league which he had projefted would
be highly acceptable to him ; and left confiderations
of caution or prudence Ihould rcflrajn him fjom
joining in it, he attempted to overcome thefe, by
offering him the young Queen of Scots in mar-
riage to his fon *: As the minifters who governed
England in the name of Edward VI. had openly
* Mem. de Rihier, 1, 600. 606.
C c 3 declared
»547'
J90 THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^x^ '^ declared thcmfelves converts to the opinions of
the Reformers, as foon as it became fafe upon
Henry's death to lay afide that difguife which his
intolerant bigotry had forced them to afiume,
Francis flattered himfelf that their zeal would not
allow them to remain inaftivc Ipeftators of the
overthrow and deftrudion of thofe who profeffed
the fame faith with themfelves. He hoped, that
notwithftanding the ftruggles of fadion inci-
dent to a minority, and the prolpc6l of an ap-
proaching rupture with the Scots, he might pre-
vail on them likewife to take part in the common
caufe **.
While Francis employed fuch a variety of ex-
pedients, and exerted himfelf with fuch extraor-
dinary aftivity, to roule the different .ftatcs of
Europe againft his rival, he did not negleft what
depended on himfelf alone. He levied troops in
all parts of his dominions 5 he coUefted military
ftores ; he contrafted with the Swifs cantons for
a confiderable body of men ; he put his finances
in admirable order ; he remitted confiderable lums
to the Eleftor and Landgrave ; and took all the
" other fteps neceflary towards commencing hoftilii.
ties, on the Ihorteft warning, and with the grcatefl:
vigour %
TbeEmpe- OPERATIONS fo Complicated, and which re-
rorgrcailjr . , , . r • /i
aiarmed. quircd the putting 10 many inftruments in mo-
* Mem. de Ribier, i. 635. * Ibid. 595,
tion
>>
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 391
tion, did not efcape the Emperor's obfervation. * ^^ ^
• He was early informed of Francis's intrigues in w-y «#
the feveral courts of Europe, as well as of his *^*^'
domeftic preparations; and fenfible how fatal
an interruption a foreign war would prove to his
defigns in Germany, he trembled at the profpedt
of that event. The danger, however, appeared
to him as unavoidable as it was great. He knew
the infatiable and well-directed ambition of Soly-
man, and that he always chofe the feafon for be-
ginning his military enterprifes with prudence
equal to the valour with which he conduced
them, yht Pope, as he had good reafon to be-
lieve, wanted not pretexts to juftify a rupture,
nor inclination to begin hoftilities. He had al-
ready made fome difcovery of his fentiments, by
cxprefling a joy altogether unbecoming the head
of the church, upon receiving an account of the
^vantage which the Eleftpr of Saxony had gained
over Albert of Brandenburg i and as he was now
fecure of finding, in the French King, an ally of
fuiEcient power to fupport him, he was at no
pains to conceal the violence and extent of his
enmity*. The Venetians, Charles was well af-
fured, had long obferved the growth of his power
with jealoufy, which, added to the folicitations
and'promifes of France, might at laft quicken
their flow counfels, and overcome their natural
caution. The Danes and Englilh, it was evident,
had both peculiar reafon to be difgufted^ as well
^ Mem. dc Ribier, torn. i. 637.
C c 4 a^
39^
BOO
IX.
IS47'
THE REIGN OF THE
^ as ftrong motives to aft againft him. But above
all, he dreaded the aftive emulation of Francis
himfelf, whom he confidered as the foul and mover
of any confederacy that could be formed againft
him ; ^nd, as that Monarch had afforded pro-
teftion to Verina, who failed diredtly to Mar-
feilles upon the mifcarriage of Fiefco's confpiracy,
*Charles expefted every moment to fee the com-
menQement of thofe hoftile operations in; Italy, of
which he conceived the infurredlion in Gepoa to
have been only the prelude.
Cntertaint
hope Iron
the declin-
ing ftate of
Francis"! .
hcalib*
March.
But while he remained in this ftate of fufpenfc
and folicitude, there was one circumftance which
afforded him, fome profpedl of efcaping the dan-
ger. The French King's health began to decline.
A difeafe, which was the effeft of his intemperance
and inconfiderate purfuit of pleafure, preyed gra-
dually on his conftitution. The preparations for
war, as well as the negociations in the different
courts, began to languifli, together with the Mo-
narch who gave fpirit to both. The Genocfc,
during that interval, reduced Montobbio, took
Jerome Fiefco prifoner, and putting him to death,
•^ together with his chief adherents, extinguifhed all
remains of the confpiracy. Several of the Im-
perial cities in Germany, defpairing of timely
affiftancc from France,, fubmitted to the Empe-
ror, Even the Landgrave feemed difpofcd to
abandon the Eleftor, and to bring matters to a
fpeedy accommodation, on fuch terms as he could
pbtain. In the nican time, Charles waited with
impa-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 593
impatience the iffue of a diftemper, which was to ^ ^^^ ^
decide whether he muft relinquifti all other fchemes, u . .-y*»i#
in order to prepare for refifting a combination of '^^'
the greater part of Europe againft him, or whether
he might proceed to invade Saxony, without inter-
ruption or fear of danger.
The good fortune, fo remarkably propitious
to his family, that fome hiftorians have calftd it
the Star of the Houfe of Aufiria^ did not defert
him on this occafion. Francis died at Ram- DeiAof
bo«illet, on the laft day of March in the fifty- reflcaion*
third year of his age, and the thirty-third of his ^a«*ai!d'
reign. During twenty-eight years of that trme, ^[',1***^
an avowed rivallhip fubfifted between him and chariet.
the Emperor^ which involved not only their own
dominions, but the greater, part of Europe, in
wars, which ^were profecuted with - more violent
animofity, and drawn out to a greater length, than
had been known in any former period. Many
circumftances contributed to this. Their animofity
was founded in oppofition of intereft, height-
ened by perfonal emulation, and exafperated not
only by muaial injuries, but by reciprocal infults.
At the fame time, whatever advantage one feemed
to poffefs towards gaining the afcendant, was
wonderfully balanced by fome favourable cir-
cumftance peculiar to the other. The Empe.-
ror's dominions were of great extent, the French
King's lay more compaft 5 Francis governed his
kingdom with abfolute power ; that of Charles
was limited, but he fupplied the want of autho-
rity
394 THE REIGN OF THE
BOOK rity by addrcfs : the troops of the former were
%^m^Lmj more impetuous and enterprifing ; thofe of the
'547? latter better difciplined, and more patient of fa-
tigue* The talents and abilities of the two Mo-
narchs were as different as the advantages which
they poffeffed, and contributed no lefs to prolong
. the conteft between them. Francis took his re-
folutions fuddenly, profecuted them at firft with
warmth, and puflied them into execution with a
moft adventurous courage; but being deftitute
of the perfeverance neceffary to furmount diffi-
culties, he ojften abandoned his defigns, or re-
laxed the vigour of purfuit, from impatience, and
fometimes from levity. Charles deliberated long,
and determinec^ with coolnefs; but having once
fixed his plan, he adhered to it with inflexible
obflinacy, and neither danger nor difcourage^
ment could turn him afide from the execution of
it. The fuccefs of their enterprifes was as dif-
ferent as their characters, and was uniformly in-
fluenced by them. Francis, by his impetuous
adivity, often difconcerted the Emperor's beft
laid fchemes j Charles, by a more calm but fteady
profecution of his defigns, checked the rapidity
of his rival's career, and baffled or repulfed ,his
moft vigorous efforts. The former, at the open-
ing of a war or of a campaign, broke in upon his
enemy with the violence of a torrent, and carried
all before him j the latter, waiting until he faw
the force of his rival begin to abate, recovered in
the end not only all that he had loft, but made
new acquifitions. Few of the French Monarch's
attempts
1547*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 355
attempts towards conqucft, whatever promifing af- ^ ^^ ^
peft they might wear at firft, were condufted to an *-
happy iffue ; many of the Emperor's enterprifes,
even after they appeared defperate and imprafti-.
cable, terminated in the moft profperous manner,
Francis was dazzled with the fplendour of an un-
dertaking i Charles was allured by the prolpeft of
its turning to his advantage.
The degree, however, of their comparative
merit and reputation has not been fixed either by
a ftridt fcrutiny into their abilities for government,
or by an Impartial confideration of die greatnefs
and fuccefs of their undertakings ; and Francis
is one of thofe Monarchs who occupies a higher
rank in the temple of Fame, than either his ta-
lents or performances entide him to hold. This
pre-eminence he owed to many different circum-
ftances. The fuperiority which Charles acquired
by the vidory of Pavia, and which from that pe-
riod he prcferved through the remainder of hia
reign, was To manifeft, that Francis's ftruggle
againft his exorbitant and growing dominion was
viewed by moft of the other powers, not only with
. the partiality which naturally arifes for thofe who
gallandy maintain an unequal conteft, but with
the favour due to one who was refitting a com-
mon enemy, and endeavouring to fet bounds to a
Monarch equally formidable to them all. The
charafters of Princes, too, elpecially among their
contemporaries, depend not only upon their ta-
lents for government, but upon their qualities as
men^
396 THE REIGN OF THE
B o o ^ men. Francis, notwithftanding the niany errors
w-s^- ^ confpicuous in his foreign policy and domeftic
^^*^' adminiftration, was neverthelefs humane, benefi-
cent, generous. He pofleffed dignity without
pride j affability free from meannefs ; and cour-
tefy exempt from deceit. All who had accefs to
him, ai\d no man of merit was ever denied that
privilege, refpefted and loved him. Captivated
with his perfonal qualities, his fubjefts forgot his
defects as a Monarch, and admiring him as the
moft accomplifhed and amiable gendem;fn in his
dominions, they hardly murmured at adts of male-
adminiftration, which, in a Prince of lefs engag-
ing difpofitions, would have been deemed unpar-
donable. This admiration, however, muft have
been temporary only, and would have died away,
with the courtiers who bcftowed. it j the illufion
arifing from his private virtues muft have ceafed,
and poftcrity would have judged of his public
conduft with its ufual impartiality j but another
circumftance prevented this, and his name hath
been tranfmitted to pofterity with incrcafing re-
putation. Science and the arts had, at" that time,
rriade little progrefs in France. They were juft
beginning to advance beyond the limits of Italy,
where they had revived, and which . had hitherto
been their only feat. Francis took them imme-
diately under his proteftion, and vied with Leo
himfelf, in the zeal and munificence with which
he encouraged them. He invited learned men
to his court, he converfed with them familiarly,
he
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 397
'he employed them in bijfinefs, he raifed them to ^ 9^^ ^
offices of dignity, and honoured them with his «— v^
confidence. That order of men, not more prone '^^^'
to complain when denied the reiped: to which they
conceive themfelves entidcd, than apt to be pleaf-
cd when treated with the diftinftion which they
confider as their due, thought they could not ex-
ceed in gratitude to fuch a bencfaftor, and ftrain-
ed their invention, and employed all their inge-
nuity in panegyric. Succeeding authors, warmed
with their defcriptions of Francis's bounty, adopt-
ed their encomiums, and even added to them.
The appellation of Father of Letters bellowed
upon Francis, hath rendered his memory facred
among hiftorians ; and they feem to have regarded
it as a fort of impiety to uncover his infirmities,
or to point out his defeats. Thus Francis, not-
withftanding his inferior abilities, and want of fuc-
cefs, hath more than equalled the fame of Charles.
The good qualities which he pofleifed as a man,
have entitled him to greater admiration and praifc,
than have been bcftowed upon the cxtenfive genius
and fortunate arts of a more capable, but lefs amir
able rival.
By his death a confiderable change was made in Effea* of
the ftate of Europe. Charles, grown old in the dcTh.** *
arts of government and command, had now to
contend only with younger Monarchs, who could
xiot be regarded as worchy to enter the lifts with
him, who had flood fo many encounters with
Henry VIII. and Francis I. and come off with
honour
39« TH£ REIGN OF THE
» o^o ^ honour in sJl thofe different ft«*uggies. By dU0
k--^w^ events he was eafed of all difquietude, and was
'^*7' happy to find that he might begin with fafety thofe
operations againft the Eledor of Saxony > which he
had hitherto been obliged to fufpend. He knew
the abilities of Henry 11. who had juft mounted
riie throne of France, to be greatly inferior to
thofe of his father, and forcfew that he would be
fb much occupied for Ibme time in difplacing the
hte King's minifters, whom he hated, and in gra-
tifying the ambidous demands of his own favour*
ites, that he had nothing Co dread, either from his
perfonal efforts, or from aiiy confederacy which
this unexperienced Prinde could form*
chitiet But as it was uncertain how long fuch an imser-
I!^»inft*thc vai of fecurity might continue, Charles determined
sawn^.**' inftantiy to improve it ; and as foon as he heard of
April xj. Francis's demife, he began hds march from £gn
on the borders of Bohemia. But the departure of
the papal troops, together with the retreat of the
Flemings, had fo much diminiihed his army, that
fixteen thoufand men were all he could ailembk.
