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R E I G N
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EMPEROR CHARLES'V.
V O L. III.
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THE
HISTORY
O F T H E
R E I G N
O F T H E
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
By WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D.D.
Principal of the Univerilty of Edinburgh, and Histo-
riographer to his Majesty for Scotland.
A NEW EDITION.
VOL. III.
LONDON:
Printed for W. Strahan; T. Cad ell, in the
Strand ; and J. Balfour, at Edinburgh.
MDCCLXXVIL
c/
f
*
AOAMSVf /. 2.
THE
HISTORY
OP THE
REIGN
OF THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
T
BOOK V.
HE account of the cruel manner In BookV.
which the pope had been treated, filled *■ "j" — '
all Europe with aftonifhment or horror. General in-
_ . . . dignation
To fee a Chnftian Emperor, who, by ponefTing excited a -
that dignity, ought to have been the protector Emperor?
and advocate of the holy fee, lay violent hands
on him who reprefented Chrift on earth, and
detain his facred perfon in a rigorous captivity,
was confidered as an impiety that merited the
fevereft vengeance, and which called for the
immediate interpofiuon 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 into a
Vol. III. B clofer
2 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. clofer alliance ; and, in order to give fome
!- 27 check to the Emperor's ambition, had agreed
to make a vigorous diverfion in the Low-
Countries. The force of every motive which
had influenced them at that time, was now in-
creafed -, and to thefe were added, the defire of
refcuing the Pope out of the Emperor's hands,
a meafure no lefs political, than it appeared to
be pious. This, however, rendered it neceffary
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
promife mod certainly upon delivering Rome,
and fitting Clement at liberty. Francis being
now fenfible, that, in his fyftem with regard to
the affairs of Italy, the fpirit of refinement had
carried him too far ; and that, by an excels of
remiffnefs, he had allowed Charles to attain ad-
vantages which he might eafily have prevented,
was eager to make reparation for an error of
which he was not often guilty, by an activity
more fuitable to his temper. Henry thought
his interp >fnion n^cefiary, in order to hinder
the Emperor from becoming mafter of all Italy,
and acquiring by that means fuch fuperiority of
power, as would enable him, for the future, to
dictate wichout controul to the other princes of
Europe. Wolfey, whom Francis had taken
care to iecure by flattery 2nd preierts, the cer-
tain methods of gaining his favour, neglected
2. nothing
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 3
nothing that could incenfe his matter againft the Book V.
Emperor. Befides all thefe public confidera- l52 -
tions, Henry was influenced by one of a more
private nature ; having begun about this time
to form his great fcheme of divorcing Catherine
of Aragon, towards the execution of which he
knew that the fanction of Papal authority would
be necefTary, he was defirous to acquire as much
merit as poffible with Clement, by appearing to
be the chief inftrument of his deliverance.
The negociation, between princes thus dif- confederacy
pofed, was not tedious. Wolfey himfelf con- j5™ xx . ,in '
dueled it, on the part of his fovereign, with
unbounded powers. Francis treated with him
in perfon at Amiens, where the Cardinal ap-
peared, and was received with royal magnifi-
cence. A marriage between the duke of Or-
leans and the princefs Mary was agreed to as
the bafis of the confederacy -, it was refolved
that Italy fhould be the theatre of war; the
ftrength of the army which fhould take the field,
as well as the contingent of troops or of money
which each prince fhould furnifh, were fettled i
and if the Emperor did not accept of the pro-
pofals they were jointly to make him, they
bound themfelves immediately to declare war,
and to begin hoflilities. Henry, who took every Aug. ii t
refolution with impetuofity, entered fo eagerly
into this new alliance, that in order to give
B 2 Francis
THE REIGN OF THE
Francis the ftrongefl proof of his friendfhip and
TjX-. refpecl, he formally renounced the ancient claim
of the Englifh Monarchs to the crown of
France, which had long been the pride and ruin
of the nation •, as a full compenfation for which,
he accepted a penfion of fifty thoufand crowns,
to be paid annually to himfelf and his fuccef-
fors a .
The?ioren- The Pope, being unable to fulfil the con-
tines reed- ( . .
ver their ditions of his capitulation, ftill remained a
prifoner under the fevere cuftody of Alarcon.
The Florentines no fooner heard of what had
happened at Rome, than they ran to arms in a
tumultuous 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 themfelves a free ftate, re-eftablifhed
their ancient popular government. The Vene-
tians, taking advantage of the calamity of their
ally the Pope, feized Ravenna, and other places
belonging to the church, under pretext of keep-
ing them in depofite. The dukes of Urbino
and Ferrara laid hold likewife on part of the
fpoils of the unfortunate Pontiff, whom they
confidered as irretrievably ruined b .
a Herbert, 83, &c. Rym. Feed. 14. 2C3.
b Guic. 1. 18. 453.
Lannov,
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
Lannoy, on the other hand, laboured to de-
rive fome folid benefit from that unforcfeen
event, which gave fuch fplendour and fuperiorky J a h , e t J^^"
to his mailer's arms. For this purpofe he inaaivc
marched to Rome, together with Moncada, and
the marquis del Guafto, at the head of all the
troops which they could aflemble in the king-
dom of Naples. The arrival of this reinforce-
ment brought new calamities on the unhappy-
citizens of Rome; for the foldiers envying the
wealth of their companions, imitated their
licence, and with the utmoft rapacity gathered
the gleanings, which had efcaped the avarice of
the Spaniards and Germans. There was not
now any army in Italy capable of making head
againft the Imperialifts ; and nothing more was
requifite to reduce Bologna, and the other towns
in the ecclefiaftical date, than to have appeared
before them. But the foldiers having been fo
long accuftomed, under Bourbon, to an entire
relaxation of difcipline, and having tailed the
fweets of living at difcretion in a great city
almoft without the controul of a fuperior, were
become fo impatient of military fubordination,
and fo averfe to fervice, that they rcfufed to
leave Rome, unlefs all their arrears were paid ;
a condition which they knew to be impoffible.
At the fame time, they declared, that they
would not obey any other perfon than the prince
of Orange, whom the army had chofen general.
B 3 Lannoy,
6 THE REIGN OF THE
BookV. Lannoy, finding that it was no longer fafe for
I52 - him to remain among licentious troops, who
defpifed his dignity, and hated his peribn, re-
turned to Naples*, foon after the marquis del
Guafto and Moncada thought it prudent to
quit Rome for the fame reafon. The prince of
Orange, a general only in name, and by the
moft precarious of all tenures, the good-will of
foldiers whom fuccefs and licence had rendered
capricious, was obliged to pay more attention to
their humours, than they did to his commands.
Thus the bmperor, inflead of reaping any of
the advantages which he might have expected
from the reduction of Rome, had the mortifi-
cation to fee the moft formidable body of troops
that he had ever brought into the field, conti-
nue in a ftate of inactivity from which it was
impoflible to roufe them c .
The French This gave the King of France and the Vene-
marches tians leifure to form new fchemes, and to enter
ay ' into new engagements for delivering the Pope,
and preferving the liberties of Italy. The
newly reftored republick of Florence very im-
prudently joined with them, and Lautrec, of
whofe abilities the Italians entertained a much
more favourable opinion than his own mafter,
was, in order to gratify them, appointed gene-
c Guic. 1. 1 8. 454,
raliflimo
tions.
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
raliffimo of the league. It was with the utmoft
reluctance he undertook that office, being un-
willing to expofe himfelf a fecond time to the
difficulties and difgraces which the negligence
of the King, 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 de-
clared war againft the Emperor, advanced a
confiderable fum towards carrying on the expe-
dition. Lautrec's firft operations were prudent, h; s opera.
vigorous, and fuccefsful. By the affiltance of
Andrew Doria, the ableft fea officer of that age,
he rendered himielf mailer of Genoa, and re-
ellablifhed in that republick the faction of the
Fregoli, together with the dominion of France.
He obliged Alexandria to furrcnder after a fhort
fiege, and reduced all the country on that fide
of the Telino. He took. Pavia, which had fo
long refilled the arms of his fovereign, by affault,
and plundered it with that cruelty which the
memory of the fatal difafter that had befallen
the French nation before its walls naturally in-
fpired. All the Milanefe, which Antonio de
Leyva defended with a fmall body of troops,
kept together, and fupported by his own addreis
and induftry, mud have foon fubmitted to his
power, if he had continued to bend the force
of his arms againft that country. Bur Laurrec
durft not complete a conqueft which would
B 4 have
8 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. have been fo honourable to himfelf, and of fuch
I527# advantage to the league. Francis knew his
confederates to be more defirous of circumicrib-
ing the Imperial power in Italy, than of acquis
ing new territories for him, and was afraid that
if Sforza were once re-eftabli(hed in Milan, they
would fecond but coldly the attack which he
intended to make on the kingdom of Naples.
For this reafon he inftructed Lautrec not to pufh
his operations with too much vigour in Lorn--
bardy ; and happily the importunities of the
Pope, and the folicitations of the Florentines,
the one for relief, and the other for protection,
were fo urgent as afforded him a decent pretext
to march forward without yielding to the in-
treaties of the Venetians and Sforza, who infifted
on his laying fiege to Milan d .
TheEmpe- While Lautrec advanced (lowly towards
ror fets the ^» it? i j i ti
Pope at Rome, the iimperor had time to deliberate con-
cerning the difpofal of the Pope's perfon, who
flill remained a prifoner in the caftle of St. An-
gelo. Notwithstanding the fpecious veil of
religion with which he ufually endeavoured to
cover hi§ actions, Charles in many instances
appears to have been but little under the in-
fluence of religious considerations, and had fre-
quently on this occafion expreflfed an inclina-
* Guic. I. 18. 461. Bellay, 107, &c. Mauroc. Hift.
Venet. lib. iii. 238. *
tion
EMPEROR CHARLES V. g
tion to tranfport the Pope into Spain, that he Bo->k v.
might indulge his ambition with the Spectacle of
the two mod illuftrious perfonages in Europe
fucceffively prifoners in his court. But the fear
of giving new offence to all Chriftendom, and
of filling his own Subjects with horror, obliged
him to forego that Satisfaction 8 . The progrefs
of the confederates made it now neceffary either
to fet the Pope at liberty, or to remove him to
fome place of confinement more fecure than the
caftle of St. Angelo. Many considerations in-
duced him to prefer the former, particularly his
want of the money re quifite as well for recruiting
his army, as for paying off the vaft arrears due
to it. In order to obtain this he had aflembled
the Cortes of Cairile at Valladolid about the
beginning of the year, and having lai i before Feb -
them the ftate of his affairs, and repreiented the
neceffity of making great preparations to refift
the enemies, whom envy at the fuccefs which
had crowned his arms would unite againft him,
he demanded a large fupply in the molt prrffing
terms, but the Cortes, as the nation was already
exhaufted by extraordinary donatives, refufed
to load it with any new birden, and in fpite of
all his endeavours to gain or ro intimidate the
members, perfifted in this refolution f . No re-
source, therefore, remained but the extorting
* Guic. 1. 18. 457. s Sandov. i. p. 814.
from
n«
io THE REIGN OF TEIE
Book V. from Clement, by way of ranfom, a fum fuf-
1527. ficient for difcharging what was due to his
troops, without which it was vain to mention
to them their leaving Rome.
Nor was the Pope inactive on his part, or
his intrigues unfuccefsful towards haftening fuch
a treaty. By flattery, and the appearance of
unbounded confidence, he difarmed the refent-
ment of cardinal Colonna, and wrought upon
his vanity, which made him defirous of mew-
ing the 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 whim-
fical revolutions which occur fo often in his life,
and which fo flrongly difpiay his character, had
now recovered his credit and authority with
the Imperialifts. The addrefs and influence of
two fuch men eafily removed all the obftacles
which retarded an accommodation, and brought
the treaty for Clement's liberty to a conclufion,
upon conditions hard indeed, but not more in-
tolerable than a prince in his fituation had reafon
to expect. 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 en-
gaged not to take part in the war againft Charles,
either
EMPEROR CHARLES V. n
either in Lombardy or in Naples; he granted BookV.
him a cruzado, and the tenth of eccltfiaftical "T-TtT
revenues in Spain •, and he not only gave hod-
ages, but put the Emperor in pofTcfiion of
feveral towns, as a fecurity for the performance
of thefe articles g . Having raifed the firft
moiety by a fale of ecclefiaftical dignities and
benefices, and other expedients equally unca-
nonical, a day was fixed for delivering him
from imprilonment. But Clement, impatient Dec. 6.
to be free, after a tedious confinement of fix
months, as well as full of the fufpicion and dif-
truft natural to the unfortunate, was fo much
afraid that the Imperialifts might (till throw in
obitacies to put off his deliverance, that he dif-
guifed himfelf the preceding night in the habit
of a merchant, and Alarcon having remitted
fomewhat of his vigilance upon the conclufion
of the treaty, he made his elcape undifcovered.
He arrived before next morning at Orvieto, with-
out any attendance but a fingle officer; and
from thence wrote a letter of thanks to Lautrec,
as the chief inftrument of procuring him li-
berty h .
During thefe tranfa&ions, the ambafladors Overtures of
r t? t-« i • the Emperor
oi b ranee and England repaired to Spain, in to Franc;
confequence of the treaty which Wolfey had
£ Guic. If 1 8. 467, &c. h GuJc. 1. 18. 467, &c.
Jov. Vit. Colon. 169. Mauroc. Hift. Venet. lib. iii. 2,- ,
concluded
and Henry.
12 THE REIGN OF THE
BookV. concluded with the French King. The Empe-
"77T7" ror, unwilling to draw on himfelf the united
forces of the two Monarchs, diicovered an in-
clination to relax ibmewhat 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 Francis had pro-
posed to pay as an equivalent for the dutchy of
Burgundy^ and to fct his fons at liberty on con-
dition that he would recall his army out of Italy,
and reftore Genoa together with the other con-
qudls which he had made in that country.
With regard to Sforza, he infilled that his fate
mould be determined by the judges appointed
to inquire into his crimes. Thefe propofitions
being made to Henry, he tranfmitted them to
his ally the French King, whom it more nearly
concerned to examine, and to anfwer them ;
and if Francis had been fincerely folicitous either
to conclude peace, or preierve confiftency in his
own conduct, he ought inftantly to have clofed
with overtures which differed but little from the
propofitions which he himfelf had formerly
made K But his views were now much changed;
his alliance with Henry ; Lautrec's progrefs in
Italy, and the Superiority of his army there
above that of the Emperor, hardly left him
room to doubt of the fuccefs of his enterprize
1 Jlecutil des Traite7, 2. 249.
againft
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 13
againft Naples. Full of thofe fanguine hopes, BooK v -
he was at no lofs to find pretexts for rejecling x - t ~
or evading what the Emperor had propofed.
Under the appearance of fympathy with Sforza,
for whofe interefts he had not hitherto difco-
vered much folicitude, he again demanded the
full and unconditional re-eftablifhment of that
unfortunate prince in his dominions. Under
colour of its being imprudent to rely on the
Emperor's fincerity, he infilled that his fons
fhould be fet at liberty before the French troops
left Italy, or furrendered Genoa. The unrea-
fonablenefs of thefe demands, as well as the
reproachful iniinuation with which they were
accompanied, irritated Charles to fuch a degree
that he could hardly Men to them with pa-
tience ; and repenting of his moderation, which
had made fo little impreflion on his enemies,
declared that he would not depart in the fmalleft
article from the conditions which he had now
offered. Upon this the French and Englifli
ambafTadors, for Henry had been drawn unac-
countably to concur with Francis in thefe
flrange propofitions, demanded and obtained
their audience of leave k .
Next day, two heralds, who had accompa- »5**«
nied the ambafTadors of purpofe, though they
had hitherto concealed their character, having
k 1?
Rym. 14. 200. Herbert 85. Guic. 1. 18.47!.
affumed
They de
clare war
againft the
Emperor,
14 THEREIGNOFTHE
Book V. afiumed the enfigns of their office, appeared in
"T^T - ^e Emperor's court, and being admitted into
his prefence, they, in the name of their refpe&ive
matters, and with all the folemnities cuftomary
on fuch occafions, denounced war againft him.
Charles received both with a dignity fuitable to
his own rank, but fpoke to each in a tone adapt-
ed to the fentiments which he entertained of
their fovereigns. He accepted the defiance of
the Englifh Monarch with a firmnefs tempered
by fome degree of decency and refpefh His
reply to the French King abounded with that
acrimony of exprefiion, which perfonal rivalfhip,
exafperated by the memory of many injuries
inflicted as well as fufTered, naturally fuggefts.
He defired the French herald to acquaint his
fovereign, that he would henceforth confider
him not only as a bafe violater of publick faith,
but as a ftranger to the honor and integrity be-
coming a gentleman. Francis, too high-fpirited
to bear fuch an imputation, had recourfe to an
uncommon expedient in order to vindicate his
character. He inftantly fent back the herald
with a cartel of defiance, in which he gave the
Emperor the lie in form, challenged him to
fingle combat, requiring him 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 \ but after feveral
niefTages
Francis
challenges
theEmperoi
to fingle
combat.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 15
mefTages concerning the arrangement of all the Book V.
circum (lances relative to the combat, accom- t " 1 _ r 2 g ~
panied with mutual reproaches, bordering on
the moft indecent feurrility, all thoughts of this
duel, more becoming the heroes of romance
than the two greater!: Monarchs of their age,
were entirely laid afide K
The example of two perfonages fo illuflrious Theefta
. . .....of this in
drew men general attention, and carried with it promoting
fo much authority, that it had conhderable in- f duelling.
fluence in introducing an important change in
manners all over Europe. Duels, as has already
been obferved, had long been permitted by the
laws of all the European nations, and forming
a part of their jurifprudence, were authorized
by the magiftrate on many occafions as the mod
proper method of terminating queftions with
regard to property, or of deciding in thofe
which refpecled crimes. But fingle combats
being confidered as folemn appeals to the omni-
fcience and juftice of the Supreme Being, they
were allowed only in publick caufes, according
to the prefcription of law, and carried on in a
judicial 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
1 Recueil des Traitez, 2. Mem. de Bellay, 203, &c.
Sandov. Hift. I. 837.
civil
.7
THE REIGN OF THE
civil judge alone, were fought without the in-
terpoiition of his authority, and in cafes to
which the laws did not extend. The tranfaction
between Charles and Francis ftrongly counte-
nanced this pra&ice. Upon every affront, or
injury which feemed to touch his honour, a gen-
tleman thought himfelf entitled to draw his
fword, and to call on his adverfary to make re-
paration. Such an opinion introduced among
men of fierce courage, of high fpirit, and of
rude manners, when offence was often given,
and revenge was always prompt, produced molt
fatal conlequences. Much of the befl blood in
Chriftendom was fhed ; many ufeful lives were
facrificed $ and at fome periods, war itfelf hath
hardly been more deftru&ive than thefe contefts
of honour. So. powerful, however, is the do-
minion cf falhion, that neither the terror of
penal laws, nor reverence for religion, have been
able entirely to abolifh a practice unknown
among the ancients, and not juftifiable by any
principle of reafon ; though at the fame time it
mud be admitted, that, to this abfurd cuftom,
we mud afcribe in fome degree the extraordinary
gentlenefs and complaifance of modern manners,
and that refpectful attention of one man to an-
other, which, at prefent, render the focial inter-
courfes of life far more agreeable and decent
than among the mod: civilized nations of anti-
quity.
While
emperor Charles v. 17
While the two Moriarchs feemed fo eager to Book V.
terminate their quarrel by a perfonal combat, "TTTiT"
Lautrec continued his operations which pro- J^j" 1 °f
rnifed to be more decifive. His army, which ™ lifts fro »
4 Rome.
was now increafed to thirty-five thoufand men, February,
advanced by great marches towards Naples.
The terror of their approach, as well as the
remonftrances and the entreaties of the prince
of Orange, prevailed at laft on the Imperial
troops, though with difficulty, to quit Rome,
of which they had kept pofleflion during ten
months. But of that flourishing army which
had entered the city, fcarcely one half remained;
the reft, cut off by the plague, or wafted by dif-
eafes, the effects of their inactivity, intempe-
rance, and debauchery, fell victims to their own
crimes m . Lautrec made the greater!: efforts to
attack them in their retreat towards the Neapo-
litan territories, which would have finifhed the
war at one blow. But the prudence of their
leafders disappointed all his fneafures, and con-
ducted them with little lofs to Naples. The
people of that kingdom, extremely impatient
to ihake off the Spanifh yoke, received the
French with open arms, wherever they appeared
to take porTefTion ; and Gaeta and Naples ex-
cepted, hardly any place of importance remained
in the hands of the Imperialists. The prefer-
01 Guic. 1. xviii. 478.
Vol. Ill, C vation
THE REIGN OF THE
vation of the former was owing to the flrength
7^g7 °f lts fortifications, that of the latter to the
liegeNapicV P refence * the Imperial army. Lautrec, how-
ever, fat down before Naples, but finding it
vain to think of reducing a city by force while
defended by fo many troops, he was obliged to
employ the flower, but lefs dangerous method
of blockade *, and having taken meafures which
appeared to him effectual, he confidently allur-
ed his mafter, that famine would foon compel
the befieged to capitulate. Thefe hopes were
flrongly confirmed by the defeat of a vigorous
attempt made by the enemy in order to recover
the command of the fea. The gallies of An-
drew Doria, under the command of his nephew
Philippino, guarded the mouth of the harbour.
Moncada, who had fucceeded Lanoy in the
vice-royalty, rigged out a number of gallies
fuperior to Doria's, manned them with a chofen*
body of Spanifh veterans, and going on board
himfelf, together with the marquis del GuaHo*
attacked Philippino before the arrival of the Ve-
netian and French fleets. But he, by his fu-
perior fkill in naval operations,- eafily triumphed
over the valour and number of the Spaniards.
The viceroy was killed, moft of his fleet de-
ftroyed, and Guafto, with many officers of
diftindYion, being taken prifoners, were put on
board the captive gallies, and fent by Philippino,
as trophies of his viclory to his uncle n .
r Goic. 1. xix. 487. P. Heuter. lib. x, c. 2, p. 231.
* Not-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 19
Notwithstanding this flattering profpect Book V.
of fuccefs, many circumftances concurred to fruf- ,. 2 g #
trate Lautrec's expectations. Clement, though Jj*™™"
he always acknowledged his being indebted to ^J d ic ^""
Francis for the recovery of his liberty, and often progrefc of
complained of the cruel treatment which he had
met with from the Emperor, was not influenced
at this juncture by principles of gratitude, nor,
which is more extraord inary, was he fwayed by
the defire of revenge. His paft misfortunes
rendered him more cautious than ever, and his
recollection of the errors which he had commit-
ted, increafed the natural irrefolution of his
mind. While he amufed Francis with promifes,
he fecretly negociated with Charles •, and being
folicitousj above all things, to re-eftablifh. his
family in Florence with their ancient authority,
Which he could not expect from Francis, who
had entered into ftrict alliance with the new
republick, he leaned rather to the fide of his
enemy than to that of his benefactor, and gave
Lautrec no afliflance towards carrying on his
operations. The Venetians, viewing with jea-
loufy the pjogrefs of the French arms, were
intent only upon recovering fuch maritime
towns in the Neapolitan dominions as were to
be poffefied by their republick, while they were
altogether carelefs afbout the reduction of
Naples, on which the fuccete of the commoji
C 2 cauie
THE REIGN OF TtlE
caufe depended °. The King of England, in-
Head of being able, as had been projected, to
embarrafs the Emperor by attacking his terri-
tories in the Low-Countries, found his fubjects
fo averfe to an unneceffary war, which would
have ruined the trade of the nation, that in order
to filence their clamours, and put a flop to the
infurrections ready to break out among them,
he was compelled to conclude a truce for eight
months with the governefs of the Netherlands p .
Francis himlelf, with the fame unpardonable
inattention of which he had formerly been
guilty, and for which he had fuffered fo fevere-
ly, neglected to make proper remittances to
Lautrec for the fupport of his army q .
Rerokof These unexpected events retarded the pro-
-Andrew r r
Dona from grels of the French, difcouraging both the
general and his troops j but the revolt of An-
drew Doria proved a fatal blow to all , their
meafures. That gallant officer, the citizen of a
republick, 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 per-
fect flranger to the arts of fubmiflion or flattery
neceffary in courts, but confeious at the fame
time of his own merit and importance, he al-
° Guic. 1. xix. 491. p Heibm, 90. Rymer, 14. 258.
^ Guic. !« xviii. 478.
ways ^
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 21
ways offered his advice with freedom, and often B° 0K V.
preferred his complaints and remonftrances with j^g,
boldnefs. The French minifters, unaecuftomed
to fuch liberties, determined to ruin a man who
treated them with fo little deference ; and
though Francis himfelf had a juft fenfe of
Doria's fervices, as well as an high efteem for
his character, the courtiers, by continually re-
prefenting him as a man haughty, intractable,
and more folicitous to aggrandize himfelf, than
to promote the intereft of France, gradually
undermined the foundations of his credit, and
filled the King's mind with fufpicion and dif-
truft. From thence proceeded feveral affronts
and indignities put upon Doria. His appoint-
ments were not regularly paid j his advice, even
in naval affairs, was often flighted $ an attempt
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
began to fortify Savona, to clear its harbour,
and, removing thither fome branches of trade
carried on at Genoa, plainly fhewed that they
intended to render that town, long the object
of jealoufy and hatred to the Genoefe, their
rival in wealth and commerce. Doria, animated
with a patriotick zeal for the honour and intereft
of his country, remonftrated againft this in the
m C 3 higheft
li THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. hjgheft tone, not without threats, if the meafure
X'?^" were not inflantly abandoned. This bold aftion,
aggravated by the malice of the courtiers, ancj
placed in the moll odious light, irritated Francis;
to fuch a degree, that he commanded Barfye-
fieux, whom he appointed admiral of the Levant,
to fail directly to Genoa with the Freach fleet,
to arreft Doria, and to fei^e his gallies. This
rafh order, the execution of which could have
been fecured only by the moft profound fecrecy,
was concealed with fo little care, that Doria got
timely intelligence of it, and retired with alj
Jiis gallies to a place of fafety. Guafto, his,
prifoner, who had long obferved and fomented
his growing difcontent, and had often allured
Jiim by magnificent promifes to enter into the
Emperor's fervice, laid hold on this favourable
opportunity. While his indignation and refent«»
ment were at their height, he prevailed on him
to difpatch one of his officers to the Imperial
court with his overtures and demands. The
negotiation was not long; Charles, fully fen-
fible of the importance of fuch an acquifition,
granted him whatever terms he required. Doria
fent back his commiffion, together 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 en-
gag^,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 23
gaged, but to bring them protection and deli- Book V.
verance. 1528.
His arrival opened the communication with wretched
the fea, and reftored plenty in Naples, which t he Frenc°h
was now reduced to the laft extremity ; and the N^ies. ef ° rc
French, having loft their fuperiority at fea, were
foon reduced to great ftraits for want of provi-
fions. The prince of Orange, who fncceeded
the viceroy in the command of the Imperial
army, Ihewed himfelf by his prudent conduct
worthy of that 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 harming the enemy,
and by continual alarms or failles, fatigued and
weakened them r . As an addition to all thefe
misfortunes, the difeafes common in that coun^
try during the fulpy months, began to break
out among the French troops. The prifoners
communicated to them the peftilence which the
Imperial army had brought tq Naples from
Rome, and it raged with fuch violence, that
few, either officers or foldiers, efcaped the in-
fection. Of the whole army, not four thoufand
men, a number hardly fuffieient to defend the
* Jovii Hift. lib. xxxvi. p. 31, &<:• Sigonii Vita Doria,
v. 1139. Bellay, 114, &c.
C 4 camp,
24 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. camp, were capable of doing duty • ; and being
1528. now befieged in their turn, they fuffered all the
miferies from which the Imperialists were de-
livered. Lautrec, after ftruggling long with
fo many difappointments and calamities, which
preyed on his mind at the fame time that the
Aug. 15. peftilence wafted his body, died, lamenting the
negligence of his fovereign, and the infidelity
of his allies, to which fo many brave men had
fallen victims r . By his death, and the indifpo-
fition of the other generals, the command de-
volved on the marquis de Saluces, an officer
Raifcthc altogether unequal to fuch a truft. He, with
troops no lefs difpirited than reduced, retreated
in diforder to Averfa ; which town being in-
verted by the prince of Orange, Saluces was
under the nece££cy of confenting, that he him-
felf mould remain a prifoner of war, that hi$
troops fhould lay down their arms and colours,
give up their baggage, and march under a
guard to the frontiers of France, By this igno-
rhinious capitulation, the wretched remains of
the French army were faved ; and the Emperor,
by his own perfeverance and the good conduct
of his generals, acquired once more the fupe*
riority in Italy",
5 Bellay, 117, &e.
* P. Heuter. Rerum Auftr. lib. x. c. 2. 23 j.
u Bellay, 117, &c. joviiHift. lib. xxv, xxvi.
The
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
The lofs of Genoa followed immediately upon
the ruin of the army in Naples. To deliver his "77zs7
country from the dominion of foreigners was Gen ? arc . c °-
J o vers its li-
Doria ? s higheft ambition, and had been his bcrt y*
principal inducement to quit the fervice of
France, and enter into that of the Emperor. A
moft favourable opportunity for executing this
honourable enterprize now prefented itfelf. The
city of Genoa, afflicted by the peftilence, was
ajmoft deferted by its inhabitants ; the French
garrifon being neither regularly paid nor re-
cruited, was reduced to an inconliderable num-
ber; Doria's emiflaries found that fuch of the
citizens as remained, being weary alike of the
French and Imperial yoke, the rigour of which
they had alternately felt, were ready to welcome
him as their deliverer, and to fecond all his
meafures. Things wearing this promifing afpecl,
he failed towards the coaft of Genoa •, 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 -, Trivulci,
the French governor, with his feeble garrifon,
ihut himfelf up in the citadel, and Doria took S ept. n.
pofifeffion of the town without bloodfhed or
refiftance. Want of provisions quickly obliged
Trivulci to capitulate; the people, eager to
abolifh fuch an odious monument of their fer-
vitude, ran together with a tumultuous violence,
and levelled the citadel with the ground.
It
U THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. It was now in Doria's power to have rendered
*~~" I5 2 8. himfelf the fovereign of his country, which he
Difmtereft- J^d f happily delivered from opprefilon. The
ed conduit . r •
pfOoria. fame of his former actions, the fuccefs of his
prefent attempt, the attachment of his friends,
the gratitude of his countrymen, together with
the fupport of the Emperor, all confpired to
facilitate his attaining the fupreme authority,
and invited him to lay hold of it. But with a
magnanimity of which there are few examples,
he facrificed all thoughts of aggrandizing him-
felf to the virtuous fatisfaction of eftablifhing
liberty in his country, the higheft object at
which ambition can aim. Having aJTembled the
whole body of the people in the court before his
palace, he affured them, that the happinefs of
feeing them once more in pofTeflion of freedom,
was to him a full reward for all his fervices \
that, more delighted with the name of citizen,
than of fovereign, he claimed no pre-eminence
or power above his equals ; bait remitted en-
tirely to them the right of fettling what form of
government they would now chufe to be efta-
blifhed among them. The people liftened to
him with tears of admiration, and of joy.
Twelve perfons were elected to new-model the
conftitution of the republick. The influence of
Doria's virtue and example communicated itfelf
to his countrymen; the factions which had long
$orn and ruined the ftate, feemed to be forgot-
. ten
*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 27
ten ; prudent precautions were taken to prevent Book V.
their reviving; and the fame form of govern- f r 2 s.
ment which had fubfifted with little variation
fince that time in Genoa, was eftablimed with
univerfal applaufe. Doria lived to a great
age, beloved, refpe&ed, and honoured by his
countrymen ; and adhering uniformly to his
profeflions of moderation, , without arrogating
any thing unbecoming a private citizen, he pre-
feryed a great afcendant over the councils of the
republiek, whjch owed its being to his generofity.
The authority which he pofTefTed was more flat-
tering, as well as more fatisfactory, than that
derived from fovereignty ; a dominion founded
in love and in gratitude -, and upheld by venera*
tion for his virtues, not by the dread of his.
power. His memory is {till reverenced by the
Genoefe, and he is diftinguiflied in their publjck
monuments, and celebrated in the works of
(heir hiftorians, by the moil honourable of all
appellations, THE FATHER OF HIS
COUNTRY, AND THE RESTORER OF
ITS LIBERTY \
Francis, in order to recover the reputation 1529*
Operation*
of his arms, difcredited by fo many lofTes, made in the Mi.
new efforts in the Milanefe. But the Count of
St. Pol, z, ralh and unexperienced officer, to
* Guic. 1. xix. p. 498. Sigonii Vita Doriae, p. 1 146.
Jovii Hill, lib. xxvi. p. 36, &c.
whom
28 . THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. whom he gave the command, was no match for
1529. Antonio de Leyva, the ableft of the Imperial
generals. He, by his fuperior fkill in war,
checked, with a handful of men, the brifk but
ill-concerted motions of the French ; and though
fo infirm himfelf that he was carried conftantly
in a litter, he furpaffed them, when occafion re-
quired, no lefs in activity than in prudence. By
an unexpected march he furprized, defeated,
and took the Count of St. Pol, ruining the
French army in the Milanefe as entirely as the
prince of Orange had ruined that which befieged
Naples y ,
*L eg s bT Amidst thefe vigorous operations in the field,
tween each party difcovered an impatient defire of
Charles and r J ^ r
Frandi. peace, and continual negociations were carried
on for that purpofe. The French King dis-
couraged, and almoft exhaufted by fo many
unfuccefsful enterprizes, was reduced now to
think of obtaining the releafe of his fons by con-
ceffions, not by the terror of his arms. The
Pope hoped to recover by a treaty whatever he
had loft in the war. The Emperor, notwith-
standing the advantages which he had gained,
-had many reafons to make him wifli for an ac-
commodation, Solyman, having over-run Hun-
gary, was ready to break in upon the Auftrian
y Guic. 1, xix* 520. P. Heuter. Rer. Auftr.- lib. x. c. 3.
p. 233. Mem. deBellay, 121.
territories
i
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
territories with the whole force of the Eaft. The
Reformation gaining ground daily in Germany, ls l 9
the princes who favoured it had entered into a
confederacy, which Charles thought dangerous
to the tranquillity of the Empire. The Spaniards
murmured at a war the weight of which refted
chiefly on them. The variety and extent of the
Emperor's operations far exceeded what his re-
venues could fupport : his fuqcefs 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 necefTary, would always triumph
over enemies flill in a condition to renew their
attacks. All parties, however, were at equal
pains to conceal, or to difTemble their real fen-
timents. The Emperor, that his inability to
carry on the war might not be fufpected, infifted
on high terms in the tone of a conqueror. The
Pope, folicitous not to lofe his prefent allies,
before he came to any agreement with Charles,
continued to make a thoufand proteftations of
fidelity to the former, while he privately nego-
tiated with the latter. Francis, afraid that his
confederates might prevent him by treating for
themfelves with the Emperor, had recourfe to
many difhonourable artifices, in order to turn
their attention from the meafures which he was
taking to adjuft all differences with his rival.
In-
30 THE REtGfr OP THE
Book V. J N t h} s fituation of affairs, when all the cori-
1529. tending powers wifhed for peace, but durft not
venture too haftily on the fteps neceflary for at*
taining it, two ladies undertook to procure this
M bleffing fo much defired by all Europe. Thefe
were Margaret of Auflria* dowager of Savoy,
the Emperor's aunt, and Louife, Francis's mo-
ther. They agreed on an interview at Cambray^
and being lodged in two adjoining hotifes, be-
tween which a communication was opened, met
together without ceremony or obfervation, and
held daily conferences* to which no perfon what-
ever was admitted* As both were profoundly
fkilled in bufinefs, thoroughly acquainted with
the fecrets of their refpe&ive courts, and pof-
feffed with perfect confidence in each other,
they foon made great progrefs towards a final
accommodation * and the ambalTadors of all the
confederates waited in anxious fufpenfe to know
their fate, the determination of which was en-
tirely in their hands \
separate But whatever diligence they nfed to nafteri
twcTnthe forward a general peace, the Pope had the ad-
cZ£? dl *efs and induftry to get the ftaft of his allies*
by concluding at Barcelona a particular treaty
for himfelf. The Emperor, impatient to vifit
Italy in his way to Germany \ and defirous of
P. Heuter. Rer. Auftr. lib. x. c. 3. p. 133. Mem. de
Bellay, p. 122,
re-efta-
Junc to,
EMPEROR CtiARLES V. 31
fe-eftablifhing tranquillity in the one country, %ook V.
before he attempted to compofe the diforders "TcioT
which abounded in the other, found it neceffary
to fecure at leaft one alliance among the Italian
ftates, on which he might depend. That with
Clement, who courted it with unwearied impor-
tunity, feemed more proper than any other.-
Charles being extremely folicitous to make fome
reparation for the infults which he had offered
to the facred character of the Pope, and to re-
deem paft offences by new merit, granted Cle-
ment, notwithstanding all his misfortunes, terms
more favourable than he could have expefled af-
ter a continued feries of fuccefs. Among other ar-
ticles, he engaged to reftore all the territories be-
longing to the ecclefiaftical flate > to re-eftablifo
the dominion of the Medici in Florence 5 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 concerning the fate of
Sforza, and the pofTefTion 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 fovereign-
ty ; abfolved all who had been concerned in
aflaulting and plundering Rome ; and permit-
ted Charles and his brother Ferdinand to levy
the fourth of the ecclefiaftical revenues through-
out their dominions 3 .
* Guic. \, xix. 522,
The
THE REIGN OF THE
The account of this tranfaction quickened
1529. the negotiations at Gambray, and brought Mar*
PeaceV"' g are t and Louife to an immediate agreement*
cambray ^ treaty £ jyf ac ]rid ferved as the bafis of that
between *
cbaries and wn ich they concluded -, the latter being intended
to mitigate the rigour of the former. The
chief articles were, That the Emperor Ihould
not, for the prefent, demand the reftitution of
Burgundy, referving, however, in full force, his
rights and pretenfions to that dutchy ; That
Francis mould pay two millions of crowns as
the ranfom of his fons, and, before they were
fet at liberty, mould reftore fuch towns as he
{till held in the Milanefe ; That he mould refign
the fovereignty of Flanders and of Artois -> That
he mould renounce all his pretenfions to Naples,
Milan, Genoa, and every other place beyond
the Alps 1 That he mould immediately confum-
mate the marriage concluded between him and
the Emperor's filler Eleanora b .
Advantage- Thus Francis* chiefly from his impatience to
ous for the
Emperor. 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
protract the war to a length hardly known in
Europe before the eftablifhment of Handing
1
b P. Heuter. Rer. Auftr. lib. x, c. 3. p. 234. Sandov.
Hid. dell Emper. Carl. V. ii. 28.
armies,
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 33
armies, and the impofition of exorbitant taxes, Book V.
became univerfal. The Emperor, by this treaty, "T^oT"
was rendered fole arbiter of the fate of Italy ;
he delivered his territories in the Netherlands
from an ignominious badge of fubjection ; and
after having baffled his rival in the field, he
prefcribed to him the conditions of peace. The
different conduct and ipirit with which the two
Monarchs carried on the operations of war, led
naturally to fuch an iffue of it. Charles, in*
clined by temper, as well as obliged by his
fituation, concerted all his fchemes with caution,
puriued them with perfeverance, and obferving
circumftances and events with attention, let
none eicape that could be improved to advan-
tage. Francis, more enterprizing than fteady,
undertook great defigns with warmth, but exe-
cuted them with remilTnefs \ and diverted by his
pleafures, or deceived by his favourites, he
often loft the mod promifing opportunities of
fuccefs. Nor had the character of the two rivals
themfelves greater influence on the operations
of the war, than the oppofite qualities of the
generals whom they employed. Among the
Imperialifts, valour tempered with prudence;
fertility of invention aided by experience ; dis-
cernment to penetrate the defigns of their
enemies, a provident fagacity in conducting their
own meafures, in a word all the talents which
form great commanders and enfure victory, were
Vol. III. D confpi-
34 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. " confpicnous. Among the French, thefe quali-
1529. tlQS were either wanting, or the very reverie of
them abounded ; nor could they boaft of one
man (unlefs we except Lautrec, who was always
unfortunate) that equalled the merit of Pefcara,
Leyva, Guafto, the prince of Grange, and other
leaders whom Charles had to let in oppofition to
them. Bourbon, Morone, Doria, who by their
abilities and conduct might have been capable
of balancing the fuperiority which the Imperial-
ifls had acquired, were loft through the care-
+ ?
lefihefs of the King, and the malice or injuftice
of his counfellors ; and the mod fatal blows
given to France during the progrefs of the war,
proceeded from the deipair and refentment or
thefe three perfons, who were forced to aban-
don her fervice.
Diftonotr. The hard conditions to which Francis was
Francis. obliged to fubmit were not the moil afflicting
circumftance 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 necellary for
adiuftin£ their interefts, or afraid that whatever
JO *
he claimed for them muft have been purchafed
by farther conceiHons on his own part, he gave
them up in a body - 9 and without the leaft pro-
vifion in their behalf, left the Venetians, the
Florentines, the duke of Ferrara, together with
fuch
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 35
fuch of the Neapolitan barons as had joined his Book V.
army, to the mercy of the Emperor. They ~,~7™
exclaimed loudly againft this bafe and perfidious
action, of which Francis himfelf was fo much
afhamed, that in order to avoid the pain of
hearing from their ambaffadors the reproaches
which he juftiy merited, it was fome time before
he would confent to allow them an audience.
Charles, on the other hand, was attentive to the
intereit of every perfon who had adhered to him;
the rights of fome of his Flemifh fubjects, who
had eftates or pretenfions in France, were fe-
cured ♦, one article was inferted, obliging Fran-
cis to reftore the blood and memory of the
Conflable Bourbon ; and to grant his heirs the
pofTeiTion of his lands which had been forfeited ;
another, by which indemnification was ilipulated
for thofe French gentlemen who had accom-
panied Bourbon in his exile c . This conduct,
laudable in itfelf, and placed in the moft ftrik-
ing light by a cOmparifon with that of Francis,
gained Charles as much efteem as the fuccefs
of his arms had acquired him glory.
Francis did not treat the King of England Henry ae .
with the fame neglect as his other allies. He g? icfces »
communicated to him all the fteps of hus nego-
tiation at Cambray, and luckily found that
c Guic. 1. xix. p. 525. P. Heuter. Rer. Auftr* lib. x.
c. 4. p. 235.
D 2 Monarch
THE REIGN OF THE
Monarch in actuation which left him no choice,
H;29.~ ^ ut t0 approve implicitly of his meafures, and
His fcheme to concur w i t h them. Henry had been folicit-
or being di- J
vorced from ' m & the Pope for fome time, in order to obtain
his Queen. to . r .
a divorce from Catharine of Aragon his Queen.
Several motives combined in prompting the
King to urge his fuit. As he was powerfully
influenced at fome feafons by religious confider-
ations, he entertained many fcruples concern-
ing the legitimacy of his marriage with his bro-
ther's widow, his affections had long been
eftranged from the Queen, who was older than
himfelf, and had loft all the charms which me
porTeffed in the earlier part of her life ; he was
pafilonately defirous of having male iffue ; Wol-
fey artfully fortified his fcruples, and encouraged
his hopes, that he might widen the breach be-
tween him and the Emperor, Catharine's ne-
phew •, and, what was more forcible perhaps in
its operation than all thefe united, the King had
conceived a violent love for the celebrated Anne
Boleyn, a young lady of great beauty, and of
greater accomplifhments, whom, as he found it
impoflible to gain her on other terms, he de-
termined to raife to the throne. The Papal
authority had often been interpoled to grant
divorces for reafons lefs fpecious than thofe
which Henry produced. When the matter was
firft propofed to Clement, during his imprifon-
ment in the caftle of St. Angelo, as his hopes
of
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 37
of recovering liberty depended entirely on the BookV.
King of* England, and his ally of France, he "7?2a~
exprefTed the warmeft inclination to gratify him.
But no fooner was he fetfree, than he difcovered
other ientiments. Charles, who efpoufed the
protection of his aunt with zeal inflamed by
refentment, alarmed the Pope on the one hand
with threats, which made a deep imprefllon on
his timid mind j and allured him on the other
with thofe promiies in favour of his family,
which he afterwards accomphmed. Upon the
profpect of thele, Clement not only forgot all
his obligations to Henry, but ventured to en-
danger the intereft of the Romifh religion in
England, and to run the rifque of alienating that
kingdom for ever from the obedience of the
Papal fee. After amufing Henry during two
years, with all the fubtleties and chicane which
the court of Rome can fo dexteroufly employ
to protract or defeat any caufe •, after difplaying
the whole extent of his ambiguous and deceitful
policy, the intricacies of which the Englifh
hiftorians, to whom it properly belongs, have
found it no eafy matter to trace and unravel ;
he, at lad, recalled the powers of the delegates
whom he had appointed to. judge in the point,
avocated the caufe to Rome, leaving the King
no other hope of obtaining a divorce but from
the perfonal decifion of the Pope himfelf. As
Clement was now in ftrict alliance with the Em.
E> 3 peror,
5—
I5 2 9
38 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. peror, who had purchafed his friendfhip by fuch
exorbitant concellions, Henry defpaired of pro-
curing any fentence from the former, but what
was dictated by the latter. His honour, how-
ever, and paffions concurred in preventing him
from relinquifhing his fcheme of a divorce,
which he determined to accomplifh by other
means, and at any rate j and the continuance of
Francis's friendfhip being necelTary to coun-
terbalance the Emperor's power, he, in order
to fecure that, not only offered no remonftrances
again ft the total neglect of their allies, in the
treaty of Cambray, but made Francis the pre-
fent of a large fum, as a brotherly contribution
towards the payment of the ranfom for his fons d .
Aug, 12. Meanwhile the Emperor landed in Italy
wr*ifi™ pCp w i tn a numerous train of the Spanifh nobility,
Li]y ' and a confiderable body of troops. He left the
govern ment of Spain during his abfence to the
Emprcfs Ifabella. By his long refidence in that
country, he had acquired fuch thorough know-
ledge of the character of the people, that he
could perfectly accommodate the maxims of his
>vernment to their genius. He could even
riume, upon fome occafions, fuch popular
manners, as gained wonderfully upon the Spa-
piaids. A (Inking inflance of his difpofition
to gratify them had occurred a few days before
d Herbert. Mem. de Bellay, p. 122,
he
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 39
he embarked for Italy : He was to make his Book V.
publick entry into the city of Barcelona; and "TJzg^
ibme doubts having ariien among the inhabit-
ants, whether they fliould receive him as Em-
peror, or as Count of Barcelona; Charles in-
ftantly 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 exprefiion of his regard, the citizens
welcomed him with acclamations of joy, and
the ftates of the province fwore allegiance to his
ion Philip, as heir of the county of Barcelona.
A fimilar oath had been taken in all the king-
doms of Spain, with equal fatisfa&ion c .
The Emperor appeared in Italy with the
pomp and power of a conqueror. Ambaftadors
from all the princes and ftates of that country,
attended his court, waiting to receive his decifion
with regard to their fate. At Genoa, where he
firft landed, he was received with the acclama-
tions due to the protector of their liberties.
Having honoured Doria with many marks of
diltinclion, and beftowed on the republick feveral
new privileges, he proceeded to Bologna, the
place fixed upon for his interview with the
Pope. He affected to unite in his publick entry Nov - s«
into that city the (late and majeity thai fuited
an Emperor, with the humility becoming an
e Sandov. ii. p. <;o. Ferrer, ix. i;6,
D 4 obedient
THE REIGN OF THE
obedient fon of the church ; and while at the
7^7* h eac * of twenty thoufand 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 ferocity and licen-
tioufnefs of his armies, and after having been
long accuflomed to form in their imagination a
picture of Charles which bore fome refemblance
to that of the barbarous monarchs of the Goths
or Huns, who had formerly afflicted their
country with like calamities, were furprized to
fee a prince of a graceful appearance, affable
and courteous in his deportment, of regular
manners, and of exemplary attention to all the
offices of religion f . They were (till more afto-
nifhed when he fettled all the concerns of the
princes and flates which now depended on him,
with a degree of moderation and equity much
beyond what they had expected.
Kis mode- Charles himfelf, when he fet out from Spain,
£e motives *" ar ^ rorn mtenc ^ n g t0 gi ye anv ^ ucn extraordi*
Dia > nary proof of his felf-denial, feems to have been
refoived to avail himfelf to the utmofl of the
fuperiority which he had acquired in Italy. But
various circumftances concurred in pointing out
the necefllty of purfuing a very different courfe.
The progrefs of the Turkifh Sultan, who after
{ Sandov. Hill, del Emp, Carl. V. ii. 50, 53, &c.
over*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 41
over-running Hungary, had penetrated into Book v.
Auftria, and laid fiege to Vienna with an army ~ J"**
of an hundred and fifty thoufand men, loudly Se P : - «!•
calling on him to collect his whole force to op-
pofe that torrent ; and though the valour of the
Germans, the prudent conduct of Ferdinand,
together with the treachery of the Vizier, foon oa * l6,
obliged Solyman to abandon that enterprize with
infamy and lofs, the religious diforders flill
growing in Germany made the Emperor's pre-
fence highly neceflary there g : The Florentines,
inftead of giving their confent to the re-eftablifh-
ment of the Medici, which by the treaty of
Barcelona the Emperor had bound himfelf to
procure, were preparing to defend their liberty
by force of arms •, the vaft preparations for his
journey had involved him in unufual expences 5
and on this, as well as many other occafions,
the multiplicity of his affairs, together with the
narrownefs of his revenues, obliged him to con-
trad his Vaft fchemes of ambition, and to forego
prefent and certain advantages, that he might
guard againft more remote but unavoidable
dangers. Charles, from all thefe confederations,
finding it neceflary to afiume an air of modera-
tion, acted his part with a good grace. He
admitted Sforza into his prefence, and not only
gave him a full pardon of all paft offences, but
* Sleidan, 121. Guic. L xx. 550.
granted
42 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. granted him the invefliture of the dutchy, toge-
TTeqT" t ^ er ^^ ^ ls n * ece ^ ie *^ n S °^ Denmark's
daughter in marriage. He allowed the duke of
Ferrara to keep poffefiion of all his dominions,
adj lifting the points in difputc between him and
the Pope with an impartiality not very agreeable
to the latter. He came to a final accommoda-
tion with the Venetians upon the reafonable
condition of their reftoring whatever they had
ufurped during the late war, either in the Nea-
politan or Papal territories. In return for fo
many conceflions he exacted confiderable fums
from each of the powers with whom he treated,
which they paid without reluctance, and which
afforded him the means of proceeding on his
journey towards Germany with a magnificence
fukable to his dignity \
i 5? o. These treaties, which reftored tranquillity to
burtiVthe I ta ty a ^ cer a tedious war, the calamities of which
he h Medki 0f had chiefly affected that country, were publifhed
at Bologna with great folemnity on the firft
day of the year one thoufand five hundred and
thirty, amidft the univerfal acclamations of the
people, applauding the Emperor, to whofe mo-
deration and generofity they afcribed the blef-
fings of peace which they had fo long defired.
The Florentines alone did not partake of this
general joy. Animated with a zeal for liberty
h Sandov. ii. 55. &c.
mere
a
th
in Florence.
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
more laudable than prudent, they determined
to oppofe the reftoration of the Medici. The
Imperial army had already entered their terri-
tories, and formed the fiege of their capital.
But though deferted by all their allies, and left
without any hope of fuccour, they defended
themfelves many months with an obftinate va-
lour worthy of better fuccefs, and even when
they furrendered, they obtained a capitulation
which gave them hopes of fecuringfome remains
of their liberty. But the Emperor, from his
defire to gratify the Pope, fruftrated all their
expectations, and abolifhing their ancient form
of government, raifed Alexander di Medici to
the fame abfolute dominion over that (late which
his family have retained to the prefent times.
Philibert de Chalons prince of Orange, the Im-
perial general, was killed during this fiege. His
eft ate and titles defcended to his filler Claude de
Chalons, who was married to Rene count of
NafTau, and fne transmitted to her pofterity of
thehoufe of Nadau the title of Princes of Orange,
which they have rendered fo illuftrious \
After the publication of the peace at Bo- ^ tate °faf-
L L hi< s, civil
logna, and the ceremony of his coronation as andreiigi-
_-. , ouSj in Gcr-
King of Lombardy and Emperor of the Romans, many,
which the Pope performed with the accuftomed and 2*?