With this inconfiderable body he.fet out on an ex*
pedition, the event of which was to decide what
degree of authority he fhould poffefs from that pe-
riod in Germany : but as this little army confifted
chiefly of the veteran Spanilh and Italian bands, he
did not, in trufting to them, commit much to the
decifion of chsmce j and even with fo fmall a force
he had realbn to entertain the mofl fanguine hopes
of fucccfs. The Eleiftor had levied an vmy
• . . gready
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 399
greatly &iperior in number i but neither the expe*
rience and difcipline of his troops, nor the abili-
ties of his officers^ were to be compared with thofe '^*^*
of the Emperor. The Eleftar> befides^ had al-
ready been guUty of an error> which deprived him
of all the advantage which he might have derived
from his fuperiority in number, and was alone fuf-
iicient to have occafioned his ruin. Inftead of
keeping his forces united, he detached one great
body towards the frontiers of Bohemia, in order to
facilitate his jundion with the malecontents' of that
kingdom, and cantoned a conjQderable part of
what remained in different places of Saxony, where
he expefted the Emperor would make the firft im-
preflion, vainly imagining that open towns, with
fmall garrifons> might be rendered tenable againft
an enemy.
The Emperor entered the Ibuthern frontier of Progreftof
hit r — "
Saxony, and attacked Altorf upon the Elfter.
The folly of the meafure which the Eleftor had
taken was immediately feen, the troops pofted in
that town furrendering without refiftance;. and
thofe in all the other places between that and the
Elbe, either imitated their example, or fled aa
the Imperialifts approached. Charles, that they
inight not recover from the panic with which
they feemed to be ftruck, advanced without lof-
ing a moment. The Eleftor, who had fixed his
head-quarters at Meiflen, continued in his wonted
ftatc of fluduation and uncertainty. He even
became more undeperniincd, in proportion as the
9 danger
40O THEREIGN OF THE
B ?x° ^ danger drew near, and called for pronopt and dc^
^-""^--*^ cifive refolutions. Sometimes he adted, as if he
*^* had refolved to defend die banks of die Elbe, and
to hazard a battle with the enemyras foon as the
detachments which he had called in were able to
join him. At other times/ he abandoned this as
rafh and perilous, feeming to adopt the more pru-
dent counfels of diofe who advifed him to endea-
vour at prbtrafting the war, and for that end to re-
tire under the fortifications of Wittemberg, where
the Imperialifts could not attack him without ma-
nifeft difadvantage, and where he might wait, in
fafety, for the, fuccours which he expected from
Mecklenburgh, Pomerania, and the Proteftant
cities on the Baltic. Without fixing upon either
of thefe plans, he broke down tlie bridge at Meif-
fen, and marched along the eaft bank of the Elbe
to Muhlberg. There, he deliberated anew, and,
after much hefitation, adopted one of thofe middle
fchemes, which are always acceptable, to feeble
minds incapable of deciding. ' He left a detach-
ment at Muhlberg to oppofe the Imperialifts, if
they ftiould attempt to pafs at that place, and ad-
vancing a few miles with his main body, encamp-
ed there in expeftation of the event, according to
which he propofed to regulate his fubfequent mo-
tions.
faffps ihe Charles, meanwhile, pufhing forward incef-
fandy, arrived the evening of the twenty-third of
April on the banks of the Elbe, oppofite to •Muhl-
berg-
EMPERORCHARLES v. 401
berg. The riveri' at that place, was three hun- book
drcd paces in breadth, above four feet, in depths u--^.^
its curreat rapid, and the bank poflefled by the •'^^'
Saxons- was higher than that which he occupied.
Undifmayed, however, by all thefe obftaclesj he
called together liis general officers, and, without
afking their opinions, communicated to them his
intention of attempting next morning to force his
pafTage over the river, and to attack the enemy
^ wherever he could come ,up with them. They
all expreffed their aftonilhment atfuch a bold
refolution ; and even the Duke of Alva, though
naturally daring and impetuous, and Maurice of
Saxony, notwithftanding his impatience to crulh
his rival the Eleftor, remonftrated earneftly againft
it. But the Emperor, confiding in his own judg-
ment or good fortune, paid no regard to their
arguments, and gave the orders necel&ry for exe-
cuting his defign.
Early in the morning, a body of Spanifh
and Italian foot marched towards the river, and-
began an inceflant fire upon the enemy. The
long heavy muikets ufed in that age, did exe- «
cution on the oppofite bank, and many of the fok
dicrs, hurried on by a martial ardour in order to
get nearer the enemy, ruflied into the ftream, and, -
advancing breaft-high, fired with a more certain
aim, and with greater efFe<5t. Under cover of
their fire, a bridge of boats was begun to be laid
for the infantry; and a peafant having under- .
taken to conduct the cavalry through the river by
YowIIL Dd a ford
402 THE REIGN OF THE .
* ^ix^ ^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^ which he was well acquainted, thcjf
^••/mw^ alfo were put in motion. The Saxons pofted in
»i47« Muhlberg endeavoured to obftruft thefe opera-
d(ms> by a briflc fire from a battery which dicy
had ereded; but as a thick fog covered dl die
low grounds upon the river, they could not takte
aim with any certainty, and the ImperialHb fof-
fered very little; at the fame time the Saxons
being much galled by the Spaniards and Italians,
they fet on fire fome boats which had been c61-
leded near the village, and prepared to retire.
The Imperialifts perceiving this, ten Spanifh fdU
die^s iftftantly ' ftript themfelves, and holding their
fwords with their teeth, fv/am acrofs die river, put
to ftight fuch of the Saxons as ventured to oppofe
them,, faved from the flames as many boats as were
fufficiettt to complete their own bridge, and by
this fpirited and fuccefsful aftion, encouraged their
companions no lefs than they intimidated the
* enemy.
By this time, the cavalry, each trobper having
a foot foldier behind him, began to enter die river,
the light horfe marching in the fi-ont, followed
by the men at arms, whom the Emp^rdr fed in
perfon, mounted on a Spanilh horfe, drefflfed in a
fumptuous habit, and carrying a javeKn in his
hand. Such a numerous body ftruggling through
a great river, in which, according to the ^redlSons
i>f their guide, they were obliged to make fcverel
turns, fome times treading on a firm bottom,
Ibmetimes fwimming, prefented to their coirtpa-
ilions>
J
EMPEROft CHARLES Y. 403
luonS) whom they left behind^ a ipeftade equally ^ ^^ ^
magnificent and interefting ''• Their courage^ at v— yl— 1
laft^ fumx>unted every obftacle^ no man betray- '^7'
ing any fymptom of fear, when the Emperor
ihared in the danger no lefs than the meaneft ibl-
dier. The moment that they reached the oppofite
fide, Charles^ without waiting the arrival of the
reft of the infantry, advanced towards the Saxons
with the troops which had pafled along with him>
whoi fluflied with then- good fortune, and de-
ipifing an enemy who had negle£bed to oppofe
them, when it might have been done with fuch
advantage, made no account of their fuperior
numbers^ and marched on as to a certain vie*
tory.
During all thefe operations, which neccflarily niwndiift
confumed much time, the Eleftor remained in- m. *
active in his camp -, and ftom an infatuation which
appears to be fo amazing, that the beft informed
hiftorians impute it to the treacherous arts of his
generals who deceived him by falfe intelligence^
he would not believe that the Emperor had pafled
the river, or could be fo near at hand*. Being
convinced, at laft, of his fatal miftake, by the
concurring teftimony oi cye«witneflcs, he gave
orders for retreating towards Wittemberg. But
a German army, encumbered, as ufual, with bag-
gage and artillery, could not be put fuddenly in
* Avila, Ii5» a.
* Caaierar* ap. Frther. iiL 49]* Strur. Corp. HiSt. Qena.
1047. 1049.
P d 9 Sn9WXU
4o4 THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^ix ^ 'morion. They had juft begun to march wheri
^ . M.. > the light troops of the enemy came in view, and
'^'*^* the Eledtor few an engagement to be tinavoidable.
Battle cf As he was no lefs bold in aftibn than irrefohtte in
council, he niade the difpofition for battle with the
gr^ateft prefence of mind, and in the moft proper
manner s taking advantage of a great foreft to co-
ver his wings, fo as to prevent his being furround-
ed by the enemy'^s cavalry, .wliich were far more
numerous than his own. . The Emperor, likewife,
ranged his men in order as they came up, and rid-
ing along, the ranks, exhorted them with few but
efficacious words to.dp Aeir duty. It was with a
very different Ipirit that the two arinies^'aJvanccd
to the charge. As the day, which had hitherto
been dark and cloudy, happened to clear up at that
moment, this accidental circumftance made an im-
prellion on the different parties correlp.onding to
the tone of their minds ^ the Sixons, fiirpriled and
difhcartencd, felt pain at being expofed fully. to the
view of the enemy i the Imperi4lifts>'beirig now
fecure that the Proteflant forces could not efcape
from them, rejoiced at the return of fun-fhine, as
afertflin prefage pf victory. The fhock of .battle
would .not have been long doubtful, if the perfonal
, courage which the F^eftor difplayed, together with
the aftiyity which he exerted from the moment
tliat the approach of the enemy rendered an en-
' gagemerjt certain,* arid' cut off aU poUibility of he-
fitation, had not revived in fome degree die Ipirit
of his troops. TJiey repjjlfed thfe Hungarian light-
horfc v/ho began the attack, and received with
"'*'"** ^ - ^ 'firmneli
EMP^ROR::CHA.RLES V. 405
fifj^efs :th*:/mien af arrns «ho next; advanced to -"^^J? *
the jphargci bjut as . thefe were the: flower of the c-^^^^— 1
imperial arrpy, were.coi^mand^d by experienced '^*^"
officers,^ and foiight under t^ Emperor's eye, the
Saxons foon began to givjc way, and the Hght
troops i^Uyi^g at the fame time apd' ^ing on
fheir flanksi the flight became genfsraj. A fmall The Ehaor
body of chofen foldiers, among whom the Eke- an/tlken
for had fought in perfon, ftill continued to de- p"^""*'*
fend themfelves, and endeayoured to fave their
raafter by retiring into, the foreft ; but being fur-
rounded on every fide, the Eledor, wounded in
the face, exhaufted with fatigue, and perceiving
all refiflance to be vain, furrcndered himfelf a
prifonen He . was condufted immediately to-
wards the Emperor, .whom he found juft returned
from the purfuit, (landing on the field of battle
in the full exultation of fuccefs, and receiving the
congratulations of his officers, upon this com-
plete victory obtained by his valour and conduct.
Even in fuch an unfortunate and humbling fitua-
tion, the Eleftor's behaviour was equally magna-
nimous and decent. S^fible of his condition,
he approached his conqueror without any of the
fuUennefs or pride which would have^ been im-
proper in a captive; and conicious of his own
dignity, he defcended to no mean fubmiffion, . un-
becoming the high ftation which he held among
the German Princes. *^ The fortune of war,
faid he, has made me your prifoncr, rpoft: gra- * .
cious Emperor, and I hope to be treatai" — 7-
D d 3 Hercj
4o5 THE REIGN OF THE
' ^ix ^ ^^ Charles harffily interrupted him : " Ami
^ ' / ' ^ am I thcDj ^ laftj acknowledged to be £m«
Hif h«5l P^ror ? Charks of Ghent was the only tide 7011
S^Bm^t^' lately allowed me. You ftall be treated as you
'•f* deferve/* At theft words he turned fix)m him
abrupdy with an haughty air. To this crud re-
puife^ die King of the Romans added reproaches
in his own name^ ufing expreflions 9ciSi more un*
generous and infulting. The Eledor made no
reply ; but, with an unaltered countenance^ which
difcovered neither aftonilhment nor dejeftion, ac-
companied the Spanilh foldiers appointed to guard
him^
cbtriM> This dccifive vidory coft the Imperialifts only
Sfur'hit fifty men. Twelve hundred of the Saxons were
▼iaory. killed, chiefly in the purfuit, and a greater num-
ber taken prifoners. About four hundred kept
In a body, and efcaped to Witteipberg, together
with the ETeftoral Prince, who had likewife been
wounded in the aftion. After refting two days in
the field of battle, partly to refrefli his army, and
pardy to receive the deputies of the adjacent
towns, which were impatient to fecure his pro-
teftion by fbbmitring to his will, the Emperor
began to move towards Wittemberg, that he
might terminate the war at once, by the reduc-
tion of that city. The unfortunate Eleftor was
' Sleid. Hid. 4»6. Thuan. 136. Hortcnfius dc Bello Ger-
man. ap, Scard. vol. ii. 49B. Deibript. Pugnac Malberg. ibid,
p. J09. P. Heuter. Rer. Auilr. lib, xU* c, 13. p. 298.
J 3 carried
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 407
carried along in a iort of triun^h^ and e]qpofed ^ ^^ ^
eveiy whert> as a captive^ to his own fuLye&s^; a w*^'-— 4
ipe&acle extremely affliding to diem, who both '^^*
iKmoured and loved him ; diough die infult was
io fdiX from fubdiiing his finn ^it, diat it did not
even ruffle die wonted tranc^iullity and axnpoTuie
of his oiind.
As Wittembei^, the relldence, in that age^ of imibii^t.
the ekdoral branch of the Saxon family, was one ^^^^
of the firoAgeft cities in Germany, and could noc
be taken, if properly defended, widiout great .dif-
ikulty, the Emperor marched thither with the lu-
moft diipatch, hoping that while the conftemadoa
qccafiooed by his vidory was (till recent, the inha-
bitants mig^t imitate the example of their country-
men, and fubnit to his power, as foon as he ap-
peared before their walls. But Sybilla of Cleves,
the Eledor's wife, a woman no lefs diftinguifhed
by her abifides than her virtue, inftead of aban-
doning herfelf to tears and lamentadons upoii her
hufband's misfortune, endeavoured by her example
as well as exhortations, to animate the citizens.
She infpired diem widi fuch refbludon, that, when
fummoned to furrender, they returned 4 vigorous
anfwer, warning the Emperor to behave towards
their fovereign with the relpcft due to his rank, as
they were determined to treat Albert of Branden->
burg, who was ftill a prifoner, precifely in the
fame manner that he treated the Elefton The
Ipirit of the inhabitants, no lefs than the ftrength
of the city, fcemed now to render a fiege in forip
D d 4 ncceffary.
4o8 -'the reign of TH-E
® ^,j? ^ neccffiiy. After fuch z fignal viftory it woukE
C -v^^,^ have been difgraccfui not to have undertaken* it,
'^*^' though at the fame time the Emperor was defti-
tute of every thing requifite for carrying it on.
Bi|t Maurice removed ^U difficulties, by engaging
tofumilh provifions, artillery, ammunition, pio-
neers, and whatever elfe (hould be needed. Truft-
ing to this, Charles gave orders to open the
trenches before the town. It quickly appeared,
that Maurice's eagernefe to reduce the -capital of
thofe dominions, which he expedted as his reward
for taking arms againft his kinfman, and defcrting
the Proteftant caufe, had led him to promife what
exceeded his power to perform. A battering train
was, indeed, carried fafely down the Elbe from
Drefdcn to Wittenriberg ; but as Maurice had not
fufficient force to preferve a fecure communication
between his own territories and the camp of the
befiegers. Count Mansfeldt, who commanded a
body of elcftoral troops, intercepted and deftroyed
a convoy of provifions and military ftorcs, and diC-
perfed a band of pioneers deftined for the fervice
of the Imperialifts. ' Tliis put a ftop to the pro-
grefs of the fiege, and convinced the Emperor,
that as he could not rely on Maurice's promifes,
recourfe ought to be had to feme more expedirious
as well as more certain method of getting pofleC-
fion of the town.
«
The Empe- The unfortunatc Eleftor was in his hands,
nerotti treat- and Charlcs was ungenerous and hard-hearted
S*(So^. ^^^ enough to take advantage of rfiis, in order to
make
E MP E R OK CH A R ITJB S .V. 449..
mfS^e an e^tperfment^whtther. he iJrigh;t.iolx)hrmg3*-^^.^^
abcAit his ddign> by working upbn^ the ceMeine&iw--v»^..
of a wife for her hufband, .or upon the piety* ofC !f*^'^.-
children toward^ their parent, Wiich thisTiew) IjbK
fumindned Sy bifla a fecond time to: cpcti tiie.gates^^
letting her know that if fljeiigarff reflifedr torxdm^.
ply, rfie Eleftor fhould anfwerwtth his he^d hr'\
her obftinacy. To convince her « that thfsnwfflj not:
an empty threat, he brought his pttfoner tauit imp*
mediate trial. The proceedings againft lumj^eoet
as irregular as the ftratagem was barbarous. .. li-.
ftead of confulting thie ftates of the Empire, or rfe--
rtiittiiig the caufe to any court, which, according
to the German conftitution, mij^ht have dtfgadlyt
tdken' cognizance of the * EJedor's crifne, . hc> fii>k'
je^ed the ^eatcft Prince in the Empire to'thc ju-
rifliftionof a Court-martial, conipofed of iSpanifla.
aAd Italfan officers,- and in which the unrelenting
Duke of Alva, a fit inftrument for any afl: of vio-
lenccv prefided. This ib'ange. tribunal fouhd^.its maj 10^
charge upon the ban of the Empire which had
been iffued againft the prifoner by the fole autho- .
rity of the Emperor, and was deftitute of every le-
gal formality which could render it valid. But the
court-martial, prefuming the Elpftor to be there-
by manifeljly qonyi6ted of treafon and rebellion,
condemned him tp fuffer death by being beheaded.
This decree was intimated tg t)ie Eleftor while he *
was amufing himfelf in pl^yin^ at Chefs 'with Emeft
of Brunfwick his fellow-prifoner. He paufed for a
moment, though without difcovering any fymptom
either
4i# THE REIGN OF THE
^\S^ eidier. of furpriac: or tmor s and ^fter ukkig m^^
tke of die irttgaiuitf as well «s injuftice of ^
ThJiiM- Ejnpcror'a proceediogs : <* It is ^tfyi coniinve^
tor|iiiH;. ]ie^ totemprdtieiid hu feheme* Imuftdie, Ims^
** "^^^ cmfe Wittcrabc^ wUl not furrender ; aiid I flu^
hfdami mj life ivith f^^ure^ if^ )>y tbac (acrifiee^
I can prefervc the digtiicjr of my hQufe, and trai^
jnk to my pofterity ih& inh^otapce wliich beton^
to them. Would to God^ that this ientjence may
not afieft my wife and childreit more than it inii*
midates mo V and that they> hr the fake of adding
a few days » a life already too long, may not re-
nounce honoyrs and temiwies which they were
bom to poflStfs < l" He then turned to liia antago^
nift, whom he challenged to eontimie the game*
He i^ayed with his ufual atl^ention and ing^nuicy>
and having beat Emcft, expreflfed all the fatisfij^--
tion which is commonly felt on gaining fuch vic-»
tories. After this, he withdrew to his own zpart^
ment, diat he might em{^oy the reft of his time in
fuch religious exercifes as were ^per In his fini^
adon\
The diftrefi. It was not with thc fame indiflfer^ncej or com-
»iiy!' *" pofure, that the account of the EJlejJfcor's danger
was received in Wittembeig. Sybilla, who had
iii|^orted with fuch^ undaunted fortitude her huf-*
band's misfortunes, while (he ima^ned that they
could reach no farther than to dimini^ his power
a T^u^A. i. fj^ . ^ Strovii Corpus, lo^.
or
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 411
er territories, feb all her reiblutioiis fail as fi>on as ^ ^^^
his life was threatened. Sofidtous to lave thot^ <„■ w ■■!
fhe deipifed every other confidenttion s and was- "'^'*
wlUing to make any facrifice, in. order to zppeuSt
an tncenfed com^ueror. At the &me time» fhe
Duke of Cleres, the Eleftor of Brandenbufg, vsA
Mauricej to none of whom Charles had conunisni-*
cai3ed the true motives of his violent proceedinga
agunft die Eleftor, interceded warmly with him
to Q>are his life. The firft was prompted to do fo
merely by compaffion for his fifter, and regard br
his brother-in-law. The two others dreaded the
univeHal reproach that they would incur, if, aftef
having boafled fo often of die ample fecurity
which the Emperor iiad promifed them with re*- '
fptSt to their religion, the firft efied of their union
^th him (hould be the public execution of a
Prince, who was juftly held in reverence as the
moft zealous proteAor of the Protefbuit cauie*
Maurice, in particular, fiM*efaw that he muft be-
come the objefi: of deteftadon to the Saxons, and
could never hope to govern dicm with tranquil*
lity, if he were conlidered by them as acoeffiuy to
the death of his neareft kinfman, in order that he
might obtain poiieflion of his dominions.
While they, from fuch various motives, fbli- hii trtntf
cited Charles, with the moft carneft importunity, ch.rict. by
not to execute the fentcnce ; Sybilla, and his chil- JJll'rendew
dren, conjured the Eleftor, by letters as well as **** ^^"-
Ipcuen^rs, to fcruple at no conceffion that would
extricate
41=2 THE REIGN PF.THE
«
^^x^^ extpirate him out of the prefent dang^r> and dcIi-
% ''. '^ ver them from their fears and anguilh on his ac-
>S47' • (ontiu The £n^ror> perceiving that the eipe-
dient ^ich. he had tried began to produce the e£-,
fedk that he intended, fell hy dqgrees from hb for-
mer rigour, and allowed himfelf to ibiten into pro-
miles of clemenqr and forgivene^, if the Ele&or
woaid (hew htmfelf worthy of his favour, by fui>^
fisming to reaibnable terms. . The Ele&or^ on
whom the confideration of whgt h^. mig^t fufier
hunfelf had made no imprefllon, was m^ted by thp
tears of a wife whom he loved,, and could not re-.
May 19. fift the intreaties of his family. In compliance
with; their repeatsed folicitationS) ht agreed to ar*
tides' of accoiTHnodadon,. which he would other-
wife have rejected widi difilain. The^chicf of them
were, that he Ihould refign the Eledorj^l dignity^
as well for himielf as for his pofterity» into the
Emperor's hands, to he, difpofed of entirely at his
^ckfurc y that:he .fhould inftantly put the Imperial
troops in poffeflion of the cities of Wittemberg
and Gotha ; that he fliould fet Albert^f Branden-
burg at liberty without ranfom j that he ihould fub-
fpit.tA tbe decrees of the Imperial chamber, and
acquiefce.^in whatever reformation the Emperor
fhould make in the conftitution of that cou^i that
he 'fliould renounce all leagues againft the Empe-
ror or King of the Romans, and enter into no al-
liance for the future, in which they were not com-
prehended. In return for thefe important concef-
fions, the Emperor not only promifed to fpare his
L . life.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 415
life, but to fettle on him and his pofterity the city * ^iS,^
of Gotha and its territories, togeth^ with an an- ^. v ■'
nual penfion of fifty thoufand florins, payabk out '^^*
of die revenues of the Ele&oraide ; and likewife to
grant him a fum in ready money to be applied to-
wards the difcharge of his debts. Even thefe ar«- tndranaiin
tides of grace were cbgged -with :the mortifying * ^^* *"**'*
condition of his remaining the Emperor's prifoner
during the reft ofhis life *. To the whole, ChariW
had' fi]t]^<^ned,« that he (hould ibbmit to the de->
crees of the Pope and council .with regard to the
controverted points in religion ; but the EteftoTi
though he had been perfuaded to facrifice all the
obje^s which men <^ommonly hold to be the dear-
eft and moft valuably, was infleidble with regard
CO diis point ; ^ukI neither direats nor intreaties
could prevail te make him renounce what he deem-
;cd to be truth, or perfuade him to adl in oppofition
to the diAates of his coiifcience.
As foon as the Saxon garrifbn marched out of Mnricf put
Wittemberg, the Emperor fulfilled his engager of Jhe^EUc!
ments to Maurice j and in reward for his merit in ^'^JJl,^**^^'
having deferted the Proteftant caufe, and having
contributed with fuch fuccefs towards the diflblu-
tion of the Smolkaldic league, he gave him pof-
feflion of tiiat city, together with all the other
towns in the Eleftorate. It was not without re-
li3<5bance, however, that he made fuch a facrifice s
• i ' ' * ^
> Sleid. 427. Thuan. i. 142. Du Mont, Corps Diplom.
iy.p. iii,332.
3 the
414 THE REIGN OF THE
■ ^'^ * the exQ-aordinary fvcctb of his arms had begun to
^_^^-/' ' operate^ in its itfual manner, upon his aml^tious
'^7* mind, fuggefting new and vaft proje6b for the ag«
grandizement of his fujoSlyy to^Ptrards the accom-
pliihment of which the retaining of Saxony would
hare been of the utmoft con&quenoe. But as this
ftheme was not then ripe for execiidon, he durft:
not yet venture to difck^ it $ nor would it h»re
been either iafe or prudent to ofiend Mauricej at
that jun(£hiir, by fuch a noanifeft violation of all
the promiles, which had feduced him to abaixkm
his natural allies.
K«toch' The Landgrave^ Maurice's &dier-in-law, was
SlTiIilu ftiU in arms ; and though now left alone to msun-
^^ tain the Proteftant caufe, was neither a feeble nor
contemptible enemy. His dominioils were of con*
fiderable extent ; his fubje£h animated with zeal
for the Reformation ; and if he eould have held
the Imperialifts at bay for a (hort time, he had
ftiuch to hope from a party whole ftrength was ftill
unbroken, whofe iinion as well as vigour m^t
return, and which had rcafon to depend, with cer-
tainty, on being efieftually fupported by the Kis^
of France. The Landgrave thought notof ai^
thing 6> b<^ or adventurous ^ but beihg ieioed
with die fame conilernation which had taken pc^
iefCon of his afibciates, he was intent only on the
means of procuring favourable terms from the
Emperor, whom he viewed as a conqueror, to
whofe will there was a neceOity. of fubmitdng.
Maurice
I547-
EMPfiROR CrtAftLfiS V, 4t|
Maurice eiicburaged this tame and (jadiic %«ri^
by magnifying, 6n the one hand> the Emperor's
>poift^r ', by boafiing, on the other, of his own inte^
reft with his viftorious ally ; and by reprefenring
the advantageoQs conditbns which he could not
iail of obtaining by his intercelfion for a fiiendi
whom he was fo folicitous to fave. Sometimes die
Landgrave was induced to place fOch unbounded
confidence in his promifes, that he was inipatie0t
t6 bring matters to a final accommodatbn. On
other occafions, die Emperor's exorbitant ambi>-
tion, rcftraincd neiAer by the fcrupfes of decency
nor the msodnxs of juftice, together with the recent
and flioqkii^ proof which he had given of this in
his treatment of the Eledor of Saxony, came fo
full into his thoughts^ and made fuch a lively. im-
prefiion on thMi) that he brdke ofi^ abruptly the
'negociadons which he had begun ; ieeming to be
(convinced diat it wad more prudent to depend for
ia&ty on his oWn Ut^s, than to confide in Charles's
generi^ity. But this bold refolution, which de-
fy^ had fuggefted to an impatient fpirit, frettaed
by difat)pointmeht9, was not of long condnuance.