* Guic. I. xx. p. 34 1 , &c. P. Hcuter, Rer. Auftr. lib.
il c. 4. p. 236.
formalities,
THE REIGN OF THE
formalities, nothing detained Charles in Italy k ;
1530. and he began to prepare for his journey to
Germany. His prefence became every day more
neceffary in that country, and was folicited with
equal importunity by the catholics and by the
favourers of the new doctrines. During that
long interval of tranquillity which the abience
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. Moft of the princes who had
embraced Luther's opinions, had not only efta-
blifhed in their territories that form of worfhip
which he approved, but had entirely fupprefled
the rites of the Romifh church. Many of the
free cities had imitated their conduct. Almoft
one half of the Germanick body had revoked
from the Papal fee, and its dominion, even in
that part which had not hitherto fhaken off the
yoke, was confiderably weakened by the exam-
ple of the neighbouring dates, or by the fecret
progrefs of thofe doctrines which had undermined
it among them. Whatever fatisfaction the Em-
peror, while he was at open enmity with the fee
of Rome, might have felt in thofe events that
tended to mortify and embarrafs the Pope, he
could not help perceiving now, that the religious
divifions in Germany would, in the end, prove
k H. Cornel. Agrippa dc duplici Coronatione Car. V.
ap. Scard. ii. 266.
extremely
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 45
extremely hurtful to the Imperial authority. ^ 00kV \
The weaknefs of former Emperors had fuffered j^,
the great vafTals of the Empire to make fuch
luccefsful encroachments upon their power and
prerogative, that during the whole courfe of a
war, which had often required the exertion of
his utmoft ftrength, Charles hardly drew any
effectual aid from Germany, and found that
magnificent titles or obfolete pretenfions were
almoft the only advantages which he had gained
by fwaying the Imperial fceptre. He now be-
came fully lenfible that if he did not recover in
fome degree the prerogatives which his prede-
ceffors had loft, and acquire the authority, as
well as poffefs the name, of head of the Empire,
his high dignity would contribute more to ob-
ftruct than to promote his ambitious fchemes.
Nothing, he faw, was more effential towards
attaining this, than to fupprefs opinions which
might form new bonds of confederacy among
the princes of the Empire, and unite them by
ties ftronger and more facred than any political
connection. Nothing feemed to lead more cer-
tainly to the accomplishment of his defigns, than
to employ zeal for the eftablifhed religion, of
which he was the natural protector, as the in-
ftrument of extending his civil authority.
-
Accordingly, a profpect no fooner opened Proceedings
C j • L U « of the Diet
of coming to an accommodation with the irope, at spires,
than March ,5 '
i 5 3°.
THE REIGN OF THE
than, by the Emperor's appointment, a diet of
the Empire was held at Spires, in order to take
into conftderation the (late of religion. The
decree of the diet affembled there in the year
one thoufand five hundred and twenty-fix, which
was almoft equivalent to a toleration of Luther's
opinions, had given great offence to the reft of
Chriftendom. The greateft delicacy of addrefs,
however, was requifite in proceeding to any deci-
fion more rigorous. The minds of men kept
in perpetual agitation by a controverfy carried
on during twelve years without intermiffion of
debate, or abatement of zeal, were now inflamed
to an high degree. They were accuftomed to
innovations, and faw the boldeft of them fuc-
cefsful. Having not only abolifhed old rights,
but fubftituted new forms in their place, they
were influenced as much by attachment to the
fyftem which they had embraced, as by averfion
to that which they had abandoned. Luther
himlelf, of a fpirit not to be worn out by the
length and obftinacy of the combat, or to be-
come remifs upon fuccefs, continued the attack
with as much vigour as he had begun it. His
difciples, cf whom many equalled him in zeal,
and fome furpaded him in learning, were no lefs
capable than their mafter to conducl the con-
troverfy in the propereft manner. Many of the
Jaity, fome even of the princes, trained up
amidft thefe incefTant difputations, and in the
+ habit
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
habit of liftening to the arguments of the con-
tending parties who alternately appealed to them
as judges, came to be profoundly ikilled in all
the queftions which were agitated, and, upon
occafion, could fhew themfelves not inexpert in
any of the arts with which theie theological en-
counters were managed. It was obvious from
all thefe circumftances, that any violent decifion
of the diet muft have immediately precipitated
matters into confufion, and have kindled- in
Germany the flames of a religious war. All,
therefore, that the Archduke, and the other
commifTioners appointed by the Emperor de-
manded of the diet, was, to enjoin thofe ftates
of the Empire which had hitherto obeyed the
decree ifTued againft Luther at Worms in the
year one thoufand five hundred and twenty- fou~,
to perfevere in the obfervation of it, and to pro-
hibit the other liates from attempting any far-
ther innovation in religion, particularly from
abolifhing the Mafs, before the meeting of a
general council. After much difpute, a decree
to that effect was approved of by a majority of
voices '.
!S3o«
The Elector of Saxony, the marquis of Bran- Thefoi'ow-
denburgh, the Landgrave of HefTe, the dukes ther°preteft
of Lunenburgh, the prince of Anhalt, together them!
with the deputies of fourteen Imperial or free Apnl I9 '
1 s;cid. Hifh 1 1 7 .
cities,
THE REIGN OF THE
cities™, entered a folemn proteft againft this
JT^T" decree, as unjuft and impious. On that account
they were diftinguifhed by the name of PRO-
TESTANTS", an appellation which hath fince
become better known, and more honourable, by
its being applied indifcriminately to all the fects
of whatever denomination which have revolted
from the Roman fee. Not fatisfied with this
declaration of their dilfent from the decree of
the diet, the Proteftants fent ambafladors into
Italy to lay their grievances before the Emperor,
from whom they met with the moft difcourag-
Deiibera- i°g reception. Charles was at that time in clofe
po n ea G nV he unlon w ^ tn tne P°P e * anc * folicitous to attach
Emperor, him inviolably to his intereft. During their long
refidence at Bologna, they held many confulta-
tions concerning the moft effectual means of
extirpating the herefies which had fprung up in
Germany. Clement, whofe 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,
employed every argument to dhTuade the Em-
peror from confenting to that meafure. He
reprefented general councils as factious, ungo-
R The fourteen cities were Strafburgh, Nuremberg,
Ulm, Conllance, Reutlingen, Windfheim, Meinengen,
Lindaw, Kempten, Hailbron, Ifna, WeifTemburgh, Nord-
lingen, and St. Gal.
n Sleid. Hill. 1 19. F. Paul, Hiit. p. 45, Scckend. ii. 127.
vernable,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 49
vernablc, prefumptuous, formidable to civil B)okV.
authority, and too flow in their operations to x
o.
remedy diforders which required an immediate
cure, experience, he laid, had now taught both
the Emperor and himfelf, that forbearance and
lenity exafperated the fpirit of innovation, which
they ought to have mollified •, it was necelfary,
therefore, to have recourfe to the rigorous me-
thods which fuch a deiperate cafe required •, Leo's
lentence of excommunication, together with the
decree of the diet at Worms mould be carried into
execution, and it was incumbent on the Emperor
to employ his whole power, in order to overawe
thole, on whom the reverence due either to eccle-
fiaftical or civil authority had no longer any in-
fluence. Charles, whole views were very dif-
ferent from the Pope's, and who became daily
more fenfible how obftinate and deep-rooted the
evil was, thought of reconciling the Proteftants
by means lefs violent, and confidered the con-
vocation of a council as no improper expedient
for that purpofe •, but promifed, if gentler arts
failed of fuccefs, that then he would exert him-
felf with vigour to reduce thole ftubborn ene-
mies of the Catholic faith °.
Such were the fentiments with which the Em- Emperor
peror fet out for Germany, having already ap- JheDietof
Augfburg.
9 F. Paul, xlvii. Seek. I. ii. 142. Hill, de ConfefT. d'Aux- March »»«
bourgh. prr D. Chytreus, 4to. Antw. 1572, p. 6.
Vol. Ill, E pointed
June i$<
THE REIGN OF THE
pointed a diet of the Empire to be held at Augf-
burg. In his journey towards that city, he had
many opportunities of obferving the difpofition
of the Germans with regard to the points in
controverfy, and found their minds every where
fo much irritated and inflamed, as convinced
him that nothing tending to feverity or rigour
ought to be attempted, until all other meafures
proved ineffectual. He made his publick entry
into Augfburg with extraordinary pomp; and
found there fuch a full affembly of the members
of the diet as was fuitable both to the import-
ance of the affairs which were to come under
their confideration, and to the honour of an
Empercr, who, after a long abfence, returned
to them crowned with reputation and fuccefs.
His preience feems to have communicated to all
parties an unufual fpirit of moderation and defire
of peace. The Elector of Saxony would not
permit Luther to accompany him to the diet,
left he fhould offend the Emperor by bringing
into his prefence a perfon excommunicated by
the Pope, and the author of all thofe difTentions
which it now appeared fo difficult to compofe.
At the Emperor's defire all the Proteftant
princes forbad the divines who accompanied
them, to preach in publick during their refidence
at Augfburg. For the fame reafon they em-
ployed Melandlhon, the man of the greateft
learning, as well as of the moft pacifick and gentle
2 fpirit
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 51
fpirit among the Reformers, to draw up a con* Book v -
fefllon of their faith exprefled in terms as little , 530 .
affenfive to the Roman Catholics, as a regard ,
c The con-
for truth would permit. Melanclhon, who fel- feiiWof
Augfburg,
dom fuffered the rancour of controverfy to en-
venom his ftyle, even in writings purely pole-
mical, executed a tafk fo agreeable to his natu-
ral difpofition with great moderation and fuccefs.
The Creed which he compofed, known by the
name of the ConfelTion of Augiburg, from the
place where it was prefented, was read publickly
in the diet ; fome Popifh divines were appointed
to examine it ; they brought in their animad-
verlions - 9 a difpute enfued between them and
Melanclhon, feconded by fome of his brethren \
but though Melanclhon foftened fome articles,
made conceffions with regard to others, and put
the leaft exceptionable fenfe upon all ; though
the Emperor himfelf laboured with great earneft-
nefs to reconcile the contending parties ; fo
many marks of diftinclion were now eitablifhed,
and fuch infuperable barriers placed between the
two churches, that all hopes of bringing about
a coalition feemed utterly defperate p .
From the divines, among whom his endea-
vours had been fo unfuccefsful, Charles turned
P Seckend. lib. ii. 159, &c. Abr. Sculteti Annates Evan-
gelici ap. Herm. Von der Hard. Hill. Liter. Reform. Lipf,
1717. fol. p. 159.
E 2 to
THE REIGN OF THE
to the princes their patrons. Nor did he find
them, how defirous foever of accommodation,
or willing to oblige the Emperor, more difpofed
than the former to renounce their opinions. At
that time, zeal for religion took polfeflion of the
minds of men, to a degree which can fcarcely be
conceived by thofe who live in an age when the
paffions excited by the firft manifeftation of
truth, and the firft recovery of liberty, have in a
great meafure ceafed to operate. This zeal was
then of fuch ftrength as to overcome attach-
ment to their political intereft, which is com-
monly the predominant motive among princes.
The Elector of Saxony, the Landgrave of Hefle,
and other chiefs of the Proteflants, though foli-
ated feparately by the Emperor, and allured by
the promife or profpect of thofe advantages
which it was known they were mod folicitous to
attain, refufed, with a fortitude highly worthy
of imitation, to abandon what they deemed the
caufe of God, for the fake of any earthly ac-
quifition q .
severe de* EvERyfcheme in order to gain or difunke
the e prote^ ^ Proteftant party proving abortive, nothing
now remained for the Emperor but to take fome
vigorous meafures towards afTerting the doc-
trines and authority of the eftablifhed church.
i
^ Slcid. 132. Scultet. Annal. 158.
Thefe,
ftams,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 53
Thefe, Campeggio, the papal nuncio, had al- Bo °* v -
ways recommended as the only proper and ef- 1530.
fectual courfe of dealing with fuch obftinate
hereticks. In compliance with h'.s opinions and
remonftrances, the diet ifilied a decree^ con-
demning mod: of the peculiar tenets held by the
Proteftants ; forbidding any perfon to protect or
tolerate iuch as taught them •, enjoining a
Ariel: obfervance of the eftablifned rites ; and
prohibiting any further innovation under fevere
penalties. All orders of men were required to
aiTift with their perfons and fortunes in carrying
this decree into execution ; and fuch as refilled
to obey it, were declared incapable of acting as
judges, or of appearing as parties in the Imperial
chamber, the fupreme court of judicature in the
Empire. To all which wasfubjoined a promife,
that an application mould 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 r .
The feverity of this decree, which they con- Theyenter
fidered as a prelude to the mod violent perfe- at Smai-
cution, alarmed the Proteftants, and convinced
them that the Emperor was refolved on their
deftruction. The dread of thofc calamities which
were ready to fall on the church, oppreffed the
r Sleid. 139.
E 3 feeble
54 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. feeble fpirit of Melancthon •, and as if the caufe
, 530# had already been defperate, he gave up himfelf
to melancholy and lamentation. But Luther,
who during the meeting of the diet had endea-
voured to confirm and animate his party by
feveral treatifes which he addrefTed to them, was
not difconcerted or difmayed at the profpecl of
this new danger. He comforted Melancthon
and his other defponding difcipies, and exhorted
the princes not to abandon thofe truths which
they had lately afierted with fuch laudable bold-
nefs 5 . His exhortations made the deeper im-
prefTion upon them, as they were greatly alarmed
at that time by the account of a combination
among the Popifh princes of the Empire for the
maintenance of the eflablimed religion, to which
Charles himfelf had acceded \ This convinced
them that it was neceflary to ftand on their
guard ; and that their own fafety, as well as the
fuccefs of their caufe, depended on union. Filled
with this dread of the adverfe party, and with
thefe fentiments concerning the conduct proper
for themfelves, they affembled at Smalkalde.
Decern, %i. There they concluded a league of mutual de-
fence againft all aggreffors % by which they
formed the Proteftant ftates of the Empire into
one regular body, and beginning already to con-
s Seek ii. 180. Sleid. 1^0. * Seek. ii. 200. iii. II.
? Sleid. Hift. 142.
fider
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 5
fider themfelves as fuch, they refclved to apply Bo >s v.
to the Kings of France and England, and to
implore them to patronize and aiiift their new
confederacy.
"jW
An affair not connected with religion furnifhed The Em P. e "
° ror propolcs
them with a pretence for courting the aid of tohaveh-.s
... brother
foreign princes. Charles, whofe ambitious views ekaedKing
enlarged in proportion to the increafe of his mans,
power and grandeur, had formed a fcheme of
continuing the Imperial crown in his family,
by procuring his brother Ferdinand to be elected
King of the Romans. The prefent juncture
was favourable for the execution of that defign.
The Emperor's arms had been every where vic-
torious ; he had given law to all Europe at the
late peace -, no rival now remained in a condition
to balance or to controul him -, and the Elec-
tors, dazzled with the fplendour of his fuccefs, or
overawed by the greatnefs of his power, durft
fcarcely dilpute the will of a prince, whole feli-
citations carried with them the authority of com*
mands. Nor did he want plaufibie reafons to
enforce the meafure. The affairs of his other
kingdoms, he faid, objiged him to be often
abfent from Germany ; the growing diforders
occafioned by the controverfies 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
E 4 Empire,
'$6 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. Empire, required the conftant prefence of a
1530. prince endowed with p udence capable of com-
pofing the former, and with power as well as
valour fuificient to repel the latter. His bro-
ther Ferdinand peffeifed thefe qualities in an
eminent degree; by reflding long in Germany,
he had acquired a thorough knowledge of their
conftitntion and manners ; having been prefent
almoft from the fir ft rife of their religious dif-
fenfions, he knew what remedies were moft pro-
per, what they could bear, and how to apply
them ; as his own dominions lay on the Tuikifh
frontier, he was the natural defender of Germany
againft the invafions of the Infidels, being
prompted by intereft no lefs than he would be
bound in duty to oppofe them.
TheProte- These arguments made little imprefllon on
ilants averfe 1 r» r-» t-« 11 1
to it. the rroteitants. hxpenence taught them, that
nothing had contributed more to the undifturbed
progrefs of their opinions, than the interregnum
after Maximilian's death, the long abfence of
Charles, and the flacknefs of the reins of go-
vernment which thefe occafioned ; after deriving
fuch advantages from a ftate of anarchy, they
were extremely unwilling to give themfelves a
new and a fixed mafter. They perceived clearly
the extent of Charles's ambition, that he aimed
at rendering the Imperial crown hereditary in
his family, and would of courfe eftablifh in the
j Empire
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
Empire an abfolute dominion, to which elective
princes could not have afpired with equal faci- "77T^
lity. They determined therefore to oppofe Fer-
dinand's election with the utmoft vigour, and to
roule their countrymen, by their example and
exhortations, to withfiand this encroachment on
their liberties. 1 he Elector of Saxony, accord-
ingly, not only refilled to be prefent at the elec- T W-
& j ' * r January 5,
toral college, which the Emperor fummoned to
meet at Cologne, but inftructed his elded fon to
appear there, and to proteft againft the election
as informal, illegal, contrary to the articles of
the golden bull, and fubverlive of the liberties
of the Empire. But the other Electors, whom HeiscWen,
Charles had been at great pains to gain, without
regarding either his abience or proteil, chofe
Ferdinand King of the Romans ; who a few days
after was crowned at Aix-la-Chapelle x .
When the Proteflants, who were aflembled a Negocia-
tions of the
fecond time at Smalkalde, received an account Protects
e i • r rv ji j 1 r ' with France*
or this traniaction, and heard, at the lame time,
that profecutions were commenced, in the Im-
perial chamber, againft fome of their number,
on account of their religious principles, they
thought it necefTary, not only to renew their
former confederacy, but immediately to difpatch
their ambafTadors into France and England.
x Sleid. 142. Seek. iii. 1. P. Heuter. Rer. Auftr. lib.
X. c. 6. p. 240.
Francis
58 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. Francis had obferved, with all the jealoufy of
"Y^V. - a TiV2i h tne reputation which the Emperor had
Feb.z9- acquired by his feeming difintereftednefs ' and
moderation in fettling the affairs of Italy ^ and
beheld with great concern the fuccelsful ftep
which he had taken towards perpetuating and
extending his authority in Germany by the elec-
tion of a King of the Romans. Nothing, how-
ever, would have been more impolitick than to
precipitate his kingdom into a new war when ex-
handed by extraordinary efforts, and difcouraged
by ill fuccefs, before it had got time to recruit
its ftrength, or to forget pad misfortunes. As
no provocation had been given, and hardly a
pretext had been afforded him, he could not
violate a treaty of peace which he himfelf had fo
lately folicited, without forfeiting the efteem of
all Europe, and being detefted as a prince void
of probity and honour. He obferved, with
great joy, powerful factions beginning to form
in the Empire -, he liftened with the utmoft eager-
nefs to the complaints of the Proteftant princes •,
and without feeming to countenance their reli-
gious opinions, determined fecretly to cherifh
thofe fparks of political difcord which might be^
afterwards kindled into a flame. For this pur-
pofe, he fent William de Bellay, one of the
ableft negociators in France, into Germany,
who vifiting the courts of the malecontent
princes, and heightening their ill-humour by va-
rious
EMPEROR CHARLES V." 59
rious arts, concluded an alliance between them Book V.
and his mafter y , which though concealed at that , r \ .
7 o * 5 3 *
time, and productive of no immediate effects,
laid the foundation of an union fatal on many
occafions to Charles's ambitious projects -, and
mewed the difcontented princes of Germany,
where, for the future, they might find a pro-
tector no lefs able than willing to undertake
their defence againft the encroachments of the
Emperor.
The King of England, highly incenfed againft with Ens-
Charles, in complaifance to whom, the Pope
had long retarded, and now openly oppofed his
divorce, was no lefs difpofed than Francis to
ftrengthen a league which might be rendered fo
formidable to the Emperor. But his favourite
project of the divorce led him into fuch a laby-
rinth of fchemes and negociations, and he was,
at the fame time, fo intent on abolifhing the
papal jurifdiction in England, that he had no
leifure for foreign affairs. This obliged him to
reft fatisfied with giving general promifes, toge-
ther with a fmall fupply in money to the confe-
derates of Smalkalde z .
Meanwhile, many circumflances convinced charies
Charles that this was not a juncture when the rroteftams.
y EeHay, 129, a. 130, b. Sec. iii. 14.
2 Herbert, 152. 154.
extirpation
60 THEREIGNOFTHE
ook V. extirpation of herefy was to be attempted by
violence and rigour , that, in compliance with
the Pope's inclinations, he had already proceeded
with imprudent precipitation 9 and that it was
more his intrreft to confolidate Germany into
one united and vigorous body, than to divide
and enfeeble it by a civil war. The Proteftants,
already considerable as well by their numbers
as by their zeal, had acquired adcirional weight
and importance by their joining in that confe-
deracy into which the rairi fleps taken at Augf-
burg had forced them. Having now difcovered
their own flrength, they defpiied the decifions
of the Imperial chamber , and being fccure of
foreign protection, were ready to fet the head of
the Empire at defiance. At the fame time the
peace with France was precarious, the friendlhip
of an irrefolute and interefted pontiff was not
to be relied on ; and Solyman, in order to re-
pair the infamy and lofs which his arms had fuf-
tained in the former campaign, was preparing to
enter Auftria with more numerous forces. On all
thefe accounts, efpecially the laft,a fpeedy accom-
modation with the malecontent princes, became
necefTary, not only for the accomplilhment of
his future fchemes, but for afcertaining his prefent
fafety. Negotiations were, accordingly, carried
on by his direction with the Elector of Saxony
and his affociates - 9 after many delays occafioned
by their jealoufy of the Emperor, and of each
other,,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. €t
other, aftx j r innumerable difficulties arifing from Book V.
the inflexible nature of religious tenets, which ~^^7
cannot admit of being altered, modified, or re- f^m'L
linouifhed in the fame manner as points of poli- vourabie
*■ k * terms.
tical intereft, terms of pacification were agreed July 83.
_ ' . , r i r i 1 Aoguft 3.
upon at Nuremberg, and ratined ioiemnly in
the Diet at Ratifbon. In this treaty it was fti-
pulated, That univerfal peace be eftablifhed in
Germany, until the meeting of a general council,
the convocation of which within fix months the
Emperor fhall endeavour to procure ; That no
perfon be molefted on account of religion ; That
a flop be put to all procefles begun by the Im-
perial chamber againft Proteftants, and the kn-
tences already paffed to their detriment be de-
clared void. On their part, the Proteftants
engaged to afiift the Emperor with all their
forces in refilling the invafion of the Turks 8 .
Thus by their firmnefs in adhering to their prin-
ciples, by the unanimity with which they urged
all their claims, and by their dexterity in avail-
ing themfelves of the Emperor's fituation, the
Proteftants obtained terms which amounted al-
moft to a toleration of their religion -, all the
conceflions were made by Charles, none by
them •, even the favourite point of their approv-
ing his brother's election was not mentioned ;
and the Proteftants of Germany, who had hi-
a Du Mont Corps Diplomatique, torn. iv. part ii. 87. 89.
therto
62 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. therto been viewed only as a religious feci, came
^^7^7 henceforth to be confidered as a political body
of no fmall confequence b .
campaign The intelligence which Charles received of
» Hungary. Solyman's having entered Hungary at the head
of three hundred thoufand men, cut fhort the de-
liberations of the Diet at Ratifbon \ the contin-
gent both of troops and money, which each
prince was to furnilh towards the defence of the
Empire, having been already fettled. The Pro-
teftants, as a teftimony 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 Catholicks imitating their example, one of
the greater!; and bed appointed armies that had
ever been levied in Germany, affembled near
Vienna. Being joined by a body of Spanifh and
Italian veterans under the marquis del Guafto ;
by fome heavy-armed cavalry from the Low-
Countries ; and by the troops which Ferdinand
had railed in Bohemia, Auftria, and his other
territories, it amounted in all to ninety thoufand
difciplined foot, and thirty thoufand horfe, be-
fides a prodigious fwarm of irregulars. Of this
vaft army, worthy the firfl prince in Chriften-
dom, the Emperor took the command in per^
fon ; and mankind waited in fufpence the iffue
b Skid. 140, &c. Seek. iii. 19.
of
EMPEROR CHARLES V. € 3
of a decifive battle between the two greateft BookV.
Monarchs in the world. But each of them " , /~
dreading the other's power and good fortune,
thay both conducted their operations with fuch
exceflive caution, that a campaign, for which
fuch immenfe preparations had been made, ended
without any memorable event. Solyman, find- September
ing it impoflible to gain ground upon an enemy and0aobcr '
always attentive and on his guard, marched
back to Conftantinople towards the end of au-
tumn c . It is remarkable, that in fuch a martial
age, when every gentleman was a foldier, and
every prince a general, this was the firft time
that Charles, who had already carried on fuch
extennve wars, and gained fo many victories,
appeared at the head of his troops. In this firft
efiay of his arms, to have oppofed fuch a leader
as Solyman, was no fmall honour -, to have
obliged him to retreat, merited very confider-
able praife. s
About the beginning of this campaign, the Aug. 16.
Elector of Saxony died, and was fucceeded by his
ion John Frederick. The Reformation rather
-
gained than loft by that event ; the new Elector,
no lefs attached than his predeceffors to the opi-
nions of Luther, occupied the ftation which they
had held at the head of the Proteftant party,
c Jovii Hift. lib. xxx. p, 100, &c. Barre Hilt; de PEir,-
jiie, i. 2. 347,
and
64
The Empe-
ror's inter-
view with
the Pope in
his wav to
Spain.
Nida-
tions con*
cerning a
general
council.
THE REIGN OF THE
and defended, with the boldneis and zeal of
youth, that caufe which they had fettered and
reared with the caution of old age.
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 demonstrations of refpect and friend-
fhip, but with little of that confidence which
had fubfifted between them during their late ne-
gociations there. Clement was much diilatisfied
with the Emperor's proceedings atAugfburg;
his conceflions with regard to the fpeedy convo-
cation of a council, having more than cancelled
all the merit of the fevere decree againft the
doctrines of the Reformers. The toleration
granted to the Proteftants at Ratifbon, and the
more explicit promife concerning a council, with
which it was accompanied, had irritated him
ftill farther. Charles, however, partly from con-
viction that the meeting of a council would be at-
tended with falutary effects, and partly from his
defire to pleafe the Germans, having folicited
him by his ambafTadors to call that affembly
without delay, and now urging the fame thing
in perfon, Clement was greatly embarraiTed what
reply he mould make to a requeft, which it was
indecent to refufe, and dangerous to grant. He
endeavoured
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 65
endeavoured at firft to divert Charles from the BookV.
meafure, but finding him inflexible, he had re- , 532 .
courfe to artifices which he knew would delay*
if not entirely defeat, the calling of that afTem-
bly. Under the plaufible pretext of its being
previoufly neceflary to fettle, with all parties
concerned, the place of the council's meeting j
the manner of its proceedings -, the right of the
perfons who mould be admitted to vote; and
the authority of their decifions ; he difpatched
a nuncio, accompanied by an ambaflador from
the Emperor, to the Elector of Saxony as head
of the Proteflants. With regard to each of
thefe articles, inextricable difficulties and con-
tends arofe. The Proteflants demanded a coun-
cil to be held in Germany ; the Pope infilled
that it mould meet in Italy : They contended
that all points in difpute mould be determined
by the words of holy fcripture alone •, he confi-
fidered not only the decrees of the church, but
the opinions of fathers and doctors as of equal
authority : They required a free council in which
the divines commifiioned by different churches
mould be allowed a voice ; he aimed at model-
ling the council in fuch a manner as would ren-
der it entirely dependant on his pleafure. Above
all, the Proteflants thought it unreafonable that
they mould bind themfelves to fubmit to the de-
crees of a council, before they knew on what
principles thefe decrees were to be founded, by
Vol. III. F what
66 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. what perfons they were to be pronounced, and
"7^17" what forms of proceeding they would obferve.
The Pope maintained it to be altogether unne-
ceffary to call a council, if thofe who demanded
it did not previoufly declare their refolntion to
acquiefce in its decrees. In order to adjuft fuch
a variety of points, many expedients were pro-
pofed, and the negociations fpun out to fuch a
length, as effectually anfwered Clement's pur-
pofe of putting off the meeting of a council,
without drawing on himfelf the whole infamy of
obftru&ing a meafure which all Europe deemed
fo effential to the good of the church d .
» n a for pre- Together with this negociation about call-
ferving the • . f . _ . , ,
tranquillity mg a council, the Emperor carried on another,
o fItal 7- which he had (till more at heart, for fecuring
the peace eftablifhed in Italy. As Francis had
renounced his pretenfions in that country with
great reluctance, Charles made no doubt but
that he would lay hold on the firft pretext af-
forded him, or embrace the firft opportunity
which prefented itfelf of recovering what he had
loft. It became neceffary, on this account, to
take meafures for aflembling 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 conftantly on foot, he at-
* F. Paul, Hift, 6t, Seckend, iii. 73.
tempted
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 67
tempted to throw that burden on his allies, and Book V.
to provide for the fafety of his own dominions l ^ Zt>
at their expence, by propofing that the Italian
flates fhould enter into a league of defence
againft all invaders ; that, on the firft appear-
ance of danger, an army mould be raifed and
maintained at the common charge ; and that
Antonio de Leyva fhould be appointed rte ge-
neralifTimo. Nor was the propofal unacceptable
to Clement, though for a realbn very different
from that which induced the Emperor to make „
it. He hoped, by this expedient, to deliver 1533.
Italy from the German and Spaniih veterans
which had fo long rilled all the powers in that
country with terror, and ftill kept them .in fub-
jeclion to the Imperial yoke. A league was Feb. 24,
accordingly concluded ; all the Italian flates,
the Venetians excepted, acceded to it ; the fum
which each of the contracting parties fhould
furnifh towards maintaining the army was fixed;
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 difbanded part of them, and removed
the reft to Sicily and Spain, he embarked on
board Doria's gallies, and arrived at Barcelona c . Apri , M-
NOTWITHSTANDING all his precautions for DeGgns and
f • 1 c r> • neeociations
lecunng the peace or Germany, and maintain- of the
FrenchFCinjj
* Guic. I. xx. 551. Ferreras, ix. 149. Empe^j
F 2 ing
1
68 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. ing that fyftem which he had eftablifhed in Italy,'
"T^TT tne Emperor became every day more and more
apprehenfive that both would be foon difturbed
by the intrigues or arms of the French King.
His apprehenfions were well founded, as nothing
but the defperate fituation of his affairs could
have brought Francis to give his confent to a
treaty fo difhonourable and difadvantageous as
that of Cambray : He, at the very time of rati-
fying it, had formed a refolution to obferve it
no longer than neceffity compelled him, and took
a folemn proteft, though with the mod profound
fecrecy, againft feveral articles in the treaty, par-
ticularly that whereby he renounced all preten-
fions to the dutchy of Milan, as unjuft, injuri-
ous to his heirs, and invalid. One of the crown
lawyers, by his command,* 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 f . Francis feems to
have thought that, by employing an artifice un-
worthy of a King, deftructive of publick faith,
and of the mutual confidence on which all trans-
actions between nations are founded, he was re-
leafed from any obligation to perform the mod
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
f Du Mont Corps Diplom. torn. iv. part 2. p. 52.
alliance
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 6g
alliance with the King of England, whofe Book V.
friendfhip he cultivated with the greateft afii- I;3 -
duity. He put the military force of his own
kingdom on a better and more refpedlable foot-
ing than ever. He artfully fomented the jea-
loufy and difcontent of the German princes.
But above all, Francis laboured to break v^^\y
with the
the ftridl confederacy which fubfifted between Pope.
Charles and Clement; and he had foon the
fatisfaction to obferve appearances of difguft
and alienation arifing in the mind of that fufpi-
cious and interefted Pontiff, which gave him
hopes that their union would not be lading. As
the Emperor's decifion in favour of the duke of
Ferrara had greatly irritated the Pope, Francis
aggravated the injuftice of that proceeding, and
flattered Clement that the papal fee would find in
him a more impartial and no lefs powerful pro-
tector. As the importunity with which Charles
demanded a council was extremely offenfive to
the Pope, Francis artfully created obftacles to
prevent it, and attempted to divert the German
princes, his allies, from infilling ib obftinately
on that point g . As the Emperor had gained
fuch an afcendant over Clement by contributino-
to aggrandize his family, Francis endeavoured
to allure him by the fame irrefiftible bait, pro-
pping a marriage between hisfecond fon, Henry
£ Bellay, 141, &c. Seek. iii. 4.8. F. Paul, 63.
F 3 duke
J6 THEREIGNOFTHE
Book V. duke of Orleans, and Catharine, the daughter
„-- of the Pope's coufin Laurence di Medici. On
the firft overtures of this match, the Emperor
could not perfuade himfelf that Francis really
intended to debafe the royal blood of France by
an alliance with Catharine, whofe anceflors had
been fo lately private citizens and merchants in
Florence, and believed that he meant only to
flatter or amufe the ambitious Pontiff. He
thought it necefTary, however, to efface the im-
prefiion which fuch a dazzling offer might have
made, by promifing to break off the marriage
which had been agreed on between his own niece
the King of Denmark's daughter, and the Duke
of Milan, and to fubftitute Catharine in her
place. But the French ambaflador's producing
unexpectedly full powers to conclude the mar-
riage treaty with the duke of Orleans, this ex-
pedient had no effect. Clement was fo highly
pleafed with an honour which added fuch luftre
and dignity to the houfe of Medici, that he of-
fered to grant Catharine the invefliture of con-
fiderable territories in Italy by way of portion ;
he feemed ready to fupport Francis in profecut-
ing his ancient claims in that country, and con-
fented to a perfonal interview with that Monarch \
interview Charles was at the utmoft pains to prevent
PopTand* 11 * a meeting, in which nothing was likely to pafs
Francis.
* Guic 1* xx. 551. 533. Eellay, 138.
but
-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 71
but what would be of detriment to him ; nor Book v.
could he bear, after he had twice condefcended ^"vjT"
to vifit the Pope in his own territories, that Cle-
ment mould beftow fuch a mark of diftinction
on his rival, as to venture on a voyage by fea,
at an unfavourable feafon, in order to pay court
to Francis in the French dominions. But the
Pope's eagernefs to accomplifli the match over-
came all fcruples of pride, or fear, or jealoufy,
which muft have influenced him on any other
occafion. The interview, notwithstanding feve- oaober.
ral artifices of the Emperor to prevent it, took
place at Marfeilles with extraordinary pomp,
and demonstrations of confidence on both fides ;
and the marriage, which the ambition and abi-
lities of Catharine rendered in the fequel as fatal
to France, as it was then thought difhonourabie,
was confum mated. But whatever fchemes may
have been fecretly concerted 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 caufeof offence to the Emperor, that
no treaty was concluded between them h ; and
even in the marriage- articles, Catharine re- -
nounced all claims and pretentions in Italy, ex-
cept to the dutchy of Urbino \
h Guic. 1. xx. 555,
* Du Mont Corps Diplom. iv. p. ii. ioi«
F 4 But
72 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. But at the very time when he was carrying
,' 3 - on thefe negotiations, and forming this connec-
Pope's con- t j on w - t j 1 j? ra ncis, w hi c h gave fo great umbrage
duct with O o o
regardtothe t0 t h e Emperor, fuchwas the artifice and dupli-
King of * *
England's city of Clement's character, that he fufFered the
divorce. .
iatter to direct all his proceedings with regard
to the King of England, and was no lefs atten-
tive to gratify him in that particular, than if the
moll cordial union had ftili fubfifted between
them. Henry's fuit for a divorce had now con-
tinued near fix years -, during all which period
the pope negociated, promifed, retracted, and
concluded nothing. After bearing repeated de-
lays and difappointments, longer than could
have been expected from a prince of fuch a cho-
lerick and impetuous temper, his patience was
at lad fo much exhauftcd, that he applied to
another tribunal for that decree which he had
folicited in vain at Rome. Cranmer, archbifhop
of Canterbury, by a fentence founded on the
authority of Univerfities, Doctors, and Rabbies,
who had been confulted with refpect to the
point, annulled, the King's marriage with Ca-
tharine •, her daughter was declared illegitimate;
and Anne Boleyne acknowledged as Queen of
England. At the fame time Henry began not
only to neglect and to threaten the Pope whom
he had hitherto courted, but to make innova-
tions in the church, of which he had formerly
been fuch a zealous defender. Clement, wfiq
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
had already feen fo many provinces and king*
doms revolt from the Holy See, became appre-
henfive at laft that England would imitate their
example, and partly from his folicitude to pre-
vent that fatal blow, partly in compliance with
the French King's folicitations, determined to
give Henry fuch Satisfaction as might dill retain
him within the bolbm of the church. But the
violence of the Cardinals, devoted to the Em-
peror, did not allow the Pope leifure for exe- March zj.
cuting this prudent refolution, and hurried him,
with a precipitation fatal to the Roman See, to
iflue a bull refcinding Cranmer's fentence, con-
firming Henry's marriage with Catharine, and
declaring him excommunicated, if, within a
time fpecified, he did not abandon the wife he
had taken, and return to her whom he had de-
ferted. Enraged at this unexpected decree,
Henry kept no longer any meafures with the Papal a«-
court of Rome > his Subjects feconded his refent- lifted in
ment and indignation ; an act of Parliament was
paiTed, abolifhing the papal power and jurisdic-
tion in England •, by another, the King was
declared fupreme head of the church, and ail
the authority of which the Popes were deprived
Was veiled in him. That vaft fabrick of eccle-
fiaftical dominion which had been railed with
fuch art, and whofe foundations feemed fo decp y
being no longer fupported by the veneration of
(he people, was overturned in a moment. Henry
himiclf, \
THE REIGN OF THE
himfelf, with the caprice peculiar to his charac-
ter, continued to defend the doctrines of the
Romifh church as fiercely as he attacked its
jurifdiction. He alternately perfecuted the Pro-
teftants for rejecting the former, and the Catho-
licks for acknowledging the latter. But his fub-
jecls being once permitted to enter into new
paths, did not chufe to flop ihort at the precife
point prefcribed by him. Having been encou-
raged by his example to break fome of their fet-
ters, they were fo impatient to make off what ftill
remained k , that in the following reign, with the
general applaufe of the nation, a total fepara-
tion was made from the church of Rome in arti-
cles of doctrine, as well as in matters of difcipline
and jurifdiction.
Death of j± short delav might have faved the See of
Clement ' °
vii. Rome from all the unhappy confequences of
Clement's rafhnefs. Soon after his fentence
againft Henry, he fell into a languifhing diftem-
per, which gradually wafting his constitution,
Sept. 25. put an end to his Pontificate, the mod unfor-
tunate, both during its continuance, and by its
effects, that the church had known for many
Eieaionof ages. The very day on which the Cardinals
oa. 13.' entered the conclave, they raifed to the papal
throne Alexander Farnefe, dean of the facred
college, and the eldefl member of that body,
* Herbert. Burn. Hift. of Reform.
who
»$34
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 75
who afTumed the name of Paul III. The ac- Book v.
count of his promotion was received with extra-
Ordinary 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 fa-
vourable prefage of his adminiftration, from the
experience which he had acquired under four
Pontificates, as well as the character of prudence
and moderation which he had uniformly main-
tained in a ftation of great eminence, and during
an active period that required both talents and
addrefs K
Europe, it is probable, owed the continu-
ance of its peace to the death of Clement 5 for
although no traces remain in hiftory of any
league concluded between him and Francis, it is
fcarcely to be doubted but that he would have
feconded the operations of the French arms in
Italy, that he might have gratified his ambition
by feeing one of his family poiTefTed of the fu-
preme power in Florence, and another in Milan.
But upon the election of Paul III. who had hi-
therto adhered uniformly to the Imperial intereft,
Francis found it neceffary to fufpend his opera-
tions for fome time, and to put off the com-
1 Guic. 1. xx. 556. F. Paul, 64.
mencement
y6 THEREIGNOFTHE
Book V. mencement of hoftilities againft the Emperor,
15-4. on which he was fully determined.
Germany,
infurreflioa While Francis waited for an opportunity to
of the Ana- . rr J
bapufts in renew a war which had hitherto proved fo fatal
to himfelf and his fubjects, a transaction of a
very lingular nature was carried on in Germany.
Among many beneficial and falutary effects of
which the Reformation was the immediate caufe,
it was attended, as mud be the cafe, in all ac-
tions and events wherein men are concerned,
with fome confequences of an oppofite nature.
When the human mind is rouzed by grand
objects, and agitated by ftrong paflions, its
operations acquire fuch force, that they are apt
to become irregular and extravagant. Upon
any great revolution in religion, fuch irregulari-
ties abound mod, at that particular period, when
men, having thrown off the authority of their
ancient principles, do not yet fully comprehend
the nature, or feel the obligation of thofe new
tenets which they have embraced. The mind,
in that fituation, pufhing forward with the bold-
nefs which prompted it to reject eftablilhed opi-
nions, 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 conduct. Thus,
in the firil ages of the Chriflian church, many of
the new converts, having renounced their an-
cient
8
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 77
tient Creeds, and being but imperfectly acquaint- BoOK v -
ed with the doctrines and precepts of Chrifti- jj,-
anity, broached the moft extravagant opinions,
equally fubverfive of piety and virtue; all which
errors difappeared or were exploded when the
knowledge of religion increafed, and came to
be more generally diffufed. In like manner,
foon after Luther's appearance, the rafhnefs or
ignorance of fome of his difciples led them to
publifh tenets no lefs abfurd than pernicious,
which being propofed to men extremely illite-
rate, but fond of novelty, and at a time when
their minds were turned wholly towards religious
fpeculations, gained too eafy credit and autho-
rity among them. To thefe caufes mud be im-
puted the extravagances of Muncer, in the year
one thoufand five hundred and twenty-five, as
well as the rapid progrefs which they made
among the peafants ; but though the infurrection
excited by that Fanatic was foon fupprefTed,feve«
ral of his followers lurked in different places,
and endeavoured privately to propagate his opi-
nions.
In thofe provinces of Upper Germany, which origin and
had already been fo cruelly wafted by their en- that fe<a.
thufiaftick rage, the magiftrates watched their
motions with fuch fevere attention, that many
of them found it neceffary to retire into other
countries, fome were punilhed, others driven
into
78 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. into exile, and their errors were entirely rooted
"77f7" out. But in the Netherlands and Weftphalia,
where the pernicious tendency of their opinions
was more unknown, and guarded againftwith lefs
care, they got admittance into feveral towns, and
fpread the infection of their principles. The moil
remarkable of their religious tenets related to the
Sacrament of Baptifm, which, as they contended,
ought to be adminiftered only to perfons grown
up to years of undemanding, and mould be per-
formed not by fprinkling them with water, but
by dipping them in it : For this reafon they
condemned the baptifm of infants, and rebap-
tizing all whom they admitted into their fociety,
the feet came to be distinguished by the name
of AnabaptiSts. To this peculiar notion con-
cerning baptifm, which has the appearance of
being founded on the practice of the church in
the apoStolick age, and contains nothing incon-
fiStent with the peace and order of human fo-
ciety, they added other principles of a mod en-
thufiaftick, as well as dangerous nature. They
maintained that, among Chriflians who had the
precepts of the gofpel to direct, and the fpirit
of God to guide them, the office of magistracy
was not only unneceffary, but an unlawful en-
croachment on their fpiritual liberty ; that the
distinctions occafioned by birth, or rank, or
wealth, being contrary to the fpirit of the gofpel,
which confiders all men as equal, fhould be en-
tirely
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 79
tirely abolifhed j that all Chriftians, throwing Book V.
their pofieftions into one common flock, mould ,5-.
live together in that ftate of equality which be-
comes members of the fame family •, that as
neither the laws of nature, nor the precepts of
the New Teftament had placed any reftraints
upon men with regard to the number of wives
which they might marry, they mould ufe that
liberty which God himielf had granted to the
patriarchs.
Such opinions, propagated and maintained Settle in
with enthufiaftick zeal and boldnefs, were not
long of producing the violent effects natural to
them. Two Anabaptift prophets, John Matthias,
a baker of Haerlem, and John Boccold, or
Beukels, a journeyman taylor of Leyden, pof-
feffed with the rage of making profelytes, fixed
their refidence at Munfter, an Imperial city in
Weftphalia, of the firft rank, under the fove-
reignty of its bifhop, but governed by its own
fenate and confuls. As neither of thefe Fanatics
wanted the talents requifite in defperate en-
terprizes, great refolution, the appearance of
fanctity, bold pretenficns to infpiration, and a
confident and plaufible manner of difcourfing,
they foon gained many converts. Among thefe
were Rothman, who had firft preached the Pro-
teftant dodrine in Munfter, and Cnipperdoling,
a citizen of good birth, and confiderable emi-
1 nence.
8o THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. nence. Emboldened by the countenance of (Licit
"77f7~" difciples, they openly taught their opinions ;
and not fatisfied with that liberty, they made
feveral attempts, though without fuccefs, to
feize the town, in order to get their tenets efta-
Bccome bli(hed by publick authority. At lad, having
rmftcrsof fecretly called in their afTociates from the neigh-
that city. ' °
bouring country, they fuddenly took pofTeffion
of the arfenal and fenate houfe in the night-time,
and running through the flreets with drawn
fwords, and horrible howlings, cried out al-
ternately, " Repent, and be baptifed," and
February. " Depart ye ungodly.'* The fenators, the ca-
nons, the nobility, together with the more fober
citizens, whether Papiits or Protectants, terrified
at their threats and outcries, fled in confufion*
and left the city under the dominion of a frantick
multitude, confiding chiefly of ftrangers. No-
thing now remaining to overawe or controul
them, they fet about modelling the government
according to their own wild ideas ; and though
at firft they mowed fo much reverence for the
ancient constitution^ as to elect fenators of their
EftabiiA a own fe6t, and to appoint Cnipperdoiing and an-
government, other prolelyte coniuls, this was notning more
than form \ for all their proceedings were di-
rected by Matthias, who, in the ityle, and with the
authority of a prophet, uttered his commands *
which it was inltant death to difobey. Having
begun with encouraging the multitude to pillage
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 81
the churches, and deface their ornaments •, he Book V.
enjoined them to deftroy all books except the ~7c 34#
Bible, as ufelefs or impious ; he appointed the
eftates of fuch as fled, to be confiscated, and fold
to the inhabitants of the adjacent country ; he
ordered every man to bring forth his gold, filver,
and precious effects, and to lay them at his feet •,
the wealth amafTed by thefe means, he depofited
in a publick treafury, and named deacons to dif-
penfe it for the common ufe of all. The mem-
bers of this commonwealth being thus brought
to a perfect equality, he commanded all of them
to eat at tables prepared in publick, and even
prefcribed the difhes which were to be ferved up
each day. Having finilfced his plan cf reforma-
tion, his next care was to provide for the defence
of the city ; and he took meafures for that pur-
pofe with a prudence which favoured nothing of
fanaticifm. He collected vafl magazines of
every kind ; he repaired and extended the forti-
fications, obliging every perfon without diftinc-
tion to work in his turn ; he formed fuch as were
capable of bearing arms into regular bodies, and
endeavoured to add tile vigour of difcipline to
the impetuofny of enthufiafm. He lent emif-
faries to the Anabaptifts in the Low-Countries,
inviting them to aflemble 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
Vol. III. G himfelf
82 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. himfelf was unwearied in attending to every
I534# thing neceiTary for the fecurity or increafe of the
fe£t; animating his difciples by his own example
to refufe no labour, as well as to repine at no
hardfhip ; and their enthufiaftic paftions being
kept from fubfiding by a perpetual fucceffion of
exhortation, revelations, and prophecies, they
feemed ready to undertake or to fuffer any thing
in maintenance of their opinions.
Thebitoop While they were thus employed, the bimop of
ukes arms Munfter having anembled a conliderable army,
S. advanced to beliege the town. On his approach,
Matthias fallied out at the head of fome chofen
troops, attacked one quarter of his camp, forced
, it, and after great (laughter returned to the city
loaded with glory and fpoil. Intoxicated with
this fuccefs, he appeared next day brandifhing a
fpear, and declared, that, in imitation of Gideon,
he would go forth with a handful of men and fmite
Mift the holt of the ungodly. Thirty perfons, whom he
named, followed him without hefitation in this
wild enterprize, and rufhing on the enemy with
a frantick courage were cut off to a man. The
death of their prophet occafioned at firft great
condensation among his difciples, but Boc-
cold, by the fame gifts and pretentions which
John of had gained Matthias credit, foon revived their
qukesVcTt fpirits and hopes to fuch a degree, that he fuc-
authoiity ceeded him in the fame abfolute direction of all
annong tne
Anabaptirts. y their
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 83
their affairs. * As he did not pofTefs that enter- Book v.
prizing courage which diftinguifhed his prede- Y ,
ceffor, he fatisfied himfelf with carrying on a
defenfive war, and without attempting to annoy
the enemy by Tallies, he waited for the fuccours
he expected from the Low-Countries, the arri-
val of which was often foretold andpromifed by
their prophets. But though lefs daring in ac-
tion than Matthias, he was a v/ilder enthuftaft,
and of more unbounded ambition. Soon after
the death of his predecelTor, having, by obfcure
vifions and prophecies, prepared the multitude
for fome extraordinary event, he dripped him-
felf naked, and marching through the ftreets,,
proclaimed with a loud voice, cc That the king-
dom of Sion was at hand ; that whatever was
higheft on earth fhould be brought low, and
whatever was loweft mould be exalted." In
order to fulfil this, he commanded the churches,
as the mod lofty buildings in the city, to be
levelled with the ground ; he degraded the fe-
nators chofen by Matthias, and depriving Cnip-
perdoling of the confulfhip, the higheft office
in the commonwealth, he appointed him to exe-
cute the loweft and moil infamous, that of com-
mon hangman, to which ftrange tranfition the
other agreed, not only without murmuring, but
with theutmoft joy •, and fuch was the defpotick
rigour of Boccold's adminiftraticn, that he was
called almoft every day to perform fome duty or
G 2 other
THE REIGN OF THE
other of his wretched function. In place of the
I534> depofed fenators, he named twelve judges, ac-
cording to the number of tribes in Ifrael, to pre-
fide in all affairs \ retaining to himfelf the fame
authority which Mofes anciently pofTefTed as
legislator of that people.
Eieftcd Not fatisfied, however, with power or titles
which were not fupreme, a prophet, whom he
had gained and tutored, having called the mul-
titude together, declared it to be the will of
God, that John Boccold fliould be King of Sion,
June 2*. and fit on the throne of David. John kneeling
down, accepted of the heavenly call, which he
folemnly protefted had been revealed likewife to
himfelf, and was immediately acknowledged as
Monarch by the deluded multitude. From that
moment he aflumed all the Hate and pomp of
royalty. He wore a crown of gold, and was
clad in the richefl and mod fumptuous garments.
A Bible was carried on his one hand, a naked
fword on the other. A great body of guards
accompanied him when he appeared in publick.
He coined money (tamped with his own image,
and appointed the great officers of his houfehold
and kingdom, among whom Cnipperdoling was
nominated governor of the city, as a reward for
his former fubmifilon.
His licen-
Having now attained the height of power,
tious ten c ts Boccold began to difcover paffions, which he
»nd conduit, . .
had
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
had hitherto retrained or indulged only in fe-
cret. As the excefTes of enthufiafm have been
obferved in every age to lead to fenfual gratifi-
cations, the fame conflitution that is fufceptible
of the former, being remarkably prone to the
latter, he inftructed the prophets and teachers
to harangue the people for feveral days concern-
ing the lawfulnefs, and even necdlky of taking
more wives than one, which they averted to be
one of the privileges granted by God to the
faints. When their ears were once accuftomed
to this licentious doctrine, and their pailions in-
flamed with the profpec~t of fuch unbounded
indulgence, he himlelf fet them an example of
ufing what he called their Chriftian liberty, by
marrying at once three wives, among which the
widow of Matthias, a woman of Angular beauty,
was one. As he was allured bv 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 fliared
with him the fplendor and ornaments of royalty.
After the example of their prophet, the multi-
tude gave themfelves up to the moil licentious
and uncontrolled gratification of their dcfires.
No man remained fatisfied with a fingle wife.
Not to ufe their Chriftian liberty, was deemed a
crime. Perfons were appointed to fearch the
houfes for young women grown up to maturity,
G 3 whom
1534.
THE REIGN OF THE
whom they inftantly compelled to marry. To-
gether with polygamy, freedom of divorce, its
infeparable attendant, was introduced, and be-
came a new fource of corruption. Every excefs
was committed of which the paffions of men are
capable, when reflrained neither by the authority
of laws nor the fenfe of decency m j and by a
monftrous and almoft incredible conjunction,
volnptuoufnefs was engrafted on religion, and
diflblute riot accompanied the aufterities of fa-
natical devotion.
a confede- Me an while, the German princes were highly
racy againft .
the Ana- offended at the infnlt ofrered to their dignity by
Boccold's prefumptuous ufurpation of royal ho-
nours ; and the profligate manners of his follow-
ers, which were a reproach to the Chriftian
m Prophets & concionatorum autoritate juxta et exem-
plo, tota urbe ad rapiendas pulcherrirnas quafque fteminas
difcurfum eft. Nee intra paucos dies, in ianta hominum
turba fere ulla reperta eft fupra annum decmum quar-
tum quae ftuprum pafla non fuerk. Iamb. Horcenf. p.
303. Vulgo viris q u in as efl'e uxores, pluribus fenas, non-
Bullis feptenas & oilocas. Paellas fupra duodecimum actatis
annum ftatim amare. Id. 30.;. Nemo una comentus fuir,
neque cuiqunm extra effastas & viris immaturas continent!
efTe licuir. Id. 307. Tacebo hie, ut fit ftius honor auribus,
quanta barbaria et malitia ufi funt in puellis vitiandis non-
dum aptis matrimonio, id quod mi hi neque ex vano,
Deque 1 ex vulgi fermonibus hauftum eft, fed ex ea vetuia,
cui cura fie vitiatarum demandata fuit, auditum. Joh.
Cor v in us, 316,
name,
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
name, filled men of all profeflions with horror.
Luther, who had teftiHed againft this fanatical
fpirit on its firfl appearance, now deeply lamented
its progrefs, and expofing the delufion with
great ftrength of argument, as well as acrimony
of ftyle, called loudly on all the dates of Ger-
many to put a flop to a phrenzy no lefs perni-
cious to fociety, than fatal to religion. The
Emperor, occupied with other cares and pro-
jects, had not leifure to attend to fuch a diftant
object, but the princes of the Empire, afTem-
bled by the King of the Romans, voted a fupply
of men and money to the bifhop of Munfter,
who being unable to keep a fufficient army on
foot, had converted the fiege of the town into Befie s etliC
' D town.
a blockade. The forces raifed in confeqnence
of this refolution, were put under the command
of an officer of experience, who approaching the
town towards the end of Spring in the year one
thoufand live hundred and thirty- five, prefTed it
more clofely than formerly, but found the forti-
fications fo ftrong, and fo diligently guarded,
that he durft not attempt an affault. It was now
above fifteen months fince the Anabaptifts had
eftablifhed their dominion in Munfter ; they had
during that time undergone prodigious fatigue
in working on the fortifications, and perform-
ing military duty. Notwithftanding the prudent JJj£ cfs and
attention of their King to provide for their fub- fenatidfin
to r cfthebe-
fiftence, and his frugal as well as regular ceco- fiegcd.
G 4 nomy
1535-
THE REIGN OF THE
nomy in their publick meals, they began to feel
the approach of famine. Several fmall bodies
of their brethren, who were advancing to their
affi (lance from the Low-Countries, had been
intercepted, and cut to pieces -, and while all
Germany was ready to combine againft them,
they had no profoect 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 fanguine
•as ever, and they hearkened with implicit cre-
dulity to the virions and predictions of their pro-
phets, who allured them, that the Almighty
would ipeedily interpofe, in order to deliver the
city. The faith, however, of fbme few, ihaken
by the violence and length of their lufferings,
beo-an to fail ; but being fufpected of an inr
clination to furrender to the enemy, they were
punifhed with immediate death, as guilty of
impiety in ditlrufting the power of God. One
of the King's wives, having; uttered certain words
which implied fome doubt concerning his divine
mifiion, he inftantly called the whole number
together, and commanding the b'afpbemer, as
he called her, to kneel down, cut off her head
v.'iih his own hands •, and fo far were the reft
from expreffing any horror ac this cruel deed,
that they joined him in dancing with a frantick
joy around the bleeding body of their com-
panion,
By
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 89
By this time, the befieged endured the utmoft Book v.
rigor of famine ; but they chofe rather to iuffer "TcvjT"
hardfhips, the recital of which is fhocking to ™* n city
humanity, than to Men to the terms of capitu- J une '•
lation offered them by the bilhop. At lad, 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
diftrefs, made his efcape to the enemy. He in-
formed their general of a weak part in the forti-
fications which he had obferved, and alluring
him that the befieged, exhaufted with hunger
and fatigue, kept watch there with little care,
he offered to lead a party thither in the night.
The propofal was accepted, and a chofen body
of troops appointed for the fervice ; who, fcal-
ing the walls unperceived, feized one of the
gates, and admitted the reft of the army. The
Anabaptifts, though furprifed, defended them- june2 4 .
felves in the market-place with valour, height-
ened by defpair ; but being overpowered by
numbers, and furrounded on every hand, moil
of them were flain, and the remainder taken
prifoners. Among the laff were the King and
Cnipperdoling. The King, loaded with chains, Punifliment
was carried from city to city as a ipectacle to andhisairo-
gratify the curiofity of the people, and was ex-
pofed to all their iniults. His fpirit, however,
was not broken or humbled by this fad reverfe
of his condition j and he adhered with unfhaken
firmnefs
THE REIGN OF THE
Boo* V. firm-nefs to the diftinguifhing tenets of his feci:,
<I "TT7" After this he was brought back to Munfter,
* 5 3 5 *■
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 aftonifhing for-
titude. This extraordinary man, who had been
able to acquire fuch amazing dominion over the
minds of his followers, and to excite commo-
tions fo dangerous to fociety, was only twenty-
fix years of age \
charaaer Together with its Monarch, the kingdom
Sncelhat of the Anabaptifts came to an end. Their prin-
pet.od. ciples having taken deep root in the Low-Coun-
tries, the party ftill fubfifts there, under the
name of Mennonites •, but by a very fingular
revolution, this k£t, fo mutinous and fanguinary
at its firfl origin, hath become altogether inno-
cent and pacifick. Holding it unlawful to wage
war, or to accept of civil offices, they devote
themfelves 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
n Sleid. igo, &c. Tumultuum Anabaptiflarum Liber
unus, Anu Lamberto Hortenfio audlore ap. Scardium, vol.
ii. p. 298, &c. De Miferabili Monafteiienfium obfidione,
&c. libcllus Antonii Corvini ap. Scard. 313. Annales
Anabaptiftici ajoh. Henrico Ottio, 410. Bafilea?, 1672. Cor,
Heerftachius Hid. Anab. Edit. 1637. p. 140.
Bayie Diction. Art, Jnabaptijies*
fmall
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 9 i
fmall number of this feci: which is fettled in Book V.
England, retain its peculiar tenets concerning ls ^
baptifm, but without any dangerous mixture of
enthufiafm.
The mutiny of the Anabaptifts, though it p n r ° c ^' h n o g . s
drew general attention, did not fo entirely en- rityofthe
s league or
grofs the princes of Germany, as not to allow Smaikaide.
leifure for other tranfactions. The alliance be-
tween the French King and the confederates at
Smaikaide, began about this time to produce
great effects. Ulric, Duke of Wurtemberg,
having been expelled his dominions in the year
one thoufand five hundred and nineteen, on ac-
count of his violent and opprefiive adminiftra- •
tion, the houfe of Audria had got pofTeffion of
his dutchy. That prince having now by a long
exile atoned for the errors in his conduct, which
were the effect rather of inexperience than of a
tyrannical difpofition, was become the object of
general companion. The Landgrave of HefTe,
in particular, his near relation, warmly efpoufed
his interefl, and ufed many efforts to recover for
him his ancient inheritance. But the King of
the Romans obftinately refufed to relinquish 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 ally. Francis, eager to embrace any op-
portunity of diftreffwg the houfe of Auftria, and
defirous
»535
9 £ THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. deGrous of wrefting from it a territory, which
gave it footing and influence in a part of Ger-
many at a diftance from its other dominions,
encouraged the Landgrave to take arms, and
fecretly fupplied him with a large fum of money.
This he employed to raife troops, and marching
with great expedition towards Wurtemberg,
attacked, defeated, and difperfed a confiderable
body of Auftrians, entrufted with the defence
of the country. All the Duke's fubjects haft-
ened, with emulation, to receive their native
Prince, and re-invefted him with that authority
which is ihll enjoyed by his defendants. At
the fame time the exercife of the Proteflant re-
ligion was eftablifhed in his dominions p .
The King
of the Re-
mans courts
Ferdinand, how fenfible foever of this un-
expected blow, not daring to attack a Prince
them. whom all the Protectant powers in Germany
were ready to fupport, judged it expedient to
conclude a treaty with him, by which, in the
mod ample form, he recognized his title to the
dutchy. The fuccefs of the Landgrave's opera-
tions in behalf of the Duke of Wurtemberor
having convinced Ferdinand that a rupture with
a league fo formidable as that of Smalkalde, was
to be avoided with the utmoft care, he entered
likevviie into a negociation with the El dor of
p Slcid. 172. Belhy. 159, &c.
Saxony,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 93
Saxony, the head of that union, and by fome B ° 0K v -
conceflions in favour of the Proteftant religion, , s35 .
and others of advantage to the Emperor himtelf,
he prevailed on him, together with his confede-
rates, to acknowledge his title as King of the
Romans. At the fame time, in order to pre-
vent any fuch precipitate or irregular election in
times to come, it was agreed that no perfon
fnould hereafter be promoted to that dignity
without the unanimous confent of the Electors ;
and the Emperor foon after confirmed this ftipu-
lation q .
These acts of indulgence towards the Pro- Pa ^ 5 *i-
calls a ge-
teftants, and the clofe union into which the neraicouo-
. . c\\ to rarest
King of the Romans feemed to be entering with at&faduu.
the Princes of that party, gave great offence at
Rome. Paul III. though he had departed from
a refolution cf his predeceffor, never to confent
to the calling of a general council, and had pro-
miled, in the firft confiftory held after his elec-
tion, that he would convoke that affembly fo
much defired by all Chriftendom, was no lefs
enraged than Clement at the innovations in Ger-
many, and no lefs averfe to any fcheme for
reforming either the doctrines- of the church, or
the abules in the court of Rome : But having
been a witnefs of the universal cenfure which
Clement had incurred by his obflinacy with re-
. 9 Skid. 173. Corps Dipkm. torn. iv. p. z. 119.
gard
94 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. gard to thefe points, he hoped to avoid the fame
Tr^TT reproach by the feerning alacrity with which he
propofed a council ; flattering himfelf, however,
that fuch difficulties would arife concerning the
time and place of meeting, the perfons who had
a right to be prefent, and the order of their pro-
ceedings, as would effectually defeat the inten-
tion of thofe who demanded that affembly, with-
out expofing himfelf to any imputation for
refufing to call it. With this view he difpatched
nuncios to the feveral courts, in order to make
known his intention, and that he had fixed on
Mantua as a proper place in which to hold the
council. Such difficulties as the Pope had fore-
feen, immediately prefented themfelves in great
number. The French King did not approve of
the place which Paul had chofen, as the Papal
and Imperial influence would neceffarily be too
great in a town fituated in that part of Italy,
The King of England not only concurred with
Francis in urging that objection, but refufed,
befides, to acknowledge any council called in
the name and by the authority of the Pope. The
Dec. ia. German Protectants having met together at
Smalkalde, infilled on their original demand of
,a council to be held in Germany, and pleading
the Emperor's promife, as well as the agreement
at RatUbon to that effect, declared that they
would not confider an affembly held at Mantua
as a legal or free reprefentative of the church.
By
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 95
By this diverfity of fentiments and views, fuch BoOK v -
a field for intrigue and negotiation opened, as JS35 ,
made it eafy for the Pope to affiime the merit
of being eager to affemble a council, while at
the fame time he could put off its meeting at
pleafure. The Proteftants on the other hand
fufpe&ing his defigns, and fenfibleof the import-
ance which they derived from their union, re-
newed for ten years the league of Smalkalde,
which now became ftronp-er and more formidable
by the acceffion of feveral new members r .
During thefe tranfacYtons in Germany, the Ttetmpe-
Emperor undertook his famous enterpnze agamit dition to
the piratical dates in Africa. That part of the ftateofdut
African continent lying along the coaft of the countr '*
Mediterranean fea, which anciently formed the
kingdoms of Mauritania and MafTylia, together
r This league was concluded December, one thoufand
five hundred and thirty-five, but not extended or f'gned in.
form till September in the following year. The Princes
who acceded to it were John Eleftor of Saxony, Erneft
Duke of Brunfwick, Philip Landgrave of HefTe, Ulric
Duke of Wurtemberg, Barnim and Philip Dukes of Pome-
rania, John George, and Joachim Princes of Anhalt, Geb-
hard and Albert Counts of Mansfield, William Count of
NafTau. The cities, Strafburg, Nuremburg-, Conftance,
Ulm, Magdeburg, Bremen, Reutlingen, Hailbron, Mem-
mengen, Lindaw, Campen, Ifna, Bibrac, V/indfheim,
Aufburg, Frankfort, Efling, Brunfwick, Goflar, Hanover,
Gottingen, Eimbeck, Hamburg, Minden.
witfc
*S3*
THE REIGN OF THE
with the republick of Carthage, and which is now
known by the general name of Barbary, had
undergone many revolutions. Subdued by the
Romans, it became a province of their empire.
Conquered afterwards by the Vandals, they
erected a kingdom there. That being over-
turned by Belifarius, the country continued fub-
jecl to the Greek Emperors, until it was over-
run towards the end of the feventh century, by
the rapine and irrefiftible arms of the Arabs. It
remained for fume time a part of that vafl empire
which the Caliphs governed with abfolute autho-
rity. Its immenfe didance, however, from the
feat of government, encouraged the defcendants
of thofe leaders, who had fubdued the country, or
the chiefs of the Moors, its ancient inhabitants, to
throw off the yoke, and to fet up for indepen-
dence. The Caliphs, who derived their autho-
rity from a fpirit of enthufiafm, more fitted for
making conquefts than for preferving them, were
obliged to connive at acls of rebellion which
they could not prevent j and Barbary was divided
into fever al kingdoms, of which Morocco, Al-
giers, and Tunis were the mod considerable.
The inhabitants of thefe kingdoms were a mixed
race, Arabs, Negroes from the fouthern pro-
vinces, and Moors, either natives of Africa, or
who had been expelled out of Spain ; all zealous
profefiTors of the Mahometan religion, and in-'
fiamed againft Chriftianity with a bigotted hatred
8 propor-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 97
proportional to their ignorance and barbarous BookV.
manners. I5 3-.
Among thefe people, no lefs daring, incon- R,feofth «
r * D 7 piratical
flant, and treacherous, than the ancien: inhabit- ftate3 »
ants of the fame country defcnbed by the Ro-
man hiftorians, frequent fed itions broke out, and
many changes in government took place. Thefe,
as they affected only the internal fcate of a coun-
try fo barbarous, are but little known, and de-
ferve to be fo : But about the beginning of the
fixteenth century a fudden revolution happened,
which, by rendering the ftates of Barbary formi-
dable to the Europeans, hath made their hiflory
worthy of more attention. This revolution was
brought about by perfons born in a rank of life and of the
which entitled them to ace no fuch lllultrious
part. Horuc and Hayradin, the fons of a potter
in the Ifle of Lefbos, prompted by a refllefs and
enterprizing fpirit, forfook their father's trade,
ran to fea, and joined a crew of pirates. They
foon diftinguifhed themfelves by their valour
and activity, and becoming mailers of a fmall
brigantine, carried on their infamous trade with
fuch conduct and fuccefs, that they affembled a
fleet of twelve galleys, befides many veffels of
fmaller force. Of this fleet Horuc, the elder
brother, called BarbarofTa from the red colour
of his beard, was admiral, and Hayradin fecond
in command, but with almoft equal authority.
Vol. HI. H They
J 535
THE REIGN OF THE
They called themfelves the friends of the fea,
and the enemies of all who fail upon it ; and their
names foon became terrible from the Straits of
the Dardanels to thofe of Gibraltar. Together
with their fame and power, their ambitious views
extended, and while acting as Corfairs they
adopted the ideas, and acquired the talents of
conquerors. They often carried the prizes which
they took on the coafts of Spain and Italy into
the ports of Barbary, and enriching the inhabit-
ants by the fale of their booty, and the thought-
lefs prodigality of their crews, were welcome
guefls in every place at which they touched.
The convenient fituation of thefe harbours, lying
fo near the greateft commercial ftates at that
time in Chriftendom, made the brothers wifh
for an eftablifhment in that country. An op-
portunity of accomplifhing this quickly prefent-
ed itfelf, which they did not fuffer to pafs un-
improved. Eutemi, King of Algiers, having
attempted feveral times, without fuccefs, to take
a fort which the Spanifh governors of Oran had
built not far from his capital, was fo ill advifed
as to apply for aid to Barbarofla, whofe valour
the Africans confidered as irrefiftible. The
151 * active Corfair gladly accepted of the invitation,
and leaving his brother Hayradin with the fleet,
marched at the head of five thoufand men to
Algiers, where he was received as their deliverer.
Such a force gave him the command of the
town ;
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
town ; and as he perceived that the Moors
neither fufpecled him of any bad intention, nor
were capable with their light- armed troops
of oppofing his difciplined veterans, he fecretly
murdered the Monarch whom he had come to Horuc > the
elder bro-
affift, and cauled himfelf to be proclaimed King ther, be.
. • i • ri i mi i i * .j comes maf-
of Algiers in his itead. The authority which terof ai-
he had thus boldly ufurped, he endeavoured to s ' e
eftablifh by arts fuited to the genius of the peo-
ple whom he had to govern ; by liberality with-
out bounds to thofe who favoured his promotion,
and by cruelty no lefs unbounded towards all
whom he had any reafon to diftruft. Not fatisned
with the throne which he had acquired, he at-
tacked the neighbouring King of Tremecen,
and having vanquifhed him in battle, added his
dominions to thofe of Algiers. At the fame
time, he continued to infeft the coaft of Spain
and Italy with fleets which refembled the arma-
ments of a great Monarch, rather than the light
fquadrons of a Corfair. The devaluations which
thefe committed, obliged Charles, about the be-
ginning of his reign, to furnifh the marquis de
Comares, governor of Oran, with troops furB- , 5 ,g,
cient to attack him. That officer, affifted by
the dethroned King of Tremecen, executed the
commiffion with fuch fpirit, that BarbarohVs
troops being beat in feveral encounters, he him-
felf was fhut up in Tremecen. After defending
it to the lad extremity, he was overtaken in at-
H 2 tempting
ioo THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. tempting to make his efcape, and (lain while he
,- 35# fought with an obftinate valour, worthy of his
former fame and exploits.
Theprpgrefj His brother Hayradin, known likewife by the
thefecond" name of BarbarofTa, aflumed the fceptre of Al-
brother. gj ers ^^ ^ f ame am bi t i on anc i abilities, but
with better fortune. His reign being undi-
fturbed by the arms of the Spaniards, which had
full occupation in the wars among the European
powers, he regulated with admirable prudence
the interior police of his kingdom, carried on his
naval operations with great vigour, and extend-
ed his conquefts on the continent of Africa. But,
perceiving that the Moors and Arabs fubmitted
to his government with the utmoft reluctance,
and being afraid that his continual depredations
' would, one day, draw upon him the arms of the
Puts his do- Chriftians, he put his dominions under the pro-
minions , «**•'■«
under the tec~hon of the Grand Seignior, and received from
the Sultan, him a body of Turkifh foldiers fufficient for his
feenrity againfl his domeltick as well as his foreign
enemies. At lad, the fame of his exploits daily
increafing, Solyman offered him the command
of the Turkilh fleet, as the only perfon whofe
valour and (kill in naval affairs entitled him to
command againfl Andrew Doria, the greateft
fea-officer of that age. Proud of this diftinclion,
Barbaroifa repaired to Conflantinople, and with
a wonderful veriatility of mind, mingling the
arts
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 10 i
arts of a courtier with the boldnefs of a Corfair, Book V.
gained the entire confidence both of the Sultan , 535 .
and his Vizier. To them he communicated a
fcheme which he had formed of making himfelf
matter of Tunis, the moil flourifhing kingdom,
at that time, on the coaft of Africa; and this
being approved of by them, he obtained what-
ever he demanded for carrying it into execution.
His hopes of fuccefs in this undertaking; were His fcheme
1 ° torconquer-
founded on the inteftine divifions in the kingdom in s Tunis *
of Tunis. Mahmed, the laft King of that coun-
try, having thirty-four fons by different wives,
named Muley-Hafcen, one of the youngeft among
them, his fucceflbr. That weak 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 poifoned
Mahmed his father in order to prevent him from
altering' his deftination ; and then, with the bar-
barous policy which prevails wherever polygamy
is permitted, and the right of fuqcefiion is not
precifely fixed, he put to death all his brothers
whom he could get into his power. Alrafchid,
one of the eldefl, was fo fortunate as to elcape
his rage ; and finding a retreat among the
wandering Arabs, made feveral attempts, by
the afiiftance of fome of their chiefs, to recover
the throne, which of right belonged to him.
But thefe proving unfuccefsful, and the Arabs,
H 3 from
102 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. from their natural levity, being ready to deliver
1535. him up to his mercilefs brother, he fled to Al-
giers, the only place of refuge remaining, and
implored the protection of Barbarofla ; who, dis-
cerning at once all the advantages which might be
gained by Supporting his title, received him with
every pofiible demonftration of friendlhip and
refpect. Being ready, at that time, to fet fail
for Constantinople, he eafily perfuaded Alraf-
chid, whofe eagernefs to obtain a crown difpofed
him to believe or undertake any thing, to ac-
company him thither, promiling him effectual
affiftance from Solyman, whom he repreiented
to be the mod generous, as well as mod power-
ful, Monarch in the world. But no fooner were
they arrived at Constantinople, than the falfe
Corfair, regardlefs of all his promifes to him,
opened to the Sultan a plan for conquering
Tunis, and annexing it to the Turkifh empire,
by making uie of the name of this exiled Prince,
and by means of the party ready to declare in his
favour. Solyman approved, with too much
facility, of this perfidious propofal, extremely
Suitable to the character of its author, but alto-
gether unworthy of a great Prince. A power-
ful fleet and numerous army were foon aflem-
bled ; at the fight of which the credulous AlraS-
chid flattered himfelf, that he would foon enter
his capital in triumph.
But
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 103
But juft as this unhappy Prince was going to Book V.
embark, he was arretted by order of the Sultan, ,„_
fhut up in the feraglio, and was never heard of Its fo«eft<
more. BarbarofTa failed with a fleet of two hun-
dred and fifty vefTels towards Africa. After
ravaging 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 afTert 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 Alrafchid with fuch zeal
and unanimity, as obliged the former to fly fo
precipitately, that he left all his treafures behind
him. The gates were immediately let open to
BarbarofTa, as the reftorer of their lawful fove-
reign. But when Alrafchid himfelf did not
appear, and when inftead of his name, that of
Solyman alone was heard among the acclama-
tions of the Turkilh foldiers marching into the
town, the people of Tunis began to fufpecl the
Corfair's treachery. Their fufpicions being foon
converted into certainty, they ran to arms with
the utmoft fury, and furrounded the citadel, into
which BarbarofTa had led his troops. But hav-
ing forefeen fuch a revolution, he was not un-
H 4 prepared
*53S<
THE REIGN OF THE
prepared for it ; he immediately turned againft
them the artillery on the ramparts, and by one
brifk difcharge, difperfed the numerous but
undirected afTailants, and forced them to ac-
knowledge Solyman as their fovereign, and to
fubmit to himfelf as his viceroy.
BarbaroflaV
formidable
power,
The exiled
King of
Tunis im-
plores the
Emperor's
afliftance.
April ai,
*535»
His firft care was to put the kingdom, of
which he had thus got pofTeflion, in a proper
pofture of defence. He ftrengthened the citadel
which commands the town; and fortifying the
Goletta in a regular manner, at vaft expence,
made it the principal ftation for his fleet, and
his great arfenal for military as well as naval
flores. Being now poflefTed of fuch extenfive
terricories, he carried on his depredations againft
the Chriftian States to a greater extent, and with
more deftructive violence than ever. Daily corn.'
plaints of the outrages committed by his cruizers
were brought to the Emperor by his fubjects,
both in Spain and Italy. All Chriflendom
feemed to expect from him, as its greatefl and
mod fortunate Prince, that he would put an end
to this new and odious fpecies of oppreflion.
At the fame time Muley-Hafcen, the exiled
King of Tunis, finding none of the Mahometan
Princes in Africa willing or able to affift him in
recovering his throne, applied to Charles as the
only perfon who could affert his rights in oppo-
fition
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
fition to fuch a formidable ufurper. The Em-
peror, equally defirous of delivering his domi-
nions from the dangerous neighbourhood of Bar-
barofla; of appearing as the protestor of an
unfortunate Prince; and of acquiring the glory
annexed in that age, to every expedition againft
the Mahometans, readily concluded a treaty
with Muley-Hafcen, and began to prepare for
invading Tunis. Having made trial of his own
abilities for war in the late campaign in Hun-
gary, he was now become fo fond of the military
character, that he determined to command on
this occafion in perfori. The united ftrength of Hisprepara-
1 ° tion for the
his dominions was called out upon an enterprize expedition.
in v/hich the Emperor was about to hazard his
glory, and which drew the attention of all Eu-
rope. A Flemifh fleet carried from the ports
of the Low-Country a body of German infan-
try s ; the gallies of Naples and Sicily took on
board the veteran bands of Italians and Spa-
niards, which had diftinguifhed themfelves by
fo many victories over the French •, the Emperor
himfelf embarked at Barcelona with the flower
of the Spanifh nobility, and was joined by a
confiderable fquadron from Portugal, under the
command of the Infant Don Lewis, the Em-
prefs's brother; Andrew -Doria conducted his
own gallies, the belt appointed at that time in
3 Harzei Annales Brabant, i. 599.
Europe,
io6 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. Europe, and commanded by the mod fkilful offi-
"7^7" cers : The Pope furnifhed all the afiiftance in his
power towards fuch a pious enterprize ; and the
order of Malta, the perpetual enemies of the In-
fidels, 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 appointed High Admiral of the fleet - 9
the command of the land-forces under the Em-
peror was given to the marquis de Guafto.
Lands in On the fixteenth of July, the fleet, confifling
a " of near five hundred veflels, having on board
above thirty thoufand regular troops, fet fail
from Cagliari, and after a profperous naviga-
tion, landed within fight of Tunis. Barbarofia
having received early intelligence of the Em-
peror's immenfe armament, and fufpe&ing its
deftination, prepared with equal prudence and
vigour for the defence of his new conqueft. He
called in all his corfairs from their different fta-
tions •, he drew from Algiers what forces could
be fpared ; he difpatched meflengers to all the
African Princes, Moors as well as Arabs, and
by reprefenting Muley-Hafcen as an infamous
apoflate, prompted by ambition and revenge,
not only to become the vafial of a Chriftian
Prince, but to confpire with him to extirpate the
Mahommedan faith, he inflamed thofe ignorant
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
and bigotted chiefs to fuch a degree, that they
took arms as in a common caufe. Twenty thou-
fand horfe, together with a vaft body of foot,
ibon affembled at Tunis ; and by a proper dif-
tribution of prefents among them from time to
time, Barbarofia kept the ardour which had
brought them together from fubfiding. But as
he was tea well acquainted with the enemy whom
he had to copofe, to think that theie light troops
could refill the heavy-armed cavalry and veteran
infantry which compoled the Imperial army, his
chief confidence was in the ftrenoth of the Go- £aysfi eg eto
letta, and in his body of Turkiih foldiers who
were armed and difciplined after the European
falhion. Six thoufand of thefe, under the com-
mand of Sinan, a renegado Jew, the bravefl and
moil experienced of all his corfairs, he threw
into that fort, which the Emperor immediately
inverted. As Charles had the command of the
fea, his camp was fo plentifully fupplied not
only with the neceflaries, but with all the luxu-
ries of life, that Muley-Hafcen, who had not
been accuftomed to fee war carried on with fuch
order and magnificence, was filled with admira-
tion of the Emperor's power. His troops, ani-
mated by his preience, and confidering it as
meritorious to fhed their blood in fuch a pious
caufe, contended with each other for the poils
of honour and danger. Three feparate attacks
were concerted, and the Germans, Spaniards, and
Italians,
108 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. Italians, having one of thefe committed to each
^'pTT"' °f them, puihed them forward with the eager
courage which national emulation infpires. Sinan
difplayed refolution and fkill becoming the con-
fidence which his mailer had put in him ; the
garrifon performed the hard fervice on which
they were ordered with great fortitude. But
though he interrupted the befiegers by frequent
failles, though the Moors and Arabs alarmed
the camp with their continual incurfions -, the
breaches foon became fo confiderable towards
the land, while the fleet battered thofe parts of
the fortifications which it could approach with
no lefs fury and fuccefs, that an'affault being
Tak« it by given on all fides at once, the place was taken
juiyaj. by ftorm. Sinan, with the remains of his
garrifon, retired, after an obftinate refiftance,
over a lhallow part of the bay towards the city.
By the reduction of the Goletta, the Emperor
became matter of Barbarofla's fleet, confiding of
eighty-feven gallies and galliots, together with
his arfenal, and three hundred cannon, moilly
brafs, which were planted on the ramparts ; a
prodigious number in that age, and a remark-
able proof of the ftrength of the fort, as well as
of the greatnefs of the corfair's power. The
Emperor marched into the Goletta through the
breach, and turning to Muley-Hafcen who at-
tended him, " Here," fays he, " is a gate open
to
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
to you, by which you fhall return to take pof-
feffion of your dominions." i 53s
Barbarossa, though he felt the full weight
of the blow which he had received, did not,
however, 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 fuftain the hard-
fhips of a fiege, he boldly determined to advance
with his army, which amounted to fifty thou-
fand men r , towards the Imperial camp, and to
decide the fate of his kingdom by the ifTue of a
battle. This refolution he communicated to his
principal officers, and reprefenting to them the
fatal confequences which might follow, if ten
thoufand Chriftian (laves, whom he had (hut up
in the citadel, mould attempt to mutiny during
the abfence of the army, he propofed as a ne-
ceffary precaution for the publick fecurity, to
mafiacre them without mercy before he began
his march. They all approved warmly of his
intention to fight •, but inured as they were, in
their piratical depredations, to fcenes of blood-
fried and cruelty, the barbarity of his propofal
concerning the flaves, filled them with horror-;
and BarbarofTa, rather from the dread of irritat-
1 Epiitresde Princes, par Rufcelli, p. 119, &c.
ing
no THE REIGN OF THE
BookV. ingthem, than fwayed by motives of humanity,
! r 3 s . confented to ipare the lives of the flaves.
Defeats g Y this time the Emperor had begun to ad-
Barbarofla s ' r £>
army. vance towards Tunis ; and though his troops
fuffered inconceivable hardships in their march,
over burning lands, deftitute of water, and ex-
pofed 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 fhouts, but their undifciplined courage
could not long (rand the fhock of regular bat-
talions ; and though Barbaroffa, with admirable
prefence of mind, and by expofing his own per-
ion to the greater! dangers, endeavoured to rally
them, the rout became fo general, that he him-
felf was hurried along with them in their flight
back to the city. There he found every thing
in the utmoft confufion ; fome of the inhabit-
ants flying with their families and effects •, others
ready to fet open their gates to the conqueror ;
the Turkilh foldiers preparing to retreat; and the
citadel, which in fuch circumftances might have
afforded him fome refuge, already in the poffef-
fion of the Chriftian captives. Thefe unhappy
men, rendered defperate by their fituation, had
laid hold on the opportunity which Barbaroffa
dreaded. As foon as his army was at fome dif-
tance from the town, they gained two of their
keepers,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. ut
keepers, by whofe affiftance, knocking off their Book V.
fetters, and burfting open their prifons, they "7cTc7
overpowered the Turkim garrifon, and turned
the artillery of the fort againft their former
matters. BarbarofTa, difappointed and enraged,
exclaiming fometimes againft the falfe compaf-
lion of his officers, and fometimes condemning
his own imprudent compliance with their opi-
nion, fled precipitately to Bona.
Meanwhile Charles, fatisfied with the eafy TunIsfur ~
* J renders,
and almoft bloodlefs victory which he had
gained, and advancing (lowly with the precau-
tion neceffary in an enemy's country, did not
yet know the whole extent of his own good for-
tune. But at laft, a meffenger difpatched by
the flaves acquainted him with the fuccefs of
their noble effort, for the recovery of their liber-
ty •, and at the fame time deputies arrived from
the town, in order to prefent him the keys of
their gates, and to implore his protection from
military violence. While he was deliberating
concerning the proper meafures for this purpofe,
the foldiers, fearing that they mould be deprived
of the booty which they had expected, rufhed
fuddenly, and without orders, into the town,
and began to kill and plunder without diftinc-
tion. It was then too late to reftrain their
cruelty, their avarice, or licentioufnefs. All the
outrages of which foldiers are capable in the fury
of a ftorm, all the exceffes of which men can
2 be
ii2 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V. be guilty when their paflions are heightened
.~ w ~. by the contempt and hatred which difference in
manners and religion infpire, were committed.
Above thirty thoufand of the innocent inhabit-
ants perifhed on that unhappy day, and ten
thoufand were carried away as (laves. Muley-
Hafcen took poffeffion of a throne furrounded
with carnage, abhorred by his fubjects on whom
he had brought fuch calamities, and pitied even
by thofe whofe rafhnefs had been the occafion of
them. The Emperor lamented the fatal acci-
dent which had ftained the luftre of his victory ;
and amidft fuch a fcene of horror there was but
one fpeclacle that afforded him any fatisfaclion.
Ten thoufand Chriftian llaves, among whom
were feveral perfons of distinction, met him as
he entered the town ; and falling on their knees,
thanked and bleffed him as their deliverer.
Peftoresthe At the fame time that Charles accomplished
> his his promife to the Moorifh King of re-eftablifh-
ing him in his dominions, he did not neglect
what was neceffary for bridling the power of the
African corfairs, for the fecurity of his own fub«
jects, and for the intereft of the Spanifh crown :
In order to gain thefe ends, he concluded a
treaty with Muley-Hafcen on the following con-
ditions y that he mould hold the kingdom of
Tunis in fee of the crown of Spain, and do ho-
mage to the Emperor as his liege lord ; that
all the Chriftian flaves now within his domi-
nions,
throne.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 113
nions, of whatever nation, (hould be fet at liberty Book V.
without ranfom j that no fubject of the Empe- TsicT"
ror's fhould for the future be detained in fervi-
tude-, that no Turkifh corfair fhould be admitted
into the ports of his dominions -, that free trade,
together with the publickexercife of theChriftian
religion, mould be allowed to all the Emperor's
fubjedts *, that the Emperor fhould not only re-
tain the Goletta, but that all the other fea-ports
in the kingdom which were fortified fhould be
put into his hands ; that Muley-Hafcen fhould
pay annually twelve thoufand crowns for the
fubfiftence of the Spanifh garrifon in the Golet-
ta ; that he fhould enter into no alliance with
any of the Emperor's enemies, and fhould pre-
fent to him every year, as an acknowledgment
of his vaffalage, fix Moorifh horfes, and as many
hawks". Haying thus fettled the affairs of
Africa ; chaflifed the infolence of the corfairs ;
fecured a fafe retreat for the fhips of his fubje&s,
and a proper ftation to his own fleets, on that
coaft from which he was moft infefted by pira-
tical depredations ; Charles embarked again for Augufti;,
Europe, the tempefluous weather, and ficknefs
among his troops, not permitting him to purfue
BarbarofTa \
By
u Du Monts Corps Diplomat, ii. 128. Summonte Hift.
di Napoli, iv. 89.
* Job. Etropii Diarium Expedition. Tunetanse ap,
Scard. v. ii. p. 320, &c. Jovii Hiibr. lib. xxxiv. 153, &c.
Vol. III. I Sandov,
THE REIGN, &c.
By this expedition* the merit of which feems
to have been eftimated in that age, rather by
Ihkhthe t ^ ie a PP arent generofity of the undertaking, the
Emperor magnificence wherewith it was conducted, and
acquired, D
the fuccefs which crowned it, than by the im-
portance of the confequences that attended it,
the Emperor attained a greater height of glory
than at any other period of his reign. Twenty
thoufand flaves whom he freed from bondage,
either by his arms, or by his treaty with Muley-
Hafcen y , each of whom he clothed and fur-
nilhed with the means of returning to their
refpective countries, fpread all over Europe the
fame of their benefactor's munificence, extolling
his power and abilities with the exaggeration
flowing from gratitude and admiration. In com-
parifon with him, the other Monarchs of Eu-
rope made an inconfiderable figure. They
feemed to be folicitous about nothing but
their private and particular interefts ; while
Charles, with an elevation of fentiment which
became the chief Prince in Chriftendom, ap-
peared to be concerned for the honour of the
Chriftian name, and attentive to the publick fe-
curity and welfare.
Sandov. ii. 154, &c. Vertot. Hift. de ChevaL de Malthe.
Epiftres des Princes, par Rufcelli, traduites par Belleforeft,
p. 119, 120, &c. Anton. Pontii Confentini Hift. Belli adv.
Barbar. ap. Matthasi Anale&a.
v Summonte Hift. de Nap. vol, iv. p. 103.
THE
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
REIGN
OF THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
BOOK VI.
UNFORTUNATELY for the reputation b , okYU
of Francis I. among his contemporaries, ^— — j — '
his conduct, at this juncture, appeared a perfect Thecaofei
contrail to that of his rival, as he laid hold warb*tw««
on the opportunity afforded him, by the Empe- |o*and Pe "
ror's having turned his whole force ay;ainft the francin
common enemy, to revive his pretentions 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 covered up, but did
I z net
n6 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. not extinguifh the flames of difcord. Francis,
~ x *~ in particular, who waited with impatience for a
proper occafion of recovering the reputation as
well as territories which he had loft, continued
to carry on his negociations in different courts
againft the Emperor, taking the utmofl pains tc*
heighten the jealoufy which many Princes en>
tertained of his power or defigns, and to infpire
the reft with the fame fufpicion and fear : Among
others, he applied to Francis Sforza, who y
though indebted to Charles for the porTeftion of
the dutchy of Milan, had received it on fuch
hard conditions, as rendered him not only a
vafifal of the Empire, but a tributary dependant
upon the Emperor. The honour of having
married the Emperor's niece, did not reconcile
him to his ignominious ftate of fubjeetion, which
became fo intolerable even to Sforza, a weak
and poor-fpirited Prince, that he liftened with
eagernefs to the flrft propofals Francis made of
refcuing him from the yoke. Thefe propofals
were conveyed to him by Maraviglia, or Mer-
veille, as he is called by the French hiftorians,
a Milanefe gentleman refiding at Paris ; and
foon after, in order to carry on the negociation
with greater advantage, Merveille was fent to
Milan, on pretence of vifiting his relations, but
with fecret credentials from Francis as his envoy. ,
In this character he was received by Sforza. But
notwithftanding his care to keep that circum-
'fiance
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 117
ftance concealed, Charles fufpecting, or having Book VI.
received information of it, remonftrated and ,^ 35 ,
threatened in fuch an high tone, that the Duke
and his minifters, equally intimidated, gave the
world immediately a mod infamous proof of
their fervile fear of offending the Emperor. As
Merveille had neither the prudence nor the tem-
per which the function wherein he was em-
ployed required, they artfully decoyed him in-
to a quarrel, in which he happened to kill his an-
tagonifl, one of the Duke's domefticks, and hav- Dec * W*
ing inftantly feized him, they ordered him to be
tried for that crime, and to be beheaded. Fran-
cis, no lefs aftonifhed at this violation of a cha-
racter held facred among the moll uncivilized na-
tions, than enraged at the infult offered to the dig-
nity of his crown, threatened Sforza with the ef-
fects of his indignation, and complained to the
Emperor, whom he confidered as the real author
of that unexampled outrage. But meeting with
no fatisfaction from ei her, he appealed to all the
Princes of Europe, and thought himfelf now en-
titled to take vengeance for an injury, which
it would have been indecent and pufillanimous
to let pafs with impunity.
Being thus furnifhed with a pretext for be- Francis de-
ginning a war, on which he had already reiblved, allies.
he multiplied his efforts in order to draw in other
Princes to take part in the quarrel. But all his
I 3 meafures
n8 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. meafurcs for this purpofe were difconcerted by
T^T unforefeen events. After having facrificed the
honour of his houfe by the marriage of his fori
with Catharine of Medici, in order to gain Cle-
ment, the death of that Pontiff had deprived
him of all the advantages which he expected to
derive from his friendfhip. Paul, his fucceiTor,
though attached by inclination to the Imperial
intereft, feemed determined to maintain the neu-
trality iuitable to his character as the common
father of the contending Princes. The King of
England, occupied with domeftick cares and pro-
jects, declined, for once, engaging in the affairs
of the continent, and refufed to affift Francis,
unlefs he would imitate his example, in throw-
™tbnf°" " in S °^ t ^ ie P a P a * fupremacy. Thefe difappoint-
wiuhthe ments led him to folicit, with greater earneft-
German § &
protcftants. nefs, the aid of the Proteftant Princes afibciated
by the league of Smalkalde. That he might
the more eafily acquire their confidence, he en-
deavoured to accommodate himfelf to their pre-
dominant paflion, zeal for their religious tenets.
He affected a wonderful moderation with regard
to the points in difpute ; he permitted Bellay,
his envoy in Germany, to explain his fentiments
concerning fome of the mod important articles,
in terms not far different from thofe ufed by the
Protectants a ; he even condefcended to invite
* Freneri Script. Rer. German, iii. 354, &c Sleid.
Hift. 178. 183. Seckend. lib. iii. 103.
/ Melancthon,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 119
Melan<5thon, whofe gentle manners and pacifick Book VI.
fpirit diftinguifhed him among the Reformers, , 535 .
to vifit Paris, that by his affiilance he might
concert the mod proper meafures for reconciling
the contending feels, which fo unhappily divided,
the church b . Thefe conceffions muft be confi-
dered rather as arts of policy, than the refult of
conviction •, for whatever impreftion the new
opinions in religion had made on his fillers, the
Queen of Navarre and Dutchefs of Ferrara, the
gaiety of Francis's own temper, and his love of
pleafure, allowed him little leifure to examine
theological controverfies.
But foon after he loft all the fruits of this Irri ' at "
them.
difingenuous artifice, by a (lep very inconfiftent
with his declarations to the German Princes.
This flep, however, the prejudices of the age,
and the religious fentiments of his own fubjedls,
rendered it neceffary for him to take. His clofe
union with the King of England, an excommu-
nicated heretick ; his frequent negotiations with
the German Proteftants ; but above all, his giv-
ing publick audience to an envoy from Sultan
Solyman, had excited violent fufpicions con-
cerning the fincerity of his attachment to reli-
gion. To have attacked the Emperor, who,
on all occafions, made high pretenfions to zeal
b Camerarii Vita Ph. Melanfthonis, 12 . Hag. 165 j.
p. 12.
I 4 in
120 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VT. J n defence of the Catholick faith, and at the very
'535* juncture when he was preparing for his expe-
dition againft BarbarofTa, which was then con-
fidered as a pious enterprize, could not have
failed to confirm fuch unfavourable fentiments
with regard to Francis, and called on him to
vindicate himfelf by fome extraordinary demon-
ftration of his reverence for the eftablifhed doc-
trines of the church. The indifcreet zeal of
fome of his fubjects, who had imbibed the Pro-
teftant opinions, furnifhed him with fuch an
occafion as he defired. They had affixed to the
gates of the Louvre, and other publick places,
papers containing indecent reflections on the
doctrines and rites of the Popifh church. Six of
the perfons concerned in this rafh action were dis-
covered and feized. The King, in order to avert
the judgments which it was fuppofed their blaf-
phemies might draw down upon the nation,
appointed a folemn proceffion. The holy facra-
ment was carried through the city in great pomp;
Francis walked uncovered before ir, bearing a
torch in his hand •, the princes of the blood fup-
ported the canopy over it ; the nobles marched
in order behind. In the prefence of this nume-
rous afTembly, the King, accuftomed to exprefs
himfelf on every fubject in ftrong and animated
language, declared that if one of his hands were
infected with herefy, he would cut it off with
the other, and would not fpare even his own
3 children,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 121
children, if found guilty of that crime. As a Boot VI.
dreadful proof of his being in earned, the fix un- x 535#
happy perfons w^re publickly burnt before the
proceflion was finifhed, with circumftances of
the moft (hocking barbarity attending their exe-
cution c .
The Princes of the league of Smalkalde, filled Th . e ? re ^ ufc
* to join him.
with rcrfentment and indignation at the cruelty
with which their brethren were treated, could
not conceive Francis to be fincere, when he
offered to protect in Germany thofe very tenets,
which he perfecuted with fuch rigour in his own
dominions ; fo that all Bellay's art and eloquence
in vindicating his mafter, or apologizing for his
conduct, made but little impreflion upon them.
They confidered likewife, that the Emperor,
who hitherto had never employed violence againft
the doctrines of the Reformers, nor even given
them much moleftation in their progrefs, was
now bound by the agreement at Ratifbon, not
to difturb fuch as had embraced the new opi-
nions \ and the Proteftants wifely regarded this
as a more certain and immediate fecurity, than
the precarious and diftant hopes with which
Francis endeavoured to allure them. Befides,
the manner in which he had behaved to his allies
at the peace of Cambray, was too recent to be
c Belcarii Comment. Ra. Gallic. 646. Sleid. Hift.
forgotten,
175, &c.
122 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VL forgotten, and did not encourage others to rely
j.-V much on his friendfhip or generofity. Upon
all thefe accounts, the Proteftant Princes refufed
to aflift the French King in any hoftile attempt
againft the Emperor. The Elector of Saxony,
the moft zealous among them, in order to avoid
giving any umbrage to Charles, would not per-
mit Melancthon to vifit the court of France,
although that Reformer, flattered perhaps by
the invitation of fo great a Monarch, or hoping
that his prefence there might be of fignal advan-
tage to the Proteitant caufe, difcovered a ftrong
inclination to undertake the journey d .
The French B UT though none of the many Princes who
armvadvan- » • r . . . .
ces towards envied or dreaded the power or Charles, would
lta y ' fecond Francis's efforts in order to reduce and
circumfcribe it, he, neverthelefs, commanded
his army to advance towards the frontiers of
Italy. As his fole pretext for taking arms was
that he might chaftife the Duke of Milan for his
infolent and cruel breach of the law of nations,
it might have been expected that the whole
weight of his vengeance was to have fallen on
his territories. But on a fudden, and at their
very commencement, the operations of war took
another direction. Charles Duke of Savoy, one
of the lead active and able Princes of the line
d Camerarii Vita Milan. 142, &c. 415. Seckcnd. lib. iii.
107.
from
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 123
from which he defcended, had married Beatrix Book vl
of Portugal, theEmpreiVs filler. By her great x
talents, Cat foon acquired an abfolute afcendant
over her hufoand : and proud of her affinity to
the Emperor, or allured by the magniikent pro-
miles with which he flattered her ambition, (he
formed an union between the Duke and the Im-
perial court, extremely inconfiftent with that
neutrality, which wife policy as well as the fitua-
tion of his dominions had hitherto induced him
to obferve in all the quarrels between the con-
tending Monarchs. Francis was abundantly
fenfible of the diftrefs to which he might be ex-
pofed, if, when he entered Italy, he mould leave
behind him the territories of a Prince, devoted
fo obfequioufly to the Emperor, that he had fent
his elded 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 liaht during his interview
with Francis at Marfeilles, fuggefted to him, at
the fame time, the proper method of guarding
againd it, having advifed him to begin his ope-
rations againft the Milanefe, by taking pofTeflion
of Savoy and Piedmont, as the only certain way
of fecuring a communication with his own do-
minions. Francis, highly irritated at the Duke Tsfces
on many accounts, particularly for having fup- f = ffion ° f
plied the Conftable Bourbon with the money savoy's do-
that enabled him to levy the body of troops
which
miawns.
124 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. which ruined the French army in the fatai battle
j 535# of Pavia, was not unwilling to let him now feel
both how deeply he refented, and how feverely
he could punifh thefe injuries. Nor did he
want feveral pretexts which gave fome colour of
i
equity to the violence that he intended. The
territories of France and Savoy lying contiguous
to each other, and intermingled in many places,
various difputes, unavoidable in fuch a fituation,
fubfifted concerning the limits of their refpective
property -, and befides, Francis, in right of his
mother Louife of Savoy, had large claims upon
the Duke her brother, for her fhare in their fa-
ther's fucceflion. Being unwilling, however,
to begin hoftilities without fome caufe of quarrel
more fpecious than thefe pretenfions, many of
which were obfolete, and others dubious, he
demanded permifiion to march through Pied-
mont 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 be-
lieve the hiftorians of Savoy, who appear to be
better informed with regard to this particular
than thofe of France, the Duke readily, and
with a good grace, granted what it was not in
his power to deny, promifing free pafTage to the
French troops as was defired -, fo that Francis,
as the only method now left of juftifying the
meafures
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
meafures which he determined to take, was
obliged to infift for full fatisfaction with regard
to every thing that either the crown of France or
his mother Louife could demand of the houfe
of Savoy e . Such an evafive anfwer, as might
have been expected, being made to this requi-
fition, the French army under the admiral Brion
poured at once into the Duke's territories at
different places. The countries of BrefTe and
Bugey, united at that time to Savoy, were over-
run in a moment. Mod of the towns in the
dutchy of Savoy opened their gates at the ap-
proach of the enemy j a few which attempted to
make refiftance 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 Theatyof
of Geneva, the fovereignty of which he claimed, c c
and in fome degree pofTeffed, threw off his yoke, libcrt ?»
and its revolt drew along with it the lofs of the
adjacent territories. Geneva was, at that time,
an Imperial city ; and though under the direct
dominion of its own bifhops, and the remote
fovereignty of the Dukes of Savoy, the form of
its internal conftitution was purely republican,
e Hiftoire Genealogique de Savoje, par Guichenon. 2
torn. fol. Lyon. 1660, i, 639, &c.
being
Geneva re°
overs its
n6 THE REIGN OF THE
Book Vf. being governed by fyndics and a council chofcn
"7c7c7 by the citizens. From thefe dill met and often
clafhing jurifdictions, two oppofite parties took
their rife, and had long fubfifted in the ftate ;
the one compofed of the advocates for the pri-
vileges of the community, aflumed the name of
EignotZy or confederates in defence of liberty ;
and branded the other, which fupported the epif-
copal or ducal prerogatives, with the name of
Mammelukes or (laves. At length, the Proteftant
opinions beginning to fpread among the citizens,
*53*« infpired fuch as embraced them with that bold
enterprizing fpirit which always accompanied or
was naturally produced by them in their firft
operations. As both the Duke and Bifhop were
from intereft, from prejudice, and from political
confiderations, violent enemies of the Reforma-
tion, all the new converts joined with warmth
the party of the Eignotz ; and zeal for religion,
mingling with the love of liberty, added ftrength
to that generous paffion. The rage and animo-
fity of two factions, fhut up within the fame
walls, occafioned frequent iniurrections, which
terminating moftly to the advantage of the
friends of liberty, they daily gained ground.
The Duke and Bifhop, forgetting their an-
cient contefts about jurifdiction, had united
againft their common enemies, and each attack-
ed them with his proper weapons. The Bifhop
5 excom-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. t 2 j
excommunicated the people of Geneva as guilty Book VI.
of a double crime; of impiety, in apoftatizing ls35 .
from the eftablifhed religion ; and of facrileo-e,
in invading the rights of his fee. The Duke at-
tacked them as rebels again ft their lawful Prince,
and attempted to render himfelf matter of the
city, firft by furprize, and then by open force. 1534.
The citizens, defpifing the thunder of the Bi-
fhop's cenfures, boldly arTerted their indepen-
dence againft the Duke; and partly by their
own valour, partly by the powerful aftiftance
which they received from their allies, the canton
of Berne, together with fome imall fupplies both
of men and money, fecretly furnifhed by the
King of France, they defeated all his attempts.
Not fatisfied with having repulfed him, or with
remaining always upon the defenfive themfelves,
they now took advantage of the Duke's inabi-
lity to refift them, while overwhelmed by the
armies of France, and feized feveral caftles and
places of flrength which he poflefled in the
neighbourhood of Geneva; thus delivering the
city from thofe odious monuments of its former
fubjeclion, and rendering the publick liberty
more fecure for the future. At the fame time
the canton of Berne invaded and conquered the
Paijs de Vaud, to which it had fome pretentions.
The canton of Friburgh, though zealoufly at-
tached to the Catholick religion, and havino- no
fubjeft of conteft with the Duke, laid hold on
part
128 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VT. part of the fpoils of that unfortunate Prince. A
T?Tr~ great portion of thefe conquefts or ufurpations
being ftill retained by the two cantons, add con-
fiderably 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 do-
minion there, ftill keeps pofleiTion of its inde-
pendence ; and in confeqnence of that blefiing,
has attained a degree of confideration, wealth
and elegance, which it could not otherwife have
reached f .
The Empe- Amidst fuch a fucceffion of difaflrous events,
to r affiftthe the Duke of Savoy had no other refource but
Savoy. the Emperor's protection, which, upon his re-
turn from Tunis, he demanded with the moft
earned importunity ; and as his misfortunes
were occafioned chiefly by his attachment to the
Imperial intereft, he had a juft title to imme-
diate afliftance. 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 Afri-
can expedition, having been raifed for that fer-
vice alone, were difbanded as foon as it was
r Hift. de la Ville de Geneve, par Spon. 12°. Utc
1685. p. 99. Hifl. de la Reformation de Suifle, par Rou-
chat, Gen. 1728. torn. iv. p. 294, &c, torn, v, p. 216, &c.
Mem. de Bellay, 181.
jftnifhed ;
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 129
finifhed; the veteran forces under Antonio de Book vr.
Leyva were hardly fufficient for the d. fence of 15$-,
the Milanefe; and the Emperor's treafury was
entirely drained by his vait efforts againft the
Infidels.