Upon a more deliberate forvey of the enemy's
power, as well as his own weaknefs, his doubts axid
foars returned upon kim, and together with diem
'the l|>irit of negociating, and die defire of accom«
inodation.
Maurice, and the Eleftor of Brandenburg, Thecwdi-
afted as mediators between him and the Em- Mb^'^
pcror, ,g,^
»547-
»i6 . THE REIGNydF THE
pcroir; and after all that the £>rmer had vaunted
of his. influence, the conditions- prefcribed to the
Laridgi:%ve; were ^extremely rigoroirs. The article^
with fegard to his renouncing the league of Smal-
kalde, ;sickiaqwledging the Emperor's authority, and
fubmitting to the decrees of the Imperial chambeF,
were the fame which had been impofed on the
Ele^Sor of Saxony. Befides thefe, he was requir-
!ed \to furrender his perfon and territories to the
Emperor J to implore for pardon on his knees ; to
pay an hundred and fifty thouland crowns towards
defraying the expcnces of the war ; to demolifh
the fortifications of all the towns in his dominions
except one ; to oblige the garrifon which he placed
in it to uke an oath of fidelity to the Emperor ;
to allow a free paflage through his territories to
the Imperial troops as often as it Ihall be demand-
ed ; to deliver up all his artillery and ammunition
to the Emperor ; to fet at liberty, without ranfbm^
Henry -of Brunfwick, together with the other pri«
fclners whom he had taken during the war; and
.neither to talce arms himfelf, nor to permit any of
his fubjefts to ferve, againft the. Emperor or his
allies for the fixture ^.
To«hicK . The Landgrave ratified thefe articles, though
Mfiibmiu. .^iththe.utmoft reludtance, as they contained no
ftipulation with regard to the manner in which
• ' . he was to be treated, and left him entirely at the
^ Sleid. 430. Thuan. !• iv. 146.
Emperor's
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 417
Emperor's mercy. Neceffity, however, compelled book
him to give his aflent to them. Charlesj ^vho had w — w-i^
aflbmed the haughty and imperious tone of a con- '^*^*
queror, ever fmce the redudtion of Saxony, infifted
on unconditional fubmiffion, and would permit no-
thing to be added to the terms which he had pre-
fcribed, that could in any degree limit the fulnels
of his power, or reftrain hirin from behaving as he
faw meet towards ia Prince whom he regarded a$
abfblutely at his difpofal. But though he would
not vouclifafe to negociate with the Landgrave, on
fuch a footing of equality, as to fuffer any article
to be inferted among thofe -which he had diftated
to him, that could be confidered as a formal fti-
pulation for the fecurity and freedom of his perfonj
he> or his minifters in his name, gave the Eleftor
of Brandenburg and Maurice fuch full fatisfaftion
with regard to this point, that diey aflured the
Landgrave that Charles would behave to liim in
the fame way as he had done to the Duke of Wur-
temberg, and would allow him, whenever he had
made his fubmiffion, to return to his own tcrrito- .
ries. Upon finding the Landgrave to be (till pof-
feifed with his former fufpicions of the Emperor's
intentions, and unwilling to truft verbal or ambi-
guous declarations, in a matter of fuch eflential
concern as his own liberty, they fent him a bond
figned by them both, containing the moft folemn
obligations, that if any violence whatfoeyer was
offered to his perfon, during his interview with the
Emperor, chey would inftantly furrcnder themfclvc*
Vol, III. E c to
418 THE REIGN OF THE
* ^ix ^ *^ ^'^ ^"^' ^"^ remain in their ha^ids to be treateci
t^m^m^ by them in the fame manner as the Emperor fhoiild
'5^^- treat him \
Herepain This, together With the indilpenfable obligation
j».eriaicMrt. of performing what was contained in the ardcles
' of which he had accepted, removed his doubts and
Icruples, or made it neceffaiy to get over them.
He repaired, for that purpofe, to the Imperial
camp at Hall in Saxony, where a circumftance oc-
curred which revived his fulpicions and increafed
his fears. Juft as he was about to enter the cham-
ber of prefence, in order to make his public fub-
miffion to the Emperor, a copy of the articles
which he had approved of was put into his hands,
in order that he might ratify them anew. Upon
perufing them, he perceived that the Imperral
minifters had added two new articles ; one import-
ing, that if any dilpute fhould arife concerning
the meaning of the former conditions, the Empe-
ror (hould have the right of putting what inter-
pretation upon them he thought mdl reaibnable j
the other, that the Landgrave was bound to fub-
mit implicitly to the decifions of the council of
Trent. This unworthy artifice, Calculated to lur-
prife him into an approbation of articles, to which
he had not the moft diftant idea of aflenting, by
propofing them to him at a time when his mind
was engrofled and difquieted with the thoughts of
* Da Mont Corps DipIoin« iv. p. u, 336.
that
17
feMl'EROR CHARLES V. 419
^lat humiliating ceremony which he had tx) per- * ^^ ^
form, fiUed the Landgrave with indignation^ and u^^^^
made him break out into aU thofe violent expref- ''*^*
fions of rage to which his temper was prone«
With fome difficulty, the Eledor of Branden-
burg and Maurice prevailed at ler^th on the £m^
peror's minifters to drop the former article as un«
juft, and to explain the latter in fuch a manner,
that he could agree to it, without openly renoun^
cing the Proteftant religion.
This obfta2:le being furmounted, the Landgrave The man.
was impatient to finifti a ceremony which, how ?hl Emjit^
mortifying ibevcr, had been declared neceffary to- J?^^^***
wards his obtwiing pardon. The Emperbr was
ieated on a magnificent throne, with all the enfigns
of his dignity, furrounded by a numerous train of
the Princes of the Empire, among whom was
Henry of Brunfwick, lately the Landgrave's pri-
fbner, and now, by a fudden reverfe of fortune, a
^dator of his humiliation. The Landgrave was
introduced with great folemnity, and advancing
towards the throne, fell upon his knees. His
chancellor, who walked behind him, immediately
read, by his mailer's command, a paper which
contained an humble confeflion of the crime whereof
he had been guilty ; an acknowledgment that he had
merited on that account the moft fevere punilh-
ment; an abfolute refignation of himielf and his
dominions to be dilpofed of at the Emperor's plea-
fure i a fubmiffive petition for pardon, his hopes of
E c a which
4id THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^ix^ ^ which were founded entirely on the Emperor's clc-
i. ia>^l.-j mency ; and it concluded with pronriifes of behav-
'^*^' ing, for the future, like a fubjeft whofe principles
' ' of loyalty and obedience would be confirnned, and
Would even derive new force from the fentiments
of gratitude which muft hereafter fill and animate
his heart. While the chancellor was reading this
abjea declaration, the eyes of all the fpeftacors
were fixed on the unfortunate Landgrave ; few
could behold a Prince, fo powerful as well as high-
Ipirited, fuing for mercy in the pofture of a fuppli-
cant, without being touched with commiferation,
and perceiving ferious refledtions arifc in their
minds upon the inftability and emptinefs of human
grandeur- The Emperor viewed the whole tranC-
aftion with an haughty unfeeling compofure ; and
preferving a profound filence himfelf, made a fign
to one of his fecretaries to read his anfwcr i the te-
nor of which was. That though he might have
juftly inflifted on him the grievous punifhmcnt
which his crimes deferved, yet, prompted by his
own generofity, moved by die folicitations of fe-
veral Princes in behalf of the Landgrave, and in-
fluenced by his penitential acknowledgments, he
would not deal with him according to the rigour
of juftice, and would fubjeft him to no penalty
that was not fpecificd in die articles which he had
ab-cady fubfcribed. The moment the fecretary had
finilhed, Charles turned away abrupdy, widiout
deigning to give the unhappy fuppliant any fign
' of compaflion or reconcilement. He did not even
defire
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ^n
dcfirc him to rife from his knees ; which the • ^^ ^
Landgrave having ventured to do unbidden^ ad- > — i^^^
vanced towards the Emperor with an intention to "^^7*
kifs his hand, flattering himfelf^ that his guilt
being now fully expiated, he might prefume to
take that liberty. But the Elcftor of Branden^
burg, perceiving that this familiarity would be
oflfenfivc to the Emperor, interpofed, and defir-*
ed the Landgrave to go along with him and
Maurice to the Duke of Alva's apartments in
the calUe.
He was received and entertained by that noble-^
man with the refpe6t and courtefy due to fuch a
^eft. But after fuppcr, while he was engaged in
play, the Duke took the Eleftor and Maurice
afide, and communicated to them the Emperor's
orders, that the Landgrave muft remain a prifoner Hetut.
in that place under the cuftody of a Spanifh guard, pVifow,
As they had not hitherto entertained the moft dif-
tant fufpicion of the Emperor's finccrity or redi-
tude of intention, their furprife was excelTive, and
their indignation not inferior to it, on discovering
how gready they had been deceived themfelvcs,
and how infamoufly abufed, in having been made
the inftruments of deceiving and ruining their
friend* They had recourfe to complaints, to ar-
guments, and to intreaties, in order to fave them-
felves from that diigrace, and to extricate him out
of the wretched fituation into which he had been
betrayed by too great confidence in them. But
the Duke of Alva remained inflexible, and plead-
Ec 3 cd
»547*
444 THE REIGN OF THE
cd the neceffity of executing the Emperor's com*?
mands. By this time it grew late, ami the Land^
grave, who knew nothing of what had pafled, nor
dreaded the fnare in which he was entangled^ pre*
pared for departing, when the &tal orders were
intimated to him. He was ftruck dumb at firft
with aftonifhment, but after being (iknt a few mo*
fnents, he broke out into all the violent expreflk»|3
which horror, at injuftice accompanied with fiaud,
fiaturally fuggefts. He complained, he expoftu-
lated, he exclaimed ; fometimes inveighing againft
the Emperor's artifices as unworthy of a great and
generous Prince ; Ibmetimes cenfiiring the credu-
lity of his friends in trufting to Charles's infidiou^
promiles; fometimes charging them with- meannef^
in (looping tq lend their afCftance towards the
execution of fUch a perfidious and dilhonourabk
fchcme i and in the end he required them to re-
member their engagements to his children, and
inftandy to fulfil them. They, after giving way
for a littie to the torrent of his paffion, (blemnly
afierted their own innocence and upright intention
in the whole tranfaftion, and encouraged him to
Jiope, that, as foon as they fav the Emperor, dicy
would obtain redreft of an injury, which afiefted
^eir own honour, no lefs titan it did his liberty.
At the fame time, in order to foothe his rage and
' impatience^ Maurice remained with him during die
night, in the {tp^rtmei^t where he was confined "•
^ Sleid. 43 J. Thuan. h iv. 147. Strqv. Corp- Hift. Germ,
ii. 105a.
Next
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 425
Next morning, the Eledor and Maurice ap- b. o o k
plied joindy to die Enipcror, reprcfendng the \ J ^
infamy to which they would be expofed through- The Eli«or
out Germany if the Landgrave were detained in of Branden-
cuftody i that they would not have advifed, nor Manjice fo-
would he himielf have confented to ap interview, foTh^s iV-***
if they had fufpefted that the lofs of his liberty ^^^'
was to be the confequence of his fubmiffion i that
they were bound to procure his releafe, having
plighted their faith to that cfFeft, and engaged
their own perfbns as lureties for his, Charles
liftened to their earneft remonftrances with the
utmoft coolnefs. As hd now flood no longer in
need of their fervices, they had the pnortification
to find that their former obfequioufnefs was for-
gotten, and Uttle regard paid to their interceffion.
He was ignorant, he told them, of their particu-
lar or private tranfaftions with the Landgrave^
nor was his conduft to be regulated by any en-
gagement$ into which they had thought fit to en-
ter 5 tho\)gh he knew well what he himfelf had ♦
promifed, which was not that the Landgrave
fhould he exempt fi-om ?l11 reftraint, but that he
ihould not he kept a prifgner during life *. Hav-
ing
* According to feveral hiftorians of great Daine» the Em-
peror, in his treaty with the Landgrave, ftipnlated that he
would not detain him in any prifon. Bat in executing the
deed, which was written in the German tongue, the Imperial
minifters fraudulently fubftituted the word e^iger, inftead of
fimger, and thus the treaty, in place of a promife that he
£ e 4. ihouhl
424 THE REIGN OF THE
ing faid this with a peremptory and decifive tone,
he put an end to the conference ; and they feeing
'^*^* no probability, at that time, of making any im-
preflion ypon the Emperor, who feemed to have
taken this rcfoiution deliberately, and to be ob-
ftinat^ly bent on adhering to it, were obliged to
acquaint the unfortunate prifoncr with the ill
fuccefs of their endeavoyrs in his behalf. The
difappointment threw him into a new and more
violent tranfport of rage, fo that to prevent his
piGceeding to fome dcfperate extremity, the
Eledtor and Maurice promifed that they would
pot quit tlie Emperor, until, by the frequency
and fervour of their interceflions, they had ex-
torted his confcnt to fet him free. They accord-
ingly renewed their felicitations a few days after-
Vr-ards, but found Charles more haughty and in-
tractable than before, and \vere warned that if
ihould not be detained in any priCon, contained only an en-
gagement that he fhould not be detained in /erfefual impri*
fonmfnt. Bu: authors, eminent for hiftoncal knowledge and
critical accuracy^ have called in qaeilion th^ truth of this com-
Cion ftory. The filcnce of Sleidan with regard to it, as wejl
as its not being mentioned in the various memorials whick
.he has published concerning the Landgrave's imprifonment,
greatly favour this opinion. But as feveral books which coa-
lain the information npcefTary towards difcuffing this point
with accuracy, are written in the German language, which I
do not underiland, 1 cannot pretend to inquire into this mat-
^jr with the fame precifjon, wherewith 1 have endeavoured to
fctile fome oiher controverted fads which have occurred in the
pourfeof this hlftory. See Struv. Corp. 1052. MoHieim's
l^cd^C. tfiil. vol. 21. p, 161, 162, Engl, edition.
thejp
«547.