But the death of Francis Sforza, occafioned, oa.^.
according to fame hiftorians, by the terror of a sfoVza Duk&
French invafion, which had twice been fatal to ofMllan »
his family, afforded the Emperor full leifure to
prepare for action. By this unexpected event,
the nature of the war, and the caufes of difcord,
were totally changed. Francis's firft pretext for
taking arms, in order to chaftife Sforza for the
infult offered 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 recovery of the Milanefe was the fa-
vourite object of that Monarch, he inftantly
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 daily lefs enterprifing
as he advanced in years, and who was overawed
at fome times into an excefs of caution by the
remembrance of his pad misfortunes, endea*.
Vol. III. K voured
130 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. voured to eftablifh his rights by negociation,
l535# not by arms-, and from a timid moderation,
pretenfions ^ atal in a11 S reat affairs > neglected to improve
to that the favourable opportunity which prefented it-
felf. Charles was more decifive in his opera-
tions, and in quality of fovereign, took pof-
feflion of the dntchy, as a vacant fief of the Em-
pire. While Francis endeavoured to explain and
aflert his title to it, by arguments and memo-
rials, or employed various arts in order to recon-
cile the Italian powers to the thoughts of his re-
gaining footing in Italy, his rival was filently tak-
ing effectual fteps to prevent it. The Emperor,
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 giving him pofTefllon in
fuch a manner as might not diflurb the peace of
Europe, or overturn the balance of power in Italy,
which' the politicians of that country were lb fond
of preferving. By this artifice he deceived Francis,
and gained fo much confidence with the reft of
Europe, that almoft without incurring any fuf-
picion, he involved the affair in new difficulties,
and protracted the negociations at pleafure.
Sometimes he propofed to grant the inveftkure
of Milan to the Duke of Orleans, Francis's
fecond fon, fometimes to the Duke of Angou-
leme, his third fon-, as the views and inclinations
of the French court varied; he transferred his
choice
EMPEROR CHARLES V. i 3 r
choice alternately from the one to the other, Book vr.
with fiich- profound and well-conducted diflimu- lq3
lation, that neither Francis nor his minifters
feem to have penetrated his real intention ; and
all military operations were entirely fufpended,
as if nothing had remained but to enter quietly
into poiTeffion of what they demanded.
During the interval gained in this manner, t$tf.
Charles, on his return from Tunis, affembled preparations
the ilates both of Sicily and Naples, and as they 01
thought themfelves greatly honoured by the pre-
fence of their fovereign, and were no lefs pleafed
with the apparent difintereftednefs of his expe-
dition into Africa, than dazzled by the fuccefs
which had attended his arms, prevailed on them
to vote him fuch liberal fubfidies as were feldom
granted in that age* This enabled him to re-
cruit his veteran troops, to levy a body of Ger-
mans, and to take every other proper precaution
for executing or fupporting the meafures on
which he had determined. Bellay, the French
envoy in Germany* having difcovered the inten-
tion of raifing troops in that country, notwith-
standing all the pretexts employed in order to
conceal it, firft alarmed his matter with this evi-
dent proof of the Emperor's infincerity g . But
Francis was fo porTerled at that time with the
5 Mem. de Bellay, iq*.
K 2 ra^e
132 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. rage of negotiation, in all the artifices and re-
,r 6 t finements of which his rival far furpaffed him,
that inflead of beginning his military operations,
and pufhing them with vigour, or feizing the
Milanefe before the Imperial army was affem-
bled, he fatisfied himfelf with making new offers
to the Emperor, in order to procure the invefti-
ture by his voluntary deed. His offers were, in-
deed, fo liberal and advantageous, that if ever
Charles had intended to grant his demand, he
could not have rejected them with decency. He
dexteroufly eluded them by declaring that, un-
til he confulted the Pope in perfon, he could not
take his final refolution with regard to a point
which fo nearly concerned the peace of Italy.
By this evafion he gained fome farther time for
ripening the fchemes which he had in view.
The Em P e- The Emperor at laft advanced towards Rome,
ror enters , . , . , .. ; . . . . .
Rome. and made his publick entry into that city with
iApnI6, extraordinary pomp •, but it being found necef-
fary to remove the ruins of an ancient temple of
Peace, in order to widen one of the ftreets,
through which the cavalcade had to pafs, all the
hiftorians take notice of this trivial circumftance,
which they are fond to interpret as an omen of
the bloody war that followed. Charles, it is
certain, had by this time banimed all thoughts
of peace; and at laft threw off the mafk, with
which he had fo long covered his defigns from
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
the court of France, by a declaration of his fen-
timents no lefs lingular than explicit. The
French ambaffadors having in their mailer's
name demanded a definitive reply to his pro-
pofitions concerning the inveftiture of Milan,
Charles promifed to give it next day in prefence
of the Pope and Cardinals afTembled in full
confiftory. Thefe being accordingly met, and Hispnbiick
. inve&ive
all the foreign ambaffadors invited to attend, again**
the Emperor flood up, and add re fling himfelf
to the Pope, expatiated for fome time on the
fincerity of his own wifhes for the peace of
Chriftendom, as well as his abhorrence of war,
the miferies of which he enumerated at great
length, with ftudied and elaborate oratory ; he
complained that all his endeavours to preferve
the tranquillity of Europe had hitherto been de-
feated by the refllefs and unjuft ambition of the
French King-, that even during his minority he
had proofs of the unfriendly and hoflile inten-
tions of that Monarch ; that afterwards, he had
openly attempted to wreft from him the Imperial
crown which belonged to him by a title no lefsjuft
than natural ; that he had next invaded his king-
dom of Navarre ^ that not fatisfied 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
irrcfiflible by the protection of the Almighty,
had checked his progrefs, ruined his armies, and
K 3 ieized
T34 • THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. feized his perfon, he continued to purfue by de-
1536. ceit what he had undertaken with injuftice ; that
he had violated every article in the treaty of
Madrid to which he owed his liberty, and as
foon as he returned to his dominions took mea-
fures for rekindling the war which that pacifi-
cation 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 thereafter he
had formed dangerous connexions with the here-
tical Princes in Germany, and incited them to
difturb the tranquillity of the Empire; that now
he had driven the Duke of Savoy, his brother-
in-law and ally, out of the greater part of his ter-
ritories; that after injuries fo often repeated, and
amidlt fo many fources of difcord, all hope of
amity or concord became defperate ; and though
he was ftill willing to grant the inveftiture of
Milan to one of the Princes of France, there was
little probability of that event's taking place, as
Francis, on the one hand, would not confent to
•what he judged neceffary for fecuring the tran-
quillity of Europe, nor, on the other, could he
think it reafonable or fafe to give a rival the un-
conditional pofTeffion of all that he demanded.
Let us not, however, added he, continue wan-
chaiienges tonly to (hed the blood of our innocent fubjecls ;
inm to ] et us decide the quarrel man to man, with what
«ngle com- f . ' '
W' arms he pleafes to chufe, in our fhirts, on an
ifland,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. j 35
ifland, a bridge, or aboard a galley moored in a Book VF.
river ; let the dutchy of Burgundy be put in <- ~"v~->
depofit on his part, and that of Milan on mine ;
thefe fhall be the prize of the conqueror ; and
after 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 me-
thod of terminating our differences, renders war
inevitable, nothing fhall divert me from profe-
cuting it to fuch extremity, as mall reduce one
of us to be the pooreft gentleman in his own
dominions. Nor do I fear that it will be on me
this misfortune fhall fall ; I enter upon action
with the faired profpecl of fuccefs ; the juflice
of my caufe, the union of my fubjects, the num-
ber and valour of my troops, the experience and
fidelity of my generals, all combine to eniure it.
Of all thefe advantages, the King of France is
deftitute •, and were my refources no more cer-
tain, and my hopes of victory 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 Emperor delivered
with an elevated voice, a haughty tone, and the
greateft vehemence of exprefiion and gefture.
The French ambafiadors, who did not fully
h Bellay, 199. Sandov. Hiftor. del Emper. If. 226.
K 4 comprehend
136 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. comprehend his meaning, as he fpake in the
Jj3 6, Spanilh tongue, were totally difconcerted, and
at a lofs how they fhould anfwer fuch an unex-
pected invective; when one of them began to
vindicate his mailer's conduct, Charles inter-
pofed abruptly, and would not permit him to
proceed. The Pope, without entering into any
particular detail, fatisfied himfelf with a fhort
but pathetick recommendation of peace, together
with an offer of employing his fmcere endea-
vours in order to procure that bleffing to Chrif-
tendom -, and the affembly broke up in the
greater! aftonimment at the extraordinary fcene
which had been exhibited. In no part of his
piSST conduct, indeed, did Charles ever deviate fo
msafure. v/idely from his general character. Inftead of
that prudent recollection, that compofed and re-
gular deportment fo flrictly attentive to deco-<
rum, and [o admirably adapted to conceal his
own pafiions, for which he was at all other times
confpicuous, he appears on this occafion before
the moft augult affembly in Europe, boafting
of his own power and exploits with infolence;
inveighing againfl his enemy with indecency y
and challenging him to combat with an oilenta-
tious valoyr, more becoming a champion in
romance, than the firft* Monarch in Chriften-
dom, But the well known and powerful opera-
tion of continued profperity, as well as of exag-
gerated prafe, even upon the firmefb minds a
fufficiently
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 137
fufficiently account for this feeming inconfiftency. Book vr.
After having compelled Solyman to retreat, , 53 6.
and having dripped BarbarofTa 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 publick rejoicings -, the orators and poets of
Italy, the mod elegant at that time in Europe,
had exhaufted their genius in panegyrick, to
which the aftrologers added magnificent pro-
mifes of a more fplendid fortune ftill in flore.
Intoxicated with all thefe, he forgot his ufual
referve and moderation, and was unable to re-
drain this extravagant faliy of vanity, which
became the more remarkable, by being both fo
uncommon and fo publick.
He himfelf feems to have been immediately
fenfible of the impropriety of his behaviour, and
when the French ambafladors demanded next
day a more clear explanation of what he had
fa id concerning the combat, he told them that
they were not to confider his propofal as a formal
challenge to their mailer, but as an expedient
for preventing bloodfhed ; he endeavoured to
foften other expreflions in his difcourfe ; and
fpoke in terms full of refpect towards Francis.
But though this flight apology was far from
being fufficient to remove the offence which had
been given, Francis, by an unaccountable in-
fatuation,
I3« THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. fatuation, continued to negociate, as if it had
*i-3&. ftiW been pofiible to bring their differences to a
period by an amicable compofition. Charles,
finding him fo eager to run into the fnare, fa-
voured the deception, and by feeming to liften
to his propofals gained time to prepare for the
execution of his own defigns '.
Chariei At laft, the Imperial army afTembled on the
France. fronriers of the Milanefe, to the amount of forty
thoufand foot, and ten thoufand horfe, while
that of France encamped near Vercelli in Pied-
mont, being 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 ferve
againft the Duke of Savoy, their ancient ally.
The French general, not daring to rifque a
battle, retired as foon as the Imperialifts ad-
May 6 t vanced. The Emperor put himfelf at the head
of his forces, which the Marquis del Guafto,
the Duke of Alva, and Ferdinand de Gonzaga
commanded under him, though the fupreme di-
rection of the whole was committed to Antonio
de Leyva, whofe abilities and experience juftly
entitled him to that diftinction. Charles foon dif-
covered his intention not to confine his opera*
tions to the recovery of Piedmont and Savoy,
* Mem. de Ecllay, 205, &c t
but
EMPEROR CHARLES V. %39
but to pulh forward and invade the fouthern Book vr.
provinces of France. This fcheme he had long ' - I 7^~ J
meditated, and had long been taking meafures
for executing it with fuch vigour as might en-
furc fuccefs. He had remitted large fums to his
filler, the governefs of the Low-Countries, and
to his brother, the King of the Romans, inftrud-
ing them to levy all the forces in their power,
in order to form two ieparate 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. Trufling to thefe vaft pre-
parations, he thought it impofllble that Francis
could refill; fo many unexpected attacks, on fuch
different quarters j and began his enterprize
with fuch confidence' of its happy iffue, that he
defired Jovius the hiftorian, to make a large
provifion of paper fufficient to record the vic-
tories which he was going to acquire.
His minifters and generals, inflead of enter-
taining the fame fanguine hopes, reprefented to
him in the ftrongeft terms the danger of leading:
his troops fo far from his own territories, to fuch
a diftance from his magazines, and into pro-
vinces which did not yield fufficient fubfiftence
for their own inhabitants. They entreated him
toconfider the inexhaufiible refources of France
in maintaining a defenfive war, and the active
zeal
140
THE REIGN OF THE
Book V7. zea j w jth w hich a gallant nobility would ferve a
,r 3 6. Prince whom they loved, in repelling the ene-
mies of their country ; they recalled to his re-
membrance the fatal mifcarriage of Bourbon
and Pefcara, when they ventured upon the fame
enterprize under circumftances which feemed as
certainly to promife fuccefs ; the Marquis del
Guafto in particular, fell on his knees, and
conjured him to abandon the undertaking as
defperate. But many circumftances combined
in leading Charles to difregard all their remon-
ftrances. He could feldom be brought, on any
occafion, to depart from a refolution which he
had once taken •, he was too apt to under- rare
and defpife the talents of his rival the King of
France, becaufe 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 predicted
the increafe of his own grandeur. He not only
adhered obftinately to his own plan, but deter-
mined to advance towards France without wait-
ing for the reduction of any part of Piedmont,
except fuch towns as were abfolutely necefiary
for preferving his communication with the Mi-
lanefe.
Recovers
part of the
j)uke of
Savoy's do-
minions.
The Marquis de Saluces, to whom Francis
had entrufted the command of a fmall body of
troops left for the defence of Piedmont, rendered
this
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 141
this more eafy than Charles had any reafon to Book VI.
expect. That nobleman, educated in the court "Tcs&T
of France, diftinguifhed by continual marks of
the King's favour, and honoured fo lately with
a charge of fuch importance, fuddenly, and
without any provocation or pretext of difguft,
revolted from his benefactor. His motives to
this treacherous action, were as childim as the
deed itfelf was bafe. Being ftrongly poflefTed
with a fuperftitious faith in divination and aftro-
logy, he believed with full alTurance, that the
fatal period of the French nation was at hand ;
that on its ruins the Emperor would eftablilh an
univerfal monarchy •, that therefore he ought to
follow the dictates of prudence, in attaching
himfelf to his rifing fortune, and could incur no
b]ame for deferting a Prince whom heaven had
devoted to deilruction k . His treafon became
Hill more odious, by his employing that very
authority with which Francis had invefted him,
in order to open the kingdom to his enemies.
Whatever was propofed or undertaken by the
officers under his command for the defence of
their conquefts, he rejected or defeated. What-
ever properly belonged to himfelf as commander
in chief, to provide or perform for thatpurpofe,
he totally neglected. In this manner, he ren-
dered towns even of the greatest confluence
k Eelhy, 222, a. 246, b.
untenable,
142 THE REIGN OF THE
^ookVI. untenable, by leaving them deftitute either of
1536. provifions, or ammunition, or artillery, or a
fufficient garrifon ; and the Imperialifts mull
' . have reduced Piedmont in as fhort a time as
was necefTary to march through it, if Montpezat,
the governor of iroflano, had not, by an extra-
ordinary effort of courage and military conduct,
detained them almoft a month, before that in-
confiderable place.
Francis^ By this meritorious and feafonable fervice, he
defence of gained his mailer fufficient time for afTemblins:
h* k'
<3om. ns " his forces, and for concerting a fyftem of de-
fence agairrfr, a danger which he now faw to be
inevitable. Francis fixed upon the only proper
and effectual plan for defeating the invafion of a
powerful enemy ♦, and his prudence in chufing
this plan, as well as his perleverance in execut-
ing it, deferve the greater praife, as it was
equally contrary to his own natural temper, and
to the genius of the French nation. He deter-
mined to remain altogether upon the deftnfive 5
never to hazard a battle, or even a great fkir-
mifh, without certainty of fuccefs •, to fortify his
camps in a regular manner; to throw garrfons
only into towns of great ftrength ; to deprive
the enemy of fubfiftence, by laying wafte the
country before them ; and to fave the whole
kingdom, by facrificing one of its provinces*
Tlit execution of this plan he committed en-
tirely
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 143
tirely to the marechal Montmorency, who was Book Vf.
the author of it ; a man wonderfully fitted by T^TT
nature for fuch a truft. Hauo;hty, fevere, con- w ntr " fts
fident in his own abilities, and defpifins: thofe of rf n: y^ith
*■ ° theexecu-
other men; incapable of being diverted from tioaofit,
any refolution by remomT ranees or entreaties *,
and in profecuting any fcheme, regardlefs alike
of love and of pity*
Montmorency made choice of a firong Hecncampt
. . ii r a • 1 ° at Avignon,
camp under the wails or Avignon, at the con-
fluence of the Rhone and Durance, one of
which plentifully fnpplied his troops with all
necefTaries from the inland provinces, and the
other covered his camp on that fide, where it
was mod probable the enemy would approach.
He laboured with unwearied induftry to render
the fortifications of this camp impregnable, and
aiTembled there a considerable army, though
greatly inferior to that of the enemy ; while the
King with another body of troops encamped at
Valence, higher up the Rhone. Marfeilles and
Aries were the only towns he thought it necef-
fary to defend \ the former, in order to rerain
the command of the fea ; the latter, as the bar-
rier of the province cf Languedoc ; and each of
thefe he furnifhed with numerous garrifons of
his bed troops, commanded by officers, on
whofe fidelity and valour he could rely. The
inhabitants of the other towns as well as of the
S open
144 THEREIGNOFTHE
Book VI. open coijntry, were compelled to abandon their
, r ,/: houfes, and were conducted to the mountains,
to the camp at Avignon, or to the" inland pro-
vinces. The fortifications of fuch places as mi ght
have afforded fhelter or defence to the enemy,
were thrown down. Corn, forage, and provi-
fions of every kind, were carried away or de-
ftroyed ; all the mills and ovens were ruined, and
the wells filled up or rendered ufelefs. The de-
valuation extended from the Alps to Marfeilles,
and from the fea to the confines of Dauphine •,
nor does hiftory afford any inftance among civi-
lized nations, in which this cruel expedient for
the publick fafety was employed with the fame
rigour.
charksen. Mean while, the Emperor arrived with the
van of his army on the frontiers of Provence,
and was ftill fo pouefied with confidence of fuc-
cefs, that during a few days, when he was
obliged to halt until the refr of his troops came
up, he began to divide his future conquefh
among his officers •, and as a new incitement to
ferve him with zeal, gave them liberal promifes
of offices, lands, and honours in France *. The
face of defolation, however, which prefented
itfelf to him, when he entered the country, be-
gan to damp his hopes •, and convinced him that
1 Bellay, 266, a.
a Mo-
ve nee*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 145
a Monarch, who, in order to diftrefs an enemy, Book VI.
had voluntarily ruined one of his richeft pro- i^b.
vinces, would defend the reft with obftinate de-
fpair. Nor was it long before he became fenfible,
that Francis's plan of defence was as prudent as
it appeared to be extraordinary. His fleet, on
which Charles chiefly depended for fubfiftence,
was prevented for fome time by contrary winds,
and other accidents to which naval operations
are fubject, from approaching the French coaft ;
even after its arrival, it afforded at belt a pre-
carious and fcanty fupply to fuch a numerous
body of troops m ; nothing was to be found in .
the country itfelf for their fupport ; nor could
they draw any confiderable aid from the domi-
nions of the Duke of Savoy, exhaufled already
by maintaining two great armies. The Empe-
ror was no lefs embarraffed how to employ, than
how to fubfift his forces * for, though he was
now in pofTeflion of almoft an entire province,
he could not be faid to have the command of it,
while he held only defencelefs towns ; and while
the French, befides their camp at Avignon,
continued mailers of Marfeilles and Aries. At
firft he" thought of attacking the camp, and of
terminating the war by one decifive blow ; but
fkilful officers, who were appointed to view it,
declared the attempt to be utterly impracticable.
m Sandov. ii. 231,
Vol. III. L He
Befieges
Marfeilles.
j 4 6 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. He then gave orders to inveit Marfeilles and
"?77 Aries, hoping that the French would quit their
advantageous pod in order to relieve them j
but Montmorency adhering firmly to his plan,
remained immoveable at Avignon, and the Im-
perialifts met with fuch a warm reception from
the garrifons of both towns, that they relin-
quifhed their enterprizes with lofs and difgrace.
As a laft effort, the Emperor advanced once
more towards Avignon, though with an army
haraffed by the perpetual incurfions of fmall
parties of the French light troops, weakened by
difeafes, and diipirited by difafters, which feemed
more intolerable, becaufe they were unexpected.
Montmo-
rency's for-
titude in
adhering to
his plan of
defence.
During thefe operations Montmorency found
himfelf expofed to greater danger from his own
troops than from the enemy \ and their inconfi-
derate valour went near to have precipitated the
kingdom into thofe calamities, which he with
fuch induftry and caution had endeavoured to
avoid. Unaccu domed to behold an enemy ra-
vaging their country almoft without controul ;
impatient of fuch long inaction ; unacquainted '
with the (low and remote, but certain effects of
Montmorency's fyftem of defence -, the French
wifhed for a battle with no lefs ardour than the
Imperialists. They confidered the conduct of
their general as a difgrace to their country. His
caution they imputed to timidity ; his circum-
3 fpection
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 147
fpeclion to want of fpirit; and the conftancy BookVT.
with which he purfued his plan, to obftinacy or l ^
pride. Thefe reflections, whifpered at firft
among the foldiers and fubakerns, were adopted,
by degrees, by officers of higher rank ; and as
many of them envied Montmorency's favour
with the King, and more were difTatisfied with
his harm difgufting manner, the difcontent foon
became great in his camp, which was filled with
general murmurings and a'lmoft open complaints
a'gainft his meafures. Montmorency, on whom
the fentiments of his own troops made as little
impreifion as the infults of the enemy, adhered
fteadily to his fyftem •, though, in order to re-
concile the army to his maxims, no lefs contrary
to the genius of the nation, than to the ideas of
war among undifciplined troops, he afiumed an
unufual affability in his deportment, and often
explained with great condefcenfion the motives
of his conduct, the advantages which had already
refill ted from it, and the certain fuccefs with
which it Would be attended. At laft Francis
joined his army at Avignon, which having re-
ceived feveral reinforcements, he now confidered
as of ftrength fufficient to face the enemy. As
he had put no fmall conflraint upon himfelf, in
confenting that his troops fhould remain fo
long upon the defenfive, it can hardly be doubt-
ed but that his fondnefs for what was dar-
ing and fplendid, added to the impatience both
L 2 of
14$ THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. of officers and foldiers, would at laft have over-
i<$& ruled Montmorency's falutary caution n .
The retreat Happily the retreat of the enemy delivered
*d condition the kingdom from the danger which any rafh
perLurmy. re f°l ut i° n might have occafioned. The Empe-
ror, after fpending two inglorious months in
Provence, without having performed any thing
fuitable to his vaft preparations, or that could
juftify the confidence with which he had boafted
of his own power, found that, befides Antonio
de Ley va, and other officers of diftinction, he
had loft one half of his troops by difeafes, or by
famine; and that the reft were in no condition
to ftruggle any longer with calamities, by which
fo many of their companions had perifhed.
Necefllty, therefore, extorted from him orders
to retire •, and though he was fome time in mo-
tion before the French fufpecled his intention, a
body of light troops, aififted by crowds of pea-
lants, eager to be revenged on thofe who had
brought fuch defolation on their country, hung
upon the rear of the Imperialifts, and by feizing
every favourable opportunity of attacking them,
threw them often into confufion. The road by
which they fled, for they purfued their march
with fuch diforder and precipitation, that it
fcarcely deferves the name of a retreat, was
ftrewed with arms or baggage, which in their
n Mem. de Bellay, 269, &c. 312, &c.
hurry
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 149
hurry and trepidation they had abandoned, and Book VI.
covered with the Tick, the wounded, and the "T^Z""
dead ; infomuch that Martin Bellay, an eye-
witnefs of their calamities, endeavours to give
his readers fome idea of it, by comparing their
miferies to thofe which the Jews fufFered from
the victorious and deftructive arms of the Ro-
mans °. If Montmorency at this critical mo-
ment had advanced with all his forces, nothing
could have faved the whole Imperial army from
utter ruin. But that general, by Handing fo
long and fo obft.inately on the defenfive, had
become cautious to excefs ; his mind tenacious
of any bent it had once taken, could not afTume
a contrary one as fuddenly as the change of cir-
cumftances 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 mould
be made for a retreating enemy.
The Emperor having conducted the mattered
remains of his troops to the frontiers of Milan,
and appointed the marquis del Guafto to fucceed
Leyva in the government of the dutchy, fet
out for Genoa. As he could not bear to ex-
pofe himfelf to the lcorn of the Italians, after
iuch a fad reverfe of fortune ; and did not choofe,
• Mem. de Bellay, 316. Sandov. Hill, del Emper. ii«
232.
L 3 under
iSo THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. under his prefent circumftances, to revifit thofe,
1S36# cities through which lie had fo lately patted in
triumph for one conquefr, and in certain expec-
tation of another; he embarked directly for
November. Spain p .
Operations No r was the progrefs of his arms on the op-
in Picardy. r ~ . r ^
polite frontier or France fuch as to alleviate in
any degree the loiTes which he had fuftained in
Provence. Bellay by his addrefs and intrigues
had prevailed on fo many of the German Princes
to- withdraw the contingent of troops which they
had furnifhed to the King of the Romans, that
he was obliged to lay afide all thoughts of his
intended irruption into Champagne. Though
a powerful army levied in the Low-Countries
entered Picardy, which they found but feebly
guarded, while the ftrength of the kingdom was
drawn towards the fouth ; yet the nobility tak-
ing arms with their ufual alacrity, fupplied by
their fpirit the defects of the King's preparations,
and defended Peronne, and other towns which
were attacked, with fuch vigour, as obliged the
enemy to retire without making any conqueft of
importance q .
Thus Francis, by the prudence of his own
rneafures, and by the union and valour of hi$
P Jovii Hiftor. lib. xxxv. p. 174, &a
1 Mem. de Bellay, 318, &c.
fubje&s,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 151
fubje<5ls, rendered abortive thofe vail efforts in Book vr.
which his rival had almoft exhaufted his whole ,- 3 6 #
force. As this humbled the Emperor's arrogance
no lefs than it checked his power, he was mor-
tified more fenhblyon this cccafion than on any
other, during the courfe of the long contefts be-
tween him and the French" Monarch.
One circum (lance alone embittered the ioy Death of rhe
J * Dauphin.
with which the fuccefs of the campaign infpired
Francis. That was the death of the Dauphin,
his elded fon, a Prince of great hopes, and ex-
tremely beloved by the people on account of his
refemblance to his father. This happening fud-
denly, was imputed to poifon, not only by the
vulgar, fond of afcribing the death of illuilrious
perfonages to extraordinary caufes, but by the
King and his ministers. The count de Mome- imoutedtt
cuculi, an Italian nobleman, cup bearer to the polon,
Dauphin, being fcized on fufpicion and pr.t to
the torture, openly charged the Imperial gene-
rals, Gonzaga and Leyva, with having miti-
gated him to the commifilon of that crime: he
even threw outfome indirect and obfcure accufa-
tions againft the Emperor hi'mfelf. At a time
when all trance was animated with implacable
hatred againftCharles, this uncertain and extorted
charge was cordidered as an incpnteftible proof
of guilt •, while the confidence with which both
fee and his officers afTcrted their own innocence,
h 4 together
i 5 2 THEREIGNOFTHE
Book VT. together with the indignation as well as horror
^1/36. which they expreffed on their being fuppofed
capable of fuch a deteftable action, were little
attended to, and lefs regarded r . It is evident,
however, that the Emperor could have no in-
ducement to perpetrate fuch a crime, as Francis
was Hill in the vigour of life himfelf, and had
two fons, befide the Dauphin, grown up to a
good age. That fingle confideration, without
mentioning the Emperor's general character,
unblemifhed by the imputation of any deed re-
fembling this in atrocity, is more than fuf-
ficient to counterbalance the weight of a dubious
teftimony uttered during the anguifli of torture 9 .
According to the mod unprejudiced hiilorians,
the Dauphin's death was occafioned by his hav-
ing drunk too freely of cold water after over-
heating himfelf at tennis ; and this account, as
it is the moft fimple, is likewife the mod cre-
dible. But if his days were cut fhort by poifon,
it is not improbable that the Emperor con-
jectured rightly, when he affirmed that it had
been adminiftered by the direction of Catharine
of Medici, in order to fecure the crown to the
Duke of Orleans, her hufband 1 . The advan-
tages refulting to her by the Dauphin's death,
\yere obvious as well as great •, nor did her
» Mem. de Bellay, 289.
? Sandov. Hift. del Emper. ii. 231.
* Vera y Zuni^a Vic a de Carlo V. p. 75.
boundkfig
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 153
boundlefs and daring ambition ever fcrnple at Book vr.
any action neceffary towards attaining the ob- "77^6?
je&s which fhe had in view.
Next year opened with a tranfa&ion very De is *\
uncommon, but fo incapable of producing any the pariu-
' r r : mentcf
effect, that it would not deferve to be mentioned, Pamagainft
the Empc-
if it were not a ftriking proof of the perfonal ror.
animofity which mingled itfelf in all the hoRi-
lities between Charles and Francis, and which
often betrayed them into fuch indecencies to-
wards 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 folemni-
ties, the advocate-general appeared ; and after
accufing Charles of Auftria (for fo he affected
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 -, infilled
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 mould be fummoned
to appear in perfon, or by his counfel, before
the parliament of Paris, his legal judges, to an-
fwer for his crime. The requeft v/as granted ;
a herald repaired to the frontiers of Picardy, and
fummoned
Countiies.
Audirch.
154 THE REIGN OF THE 1
Book VI. fnmmoned him with the accuftomed formalities,
^7**7/ t0 a PP ear a g a i n ^ 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 -, declared Flanders and
Artois to be re-united to the crown of France -"
and ordered their decree for this purpofe to be
publifhed by found of trumpet on the frontiers
of thefe provinces n .
campaign Soon after this vain difplay of his refentment,
STi'ou- rather than of his power, Francis marched to-
wards the Low-Countries, as if he had intended
to execute the fentence which his parliament had
pronounced, and to feize thofe territories which
\t had awarded to him. As the Queen of Hun-
gary, to whom her brother the Emperor had
committed the government of that part of his
dominions* was not prepared for lb early a cam-
paign, he at fir ft made fojne progrefs, and took
ieveral towns of importance. But being obliged-
foon to leave his army, in order to fuperintend
the other operations of war, the Flemings hav-
ing aflembled a numerous army, not only re-
covered moft of the places which they had loft,
but began to make conquefts in their turn. At
Lettres et Memoires d'Etat, par Ribier, z torn. Blois.
1666. torn. i. p. 1.
laft
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 155
Jaft they inverted Terouenne, and the Duke of Book VI.
Orleans, now Dauphin, by the death of his ,_,-
brother, and Montmorency, whom Francis had
honoured with the conflable's fword, as the re-
ward of his great fervices during the former
campaign, determined to hazard a battle in
order to relieve it. While they were advancing a fufpen-
for this purpoie, and within a few miles or the therej
enemy, they were ftopt fhort by the arrival of an
herald from the Queen of Hungary, acquaint-
ing him that a fuipenfion of arms was now
agreed upon.
This unexpected event was owing to the zeal-
ous endeavours of the two fillers, the Queens
of France and of Hungary, who had long la-
boured to reconcile the contending Monarchs.
The war in the Netherlands had laid wafte the
frontier provinces of both countries, without any
real advantage to either. The French and
Flemings equally regretted the interruption of
their commerce, which was beneficial to both.
Charles as well as Francis, who had each drained
to the utmoft, in order to fupport the vaft opera-
tions of the former campaign, found that they
could not now keep armies on foot in this quar-
ter, without weakening their operations in Pied-
mont, where both wifhed to pufh the war with
the greateft vigour. .All thefe circumftances fa-
cilitated the negotiations of the two Queens ; a y 3 **
truce
i 5 6 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. truce was concluded, to continue in force for
ten months, but it extended no farther than the
Low-Countries x .
1537«
and in j N Piedmont the war was ftill profecuted with
Piedmont- , .
o-reat animofity •, and though neither Charles
nor Francis could make the powerful efforts to
which this animofity prompted them, they con-
tinued to exert themfelves like combatants,
whole rancour remains after their ftrength is ex-
haufted. Towns were alternately loft and re-
taken ; fkirmifhes were fought every day •, and
much blood was fhed, without any decifive ac-
tion, that gave the fuperiority to either fide. At
laft the two Queens, determining not to leave
unfinished the good work which they had begun,
prevailed, by their importunate iblicitations, the
one on her brother, the other on her hufband,
to confent alio to a truce in Piedmont for three
months. The conditions of it were, that each
mould keep poffefTion of what was in his hands,
and after leaving garrifons in the towns, fhoukl
withdraw his army out of the province ; and that
plenipotentiaries mould be appointed to adjuft
ail matters in diipute by a final treaty Y .
Motifs of The powerful motives which inclined both
*• Princes to this accommodation, have been often
mentioned. The expences of the war had far
* Memoires de Ribier, 56. 7 Ibid. 62.
exceeded
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 157
exceeded the fums which their revenues were Bo° K v ^-
capable of fupplying, nor durft they venture , 5 , 7#
upon any great addition to the impofitions then
eftabliihed, as fubjects were not yet taught to
bear withpatience the immenfe burdens to which
they have become accuftomed in modern times.
The Emperor, in particular, though he had
contracted debts which in that age appeared
prodigious z , had it not in his power to pay
the large arrears long due to his army. At
the fame time he had no profpect of deriving
any aid in money or men either from the
Pope or Venetians, though he had employed
promifes and threats, alternately, in order to
procure it. But he found the former not only
fixed in his refolution of adhering fteadily to the
neutrality which he had always declared to be
fuitable to his character, but pafiionately de-
firous of bringing about a peace. He perceived
that the latter were flill intent on their ancient
object: of holding the balance even between the
rivals, and folicitous not to throw too great a
weight into either fcale.
What made a deeper impreflion on Charles ofwhich,
than all thefe, was the dread of the Turkifli liancewith
arms, which by his league with Solyman, Fran- Emperor the
cis had drawn upon him. Though Francis, cd°crS"
2 Ribier, i. 294*
4 without
15& THE REIGN GF THE
Book VI. without the afliftance of a fingle ally,„ had a war
1537. to maintain againft 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 considered not only as dif-
honourable but profane, that it was long before
he could be brought to avail himfelf of the ob-
vious advantages refulting from fuch a confede-
racy. Neceffity at laft furmounted his delicacy
and fcruples. Towards the clofe of the preced-
ing year, La Forefl, a fecret agent at the Otto-
man Porte, had concluded a treaty with the
Sultan, whereby Solyman engaged to invade
the kingdom of Naples, during the next cam-
paign, 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 punc-
tually performed what was incumbent on him.
Barbarofla with a great fleet appeared on the
coafl of Naples, filled that kingdom, from which
all the troops had been drawn towards Piedmont*
with confirmation, landed without refiftance
near Taranto, obliged Caftro, a place of fome
ftrength, to furrender, plundered the adjacent
country, and was taking meafures for fecuring
and extending his conquefls, when the unexpect-
ed 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
EMPEROR CHARLES V. tg$
the progrefs of the Turks was more formidable. Book VI.
Mahmet, their general, after gaining feveral ~^7CT
fmall advantages, defeated the Germans in a
great battle at EfTek on the Drave a . Happily
for Chriftendom, it was not in Francis's power
to execute with equal exactnefs what he had fti-
pulated ; nor could he aflemble at this juncture
an army flrong enough to penetrate into the Mi-
lanefe. By this he failed in recovering pofleffion
of that dutchy ; and Italy was not only laved
from the calamities of a new war, but from
feeling the defolating rage of the Turkifh arms,
as an addition to all that it had fuffered b . As
the Emperor knew that he could not long refift
the efforts of two fuch powerful confederates,
nor could expect that the fame fortunate acci-
dents would concur a fccond time to deliver
Naples, and to preferve the Milanefe : As he
forefaw that the Italian dates would not only
tax him loudly with infatiable ambition, but
might even turn their arms againft him, if he
mould be fo regardlefs of their danger as obfti-
nately to protract the war, he thought it necef-
fary, both for his fafety and reputation, to give
his confent to a truce. Nor was Francis willing
to fuftain all the blame of obstructing the re-
eftablifhment of peace, or to expofe himfelf on
a Ifluanheffi Hift. Hung. lib. xiii. p. 139,
k Jovii Hiftor. lib. xxxv. p, 183,
that
i6o THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. that account to the danger of being deferted by
x 37# the.Swifs and other foreigners in his fervice. He
even began to apprehend that his own fubjects
would ferve him coldly, if by contributing to
aggrandize the power of the Infidels, which it
was his ducv, and had been the ambition of his
anceftors to deprefs, he continued to act in direct
oppofition to all the principles which ought to
influence a Monarch diftinguifhed by the title of
Moft Chriilian King. He chofe, for all thefe
reafons, rather to run the rifk of difobliging
his new ally the Sultan, than, by an unfeafon-
able adherence to the treaty with him, to forfeit
what was of greater confequence.
Negotp- But though both parties confented to a truce,
peace be- th e plenipotentiaries found infuperable difficul-
ties in fettling the articles of a definitive treaty.
Each of the Monarchs, with the arrogance of
a conqueror, aimed at giving law to the other ;
and neither would fo far acknowledge his infe-
riority, as to facrificeany point of honour, or to
relinquifh any matter of right ; fo that the pleni-
8 ' f potentiaries fpent the time in long and fruitlefs
negociations, and feparated after agreeing to
prolong the truce for a few months.
The Pope The Pope, however, did not defpair of ac-
thefe in per. complifhing a point in which the plenipotentiaries
had failed, and took upon himfelf the fole bur-
den
tween
Charles and
Francis.
fen.
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
den of negotiating a peace. To form a confe-
deracy capable of defending Chriftertdom from
the formidable inroads of the Turkifli arms, and
to concert effectual meafures for the extirpation
of the Lutheran herefy, were two great objects
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 inflrument of reconciling thefe contend-
ing Monarchs, whom his predecelTors by their
interefted and indecent intrigues had fo often
embroiled, was a circumftance which could not
fail of throwing diitinguifhing luftre on his cha-
racter and adminiftration. Nor was he without
hopes that, while he purfued this laudable end,;
he might fecure advantages to his own family,
the aggrandizing of which he did not neglect*
though he aimed at it with a lefs audacious am-
bition than was common among the Popes of
that century. Influenced by thefe confidera-
tions, he propofed an interview between the
two Monarchs at Nice, and offered to repair
thither in perfon, that he might act as mediator
in compofing all their differences. When a
Pontiff of a venerable character, and of very
advanced age, was willing, from his zeal for
peace, to undergo the fatigues of fuch a diftant
journey, neither Charles nor Francis could with
decency decline the interview. But though both
came to the place of rendezvous, fo great was
Vol. Ill, M tW
x62 THEREIGN OF THE
Book VI. the difficulty of adjufting the ceremonial, or fuch
"TcTs" the remains of diftruft and rancour on each fide,
that they refufed to fee one another, and every
thing was tranfacted by the intervention 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 pre-
vented a final accommodation, particularly thofe
arifmg from the pofleffion of the Milanefe ; nor
was all the weight of his authority fufficient to
overcome the obftinate perfeverance of either
a tmce for Monarch in affertinp- his own claims. At laft,
ten years °
concluded tnat h e might not feem tohave laboured altoge-
at Nice. ° °
June is. ther without effect, he prevailed on them to fign
a truce for ten years, upon the fame condition
with the former, that each mould retain what
was now in his pofTeflion, and in the mean time
fhould fend ambaffadors to Rome, to difcufe
their pretenfions at leifure c .
Thus ended a war of no long continuance,
but very extenfive in its operations, and in which
both parties exerted their utmoft ftrength.
Though Francis failed in the object that he had
principally in view, the recovery of the Mila-
nefe, he acquired, neverthelefs, great reputa-
tion by the wifdom of his meafures as well as
c Recu€il des Traitez, ii. 210. Relatione del Nicolo
Tiepolo de Tabocamento di Nizza chez. Du Mont Corps
Diplomat, par. ii. p. 174.
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 163
the fuccefs of his arms in repulfinga formidable Book VI.
invafion ; and by fecuring pofTeflion of one half IS3 g.
of the Duke of Savoy's dominions, he added no
inconfiderable accefTion to his kingdom. Whereas
Charles, repulfed and baffled, after having boaft-
ed fo arrogantly of victory, purchafed an inglo-
rious truee, by facrificing an ally who had raihly
confided too much in his friendfhip and power.
The unfortunate Duke murmured, complained,
and remonltrated againft a treaty fo much to his
difadvantage, but in vain \ he had no means of
redrefs, and was obliged to fubmit. Of all his
dominions, Nice, with its dependencies, was
the only corner of which he himfelf kept pofief-
fion. He faw the reft divided between a power-
ful invader and the ally to whofe protection he
. had trufted, while he remained a fad monument
of the imprudence of weak Princes, who by
taking part in the quarrel of mighty neighbours,
between whom they happen to be fituated, are
crufhed and overwhelmed in the fhock.
A few days after figning the treaty of truce, Ut**fcm
the Emperor fet fail for Barcelona, but was caries and
driven by contrary winds to the ifland St. Mar- AiguesV 1
garet on the coaft of Provence. When Francis,
who happened to be not far diitant, heard of
this, he confidered it as an office of civility to
invite him to take fhelter in his dominions, and
propofed a perfonal interview with him at
M'2 Aigues-
rr.ortes,
i6± THE REIGN OF THE
Book VL Aigues-mortes. The Emperor, who would not
^^TTCsT be out-done by his rival in complaifance, inftantly
repaired thither. As foon as he caft anchor in
the road, Francis, without waiting to fettle any
point of ceremony, but relying implicitly on
the Emperor's honour for his fecurity, vifited
him on board his galley, and was received and
entertained with the warmed demonftrations of
efteem and affection. Next day the Emperor
repaid the confidence which the King had placed
in him. He landed at Aigues-naortes with as
little precaution, and met with a reception
equally cordial. He remained on more during
the night, and in both vifits they vied with each
other in exprefiions of refpect and friendfhip d .
After twenty years of open hoftilities, or of fe-
cret enmity •, after fo many injuries reciprocally
inflicted or endured ; after having formally given
the lie and challenged one another to fingle com-
bat ; after the Emperor had inveighed fo pub-
licity againft Francis as a Prince void of honour
or integrity •, and Francis had accufed him as
acceffary to the murder of his eldeft fon, fuch an
interview appears altogether fingular and even
unnatural. But the hiftory of thefe Monarchs
abounds with fuch furprifing tranfitions. From
d Saftdov, Hid. vol. i?. 238. Relation de Pentrevue de
Charl, V. & Fran. I. par M. de la Rivoire. Hift. de Lan-
gucd. par D. D. De Vic & Vaifcue. torn. v. Preuves. p. 93.
implacable
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 165
implacable enmity they appeared to pafs, in a Co °k Vft
moment, to the mod cordial reconcilement; ix*Q.
from fuipicion and diftruft to perfect confidence ;
and from practifing all the dark arts of a deceit-
ful policy, they could affume, of a fudden, the
liberal and open manners of two gallant gentle-
men.
The Pope, befides the glory of having re-
ftored peace to Europe, gained, according to
his expectation, a point of great confequence to
his family, by prevailing on the Emperor to be-
troth Margaret of Auftria, his natural daughter,
formerly the wife of Alexander di Medici, to
his grandfon Octavio Farnefe, and in confidera-
tion of this marriage, to beftow feveral honours
and territories upon his future fon-in-law. A The aflaffi-
very tragical event, which happened about the Sander
beginning of the year one thoufand five hundred dl Medlcl *
and thirty-feven, had deprived Margaret of her
firft hufband. That young prince, whom the
Emperor's partiality had raifed to the fupreme
power in Florence, upon the ruins of the publick
liberty, neglected entirely the cares of govern-
ment, and abandoned himfelf to the molt diflb-
lute debauchery. Lorenzo di Medici his neareft
kinfman was not only the companion but direc-
tor of his pleafures, and employing all the
powers of a cultivated aud inventive genius in
this difhonourable miniftry, added fuch elegance
M 3 as
166 THE REIGN OF THfi
Book vr. as well as variety to vice as gained him an abfo-
1538. lute afcendant over the mind of Alexander. But
while Lorenzo feemed to be funk in luxury, and
affected fuch an appearance of indolence and
effeminacy, that he would not wear a fword,
and trembled at the fight of blood, he concealed
under that difguife, a dark, defigning, audacious
fpirit. Prompted either by the love of liberty,
or allured by the hope of attaining the fupreme
power, he determined to afTafiinate Alexander
his benefactor and friend. Though he long
revolved this defign in his mind, his referved
and fufpicious temper prevented him from com-
municating it to any perfon whatever ; and con-
tinuing to live with Alexander in their ufual
familiarity, he, one night, under pretence of hav-
r ing fecured him an affignation with a lady of
high rank whom he had often folicited, drew
that unwary Prince into a fecret apartment of his
houfe, and there flabbed him, while he lay
carelefsly on a couch expecting the arrival of the
lady whofe company he had been promifed. But
no fooner was the deed done, than (landing
aftonilhed, and ftruck with horror at its atrocity,
he forgot, in a moment, all the motives which
had induced him to commit it. Initead of rouz-
ing the people to recover their liberty by pub-
liming the death of the tyrant, inflead of taking
any flep towards opening his own way to the
dignity now vacant, he locked the door of the
apartment,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 167
apartment, and, like a man bereaved of reafon Book vt.
and prefence of mind, fled with the utmoft pre- "T-TT""'
cipitation out of the Florentine territories. It
was late next morning before the fate of the un-
fortunate Prince was known, as his attendants,
accuftomed to his irregularities, never entered his
apartment early. Immediately the chief peribns
in the date aflembled. Being induced partly by
the zeal of cardinal Cibo for the houfe of Me-
dici, to which he was nearly related, partly by
the authority of Francis Guicciardini, who re- £fej^ ai
called to their memory and reprefented in ftrik- {^^'Jj 16
ing colours the caprice as well as turbulence of F lo ™tine
their ancient popular government, they agreed
to place Cofmo di Medici, a youth of eighteen,
the only male heir of that illuftrious houfe, at
the head of the government-, though at the
fame time fuch was their love of liberty, that
they eflablimed feveral regulations in order to
circumfcribe and moderate his power.
Meanwhile Lorenzo having reached a place HJs govern-
r r r i mem oppof-
of fafety, made known what he had done, to" ed by the
Philip Strozzi and the other Florentines who exiles. *
had been driven into exile, or who had vo-
luntarily retired, when the republican form
of government was abolifhed, in order to make
way for the dominion of the Medici. By
them, the deed was extolled with extravagant
praifes, and the virtue of Lorenzo was compared
M 4 with
THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. with that of the elder Brutus, who difregardecf
"T^TgT the ties of blood, or with that of the younger,
^who forgot the friendfhip and favours of the
tyrant, that they might preferve or recover the
Jiberty of their country c . Nor did they reft
fatisfied with empty panegyricks ; they imme-
diately quitted their different places of retreat,
aflembled forces, animated their vafTals and par-
tisans to take arms, and to feize this oppor-
tunity of re-eftablifhing the publick liberty on its
ancient foundation. Being openly afiifted by
the French ambaflador at Rome, and fecretly
encouraged by the Pope, who bore no good-
will to the houfe of Medici, they entered the
Florentine dominions with a confiderable body
of men. But the perfons who had elected Cofmo
pofTefled not only the means of Supporting his
government, but abilities to employ them in the
moft proper manner. They levied, with the
greateft expedition, a good number of troops j
they endeavoured by every art to gain the citi-
zens of greatefl authority, and to render the
adminiftration of the young Prince agreeable to
the people. Above all, they courted the Em-
peror's protection, as the only firm foundation
of Cofmo's dignity and power. Charles, know-
ing the propenfity of the Florentines to the
friendfhip of France, and how much all the
partifans of a republican government deteft.ec}
c Lettere di Principi, torn. iii. p. 52.
hirn
•
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 169
him as the oppreflbr of their liberties, faw it to Book vi,
be greatly for his intereft to prevent the re-efta- ""T^sT"
bliftiment of the ancient conftitution in Florence.
For this reafon, he not only acknowledged
Cofmo as head of the Florentine ftate, and con-
ferred on him all the titles of honour with which
Alexander had been dignified, but engaged to
defend him to the utmoft ; and as a pledge of
this, ordered the commanders of fuch of his
troops as were ftationed on the frontiers of Tuf-
cany, to fupport him againft all aggreffors. By
their aid, Cofmo obtained an eafy victory over
the exiles, whofe troops he furprifed in the
night-time, and took mod of the chiefs pri-
foners : an event which broke all their meafures,
and fully eftablifhed his own authority. But
though he was extremely defirous of the addi-
tional honour of marrying the Emperor's daugh-
ter, the widow of his predeceflbr, Charles, fe-
cure already of his attachment, chofe rather to
gratify the Pope, by beftowing her on his ne-
phew f .
During the war between the Emperor and The friend-
Francis, an event had happened which abated FrLciTTpd
in fome degree the warmth and cordiality of SjJt? 1 '
frjendlhip which had long fubfifted between the abate *
f Jovii Hift. c. xcviii. p. 218, &c. Belcarii Comment.
1. xxii. p. 696. Ifloria de fui tempi di Giov. Bat. Adriani.
Ven. 1587. p. 10.
latter
iyo THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. latter and the King of England. James the Fifth
I53 8. of Scotland, an enterprizing young Prince, hav-
ing heard of the Emperor's intention to invade
Provence, was fo fond of fhewing that he did
not yield to any of his anceftors in the fmcerity
of his attachment to the French crown, and fo
eager to diftinguifh himfelf by fome military
exploit, that he levied a body of troops with
an intention of leading them in perfon to the
affiftance of the King of France. Though fome
unfortunate accidents prevented his carrying any
troops into France, nothing could divert him
from going thither in perfon. Immediately upon
his landing, he haftened to Provence, but had
been detained fo long in his voyage that he came
too late to have any fhare in the military opera-
tions, and met the King on his return after the
retreat of the Imperialifts. But Francis was fo
greatly pleafed with his zeal, and no lefs with
his manners and converfation, that he could not
refufe him his daughter Magdalen, whom he
jan. i. demanded in marriage. It mortified Henry ex-
tremely to fee a Prince of whom he was immo-
derately jealous, form an alliance, from which
he derived fuch an acceflion of reputation as well
as fecurity g . He could not, however, with de-
cency, oppofe Francis's bellowing his daughter
upon a Monarch defcended from a race of
s Hifl. of Scotland, vol. i, p. 77.
Princes,
*S37«
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 171
Princes, the moil ancient and faithful allies of Book VI.
the French crown. But when James, upon the "TT^sT"
fudden death of Magdalen, demanded as his
fecond wife Mary of Guife, he warmly foli-
cited Francis to deny his fuit, and in order to
dilappoint him, afked that lady in marriage for
himfelf. When Francis preferred the Scottifli
King's fincere courtfhip to his artful and male-
volent propofal, he difcovered much diffatis-
faction. The pacification agreed upon at Nice,
and the familiar interview of the two rivals at
Aigues-mortes, filled Henry's mind with new
fufpicions, as if Francis had altogether renoun-
ced his friendfhip for the fake of new connec-
tions with the Emperor. Charles, thoroughly The Empe-
acquainted with the temper of the Englifh King, h«u>
and watchful to obferve all the fhifting;s and
caprices of his paffions, thought this a favour-
able opportunity of renewing his negociations
with him, which had been long broken off. By
the death of Queen Catharine, whofe intereft the
Emperor could not with decency have abandon-
ed, the chief caufe of their difcord was removed;
fo that without touching upon the delicate
queftion of her divorce, he might now take what
meafures he thought moil effectual for regaining
Henry's good-will. For this purpofe, he began
with propofing feveral marriage-treaties to the
King. • He offered his niece, a daughter of the
King of Denmark, to Henry himfelf; he de-
manded
i 7 2 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VT. manded the princefs Mary for one of the Princes
1538. °f Portugal, and was even willing to receive her
as the King's illegitimate daughter \ Though
none of thete projected alliances ever took place,
or perhaps were ever ferioufly intended, they
occafioncd fuch frequent intercourfe between the
courts, and fo many reciprocal profefiions of
civility and efteem, as confiderably abated the
edge of Henry's rancour againft the Emperor,
and paved the way for that union between them
which arterwards proved fo difadvantageous to
the French King.