EMPJEROR CHARLES V, 425
tfiey touched again upon a fubjeflrfo difagrecablc,
and with regard to which he ha^ determined to
hear nothing farther, he would inftantly ^ve or-
ders to convey the prifoner into Spaiix A&aid of
hurting the Landgrave by an officious or ill-timed
?eal to ferve him, they not pnly defifted, but left
tlie court, and as they did not chufe to meet the
firft fallies of the Landgrave's rage upon his learn-
ing the caufe of their departure, they informed
him of it by a letter, wherein they exhorted him
to fulfil all that he had promifed to the Emperor,
as the moft certain means of procuring a Ipecdy
releafe,
Whatever violent emotions their abandoning Hit impi-
his caule in this manner occafioned, the Land- i^^i
grave's impatience to recover liberty made him
follow their advice. He paid the fum which had
been impofed on him, ordered his fortreffes to
be razed, and renounce^ all alliances which could
give offence. This prompt compliance with the
will of the coQcjueror produced no effeft. He
was ftill guarded with the fame vigilant fcverityi
and being carripd about, together with the de-
graded Eleftor of Saxony, wherever the Empe-
rpr went, their dilgrace and his , triumph waa
each day renewed. The fortitude as well as
equanimity, with which the Eleftor bore thefc
repeated infults, were not more remarkable than
the Landgrave's fi-etfulnefs and impatience. His
adtive impetiTOUS min^ could ill brook rcfb^int ;
4^6 THE REIGN OF THE
and refledion upion the fhameful artifices, by which
he had been decoyed into that fituation, as well a&
^^^* indignation at the injultice with which he was (tiU
detuned in it, drove him o&eh to the wilde£k ex«
cefles of paffion.
The rigour The pcoplc of the difFercnt cities, to whona
^ror^^s ex.' Chaflcs thus wantonly expofed thofe iUufbious pn^
Q^l^y^ foncrs as a puWic fpeftack, were fenfibly touched
with fuch an infult offered to the Germanic body,
and murmured loudly at this indecent treatment of
two of its greateft Princes. They had ibon other
caufes of cpmplaint, and fuch » afiefted thenci
more nearly, Charles proceeded to add o^refllon
to infult^ and arrogating to himfelf all the rights
of a conqueror, exercifed them with the utmoft
rigour. He'ordered his troops to feize the artil-
lery and military ftores belonging to fuch as had
been members of the Smalkaldic league, and hav-
ing coUefted upwards of five hundred pL^es of
cannon, a great number in that age, he fent part
of them into the Low-Countries, part into Italy,,
and part into Spain, in order to fpread by this
means the fame of his fuccefs, and tliat they might
fcrve as monuments of hia having fubdued a na-
tion hitherto deemed invincible. He then levied,,
by his fole authority, large fums of money, as well
upon thofe who had fefved him with fidelity during
the war, as upon fuch as had been in arms againft
him ; upon the former, as their contingent towarda
a war, which, having been undertaken> as he pre-
tended^
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 4^7
tended^ for tl^ common benefit, ought to be car- • ^^^ ^
ried on at the common charge $ upon the latter^ u.-^^^
as a fine by way of puniihment for their rebellion. '^^^'
By theie exaftions, he amafled above one million
fix hundred thoufand crowns^ a fum which appear-
ed prodigious in the fifteenth century. But fo
general was the conftcrnation which had feizecf the
Germans upon his rapid fuccefs, and fuch their
dread of his vi&orious troops> that all implicitly
obeyed his commands ; though^ at the fame timCj
thefo extraordinary fixetches of power greatly alarm*
ed a people jealous of their privileges, and habitu-
atedj during leveral ages, to confider the Imperial
authority as neither extenfive nor formidable.
This difcontcnt and refentment, how induftrioufly
foever they concealed them, became univerfal j and
the more thefe pafilons were retrained and kept
down for the prefent, the more likely were they to
burft put foon with additional violence:
While Charles gave law to the Germans like a PdjiMn^*!
conquered people, Ferdinand treated his fubjedb ^ST^'
in Bohemia with ftill greater rigour. That king- 2*bh*fti?*
dom poflefled privileges and immunities as exten- kemiu ibir
five as thofe of any nation in which the feudal in- ^ *
ftitutions were eftablilhed. The prerogative of
their Kings was extremely Jjimited, and the crown
itfelf ele£tive* Ferdinand, when raifed to the
throne, had confirmed their liberties with every
folemnity prefcribed by their exceflive folicitude
for the fecurity of a conftitution of government to'
which
428 THE REIGN OF THE
* ^x° ^ which they were extremely attached. He foon
w-v— ^ began, however, to be weary of a jurilSiftion fo
'^'' much circumfcribed, and to delpife a fceptre which
he could not tranfmit to his pofterity ; and- not-
withftanding all his former engagements, he at-
tempted to overturn the conftitution from its found-
ations; that inftead of an eleftive kingdom he
might render it hereditary. But the Bohemians
were" too high-fpirited tamely to rcKnquilh privi-
kges which they had long enjoyed. At the fame
time, many of them having embraced the doc-
trines of the Reformers, the feeds of which John
Hufs and Jerome of Prague had planted in their
country about the beginning of the preceding cen-
tury, the defire of acquiring religious liberty mingled
itfelf with their zeal for their civil rights ; and
thefe two kindred paflions heightening, as ufual,
each other's force, precipitated them immediately
into violent meifures. They had not only refufed
• to ferve their fovereign againft the confederates of
Smalkalde, but having entered into a clofe alliance
v/ith the Eleftor of Saxony, they had bound thcm-
felves, by a folemn aflbciation, to defend their an-
cient conftitution ; and to. perfift, until they ihould
obtain fuch additional privileges as they thought
nccefTary towards perfefting the prefent model of
^ their government, or rendering it more permanent.
They chofe Cafpar Phlug, a nobleman of diftinc-
tion, to be their general ; and raifed an army of
thirty thoufand men to enforce their petitions.
9ut either from the weaknefs of their leader, or
from
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 429
fix)m the diflenfions ia a great unwieldy body, ® ^^^ ^
which, having united haftily, was not thoroughly v..-^^,^
compared, or from fome other unknown caufe, '^^*
the fubfequent operations of the Bohemians bore
no proportion to the zeal and ardour with which
they took their firft refolutions. They fufFered
themfclvcs to be amufed fo long with negociations
and overtures of different kinds, that before
they could enter Saxony, the battle of Muhlberg
was fought, the Eledlof deprived of his dignity-
and territories, the Landgrave confined to clofe
cuftody, and the league of Smalkalde entirely dif-
fipated. The fame dread of the Emperor's power
which had feized the reft of the Germans, reached
them. As foon as their fovereign approached with
a body of Imperial troops, they inflandy difperfcd, -
thinking of nothing but how to atone for their paft
guilt, and to acquire fome hope of forgivenefs, by
a prompt fubmifTion. But Ferdinand, who enter-
ed his dominions full of that implacable refent-
mcnt which inflames Monarchs whofe authority
has been delpifed, was not to be mollified by the
iate repentance and involuntary return of rebel-
lious fubjc6ls to their duty. He even heard, un-
moved, the intreaties ^d tears of the citizens of
Prague, who appeared before him in the pofl'ure
of fuppliants, and implored for mercy. The
lentence which he pronounced againft them wa3
rigorous to extremity ; he abolifhed many of their
privileges, he abridged others, and new-modelled
tJie conftitutioa according to lii$ pleafure. He
condemned
430 THE REIGN OF THE
? ^,x^ ^ condemned to deadi many of riiofe who had beefl
i«-*viLij moft aftive in fomyng the late aflbciation agaioft
^^^* him, and puniihed ftiU a greater number with con-^
fifcation of their goods, or perpetual banifhment.
He obliged all his fubjefts, o( every condition, to
give up their arms to be depofited in forts where
he planted garriibns ; and after diiarming his people,
he loaded them with new and exorbitant taxes.
Thus, by an ill-condu6ted and unfucceisful effort
to extend their privileges, the Bohemians not only
enlarged the fphere of the royal pr^rc^ative, when
they intended to have circumfcribed it, but they
almoft annihilated thofe liberties which they aimed
at eftablifliing on a broader and more fccure fotmd-
atipn *•
B^ beu H The Emperor, having now humbled, and as he
* "'*' imagined, fubdued the independent and ftubborn
ipirit of the Germans by the terror of arms and
the rigour of punifhment, held a diet at Augfbuig,
in order to compofe finally the controveriies with
regard to religion, which had £> long difturbed
the Empire. He durft not, however, trull the
determination of a matter fb interefting to the free
fuffi-agp of the Germans, broken as their minds
now were to fubje£lion. He entered the city at
(he head of his Spanifh troops, and afligned them
quarters there. The reft of his foldiers he can-
toned in the adjacent villages ; £o that the mem*
* Sleid. 408' 419. 434. Thaan. I» iv. 129. 150. Struv.
Corp. ii* • *
bers
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 431
bers of the diet, while they carried on their ■ ^J* ^
deliberations^ were nirroonded by d» fame army t- ■»- >#
which had overcome their countrymen. Imme- '*^*
diately alter his public entry, Charles gave a proof
of the violence with which he intended to proceed.
He look poflef&on by force of the cathedral, toge*
ther with one rf the principal churches j and hit
^riefts having, by various ceremonies, purified
theni from the pollution with which they fiippofed
the unhallowed minift^ations of the Proteftants to
have defiled them, they re-eftabliflicd with great
pomp the rites of the Romiih worfliip •.
The concourfe of members to this diet was ex- The Empe.
traordinary; the importance of the afiairs concern- [hL^*J*J*'"
ing which it was to deliberate, added to the fear of *j*»''i' '^ ,
' ' m 1 »^ t t /. **** General
giving oiFence to the Emperor by an abfence which cooncu.
lay open to mifconftruftion, brought together al-
moft all die Princes, nobles, and reprefentatives of
citia who had a right to fit in that aflembly. The
Emperor, in the fpeech with which he opened the
meeting, called their attention immediately to that
point, which feemed chiefly to merit it. Having
mentioned the fatal efFe6ts of the rieligious diffen-
fions which had arilen in Germany, and taken no-
tice of his own unwearied endeavours to procure a
general council, which alone could provide a re-
medy adequate to thofe evils, he exhorted them to
rccognife its authority, and to ftand to the award
• Slcid. 455. 4J7.
of
43* THE REIGN OF tISe
* *ix* ^ °^ *° aflembly to which they had originally ap-
c^J — * pealed, as having the fole right of judgment in
'**7' the cafe.
Vafiruf re. BuT thc councU, to which Charles wiflied them
ihe"cwncu. to refer all their controverfies, had, by this time,
undergone a violent change. The fear and jea-
loufy, with which the Emperor's firft fuccefles
againft the confederates of Smalkalde had inipired
the Pope, continued to increafe. Not fatisfied
with attempting to retard the p/ogrefs of the Im-
perial arms, by the fudden recal of his troops^
Paul began to confider the Emperor as an enemy,
thc weight of whofe power he muft foon feel, and
againft whom he could not be too hafty in taking
precautions. He forefaw that the immediate effeft
of the Emperor's acquiring abfolute power in Ger-
many, would be to render him entirely matter of all
the decifions of the council, if it fliQuld continue to
meet in Trent. It was dangerous to allow a Mo-
narch, fo ambitious, to get the command of this
formidable engine, which he might employ at plea-
fure to limit or to overturn the papal authority. As
the only method of preventing this, he determin-
ed to remove the council to fome city more imme-
diately under his own jurifdiftion, and at a greater
diftance from the terror of the Emperor's arms,
or the rea^ch of his influence. An incident for*
tijnately occurred, which gave this meafure the
appearance of being neceffary. One or two of
tjie fathers of the council, together with fome of
20 theic
feMpfiROR Charles v. 433
tKeir domeftics, happening to die fuddenly, the ® ^^ ^
f hyfieiaiis, deceived by the fymptoms, or fuborn- u>.- w^ ^
ed by the Pope's legates, pronounced the diftem- '^*^'
per to be infeftious aAd peftilential. Some of the ,
prelates, ftruck with a panic, retired j others were
impatient to be gone ; and after a Ihort confult-
ation, the council was tranflated to Bologna, a city March ii»
lubjeft to the Pope* All the bifhops in the Impe-
rial intereft warmly oppofed this refolution, as
taken without neceflity, and founded on falfe or
frivolous pretexts. . AU the Spanilh prelates^ and Twnflated
mofk x){ the Neapolitan, by the Emperor's exprefs [iXi^"!L'
(iommarid, rertiained at Trent; the reft, to the
number of thirty-four> accompanying the legates
to Bologna; Thus a fchifm commenced in that '
very aflemblyj which had been called to heal tho
divifions of Chriftendom j the fathers of B(^ogna
inveighed againft thofe who ftaid at Trent, as con-
tumacious and regardlefs of the Pope's authority ;
while the other accufed them of being fo far inti-
midated by the fears of imaginary danger, as to
remove to a pkce where their confultations could .
prove df no fcrvice towards re-eftablifhipg peace
and order in Germany ^.