Progrefsof The ambitious fchemes in which the Empe-
the Refor- r
wion. ror had been engaged, and the wars he had been
carrying on for fome years, proved, as ufual, ex-
tremely favourable to the progrefs of the Refor-
mation in Germany. While Charles was abfent
upon his African expedition, or intent on his
vaft projects againrl France, his chief object in
Germany was to prevent the diflenfions about
religion from difturbing the publick tranquillity,
by granting fuch indulgence to the Proteftant
Princes as might induce them to concur with
his meafures, or at leaft hinder them from tak-
ing part with his rival. For this reafon, he was
careful to fecure to the Proteftants the porTeffion
of all the advantages which they had gained by
the articles of pacification at Nuremberg, in the
* Mem, de Ribier, t. i. 496.
year
council.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 175
year one thoufand five hundred and thirty-two 5 ; Book VI.
and except fome flight trouble from the pro- 8>
ceedings of the Imperial chamber, they met with
nothino- to difturb them in the exercife of their
religion, or to interrupt the fuccefsful zeal with
which they propagated their opinions. Mean- ^ n s s °™"
while the Pope continued his negociations for intrigues
1 m ° withrefpeft
convoking a general council 5 and though the to a general
Proteftants had expreffed great difiatisfacliion
with his intention to fix upon Mantua as the
place of meeting, he adhered obftinately to his
choice, iflued a bull on the fecond of June, one
thoufand five hundred and thirty-fix, appointing
it to affemble in that city on the twenty-third of
May the year following 5 he nominated three
cardinals to prefide in his name ; enjoined all
Chriftian Princes to countenance it by their au-
thority, and invited the prelates of every nation
to attend in perfon. This citation of a council,
an affembly which from its nature and intention
demanded quiet times, as well as pacifick difpo-
fitions, at the very juncture when the Emperor
was on his march towards France, and ready to
involve a great part of Europe in the confufions
of war, appeared to every perfon extremely un-
feafonable. It was intimated, however, to all
the different courts by nuncios difpatched of
1 Du Mont Corpi Diplom. torn. iv. part 2. p. 138.
purpofe.
174 * THE REIGN OF THE !
Book VI. purpofe k . With an intention to gratify the
~7?^7" Germans, the Emperor, during his refidence
in Rome, had warmly folicited the Pope to call
a council ; but being at the fame time willing
to try every art in order to perfuade Paul to de-
part from the neutrality which he prefer ved be-
tween him and Francis, he fent Heldo his vice-
chancellor into Germany, along with a nuncio
difpatched thither, inftructing him to fecond
all the nuncio's reprefentations, and to enforce
Feb. 45. them with the whole weight of the Imperial au-
* 537, thority. The Proteftants gave them audience
at Smalkalde, where they had aflembled in a
body, in order to receive them. But after
weighing all their arguments they unanimoufly
refufed to acknowledge a council fummoned in
the name and by the authority of the Pope
alone ; in which he affumed the fole right of pre-
fiding ; which was to be held in a city not only
far diftant from Germany, but fubject to a
Prince, a ftranger to them, and clofely connect-
ed with the court of Rome ; and to which their
divines could not repair with fafety, efpecially
after their doctrines had been ftigmatized in the
very bull of convocation with the name of
herefy. Thefe and many other objections againffc
the council, which appeared to them unanfwer-
able, they enumerated in a large manifefto,
k Pallavic. Hid. Cone. Trid. 113.
which
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 175
which they publiflied in vindication of their con- Book VI.
duel: ! : C ""~ V T"'
w 1538.
Against this the court of Rome exclaimed
as a flagrant proof of their obftinacy and pre-
emption, and the Pope flill perfifted in his re-
folution to hold the council at the time and in
the place appointed. But fome unexpected dif-
ficulties being ftarted by the Duke of Mantua,
both about the right of jurifdiclion over the per-
fons who reforted to the council, and the fecu-
rity of his capital amidfl fuch a concourfe of
flrangers, the Pope, after fruitlefs endeavours
to adjuft thefe, firfl prorogued the council for oaob. &
fome months, and afterwards transferring the
place of meeting to Vicenza in the Venetian ter-
ritories, appointed it to afTemble on the firfl of
May in the following year. As neither the Em-
peror nor French King, who had not then come
to any accommodation, would permit their fub- •
jects to repair thither, not a fmgle prelate ap-
peared on the day prefixed, and the Pope, that
his authority might not become altogether con-
temptible by fo many ineffectual intimations,
put off the meeting by an indefinite proroga-
tion".
1 Sleidan, 1. xii. 125, &c. Seckend. Com. lib. iii. p.
143, &c.
m F.Paul, 117. PalJavic, 117.
2 But,
THE REIGN OE THE
But, that he might not feem to have
T^sT turned his whole attention towards a reforma-
a partial t j on wn ich ne was no t able to accomplifh, while
reformation A *
of abufes by ] ie neglected that which was in his own power,
the Pope. to . r
he deputed a certain number of cardinals and
bifhops, with full authority to inquire into the
abufes and corruptions of the Roman court ; and
to propofe the mod effectual method of remov-
ing them. The fcrutiny, undertaken with re-
luctance, was carried on flowly and with remhT-
nefs. All defects were touched with a gentle
hand, afraid of probing too deep, or of difcover-
ing too much. But even by this partial exami-
nation, many irregularities were detected, and
many enormities expofed to light, while the re-
medies which they fuggefted as mod proper,
were either inadequate, or were never applied.
The report and refolution of thefe deputies,
though intended' to be kept fecret, were tranf-
mitted by fome accident into Germany, and be-
ing immediately made publick, afforded ample
matter for reflection and triumph to the Pro-
teftants". On the one hand they demonftrated
the neceflity of a reformation in the head as well
as the members of the church, and even pointed
out many of the corruptions againft which Lu*
ther and his followers had remonftrated with the
gresteft vehemence. They fhewed, on the other
* Slii-dan* 233*
handy
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
hand, that it was vain to expect this reforma-
tion from ecclefiafticks themfelves, who, as Lu- , 5 ^
ther ftrongly exprefTed it, piddled at curing
warts, while they overlooked or confirmed ul-
cers °.
The eameftnefs with which the Emperor a league
# formed in
feemed, at firft, to prefs their acquiefcing in the oppofmon
r 1 t • i • t i to t ^ iat at
Pope's icheme or holding a council in Italy, smaikaide.
alarmed the Proteftant Princes fo much, that
they thought it prudent to ftrengthen their con-
federacy, by admitting feveral new members
who folicited that privilege, particularly the
Kino; of Denmark. Heldo, who, during his re-
fidence in Germany, had obferved all the ad-
vantages which they derived from that union,
endeavoured to counterbalance its effects by an
alliance among the catholick powers of the Em-
pire. This league diftinguifhed by the name of
Holy, was merely defenfive ; and though con-
cluded by Heldo in the Emperor's name, was
afterwards difowned by him, and fubfcribed by
very few Princes p .
The Proteftants foon got intelligence of this Alarms the
rr ' • • -in i- ii 1 Proteftants,
aliociation, notwithitanding all the endeavours
of the contracting parties to conceal it; and
their zeal, always apt to iufpect and to dread,
c Feck. 1. iii. 164. p Seek, 1. iii. 171. Recueil
de Traitez.
Vol. IIL N even
i?« THE REIGN OF THE .
BookVL even to excefs, every thing that feemed to
,, 39 . threaten religion, indantly took the alarm as if
the Emperor had been juit ready to enter upon
the execution of fome formidable plan for the
extirpation of their opinions. In order to difap-
point this, they held frequent confutations, they
courted the Kings of France and England with
great affiduity, and even began to think of raif-
ing the refpeclive contingents both in men and
money which they were obliged to furnilh by the
treaty of Smalkalde. But it was not long be-
fore they were convinced that thefe apprehen-
fions were without foundation, and that the
Emperor, to whom repofe was abfolutely necef-
fary after efforts fo much beyond his ftrength in
the war with France, had no thoughts of dif-
turbingthe tranquillity of Germany. As a proof
of this, at an interview with the Proteftant
April i 9 . Princes in Francfort, his ambafiadors agreed that
all conceflions 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 againlt them mould be fuf-
pended ; that a conference 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 Emperor, that he might
not irritate the Pope, who remonftrated againfl
the
EMPEROR CHARLES V. i; 9
the firfh part of this agreement as impolitick, Book vr.
and againft the latter as an impious encroach- ^ ' „ "*
ment upon his prerogative, never formally rati-
fied this convention, it was obferved with confi-
derable exactnefs, and greatly ftrengthened the
bafis of that ecclefiaftical liberty, for which the
Protectants contended q .
Afew days after the convention at Francfort, „ ^ prl1 * 4,
' r Ketorma-
George Duke of Saxony died, and his death was tionefta-
& ' ' blifhed in
an event of great advantage to the Reformation, every part of
That Prince, the head of the Albertine, oryounger
branch of the Saxon fami-ly, pollened, as marquis
of Mifnia and Thuringia, extenfive territories,
comprehending Drefden, Leipfick, and other
cities now the mod confiderable in the electorate.
From the firft dawn of the Reformation, he had
been its enemy as avowedly as the electoral
Princes were its protectors, and had carried on
his oppofition not only with all the zeal flowing
from religious prejudices, but with a virulence
infpired by perfonal antipathy to Luther, and
imbittered by the domeltick animofity fubfiiting
between him and the other branch of his family.
By his death without ifiue, his fucceflion fell to
his brother Henry, whofe attachment to the
Protectant religion furpafl'ed, if pofiible, that of
his predecefTor to popery. Henry no fooner took
* F. Pau 1 , 82. Sieid. 247. Seek. 1. ili. 200.
N 2 pofTefllon
'i So THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. pofTefiion of his new dominions, than, difregarJ-
i 39. * n g a claufe in George's will, dictated by his .
bigotry, whereby he bequeathed all his terri-
tories to the Emperor and King of the Romans,
if his brother fhould attempt to make any inno-
vation in religion, he invited fome Proteftant
divines, and among them Luther himfelf, to
Leipfick. By their advice and affiftance, he
overturned in a few weeks the whole fyftem of
ancient rites, eftablifhing the full exercife of the
reformed religion, with the univerfal applaufe
of his fubjedls, who had long wifhed for this
change, which the authority of their Duke alone
had hitherto prevented". This revolution de-
livered the Proteftants from the danger to which
they were expofcd by having an inveterate ene-
my fituated in the middle of their territories ;
and their dominions now extended in one great
and almoft unbroken line from the more of the
Baltick to the banks of the Rhine.
a mutiny Soon after the conclufion of the Truce at
rial uoops!* Nice, an event happened, which fatisfied all*
Europe that Charles had profecuted the war to
the utmoft extremity 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 forefavv what
r Sleidan, 249.
little
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 1S1
little attention would be paid to their demands, Book V7.
when by the re-eftablifhment of peace their fer- r _^~
vices became of leis importance, they left all
patience, broke out into an open mutiny, and de-
clared that they thought themlelves entitled to
feize by violence what was detained from them
contrary to all juftice. Nor was this fpirit of
{edition confined to one part of the Emperor's
dominions ^ the mutiny was almoft as general as
the grievance which gave rife to it. The fol-
diers in the Milanefe plundered the open coun-
try without controul, and rilled the capital itfelf
with confternation. Thofe in o-arrifon at Go-
letta threatened to give up that important fort-
refs to BarbarofTa. In Sicily the troops proceeded
to ftill greater excefies 5 having chaced away
their officers, they elected others in their ftead,
defeated a body of men whom the viceroy fent
againft them, took and pillaged feveral cities,
conducting themfelves all the while, in fuch a
manner, that their operations refembled rather
the regular proceedings of a concerted rebellion,
than the rafhnefsand violence of a military mu-
tiny. But by the addrefs and prudence of the
generals, who partly by borrowing money in
their own name, or in that of their matter,
partly by extorting large fums from the cities
in their refpe&ive provinces, railed what was
Sufficient to dilcharge the arrears of the foldiers,
thde in furred ions were quelled. The greater
N 3 part
i82 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. part of the troops being difbanded, fuch a num-
"T^T ber only being kept in pay as was necelTary
for garrifoning the principal towns, and pro-
tecting the fea-coafls, from the infults of the
Turks s .
Cortes of It was happy for the Emperor that the abi-
at Toledo, lities of his generals extricated him out of thefe
difficulties, which it exceeded his own power i.Q
have removed. He had depended, as his chief
refource for discharging the arrears due to his
foldiers, upon the fubfidies which he expected
from his Caftilian fubjedts. For this purpole,
he afTembled the Cortes of Cailjle at Toledo,
and having reprefented to them the great ex-
pence of his military operations, together with
the vaft debts in which thefe had neceflarily in-
volved him, he propofed to levy fuch fupplies
as the prefent exigency of his affairs demanded,
by a genera] excife on commodities. But the
The com- Spaniards already felt themfelves opprefled with
Siffttkfctc- a load of taxes unknown to their anceftors.
j&Uj?* They had often complained that their country
was drained not only of its wealth but of its
inhabitants, in order to profecute quarrels in
which it was not interefted, and to fight battles
from which it could reap no benefit, and they
determined not to add voluntarily to their
s Jovii Hitter. I. xxxvii. 203, c. Sandov. Ferreras,
jx. 209.
own
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 183
own burdens, or to furnifh the Emperor with Book vr.
the means of engaging in new er.terprizes no lefs ""pC7
ruinous to the kingdom than mod of thofe which
he had hitherto carried on. The nobles, in
particular, inveighed with great vehemence
againft the impofition propoied, as an encroach-
ment upon the valuable and diftinguifhing pri-
vilege of their order, that of being exempted
from the payment of any tax. They demanded
a conference with the reprefentatives of the cities
concerning the (late of the nation. They con-
tended that if Charles would imitate the example
of his predecefiors, who had refided conltaatly
in Spain, and would avoid entangling himielf in
a multiplicity of tranfaclions foreign to the con-
cerns of his Spanifh dominions, the flated reve-
nues of the crown would be fully fufficient to
defray the neaffary expences of government.
They reprefented to him, that it would be unjuft
to lay new burdens upon the people, while this
prudent and effectual method of re eftablifhing
publick credit, and iecuring national opulence,
was totally neglected \ Charles, after employ-
ing arguments, entreaties, and promifes, but
without fuccels, in order to overcome their o>
ftinacy, difmiffed the aifembly with great inciig- THeannenr
nation. From that period neither the nobles nor oftfeeCortei
{he prelates have been called to theft affernblies, lubvcrc - d *
1 Sandov. Hiit. vol. ii. 269.
N 4 on
i*4 THEREIGNOFTHE
Eook VI. on pretence that fuch as pay no part of the pub-
,- 3 o # lick taxes, mould not claim any vote in laying
them on. None have been admitted to the Cortes
but the procurators or reprefentatives of eigh-
teen cities. Thefe, to the number of thirty- fix,
being two from each community, form an af-
fembly which bears no refemblance either in
power or dignity or independence to the ancient
Gortes, and are abfolutely at the devotion of the
court in all their determinations u . Thus the
imprudent zeal with which the CafTilian nobles
had fupported the regal prerogative, in oppo-
fition to the claims of the commons during the
commotions in the year one thoufand five hun-
dred and twenty-one, proved at laft fatal to
their own body. By enabling Charles to deprefs
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
fuccefTors, to humble the other, and to drip it
of its moft valuable privileges.
TheSpam/h At that time, however, the Spanifh grandees
m ? lff e m ftill polTefled extraordinary power as well as pri-
ic|«. priV1 " vileges, which they e-xercifed and defended with
an haughtinefs peculiar to themfelves. Of thi$
the Emperor himfelf had a mortifying proof du-
ring the meeting of the Cortes at Toledo. As
u Sandov. ibid. Le Science du Governement, par M.
de Real, torn, ii. p. 102.
he
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
he was returning one day from a tournament ac-
companied by mod of the nobility, one of the
ferjeants of the court, out of officious zeal to
clear the way for the Emperor, (truck the Duke
of Infantado's horfe with his batton, which that
haughty grandee refenting, drew his fword, beat
and wounded the officer. Charles, provoked
at fuch an infolent deed in his prefence, imme-
diately ordered Ronquillo the judge of the court
to arreft the Duke-, Ronquillo advanced to exe-
cute his charge, when the conftable of Caftile
interpofing, checked him, claimed the right of
jurifdiction over a grandee as a privilege of his
office, and conduced Infantadoto his own apart-
ment. All the nobles prefent were fo pleaied
with the boldnefs of the conftable in aliening:
the rights of their order, that deferting the Em-
peror, they attended him to his houfe with in-
finite appiaufes, and Charles returned to the
palace without any perfon along with him but
the cardinal Tavera. The Emperor, however
fenfible of the affront, faw the danger of irri-
tating a jealous and high-fpirited order of
men, whom the flighted appearance of offence
might drive to the mod unwarrantable extremes.
For that reafon, inftead of (training at any ill-
timed exertion of his prerogative, he prudently
connived at the arrogance of a body too potent
for him to control, and fent next morning to
{he Duke of Infantado, offering to inflict what
punifhment
1.86 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. punifhment he pleafed on the perfon who had -
^ " " affronted him. The Duke confidering this as a
full reparation to his honour, inftantly forgave
the officer ; bellowing on him, befides, a con-
fiderable prefent as a compenfation for his
wound. Thus the affair was entirely forgotten x ;
nor would it have deferved to be mentioned, if
it were not a flriking example of the haughty
and independent fpirit of the Spanim nobles in
that age, as well as an inftance of the Emperor's
dexterity in accommodating his conduct to the
circumflances in which he was placed,
jnfun-eflion CHARLESwas far from difcovering any fuch
at Gheat. conc } e f ceri fion 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 occafion to this
rafh infurrection fo fatal to that flourifhing city.
At that time the Queen dowager of Hungary,
governefs of the Netherlands, having received
orders from her brother to invade France with
all the forces which fhe could raife, fhe affem-
bled the States of the United Provinces, and ob-
tained from them a fubfidy of twelve hundred
thoufand florins, to defray the expence of that,
undertaking. Of this fum, the county of
Flanders was obliged to pay a third part as i^s
*'Sandov. ii. 274. Ferrcras, ix. 212, Miniana, 113.
propor-
EMPEROR 'CHARLES* V. ,8;
proportion. But the citizens of Ghent, the mbft Book vr.
confiderable city in that country, averfe to a *~~7?C ~*
war with France, with which they carried on an p r«enfion*
' of the ciu-
extenfive and gainful commerce, refufed to pay ze -is.
their quota, and contended, that in conlequence
of flipulations between them and the anceftors
of their prefent fovereign the Emperor, no tax
could be levied upon them, unkfs they had
given their exprefs confent to the impofition of
it, The governefs, on the other hand, main-
tained, that as the fubfidy of twelve hundred
thoufand florins had been granted by the Scates
of Flanders, of which their reprefentatives- were
members, they were bound, ofcourfe, to con-
form to what was enacted by them, as it is the
firft principle in fociety, on which the tranquillity
and order of government depend, that the in-
clinations of the minority muft be over-ruled
by the judgment and decifion of the fuperior
number.
The citizens of Ghent, however, were not Proceedings
willing to relinquiih a privilege of fuch high them.
importance as that which they claimed. Having
been accuftomed, under the government of the
houfe of Burgundy, to enjoy extenfive immuni-
ties, and to be treated with much indulgence,
they difdained to facrihxe to the delegated power
of a regent, thofe rights and liberties which they
had often and fuccefsfully averted againft their
greater!
i88 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. greateft Princes. The Queen, though fhe en-
, ~„ deavoured at firfl to footh them, and to recon-
cile them to their duty by various conceflions,
was at lail lb much irritated by the obftinacy with
which they adhered to their claim, that fhe or-
dered all the citizens of Ghent, on whom fhe
could lay hold in any part of the Netherlands,
to be arrefled. But this ram action made an
impreflion very different from what fhe expected,
on men, whole minds were agitated with all the
violent paffions which indignation at oppreffion
and zeal for liberty infpire. Lefs affected with
the danger of their friends and companions, than
irritated at the governefs, they openly defpifed
her authority, and fent deputies to the other
towns of Flanders, conjuring them not to aban-
don their country at fuch a juncture, but to con-
cur with them in vindicating its rights againft
the encroachments of a woman, who either did
not know or did not regard their immunities,
All but a few inconfiderable towns declined en-
tering into any confederacy againft the gover-
nefs : they joined, however, in petitioning her
to put off the term for payment of the ta« lb
long, that they might have it in their power to
fend fome of their number into Spain, in order
to lay their title to exemption before their fove-
reign. This fhe granted with fome difficulty.
But Charles received their com miffioners with an
haughtinefs to which they were not accuflomed
from,
'539-
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
from their ancient Princes, and enjoining them
to yield the fame refpectful obedience to his
fifter, which they owed to him in perfon, re-
mitted the examination of their claim to the
council of Malines. This court, which is pro-
perly a (landing committee of the parliament or
Hates of the country, and which poffeiTes the
fupreme jurisdiction in all matters civil as well
as criminal r , pronounced the claim of the citi-
zens of Ghent to be ill-founded, and appointed
them forthwith to pay their proportion of the
tax.
Enraged at this decinon, which they con- They ta?< 5
. . arms, an<i
fidered as notonoufly unjult, and rendered de- offer to fub«
fperate on feeing their rights betrayed by that France,
very court which was bound to protect 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 •, fecured feveral
of the Emperor's officers •, put one of them
to the torture, whom they accufed of having
ftolen or deftroyed the record, that contained
the privileges of exemption from taxes which
they pleaded ♦, chofe a council to which they
committed the direction of their affairs ; gave
orders for repairing and adding to their fortifi.-
y Defcrkuone di tutti paefi baffi dl Lud, Guicciardini.
Ant. 1571. fol. p. 53.
cations \
ipo THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. cations ; and openly erected the ftandard of re*
*539« bellion againft their fovereign z . Sen fible, how-
ever, of their inability to fupport what their
zeal had prompted them to undertake, and de-
firous of fecuring a protector againft the for-
midable forces by which they might expect foon
to be attacked, they fent fome of their number
to Francis, offering not only to acknowledge him
as their fovereign, and to put him in immediate
pofTeilion of Ghent, but to afilft him with all
their forces in recovering thofe provinces in the
Netherlands, which had anciently belonged to
the crown of France, and had been fo lately re-
united to it by the decree of the parliament of
Paris. This unexpected propofition coming
from perfons who had it in their power to have
performed inftantly one part of what they under-
took, and who could contribute fo effectually
towards the execution of the whole, opened vaft
as well as alluring profpects to Francis's ambi-
tion. The counties of Flanders and Artois were
of greater value than the dutchy of Milan, which
he had fo long laboured to acquire with paf-
fionate but fruitlefs defire ; their fituation with
refpect to France rendered it more eafy to con-
quer or to defend them ; and they might be
formed into a feparate principality for the Duke
2 Memoires fur la revolte de Gantois en 1539, par Jean
d'Hollander, ecrit en 1547. A la Haye 1747. P. Heuter.
Rer. Auftr, lib. xi. p. 262. Sandov. Hiftor. torn. ii. p. 282.
of
EMPEROR CHARLES V: i 9 r
of Orleans, no lefs fuitable to his dignity than Book vr.
that which his father aimed at obtaining. To T?£7"
this, the Flemings, who were acquainted with
the French manners and government, would
not have been averfe ; and his own fubjects,
weary of their deftrucYive expeditions into Italy,
would have turned their arms towards this quar-
ter with more good-will, and with greater vi-
gour. Several confiderations, neverthelefs, pre- Francis de-
clin£ c *bdr*
vented Francis from laying hold of this oppor- offer,
tunity, the mod favourable in appearance which
had ever prefented itfelf, of extending his domi-
nions or difrrelTing the Emperor. From the
time of their interview at Aigues-mortes, Charles
had continued to court the King of France with
wonderful attention ; and often flattered him
with hopes of gratifying at laft his wifhes con-
cerning the Milanefe, by granting the invefti-
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 Ma-
drid, Francis was weak enough to catch at the
ihadow by which he had been fo often deceived,
and from eagernefs to feize it, relinquilhed what
mud have proved a more fubftantial acquifition.
Befides this, the Dauphin jealous to excefs of
$ his
i 9 2 THE REIGN OF THE
Boo* VI. his brother, and unwilling that a Prince who
"T^oT" teemed to be of a reftlefs and enterprizing nature
mould obtain an eftablilhment, which from its
fituation might be confidered almoft as a do-
meftick one, made ufe of Montmorency, who, by
a lingular piece of good fortune, was at the
fame time the favourite of the father and of the
ion, to defeat the application ^ the Flemings,
and to divert the King from efpoufmg their caufe.
Montmorency, accordingly, reprefented in flrong
terms, the reputation and power which Francis
would acquire by recovering that footing which
he had formerly in Italy, and that nothing could
be fo efficacious to overcome the Emperor's aver-
sion to this, as his adhering facredly to the truce,
and refufing on this occafion to countenance his
rebellious fubjecls. Francis, apt of himfelf to
over-rate the value of the Milanefe, becaufe he
eftimated it from the length of time as well as
from the great efforts which he had employed
in order to re-conquer it, and fond of every
action which had the appearance of generofity,
aflented without difficulty to (entiments fo agree-
able to his own, rejected the propofitions of the
citizens of Ghent, and difmiffed their deputies
with an harfh anfwer 3 .
a Mem. de Bellay, p. 263. P. Heuter. Rer. Auftr. lib.
xi. 263.
Not
feMPEROR CHARLES, V. 193
Not fatisfied with this, by a farther refine- EookVF.
rnent in generofity, he communicated to the , 9#
Emperor his whole negotiation with the male- Comm , uni -
r D cates their
contents, and all that he knew of their fchemes intentions
to the Era-
and intentions b . This convincing proof of peror.
Francis's difintereftednefs relieved Charles from
the moft difquieting apprehenfions, and opened a
way to extricate himfelf out of all his difficulties.
He had already received full information of all
the tranfactions in the Netherlands, and of the
rage with which the people of Ghent had taken
arms againfl his government. He was thoroughly
acquainted with the genius and qualities of his
fubjecls in that country ; with their love of li-
berty >, their attachment to their ancient privi-
leges and cuftoms •, as well as the invincible ob-
flinacy with which their -minds, flow but firm
and perfevering, adhered to any meafure on
which they had leifure to fix. He eafily faw
what encouragement and fupport they might
have derived from the afiiftance of France 5 and
though now free from any danger on that quar-
ter, he was ftill fenfible that fome immediate as
well as vigorous interpcfition was necefTary, in
order to prevent the fpirin of difaffeclion from
fpreading in a country where thfe number of
cities, the multitude of people, together with
the great wealth diffufed among them by com-
b Sandov. Hiftor. torn. ii. 284,
Vol. III. O merce 9
*?39.
Charles's
deliberations
concerning
his journey
to the Ne-
therlands*
Propofes to
paft through
France.
THE REIGN OF THE
merce, rendered it peculiarly formidable, and
would fnpply it with inexhauftible resources.
No expedient, after long deliberation, appeared
to him fo effectual as his going in perfon to the
Netherlands - 3 and the governefs his filler being
of the fame opinion, warmly folicited him to
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 te-
dious than fuited the prefent exigency of his
affairs *, nor could he in confiftency with his dig-
nity or even his fafety pafs through Germany
without fuch a train both of attendants and of
troops, as would have added greatly to the time
that he mini have confumed in his journey •, the
latter was dangerous at this feafon, and while
he remained uncertain with refpecl to the friend-
fhip of the King of England, was not to be ven-
tured upon, unlefs under the convoy of a power-
ful fleet. This perplexing fituation, in which he
was under a neceffity of chufing, and did not
know what to chufe, infpired him at lad with the
fingular and feemingly extravagant thought of
paffing through France, as the mod expeditious
way of reaching the Netherlands. He propofed
in his council to demand Francis's permiflion for
that purpofe. All his counfellors joined with
one voice in condemning the meaiure as no lefs
rafh
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 195
rafh than unprecedented, and which muft infal- Book Vf.
libly expofe him to difgrace or to danger -, to 1 r^ t
difgrace, if the demand were rejected in the
manner that he had reafon to expect; to danger,
if he put his perfon in the power of an enemy
whom he had often offended, who had ancient
injuries to revenge, as well as fubje&s of prefent
conteft dill remaining undecided. But Charles,
who had ftudied the character of his rival with
greater care, and more profound difcernment
than any of his minifters, perfifled in his plan,
and flattered himfelf that it might be accom-
plifhed not only without danger to his own per-
ion, but even without the expence of any con-
cefiion detrimental to his crown.
With this view he communicated the matter To which
to the French ambaiTador at his court, and fent coS*
Granvelle his chief minifter to Paris, in order to
obtain from Francis permifilon to pafs through
his dominions, and to promife that he would
foon fettle the affair of the Milanefe to his fatis-
faction. But at the fame time he entreated that
Francis would not exact any new promife, or
even infift on former engagements, at this junc-
ture, left whatever he mould grant, under his
prefent circumflances, might feem rather to be
extorted by neceflity, than to flow from friend -
fhip or the love of juftice. Francis, inftead of
attending to the fnare which fuch a flight artifice
O 2 fcarcely
196 THE REIGN OF THE
BookVF. fcarcely concealed, was fo dazzled with the
15*9. iplendour of overcoming an enemy by acts of
generofity, and fo pleafed with the air of fupe-
riority which the rectitude and difintereftednefs
of his proceedings gave him on this occafion,
that he at once aflented to all that was demand-
ed. Judging of the Emperor's heart by his own,
he imagined that the fentiments of gratitude,
arifing from the remembrance of good offices
and liberal treatment, would determine him
more forcibly to fulfil what he had fo often
promifed, than the mod precife ftipulations
that could be inferted in any treaty.
His recep- Upon this, Charles, to whom every moment
tion in that 7 7 '
kmgdom. was precious, fet out, notwithstanding the fears
and fufpicions of his Spanifh fubjects, with a
fmall but fplendid train of about an hundred
perfons. At Bayonne, on the frontiers of
France, he was received by the Dauphin and
the Duke of Orleans, attended by the conftable
Montmorency. The two Princes offered to go
into Spain, and to remain there as hoftages for
the Emperor's fafety ; but this he rejected, de-
claring that he relied with implicit confidence
on the King's honour, and had never demanded
nor would accept of any other pledge for his fecu-
rity. In all the towns through which he palfed,
the greatert poffible magnificence was difplayed ;
the magistrates prefented him the keys of the
gates j
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 197
gates ; the prifon doors were fet open *, and, by Book VI.
the royal honours paid to him, he appeared ,..
more like the fovereign of the country than a
flranger. The King advanced as far as Chatel-
herault to meet him ; their interview was dif-
tinguifhed by the warmed expreflions of friend-
fhip and regard. They proceeded together to- ¥ S4Pl
wards Paris, and prefented to the inhabitants of
that city, the extraordinary fpectacle of two rival
Monarchs, whofe enmity had difturbed and laid
wafle Europe during twenty years, making
their folemn entry together with all the fymp- -
toms of a confidential harmony, as if they had
forgotten for ever paft injuries, and would never
revive hoftilities for the future c .
Charles remained fix days at Paris : but Th , e F™ e "
J * ror s Jolici»
amidft the perpetual carefTes of the French tu<3e >
court, and the various entertainments contrived
to amufe or to do him honour, he difcovered an
extreme impatience to continue his journey,
arifing as much from an apprehenfion of danger
which constantly oppreffed him, as from the
neceffity of his prefence in the Low-Countries.
Confcious of the difingenuity of his own inten-
tions, he trembled when he reflected that fome
fatal accident might betray them to his rival, or
lead him to fufpecl: them; and though his arti-
l Thuan. Hift. lib. i. c. 14. Mem. de Bellay, 264.
O 3 fices
198 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI frees to conceal thefe fhould be fuccefsful, he
j 540. could not help fearing that motives of intereft
might at laft triumph over the icruples of ho-
nour, and tempt Francis to avail himfelfofthe
advantag-e now in his hands. Nor were there
wanting perfons among the French minifters,
who adviled the King to turn his own arts
againft the Emperor, and as the retribution due
for fo many infcances of fraud or falfehood, to
feize and detain his peribn until he granted him
full fatisfaction with regard to all the juft claims
of the French crown. But no c nfideration 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 receiv-
ed, might ftill be capable of deceiving him.
Full of this falfe confidence he accompanied him
to St. Quintin, and 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
Low-Countries.
*nd aifmge- As foon as the Emperor reached his own ter-
ritories, the French ambafladors demanded the
January 24, SLCCOm ^y l ^ [im Q nt f wnat he had promifed con-
cerning the inveftiture of Milan -, but Charles,
under the plaufible pretext that his whole atten-
tion was then engrolTed by the confutations ne-
cefTary towards fuppreffing the rebellion in .
9 Ghent,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 199
Ghent, put off the matter for fome time. But Book VI".
in order to prevent Francis from fufpecting his ,- A0#
fincerity, he dill continued to talk of his refolu-
tions with refpecl to that matter in the fame
{train as when he entered France, and even
wrote to the King much to the fame purpofe,
though in general terms, and with equivocal ex-
preffions, which he might afterwards explain
away or interpret at pleafure a .
Meanwhile, the unfortunate citizens of Reduaioa
of Ghent j
Ghent, deftitute of leaders capable either of
directing their councils, or conducting their
troops ; abandoned by the French King and un-
fupported by their countrymen \ were unable to
refill: their offended fovereign, who was ready to
advance again ft them with one body of troops
which he had railed in the Netherlands, with
another drawn out of Germany, and a third
which had arrived from Spain by fea. The near
approach of danger made them, at lad, fo fen-
fible of their own folly, that they fent ambaffa-
dors to the Emperor, imploring his mercy, and
offering to fet open their gates at his approach.
Charles, without vouchfafing them any other an-
fwer, than that he would appear among them
as their fovereign, with the fceptre and the
fword in his hand, began his march at the head
8 Memoires de Ribier, i. 504.
O 4 'of
200 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. of his troops. Though he chofe to enter the
1540, clt Y on tne twenty-fourth of February, his birth-
day, he was touched with nothing of that ten,-
dernefs or indulgence which was natural towards
andpuniih- tne place of his nativity. Twenty-fix of the
ment of the x # J *■
citizens. principal citizens were put to death -, a greater
April 20, number was fent into banifhment ; the city was
declared to have forfeited all its privileges and
immunities ; the revenues belonging to it were
confifcated 5 its ancient form of government was
aboliftied ; the nomination of its magiftrates was
vefted for the future in the Emperor and his fuc-
cefTors ; a new fyftem of laws and political ad-
miniftration was prefcribed b , and in order to
bridle the feditious fpirit of the citizens, orders
were given to erecl a ftrong citadel, for defraying
the expence of which a fine of an hundred and
fifcy thoufand florins was impofed on the in-
habitants, together with an annual tax of fix
thoufand florins for the fupport of the garrifon c .
By thefe rigorous proceedings, Charles not only
punifhed the citizens of Ghent, but fet an awful
example of feverity before his other fubjects in
the Netherlands, whofe immunities and privi-
leges, partly the efFecT:, partly the caufe of their
extenfive commerce, circumlcribed the royal
* Les cqutijmes $c loix du Compte de Flandre, par Alex,
Je Grande, 3 torn. fol. Cambray, 171 9, torn. i. p. 169,
? Haraei Annales Brabantia?, vol. i. 616.
prerogative
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 201
prerogative within very narrow bounds, and Book vr,
often flood in the way of meafures which he "T^oT
wifned to undertake, or fettered and retarded
him in his operations.
Charles having thus vindicated and re-efta- S^oM*
blifhed his authority in the Low-Countries, and filhlsen ;
/ J gafements
beino; now under no necefiity of continuing the to Francis,
fame fcene of falfehood and diffimulation with
which he had long amufed Francis, began gra-
dually to throw afide the veil under which he had
concealed his intentions with refpect to the Mi-
lanefe. At firft, he eluded the demands of the
French ambaiTadors, when they again reminded
him of his promifes ; then he propofed, by way
of equivalent for the dutchy of Milan, to grant
the Duke of Orleans the invefliture of Flanders,
clogging the offer, however, with impracticable
conditions, or fuch as he knew would be reject-
ed d . At lafl, being driven from all his evafions
and fubterfuges by their infilling for a categori-
cal anfwer, he peremptorily refufed to give up
a territory of fuch value, or voluntarily to make
fuch a liberal addition to the flrength of an ene-
my by diminifhing his own power e . He denied
at the fame time, that he had ever made any
promife which could bind him to an aclion fo
foolifh, and fo contrary to his own intereft f .
6 Mem. de Ribier, i. 509. 514. e Ribier, i. 519,
f Bellay, 365-6.
Of
\
THE REIGN OF THE
Of all the tranfaclions in the Emperor's life,
154©; t ^' s ' w^hout doubt, reflects the greater!: dif-
honour on his reputation g . Though Charles
was not extremely fcrupulous at other times
about the means which he employed for accom-
plishing his ends, or always obfervant of the
ftrict precepts of veracity and honour, he had
hitherto maintained fome regard for the maxims
of chat lefs precife and rigid morality by which
Monarchs think themfelves entitled to regulate
their conduct. But, on this occafion, the fcheme
that he formed of deceiving a generous and
open-hearted Prince ; the illiberal and mean
artifices bv which he carried it on ; the infen-
fibility with which he received all the marks of
his friendfhip, as well as the ingratitude with
which he requited them 5 are all equally unbe-
coming the dignity of his character, and incon-
fiftent with the grandeur of his views.
This tranfaction expofed Francis to as much
fcorn as it did the Emperor to cenfure. After
the experience of a long reign, after lb many
opportunities of difcovering the duplicity and
artifices of his rival, the credulous fimplicity
with which he trufted him at this juncture feemed
to merit no other return than it actually met
with. Francis, however, remonftrated and ex-
£ Jovii Hifl lib. xxxix. p. 238, a.
claimed*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 203
claimed, as if this had been the fir ft inftance irt ^ook VI.
which the Emperor had deceived him. Feeling, Jr ^ Q%
as is ufual, the infuk which was offered to his
underftanding (till more fenfibly than the injury-
done to his intereft, he difcovered fuch refent-
ment, as made it obvious that he would lay hold
on the firft opportunity of being revenged, and
that a war, no iefs rancorous than that which
had fo lately raged, would foon break out anew
in Europe.
This year is rendered memorable by the efta- J}l^;\
blifhment of the Order of Tefuits •, a body whofe the ' w f^'
J * J tion of the
influence on ecclefiaftical as well as civil affairs Oruerof
Jeiuits,
hath been fo confiderabie, that an account (Sr the
genius of its laws and government juftly nfcrit's
a place in hiftory. When men take a view of
the rapid progrefs of this fociety towards wealth
and power ; when they contemplate the admi-
rable prudence with which it has been governed-,
when they attend to the perfevering and fyfte-
matick fpirit with which its fchemes have been
carried on ; they are apt to afcribe foch a Angu-
lar inftitutton to the fuperior wifdom of its foun-
der, and to fuppofe that he had formed and di-
gefted his plan with profound policy. But the
Jefuits, as well as the other monaftick orders, are
indebted for the exiftence of their order not to
the wifdom of their founder, but to his enthu-
fiafm. Ignatio Loyola, whom I have already
men-
i
204 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. mentioned on occafion of the wound which he
j 54 o. received in defending Pampeluna h , was a fanatick v
diftinguiihed by extravagancies in fentiment and
conduct, no lefs incompatible with the maxims
of fober reafon, than repugnant to the fpirit of
true religion. The wild adventures, and vi-
fionary fchemes, in which his enthufiafm engaged
him, equal any thing recorded in the legends of
the Romifh faints j but are unworthy of notice
in hiflory.
ofLoyoil" 1 Prompted by this fanatical fpirit, or incited
us founder, by tne } ove f power and diftinction, from which
fuch pretenders to fuperior fanclity are not ex-
empt, Loyola was ambitious of becoming the
four jer of a religious order. The plan, which
he formed of its conftitution and laws, was fug-
gefted, as he gave out, and as his followers flill
teach, by the immediate infpiration of heaven '.
But notwithstanding this high pretenfion, his
defign met at firft with violent oppofition. The
Pope, to whom Loyola had applied for the fanc-
tion of his authority to confirm the inftitution,
referred his petition to a committee of Cardinals.
They reprefented the eftablifhment to be unne-
ceffary as well as dangerous, and Paul refufed
to grant his approbation of it. At laft, Loyola
h Vol. ii. Book ii. p. 192.
1 Compte Rendu des Conftitutions des Jefuites, au Parle-
ment de Ptovence, par M. de Monclar, p. 285.
removed
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 205
removed all his fcruples by an offer which it was Book vr.
impoffible for any Pope to- ( refift. He propofed V "7^oT'
that befides the three vows of poverty, of chaftity, The Po P e ' s
1 J J motives for
and of monaftick obedience, which are common confirming
, the order.
to all the orders of regulars, the members of his
fociety fhould take a fourth vow of obedience
to the Pope, binding themfelves to go whither-
foever he mould command for the fervice of re-
ligion, and without requiring any thing from the
Holy See for their fupport. At a time when
the papal authority had received fuch a fhock
by the revolt of fo many nations from the Ro-
miili church \ at a time when every part of the
popiih fyfiem was attacked with lb much vio-
lence and fuccefs, the acquisition of a body of
men, thus peculiarly devoted to the See of
Rome, and whom it might fet in oppofition to
all its enemies, was an object of the highefl con- s tt
fequence. Paul, inflantly perceiving this, con-
firmed the inflitution of the Jefuits by his bull j
granted the mofr ample privileges to the mem-
bers of the fociety ; and appointed JLoyola to
be the firft general of the order. •. The event
hath fully ju (lifted Paul's diicernment, in ex-
pecting fuch beneficial confequences to the See
of Rome from this inflitution. In lefs than half
a century, the fociety obtained eltablilhments in
every country that adhered to the Roman catho-
lick church ; its power and wealth increafed
amazingly - 9 the number of its .members became
f great 5 '
1540.
2c6 THE REIGN OF THE
BookVL great; their character as well as accomplish-
ments were ftill greater; and the Jefnits were
celebrated by the friends, and dreaded by the
enemies of the Romifh faith, as the mod able
and enterprizing order in the church.
itatonftim- The constitution and laws of the fociety were
tion and ge- , J
^ius meric perfected by Laynez and Aquaviva, the two
particular
attention, generals who lucceeded Loyola, men far fupe-
rior to their matter in abilities, and in the fcience
of government. They framed that fyftem of
profound and artful policy which diftinguifhes
the order. The large infufion of fanaticifm,
mingled with its regulations, mould be imputed
to Loyola its founder. Many circumftances
concurred in giving a peculiarity of character to
the order of Jefuits, and in forming the mem-
bers of it not only to take greater part in the
affairs of the world than any other body of
monks, but to acquire fuperior influence in the
conduct of them.
The objea The primary object of almott all the monattick
fibular. orders is to feparate men from the world, and
from any concern in its affairs. In the folitude
and filcnce of the cloitter, the monk is called
to work out his own falvation by extraordinary
acts of mortification and piety. He is dead to
the world, and ought not to mingle in its trans-
actions. Ke can be of no benefit to mankind,.
but
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 207
but by his example and by his prayers.- On the B° 0K vr.
contrary, the Jefuits are taught to confider them- Y r , Qt
felves as formed for action. They are chofen
foldiers, bound to exert themfelves continually
in the fervice of God, and of the Pope, his vicar
on earth, Whatever tends to inftruct the igno-
rant ; whatever can be of ufe to reclaim or to
oppofe the enemies of the Holy See, is their
proper object. That they may have full leifure
for this active fervice, they are totally exempted
from thofe functions, the performance of which
is the chief bufinefs of other monks. They ap-
pear in no proceftions ; they practife no rigorous
aufterities ; they do not confume one half of
their time in the repetition of tedious offices \
But they are required to attend to all the tranf-
actions of the world, on account of the influence
which thefe may have upon religion ; they are
directed to ftudy the difpofitions of perfons in
high rank, and to cultivate their friendfhip ! ;
and by the very conftitution as well as genius
of the order, a fpirit of action and intrigue is
infufed into all its members.
As the object of the fociery of Jefuits differed Peculiarities
r 1 r \ n ' 1 it in the form
rrom that of the other monathek orders, the di- of its policy,
n i r • \ r r • particularly
verhty was no lels in the iorm of its govern- with ref pe £t
to the power
k- Compte Rendu, par M. de Mdnclar, p. xiii. 290. Sur °f the gene-
la deftruct. des Jefuites, par M, D'Alembert, p. 42.
1 Ccmpce par M, ds Monclar, p. xii.
ment.
zoZ THEREIGN OF THE
Book VL ment. The other orders are to be confidered as
1540. voluntary affociations, in which whatever affects
the whole body, is regulated by the common
fuffrase of all its members. The executive
power is veiled in the perfons placed at the head
of each convent, or of the whole fociety ; the
legislative authority refides in the community.
Affairs of moment, relating to particular con-
vents, are determined in conventual chapters y
fuch as refpect the whole order are confidered in
general congregations. But Loyola, full of the
ideas of implicit obedience, which he had de-
rived from his military profeflion, appointed that
the government of his order mould be purely
monarchical. A general, chofen for life by
deputies from the feveral provinces, poffeffed
power that was fupreme and independent, ex-
tending to every perfon, and to every cafe. He,
by his fole authority, nominated provincials,
rectors, and every other officer employed in the
o-overnment of the ibciecy, and could remove
them at pleafure. In him was veiled the fove-
reign administration of the revenues and funds
of the order. Every member belonging to ic
was at his difpofal ; and by his uncontrol-
able mandate, he could impofe on them any
talk, or employ them in what fervice foever he
pleafed. To his commands they were required
to yield not only outward obedience, but to re-
fign up to him the inclinations of their own wills,
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 209
and the fentiments of their own understandings. BoOK VT *
They were to liften to his injunction?, as if they J .^ t
had been uttered by Chrift himfelf. Under his
direction, they were to be mere paflive instru-
ments, like ciay in the hands of the potter, or
like dead carcaiTes incapable of refiftance". Such
a fingular form of policy could not fail to im-
prefs its character on all the members of the
order, and to give a peculiar force to all its
operations. There is not in the annals of man-
kind any example of fuch a perfect defpotifm,
exercifed not over monks fhut up in the cells of
a convent, but over men difperfed among all the
nations of the earth.
As the conftitutions of the order veil, in the ciKumftw*.
ces which
General, fuch abfolute dominion over all its enable him
r toexercifeit
members, they carefully provide for his being with the
perfectly informed with refpect to the character vantage.
and abilities of his fubjects. Every novice who
offers himfelf as a candidate for entering into the
order, is obliged to manifeft his conjcience to the
fuperior, or to a perfon appointed by him \ and
is required to confefs not only his fins and de-
fects, but to difcover the inclinations, the paf-
fions, and the bent of his foul. . This manifesta-
tion mud be renewed every fix months \ The
n Compte Rendu au Parlem. de Bretagne, par M. de Char-
lotai , p. 41, &c. Compte par M. de Mcnclar. 85. 185.
343-
n Compte par M. de Monckr. p. 121, &c.
Vol. III. P fociety
2io THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. fociety not fatisfied with penetrating in this man-
"7?^r" ner into the innermoft receffes of the heart, di-
1540.
rects each member to obferve the words and
actions of the novices •, they are conftituted fpies
upon their conduct ; and are bound to difclofe
every thing of importance concerning them to
the fuperior. In order that this fcrutiny into
their character may be as complete as poflible,
a long noviciate muft expire, during which they
pafs through the feveral gradations of ranks in
the fociety, and they muft have attained the full
age of thirty-three years, before they can be ad-
mitted to take the final vows, by which they
become profejfed members °. By thefe various
methods, the fuperiors, under whofe immediate
infpection the novices are placed, acquire a
thorough knowledge of their difpofitions and
talents. In order that the. General, who is the
foul that animates and moves the whole fociety,
may have under his eye every thing neceflary to
inform or direct him, the provincials and heads
of the feveral houfes are obliged to tranfmit to
him regular and frequent reports concerning the
members under their infpection. In thefe they
defcend into minute details with refpect to the
character of each perfon, his abilities natural or
acquired, his temper, his experience in affairs,
* Gompte par M. de More!. 215. 241. Sur la deflr. des
Jcf. par M. D'Alemb. p. 59.
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 211
and the particular department for which he is Book Vf.
bed fitted p . Thefe reports, when digefted and % . 0<
arranged, are entered into regifters, kept of pur-
pofe that the General may, at one comprehen-
five view, furvey the ftate of the fociety in every
corner of the earth ; obferve the qualifications
and talents of its members -, and thus choofe,
with perfect information, the inftruments, which
p M. de Chalotais has made a calculation of the number
of thefe reports, which the General of the Jefuits mull an-
nually receive according to the regulations of the fociety,
Thefe amount in all to 6584. If this fum be divided by
37, the number of provinces in the order, it appears that
177 reports concerning the ftate of each province are trans-
mitted to Rome annually. Compte, p. 52. Befides this,
there may be extraordinary letters, or fuch as are fent by
the monitors or fpies whom the General and Provincials en-
tertain in each houfe. Compte par M. de Moncl. p. 431.
Hiir. des Jefuites, Amd. 1 761. torn. iv. p. 56. The pro-
vincials and heads of houfes not only report concerning the
members of the fociety, but are bound to give the General an
account of the civil afFairs in the country wherein they are
fetded, as hr as their knowledge of thefe may be of be-
nefit to religion. This condition may extend to every
particular, fo that the General is furnifhed with full in-
formation concerning the tranfacdons of every Prince and
ftate in the world. Compte par M. de Moncl. 443. Hift.
des Jefuit. ibid. p. 58. When the affairs with refpect to
which the provincials or reclors write are of importance,
they are directed to ufe cyphers, and each of them has a
particular cypher from the General, Compte par M. Char-
lotais, p. 54.
P2 his
212 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VL h* ls abfolute power can employ in any fervice fog
1540. which he thinks meet to deftine them q .
Progrefs of a s it was the profefled intention of the order
the power
and infiu- of Jefuits to labour with unwearied zeal in pro-
enceofthe , .
order. moting the ialvation or men, tnis engaged them,
of courfe, in many active functions. From their
firft inftitution, they confidered the education of
youth as their peculiar province \ they aimed at
being fpiritual guides and conferTors ; they
preached frequently in order to inftruft the peo-
ple , they fet out as miflionaries to convert un-
believing nations. The novelty of the inftitu-
tion, as well as the Angularity of its objects pro-
cured the order many admirers and patrons.
The governors of the fociety had the addrefs to
avail themfelves of every circumftance in its fa-
vour, and in a fnort time, the number as well
as influence of its members increafed wonder-
fully. Before the expiration of the fixteenth
century, the Jefuits had obtained the chief direc-
tion of the education of youth in every catholick
country in Europe. They had become the con-
fefTors of almoft all its monarchs, a function of
no fmall importance in any reign, but under a
weak Prince, fuperior even to that of minifter.
They were the fpiritual guides of almoft every
perfon eminent for rank or power. They pof-
* Compte psr M. de Monti, p. 215. 439.— Compte pat
M. <Ie Chalotais, p. 52. 222.
feffed
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 213
ferTed the higheit degree of confidence and in • Book VI.
tereft with the papal court, as the mod zealous "TtXT"
and able champions for its authority. The ad-
vantages which an active and emerprizing body
of men might derive from all thefe circumflances
are obvious. They formed the minds of men
in their youth. They retained an afcendant
over them in their advanced years. They pof-
fefled, at different periods, the direction of the
molt confiderabie courts in Europe. They
mingled in all affairs. They took part in every
intrigue and revolution. The General, by
means of the extenfive intelligence which he re-
ceived, could regulate the operations of the
order with the moll perfect difcernment, and by-
means of his abfolute power could carry them
with the utmoft: vigour and effect r .
Together with the power of the order, its P«f«fs»f
its wealth*
wealth continued to increafe. Various expedi-
ents were devifed for eluding the obligation of
r When Loyola in the year 1540 petitioned the Pope to
authorize 'the inltitution of the order, he had only ten dif-
ciples. But in the year 1608, fixty-eight years after their
£rft inftitution, the r.umber of Jefuits had increafed to ten
thoufand five hundred and eighty-one. In the year 171 o,
the order poffeffed twenty-four profejfed houfes ; fifty-nine
houfes of probation; three hundred and forty refidencies ;
fix hundred and twelve colleges ; two hundred millions ; one
hundred and fif.y fetninaries and board ing-fchools ; and
confided of 19,998 jefuits. Hit des Jefuite*, torn, i. p. 20.
P 3 the,
214 THE REIGN OF THE
B09K VI. the vow of poverty. The order acquired ample
T^oT" poiTeffions in every catholick country •, and by
the number as well as magnificence of its pub-
lick buildings, together with the value of its pro-
perty, moveable or real, it vied with the moft
opulent of the monaftick fraternities. Befides the
fources of wealth common to all the regular
clergy, the Jefuits porTefied one which was pecu-
liar to themielves. Under pretext of promoting
the fuccefs of their millions, and of facilitating
the fupport of their miffionaries, 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 engaged
in an extenfive and lucrative commerce, both in
the Hail and Weft Indies. They opened ware-
houfes in different parts of Europe, in which
they vended their commodities. Not fatisfied
with trade alone, they imitated the example of
other commercial focieties, and aimed at obtain-
ing fettlements. They acquired porTefllon ac^
cordingly of a large and fertile province in the
fouthem continent of America, and reigned as
fovereigns over fome hundred thoyfand fubr
jrfb?.
Pernicious Unhappily for mankind, the vaft influence
effefts of
thtfcon which the order of Jefuits acquired by all theft
civil fociety,
5 Hill, dzs Jef. iv. 168 — 196, &c.
different
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 275
different means, has been often exerted with Book \ r
the moft pernicious effect. Such was the ten- i S4 o.
dency of that difcipline obferved by the fociety
in forming its members, and fuch the funda-
mental maxims in its conftitution, that every
Jefuit was taught to regard the interefi of the
order as the capital object, to which every con-
fideration was to be facrificed. This fpirit of
attachment to their order, the mod ardent, per-
haps, that ever influenced any body of men l , is
the characteriftick principle of the Jefuits, and
ferves as a key to the genius of their policy, as
well as to the peculiarities in their fentiments and
conduct.
As it was for the honour and advantage of
the fociety, that its members fhould pofiefs an
afcendant over perfons in high rank or of great
power, the define of acquiring and preferving
fuch a direction of their conduct, with greater
facility, has led the Jefuits to propagate afyftem
of relaxed and pliant morality, which accommo-
dates itfelf to the padlons of men, which juftifies
their vices, which tolerates their imperfections,
which authorizes almoft every action that the
moft audacious or crafty politician would wifli
to perpetrate.
1 Compte, par M, de Mond. p. 28;.
Pi As
THE REIGN OF THE
As the profperity of the order was intimately
Connected with the prefervation of the papal au-
thority, the Jefuits, influenced by the fame prin-
ciple of attachment to the intcrefts of their fo-
ciety, have been the moil zealous patrons of thofe
doctrines, which tend to exalt ecclefiaftical
power on the ruins of civil government. They
have attributed to the court of Rome a jurif-
diction as extenfive and absolute as was claimed
by the mod prefumptuous pontiffs in the dark
ages. They have contended for the entire in-
dependence of eccleliafticks on the civil magi-
iirate. They have published fuch tenets con-
cerning the duty of oppofing Princes who were
enemies of the catholick faith, as countenanced
the mod atrocious crimes, and tended to dif-
folve all the ties which connect fubjects with
their rulers.
As the order derived both reputation and au-
thority from the zeal with which it flood forth
in defence of the Romifli church aeainft the at-
tacks of the reformers, its members, proud of
this diftinction, have coniidered it as their pe-
culiar function to combat the opinions, and to
check the progrefs of the Protectants. They
have made ufe of every art, and have employed
every weapon agamft them. They have fet
themfelves in oppolition to every gentle or to-
lerating meafure in their favour. They have
incef-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 217
in-ceffantly furred up againft them all the rage Sdok vr,
of ecclefiaftical and civil perfecution. , 54 o.
Monks of other denominations have, indeed,
ventured to teach the fame pernicious doctrines,
and have held opinions equally inconfiilent with
the order and happinefs of civil fociety. But
they, from reafons which are obvious, have ei-
ther delivered fuch opinions with greater referve,
or have propagated them with lefs fuccefs.
Whoever recollects the events which have hap-
pened in Europe during two centuries, will find
that the Jefuits may jnftly be confldered as re-
fponfible for moil of the pernicious effects arif-
ing from that corrupt and dangerous cafuiftry,
from thofe extravagant tenets concerning eccle-
fiaftical power, and from that intolerant fpirit,
which have been the difgrace of the church of
Rome throughout that period, and which have
brought fo many calamities upon civil fociety \
But amid ft many bad confequences "flowing Someadvan-
from the inftitution of this order, mankind, it ing from the
mud be acknowledged, have derived from it otVhls'or-
fome considerable advantages As the Jefuits der *
made the education of youth one of their capital
objects, and as their firft attempts to eftablifh
colleges for the reception of ftudeqts were vio-
u Encyclopedic, Art. Je/uitts t torn. viii. 513.
lently
iiS THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. lently oppofed by the universities in different
r a# countries, it became necefiary for them, as the
moft effectual method of acquiring the publick-
favour, to furpafs their rivals in fcience and in-
PartrcuTarly *
toUteMture. duftry. This prompted them to cultivate the
ftudy of ancient literature with extraordinary ar-
dour. This put them upon various methods for
facilitating the inftruction of youth ; and by the
improvements which they made in it, they have
contributed fo much towards the progrefs of
polite learning, that on this account they have
merited well of fociety. Nor has the order of
Jefuits been fuccefsful only in teaching the ele-
ments of literature, it has produced likewife
eminent matters in many branches of fcience,
and can alone boaft of a greater number of in-
genious authors, than all the other religious
fraternities taken together".
But
* M. d'Alembert has cbferved that though the Jefuits
have made extraordinary progrefs in erudition of every
fpecies; though they can reckon up many of their brethren
who have been eminent mathematicians, antiquaries, and
critics ; though they have even formed fome orators of repu-
tation ; yet the order has never produced one man, whofe
mind was Co much enlightened with found knowledge, as
to merit the name of a philofopher. But it feems to be the
unavoidable effect of monaftick education to contract and
fetter the human mind. The partial attachment of a monk
to the intereft of his order, which is often incompatible
with that of other citizens; the habit of implicit obsd : encc
to
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 219
But it is in the new world that the Jefuits Book Vr,
have exhibited the moll wonderful difplay of ~77£o7~
their abilities, and have contributed moft ef- Jfa^from
feclually to the benefit of the human fpecies. thefettie-
■' x merit or the
The conquerors of that unfortunate quarter of K uits in
Paraguay,
the globe had nothing in view, but to plunder,
to enflave, and to exterminate its inhabitants.
The Jefuits alone have made humanity the object
of their fettling there. About the beginning of
the lad 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 Spanifn and Portuguefe fettle-
menus on the banks of the river de la Plata.
They found the inhabitants in a ft ate little dif-
ferent from that which takes place among men
when they firft begin to unite together -, ftrangers
to the arts ; fubinting precariously by hunting
to the will of a Superior, together with the frequent return
of the vvearifome and frivolous duties of the cloifter, debafe
his faculties, and extinguish that generofuy of ientiment
ai;d fpirit, which qualifies men for thinking or feeling juftly
with refpect to what is proper in life and conduct. Father
Paul of Venice is, perhaps, the only perfon educated in a
cloifter, that ever was altogether fuperior to its prejudices,
or who viewed the tranfactions of men, and reafoned con-
cerning the i mere lis of fociety, with the enlarged fenciments
of a philolbpher, with the difcernment of a man converfant
in affairs, and with the liberality of a gentleman.
or
220 THE REIGN OF THE
Bock VI. or fifhing ; and hardly acquainted with the firfi:
1540. principles of fubordination and government.
The Jefuits tet themfelves to inftruct and to
civilize thefe lavages. They taught them to
cultivate the ground, to rear tame animals, and
to build houfes. They brought them to live
together in villages. They trained them to arts
and manufactures. They made them tafte the
fvveets of fbciety ; and accuilomed them to the
bleflings of fecurity and order. Thefe people be-
came the fubjects of their benefactors ; who have
governed them with a tender attention, refem-
bling that with which a father directs his chil-
dren. Reflected and beloved almoft to adora-
tion, a few Jefuits prefided over fome hundred
thoufand Indians, They maintained a perfect
equality among all the members of the commu-
nity. Each of them was obliged to labour not
for himfelf alone, but for the pubhck. The pro-
duce of their fields, together with the fruits of
their induftry of every fpecies, were depohted in
common ftorehoufcs, from which each individual
received every thing neceflary tor the iupply of
his wants. By this inftitution, almoft all the
pafiions which difturb the peace cr fociety, and
render the members of it unhappy, were extin-
guifhed. A few magistrates, chofen by the In-
dians themfelves, watched over the publick tran-
quillity and feenred obedience to the laws. The
fanguinary punilhments frequent under other
8 govern-
cerniblc.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 221
governments were unknown. An admonition B <> 0K '•
from a Jefuit •, a flight mark of infamy •, or, " xc 40."
on fome finsular occafion, a few la(hes with a
whip, were furricient to maintain good order
among thefe innocent and happy people 7 .
But even in this meritorious effort -of the Even here 1
Jefuits for the good of mankind, the genius and tion and pa-
fpirit of their order have mingled and are dif- order dif-*
cernible. They plainly aimed at erlablifhing in
Paraguay an independent empire, fubject to the
fociery alone, and which, by the fuperior excel-
lence of its conftitution and police, could fcarce-
ly have failed to extend its dominion over all the
fouthern continent of America. With this view,
in order to prevent the Spaniards or Portuguefe
in the adjacent fettlements, from acquiring any
dangerous influence over the people within the
limits of the province fubject to the fociety, the
Jefuits endeavoured to infpire the Indians with
.hatred and contempt of thefe nations. They cut
off all intercourfe between their fubjects and the
Spanifli or Portuguefe fettlements. They pro-
hibited any private trader of either nation from
entering their territories. When they were
obliged to admit any perfon in a publick charac-
ter from the neighbouring governments, they
y Hift. du Paraguay par Pere de Charlevoix, torn. Ii. 42,
&c. Voyage au Perou par Don G. Juan 5c D. Ant. de UI-
loa, torn, i, 540, &c. Par* 4*0. 1752.
did
tit THE REIGN OF THE J
Took VI. did not permit him to have any converfation with
IS 0# their fubjedts, and no Indian was allowed even
to enter the houfe where thefe flrangers refided,
unlefs in the prefence of a Jefuit. In order to
render any communication between them as dif-
ficult as pofiible, they induRrioufly avoided giv-
ing the Indians any knowledge of the Spanifh, or
of any other European language ; but encouraged
the different tribes, which they had civilized, to
acquire a certain dialect of the Indian tongue,
and laboured to make that the univerfal lan-
guage throughout their dominions. As all thefe
precautions, without military force, would have
been inefficient to have rendered their empire
fecure and permanent, they inftrudled their fub-
je&s in the European arts of war. They formed
them into bodies of cavalry and infantry, com-
pletely armed and regularly difciplined. They
provided a great train of artillery, as well as
magazines ftored with all the implements of war.
Thus they eftablifhed an army fo numerous and
well-appointed, as to be formidable in a coun-
try, where a few fickly and ill-difciplined batta-
lions compofed all the military force kept on
foot by the Spaniards or .Portuguefe z .
z Voyage de Juan & de Ulloa, torn. i. $49. Recueil des
toutes les Pieces qui ont paru fur les Affaires des Jefuites en
- Portugal, torn. i. p. 7, &c,
Ths
EMPEROR CHARLES V. I2f
The Jefuits gained no confiderable degree of Boo* VT.
power during the reign of Charles V. who, with "77^7
his ufual fagacity, difcerned the dangerous ten- Reaf ™/^
D J 7 ° giving to
dency of the inftitution, and checked its pro- f "" »■*>«*
J r ofthego-
erefs*. But as the order was founded in the «"««*
and progrefe
period of which I write the hi dory, and as the oftke<*dec
age to which I addrefs this work hath feen its fall,
the view which I have exhibited of the laws and
genius of this formidable body will not, I hope,
be unacceptable to my readers ; efpecialiy as
one circumftance has enabled me to enter into
this detail with particular advantage. Europe
had obierved, for two centuries, the ambition
and power of the order. But while it felt many
fatal effects of thefe, it could not fully difcerni
the caufes to which they were to be imputed. It
was unacquainted with many of the fingular re-
gulations in the political conftitution or govern-
ment of the Jefuits, which formed theenterprizing
fpirit of intrigue that diftinguilhed its members,
and elevated the body itfelf to fuch a height
of power. It was a fundamental maxim with
the Jefuits, from their firffc inftitution, not to
publifh the rules of their order. Thefe they
kept concealed as an impenetrable myftery.
They never communicated them to ftrangers ;
nor even to the greater part of their own mem-
bers. They refufed to produce them when re-
a Compte par M. de MoncJ. p. 3U.
' quired
224 THE REIGN OF THE
Boo k VI. quired by courts of juftice b ; and by a ftrange 1
1540. folecifm in policy, the civil power in different
countries authorized or connived at the efta-
blifhment of an order of men, whofe conftitution
and laws were concealed with a folicitude, which
alone was a good reafon for having excluded
them. During the profecutions lately carried
on againft them in Portugal and France, the
Jefuits have been fo inconfiderate as to produce
the myfterious volumes of their inftitute. By
the aid of thefe authentick records, the principles
of their government may be delineated, and the
fources of their power inveiligated with a degree
of certainty and precifion, which, previous to
that event, it was impoflible to attain c . But as
I have pointed out the dangerous tendency of
the conftitution and fpirit of the order with the
freedom becoming an hiftorian, the candour
b 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 the order of Jefuits, I have derived
from the reports of M. de Chalotais and M, de MoncJar. I
reft not my narrative, however, upon the authority even cf
thefe refpe&able magillrates and ekgar.t writers, but upon
innumerable paflages which they have extra&ed from the con-
flitutions of the order, depcfited in their hand's. Hofpinian,
a Proteftam Divine of Zurich, in his Hijioria Jefuitica,
printed A. D. 1619, publifhed a fmail part of the conlti-
tutions of the jefuits, of which by fome accident he had
got a copy; p. 13 — 54-
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 22$
and impartiality no lefs requifite in that charac- Book VI.
ter call on me to add one obfervation, That no ~Tz7o7
clafs of regular clergy in the Romifli church has
been more eminent for decency, and even purity
of manners, than the major part of the order of
Jefuits d . The maxims of an intriguing, -am-
bitious, interefled policy, might influence thofe
who governed the fociety, . and might even cor-
rupt the heart, and pervert the conduct of fome
individuals, while the greater number, engaged
in literary purfuits, or employed in the functions
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 circumflances
and effe&s with which it has been attended in
the different countries of Europe, though ob-
jects extremely worthy the attention of every
intelligent obferver of human affairs, do not fall
'within the period of this hiftory.
No fooner had Charles re-eftablifhed order in AffaIr * of
it /^> 1 « i » Germjfiy*
the Low-Countries, than he was obliged to turn
his attention to the affairs of Germany. The
Proteftants preffed him earneftly to appoint that
conference between a {elect number of the di-
vines of each party, which had been ftipulated
d Sur la deftruft. des Jef. par M. DVUembert, p. 55.
Vol. Ill, Q^ in
226
THE REIGN OF THE
— V
1540.
A confer-
ence be-
tween the
Popifti and
Proteftant
divines,
une 25,
'ec. 6.
Book VI. J n the convention at Francfort. The Pope con-
fidcred fuch.an attempt to examine or decide the
points in difpute as derogatory to his right of
being the fupreme judge in controverfy ; and
being convinced that it would either be ineffec-
tual by determining nothing, or prove danger-
ous by determining too much, he employed
every art to prevent the meeting. The Em-
peror, however, finding it more for his intereft
to footh the Germans, than to gratify Paul, paid
little regard to his remonftrances. In a diet held,
atHagsenaw, matters were ripened for the con-
ference. In another diet aflembled at Worms,
the conference was begun, Melancthon on the
one fide and Eckius en the other, fuftaining the
principal part in the difpute ; but after they had
made fome progrefs, though without conclud-
ing any thing, it was fufpended by the Empe-
ror's command, that it might be renewed with
greater folemnity in his own prefence in a diet
fummoned to meet at Ratifbon. This arTembly
was opened with great pomp, and with a gene-
ral expectation that its proceedings would be
vigorous and decifive. By the confent of both
parties, the Emperor was entrusted with the
power of nominating the perfons, who iliould
manage the conference, which it was agreed
fhould be conducted not in the form of a publick
difputation, but as a friendly fcrutiny or exami-
nation into the articles which had given rife to
the
*s\t*
EMPEROR CHARLES' V.
the prefent controverfies. He appointed Eckius,
Gropper and Pflug, on the part of the Catholicks ;
Melan&hon, Bucer, and Piftorius, on that of
the Proteftants -, all men of diftinguifhed repu-
tation among their own adherents, and, except
Eckius, all eminent for their moderation, as
well as defirous of peace. As they were about
to begin their confultations, the Emperor put
into their hands a 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 far to unite and com-
prehend the two contending parties. Gropper,
a canon of Cologne, whom he had named among
the managers of the conference, a man of addrefs
as well as of erudition, was afterwards fufpecled
to be the author of this Ihort treatife. It con-
tained pofuions with regard to twenty- two of the
chief articles in theology, which included mod
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
exprefiing them with great fimplicity •, by em-
ploying often the very words of fcripture, or of
the primitive fathers •, by foftening the rigour of
fome opinions, and explaining away what was
abfurd in others ; by concefiions, now on one
fide, and now on the other; and efpecially by
baniming as much as poffible fcholaftick phrafes,
chafe words and terms of art in controverfy,
Q^ 2 which
1541,
2*8 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VI. which ferve as badges of diftin&ion to the dif-
1541. ferent (efts, and for which theologians often con-
tend more fiercely than for opinions themfelves ;
he framed his work in fuch a manner, as pro-
mifed fairer than any thing that had hitherto
been attempted, to compofe and to terminate
religious diiTenfions e .
feiitieJe. But the attention of the age was turned, with
fuch acute obfervation, towards theological con-
troverfies, that it was not eafy to impofe on it
by any glofs, how artful or fpecious foever.
The length and eagernefs of the difpute had fe-
parated the contending parties fo completely,
and had fet their minds at fuch variance, that
they were not to be reconciled by partial con-
cefTions. All the zealous Catholicks, particularly
theecclefiafticks who had a feat in the diet, joined
in condemning Gropper's treatife as too favour-
able to the Lutheran opinions, the poilbn of
which herefy it conveyed, as they pretended,
with greater danger, becaufe it was in fome de-
gree difguifed. The rigid Proteflants, efpecially
Luther himfelf, and his patron the Elector of
Saxony, were for rejecting it as an impious
compound of error and truth, craftily prepared
that it might impofe on the weak, the timid, and
the unthinking. But the divines, to whom the ex*
c Goldaft.Conjftit. Imper. ii. p. 182.
amination
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 229
amination of it was committed, entered upon Bo °k Vt.
that bufinefs with greater deliberation and tern*. x - It
per. As it was more eafy in itfelf, as well as
more confident with the dignity of the church
to make conceffions, and even alterations with re-
gard to fpeculative opinions, the difcufiion where-
of is confined chiefly to fchools, and which pre-
fent nothing to the people that either flrikes thfir
imagination or affecls their fenfes, they Came to
an accommodation about thefe without much
labour, and even defined the great article con-
cerning judification to their mutual fatisfaction.
But, when they proceeded to points of jurifdic-
tion, where the intereil and authority of the
Roman See were concerned, or to the rites and
forms of external worlhip, where every change
that could be made mud be publick, and draw
the obfervation of the people, there theCatho-
licks were altogether untraceable ; nor could the
church either with fafety or with honour abolifh
its ancient inftitutions. All the articles relative
to the power of the Pope, the authority of coun-
cils, the adminiftration of the facraments, the
worfhip of faints, and many other particulars did
not, in their nature, admit of any tempera-
ment ; fo that after labouring long to bring
about an accommodation with refpecl to thefe,
the Emperor found all his endeavours ineffectual.
Being impatient, however, to clofe the diet, he
at lait prevailed on a majority of the members
Q~3 to
230 THE REIGK.OF THE
Took VI. to approve of the following recefs •, " That the
1541. articles concerning which the divines had agreed
th^diet of i n l ^ e conference, Ihould be held as points de-
Ratifbon in tided anc | be oblerved inviolably by all •, that
favour of a J J
general the other articles about which they had differed,
council
July 28, mould be deferred to the determination of a ge-
neral council, or if that could not be obtained, to
a national fynod of Germany ; and if it mould
prove impracticable, likewife, to aflemble a
fynod, that a general diet of the Empire mould
be called within eighteen months, in order to
give fome final judgment upon the whole con-
troverfy ; that the Emperor mould ufe all his
interefl and authority with the Pope, to procure
the meeting either of a general council or fynod;
that, in the mean time, no innovations mould
be attempted, no endeavours mould be em-
ployed to gain profelytes ; and neither the re-
venues of the church, nor the rights of the mo-
nafteries, mould be invaded f ."
? ives of- All the proceedings of this diet, as well as
to n ?apift^ tne r^cefs in which they terminated, gave great
and Protef- ff cnce t o the Pope. The power which the
Germans had affumed, of appointing their own
divines to examine and determine matters of
controverfy, he confidered as a very dangerous
invafion on his rights ; the renewing of their
f Sleidan, 267, &c. Pallav. 1. iv. c. 11, p. 136. F. Paul,
p.. 86. $eckerid. 1, iii. 256,
ancient
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 231
ancient propofal concerning a national fynod, Book VI.
which had been fo often rejected by him and his "Ts^TT
predecefTors, appeared extremely undutiful - y but
the bare mention of allowing a diet, compofed
chiefly of laymen, to pafs judgment with refpect
to articles of faith, was deemed no lefs criminal
and profane, than the word of thofe herefies
which they feemed zealous to fupprefs. On the
other hand, the Proteftants were no lefs diflatif-
fied with a recefs, that considerably abridged the
liberty which they enjoyed at that time. As they Charles
murmured loudly again ft it, Charles, unwilling protectant*
to leave any feeds of difcontent in the Empire,
granted them a private declaration, in the moft
ample terms, exempting them from whatever
they thought opprefiive or injurious in the recefs,
and afcertaining to them the full pofTeflion of all
the privileges which they had ever enjoyed s .
Extraordinary as thefe concefiions may Affairs of
appear, the fituation of the Emperor's affairs at
this juncture made it necefTary for him to grant
them. He forefaw a rupture with France to be
not only unavoidable, but near at hand, and durft
not give any fuch caufe of difguft or fear to the
Proteftants, as might force them, in felf-defence,
to court the protection of the French King,
2 S'eid. 283. Seckend. 366. Dumont Corps Diplom.
iv, p. 11. p. 210.
Q^ 4 from
%li THE REIGN OF fHE
Book VI. from whom, at prefent, they were much alien*
1541. atcd. The rapid progrefs of the Turks in Hun-
gary, was a more powerful and prefent caufe of
the moderation which Charles difcovered. A
great revolution had happened in that kingdom-,
John Zapol Scaspus having chofen, as has been
related, rather to pofiefs a tributary kingdom;
than to renounce the royal dignity to which he
had been accuftomed, had, by the affiftance of
his mighty protector Solyman, wrefted from
Ferdinand a great part of the country, and left
him only the precarious pofTeflion of the reft.
But being a prince of pacifick qualities, the fre-
quent attempts of Ferdinand, or of his partifans
among the Hungarians, to recover what they
had loft, greatly difquieted him ; and the neceffi-
ty on thefe occafions, of calling in the Turks*
whom he confidered and felt to be his matters
rather than auxiliaries, was hardly lefs mortify-
ing. In order, therefore, to avoid thefe diftref-
fes, as well as to fecure quiet and ieifure for en-
A.B.U35. joying the arts and amuiements in which he de-
lio-hted, he fecretly came to an agreement with
his competitor, on this condition ; That Ferdi-
nand fhould acknowledge him as King of Hun-
gary, and leave him, during life, the unmolefted
pofiefiion of that part of the kingdom now in
his power ; but that, upon his demife, the fole
ri^ht of the whole fhould devolve upon Ferdi-
nand,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 233
nand h . As John had never been married, and Book VI.
was then far advanced in life, the terms of the ....
contract feemed very favourable to Ferdinand.
But, foon after, fome of the Hungarian nobles,
folicitous to prevent a foreigner from afcending
their throne, prevailed on John to put an end
to a long celibacy, by marrying Ifabella, the
daughter of Sigifmond, King of Poland. John ^*jf the
had the fatisfa&ion, before his death, which hap- Hu «e a «7.
pened within lefs than a year after his marriage*,
to fee a fon born to inherit his kingdom. To
him, without regarding his treaty with Ferdi-
nand, which he confidered, no doubt, as void,
upon an event not forefeen when it was conclud-
ed, he bequeathed his crown -, appointing the
Queen and George Martinuzzi, bifhop of Wa-
radin, guardians of his fon, and regents of the
kingdom. The greater part of the Hungarians
immediately acknowledged the young Prince as
King, to whom, in memory of the founder of their
monarchy, they gave the name of Stephen*.
crown.
Ferdinand, though extremely difconcerted Ferdinand
by this unexpected event, refolved not to aban- obtlVn the
don the kingdom which he had acquired by his
compact with John. He fent ambadadors to
the Queen to claim pofiefTion, and to offer the
h Kluanhaffii Hift. Hung. lib. xii. p. 135,
* Jovii Hiit. lib. xxxix. p. 239, a, &c.
4 province
234 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V r. province of Tranfylvania as a fettlement for her
1541. fon, preparing at the fame time to afTert his
right by force of arms. But John had com-
mitted the care of his fon to perfons, who had
too much fpirit to give up the crown tamely, and
who pofTefTed abilities fufficient to defend it.
The Queen, to all the addrefs peculiar to her
own fex, added a mafculine courage, ambition,
and magnanimity. Martinuzzi, who had raifed
aid prwer himfelf from the loweft rank in life to his pre-
luzzC tent dignity, was one of thofe extraordinary
men, who, by the extent as well as variety of their
talents, are fitted to act a fuperior part in bul-
ling and factious times. In discharging the
functions of his ecclefiaftical office, he put on
the femblance of an humble and auftere fanctity.
In civil tranfactions, he difcovered induitry,
dexterity, and boldnefs. During war he laid
afide the caflbck, and appeared on horfeback
with his fcymitar and buckler, as active, as of-
tentatious, and as gallant as any of his country-
men. Amidit all thefe different and contradic-
tory forms which he could aflume, an infatiable
defire of dominion and authority was confpicu-
ous. From fuch perfons it was obvious what
anfwer Ferdinand had to expect. He foon per-
ceived that he muft depend on arms alone for
recovering Hungary. Having levied for this
purpoie a confiderabie body of Germans, whom
his partifans among the Hungarians joined with
8 their
1
EMPEROR CHARLES V. itf
their vaflals, he ordered them to march into that Boo k VI.
part of the kingdom which adhered to Stephen. %t . 1m
Martinuzzi, unable to make head againft fuch
a powerful army in the field, fatisfied himfelf
with holding out the towns, all of which, efpe-
cially Buda, the place of greateft confequence,
he provided with every thing necefTary for de-
fence ; and in the mean time he fent ambaffadors
to Solyman, bcfeeching him to extend towards Turks!" the
the fon, the fame Imperial protection which had
fo long maintained the father on his throne. The
Sultan, though Ferdinand uied his utmoft en-
deavours to thwart this negociation, and even
offered to accept of the Hungarian crown on
the fame ignominious condition of paying tri-
bute to the Ottoman Porte, by which John had
held it, faw fuch profpects of advantage from
efpoufing the intereil of the young King, that
he inflantly promifed him his protection ; and
commanding one army to advance forthwith
towards Hungary, he himfelf followed with an-
other. Meanwhile the Germans, hoping to ter-
minate the war by the reduction of a city in
which the King and his mother were lhut up,
had formed the fiege of Buda. Martinuzzi,
having drawn thither the ftrength of the Hun-
garian nobility, defended the town with fuch
courage and fkill, as allowed the Turkifh forces
time to come up to its relief. They inflantly
attacked
2^6 . THE REIGN OF THE
Book V7. attacked the Germans, weakened by fatigue,
1541. difeafes, and -defertion, and defeated them with'
great daughter k »
Soiyman's Solyman foon after joined his victorious
ungenerous
conduft. troops, and being weary of fo many expenfive
expeditions undertaken in defence of dominions
which were not his own, or being unable to refift
this alluring opportunity of feizing a kingdom,
while pofieffed by an infant, under the guardian-
fhip of a woman and a prieft, he allowed in-
terefted confiderations to triumph with too much
facility over the principles of honour and the
fentiments of humanity. What he planned un-
generoufly, he executed by fraud. Having pre-
vailed on the Queen to fend her fon, whom he
pretended to be defirous of feeing, into his
camp, and having at the fame time invited the
chief of the nobility to an entertainment there,
while they, fufpecling no treachery, gave them-
felves up to the mirth and jollity of the feaft, a
felecl: band of troops by the Sultan's orders
feized one of the gates of Buda. Being thus
matter of the capital, of the King's perfon, and
of the leading men among the nobles, he ordered
the Queen, together with her fon, to be conducted
to Tranfylvania, which province he allotted to
them, and, appointing a Bafiia to prefide in Buda
k IftuanhaHii Hift. Hung. lib. xiV. p. 150.
with
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 237
with a large body of foldiers, annexed Hungary Boo* vi.
to the Ottoman Empire. The tears and com- ,-^, t
plaints of the unhappy Queen had no influence
to change his purpofe, nor could Martinuzzi
either refill his abfolute and uncontroulable com-
mand, or prevail on him to recall it '.
Before the account of this violent ufurpation F«<Knan<rs
A overtures to
reached Ferdinand, he was fo unlucky as to socman,
have difpatched new ambafTadors to Solyman
with a frefh reprefentation of his right to the
crown of Hungary, as well as a renewal of his
former overture to hold the kingdom of the
Ottoman Porte, and to pay for it an annual tri-
bute. This ill-timed propofal was rejected with
fcorn. The Sultan 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, de-
clared that he would not fufpend the operations
of war, unlefs Ferdinand inftantly evacuated all
the towns which he ftill held in Hungary, and
confented 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 defence
of that kingdom m .
1 Iftuanhaffii, lib. xiv. p. 56. Jovii hiftor, lib. xxxix.
p. 2476, &c.
m Iftuanhaffii hift. Hung. lib. xiv, p. 158.
Iff
THE REIGN OF THE
In this ftate were the affairs of Hungary. 1
7^77 ^ s tne unfortunate events there had either hap-
pened before the diffolution of the diet at Ra-
tifbon, or were dreaded at that time, Charles
few the danger of irritating and inflaming the
minds of the Germans, while a formidable
enemy was ready to break into the Empire -, and
perceived that he could not expect any vigorous
afliftance either towards the recovery of Hun-
gary, or the defence of the Auftrian frontier, un-
lefs he courted and fatisfied the Proteftants. By
the concefiions 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 fecurity of Germany during
next campaign n .
^Suiy. Immediately upon the conclufionof the diet,
the Emperor fet out for Italy. As he pafTed
through Lucca he had a fhort interview with
the Pope, but nothing could be concluded con-
cerning 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 juncture fo oppofite.
The Pope's endeavours to remove the caules of
difcord between Charles, and Francis, and to
• Sleid, 283.
cxtinguilh
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 239
extinguifti thofe mutual animofities which threat- BoOK VI.
cned to break out fucidenly into open hoftility, , 5 , ,
were not more fuccefsful.
The Emperor's thoughts were bent fo entire- H!s e *p^>-
r [ tion againft
ly, at that time, on the great enterprize which Algiers, and
111 i • n a i • 1 % 1 • n motives of
he had concerted agamic Algiers, that he hiten- it.
ed with little attention to the Pope's fchemes or
overtures, and haftened to join his army and
fleet °.
Algiers flill continued in that iiate of de-
pendence on the Turkifh empire to which Bar-
barofTa had fu ejected it. Ever fince he, as cap-
tain Bafha, commanded the Ottoman fleet, Al-
giers had been governed by Hafcen-Aga, a re-
negado eunuch, who, by pafling through every
ftation in the Corfair's fervice, had acquired fiich
experience in war, that he was well fitted for a
ftation which required a man of tried and daring
courage. Hafcen, in order to fliew how well he
deferved that dignity, carried on his piratical
depredations againft the Chriftian States with.,
amazing activity, and out-did, if pofiible, Bar-
baroffa himfclf in boldnefs and cruelty. The
commerce of the Mediterranean was greatly in-
terrupted by his cruifers, and fuch frequent
alarms given to the coail of Spain, that there
was a neceflity of erecting watch-towers at pro-
Sancor, h'ftor. torn. ii. 2g2,
per
240 THE REIGN OF THE ']
Book VI per diftances, and of keeping guards constantly
'"7^77"' on f° ot > * n orc * er t0 defcry the approach of his
fquadrons, and to protect the inhabitants from
their defcents p . Of this the Emperor's fubjecls
had long complained, reprefenting it as an en-
terprife correfponding to his power, and becom-
ing his humanity, to reduce Algiers, which,
fince the conqueft of Tunis, was the common
receptacle of all the free-booters ; and to exter-
minate that lawlefs race, the implacable ene-
mies of the Chriftian name. Moved partly 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, be-
fore he left Madrid, in his way to the Low-Coun-
tries, had iffued orders both in Spain and Italy
to prepare a fleet and army for this purpofe.
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 adhe-
rents 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
bis prepofterous conduct in flying from an ene-
my almoft at hand, that he might go in quell of
t Jovii hifh 1. xl. p, 266.
are-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 241
a remote and more ignoble foe. But to attack Bi 0fC v *«
the Sultan in Hungary, how fplendid foever that x - 4l#
meafure might appear, was an undertaking which
exceeded his power, and was not confident with
his intereft. To draw troops out of Spain or
Italy, to march them into a country fo diftanc
as Hungary, to provide the van: apparatus ne-
cefTary for traniporting thither the artillery, am-
munition, and baggage of a regular army, and
to pufh the war in that quarter, where it could
not be brought to any iffue during feveral cam-
paigns, were undertakings fo expenfive and un-
wieldy as did not correfpond with the low con-
dition of the Emperor's treafury. While his
principal force was thus employed, his domi-
nions in Italy and the Low-Countries mu ft have
lain open to the French King, who would not
have allowed fnch a favourable opportunity of
attacking them to go unimproved. Whereas the
African expedition, the preparations for which
were already finifhed, and almoft the whole ex-
pence of it defrayed, would depend upon a
fingle effort, and befides the fecurity and fatif-
faclion which the fuccefs of it muft give his
fubjecls, would detain him during fo fhort a
fpace, that Francis could hardly take advantage
of his abfence, to invade his dominions in Eu-
rope,
Vol. III. £ On
r.MjiiS.
THE REIGN OF THE
On all thefe accounts, Charles adhered to his
firft plan, and with fuch determined obftinacy,
His pre F a- t | iat ^g p a jd n0 r co;ard to the Pope who advifed,
I. ins. L O I
or to Andrew Doria who conjured him not to
expofe his whole armament to almofh unavoid-
able deftrucYion, by venturing to approach the
dangerous coaft of Algiers at fuch an advanced
feafon of the year, and when the autumnal
winds were ib violent. Having embarked on
board Doria's gallies at Porto- Venere in the
Genoefe territories, he ibon found that this ex-
perienced failor had not judged wrong concern-
ing the element with which he was fo well ac-
quainted \ for fuch a ftorm arofe that it was with
the utmoft difficulty and danger he reached Sar-
dinia, the place of general rendezvous. But as
his courage was undaunted, and his temper
often inflexible, neither the remonftrances of the
Pope and Doria, nor the danger to which he
had already been expofed by difregarding them,
had any other effect than to confirm him in his
fatal refolution. The force, indeed, which he
had collected was fuch as might have infpired a
Prince lefs adventrous, and lefs confident in his
own fchemes, with the. mod fanguine hopes of
fuccefs. It confided of twenty thoufand foot,
and two thoufand horfe, Spaniards, Italians, and
Germans, moftly veterans, together with three
thoufand volunteers, the flower of the Spanifh
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 243
and Italian nobility, fond of paying court to the Book VI,
Emperor by attending him in this favourite ex- "TcTu
pedition, and eager to fhare in the glory which
they believed he was going to reap •, to thefe
were added a thoufand foldiers fent from Malta
by the order of St. John, led by an hundred of
its mod gallant Knights.
The voyage, from Majorca to the African L«*pd s "»
coaft, was not lefs tedious, or full of hazard,
than that which he had juit finifhed. When he
approached the land, the roll of the fea, and
vehemence of the winds, would not permit the
troops to difembark. But at laft, the Emperor,
feizing a favourable opportunity, landed them
without oppofition, 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,
partly natives of Africa, and partly refugees
from Granada. He returned, however, a fierce
and haughty anfwer when iummoned to furren-
der. But with fuch a handful of foldiers, nei-
ther his defperate courage, nor confummatefkill
in war, could have long refifled forces fuperior to
thofe which had defeated Barbarofia at the
head of fixty thoufand m, j n, and which had re-
duced Tunis, in fpite of ail his endeavours to
lave it.
P
2 But
befell his
army,
THE REIGN OF THE
But how r oever far the Emperor might think
1 54 1. himfelf beyond the reach of any danger from the
tvs which enemy, he was fuddenly expofed to a more dread-
ful calamity, and one againft which human pru-
dence and human efforts availed nothing. On
the fecond day after his landing, and before he
had time for any thing but to difperfe fome 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 af-
pect. Towards evening, rain began to fall, accom-
panied with violent wind, and the rage of the tem-
ped 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
ibon fo wet that they could not lie down on it ;
their camp being in a low fituation was over-
flowed with water, and they funk at every flep
to the ankles in mud ; while the wind blew with
fuch impetuofity, that, to prevent their falling,
they were obliged to thruft their fpears into the
ground, and to fupport themfelves by taking
hold of them. Hafcen was too vigilant an
officer to allow an enemy in fuch diftrefs to re-
main unmolefted. About the dawn of morning,
he fallied out with foldiers, who, having been
fcreened from the ftorm under their own roofs,
were frefli and vigorous. A body of Italians
who were ftationed neareft the city, difpirited
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 243
and benumbed with cold, fled at the approach Book vr,
of the Turks. The troops at the poll: behind , 1#
them, difcovered greater courage, but as the
rain had extinguifhed their matches and wet their
powder, their mufkets were ufelefs, and having
fcarcely ftrength to handle their other arms,
they were foon thrown into confufion. Almoft
the whole army, with the Emperor himielf in
perfon, was obliged to advance, before the ene-
my could be repulfed, who, after fp reading fuch
general confternation, and killing a considerable
number of men, retired at lad in good order.
But all feeling or remembrance of this lofs and fleet.
and danger were quickly obliterated by a more
dreadful as well as affecting fpeclacle. It was
now broad day ; the hurricane had abated no-
thing of its violence, and the fea appeared agi-
tated with all the rage of which that deftructive
element is capable 5 all the mips, on which alone
the whole army knew that their fafety and fub-
fiftence depended, were feen driven from their an-
chors, fome darning againft each other, fome
beat to pieces on the rocks, many forced afhore,
and not a few finking in the waves. In lefs than
an hour, fifteen fhips of war, and an hundred
and forty tranfports with eight thoufand men
perifhed; and fuch of the unhappy crews as
efcaped the fury of the fea, were murdered with-
out mercy, by the Arabs, as foon as they reached
R 3 land.
THE REIGN OF THE
land. The Emperor flood in filent anguifh and
15 Tj/ aflonifhment beholding this fatal event, which
at once blafted all his hopes of fuccefs, and bu-
ried in the depths the vafi (lores which he had
provided, as well forannoykig the enemy, as for
fubfitling his own troops. He had it not in his
power to afford them any other affiflance or re-
lief than by fending fome troops to drive* away
the Arabs, and thus delivering a few who were
fo fortunate as to get afhore from the cruel fate
which their companions had met with. At laft
the wind began to fall, and to give fome hopes
that as many (hips might efcape, as to fave the
army from perifhing by famine, and tranfport
them back to Europe. But thefe were only
hopes •, the approach of evening covered the fea
with darknefs ; and it being impoilible for the
officers aboard the mips which had outlived the
florm, to fend any intelligence to their compa-
nions who were afhore, they remained during
the night in all the anguifh of fufpenfe and un-
certainty. Next day, a boat difpatched by Doria
made fhift to reach land, with information, that
having weathered out the florm, to which, du-
ring fifty years knowledge of the fea, he had
never feen any equal in fiercenefs and horror, he
had found it neceffary to bear away with his
mattered mips to Cape Metafuz. He advifed
the Emperor, as the face of the fky was flill
lowering and tempefluous, to march with all
fpeecj
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 247
fpeed to that place, where the troops could re- Bock vr.
embark with greater eafe. .T^T'
Whatever comfort this intelligence afford- ° blJ s ed t0
D retreat.
ed Charles, from being a fibred that part of
his fleet had efcaped, 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 from his prefent camp ; all
the provifions which he had brought athore at
his firfl landing were new confumed ; his fol-
diers, worn out with fatigue, were hardly able
for fuch a journey, even in a friendly country ;
and being difpirited by a fuccefiion of hardfhips,
which victory itfelf would fcarcely have rendered
tolerable, they were in no condition to undergo
new toils. But the fituation of the armv was
fuch, as allowed not one moment for delibera-
tion, nor left it in the leaft doubtful what to
choofe. They were ordered inftantly to march,
the wounded, the fkk, and the feeble being
placed in the center -, fuch as teemed mod vi-
gorous were ftationed in the front and rear.
Then the fad effects of what they had lb tiered
began to appear more manifeftly than ever, and
new calamities were added to all thole which
they had already endured. Some could hardly
bear the weight of their arms j others, fpent
with the toil of forcing their way through deep
and almoft impafTable roads, funk down and
R 4 died j
248 THE REIGN OF THE
Book V7. died ; many perifhed by famine, as the whole
"TcjTT* army fubfifted chiefly, on roots and berries, or
the flelh of horfes, killed by the Emperor's or-
der, and diftributed among the feveral batta-
lions j many were drowned in brooks, which
were fwoln fo much by the exceflive rains, that
in pafllng them they waded up to the chin ♦, not
a few were killed by the enemy, who, during the
greateft part of their retreat, alarmed, harafied,
and annoyed them night and day. At lad they
arrived at Metafuz ; and the weather being now
fo calm as to reftore their communication with
the fleet, they were fupplied with plenty of pro-
vifions, and cheered with the profpect of fafety.
Hlsfbrti- During this dreadful feries of calamities, the
tude of i
mind. Emperor diicovered great qualities, many or
which an almoft uninterrupted flow of profperity
had hitherto afforded him no opportunity of
difplaying. He appeared confpicuous for firm-
nefs and conftancy of fpirit, for magnanimity,
fortitude, humanity, and compafllon. He en-
dured as great hardfnips as the meaneft foldier ;
he expofed his own perfon wherever danger
threatened ; he encouraged the defponding ->
vifited the fick and wounded ; and animated all
by his words and example. When the army em-
barked, he was among the lad who left the
fhore, although a body of Arabs hovered at no
great diitance, ready to fall on the rear. By
2 thefe
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 249
thefe virtues, Charles atoned, in fome degree, Sook VI.
for his obftinacy and prefumption in undertak- ,_, u
ins an expedition \o fatal to his fubjects.
The calamities which attended this unfor- Returns to
tunate enterprize did not end here ; for no iooner uropc *
were the forces got on board, than a new ftorm
arifing, though lefs furious than the former, fcat-
tered the fleet, and obliged them, feparately,
to make towards fuch ports in Spain or Italy as
they could firil reach ; thus fpreading the ac-
count of their difafters, with all the circum-
ftances of aggravation and horror, which their
fear or fancy fuggefted. The Emperor himfelf,
after efcaping 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 return-
ed from his former expedition againft the In-
fidels \
z Carol. V. Expeditlo ad Argyriam per Nicolaum Villag-
nonem Equitem Rhodium ap. Scardium, v. ii. 365. Jovii
Hiit. 1. xl. p. 269, &c. Vera y Zur.iga vida de Carlos V.
p. 83. Sandoy. Hiilor. ii. 299, Sec,
THE
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
REIGN
OF THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
BOOK VII.
Book VII. ^"T~^HE calamities which the Emperor fuf*
' /— ' fered in his unfortunate enterprize
Fenewaiof againft Algiers were great ; and the account of
Francu, e and thefe, which augmented in proportion as it
for iT.° tlVeS *P rea d at a greater diftance from the fcene of
his difafters, encouraged Francis to begin hof-
tilities, on which he had been for fome time
refolved. But he did not think it prudent to
produce, as the motives of this refolution, either
his ancient pretenfions to the dutchy of Milan*
or the Emperor's difingenuity in violating his
repeated promifes with regard to the reflitution .
i of
THE REIGN, &c. 251
of that country. The former might have been Book VII.
a good reafon againft concluding the truce of u
Nice, but was none for breaking it ; the latter
could not be urged without expofing his own
credulity as much as the Emperor's want of in-
tegrity, A violent and unwarrantable action of
cne of the Imperial generals, furnifhed him with
a reafon to juftify his taking arms, which was
of greater weight than either of thefe, and fuch
as would have rouied him, if he had been as
delirous of peace as he was eager for war.
Francis, by figning the treaty of truce at Nice,
without confulting Solyman, gave (as he fore-
fawj great offence to that haughty Monarch,
who confidered an alliance with him as an ho-
nour of which a Chriftian prince had caufe to
be proud. The French King's friendly inter-
view with the Emperor in Provence,' followed
by fuch extraordinary appearances of union and -
confidence as accompanied Charles's reception
in France, induced the Sultan to fufpect that
the two rivals had at laft forgotten their ancient
enrol! y, in order that they might form fuch a
general confederacy againft the Ottoman power,
as had been Ions; wifhed for in Chriftendom and
often attempted in vain. Charles, with his
ufual art, endeavoured to confirm and ftrengthen
thefe fufpicions, by inftrucling his emiliaries at
Conftantinople, as well as in thofe courts with
which Solyman held any intelligence, to repre-
fent
252 THEREIGNOFTHE
Book VII. fent the concord between him and Francis to be
iclT. & entire, that their fentiments, views, and pur-
fuits, would be the fame for the future \ It
was not 4L fiout difficulty that Francis effaced
thefe imprefiions; but the addrefs of Rincon,
the French ambalfador at the Porte, together
with the manifeft advantage of carrying on hof-
tilities againft the houfe of Auftria in concert
with France, prevailed at length on the Sultan
to enter into a clofer conjunction with Francis
than ever. Rincon returned into France, in
order to communicate to his matter a fcheme of
the Sultan's, for gaining the concurrence of the
Venetians in their operations againft the com-
mon enemy. Solyman having lately concluded
a peace with that republick, to which the media-
tion of Francis, and the good offices of Rincon
had greatly contributed, thought it not impof-
fible to allure the fenate by fuch advantages, as,
The murder together with the example of the French Mo-
biffalThis narch, might overbalance any fcruples arifing
pretext for e i trier f r om decency or caution that could ope-
rate on the other fide. Francis, warmly ap-
proving of this meafure, difpatched Rincon
back to Conftantinople, and, directing him to go
by Venice along with Fregofo, a Genoefe exile,
whom he appointed his ambafTador to that re-
publick, empowered them to negociate the mat-
a Mem. de Ribier, torn. i. p. 502,
ter
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 253
ter with the fenate, to whom Solyman had fent Book VII.
an envoy for the fame purpofe "°. The marquis , S4 . U
del Guafto, governor of the Milanefe, an officer
of great abilities, but capable of attempting and
executing the mod atrocious actions, got intel-
ligence of the motions and deftination of thefe
ambafladors. As he knew how much his maf-
ter wifhed to difcover the intentions of the
French King, and of what confequence it was
to retard the execution of his meafures, he em-
ployed fome foldiers belonging to the garrifon
of Pavia to lie in wait for Rincon and Fregofo
as they failed down the Po, who murdered them
and mofl of their attendants, and feized their
papers. Upon receiving an account of this bar-
barous outrage, committed, during the fub-
fiftence of truce, againft perfons held facred by
the mofl uncivilized. nations, Francis's grief for
the unhappy fate of two fervants whom he loved
and trufted, his uneafinefs at the interruption of
his fchemes by their death, and every other paf-
fion, were fwallowed up and loft in the indigna-
tion which this infult on the honour of his crown
excited. He exclaimed loudly againft Guafto,
who, having drawn upon himfelf all the infamy
of aflaiTination without making any difcovery of
importance, as the ambafladors had left their in-
b Hift. de Venet, de Partita, iv. 125.
ftrucYions
254 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. ftructions and other papers of confequence be-
"TTTiT fr n( ^ tnem » now boldly denied his being accef-
fary in any wife to the crime. He fent an ambaf-
fador to the Emperor, to demand fuitable repa-
ration for an indignity, which no prince, how
inconfiderable foever or pufillanimous, could
timely endure : And when Qharles, impatient
at that time to fet out on his African expedi-
tion, endeavoured to put him off with an eva-
five anfwer, he appealed to all the courts in
Europe, fetting forth the heinoufnefs of the in-
jury, the fpirit of moderation with which he had
applied for redrefs, and the iniquity of the Em-
peror in difregarding this jufb requefl.
Notwithstanding the confidence with which
Guafto afferted his own innocence, the accufa-
tions of the French gained greater credit than ail
his protections ; and Bellay, the French com-
mander in Piedmont, procured, at length, by
his induftry and addrefs, fuch a minute detail
of the tranfaclion, with the teftimony of fo many
of the parties concerned, as amounted almoft to
a legal proof of the marquis's guilt. In confe-
quence of this opinion of the publick, confirmed
by fuch ftrong evidence, Francis's complaints
were univerfally allowed to be well founded,
and the fteps which he took towards renewing
hodilities, were afcribed not merely to ambition
% or
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 255
or refentment, but to the unavoidable necefiity BookVU.
of vindicating; the honour of his crown c . ^""^ J
1541.
However juft Francis might efteem his
own caufe, he did not truft fo much to that, as
to neglect the proper precautions for gaining
other allies befides the Sultan, by whofe aid he
might counterbalance the Emperor's luperior
power. But his negociations to this effect were
attended with very little fuccefs. Henry VIII.
eagerly bent at that time upon fchemes againd
Scotland, which he knew would at once diflolve
his union with France, was inclinable rather to
take part with the Emperor, than to contribute in
any degree towards favouring the operations
againft him. The Pope adhered inviolably to his
ancient fyfiem of neutrality. The Venetians,
notwithstanding Solyman's folicitations, imitated
the Pope's example. The Germans, fatisfied
with the religious liberty which they enjoyed,
found it more their intereft to gratify than to
irritate the Emperor ; fo that the Kings of Den-
mark and Sweden, who on this occafion were
firft drawn in to intereft themfelves in the quar-
rels of the more potent Monarchs of the fouth,
and the duke of Cleves, who had a difpute with
the Emperor about the poffeffion of Gueldres,
were the only confederates whom Francis fecured.
« fcellay, 367, &c, Jovii Hift. lib. ft 268.
But
256 THEREIGNOF THE
Book VI r. But the dominions of the two former lay at fuch
154,1. a diftance, and the power of the latter was fo in-
confiderable, that he gained little by their al-
liance.
Francis^ Francis, however, fupplied all defects by his
jnduftry in , rr J
preparing own activity. Being afflicted at this time with
for war. . ; to
a diftemper, the effect of his irregular pleafures,
and which prevented his purfuing them with the
fame licentious indulgence, he applied to bufi-
nefs with more than his ufual induftry. The
fame caufe which occafioned this extraordinary
attention to his affairs, rendered him morofe and
diffatisfied with the minifters whom he had hi-
therto employed. This accidental peevilhnefs
being fharpened by reflecting on the falfe
Heps into which he had lately been betrayed,
as well as the infults to which he had been
expofed, fome of thofe in whom he had hitherto
placed the greateft confidence felt the effects of
this change in his temper, and were deprived
of their offices. At lafl he difgraced Montmo-
rency himfelf, who had long directed affairs as
well civil as military with all the authority of a
minifter no lefs beloved than trufted by his maf-
ter ; and Francis being fond of (hewing that the
fall of fuch a powerful favourite did not affect
the vigour or prudence of his adminiftration,
this was a new motive to redouble his diligence
in
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 257
in preparing to open the war by fome fplendid BookVH,
and extraordinary effort.
Francis accordingly brought into the field 154*-
J m & Hebri s
five armies. One to aft in Luxembourg under five armies
r . into the
the duke or Orleans, accompanied by the duke field,
of Lorraine as his inftructor in the art of war.
Another commanded by the dauphin marched
towards the frontiers of Spain. A third led by
Van RorTem the marlhal of Gueldres, and com-
pofed chiefly of the troops of Cieves, had Bra-
bant allotted for the theatre of its operations. A
fourth, of which the duke of Vendome was ge-
neral, hovered on the borders of Flanders. The
laft, confiding of the forces cantoned in Pied-
mont, was deftined for the admiral Annibaut.
The dauphin and his brother were appointed to
command where the chief exertions were intend-
ed, and the greater!: honour to be reaped ; the army
of the former amounted to forty thoufand, that
of the latter to thirty thoufand men. Nothing
appears more furprifing than that Francis did
not pour with thefe numerous and irrefiftible
armies into the Milanefe, which had fo long been
the object of his wifhes as well as enterprizes ;
and that he mould choofe rather to turn almoft
his whole ftrength into another direction, and
towards new conquefts; But the remembrance
of the difafters which he had met with in his
former expeditions into Italy, together with the
Vol, III, S difficulty '
258 THE REIGN OF THE
Book Vir. difficulty of fupporting a war carried on at fuch
, 542i a diftance from his own dominions, had gra-
dually abated his violent inclination to obtain
footing in that country, and made him willing
to try the fortune of his arms in another quarter.
At the fame time he expected to make fuch a
powerful impreflion on the frontier of Spain,
where there were few towns of any ftrength,
and no army alTembled to oppofe him, as might
enable him to recover pofTeffion of the country
of Roufillon, lately difmembered from the
French crown, before Charles could bring into
the field any force able to obftruct his progrefs.