The Emperor, at the fame time, employed all sjmptoms
his, intereft to procure the return of the council bciwdn^ihe
to Trent. But Paul, who highly .applauded his Emperor.
own fagacity in having taken a ftep which put it
p F. Paul* 248, &c.
Vol. hi. F f out
434 THE REIGN OF THE
out of Charles's power to acquire the dire£tion of
that aflembly, paid no regard to a requeftj the
'^*^* objcft of which was fo extremely obvious. The
fummcr was confumed in fruitlels negodadons
with rcfpedk to this point> the importunity of the
one and obftinacy of the other daily increafing. At
laft an event happened which widened the breach
irreparably, and rendered the Pope utterly averfc
from liftening to any propofal that came from the
Emperor. Charles, as has been already obfcrved,
had fo violently exafperated Peter Lewis Farnefc,
the Pope's fon, by refufing to grant him the invcfti-
ture of Parma and Placentia, that he had watched
ever fince that time with all the vigilance of refent-
ment for an opportunity of revering that injury.
He had endeavoured to precipitate the Pope into
open hoftilities againft the Emperor, and had ear-
neftly folicited the King of France to invade Italy.
His hatred and refentment extended to all thoie
whom he knew that the Emperor favoured ; he
did every ill office in his power to Gonzaga, go-
vernor of Milan, and had encouraged Fiefco in his
attempt upon the life of Andrew Doria, becaufe
both Gonzaga and Doria poflefled a great degree
of the Emperor's efteem and confidence. His
malevolence and fecret intrigues were not unknown
to the Emperor, who could not be more defirous
to take vengeance on him, than Gonzaga and Doria,
were to be employed as his inftruments in inflifting
it. Farnefe, by the profligacy of his life, and by
enormities of every kind, equal to thofe committed
£MPER0R CHARLES V. 435
by the worft tyrants who have difgraccd human ^ ^ <> *
nature^ had rendered himfelf fo odious^ that it was ^* ^ ^^
thought any violence whatever might be lawfully *^^'
attempted againft him. Gonzaga and Doria
foon found, among his own fubjeds, perfons who
were eager, and even deemed it meritorious, to lend
their hands in fuCh a fcrvice. As Farnefe, animat-
ed with the jealoufy which ufually poflfeffes petty
fovereigns, had employed all the cruelty and fraud,
whereby they endeavour to fupply their defedl of
power, in order to humble and extirpate the nobi-
Kty fubjeft to his government, five noblemen of
the greateft diftindtion in Placentia combined to
avenge the injuries which they themfelves had fuf-
fered, as well as thofe which he had offered to their
order. They formed their plan in conjunftion^ith
Gonzaga ; but it remains uncertain whether he ori-
ginally fuggefted the fcheme to them, or only ap-
proved of what they propofed, and co-operated in
carrying it on. They concerted all the previous
fteps with luch forefight, condufted their intrigues
with fuch fecrecy,*and difplayed fuch courage in the
execution of their defign, that it may be ranked
among the moft audacious deeds of that nature
mentioned in hiftory. One body of the conlpira- Sept.io;
tors furprifed, at mid-day, the gates of the citadel
of Placentia where Farnefe refided, overpowered Th«»ffaa.
nation of
his guards, and murdered him. Another party of the Pop«»t
them made themfelves matters of the town, and ^*'**
called upon their fellow-citizens to take arms, in
order to recover their liberty. The multitude ran
F f 2 towards
436 THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^x^ ^ towards the citadel, from which three great guns, ^
^^^L^ fignal' concerted with Gonzaga, had been fired; and
'^'*^' before they could guefs the caufe or the authors of
the tumult, they faw the lifelefs body of the tyrant
hanging by the heels from one of the windows of
the citadel. But fo univerfally deteftable had he
become, that not one expreffed any fentiment of
concern at fuch a fad reverfe of fortune, or difco-
vered the leaft indignation at this ignominious treat-
ment of a fovereign Prince. The exultation at the
fuccefs of the conlpiracy was general, and all ap-
plauded the aftors in it, as the deliverers of their
country. The body was tumbled into the ditch
that furrounded the citadel, and cxpofed to the in-
fults of the rabble ; the reft of the citizens return-
ed to their ufual occupations, as if nothing extra-
ordinary had happened.
Theimpe- BEFORE next moming, a body of troops arriv-
r.lce poadT- ing from the frontiers of the Milanefe, where they
piKwtia, ^^^ ^^^^ pofted in expedation of the event, took
poffeflion of the city in the Emperor's name, and
reinftated the inhabitants in the poffeflion of their
ancient privileges. Parma, which the Imperialifts
attempted likewife to furprife, was faved by the
vigilance and fidelity of the officers whom Farnefe
had intfufted with the command of the garrifon.
The death of a fon whom, notwithftanding his in-
famous vices, Paul loved with an excefs of parental
tendernefs, overwhelmed him with the deepeft af-
flidion ', and the lofs of a city of fuch confequcnce
as
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 437
as Placcntia, greatly embittered his forrow. He ® ^^^ ^
accufcd Gonzaga, in open confiftory, of having u^-y — ^
committed a cruel murder, in order to prepare the '**^*
way for an unjuft ufurpation, and immediately de-
manded of the Emperor fatisfaftion for both ; for
the former, by the punilhment of Gonzaga ; for
the latter, by the reftitution of Placentia to his
grandfon OAavio, its rightful owner. But Charles,
who, rather than quit a prize of fuch value, was
willing, not only to expofe himfelf to the imputa-
tion of being acccffary to the crime which had given
an opportunity of feizing it, but to bear the infamy
of defrauding his own fon-in-law of the inheritance
which belonged to him, eluded all his fblicitations,
and determined to keep pofleffion of the city, to-
gether with its territories ^,
This refolution, flowing from an ambition fo ThePop*
^ courts the
rapacious, as to be reftrained by no confideration^tiiunceof
cither of decency or juftice, tra^fported the Pope klngLn'd
fo far beyond his ufual moderation and prudence, ll*^*^*"**"
that he was eager to take arms againft the Empe-^
ror, in order to be avenged on the murderers of his
fon, and to recover the inheritance wrefted from his
faniily, Confcious, however, of his own inability
to contend with fuch an enemy, he warmly folicited
the French King and the republic of Venice to join
in an oflFenfive league againft Charles. But Henry
was intent at that time on other objefts. His an-
*F. Paul, 257. Pallavic. 41,43. Thuan. iv, 156. Mem.
4c Hibier, 59. 6j. Natalis Comitis Hiftor. lib. iii. p. 64.
F f 3 cient
438 THE REIGN OF THE
^ cient aliics the Scots, having been defeated by the
Englilh in one of the greateft battles ever fought
*^*^* between thefe two rival nations, he was about ta
fend a numerous body of V^eteran troops into that
country, as well to preferve it from being conquer*
cd> as to gain the acquifition of a new kingdom
to the French monarchy, by marrying his fon the
Dauphin to the young Queen of Scotland. An
undertaking accompanied wkh fuch manifeft ad-
vantages, the fuccefs of which appeared to be fo
certain, was not to be relinquifhed for the remote
profpeft of benefit from an alliance depenc&ng up^
ofl the precarious life of a Pope of fourfcore, who
had nothing at heart but the gratification of his
own private rcfentmenc. Inftead, therefore, of
rufhing headlong into the alliance propofed, Henry
amufcd the Pope with fuch general profeflions and
promifes, as might keep him fi-om any thoughts
of endeavouring to accommodate his differences
with the Emperor, but at the fan>e time he avoid-
ed any fuch engagement as might occafion an im-
mediate rupture with'Charles, or precipitate him
into a war for which he was not prepared. The
Venetians, though much akrm^d at feeing Placentia
in the hands of the ImperiaHfts, imitated the wary
conduit of the French Kin^ as it nearly refembled
the f*p8rit which ufuaHy r^ulated their own. coji-
dud'.
' Mem. de Ribicr, ii. 63. 71. 78. 85, 95, ParoUlftor.*
di Vene?, 199. 203. TKiian. iv. i6o.
But,
EMPEROR CHARLES V- 439
But, though the Pope found that it was not in * ^^^ ^
his power to kindle immediately the flames of war> ^ ■ ^ " m^
he did not forget the injuries which he was obliged The dtJt of
for die prefcnt to endure ; refcntment fettled deeper ^etftbns*for
in his mind, and became more rancorous in pro- «5''u'""™
' . * • of ihc conn-
portion as he felt the dilEculty of gratifying it, It cU toTrenu
was, while thefe fentiments of enmity were in full
force, and the defire of vengeance at its height,
that the dietof Augfburg, by the Emperor's com-
mand, petitioned the Pope, in the name of the
whole Germanic body, to enjoin the prelates who
had retired to Bologna to return again to Trent,
and to renew their deliberations in that place.
Charles had been at great pains in bringing the
members to join in this requefl. Having obferv-
cd a confiderable variety of fentiments among the
Proteftants with refped to the fubmiffion which he
had required to the decrees of the council, fome
of them being altogether intraftable, while others
were ready to acknowledge its right of jurifdidtion
upon certain conditions, he employed all his ad-
drefs in order to gain or to divide them,. He threat-
ened and overawed the EJeftor Palatine, a weak
Prince, and afraid that the Emperor might infii6l|on
him the punilhment to which he had made himfelf
liable by the alfiftance that he had given to the con-
federates of Smalkalde, The hope of procuring
liberty for the Landgrave, together with the formal
confirmation of his own deftoral dignity, ovc^;-
came Maurice's fcruples, or prevented him from
oppofrog what he knew /would be agredaWe to the
F f 4 Emperor.
.I547-
440 THE REIGN OF THE
Emperor. The Eledor of Brandenburg, lefe in^
fluenccd by religious, zeal than any Prince of that
age, was eafily induced to imitate their example,
•^ in aflcnting to all riiat the Emperor required. The
deputies of the cities remained ftill to be brought
over. They were more tenacious of their prin-
ciples,' and though every thing that could operate
either on their hopes or fears was tried, the utmoft
that they would promife was, to acknowledge the
jurifdiftion of the council, if efFedhial provifion
were made for fecuring to the divines of all parties
free accefs to that affembly, with entire liberty of
debate ; and if all points in controverfy were decid-
ed according to fcripture and the ufage of the pri-
mitive church. But when the memorial contain-
ing this declaration was prefented to the Emperor,
^he ventured to put in praftice* a very extraordinary
artifice. Without reading the paper, or taking any
notice of the conditions on which they had infifted,
he feemed to take it for granted that they had com-
oa. 9« plied with'^his demand, and gave thanks to the de-
puties fof their full and unreferved fubmiflion to the
decrees of the council. The deputies, though afto-
nilhed at what they h^d heard, did not attempt to
fet him right, both parties being better pleafed that
the matter fhould remain under this ftate of ambi-
guity, than to pufh for an explanation, which muft
have occafioned a difpute, and would have led, per-
haps, to a rupture '.
f F. Paul, 259. Skid. 440. Thuan* tam. i. 1S5;
X Having
\
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 44?