The neceffity of fupporting his ally the duke of
Cleves, and the hope of drawing a confiderable
body of foldiers out of Germany by his means,
determined him to act with vigour in the Low-
Countries.
June. The dauphin and duke of Orleans opened
Mtiww. " the campaign much about the fame time ; the
former laying fiege to Perpignan the capital of
Roufillon, and the latter entering Luxembourg.
The duke of Orleans pufhed his operations with
the greateft rapidity and fuccefs, one town fall-
ing after another, until no place in that large
dutchy remained in the Emperor's hands but
Thionville. Nor could he have failed of over-
running the adjacent provinces with the fame
cafe, if he had not voluntarily ftopt fhort in this
careef
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 259
career of victory. But a report prevailing that BootcVir.
the Emperor had determined to hazard a battle l ,. Zm
in order to fave Perpignan, on a fudden the
duke, prompted by youthful ardour, or moved,
perhaps, by jealoufy of his brother, whom he
both envied and hated, abandoned his own con-
quer!, and haftened towards Roufillon* in order
to divide with him the glory of the victory.
On his departure fome of his troops were dif-
banded, others deferted their colours, and the
reft, cantoned in the towns which he had taken,
remained inactive. By this conduct, which
leaves a difhonourable imputation either on his
underftanding or his heart, or on both, he not
only renounced whatever he could have hoped
from fuch a promifing commencement of the
campaign, but gave the enemy an opportunity
of recovering, before the end of fummer, all
the conquefts which he had gained. On the
Spanifh frontier, the Emperor was not fo incon-
fiderate as to venture on a battle, the lofs of
which might have endangered his kingdom.
Perpignan, though poorly fortified, and brifkly
attacked, having been largely fupplied with
ammunition and provilions by the vigilance of
Doria d , was defended fo long and fo vigorouQy
by the duke of Alva, the perfevering obflinacy
d Sigonii Vita A. Doriae, p. 1191.
St* o£
a6o THE REJGN OF THE
Book VII. f w hofe temper fitted him admirably for fucfi
1542. fervice, that at laft the French, after a fiege of
three months, walled by difeafes, repulfed in
feveral affauits, and defpairing of fuccefs, relin-
quished the undertaking, and retired into their
own country e . Thus all Francis's mighty pre-
parations, either from fome defect in his own
conduct, or from the fuperior power and pru-
dence of his rival, produced no effects which
bore any proportion to his expence and efforts, or
fuch as gratified, in any degree, his own hopes,
or anfwered the expectation of Europe. The
only folid advantage of the campaign was the
acquifition of a few towns in Piedmont, which
Bellay gained rather by ftratagem and addrefs,
than by the force of his arms f .
T(;43 . Meanwhile the Emperor and Francis*
r^nott" 8 though both confiderably exhaufted by fuch
campaign. g reat DUt indecifive efforts, difcovering no abate-
ment 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 rein-
forcement of flrength as would give them the
fuperiority in the enfuing campaign. Charles,
taking; advantage of the terror and refentmentof
c Sandcv. Hifl. torn. ii. 315.
f S-nJov. Hi;], ii» 318. Bellay, 387, &c. Ferrer, ixj
227*
the.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 261
the Spaniards, upon the fudden invafion of their Book VII.
country, prevailed on the Cortes of the feveral T-T~
kingdoms to grant him fubfidies with a more li-
beral hand than uiual. At the fame time, he
borrowed a large fum from John King of Por-
tugal, and, by way of fecurity for his repay-
ment, put him in poflefilon of the Molucca
ifles in the Eaft Indies, with the gainful com-
merce of precious fpices, which that fequeftered
corner of the globe yields. Not fatisfkd 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 mod opulent prince in Europe,
gave a large dower - 9 and having likewife per-
fuaded 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 g . Thefe extraordinary fupplies en-
abled him to make fuch additions to his forces
in Spain, that he could detach a great body into
the Low-Countries, and yet referve as many as
were fufficient for the defence of the kingdom.
Having thus provided for the fecurity of Spain,
and committed the government of it to his fon,
he failed for Italy, in his way to Germany. But May ,
how attentive foever to raife the funds for carry-
s Ferreras, ix. 238. 241. Jovii Hift. lib, xlii. 298. 6.
S3 in s
2S2 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. i n g on the war, or eager to grafp at any new
~ic43.~~ expedient for that purpofe, he was not fo incon-
fiderate as to accept of an overture which Paul,
knowing his necefllties, artfully threw out to
him. That ambitious Pontiff, no lefs fagacious
to difcern, than watchful to feize opportunities
of aggrandizing his family, folicited him to
grant Octavio his grandchild, whom the Empe-
ror had admitted to the honour of being his fon-
in-law, the inveftiture of the dutchy of Milan,
in return for which he promifed fuch a vaft fum
of money as would have gone far towards fupply-
ing his prefent exigencies. But Charles, as well
from unwillingnefs to alienate a province of fo
much value, as from difguft at the Pope, who
had hitherto refufed to join in the war againft
Francis, rejected the propofal. His diflatisfac-
tion with Paul at that juncture 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. with-
draw the garrifons which he had hitherto kept
in the citadels of Florence and Leghorn j in con-
fideration for which, he received a large prefent
from Cofmo di Medici, who by this means fe-
^ured his own independence, and got poffeffion
4 9$
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 263
of two forts, which were juftly called the fetters BookVIJ*
of Tufcany \ ■' , 543 .
But Charles, while he feemed to have turned TheEmpe-
his whole attention towards raifing the fums ne- "aito"* 80 "
ceflary for defraying the expences of the year, y 1 ^ Henrjr
had not been negligent of objects more diftant,
though no lefs important, and had concluded a
league offenfive and defenfive with Henry VIII.
from which he derived, in the end, greater ad-
vantage than from all his other preparations.
Several flight circumftances, which have already
been mentioned, had begun to alienate the af-
fections of that Monarch from Francis his pre-
fent ally, and new incidents of greater moment
had occurred to increafe his difguft and animofity.
Henry, defirous of eftablilhing an uniformity in H
religion in Great Britain, as well as fond of ^pturewnh
° # France and
making profelytes to his own opinions, had Scotland.
formed a fcheme of perfuading his nephew the
King of Scotland to renounce the Pope's fupre-
macy, and to adopt the fame fyftem of reformat
tion, which he had introduced into England.
This meafure he purfued with his ufual eager-
nefs and impetuofity, making fuch advantage-
ous overtures to James, whom he confidered as
not over-fcrupuloufly attached to any religious
h Adriani Iiloria, i. 195. Sleid. 312. Jovii Hift. lib.
jriiii. p. 501, Vita di Cof. Medici di Ba!dini, p. 34.
S 4 tenets.
264 THE REIGN OF THE
BookVU. tenets, that he hardly doubted of fuccefs. His
1543. proportions were accordingly received in fuch
a manner that he flattered himfelf with having
o
gained his point. But the Scottifh ecclefiafticks,
forefeeing the ruin of the church to be the con-
fequence of the King's union with England •, and
the partifans of France, no lefs convinced that
it would put an end to the influence of that
trown upon the publick councils of Scotland,
combined together, and by their infinuations de-
feated Henry's fcheme at the very moment when
he expected it to have taken effe6b. Too
haughty to brook 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 fub-
due the kingdom, fince he could not gain the
friendfhip of its King. At the fame time, his
refentment at Francis quickened his negociations
with the Emperor, an alliance with whom he
was now as forward to accept as the other could
be to offer it. During this war with Scotland,
and before the conclufion 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 altered at once his whole
fyftem with regard to Scotland, and abandoning
all thoughts of conquering it, aimed at what
was more advantageous as well as more practi-
cable, an union with that kingdom by a marriage
2 between
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 265
between Edward his only fon and the young BookV'I.
Queen. But here, too, he apprehended a vi- %
gorous oppofition from the French faction in
Scotland, which began to beftir itfelf in order
to thwart the meafure. The neceffity of crufh-
ihg this party among the Scots, and of prevent-
ing Francis from furnifhing them any effectual
aid, confirmed Henry's refolution of breaking
with France, and pufhed him on to put a fin idl-
ing hand to the treaty of confederacy with the
Emperor.
In this league were contained firft of all, ar- Feb. ir.
. . r r . , . r . . . Alliance
tides for iecuring their future amity and mutual between
, r , Tiii Charles and
defence ; then were enumerated the demands Ktnry.
which they were reflectively to make upon
Francis ; apd the plan of their operations was
fixed, if he mould refufe to grant them fat if-
faction. They agreed to require that Francis
mould not only renounce his alliance with Soly-
man, which had been the fource of infinite ca-
lamities to Chriftendom, but aifo that he mould
make reparation for the damages which that
unnatural union had occafioned -, that he mould
reftore Burgundy to the Emperor ; that he
mould defift immediately from hoftilities, and
leave Charles at leifure to oppofe the common
enemy of the Chriflian faith ; and that he mould
immediately pay the fums due to Henry, or
put fome towns in his hands as fecurity to that
effect.
266 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. efFect. If, within forty days, he did not com-
"7?r7T pty w ^ tn && demands, they then engaged to
invade France each with twenty thoufand foot
and five thoufand horfe, and not to lay down their
arms until they had recovered Burgundy, toge-
ther with the towns on the Somme, for the Em-
peror, and Normandy and Guienne, or even the
whole realm of France, for Henry \ Their
heralds, accordingly, fet out with thefe haughty
requifitions ; but not being permitted to enter
France, could not perform their commifiion, and
the two Monarchs held themfelves fully en-
titled to execute whatever was ftipulated in their
treaty.
Franks Francis on his part, was not lefs diligent in
vith soiy- preparing for the approaching campaign. Hav-
ing early obferved the fymptoms of Henry's dif-
guftand alienation, and finding all his endeavours
to footh and reconcile him ineffectual, he knew
his temper too well not to expect that open hof-
tilities would quickly follow upon this ceiTation
of friendfhip. For this reafon he redoubled his
endeavours to obtain from Solyman fuch aid as
might counterbalance the great accefiion of
flrength which the Emperor would receive by
his alliance with England. In order to fupply
the place of the two ambafiadors who had been.
1 Rym. xiv» 768. Herb. 238*
murdered
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 267
murdered by Guafto, he fent as his envoy, firft Book VII.
to Venice, and then to Constantinople, Paulin, "7743-
a captain of foot, a man of a daring active fpirit,
and on account of thefe qualities thought wor-
thy of this fervice, to which he was recommend-
ed by Bellay, who had trained him to the arts
of negociation, and made trial of his talents and
addrefs on feveral occafions. Nor did he belie
the opinion conceived of his courage and abili-
ties. Haftening to Conftantinople, without re-
garding the dangers to which he was expofed.,
he urged his matter's demands with fuch bold-
nefs, and availed himfelf of every circumftance
with fuch dexterity, that quickly he removed all
the Sultan's difficulties. As fomeof the Bafhaws,
fwayed either by their own opinion, or influenced
by the Emperor's emiflaries, who had made
their way even into this court, had declared in
the Divan againft acting in concert with France,
he found means either to convince or filence
them k . At laft he obtained orders for Barba-
rofTa to fail with a powerful fleet, and to regu-
late all his operations by the directions of the
French King. Francis was not equally fuccefs-
ful in his attempts to gain the princes of the
Empire. The extraordinary rigour with which
fte thought it neceffary to punifh fuch of his
k Sandov. Hiftor. torn. ii. 346. Jovii Hift. lib. xli. 285,
&c, 300, &c. Brantome.
fubjects
a68 THEREIGNOFTHE
Book VII. fubjects as had embraced the proteftant opinions,
lex*, in order to give fome notable evidence of his
own zeal for the Catholick faith, and to wipe off
the imputations to which he was liable from his
confederacy with the Turks, placed an infupe-
rable barrier between him and fuch of the Ger-
mans as intereft or inclination would have
prompted moft 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 difap-
pointments unavoidable wherever popular af-
femblies provide for the expences of government
by occafional and frugal fubfidies, Hence his do-
meftick preparations were always carried on with
vigour and rapidity, while tjiofe of the Em-
peror, unlefs when quickened by fome foreign
fupply, or fome temporary expedient, were to
the laft degree flow and dilatory.
Operations Long before any army was in readinefs to
counl-i™" oppofe him, Francis took the field in the Low-
Countries, againft which he turned the whole
weight of the war. He made himfelf mailer of
Landrecy, which he determined to keep as the
key to the whole province of Hainault ; and or-
» dered it to be fortified with great care. Turning
1 Seek, lib, iii. 403.
from
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 269
from thence to the right, he entered the dutchy of Book VII.
Luxembourg, and found it in the fame defence- ^"TTJ*,
lefs ftate as in the former year. While he was thus
employed, the Emperor having drawn together
an army, compofed of all the different nations
fubject to his government, entered the territories
of the Duke of Cleves, on whom he had vowed
to inflict exemplary vengeance. This prince,
whole conduct and fituation were fimilar to that
of Robert de la Mark in the firft war between
Charles and Francis, refembled him likewife in
his fate. Unable, with his feeble army, to face
the Emperor, who advanced at the head of forty-
four thoufand men, he retired at his approach \
and the Imperialifts being at liberty to act as The t^t*
they pleafed, immediately invefted Duren. That mla"™ 8
town, though gallantly defended, was won by 2^^ y
affault, all the inhabitants put to the fword, and Auguft 2 *'
the place itfelf reduced to allies. This dreadful
example of feverity (truck the people of the coun-
try with fuch general terror, that all the other
towns, even fuch as were capable of refiftance*
fent their keys to the Emperor ; and before a
body of French detached to his afliitance could
come up, the duke himfelf was obliged to make
his fubmiflion to Charles in the mod abject man-
ner. Being admitted into the Imperial pre-
fence, he kneeled, together with eight of his prin-
cipal fubjects, and. implored mercy. The Em-
peror allowed him to remain in that ignominious
pofture,
Sept. 7.
270 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. pofture, and eying him with an haughty and
~j JC " implacable look, without* deigning to anfwer a
fingle word, remitted him to his minifters. The
conditions, however, which they prefcribed were
not fo rigorous as he had reafon to have expected
after fuch a reception. He was obliged to re-
nounce his alliance with France and Denmark ;
to refign all his pretentions to the dutchy of
Gueldres; to enter into perpetual amity with
the Emperor and King of the Romans. In re-
turn for which, all his hereditary dominions were
reftored, except two towns which the Emperor
kept as pledges of his fidelity during the con-
tinuance of the war, and he was re-inftated in
his privileges as a prince of the Empire. Not
long after, Charles, as a proof of the fincerity of
his reconcilement, gave him in marriage one of
the daughters of his brother Ferdinand m .
fedcges Having thus chaflifed the prefumption of
the Duke of Cleves, detached one of his allies
from Francis, and added to his dominions in the
Low-Countries a confiderable province which
lay contiguous to them, Charles advanced to-
wards Hainault, and laid fiege to Landrecy.
There, as the firft fruits of his alliance with
Henry, he was joined by fix thoufand Englifh
m Haraei Annal. Brabant, t. i. 628, Reeueil des Trai-
ler, t. ii. 226.
under
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 271
under Sir John Wallop. The garrifon, confinS Book Vir.
ing of veteran troops commanded by De la Vel*.
Lande and DefTe, two officers of reputation,
made a vigorous refiftance. Francis approached
with all his forces to relieve that place \ Charles
covered the fiege ; both were determined to
hazard an engagement \ and all Europe expect-
ed to fee this conteft, which had continued fo
long, decided at lad by a battle between two
great armies, led by their refpective Monarchs in
perfon. But the ground which feparated their
two camps was fuch, as put the difadvantage
manifeftly on his fide who mould venture to at-
tack, and neither of them chofe to run that
rifque. Amidft a variety of movements, in or-
der to draw the enemy into this in are, or to
avoid it themfelves, Francis, with admirable
conduct, and equal good fortune, threw firfl a
fupply of frefh troops, and then a convoy of
provifions into the town, fo that the Emperor,
defpairing of fuccefs, withdrew into winter-quar-
ters n , in order to preferve his army from being
entirely ruined by the rigour of the feafon.
During this campaign, Solyman fulfilled his Koto***.
* bolymanin-
engagements to the French King with greatpunc- vades Hun-
tuality. He himfelf marched into Hungary with
a numerous army *, and as the princes of the Em-
n Bellay, 405, &c.
pire
THE REIGN OF THE
pire made no great effort to fave a country which
1543^ Charles, by employing his own force againft
Francis, feemed willing to facrifice, there was
no appearance of any body of troops to oppofe i
his progrefs. He befieged, one after another,
Quinque Ecclefise, Alba, and Gran, the three
mod considerable towns in the kingdom, of
which Ferdinand had kept poffefTion. The firft
was taken by florm; the other two furrendered *>
and the whole kingdom, a fmall corner excepted,
was fubjected to the Turkifh yoke . About
Barbarous the fame time, BarbarofTa failed with a fleet of
defcent on
itajy. an hundred and ten gallies, and coafting along
the fhore of Calabria, made a defcent at Rheg-
gio, which he plundered and burnt •, and ad-
vancing from thence to the mouth of the Tiber,
he ftopt there to water. The citizens of Rome,
ignorant of his deftination, and filled with ter-
ror, began to fly with fuch general precipitation,'
that the city would have been left deferted, if
they had not refumed courage upon letters from
Paulin the French envoy, affuring them that no
violence or injury would be offered by the Turks
to any ftate in alliance with the King his mat-
ter p . From Oftia, BarbarofTa failed to Marfeilles,
and being joined by the French fleet with a body
of land forces on board, under the count d* En-
° IftuanhefF. Hiftor. Hung. 1. xv. 167.
P Jovii Hift. 1« xliii. 304, &c. Pallavic. 160.
guien,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 273
guien, a gallant young prince of the houfe of Book VII.
Bourbon, they directed their courfe towards T^T"
Nice, the fole retreat of the unfortunate duke
of Savoy. There, to the aftonifhment and fcan- ugu
dal of all Chriftendom, the Lilies of France and
Crefcent of Mahomet appeared in conjunction
againft a fortrefs on which the Crofs of Savoy
was difplayed. The town, however, was bravely
defended againft their combined force by Mont-
fort a Savoyard gentleman, who Hood a general
afTault, and repulied the enemy with great lofs,
before he retired into the caftle. That fort fitu-
ated upon a rock, on which the artillery made
no imprefiion, and which could not be under-
mined, he held out fo long, that Doria had
time to approach with his fleet, and the marquis
del Guailo to march with a body of troops
from Milan. Upon intelligence of this, the Sept. 8.
French and Turks raifed thefiege q ^ and Francis
had not even the confolation of fuccefs, to render
the infamy, which he drew on himfelf by calling
in fuch an auxiliary, more tolerable.
From the fmall progrefs of either party du- Prcpara-
, . . 1 ! tions for a
ring this campaign, it was obvious to what a new cam-
length the war might be drawn out between two
princes, whofe power was fo equally balanced,
1 Guichenon Hiftoire de Savoye, t. u p. 651. Bellay,
425, &c.
Vol. III. T and
paign.
Affairs of
THE REIGN OF THE
and who, by their own talents or activity, could
'543* *~° var y anc * HWl ^iply, their refources. The trial
which they had now made of each other's ftrength
might have taught them the imprudence of per-
illing in a war, wherein there was greater ap-
pearance of their diftrefling their own dominions
than of conquering thofe of their adverfary, and
fhould have difpofed both to wifh for peace. If
Charles and Francis had been influenced by con-
fiderations of intereft or prudence alone, this,
without doubt, mull have been the manner in
which they would have reafoned. But the perfonal
animofity, which mingled itfelf in all their quar-
rels, had grown to be fo violent and implacable,
that, for the pleafure of gratifying it, they dif-
regarded every thing elfe; and were infinitely
more folicitous how to hurt their enemy, than
how to fecure what would be of advantage to
themfelves. No fooner then did the feafon
force them to fufpend hoftilities, than, without
paying any attention to the Pope's repeated en-,
deavours or paternal exhortations to re-eftablifh
peace, they began to provide for the operations
of the next year with new vigour, and an activity
increafing with their hatred. Charles turned his
chief attention towards gaining the princes of
the Empire, and endeavoured to roufe the for-
midable but unwieldy ftrength of the Germanick
Germany, body againft Francis. In order to underftand
the propriety of the fteps which he took for that
purpofe,
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 275
purpofe, it is necefTary to review the chief tranf- Bodk VII.
actions in that country fince the diet of Katifbon ^""7? I
j I 543°
in the year one thoufand rlv o e hundred and forty-
one.
Much about the time that afiembly broke up, Maurice of
•*• Saxony fac-
Maurice fucceeded his father Henry in the so- ce^dshisfa-
ther.
vernment 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 talents which qualified him
for acting fuch a diftinguiined part in the af-
fairs of Germany. As foon as he entered upon
the administration, he (truck out into fuch a
new and fingular path, as fhewed that he aimed,
from the beginning, at fomething great and un- '
common. Though zealoufly attached to the „, .
' J J The views
Proteftant opinions both from education and andcondudi
principle, he refilled to accede to the league of young
Smalkalde, being determined, as he faid, to
maintain the purity of religion which was the
original object of that confederacy, but not to
entangle himfelf in the political interefts or com-
binations to which it had given rife. At the
fame time, forefeeing a rupture between Charles
and the confederates of Smalkalde, and perceiv-
ing which of them was mod likely to prevail in
the conteft, inftead of that jealoufy and diftruft
which the other Protectants exprelfed of all the
T 2 Empe-
prince.
276 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VIL E m p e ror's defigns, he affected to place in him
i 5 43. an unbounded confidence -, and courted his fa-
vour with the utmoft affiduity. When the other
Protectants, in the year fifteen hundred and forty-
two, either declined aflifting Ferdinand in Hun-
gary, or afforded him reluctant and feeble aid,
Maurice marched thither in perfon, and rendered
himfelf confpicuous by his zeal and courage.
From the fame motive, he had led to the Em-
peror's affiftance, during the laft campaign, a
body of his own troops •, and the gracefulnefs of
his perfon, his dexterity in all military exercifes,
together with his intrepidity, which courted and
delighted in danger, did not diftinguifh him
more in the field, than his great abilities and
infinuating addrefs won upon the Emperor's
confidence and favour r . While by this con-
duel, which appeared extraordinary to thofe
who held the fame opinions with him concern-
ing religion, Maurice endeavoured to pay court
to the Emperor, he began to difcover fome de-
gree of jealoufy of his coufin the Elector of
Saxony. This, which proved in the fequel fo
fatal to the Elector, had almoft occafioned an
open rupture between them ; and foon after
Maurice's acceffion to the government, they
both took arms with equal rage, upon account
of a difpute about the right of jurifdiction over
r Sleid. 317. Seek, 1. iii. 371. 386. 428.
a paultry
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 277
a paultry town fuuated on the Moldaw. They BookVH,
were prevented, however, from proceeding to ,' »
action by the mediation of the Landgrave of
HefTe, whofe daughter Maurice had married, as
well as by the powerful and authoritative ad-
monitions of Luther s .
Amidst thefe tranfactions, the Pope, though The P° De
1 '-■' propofes to
extremely irritated at the Emperor's concefTions boidaeeiie-
- , ral council
to the Proteftants at the diet or Ratifbon, was io at Trent,
warmly folicited on all hands, by fuch as were
moft devoutly attached to the See of Rome, no
lefs than by thofe whofe fidelity or defigns he
fufpected, to fummon a general council, that he
found it impofiible to avoid any longer calling
that afifembly. The impatience for its meeting,
and the expectations of great effects from its de-
cifions, feemed to grow in proportion to the dif-
ficulty of obtaining it. He itill adhered, how-
ever, to his original refolution of holding it in
fome town of Italy, where, by the number of
ecclefiafticks, retainers to his court, and de-
pending on his favour, who could repair to it
without difficulty orexpence, he might influence
and even direct all its proceedings. This pro-
portion, though often rejected by the Germans,
he inflructed his nuncio to the diet held at Spires >
in the year one thoufand five hundred and March 3,
forty-two, to renew once more; and if he found
• Skid. 292. Seek, l.iii, 403,
T 3 it
zj% THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. it gave no greater fatisfaction than formerly, he,
, 543# as a lait conceflion, empowered him, to propofe
for the place of meeting, Trent, a city in the
Tyrol, fubject: to the King of the Romans, and
fituated on the confines between Germany and
Italy. The Catholick princes in the diet, after
giving it as their opinion that the council might
have been held with greater advantage in Ratif-
bon, Cologne, or fome of the great cities in the
Empire, approved of the place which the Pope
had named. T ne Proteftants unanimoufly ex-
prefled their di flat is faction, and protefted that
they would pay no regard to a council held
without the precincts of the Empire, called by
the Pope's authority, and in which he aflumed
the right of prefiding \
M»y 2*. The Pope, without taking any notice of their
1542* . ,
Summons it objections, publifhed the bull of intimation,
to oieet. .
named three cardinals to prefide as his legates,
and appointed them to repair to Trent before
the firft of November, the day he had fixed for
opening the council. But if Paul had defired
the meeting of a council as fincerely as he pre-
tended, he would not have pitched on fuch an
improper time for calling it. Inftead of that
general union and tranquillity, without which
the deliberations of a council could neither be
J Sleid. 291. Seek* 1. iii. 283.
conducted
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 279
conducted with fecurity, nor attended with au- Book VII.
thority, fuch a fierce war was juft kindled be- 1543%
tween the Emperor and Francis, as rendered it
impoffible for the ecclefiafticks from many parts
of Europe to refort thither in fafety. The le-
gates, accordingly, remained feveral months at
Trent ; bu? as no perfon appeared there, except
a few prelates from the ecclefiaftical ftate, the
Pope, in order to avoid the ridicule and con- ^j^^t.
tempt which this drew upon him from the ene-
mies of the church, recalled them and prorogued
the council u .
Unhappily for the authority of the papal The Em P e *
' *~ * ror courts
fee, at the very time that the German Proteft- the P«>tefl>
' m ants.
ants took every occafion of pouring contempt
upon it, the Emperor and King of the Romans
found it necefTary not only to connive at their
conduct, but to court their favour .by repeated
acts of indulgence. In the fame diet of Spires,
wherein they had protefted in the molt difre-
fpectful terms againft aflembling a council at
Trent, Ferdinand, who depended on their aid
for the defence of Hungary, not only permitted
that proteftation to be inferted in the records of
the diet, but renewed in their favour all the
Emperor's conceflions at Ratifbon, adding to
them whatever they demanded for their farther
u F. Paul, p. 97. Sleid. 296.
T 4 fecurity,
280 THEREIGNOFTHE
BookVH. fecurity. Among other particulars, he granted
~i543~ a ^ u ^P en ^ 10n °f a decree of the Imperial chamber
againft the city of Goflar, one of thofe which
had entered into the league of Smalkalde, on
account of its having feized the ecclefiaftical re-
venues within its domains, and enjoined Henry
duke of Brunfwick to defift from his attempts
to carry that decree into execution. But Henry,
a furious bigot, and no lefs obftinate than rafh
in all his undertakings, continuing to difquitt
the people of Goflar by his incurfions, the Elec-
Theirvigor, tor f Saxony and Landgrave of HefTe, that
<ous proceed- *
i»s s « they might not fuffer any member of the Smal-
kaldick body to be opprefled, afiembled their
forces, declared war in form againft Henry, and
in the fpace of a few weeks, ftripping him entirely
of his dominions, drove him as a wretched exile
to take refuge in the court of Bavaria. By this
act of vengeance, no lefs fevere than fudden,
they filled ail Germany with dread of their
power, and the confederates of Smalkalde ap-
peared, by this firft effort of their arms, to be
as prompt as capable to protect thofe who had
joined their affociation \
Emboldened by fo many conceflions in their
favour, as well as by the progrefs which their
x Sleid. 296. Commemoratio fuccin&a caufarum Belli,
&c. a Smalkaldicis contra Henr. Brunfw, ab iifdem edita ;
ap. Scardium. torn. ii. 307.
opinions
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 2 gi
opinions daily made, the princes of the league Book Vir,
of Smalkalde took a folemn proteft againft the , S43#
Imperial chamber, and declined its jurifdi&ion
for the future, becaufe that court had not been
vifited or reformed according to the decree of
Ratifbon, and continued to difcover a moft in-
decent partiality in all its proceedings. Not
long after this, they ventured a ftep farther;
and procefting againft the recefs of a diet held
at Nuremberg, which provided for the defence
of Hungary, refufed to furnifh their contingent A [f*?'
for that purpofe, unlefs the Imperial chamber
were reformed, and full fecurity were granted
them in every point with regard to religion y .
Such were the lengths to which the Proteft- P ietat
o bpires.
ants had proceeded, andfuch their confidence in >S44«
their own power, when the Emperor returned
from the Low- Countries, to hold a diet, which
he had fummoned to meet at Spires. The re-
fpect due to the Emperor, as well as the import-
ance of the affairs which were to be laid before
it, rendered this affembly extremely full. All
the Electors, a great number of princes eccle-
fiaftical and fecular, with the deputies of moft
of the cities, were prefent. Charles foon per-
ceived that this was not a time to offend thejea-
Jous fpirit of the Proteftants, by averting in any
y Sleid. 304. 307. Seek. 1, iii, 404. 41 6,
high
2§2 THE REIGN OF THE
Book vir. high tone the authority and doctrines of the
1544. church, or by abridging, in the fmalleft article,
the liberty which they now enjoyed ; but that,
on the contrary, if he expected any fupport
from them, or wifhed to preferve Germany from
inteftine diforders while he was engaged in a
foreign war, he mud: footh them by new con-
cefiions, and a more ample extenfion of their re-
ligious privileges. He began, accordingly, with
courting the Elector of Saxony and Landgrave
of Heffe, the heads of the Proteftant party, and
by giving up fome things in their favour, and
granting liberal promifes with regard to others,
hefecured himfelf from any danger of oppofition
The Empe- on their part. Having afcertained this capital
ror folicits • 1 1 i i 1 /- 1 ,.
its aid point, he then ventured to addrefs the diet with
f™«. greater freedom. He began by reprefenting his
own zeal, and unwearied efforts with regard to
two things molt effential to Chriftendom, the
procuring of a general council in order to
compofe the religious dillenfions which had un-
happily arifen in Germany, and the providing
fome proper .means for checking the formidable
progrefs of the Turkifh arms. But that his pious
endeavours had been entirely defeated by the
unjuftifiable ambition of the French King, who
having wantonly kindled the flame of war in
Europe, which had been fo lately extinguifhed
by the truce of Nice, rendered it impoflible for
the fathers of the church to afiemble in council,
or
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 283
or to deliberate with fecnrity ; and obliged him Book VII.
to employ thofe forces in his own defence, which, "Tc^IT"
with greater fatisfaction to himfelf, as well as
more honour to Chriftendom, he would have
turned againft the Infidels. That Francis, not
thinking it enough to have called him off from
oppofing the Infidels, had, with unexampled
impiety, invited them into the heart of Chriften-
dom, and, joining his arms to theirs, had openly
attacked the duke of Savoy a member of the
Empire. That BarbarofTa's fleet was now in
one of the ports of France, waiting only the re-
turn of fpring to carry terror and defolation to
the coaft of fome Chriftian (late. That in fuch
a fituation it was folly to think of diftant expe-
ditions againfl the Turk, or of marching to op-
pofe his armies in Hungary, while fuch a power-
ful ally received him into the center of Europe,
and gave him footing there. That prudence
dictated to oppofe the neareft and moft immi-
nent danger, firft of all, and by humbling the
power of France, to deprive Solyman of the
advantages, which he derived from the unnatu-
ral confederacy formed between him and a Mo-
narch, who ftill arrogated the name of Mod
Chriftian. That, in truth, a war againft the
French King and the Sultan ought to be con-
sidered as the fame thing ; and that every ad-
vantage gained over the former, was a fevere
and fenfible blow to the latter. That, there-
fore s
284 THE REIGN OF THE
BookVII. f ore> ne now demanded their aid againft Francis,
, 544 . not merely as an enemy of the Germanick body,
or of him who was its head, but as an avowed
Sally of the Infidels, and a publick enemy to the
Chriflian name.
In order to give greater weight to this violent
inve&ive of the Emperor, the King of the Ro-
mans Hood up, and related the rapid conquefts
of the Sultan in Hungary, occafioncd, as he
faid, by the fatal neceffity impofed on his bro-
ther of employing his arms againft France.
When he had finifhed, the ambafTadors of Savoy
gave a detail of BarbarofTa's operations at Nice,
and of the ravages which he had committed on
that coaft. All thefe, added to the general in-
dignation which Francis's unprecedented union
with the Turks excited in Europe, made fuch
an impreffion on the diet as the Emperor wifhed,
and difpofed moll of the members to grant him
fuch effectual aid as he had demanded. The
ambafTadors whom Francis had fent to explain
the motives of his conduct, were not permitted
to enter the bounds of the Empire ; and the
apology which they publifhed for their mailer,
vindicating his alliance with Solyman, by ex-
amples drawn from fcripture, and the practice
of Chriflian princes, was little regarded by men,
irritated already or prejudiced againft him to
fuch a degree, as to be incapable of allowing
3 their
Emperor charles v. *%$
their proper weight to any arguments in his be- Book VI r.
hair. 1544*
Such being the favourable diipofition of the HIsv j?
Germans, Charles perceived that nothing could in order to
* x ° gain the
now obftrucl: his gaining all that he aimed at, Proteftants.
but the fears and jealounes of the Proteftants,
which he determined to quiet by granting every
thing that the utmoft folicitude of thefe paflions
could defire for the fecurity of their religion.
With this view, he confented to a recefs, whereby
all the rigorous edicts hitherto iflued againft the
Proteftants were fufpended •, a council either
general or national to be aiTembled in Germany
was declared neceffary, in order to re-eftablifh
peace in the church j until one of thefe mould
be held (which the Emperor undertook to
bring about as foon as poflible), the free and
publick exercife of the Froteftant religion was
authorized; the Imperial chamber was to give
no moleftation to the Proteftants •, and when the
term, for which the prefent judges in that court
were elected, fhould expire, perfons duly qua-
lified were then to be admitted as members,
without any diftinction on account of religion.
In return for thefe extraordinary acts of indul- AId ted
gence, the Proteftants concurred with the other b > the dict -
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
*86 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. four thoufand horfe, to be maintained at the
1544. publick expence for fix months, and to be em-
ployed againft France; and at the fame time
the diet impofed a poll-tax to be levied through-
out all Germany on every perfon without ex-
ception, for the fupport of the war againft the
Turks.
Charles's Charles, while he gave the greater!: attention
" e uh C Den- nS to the minute and intricate detail of particulars
£nghn". d neceffary towards conducting the deliberations
of a numerous and divided afTembly to fuch a
fuccefsful period, negociated a feparate peace
with the King of Denmark ; who, though he
had hitherto performed nothing confiderable in
confequence of his alliance with Francis, had it
in his power, however, to make a formidable
diverfion in favour of that monarch z . At the
fame time, he did not neglect proper applications
to the King of England, in order to roufe him
to more vigorous efforts againft their common
enemy. Little, indeed, was wanting to accom-
plifti this ; for fuch events had happened in
Scotland as inflamed Henry to the mod violent
pitch of refentment againft Francis. Having
concluded with the parliament of Scotland a
treaty of marriage between his fon and their
young Queen, by which he reckoned himfelf
z Dumont Corps Diplom. t. iv. p, ii, p. 274.
fecure
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 287
fee ure of effecting the union of the two king- Book VII.
doms, which had been long dented, and often y % '
. . 1 544*
attempted without fuccefs by his predeceffors,
Mary of Guife the Queen -mother, cardinal
Beatoun, and other partifans of France, found
means not only to break off the match, but to
alienate the Scottidi nation entirely from the
friendfhip of England, and to flrengthen its
ancient attachment to France. Henry, how-
ever, did not abandon an object of fo much
importance ; arid as the humbling of Francis,
befides the pleafure of taking revenge upon an
enemy who had difappointed a favourite mea-
fure, appeared the moil effectual method of
bringing the Scots to accept once more of the
treaty which they had rejected, he was fo eager
to accomplish this, that he was ready to fecond
whatever the Emperor could propofe to be at-
tempted againft that monarch. The plan, ac-
cordingly, which they concerted, was fuch, if
it had been punctually executed, as mud have
ruined France in the firft place, and would have
augmented fo 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 lofing time in
befieging the frontier towns, to advance direclly
4 towards
288 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VJL towards the interior provinces, and to join their
forces near Paris a .
1544.
The French
take th.e
field in
Piedmont,
Inveft Ca-
rignan.
Meanwhile, Francis flood alone in oppofi-
tion to all the enemies whom Charles was mutter-
ing againft him. Solyman had been the only
ally who did not defert him ; but the afliftance
which he received from him had rendered him
fo odious to all Chriftendom, that he refolved
rather to forego all the advantages of his friend-
fhip, than to become, on that account, the ob-
ject of general deteftation. For this reafon, he
difmifTed BarbarofTa as foon as winter was over,
who, after ravaging the coaft of Naples and Tuf-
cany, returned to Conftantinople. As Francis
could not hope to equal the forces of his rival,
he endeavoured to iupply that defect by dif?
patch, which was more in his power, and to get
the flart of him in taking the field. Early in
the fpring the count d* Enguien invefted Carig-
nan, a town in Piedmont, which the marquis
del Guafto the Imperial general having furprifed-
the former year, confidered as of fo much im-
portance, that he had fortified it at great ex-
pence. The count pufhed the fiege with fuch
vigour, that Guafto, fond of his own conqueft,
and feeing no other way of faving it from fall-
* Herbert, 245. Bell'ay, 448.
in°*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 280
Ing into the hands of the French, refolved to BookVIi.
hazard a battle in order to relieve it. He began T 544#
his march from Milan for this purpofe, and as ^ e J s mpz '
he was at no pains to conceal his intention, it m f. rch ?°
f rekeve it.
was foon known in the French camp. Enguien,
a gallant and enterprifing young man, wifhed
pafiionately to try the fortune of a battle 5 his
troops defircd it with no lefs ardour ; but the
peremptory injunction of the King not to ven-
ture a general engagement, flowing from a pru-
dent attention to the prefent fituation of affairs,
as well as from the remembrance of former dif-
afters, retrained him from venturing upon it.
Unwilling, however, to abandon Carignan,
when it was juft ready to yield, and eager to dif-
tinguifh his command by fome memorable ac-
tion, he difpatched Monluc to court, in order to
lay before the King the advantages of righting
the enemy, and the hopes which he had of vic-
tory. The King referred the matter to the
council i all the minifters declared, one after an-
other, againft fighting, and fupported their fen-
timents by reafons extremely plaufible. While
they were delivering their opinions, Monluc,
who was permitted to be prefent, difcovered
fuch vifible and extravagant fymptoms of im-
patience to fpeak, as well as fuch diffatisfaclion
wi:h what he heard, that Francis, diverted with
his appearance, called on him to declare what
he could offer in reply to fentiments which
Vol. Ill, U fecmed
ago THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. fecmed to be as juft as they were general. Upon
1544. tn i s > Monluc, a plain but fpirited foldier, and
of known courage, reprefented the good condi-
tion of the troops, their eagernefs to meet the
enemy in the field, their confidence in their of-
ficers, together with the everlafring infamy which
the declining of a battle would bring on the
French arms ; and he urged his arguments with
fuch lively impetuofity, and fuch a flow of mill?
tary eloquence, as gained over to his opinion,
not only the King, naturally fond of daring ac-
tions, but feveral of the council. Francis, catch-
ing the fame enthufiafm which had animated his
troops, fuddenly darted up, and having lifted
his hands to heaven, and implored the divine
protection, he then addreffed himfelf to Mon-
luc, " Go, fays he, return to Piedmont* and
fight in the name of God V*
Battle of No fooner was it known that the King had
Cwfoicj. gj ven Enguien leave to fight the Imperialifts,
than fuch was the martial ardour of the gal-
lant and high- fpirited gentlemen of that age,
that the court was quite deferted, every per-
ion defirous of reputation, or capable of fer-
vice, hurrying to Piedmont, in order to fhare,
as volunteers, in the danger and glory of
the aftion. Encouraged by the arrival of fo
b Mcmoim <te Monluc.
s 5 1an X
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 291
many brave officers, Enguien immediately pre- ..BoorfVir.
pared for battle, nor did Guafto decline the ,^ 44#
combat. The number of cavalry was almoft
equal, but the Imperial infantry exceeded the
French by at lead ten thoufand men. They April n.
met near Cerifoles, in an open plain, which
afforded 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
expected between veteran troops, violent and ob~
ftinate. The French cavalry rulhing forward to the
charge with their ufual vivacity, bore down every
thing that oppofed them-, but, on the other hand,
the (leady and difciplined valour of the Spanifh
infantry having forced the body which they en-
countered to give way, victory remained in fuf-
pence, ready to declare for whichever general
could make the bed ufe of that critical moment.
Guafto, engaged in that part of his army which
was thrown into dilbrder, and afraid of falling
into the hands of the French, whofe vengeance
he dreaded on account of the murder of Rincon
and Fregofo, loft his prefence of mind, and for-
got to order a large body of referve to advance ;
whereas Enguien, with admirable courage and
equal conduct, fupported, at the head of his
gens d'armes, fuch of his battalions as began to
yield 5 and at the fame time he ordered the
Swifs in his fervice, who had been victorious
wherever they fought, to fall upon the Spaniards.
U 2 This
292 THE REIGN OF THE
Book Vfl. This motion proved decifive. All that followed
1-44. was confnfion and (laughter. The marquis del
Guafto, wounded in the thigh, efcaped only by
the fwiftnefs of his horfe. The victory of the
French was complete, ten thoufand of the Im-
perialifts being flain, and a confiderable num-
ber, with all their tents, baggage and artillery,
taken. On the part of the conquerors, their
joy was without allay, a few only being killed,
and among thefe no officer of diftinction c .
Effeasofit. This fplendid action, befide the reputation
with 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 his progrefs. But it was not
in Francis's power to purfue the victory with
fuch vigour as to reap the advantages which it
might have yielded ; for though the Milanefe
remained now almofl defencekfs •, though the
inhabitants, who had long murmured under the
rigour of the Imperial government, were ready
to throw off the yoke ; though Enguien, flu died
with fuccefs, urged the King to feize this happy
opportunity of recovering a country, the ac-
c Bellay, 429, &c. Memoirs de Monlac. Jovii hift.
I. xliv. p. 327. 6.
quifitiori
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 293
quifition of which had been long his favourite Book VI r.
object; yet, as the Emperor and King of Eng- , S44#
land were preparing to break in upon the oppo-
fite frontier of France with fuperior force, it
became necelTary to facrirke all thoughts of con-
queft to the publick fafety, and to recall twelve
thoufand of Enguien's beft troops to be em-
ployed in defence of the kingdom. Enguien's
iubfequent operations were, of confequence, fo
languid and inconfiderable, that the reduction
of Carignan and fome other towns in Piedmont,
was all that he gained by his great victory at
Cerifoles d .
Tke Emperor, as ufual, was late in taking Operation
r ' ' *? in the Lov
the field, but he appeared, towards the begin- Counties,
ning of June, at the head of an army more nu-
merousj and better appointed than any which
he had hitherto led againft France. It amounted
almofl to fifty thoufand men, and part of it hav-
ing reduced Luxembourg and fome other towns
in the Netherlands, before he himfelf joined ir,
he now . marched with the whole towards the .
frontiers of Champagne. Charles, according j«n?.
to his agreement with the King of England,
ought to have advanced directly towards Pails ij
and the dauphin, who commanded the only
army to which Francis truQeu for the fecuiity
' tf.-l'ay, 4 5 S, Sec.
U 3 If
294 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VIT. f his dominions, was in no condition to oppofe
""TTTT him- But the fuccefs with which the French
had defended Provence in the year one thoufand
five hundred and thirty fix, had taught them
the mod effectual method of diftrefTing an in-
vading enemy. Champagne, a country abound-
• ing more in vines than corn, was incapable of
maintaining a great army ; and before the Em-
peror's approach, whatever could be of any ufe
to him had been carried off or deftroyed. This
rendered it neceffary for him to be matter of
fome places of ftrength, in order to fecure the
convoys on which alone he now perceived that
he muft depend for fubfiftence ; and he found
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. Ac-
cordingly Ligny and Commercy, which he firft
attacked, furrendered after a fhort refiftance.
The Empe- . He then invefted St. Difier, which, though it
St. Difier. commanded an important pais on the Marne,
^ uly 8 ' was deftitute of every thing necefTary for fuftain-
ing a fiege. But the count de Sancerre and M.
de la Lande, who had acquired fuch reputa-
tion by the defence of Landrecy, generoufly
threw themfelves into the town, and undertook
to hold it out to the laft extremity. The Em-
peror foon found how capable they were of mak-
ing good their promife, and that he could not
expect to take the town without befieging it in
form.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 295
form. This accordingly he undertook ; and as BoOK Vtf*
it was his nature never to abandon any enterprife t ^^
in which he had once engaged, he perfifted in
it with an inconfiderate obftinacy.
The King of England's preparations for the "™7^ m
campaign were complete long before the Em- i°&«»
peror's ; but as he did not choofe, on the one
hand, to encounter alone the whole power of
France, and was unwilling, on the other, that
his troops mould remain inactive, he took that
opportunity of chaftifing the Scots, by fending
his fleet, together with a confiderable part of his
infantry, under the earl of Hertford, to invade
their country. Hertford executed his commif-
fion with vigour, plundered and burnt Edin-
burgh and Leith, laid wafte the adjacent coun-
try, and reimbarked his men with fuch difpatch,
that they joined their fovereign foon after his
lanclipg in France. When Henry arrived in that July 14.
kingdom, he found the Emperor engaged in
the (icge of St. Difier ; an ambafTador, however,
whom he fent to congratulate the Englifh Mo-
narch on his fafe arrival on the continent, foli-
cited him to march, in terms of the treaty, di-
rectly to Paris. But Charles had fet his ally fuch
an ill example of fulfilling the conditions of their
confederacy with exactnefs, that Henry, obferv-
ing him employ his time and forces in taking
towns for his own behoof, faw no reafon why
U 4 he
2 9 6 THE REIGN OF THE
BooicVrr. he mould not attempt the reduction of fome
1544. P^ aces tnat ^ aT / conveniently for himfelf. With-
out paying any regard to the Emperor's remon-
ftrances, he immediately inverted Bologne, and
commanded the duke of Norfolk to prefs the
1 fiege of Montreuil, which had been begun be-
fore his arrival, by a body of Flemings, in con-
junction with fome Englifh troops. While
Charles and Henry (hewed fuch attention each
to his own intereft, they both neglected the
common caufe. Inftead of the union and con-
fidence reqnifite towards conducting the great
plan that they had formed, they early difcovered
a mutual jeaioufy of each other, which, by de-
grees, begot didruft, and ended in open hatred %
Gallant <5e- By this time, Francis had, with unwearied
fence of St. '
pifier. industry, drawn together an army, capable, as
well from the number as from the valour of the
troops, of making head againft the enemy. But
the dauphin, who Hill acted as general, pru-
dently declining a battle, the lofs of which
would have endangered the kingdom, fatisfied
himfelf with haraffing the Emperor with his
light troops, cutting off his convoys, and laying
wafle the country around him. Though ex-
tremely diftrefTed by thefe operations, Charles
ft ill preffed the fiege of St. Difier, which San-
cerre defended with aftonifhing fortitude and
c Herbert.
conduct.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 297
conduct He flood repeated. afiauks, repulHng BooKVir.
the enemy in them all ; and unplifmayed even by , ..^
the death of the brave De la Lande, who was
killed by a cannon-ball, he continued to fhew
the lame bold countenance and obftinate refolu-
tion. At the end of five weeks, he was ftill
capable of holding out fome time longer, when
an artifice of Granville's induced him to fur-
render. That crafty politician, having inter-
cepted the key to the cypher which the Duke of .
Guile ufed in communicating intelligence to San-
cerre, forged a letter in his name, authorizing San-
cerre to capitulate, as the King, though highly
fatisried with his behaviour, thought it impru-
dent to hazard a battle for his relief. This let-
ter he conveyed into the town in a manner which
could raife no fufpicion, and the governor fell
into the {hasp. Even then, he obtained fuch
honourable conditions as his gallant defence-
merited, and among others a ceflation of hofti-
lities 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 frefli troops into the town f .
Thus Sancerre, 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
f Brantome, ten*, vi. 489.
298 THE REIGN OF THE
BooKVir. an inferior command, acquired the glory of
"77^7" having faved his country.
ThfEm7c- As foon as St. Difier furrendered, the Empe-
trate^nVo ror advanced into the heart of Champagne, but
Fmb e* rt ° f Sancerre's obftinate refill ance had damped his
fanguine hopes of penetrating to Paris, and led
him ferioufly to reflect on whac he might expect
before towns of greater ftrength, and defended
by more numerous garrifons. At the fame time,
the procuring fubfiftence for his army was at-
tended with great difficulty, which increafed in
proportion as he withdrew from his own frontier.
He had loft a great number of his beft troops
in the fiege of St. Difier, and many fell daily
in fkirmifhes, which it was not in his power to
avoid, though they wafted his army infenfibly,
without leading to any decifive action. The
feafon advanced apace, and he had not yet the
command 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 mutiny for their pay, while
he knew not from what funds to fatisfy them.
All thefe confiderations induced him to liften to
the overtures of peace, which a Spanifh Domi-
nican, the confeflbr of his fifter the Queen of
France, had fecretly made to his confeflbr, a
monk of the fame order. In confequence of this,
plenipo-
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 299
plenipotentiaries were named on both fides, and Book Vir.
bep-an their conferences in Chauffe, a fmall vil- ' T^"
lage near Chalons. At the lame time, Charles,
either from a defire of making one great final
effort againft France, or merely to gain a pre-
text for defcrting his ally and concluding a fe-
parate peace, fent an ambaiTador formally to
require Henry, according to the" ftipulation in
their treaty, to advance towards Paris. While
he expected a return from him, and waited the
ifiueof the conferences at Chaufle, he continued
to march forward, though in the utmoft diftrefs
from fcarcity of provifions. But at lad, by a
fortunate motion on his part, or through fome
neglect 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 two days march from
Paris, were in the hands of the enemy, than
that great capital, defencelefs, and fufceptible
of any violent alarm in proportion to its great-
nefs, was filled with confirmation. The in-
habitants, as if the Emperor had been already
at their gates, fled in the wildeft confufion and
defpair, many fending their wives and children
down the Seine to Roiien, others to Orleans,
and the towns epon the Loire. Francis himfelf,
more afflicted with this than with any other
event during his reign, and fenfible as well of
the
soo THE REIGN OF THE
o
Book VII. the triumph that his rival would enjoy in infult-
1544. ing his capital, as of the danger to which the
kingdom was expofed, could not refrain from
crying out, in the firft emotion of his furprife
and forrow, " How dear, O my God, do I pay
for this crown, which I thought thou hadft
granted me freely g !" But recovering in a mo-
ment from this fudden fally of peevifhnefs and
impatience, he devoutly added, " Thy will,
however, be done j" and proceeded to ifTue the
necetfary orders for oppoiing the enemy with
his ufual activity and prefence of mind. The
dauphin detached eight thoufand men to Paris,
which revived the courage of the affrighted citi-
zens -, he threw a ftrong garrifon into Mcaux,
and by a forced march got into Ferte, between
the Imperialifts and the capital.
obliged to Upon this, the Emperor, who began again
to feel the want of provifions, perceiving that
the dauphin dill prudently declined a battle,
and not daring to attack his camp with forces fo
much fnattered and reduced by hard fervice,
turned fuddenly to the right, and began to fall
back towards SoifTons. Having about this time
received Henry's anfwer, whereby he refufed to
abandon the fieges of Bologne and Montreuil,
of both which he expected every moment to get
5 Brantome, tore. vi. 381.
8 poflefiion.
1 cure.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. , 3 ci
pofTeffion, he thoifght himfelf abfolved from all Book VII.
obligations of adhering to the treaty with him, ""7-^TT*
and at full liberty to confult his own intereft in
what manner foever he pleafed. He confented,
therefore, to renew the conference, which the
furprife of Efpernay had broken off. To con-
clude a peace between two princes, one of whom P«ceBe-
r j j i t tween him
greatly defired, and the other greatly needed it, and Francis
,. , . , . - ' ' i <_ concluded
did not require a long negociation. It was figned atcrefpy.
at Crefpy, a fmall town near. Maux, on the
eighteenth of September. The chief articles of
it were, That all the conquefts which either
party had made fmce the truce of Nice fhall be
reftored •, That the Emperor fhall give in mar-
riage to the Duke of Orleans, either his own
elded daughter, or the fecond daughter of his
brother Ferdinand ; That if he chofe to bellow ,
on him his own daughter, he fhall fettle on her
all the provinces of the Low-Countries, to be
erected into an independent ftate, which fhall de-
fcend to the male iffue of the marriage ; That if he
determined to give him his niece, he fhall, with
her, grant him the invefliture of Milan and its
dependencies ; That he fhall within four months
declare which of theie two Frinceffes lie had
pitched upon, and fulfil the refpeclive condi-
tions upon the confummation of the marriage,
which fhall take place within a year from the date
of the treaty ; That as foon as the Duke of Or-
leans is put in pofTeffion either of the Low-
Countries
302 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. Countries or of Milan, Francis fhall reftore to
1544. the Duke of Savoy all that he now pofTefies of
his territories, except Pignerol and Montmilian ;
That Francis (hall renounce all pretenfions 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 Charolois ; That Francis lhall give no aid to
the exiled King of Navarre ; That both Mo-
narchs fhall join in making war upon the Turk,
towards which the King fhall furnifh, when re-
quired by the Emperor and Empire, fix hundred
men at arms, and ten thoufand foot h .