Having obtained this feeming fubmiflioa from ® ^^ ^
the members, of the diet to the authority of the ^,^,,^1.^
council, Charles employed that as an argurpent thc^poVc
to enforce their petition for its return to Trent, J'"*''***'
But the Pope, from the fatisfaftion which he felt in
mortifying the Emperor^, as well as fi-om his own
averfion tq what was demanded, refolved, without
hefitatjon, that his petition fhould not be granted j
though, in order to avoid the imputation of being
influenced wholly by refentment, he had the addrels
to throw it upon the fathers at Bologna, to put 4
direft negative upon the requfeft. With this view
he referred to their confideratipn the petition of the
diet, and they, ready to confii-m by their affent Dcccin,»D
whatever the legates were pleafed to dictate, de-
clared that the council could not, confiftently with
its dignity, return to Trent,unlefs the prelates who,
by remaining there, had difcovered a fchifmatic
Ipirit, would firft repair to Bologna, and join their
brethren; and that, even after their jundlion,
the council could not renew its confultations with
^ny profpedb of benefit to the church, if the Ger-
mans did not prove their intention of obeying its
future decrees to be fmcere, by yielding imme-
diate obedience to thofe which it had already
paflTed ^
This anfwer was communicated to the Empe- TheEmpe-
f or by the Pope, who at the fame' time exhorted ig^^^^bl'
him to comply with demands which appeared to «»"""» of
< F. Pan], 25Q. Pallav. ii. 49.
be
444 THE REIGN OF THE
• ^jr^ '^ be fo rcafonable. But Charles was better ac-
*•— V— ' quainted with the duplicity of the Pope's charac*
'^^' ter than to be deceived by fuch a grofi artifice ;
he knew that the prelatps of Bc^ogna durft utter
no fentinient but what Paul infpired j and, there-
fore, overlooking them as mere tools in the
, hand of another, he confidered theii' reply as a
fiiH difcovery of the Pope's intentions. As he
could rto longer hope to acquire fuch an afcend*
ant in the council as to render it fubiervient to
his own plan, he faw it to be neceflary that Paul
fliould not have it in his power to turn againft
him the authority of fo veneraWe an aflfembly,
f«iif'*i6. ^^ ^^^^ ^^ prevent this, he fent two Spanifh
lawyers to Bologna, who, in the prefence of the
legates, protefted. That the tranflation of the
council to that place had been unneceffary, and
founded on falfe or friv(A>\is pretexts ; that while
it continued to meet there, it ought to be deemed
an unlawful and fchifmatical conventicle ; that aU
its decifions ought of courier to be hekl as null
and iirvalid j and that fince the Pope, together with
the corrupt ecclefiaftics who depended on him,
had abandoned the care of the church, the Empe-
ror, as its proteftor, would employ all the power
which God had committed to him, in order to
prefqrve it from thofe calamities with which ic
was threatened. A few days after, the Imperial
jftsuarysj. ambaffador at Rome demanded an audience of
the Pope, and in prefence of all the Cardinals, as
well as foreign miniftcrs, protefted againft the
proceed^
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 445
proceedings of the prelates at Bologna^ in terms * ^^^ ^
equally harlh and difi-e^pe6tful^ k.^^^^
It was not long before Charles proceeded to ^^^fc"^!
carry thcfe threats, which greatly alarmed both * ^>*«»» «•
the Pope and council at Bologna, into execu- ruieoffaiui
tion. He let the diet know the ill fuccefs of his Zml^
endeavours to procure a favourable anfwer to
their petition, and that the Pope, equally re-
gardlefs of -their entreaties, and of his fervices
to the church, had refufcd to gratify them by.
allowing the council to meet again at Trent i
that, though all hope of holding this affembly .
" in a place, where they might look for freedom of
debate and judgment, was not to be given up, the
profpedl of it was, at prefent, diftant and uncer-
tain ; that, in the mean time, Germany was torn
in pieces by religious diflenlions, the purity of
the faith corrupted, and the minds of the people ,
difquicted with a multiplicity of new, opinions
and controverfies formerly unknown among
Chriftians j that,, moved by the duty which he
owed to them as their fovereign, and to the
Church as its protefter, he had employed fomc
divines, of known abilities and learning, to pre-
pare a fyftem of doftrine, to which all fhoukl
conform, until a council, fuch as they wifhed
for, could be convocated. This fyftem wa^
compiled by Pflug, Helding, and Agricola, of
whom the twa former were dignitaries in the
■ F. Paul, 264. Pallav. 51. Slcid. 446. Goldafti Conftit,
JfDperial. i, 561.
g Romiih
444 THE REIGN OF THE
* ^^^ ^ Romifli church, but remarkable for their paci-
fic and healing fpirit ; the laft was a Proteftant
divine, fufpe6led, not without reafon, of having
been gained, by bribes and promifes, to betray
or miflead his party on this occafion. The ar-
ticles prefented to the diet of Ratifbon in the
year one thoufand five hundred and forty-one,
in order to reconcile the contending parties,
ferved as a nnodel for theprefent work. But as
the Emperor's fituation was much changed fince
that time, and he found it no longer neceflary to
manage the Proteflants with the fame delicacy as
at that junfture, the conceffions in their favour
were not now fo numerous, nor did they extend
to points of fo much confequence. The treatife
contained a complete fyflem of theology, con-
formable in almoft every article to the tenets of
the Romifli church, though exprefled, for the
mofl: part, in the fofteft words, or in fcriptural
phrafes, or in terms of ftudied ambiguity. Every
doftrine, however, peculiar to Popery, was re-
tained, and all the rites, which the Pnoteftants
condemned as inventions of men introduced into
the worfliip of God, were enjoined. With regard
to two points only, fome relaxation in the rigour
of opinion as well as fome latitude in praftice were
admitted. Such ecclefiaftics as had married, and
would not put away their wives, were allowed,
neverthelefs, to perform all the funftions of their
facred officer and thofe provinces which had
been accuftomed to partake of the cup, as well
as of the bread in the facrament of the Lor4'3
Supper^
EMPEROR CHARLES V: 445
Supper, were ftill indulged the privilege of receiv- b o o ic
ing both. Even thefe were declared to be con- w^A.^
ceflions for the fake of peace, and granted only for '54««
a fcafon, in conipliance with the weakncfs or pre-
judices of their countrymen *.
This fyftem of dodlrine, known afterwards by This, which
the name of the- Interim^ bccaufe it contained tbeimerim,
temporary, regulations, which were to continue forJXdiet,
no.- longer in force thaii' until a free general coun- M*y »5- .
cirijould be held, the Emperor prefented to the
^.•.^ietj'with a pompous declaration of his fincere
: • /iliflF^^ftiph to re-eftablilh tranquillity and order in
^ . tfi^a^: cljurch, as well as of his hopes that their
.-. ; arfopring thefe regulations would contribute greatly
•'tobrirtgabout that defirable event. It was read
'. fff "prefence, according to form. As foon as
i£ was finifhed, the archbilhop of Mentz, pre-
• fi'dent of the eleftoral college, rofe up haftily,
- -and, -having thanked the Emperor for his un-
■ 'wearied and pious endeavours in order to reftore
. peace to the church, he, in name of the diet,
• .fignified their approbation of the fyftem of doc-
• trine which had been read, together with their
• refolution of conforming to it in every particular.
The whole aflembly was amazed at a declaration
fo unprecedented and unconftitutional, as well as
at the Eleftor's prefumption in pretending to de- .
liver the fenfe of the diet, upon a point which
had not hitherto been the fubjed of confultatioa
* F. Paul, 270. Pallav. ii. 60. Slcid. 453. 457, Strar*
Corp. 1054. Goldaft. Conflit. Imper. i. 518.
or
44^ THE, REIGN OF Ttt£
® ^x^ ^ ^ dcb«e. But riot one member had the courage
^"^ — >r-^ to contradift what the Eleftor had faidj fomc
and extort! hcuig ovcrawcd by fear, others remaining filcnc
baaonofTu through complaifaace. The Emperor held the
archbifhop's declaration to be a full conilltutionai
ratification of the Interim, and prepared to en-
force the obfervance of it, as a decree of the
Empire^.
J'*!^. «"^ During this diet, the wife and children of the
liciiatioot Landgrave, warmly leconded by Maurice of
LaDdgrave'a Saxony, endcavourcd to intereft the membcr$iiii/
**^'^' behalf of that unhappy Prince, who ftill laii-
guifhed in confinement. But Charles, wlio did
not chufe to be brought under the neceflity of
rejecting any requeft that came from fuch aje^
Ipedable body, in order to prevent their repre-
fentations, laid before the diet an account of his
tranfaftions with the Landgrave, together with
the motives which had at firft induced him to de-
tain that Prince in cuftody, and which rendered
it prudent, as he alleged, to keep him ftill under
reftraint. It was no eafy matter to give any
, good reafon for an aftion, incapable of being
juftified. But he thought the moft frivolous pre-
texts might be produced in an aflembly the mem-
bers of which were willing to be deceived, and afraid
of nothing fo much as of difcovering that they law
his conduft in its true colours. His account of his
own conduct was accordingly admitted to be fully
f Slcid, 460, F. Paul, 273. Pallar. 63.
iadf-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 447
ffltisfa£boi7, and after fomc feeble intreaties that he ® ^^ ^
>vou]d extend his clemency to his unfortunate pri- u-^^w^-^i
foner, the Landgrave's concerns were no more '^*
mentioned *.
In order to counterbalance the favourable im«
preflion which this inflexible rigour might make^
Charles, as a proof that his gratitude was no lefa
permanent and unchangeable than his refentment>
invefled Maurice in the electoral dignity, with all
the legal formalities. The ceremony was . per-
formed, widi extraordinary pomp, in an open courl^
fo near the apartment in which the degraded Elec-
tor was kept a prifoner, that he could view it from
his windows. Even this infult did not rufik his
ufual tranquillity ; and turning his eyes that way»
he beheld a prolperous rival receiving thofe en-
ligns of dignity of which he had been ftripped>
without utte^'ing one fentiment unbecoming the
fortitude that he had preferved amidft all his
calamities '.
Immediately after the diflblution of the diet, Theiotfrini
the Emperor ordered the Interim to be publifhed appro/ed ^«f
in the German as well as Latin language. . It aJti'!!^"*"
met with the ufual reception of conciliating p»p*^-
ichemes, when propofed to men heated with dit
putationi both parties declaimed agamft it with
« Sleid. 441.
■ Thuan. Hift. lib. v. 176. StniT. Corp. 1054. InvdT-
^tura Mauritii, a Mammerano Lucemborgo defcripta, ap.
Scardium, ii^ 508.
equal
448 THE liEiGN OF THE
'^ ^x^ ^ equal violence. The Proteftants condemned it
*— ^y^ as a fyftem containing the groffeft errors of
'^*'* Popery> difguifed with fo little art, that it could
innpofe only on the moft ignorant, or on thofe
who, by wilfully fhutting their eyes, favoured the
deception. The Papifts inveighed . againft it> as
a work in which fome doctrines of the church
were impioufly given tutfjr ot&ers m€anly conceal-
ed, and all of thqm dehvered in terms calculated
rather to deceive the unwary, than to inftruft the
Ignorant, or to reclaim fuch as were enemies to
the truth- While the Lutherart divines fiercely
attacked it, on one hand', the general of the Do-
minicans vith no lefs vehemence impugned it on
the other. But at Rome, as foon as the con-
tents of the Interim came to be known, the in-
dignation of the courtiers and ecclefiaftics rofe
to the greateft heights They exclaimed againft
the Emperor's profane encroachment on the fa-
cerdotal funftion, in prefuming, with the con-
currence of an affembly of laymen, to define
articles of faith, and to regulate modes of wOr-
Ihip. They compared this rafh deed to that of
Uzzah, who, with an unhallowed hand, had
touched the ark of God; or to the bold attempts
of thofe Emperors, who had rendered their me-
mory deteftable, by endeavouring to model the
Chriftian church according to their pleafure.
They even aftcdled to find out a refemblance
between the Emptor's, conduft and that of
Henry VIII. and exprefled their fear of his imi-
tating the example of that apoftate, by ufurping
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 449
the tide as well as jurifdiftion belonging to the ■ ^^ *
head of the church. All, therefore, contended < ^ * ^
■with one voice, that as the foundations of eccle- '^***
fiaftical authority were now fhaken, and the whole
fabric ready to be overturned by a new enemy,
fome powerful method of defence mufl be provid-^
ed, and a vigorous refiftance muft be made^ in the
beginning, before he grew too formidable to be op*
pofed.
The Pope, whofe judgment was improved by Thefenti-
« . . /-rL* ^1 menu of the
longer experience m gr^at tranfactions, as well as Pope with
by a more extenfive obfcrvation of human affairs, "**^^*^
viewed the matter with more acute, difcernment,
and derived comfort from the very eircumftance
which filled them with appreheniion. He was
aftonifhed, that a Prince of fuch fuperior faga-
city as the Emperor, Ihould be. fo intoxicated
with a fingle vidtory, as to imagine that he might
give law to mankind, and decide even in thofe
matters, with regard to which they are moft im-
patient of dominion. He faw that, by joining
any one of the contending parties in Germany^
Charles might have had it in his power to have
oppreflcd the other, but that the prefumption of
fuccefs had now infpired him with the vain
thought of his being able to domineer over both.
He foretold that a fyftem which all attacked, and
none defended, could not be of long duration »
and that, for this reafon, there was no need of
his interpofing in order to haften its fallj for as
Vol. III. G g foon
4S<> THE REIGN OF THE
B K foon as the powerful hand which now upheld it was
L- A >j withdrawn^ it would (ink of its own accordj and be
'^*'' forgotten for ever \
The Empc Thb Emperor, fond of his own plan> adhered
wmp°Ja"« to his refolution of carrying it into foil e&^utioa.
Sttim! ^"^ though the Eledor Palatine, the Eledor of
Brandenburg, and Maurice, influenced fey the
fame confiderations as formerly, feemed ready to
yield implicit obedience to whatever he fhould
ei^oin, he met not every where with a like ob-
iequious fubmiffion. John Marquis of Bran-
denburg Anipach, aldiough he had taken part
with great zeal in the war againft the confederaces
of Smalkalde, refufed to renounce doftrines which
he held to be facred i and reminding the Empe-
ror of the repeated promifes which he had given
his Proteflant allies of allowing diem the free
exercife of their religion, he claimed, in confe-
quence of thefc, to be exempted from receiving
the Interim, Some other Princes, alfo, ven-
tured to mention the fame fcruples, and to plead
the fame indulgence. But on this, as on other
trying occafions, the firmnefs of the Ele&or of
Saxony was moft diftinguiihed, and merited the
higheft praife, Charles, well knowing the autho-
rity of his example with all the Proteftant party,
laboured, with the utmoft earneftnefs, to gain
Jus approbation of the Interim, and by employ-
ing fometimes promifes of fetting him at liberty,
^ Sleid. 468. F. Paul, 271. 277. Pdliv. ii. 64.
6 fomc*
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 451
fometimes threats of treating him with greater ^ 00 k
harfhnefs, attempted alternately to work upon his v— Jl.^
hopes and his fears. But he was alike regardlefs '^*'*
of both. After having declared his fixed belief in
the do6lrines of the Reformation, ^' I cannot now,
faid he, in my old age, abandon the principles,
for which I eai^ly contended; nor, in order to
procure freedom during a few declining years,
will I betray that good caufe, on account of
which I have fufFered fo much, and am ftill
willing to fufFer. . Better for me to enjoy, in this
folitude, the efteem of virtuous men, together
with the approbation of my own confcience, than
to return into the world, with the imputation
and guilt of apoftacy, to difgrace and embitter
the remainder of my days.'* By this magnani-
mous refolution, he fet his countrymen a pattern
of conduft, fo very different from that which the
Emperor wiihed him to have exhibited to them,
that it drew upon him frelh marks of his difplea-
fure. The rigour of his confinement was in-
. creafed j the number of his fervants abridged 5 thp
liutheran clergymen, who had hitherto been per-
mitted to attend him, were difmiflcd ; and even
the books of devotion, which had been his chief
confolation during a tedious imprifonment, were
taken from him^ The Landgrave of Hefle,
his companion in misfortune, did not maintain
the fame conftancy. His patience and fortitude
were both fo much exhaufted by the length of his
•
< Sleid. 462.
G g 2^ confine-
452 THE RfiIGN OF THE
^ ^ix^ ^ confinement, that, willing to purchafe freedom at
c— v-*— lany price, he wrote to the Emperor, offering not
- '^* * only to approve of the Interim, but to yield an
unreferved fubmiffion to his will in every other
particular. But Charles, who knew that what-
ever courfe the Landgrave might hold; neither
his example nor authority would prevail on his
children or fubjefts to receive the Interim, paid
no regard to his offers. He was kept confined
as ftriftly as ever ; and while he fufFertd the cruel
mortification of having his conduft fet in contraft
to that of the Eleftor, he derived not the fmalleft
benefit from the mean ftep which cxpofed him to
fuch deferved cenfure ^.
dtie«ft*rag. ^^"^ ^^ ^^ '^^ ^^^ Imperial cities that Charles
gicagainft met with thc moft- violent oppofition to the In-
intcrim. tcrim. Thcfc fmall commonwealths, the cidzens
of which were accuftomed to liberty and independ-
ence, had embraced the doftrines of the Reform-
ation when they were firft publifhed, with remark-
able eagernefs 9 the bold fpirit of innovation being
peculiarly fliited to the genius of free government.
Among them, the Proteftant teachers had made
the greateft number of profelytes. The moft emi-
.nent divines of the party were fetdedin them as
paflors. By having the direftion of the fchools
and other feminaries of learning, they had trained
up^ difciples, who were as well inftrufted in the
articles of their faith, as they were zealous to de-
fend them. Such perfons were not to be guided
* Sldd. 462.
by
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 453
/
by example, or fwayed by authority ; but having ^ ^^^ ^
- been taught to employ their own underfcanding in v->--y^
examining and deciding with refpeft to the points '^^'
in controverfy, tliought that they were both qbali-
fied and entitled to judge for themfelves. As foon
as« the contents of the Interim were known, they,
with one voice, joined in refufing to admit it*
Augfburg, Ulm, Strafburg, Conftance, Bremen,
Magdeburg, together with many other towns of
lefs note, prefented remonftrances to the Emperor,
letting forth the irregular and unconftitutional man-
ner in which the Interim had been enadted, and
befeeching him not to offer fuch violence to their
confciences, as to require their affent to a form of
doftrine and worfhip, which appeared to them re-
pugnant to the exprefs precepts of the divine law;
But Charles having prevailed pn fo many Princes
of the Empire to approve of his new model, was
riot much moved by die reprefentations of thofe
cities, which, how formidable foever they might -
have proved, if they could have been formed into
one body, lay fo remote from each other, that it
was eafy to opprefs them fcpar^tely^ before it was
poflible for them to unite,
In order to accomplifli this, the Emperor Com-cned
faw it to be requifite that his meafures Ihould be tJ^fu^oiur
vigorous, and executed with fuch rapidity as to
allow no time for concerting any common plan
of oppofition. Having laid down this maxim
as the rule of his proceedings, his firft attempt
G g J wa5i
454 THE REIGN OF THE
^ ^x^ ^ ^^ "P^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ Augfburg, which, though
*— %^— ' overawed by the prefence of the Spanifh troops,
'^^*' he knew to be as much diffatisfied with the In-
terim as any in the Empire. He ordered one body
of thefe troops to feize the gates j he polled the
reft in different quat-ters of the city ; and affem-
A"8*,3 bling all the burgefles in the town, he, by his
fole abfolute authority, publifhed a decree abo-
lifhing their prefent form of government, dif-
folving all their corporations and fraternities, and
nominating a fmall number of perfons, in whom
he veftcd for the future all the powers of govern-
ment. Each of the perfons, thus chofen, took an
oath to obferye the Interim. An aft of power, fo
unprecedented as well as arbitrary, which ex-
cluded the body of the inhabitants from any fhare
in the government of their own community, and
fubjefted them to men who had no other merit
than their fervile devotion to the Emperor^s will,
gave general difguft i but as they durft not ven-
ture upon refiftance, they were obliged to fub-
mit in filence*.* From Augfburg, in which he
left ,a garrifon, he proceeded to Ulm, and new-
modelling its government with the fame violent
hand, he feized fuch of their paftors as refufed to
fubfcribe the Interim, committed them to prifon,
and at his departure carried them along with him
in chains ^ By this feverity he not only fecured
the reception of the Interim in two of the moft
• Slcid, 469* r Ibid. 472.
powerful
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 455
powerful cities, but gave warning to the reft ^
what fuch as continued refractory had to expeft.'
The effedt of the example was as great as he
cotild have wiftied ; and many towns, in order to
fave themfelves ffom the like treatment, found
it neceffary to comply with what he enjoined.
This obedience, extorted by the rigour of autho-
rity, produced no change in the fentiments of the
Germans, and extended no farther than to make
them conform fo far to what he required, as was
barely fufficient to fcreen them from punifhment.
The Proteftant preachers accompanied thofe reli-
gious rites, the obfervation of which the Interim
prefcribed, with fuch an explication of their ten-
dency, as ferved rather to confirm than to remove
the fcruples of their hearers with regard to them.
The people, many of whom had grown up to
mature years fince the eftablilhment of the re-
formed religion, and had been accuftomed to no
other form of public worfhip, beheld the pomp-
ous pageantry of the popifti fervice with contempt
or horror ; and in moft places , the Romifli ecck-
fiaftics who returned to take poffeffion of their
churches, could hardly be protefted from infult,
or their miniftrations from interruption. Thus,
notwithftanding the apparent compliance of fo
many cities, the inhabitants being accuftomed to
freedom, fubmitted with reluftance to the power
which now opprefled them. Their underftand-
ing as well as inclination revolted againft the doc-
trines and ceremonies impofed on themj and
though.
456 THE REIGN OF THE
* ^ix ^ ^ough, for the prefent, they concealed their dilguft
u,-^..,^ and refehtment, it was evidenjt that thefe paffions
'*^^' could not always be kept under reftraint, but would
break out at laft in cffeds proportional to their
violence^.
ThePopc Charles, meanwhile, highly pleafed with hav-
thJcouncii ing bent the ftubborn fpirit of the Germans to
BlSa.***^ fuch general fubmiffion, departed for the Low-
Countries, fully determined to compel the cities,
which ftill ftood out, to receive the Interim. He
carried his two prifoners the Eleftor of Saxony
and Landgrave of HefTe along with him, either
becaufe he durft not leave them behind him in
Germany, or becaufe he wiflied to give his coun-
trymen the Flemings this illuftrious proof of the
fuccefs of his arms, and the extent of his power,
Swfu 17. Before Charles arrived at Bruflels, he was in-
formed that the Pope's legates at Bologna had
difmifled the council by an indefinite prorogation,
and that the prelates aflembled there had re-
turned to their refpeftive countries. Neceflity had
driven the Pope into this meafure. By the fecef-
fion of thofe who had voted againft the tranfla-
tion, together with the departure of others, who
grew weary of continuing in a place where they
were not fuffered to proceed to bufinefs, fo few
• and fuch inconfiderable members remained, that
the pompous appellation of a General Council
could not, with decency, be bellowed any longer
s Mem. de Ribier, ii. 218. Sleid. 491.
upoox
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 457
upon them. Paul had no choice but to diflblve ^ ^^ ^
an aflembly which was become the objeft of con- w , ^ ' ^
tempt, and exhibited to all Chriftendom a moft "^'
glaring proof of the impotence of the Romifh
See. But unavoidable as the meafure was, it lay
open to be unfavourably interpreted, and had the
appearance of withdrawing the remedy, at the
very time when thofe for whofe recovery it was
provided, were prevailed on to acknowledge its
virtue, and to make trial of its efficacy. Charles
did not fail to put this conftruftion on the con-
du6t of the Pope j and by an artful comparifon of
his own efforts to fupprefs herefy, with Paul's
fcandalous inattention to a point fo effential, he en-
deavoured to render the Pontiff odious to all zeal-
ous Catholics. At the fame time, he commanded
the prelates of his faftion to remain at Trent, that
the Council might ftill appear to have ^ being, and
might be ready, whenever it was thought expe-
dient to refumc its deliberations for the good of
the church **.
The motive of Charles's journey to the Low- The Empe.
Countries, befide gratifying his favourite paffion his ha *
of travelling from one part of his dominions to fiJlf LowI
another, was to receive Philip his only fon, who ^<^"*"««
was now in the twenty-firft year of his age, and
whbm he had called thither, not only that he .
might be recognized by the States of the Ne-
* Pallav. p. ii« 72.
therlands
45« THE REIGN OF THE
t
^ ^x^ ^ therlands as heir-apparent, but in order to fa-
-^ cilitate the execution of a vaft fcheaie, the objefl:
'^*^' of which, and the reception it met with, fhall be
hereafter explained. Philip, having left the go-
vernment of Spain to Maximilian, Ferdinan'd's
eldeft. fon, to whom the Emperor had given the
Princefs Mary his daughter in marriage, embarked
for Italy, attended by a numerous' retinue of
Spanifh nobles*. The fquadron which efcorted
him, was commanded by ^ Andrew Doria, who,
notwidiftanding his advanced age, infilled on the
honour of performing, in perfon, thfc fame duty
to the^ fon, which he had often difcharged to-
Vaw.z^. wards the father. He landed fafely at Genoa;
from thence he*went to Milan, and proceeding
April X, through Germany, arrived at the Imperial court
in Bruffels. The States of Brabant, in the firft
place, and thofe of the other provinces in their
order, acknowledged his right of fucceffion in
common form, and he took the cuftomary oath
to preferve all their privileges inviolate •". In all
the towns of the Low-Countries through which
Philip paffed, he was received with extraordinary
pomp. Nothing tliat C6uld either exprefs the re-
fpeft of the people, or contribute to his amufement,
was negleftedj pageants, tournaments, and pub-
lic fpeftacles of every kind, were exhibited with
that expenfive magnificence which commercial
* Ochoa, tj)arolea, 362.
^ Haraei AnnaK Brabant. 652.
nation^
I549*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 453
liations difplay, when, 00 any occafion, tKey de- * ^^ ^
part from their ufual maxims of frugality. But
amidft thefe fcenes of feftivity and pleafurc,
Philip's natural feverity of temper was difcerniblel
Youth itfelf could not render him agreeable, nor
his being a candidate for power form him to
courtefy. He maintained a haughty referve in
his behaviour, and difcovered fuch manifeft par-
tiality towards his Spanifh attendants, together with
fuch an avowed preference to the manners of
their country, as highly difgufted the Flemings,
and gave rife to that antipathy, which afterwards
occafioned a revolution fo fatal to him in that part
of his dominions '•
Charles was long detained in the Nether-
lands by a violent attack of the gout, which re-
turned upon him fo frequently, and with fuch,
increafing violence, that it had broken, to a great
degree, the vigour of his conftitution. He ne-
verthelefs did not flacken his endeavours to
enforce the Interim. The inhabitants of Straf-
burg, after a long flxuggle, found it neceflary to
yield obedience; thofe of Conftance, who had
taken arms in their own defence, were compelled
by force not only to conform to the Interim, but
to renounce their privileges as a free city^ to dp
homage to Ferdinand as Archduke of Auftria,
1 Mem. de Ribier, li. 29. L'fivefqut Mem. de Card.
Granvelle, i. 21.
and.
4^ REIGN OF CHARLES V.
^ ^ix^ ^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^ vaflals, to admit an Auftrian governor
L.^^-l.-j and garrifon °. Magdeburg, Bremen, Hamburg,
'^'*^* and Lubeck, were the only Imperial cities of note
that ftill continued refractory,
* Slcid. 474. 491.
tND OF THE THIRD VOLUME.
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