Motives of Besides the immediate motives to this peace,
cone * b ari £ ng £ rom t jj C diftrefs f his army through
want of provifions ; from the difficulty of re-
treating out of France ; and the impoflibility of
•. fecuring winter-quarters there-, the Emperor
was influenced by other confiderations, more
diftant, indeed, but not lefs weighty. The Pope
was offended to a great degree, as well at his
conceflions to the Proteflants in the late diet, as
at his confenting to call a council, and to admit
of publick difputations in Germany, with.a view of
determining the doctrines in controverfy. Paul
confidering both thefe fteps as facrilegious en-
h Recueil des Traitez, t. i. 227. Belius de Caufis Paris
Crcpiac. in Attis Erudrt. Lipf. 1763,
croachments
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 303
croachments on the jurifdi&ion as well as privi- Book VII.
leges of the Holy See, had addrefled to the Em- "77J7
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 difco-
vered more of an intention to draw on a quar-
rel than of a defire to reclaim him. This ill
humour was not a little inflamed by the Empe-
ror's league with Henry, which being contracted
with an heretick, excommunicated by the apo-
ftolick fee, appeared to the Pope a profane alli-
ance, and was not lefs dreaded by him, than
that of Francis with Solyman. Paul's fon and
grandfon, highly incenfed at the Emperor for
having refufed to gratify them with regard
to the alienation of Parma and Placentia, con-
tributed by their fuggeftions to four and difguft
him dill 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 maintaining a neu-
trality, the Pope had hitherto fupprefTed his own
refentment, had eluded the artifices of his own
family, and refilled the folicitations of the
French King, it was not fafe to rely much on
the fteadinefs of a man whom his paflions, his
friends, and his intereft combined to fhake.
The union of the Pope with France, Charles
well knew, would inrbantly expofe his domi-
nions in Italy to be attacked. The Venetians,
he
3 <H THE REIGN OF THE !
Book VTt. he Forefaw, would probably Follow the example
^' w ~ J oF a Pontiff, who was confidered as a model oF
political wifdom among the Italians ; and thus,
at a juncture when he felt himfelF hardly equal
to the burden oF the preFent war, he would be
overwhelmed with the weight oF a new conFede-
racy againft him 1 . At the Fame time* the
Turks, almoft unrefifted, made fuch progrefs
in Hungary, reducing town aFter town, that
they approached near to the confines of the
Auftrian provinces k . Above all thefe, the ex-
traordinary progrefs oF the Proteftant doctrines
in Germany, and the dangerous combination
into which the Princes oF that profeffion had en-
tered, called For his immediate attention. Al-
moft one halF oF Germany had revolted From the
eftablifhed church •, the fidelity. oF the reft was
much fhaken ; the nobility of Auftria had de-
manded oF Ferdinand the Free exercife of reli-
gion l -, the Bohemians, among whom Fome
Feeds oF the doctrines oF Hufs ft ill remained,
openly favoured the new opinions ; the arch-
bifbop oF Cologne, with a zeal rare among eccle-
fiafticks, had begun the reformation of his dio-
cefe •, nor was it poffible, unlefs feme timely and
effectual check were given ro the Fpirit oF inno-
vation, to ForeFee where it would end. He him-
1 F. Paul, ico. Pallavic. 163.
k Iftuanhaffii Hill. Hung. 177.
1 Steid* 283.
fclf
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 305
felf had been a witnefs, in the late diet, to the BcokVU.
peremptory and decifive tone which the Proteft- 154.$.
ants had now affumed. He had ieen how, from
confidence in their number, and union, they
had forgotten the humble ftyle of their firft peti-
tions, having grown to fuch boldnefs as openly
to defpiie the Pope, and to fhew no great reve-
rence for the Imperial dignfty itfelf. If, there-
fore, he wifhed to maintain either the ancient
religion or his own authority, and would not
choofe to dwindle into a mere nominal head of the
Empire, fome vigorous effort was requifite,
which could not be made during; a war that re-
quired the greater!: exertion of his ftrength
againfl: a foreign and powerful enemy.
Such being the Emperor's inducements to
peace, he had the addrefs to frame the treaty of
Crefpy fo as to promote all the ends which he
had in view. By coming to an agreement with
Francis, he took from the Pope all profpedt of
advantage in courting the friendfhip of that
Monarch in preference to his. By the provifo
with regard to a war with the Turks, he not
only deprived Solyman of a powerful ally, but
turned the arms of that ally againfl: him. By
a private article, not inferted in the treaty that
it might not raife any unfcafonable alarm, he
agreed with Francis that both mould exert all
their influence and power in order to procure a
\ ql. III. X general
306 THE REIGN OF THE
BookViI. general council, to afTert its authority, and td
1544. exterminate the Proteftant herefy out of their
dominions. This cut off all hope of afiiftance
which the confederates of Smalkalde mi^ht ex-
peel from the French King ra •, and left their feli-
citations, or his jealoufy of an ancient rival,
fhould hereafter tempt Francis to forget this en-
gagement, he left him embarrafTed with a war
againft England, which would put it out of his
power to take any part in the affairs of Ger-
many.
war con- FIenry, poflfeiTed at all times with an high
nvee" idea of his own power and importance, felt, in
England" 11 l ^ e mo ®- fenfible manner, the neglecl with which
the Emperor had treated him in concluding a
feparate peace. But the fituation of his affairs
was fuch as feme what alleviated the mortifica-
tion which this occafioned. For though he was
obliged to recall the Duke of Norfolk from the
Sept. 14. fiege of Montreuil, becaufe the Flemifh troops
received orders to retire, Bologne had furren-
dered before the negociations at Crefpy were
brought to an ilfue. While elated with vanity
on account of this conqueft, and inflamed with
indignation againft the Emperor, the ambafla-
dors whom Francis fent to make overtures of
peace, found him too arrogant to grant what was
m Seek, h iii. 496*
moderate
EMPEliOR CHARLES V.
I
moderate or eauitable. His demands were in-
1
deed extravagant, and made in the tone of a
conqueror; that Francis ihould renounce his
alliance with Scotland, and not only pay up
the arrears of former debts, but reimburfe the
money which he had expended in the prefent
war. Francis, though fincerely defirous of
peace, and willing to yield a great deal in order
to obtain it, being now free from the pre flu re
of the Imperial arms, rejected theie ignominious
propofitions with difdain ; and Flenry departing
for England, hoftilities continued between the
two nations n .
The treaty of peace, how acceptable foever ^JjJ*.
to the people of France, whom it delivered from t' !sfied *»«&
* *• the peace Qt
the dread of an enemy who had penetrated into crer P y,
the heart of the kingdom, was loudly com-
plained of by the dauphin. He confidered it as
a manifeft proof of the King his father's extra-
ordinary partiality tjowards his younger brother,
now Duke of Orleans, and complained that
from his eagernefs to gain an eflablifhment for a
favourite ion, he had facrinced the honour of
the kingdom, and renounced the mod ancient
as well as valuable rights of the crown. But as
he durft not venture to offend the King by re-
fufing to ratify it, though extiemely defirous at
n Mem, de Ribier, t. i. p. 572. ILibert, 244.,
X 2 the
THE REIGN OF THE
the fame time of fecuring to himfelf the privi-
lege of reclaiming what was now alienated fo
much to his detriment, he fecretly protefted, in
prefence of fome of his adherents, againft the
whole tranfaclion •, and declared whatever he
fhould be obliged to do in order to confirm ir,
null in itfelf, and void of all obligation. The
parliament of Thouloufe, probably by the in-
ftigation of his partifans, did the fame °. But
Francis, highly pleafed as well with having de-
livered his fubjecls from the miferies of an inva-
fion, as with the profpect of acquiring an inde-
pendent fettlement for his fon at no greater price
than the renouncing conquefts to which he had
no juft claim •, titles which had hitherto proved
the fource of expence or difafters to the nation ;
and rights grown obfolete and of no value •,
ratified the treaty with great joy. Charles,
within the time preicribed 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 p . Every
circumftance feemed to promife the continuance
of peace. The Emperor, cruelly arllided with
the gout, appeared to be in no condition to un-
dertake any enterpriie where great a&ivity was
requifite, or much fatigue to be endured. He
• Recueil de Traitez, t. ii, 235. 238.
t Recueil de Traittz, t. ii. 238.
himfelf
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 309
himfelf felt this, or wiflied at leaft that it fhould BookVII.
be believed ; and being fo much difabled by his ,,'
excruciating diftemper, when a French ambaf-
fador followed him to BrufTcls, in order to be
prefent at his ratification of the treaty of peace,
that it was with the utmoft difficulty 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 violence of his difeafe confined the Em- The Em.
peror's
peror feveral months in Bruflels, and was the fchemes
r r • nr> 1 • r with refpett
apparent cauie or putting oft the execution of to Gcr-
the vaft fchemes which he had formed in order many '
to humble the Proteftant party in Germany.
But there were other reafons for this delay. For,
however prevalent the motives were which de-
termined him to undertake this enterprife, the
nature of that great body which he was about
to attack, as well as the fituation of his own
affairs, made it necefTary to deliberate long, to
proceed with caution, and not too fuddenly to
throw afide the veil under which he had hi*
therto concealed his real fentiments and fchemes.
He was fenfible that the Proteflants, confeious
of their own ftrength, but under continual ap^
prehenfions of his defigns, had all the boldnefs
of a powerful party joined to the jealoufy of a
X 3 feeble
$i© THE REIGN OF THE
BookVIF. feeble faction ; and were no lefs quick- fighted
1544. t0 difcern the fir ft appearance of danger, than
ready to take arms in order to repel it. At the
fame time, he continued involved in a Turkifh
warj and though, in order to deliver himfelf
from this incumbrance, he had determined to
fend an envoy to the Forte with rnoft advantage-
ous and even fubmifiive overtures of peace, the
rcfolutions of that haughty court were lo uncer-
tain, that before thefe were known, it would
have been highly imprudent to have kindled
the flames of civil war in his own domini-
ons.
The Pope Upon this account, he appeared dififatisfied
g e„eTaT S * With a bull iffued by the Pope immediately after
Sertit' the peace of Crefpy, fummoning the council to
Trent. aiTemble at Trent early next fpring, and exhort-
fiav. 19. J r o 7
ing all Chriftian Princes to embrace the oppor-
tunity that the prefent happy interval of tran-
quiiiity afforded them, of fuppreffing thofe he-
relies which threatened to fubvert whatever was
facred or venerable among Chriftians. But after
- fuch a flight expreffion of diflike, as was necef-
fary in order to cover his deiigns, he determined
to countenance the council, which might be-
come no incbrifiderabie inftrument towards ac-
Cornplifriing his projects, and therefore not only
appointed arubaluuors to appear there in his
name.
EMPEROR- CHARLES V. 311
name, but ordered the ecclefiaflicks in his domi- Book VII,
nions to attend at the time prefixed q .
Such were the Emperor's views, when the 194$.
Imperial diet, after feveral prorogations, was Worm's.
opened at Worms. The Proteflants, who en- arCh 24 '
joyed 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 eftablifh that im-
portant privilege upon fome firmer bafis, and
to hold it by a perpetual not a temporary title.
But, inftead of offering them any additional fe-
curity, Ferdinand opened the diet with obferv-
ing, that there were two points, chiefly, which
required confederation, the profecution of the
war againft the Turks, and the flate of religion;
that the former was the mod urgent, as Soly-
man, after conquering the greater! part of Hun-
gary, was now ready to fall upon the Auftrian
provinces ; that the Emperor, who, from the
beginning of his reign, had neglected no oppor-
tunity of annoying this formidable enemy, and
with the hazard of his own perfon had refilled
his attacks, being animated ftill with the fame
zeal, had now confented to flop fhort in the
career of his fuccefs againft France, that, in
* F. PjuI, 104.
X 4 conjunction
312 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. conjunction with his ancient rival, he might
i i4S . turn his arms with greater vigour againft the
common adverfary of the Chriftian faith j that
it became all the members of the Empire to fe-
cond thofe pious endeavours of its head ; that,
therefore, they ought, without delay, to vote
him fuch effectual aid as not only their duty but
their intereft called upon them to furnifh ; that
the controverfies about religion were fo intricate,
and of fuch difficult difcuflion, as to give no
hope of its being poflible to bring them at pre-
Fertfnand f ent tQ any £ na J jfl* ue tnat ^ p er f everance an J
^•squires the * * x *~*
Germans to repeated felicitations the Emperor had at length
Hgejhe prevailed on the Pope to call a council, for
which they had fo often wiflied and petitioned;
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 popifh members of the diet received this
declaration with great applaufe, and fignified
their entire acquiefcence in every particular
which it contained. The Proteftants expreffed
great furprife at propofitions, which were fo
manifestly repugnant to the recefs of the former
diet •, they infilled that the queftions with regard
to religion, as firft in dignity and importance,
ought to come firft. under deliberation ; that,
alarming as the progrefs of .the Turks was to all
Germany*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 3 i 3
Germany, the fecuring the free exercife of their Book VII.
religion touched them flill more nearly, nor "Tc^cT
could they profecute a foreign war with fpirit,
while iblicitous and concerned about their do-
meftick tranquillity; that if the latter were once
rendered firm and permanent, they would con-
cur with their countrymen in pufhing the for-
mer, and yield to none of them in activity or
zeal. But if the danger from the Turkifh 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 relt- •
gion, they required that a diet fhould be in-
ftantly appointed, to which the final fettlement
of their religious difputes mould be referred ;
and that in the mean time the decree of the for-
mer diet concerning religion fhould be explained
in a point which they deemed efTential. By the
recefs of Spires it was provided, that they fhould
enjoy unmolefted the publick exercife of their re-
ligion, until the meeting of a legal council; but
as the Pope had now called a council, to which
JFerdinand had required them to fubmit, they
began to fufpedt that their adverfaries might
take advantage of an ambiguity in the terms of
the recefs, and pretending that the event therein
mentioned had taken place, might pronounce
them to be no longer entitled to the fame indul-
gence. In order to guard againft this interpret-
ation, they renewed their former remonftrancrs
againft
s t+ THE REIGlTOF THE
Book VII. againfl: a council called to meet without thi
""7777" bounds of the Empire, fummoned by the Pope's
authority, and in which he aflumed the right of
prefiding ♦, and declared that, notwithstanding
the convocation of any fuch illegal aflembly,
they Mill held the receis of the late diet to be in
full force.
Emperor ar- At other junctures, when the Emperor
Wonas. thought it of advantage to footh and gain the
Proteftants, he had deviled expedients forgiv-
ing them fatisfaction with regard to demands
ieemingly more extravagant ; but his views at
prefent being very different, Ferdinand by his
command adhered inflexibly to his firft propo-
rtions, and would make no conceffions which
had the moil remote tendency to throw difcre-
dit on the council, or to weaken its authority.
The Proteftants, on their part, were no kfs in-
flexible ; and, after much time fpent in fruitlefs
endeavours to convince each other, they came
to no conclufion. Nor did the prefence of the,
Emperor, who upon his recovery arrived at
May 15. Worms, contribute in any degree to render the
Proteftants more compliant. Fully convinced
that they were maintaining the caufe of God
and of truth, they Ikewtd themfeives fuperior
to the allurements of intereft, or the fuggeftions
of fear ; and in proportion as the Emperor re-
doubled his felicitations, or difcovered his de-
fg ns *
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 315
Egns, their boldnefs feems to have increased. BoojcVrr.
At lad they openly declared, that they would \ jl
not even deign, to vindicate their tenets in pre- The Pro'ef-
fence of a council, aiTembled not to examine, claim aii
, ji 1 t t .i connexion
but to condemn them ; and tnat tney would pay with the
no regard to an affembly held under the influence Trent. °
of a Pope, who had already precluded himfelf
from all title to act as a judge, by his having
ftigmatized their opinions with the name of he-
re fy, and denounced againft them the heavier!:
cenfures, which, in the plenitude of his ufurped
power, he could inflict r .
While the Proteitants, with fuch union as Condu£*of
. . Maurice of
well as firmnefs, rejected all intercourfe with the Saxony in
council, and refufed their afTent to the Imperial
demands in refpect to the Turkifh war, Mau-
rice of Saxony alone Ihewed an inclination to
gratify the Emperor with regard to both.
Though he profeffed an inviolable regard for
the Proteftant religion, he afllimed an appear-
ance of moderation peculiar to himfelf, by which
he confirmed the favourable fentiments which the
Emperor already entertained of him, and gra-
dually paved the way for executing the ambi-
tious defigns which always occupied his active
and enterprifing mind s . His example, how-
r Slcid. 3435 &c. Seek. iii. 543, &c, Thuan, Iliitor.
lib. ii. p. 56,
s Sgck, ii. 5~i,
ever,
3 i6 THE REIGN OF THE
BookVII. ever, had little influence upon fuch as agreed
J54 , with him in their religious opinions •, and Charles
perceived that he could not hope either to pro-
cure prefent aid from the Proteftants againft the
Turks, or to quiet their fears and jealoufies on
account of their religion. But as his fchemes
were not yet ripe for execution, nor his prepara-
tions fo far advanced that he could force their
compliance, or punifh their obftinacy, he art-
Aoguft 4. j' u \\y concealed his own intentions. That he
might augment their fecurity, he appointed 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 num-
ber of divines of each party fhould meet, in
order to confer upon the points in difpute f . .
TheProtpf- ]3 UT now f ar foever this appearance of a de-
tants begin m
tofufpea fire to maintain the prefent tranquillity might
have impofed upon the Proteftants, the Empe-
ror was incapable of fuch uniform and thorough
diffimulation, as to hide altogether from their
view the dangerous defigns which he was medi-
tating agair.ft them. Herman count de Wied,
Archbifhop and t lector of Cologne, a prelate
cenfpicuous for his virtue and primitive fimpli-
city of manners, though not more diftinguifhed
for learning than the other defendants of noble
families, who in that age poffeffed moil of the
c Sltid. 351.
the Empe-
ror
great
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 317
great benefices in Germany, having become a BookVIT.
profelyte to the doctrines of the Reformers, had , S45 .
begun in the year one thoufand five hundred
and forty- three, with the afliftance of Melanclhon
and Bucer, to abolilh 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 pof-
feffed with the fame fpirit of innovation, and
who forefaw how fatal the levelling genius of the
new fed: would prove to their dignity and wealth,
oppofed, from the beginning, this unprecedented
enterprize of their Archbifhop with all the zeal
flowing from reverence for old institutions,
heightened by concern for their own intereft.
This oppofition, which the Archbifhop consi-
dered only as a new argument to demonftrate
the necefilty of a reformation, neither (hook his
refolution nor flackened his ardour in profecut-
ing his plan. The canons, perceiving all their
endeavours to check his career to be ineffectual*
folemnly protefted againft his proceedings, and
appealed for redrefs to the Pope and Emperor,
the former as his ecclefiaftical, the latter as his
civil fuperior. This appeal being laid before the
Emperor, during his refidence in Worms, he
look the canons of Cologne under his imme-
diate protection ; enjoined them to proceed with
rigour againft all who revolted from the efta-
bliihcd church \ prohibited the Archbifhop to
make
3-18 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. make any innovation in his diocefe ; and furri-
1545. moned him to appear at Bruffcls within thirty
days, to anfwer the accufations which mould be
preferred againft him u .
To this clear evidence of his hoftile intentions
againft the Proteilant party, Charles added other
proofs ftill more explicit. In his hereditary do-
minions of the Low-Countries, he periecuted all
who were fufpected of Lutheranifm with unre-
lenting rigour. As foon as he arrived at Worms,
he filenced the Proteilant preachers in that city.
He 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 pellilent herefy.
He difpatched the embafly, which has been al-
ready mentioned., to Constantinople, with over*
tures of peace, that he might be free from any
apprehenfions of danger or interruption from
that quarter. Nor did any of theie fteps, or
their dangerous tendency, eicape the jealous ob-
fervation of the Protectants, or fail- to alarm
their fears, and to excite their folicitude for the
fafety of their feci:.
Deathrfthe Meanwhile, Charles's good fortune, which
Orleans, predominated on all occaiions over that of hi9
" Steid. 310. 340. 351. Seckend. iii. 443, 553.
7 rival
EMPEROR CHARLES V. S t 9
rival Francis, extricated him out of a difficulty, BookVIF,
from which, with all his fagacity and addreis, * Nr "~~"'
. ] 54S*
he would have found it no eafy matter to have
difentangled himfelf. Juft about the time when Sept. 8.
the Duke of Orleans fhould have received Fer-
dinand's daughter in marriage, and together
with her the pofleflion of the Milanefe, he died
of a peftilential fever. By this event, the Em-
peror was freed from the neceftlty of giving up
an importantprovince 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 with France. He affected,
however, to exprefs great forrow for the un-
timely death of a young Prince, who was to
have been fo nearly allied to him 5 but he care-
fully avoided entering into any frefh difcuffions
concerning the Milanefe ; and would not liften
to a propofal which came from Francis of now-
modelling the treaty of Crefpy, fo as to make
him fome reparation for the advantages which
he had loft by the demife of his fon. In the
more active and vigorous part of Francis's reign,
a declaration of war would have been the certain
and inftantaneous confequence of fuch a flat re-
fufal to comply with a demand feemingly fo
equitable ^ but the declining ftate of his own
health, the exhaufted condition of his kinsdom.%
together with the burden of the war againft
England, obliged, him, at prefent, to diffcmble
his
/ •
3*o THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. n j s refentment, and to put off thoughts of re-
I S45« venge to fome other juncture. In confequence
of this event, the unfortunate Duke of Savoy
loft all hope of obtaining the reftitution of his
territories-, and the rights or claims relinquished
by the treaty of Crefpy, returned in full force
to the crown of France, to ferve as pretexts for
future wars \
The p^e Upon the firft intelligence of the Duke of
grants the Orleans's death, the confederates of Smalkalde
dutcniesor *
Parma and fl at tered themfelves that the ellential alterations
Flacentia
to his fon. which it occafioned could hardly fail of pro-
ducing a rupture, which would prove the means
of their fafety. But they were not more difap-
pointed with regard to this, than in their ex-
pectations from an event which feemed to be the
certain prelude of a quarrel between the Empe-
ror and the Pope. When Paul, whofe paffion
for aggrandizing his family, increafed as he ad-
vanced in years, and as he faw the dignity 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 difpleafure
of the Emperor. At a time when a great part
* Bekarii Comment. 769. Parata, Hill. Venet. iv. p. 177.
of
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 321
of Europe inveighed openly againfl the corrupt Book VII.
manners and exorbitant power of Ecclefiafticks, i^rT"
and when a council was fummoned to reform the
diforders in the church, this indecent grant of
iuch a principality, to a fon of whofe illegitimate
birth the Pope ought to have been afhamed, and
whofe licentious morals all good men detefted,
gave general offence. Some Cardinals in the
Imperial interefl remonftrated againfl fuch an
unbecoming alienation of the patrimony of t-he
church ; the Spanifh ambaffador would not be
prefent at the folemnity of his infeofment ; and
upon pretext that thefe cities were part of the
Milanefe (late, the Emperor peremptorily re-
fufed to confirm the deed of inveftiture. But
both the Emperor and Pope being intent upon
one common object in Germany, facrificed their
particular pafiions to that publick caufe, and fup-
preffed the emotions of jealoufy or refentment
which were rifing on this occafion, that they
might jointly purfue what each efteemed of
greater importance y .
About this time the peace of Germany was Henry of
diflurbed by a violent but ihort eruption of J^eta*
Henry Duke of Brunfwick. This Prince, war,n G«-
J many.
though (till ftript of his dominions, which the
Emperor held in fequeitration, until his differ-
y Paruta, Hift. Vener. W. 178. Pallavii, 180.
Vol. II L Y ences
322 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII ences with the confederates of Smalkalde fliould
"545. be adj cited, porTefTed however fo much credit
in Germany, that he undertook to raife for the
French king a considerable body of troops to be
employed in the war againft England. The
money fiipulated for this purpofe was duly ad-
vanced by Francis •, the troops were levied ; but
Henry, inftead of leading them towards France,
fuddenly entered his own dominions at their
head, in hopes of recovering them before any
army could be afTembled to oppofe him. The
confederates were not more furprifed at this un-
expected attack, than the King of France was
aftonimed at a mean thievifh fraud, fo unbecom-
ing the character of a Prince. But the Land-
grave of HefTe, with incredible expedition, col-
lected as many men as put a flop to the progrefs
of Henry's undifciplined forces, and being joined
by his fon in-law Maurice, and by fome troops
belonging to the Elector of Saxony, he gained
fuch advantages over Henry, who was rafh and
bold in forming his fchemes, but feeble and un-
determined in executing them, as obliged him
to difband his army, and to furrehder himfelf, to-
gether with his eldcft fon, prifoners at difcretion.
He was kept in clofe confinement, until a new
reverfe of affairs procured him liberty z .
z Sleid. 352. Seek. iii. 567.
As
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 323
As this defeat of Henry's wild enterprife add- Book V-ir.
ed new reputation to the arms of the Proteft- , 54 6.
ants, the Reformation of the Palatinate brought ™'^ r -
a great accefiion of ftrenp-th to their party. tb ^ p #i
o . nate.
Frederick, who fucceeded his brother Lewis in
that Electorate, had long been fufpected of a
fecret propenfity to the doctrines of the Re-
formers, which, upon his accelTion to the prin-
cipality, he openly manifefted. But as- he ex-
pected that fomething effectual towards a gene-
ral and legal eftablifhment of religion, would be
the fruit of fo many diets, conferences, and ne-
gotiations, he did not, at firft, attempt any pub-
lick innovation in his dominions. Finding; all J an - I0 -
thefe iffue in nothing, he thought himfelf called,
at length, to countenance by his authority the
fyftem which he approved of, and to gratify the
wilhes of his fubjects, who, by their intercourse
with the Proteftant Hates, had univerfally im-
bibed their opinions. As the warmth and im-
petuofity which accompanied the fpirit of Re-
formation in its firft efforts, had ibmewhat abated,
this change was made with great order and re-
gularity \ the ancient rites were abolifhed, and
new forms introduced, without any acts of vio-
lence, or fymptom of difcontent. Though
Frederick adopted the religious fyftem of the
Proteftants, he imitated the example of Mau-
Y 2 rice,
3H THE REIGN OF THE
BookV.t r j ce> arl j jy not accec j e to the league of Smal-
1546. kalde \
The council A few weeks before this revolution in the
Trent. Palatinate, the general council was opened with
the accuftomed folemnities at Trent. The eyes
of the Catholick dates were turned with much
expectation towards an affembly, which all had
confidered as a natural and adequate 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 fuffered to make progrefs
during twenty-eight years, had become invete-
rate, and grown to luch extreme violence. The
Pope, by his laft bull of convocation, had ap-
pointed the firft meeting to be held in March.
But his views, and thofe of the Emperor, were fo
different, that almoft the whole year was fpent
in negociations. Charles, who forefaw that the
rigorous decrees of the council againft the Pro-
teftants would foon drive them, in felf-defence
as well as from refentment, to fome defperate
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 dc-
cifions by the force of his arms. The Pope,
* Sleid. 356. Seek. 1. iii. 616.
3 who
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 325
who had early fent to Trent the legates who were Book VII.
to prefide in his name, knowing to what con- i 54 6.
tempt it would expofe his authority, and what
fufpicions it would beget of his intentions, if the
fathers of the council mould remain in a itateof
inactivity, when the church was in fuch danger
as to require their immediate and vigorous inter-
position, infifted either upon tran Hating the coun-
cil to fome city in Italy, or upon fufpending alto-
gether its proceedings at that juncture, or upon
authorizing it to begin its deliberations immedi-
ately. The Emperor rejected the two former
as equally orTenfive to the Germans of every de-
nomination, but rinding it impofiible to elude
the latter, he propofed that the council fhould
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 molt, and which had
prompted it to employ fo many artifices in order
to prevent the meeting of fuch a dangerous ju-
dicatory. Paul, though more compliant than
fome of his predecefTors with regard to calling
a council, was no lefs jealous than they had been
of its jurifdiction, and faw what matter of
triumph, fuch a method of proceeding would
afford the hereticks. He apprehended confe-
quenccs not only humbling but fatal to the
papal fee, if the council came to confider an in-
queft into abules as their only bunnefs ; or if
Y 3 inferior
IfigS.
326 THE REIGN OF THE
Book v 7 [r. inferior prelates were allowed to gratyfy their
,. own envy and peeviftmefs, by preicribing rules
to thole who were exalted above them in dignity
and power. Without liftening, therefore, to
this infidious propofal of the Emperor, he in-
ftruded his legates to open the council.
>n. 18. The firft feffion was fpent in matters of form.
In a fubfequent one, it was agreed that the
framing a confeffion of faith, wherein mould be
contained all the articles which the church requir-
ed 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 given to
what was neceffary towards the reformation of
manners and difciplinc. From this firft fymp-
tom of the fpirit with which the council was
animated, from the high tone of authority which
the legates who prefided in it affumed, and from
the implicit deference with which moft of th£
members followed their directions, the Proteft-
ants conjectured with eafe what decifions they
might expect. It aftonifhed them, however, to
fee forty prelates (for no greater number were
yet affembled) afllime authority as reprefenta-
tives of the univerfal church, and proceed to de-
termine the moft important points of doctrine in
its name. Scnfible of this indecency, as well as
of the ridicule with which it might be attended,
the council advanced (lowly in its deliberations,
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 327
and all its proceedings were for fome time Ian- Book '.
guifhing and feeble b . As foon as the confede- "T^TT
rates of Smalkalde received information of the
opening of the council, they publifhed a long
manifcfto, containing a renewal of their proteft
againft its meeting, together with the reafons
which induced them to decline its juriidiclicns c .
The Pope and Emperor, on their part, were fo
little folicitous to quicken or add vigour to its
operations, as plainly difcovered that fome ob-
ject of greater importance occupied and in-
terefted them,
The Proteftants, as they were not ina tive, Apprehen-
iions of the
or unconcerned fpeclators of their motions, en- Proteftants,
tertained every day more violent fufpicions of
their intentions, and received intelligence from
different quarters of the machinations carrying
on againft them. The King of England in*
formed them, that the Emperor having long
refolved to exterminate their opinions, would
not fail to employ this interval of tranquillity
which he now enjoyed, as the moft favourable
juncture 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
b F. Paul, 12c, &c. Pallavic. p. 180, &c.
c Seckend. 1. iii. 602, &c.
Y 4 whom
328 THE REIGN OF THE
BookVN. whom were fome who fecretly favoured the
'^TTeT Proteflaru caufe d , that a dangerous confederacy
againft it was forming between the Pope and
Emperor. In confirmation of this, they heard
from the Low-Countries that Charles had irTued
orders, though, with every precaution which
could keep the meafure concealed, for raifing
troops both there and in other parts of his do-
minions. Such a variety of information, corro-
borating all that their own jealoufy or obferva-
tion led them to apprehend, left the Proteftants
little reafon to doubt of the Emperor's hoftile
Their de intentions. Under this impreftion, the depu-
tations, ties of the confederates of Smalkalde afiembled
at Francfort, and by communicating their intel-
ligence and fentiments to each other, recipro-
cally heightened their fenfe of the impending
danger. But their union was not fuch as their
fituation required, or the preparations of their
enemies rendered ncceffary. Their league had
now fubfifted ten years. Among lb many mem-
bers whofe territories were intermingled with
each other, and who, according to the cuftom
of Germany, had created an infinite variety of
mutual rights and claims by intermarriages, al-
liances, and contrads of different kinds, fub-
jecls of jealoufy and difcord had unavoidably
arifen. Some of the confederates, being con-
d Seek. I. iii. 579.
fleeted
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 329
nected with the Duke of Brunfwick, were highly Book vir.
difgufted with the Landgrave, on account of the "TTTeT"
rigour with which he had treated that rafh but
unfortunate Prince. Others taxed the Elector of
Saxony and Landgrave, the heads of the league,
with having involved the members in unne-
ceffary and exorbitant expences by their profufe-
nefs or want of oeconomy. The views, like-
wife, of thole two great Princes, who, by their
fuperior power and authority, influenced and
directed the whole body, being extremely dif-
ferent, rendered all its motions languid, at a
time when the utmoft vigour and difpatch were
requifite. The Landgrave, of a violent and en-
terprifing temper, but not forgetful, amidft his
zeal for religion, of the ufual maxims of human
policy, infilled that, as the danger which threat-
ened them was manifefl and unavoidable, they
mould have recourfe to the moil effectual expe-
dient for fecuring their own fafety, by courting
the protection of the Kings of France and Eng-
land, or by joining in alliance with the Proteft-
ant cantons of SwifTerland, from whom they
might expect fuch powerful and prefent afliflance
as their fnuation demanded. The elector, on
the other hand, with the moil upright intentions
of any Prince in that age, and with talents which
might have qualified him abundantly for the
adminiflration of government in any tranquil
period,
330 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. period, was pofiefTed with fuch fuperftitious ve-
454^. neration for all the parts of the Lutheran fyftem,
and fuch bigotted attachment to all its tenets, as
made him averfe to an union with thoie 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
were to be regulated by principles and maxims
tptally 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 flranger to the rules of political conduct,
but defpiled them \ he often difcovered an un-
complying fpirit, that proved of the greatefl de-
triment to the caufe which he wifhed to fupport.
Influenced, on this occafion, by the fevere and
rigid notions of that Reformer, he refufed to
enter into any confederacy with Francis, becaufe
he was a perfecutor of the truth \ or to folicit
the -friendship of Henry, becaufe he was no lefs
impious and profane than the Pope himfelf ; or
even to join in alliance with the Swifs, becaufe
they differed from the Germans in feveral effential
articles of faith. This diffention, about a point
of fuch confequence, produced its natural ef-
fects. Each fecretly cenfured and reproached
the other. The Landgrave confidered the Elec-
tor as fettered by narrow prejudices, unworthy
of
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 331
of a Prince called to act' a chief part in a fcene Book VIF,
of fuch importance. The Elector fufpected him V ~^ V $"~ J
of loofe principles and ambitious views, which
correfponded ill with the facred caufe wherein
they were engaged. But though the Elector's
fcruples prevented their timely application for
foreign aid ; and the jealoufy or diicontent of
fhe other Princes defeated a propofal for re-
newing their original confederacy, the term
during which it was to continue in force beino-
on the point of expiring ; yet the fenfe of their
common danger induced them to agree £with
regard to other points, particularly that they
would never acknowledge the affembly at Trent
as a lawful council, nor fuffer the Archbifhop
of Cologne to be opprefled on account of the
fleps which he had taken towards the reforma-
tion of his diocefe e .
The Landgrave, about this time, defirous of Their nego-
penetrating to the bottom of the Emperor's in- S°the
tentions, wrote to Granveile, whom he knew to Emperor *
be thoroughly acquainted with all his matter's
fchemes, informing him of the feveral parti-
culars which raifed the fufpicions of the Pro-
teftants, and begging an explicit declaration
of what they had to fear or to hope. Gran-
yelle, in return, arTured them that the intelli-
c Seek. 1. iii. 560. 570. 613. Sleid. 355.
gence
33 2 THE REIGN OF THE
Book VII. g Cnce w hich they had received of the Empe-
1546. ror's military preparations was exaggerated,
and all their fufpicions deftitute of foundation 5
that though, in order to guard his frontiers
• againfl any infult of the French or Englifh,
he had commanded a fmall body of men to
be raifed in the Low-Countries, he was as
folicitous as ever to maintain tranquillity in
Germany f .
But the Emperor's actions did not corre-
fpond with theie profefiions. For, inftead of
appointing men of known moderation and a
pacifick temper to appear in defence of the Ca-
tholick doctrines at the conference which had
been agreed on, he made choice of fierce bigots,
attached to their own fyftem with a blind ob-
flinacy, that rendered all hope of a reconcile-
ment defperate. Malvenda, a Spanilh divine,
who took the conduct of the debate on the part
of the Catholicks, managed it with all the fubtle
dexterity of a fcholaftick metaphyfician, more
ftudious to perplex his adverfaries than to con-
vince them, and more intent on palliating error
than on difcovering truth. The Proteflants filled
with indignation, as well at his fophiftry as at
fome regulations which the Emperor endea-
f Sleid. 356.
' vourcd
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 333
voured to impofe on the difputants, broke off Book VH.
the conference abruptly, being now fully con- I54 6.
vinced that, in all his late meafures, the Em-
peror could have no other view than to amufe
them, and to gain time for ripening his own
fchemes g .
e Sleid. 358. Seek. 1. Hi. 620.
THE
/■'
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
REIGN
O F THE
EMPEROR CHARLES V.
BOOK VIII.
Book IT7HILE appearances of danger daily
iJ ^lj VV increafed, and the tempefl which had
t 546. been fo long a gathering was ready to break
Luther! forth in all its violence againft the Proteftant
church, Luther was faved, by a feafonable
death, from feeling or beholding its deftruclive
rage. Having gone, though in a declining Hate
of health, and during a rigorous feafon, to his
native city of Eyfleben, in order to compofe, by
his authority, a diflention among the counts of
Mansfield, he was feized with a violent inflam-
mation in his ftomach, which in a few days put
1 an
THE REIGN, &c. 335
an end to his life, in the fixty -third year of his Book
. Vlii.
age. As he was railed up by providence to be y__ ',
the author of one of the greateft and moil in- l S'&
terefting revolutions recorded in hiftory, there
is not any perfon perhaps whofe character has
been drawn with fuch oppofite colours. In his
own age, one party, ftruck with horror and in-
flamed with rage, when they faw with what a
daring hand he overturned every thing which
they held to be faGred, or valued as beneficial,
imputed to him not only all the defects and vices
of a man, but the qualities of a daemon. The
other, warmed with the admiration and grati-
4'
tude, which they thought he merited as the re-
florer of light and liberty to the Chriftian
church, afcribed to him perfections above the
condition of humanity, and viewed all his ac-
tions with a veneration bordering on that which
mould be paid only to thofe who are guided by
the immediate infpiration of Heaven. It is his Hhcha-
own conduct:, not the undiftinguifhing cenfure raaer#
or the exaggerated praife of his contemporaries,
that ought to 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 principles, and unwearied induflry
in propagating them, are virtues which fhine fo
confpicuoufly in every part of his behaviour, that
even his enemies muft allow him to have pof-
felTed
#'
3j}5 THE REIGN Of THE
Book fefied them in an eminent degree. To thefe ma^
,__^L_, be added, with equal juftice, fuch purity and
1546. even aufterity of manners, as became one who
affumed the character of a Reformer •, fuch fane-
tity of life as fuited the doctrine which he de-
livered ; and fuch perfect difintereftednefs as
affords no flight prefumption of his f ncerity.
Superior to all felfifh confiderations, a ftranger
to the elegancies of life, and defpifing its plea-
fures, he left the honours and emoluments of
the church to his difciples, remaining fatisfied
himfelf in his original flate of profeffor in the
univerfity, and paftor of the town of Wittem-
berg, with the moderate appointments annexed
to thefe offices. His extraordinary qualities
were allayed with no inconfiderable mixture of
human frailty and human pailions. Thefe, how-
ever, were of fuch a nature, that they cannot
be imputed to malevolence or corruption of
heart, but feem to have taken their rife from the
fame fource with many of his virtues. His mind,
forcible and vehement in all its operations,
roufed by great objects, or agitated by violent
paffions, broke out, on many occaiions, with
an impetuofity which aftonifhes men of feebler
fpirits, or fuch as are placed in a more tranquil
fituation. By carrying fome praife-worthy dif-
pcfitions to excefs, he bordered fometimes on
what was culpable, and was often betrayed into
actions which expofed him to cenfure. His
confidence
Emperor charles W 33?
Confidence that his own opinions were well Book
" vin
founded, approached to arrogance ; his courage «
in afferting them, to ralhnefs ; his firmnefs in »54°*
adhering to them, to obftinacy, and his zeal iri
confuting his adverfaries, to rage and fcurrility.
Accuftomed himfelf to confider every thing as
fubordinate to truth, he expected the fame de-
ference for it from other men ; and, without
making any allowances for their timidity or pre-
judices, he poured forth again ft fuch as difap-
pointed him in this particular, a torrent of in-
vective mingled with contempt. Regardlefs of
any diftinction of rank or character when his
doctrines were attacked, he chaftifed all his ad-
verfaries indifcriminatclv, with the fame rough
hand ; neither the royal dignity of Henry VIII.
nor the eminent learning and abilities of Eraf-
mus, fcreened them from the fame grofs abufe
with which he treated Tetzel or Eccius.
But thefe indecencies of which Luther was
guilty, mult 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 maxim's*
which, by putting continual reftraint on the
paflions of individuals, have polilhed fociety
and rendered it agreeable, difputes of every kind
Were managed with heat, and ftrong emotions
Vol. III. Z were
33^ THE REIGN OF THE
B VIII K ^ Cre uttered in the * r natural language, without
u^v-Li referve or delicacy. At the fame time, the works
! 54 6 « v 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 mod illiberal fcurrility ;
but, in a dead tongue, indecencies of every
kind appear lefs fhocking than in a living lan-
guage, whofe idioms and phrafes feem grofs,
becaufe they are familiar.
In paffing judgment upon the characters of
men, we ought to try them by the principles
and maxims of their own age, not by thofe of
another. For, although virtue and vice are at
all times the fame, manners and cuftoms vary
continually. Some parts of Luther's behaviour,
which to us appear mod culpable,, gave no dif-
guft to his contemporaries. It was even by fome
of thofe qualities, which we are now apt to
blame, that he was fitted for accomplifhing the
great work which he undertook. To roufe
mankind, when funk in ignorance or fuperftition,
and to encounter the rage of bigotry, 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 was addreffed. A
Jpirit more amiable, but lefs vigorous than Lu-
ther's, would have fhrunk back from the dan-
gers,
EMPEUOR CHARLES V. 339
gers, which he braved and furmounted. Td~ wok
- . . vin.
wards the clofe of Luther's life, though without ^^1^
any perceptible declenfion of his zeal or abilities, >$4&
the infirmities of his temper increafed upon him,
Fo that he grew daily morepeevifh, mere iraf-
cible, and more impatient of contradiction.
Having lived to be witnefs of his own amazing
fuccefs 1 to fee a great part of Europe embrace
his doctrines ; and to make the foundation of
the papal throne, before which the mightiefl
Monarchs had frembled, he difcovered, on feme
occafions, fymptoms of vanity and felf- applaufe.
He mull have been indeed more than man, if*
upon contemplating all that he actually accom-
plifhed, he had never felt any fentiment of this
kind rifmg in his bread *.
* A remarkable inftance of this, as well as of a certain
Angularity and elevation of fentiment, is found in his Laft
Will. Though the efrecls which he had to becueath were
very inconfiderable, he thought it necefiary to make a
Tefbment, but f.orned to frame it with the ufual legal
formalities* Notus fum, fays he, in cccio, in terra, & inferno,
&- auftcritatem ad hoc fuiHcientem habro, ut znihi foli cre-
datur* cum Deus mini, homini licet d^mnabilij et mifera-
bili peccatori, ex patenia mifericordia Evangelium filii fui
creaiderit, deden'tque ut in eo verax & fcdelis fuerim, ita
ut multi in mundo illud per me acceperint^ & me pro Doc-
tore veritatis agnoverint, fpreto banno Pap;?, Cxfaris, Re-
gum, Principum £; fdcerdo urn, immo omnium d.cmonurri
odio. Qiiidni, igitur, ad difpontior.em hanc, in re exigu-,
fufficiat, fi adfit manus meas teflimonium, & did pom> f -
ha-c fcripfic D. Martinus Luther, Noianas Dei, & teltis
Jlvan^ehi ejus. Sec. 1. iii p. 651.
Z 2 SOMB
34° , THE REIGN OF THE
*' ^ J K Some time before his death he felt his ftrength
_ - y -'i_f declining, his conftitution being worn out by a
J 54 6 « prodigious multiplicity of bufinefs, added to
the labour of difcharging his minifterial function
with unremitting diligence, to the fatigue of
conftartt ftudy, befides the com pofition of works
as voluminous as if he had enjoyed uninterrupt-
ed leifure and retirement. His natural intrepi-
dity did not forfake him at the approach of
death j his laft converfation with his friends was
concerning the happinefs referved for good men
in a future world, of which he fpoke with the
fervour and delight natural to one who expected
andwiihed to enter foon upon the enjoyment of
it \ The account of his death filled the Roman
Catholick party with exceftive as well as indecent
joy, and damped the ipirits of all his followers ;
neither party fufficiently confidering that his
doctrines were now fo firmly rooted, as to be in
a condition to flourifh independent of the hand
which firft had planted them. His funeral was
celebrated by order of the Elector of Saxony with
extraordinary pomp. He left feveral children by
his wife Catharine a Boria, who furvived him.
Towards the end of the laft century, there were
in Saxony fome of his defendants in decent and
honourable ftations b .
a Sleid. 362. Seek. lib, /ii, 632, Sec.
b Seek. 1. iii. 651.
Thb
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 341
The Emperor, meanwhile, purfued the plan
of diffimulation with which he had fet out, em-
ploying every art to amufe the Proteftants, and
to quiet their fears and jealoufies. For this Ior \^k^'
purpofe he contrived to have an interview with
vours to
amu fr and
the Landgrave of Hefle, the molt active of all i ecri 7*f
rrotetiants.
the confederates, and the moft fufpicious of his
defigns. To him he made fuch warm profef-
fions of his concern for the happinefs of Ger-
many, and of his averfion to all violent mea-
fures •, he denied in fuch exprefs terms, his hav-
ing entered into any league, or having begun
any military preparations which fhould give
caufe of alarm to the Protectants, as feem to
have difpelled all the Landgrave's doubts and
apprehenfions, and fent him away fully fatisfied
of his pacifick intentions. This artifice was of
great advantage, and effectually anfwered the
purpofe for which it was employed. The Land-
grave upon his leaving Spires, where he had
been admitted to this interview, went to Worms,
where the Smalkaldick confederates were afT-m-r
bled, and gave them fuch a flattering representa-
tion of the Emperor's favourable difpofition
towards them, that they, too apt, as well from
the temper of the German nation, as from the
genius of all great aflbciations or bodies of men,
to be (low, and dilatory, and undecifive in their
deliberations, thought there was no neceifity of
Z 3 taking
March *S.
M*
Book
VII.
1546.
proceedings
of the coun-
cil agimft
the Proteft-
aius,
Apnl 8.
THE REIGN OF THE
taking any immediate meafures againft danger^
which appeared to be didant or imaginary c .
Such events, however, foon occurred, as
daggered the credk which the Proteilants had
given to the Emperor's declarations. The
council of Trent, though Hill compofed of a
jfmall number of Italian and Spanim prelates,
without a fingle deputy from any of the king-
doms which it affumed a right of binding by
its decrees, being afhamed of its long inacti-
vity, proceeded now to fettle articles of the
greateft importance. Having begun with exa-
mining the firfc and chief point in controverfy
between the church of Rome and the Reformers,
concerning the rule which, (hould be held as fu-
preme and decifive in matters of faith, the
council, by its infallible authority, determined*
" That the bocks to which the defignation of
Apocryphal hath been given, are cf equal au-
thority with thole which were received by the
Jews and primitive Chriftians into the iacred
canon ; that the traditions, handed down from
the apofrolick age, and preferved in the church,
are entitled to as much regard as the doctrines
an 1 precepts which the inipired anthers have
comiTiitted to writing •, that the Latin transla-
tion of the Scriptures, made or reviled by St.
c Skid. Hill. 567. 373,
Jerome*
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 343
Jerome, and known by the name of the Vulgate Book
translation, mould be read in churches, and ^__ _!_,
appealed to in the fchools as authentick and ca- M4 6 *
nonical. Againft all who difclaimed the truth
of thefe tenets, anathemas were denounced in
the name and by the authority of the Holy
Ghoft. The deciiion of thefe points, which
undermined the main foundation of the Lu-
theran fyftem, was a plain warning to the Pro-
teftants what judgment they might expect when
the council mould have leifure to take into con-
fideration the particular and fubordinate articles
of their creed d .
This difcovery of the council's readinefs to
condemn the opinions of the Proteftants, was
foon followed by a finking inftance of the
Pope's refolution to punilh fuch as embraced
them. The appeal of the canons of Cologne
againft their Archbifliop having been carried to
Rome, Paul eagerly feized on that opportunity,
both of difplaying the extent of his own autho-
rity, and of teaching the German ecclefiafticks
the danger of revolting from the eftablifhed
church. As no peribn appeared in behalf of
the Archbifhop* he was held to be convi&ed of
the crime of herefy, and a Papal bull was A P ril l6 >
iffued, depriving him of his ecclefiaftical dig-
f F« Paul, 141. Pallav. 206.
Z 4 nity,
g44 THE REIGN OF THE
nity, inflicting on him the fentence of excom-r
municatipn, and abfolving his fubjects from the
fS4$f oath of allegiance which they had taken to him
as their civil fuperior. The countenance which
he had given to the Lutheran herefy was the
only crime imputed to him, as well as the only
reafon afligned to juftify the extraordinary rigour
of this decree. The Protectants could hardly
believe that Paul, how zealous foever to defend
the eftablifhed fyftem, or to humble thofe who
invaded it, would have ventured to proceed to
fuch extremities asainft a Prince and Elector of
the Empire, without having previoufly fecured
fuch powerful protection as would render his
cenfure fomething more than an impotent and
defpicable fally of refpntment. They were of
courfe deeply alarmed at this fentence againft
the Archbifhop, confidering it as a fure indica-
tion of the malevolent intentions not only of
{he Pope, but of the Emperor, againft the
whole party \
eMffs _ Upon this frefh revival of their fears, with
about to r , . . i i r
commence fuch violence as is natural to men rouzed from
•gainft'fhc a f al! ? fecurity, and confeious of their having
f retains. k eea ye CC j ve d Charles faw that it was now ne-
cejlary to throw afide the veil, and to declare
openly what part he determined to act. By a,
* jsjleid, 354= F. Paul, 155. Pallavic. 224.
' lorr.
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 345
long feries of artifice and fallacy, he had gained
fo much time, that his meafures, though not
altogether ripe for execution, were greatly ma-
tured. The Pope, by his proceedings againft
the Elector of Cologne, as well as by the de-
cree of the council, had precipitated matters
into fuch a fituation, as rendered a breach be-
tween the Emperor and the Proteftants almoft
unavoidable. Charles had now no choice left
him but either to take part with them in over-
turning what the See of Rome had determined,
or to fupport the authority of the church openly
by force of arms. Nor did the Pope think it Negate*
* with the
enough to have brought the Emperor under a P°pe«
neceflity of acting ; he prefled him to begin his
operations, by promifing to fecond him with
fuch vigour as could not well fail of fecuring
his fucceis. Tranlported 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
beyond due bounds ; and in order to crufh the-
Lutherans, he was willing to contribute towards
railing up a matter that might one day prove
formidable to himfejf as well as to the reft of
Italy.
But, befides the certain expectation of a (Tift- concludes a
ance from the Pope, Charles was now fectire £2^
from
346 THE REIGN OF THE
B vn[ K ** r0rn an ^ ^ an § er °^ interruption to his defigns
x,^^~-j by tne Turkifh arms. His negociations at the
1546. Porte, which he had carried on with great afli-
duity fince the peace of Crefpy, were on the
point of being terminated in iuch a manner as
he defired. Solyman, panly in compliance with
the French King, who, in order to avoid the
difagreeable obligation of joining the Emperor
againft his ancient ally, laboured with great zeal
to bring about an accommodation between
them ; and partly from its being neceflary to
turn his. arms towards the eait, where the Per-
fians threatened to invade his dominions, con-
iented without difficulty to a truce for five years.
.The chief article of ft was, That each mould
retain pcfTeffion.of what he now held in Hun-
gary ; and Ferdinand, as a facrifjee to the pride
of the Sultan, fubmitted to pay an annual tri-
bute of fifty thoufand crowns e .
Ga-nsMau- £> UT j t was llpon t j ie q\(\ anc ] concurrence of
rice, and r
«t!»er the Germans themielves that the Emperor re-
Princes in .
Germany, lied with the greateft confidence. The Germa-
nick body, he knew, were of fuch van: ftrength,
as to be invincible if it were united, and that
it was only by employing its o#/n force that he
could hope tofubdue it. Happily for him, the
union of the feveral members in this great fyf-
e Ifluar.haiFii Hill. Hung, 180, Mena. de Ribier, torn. J.
582.
tern
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 347
tern was fo feeble, the whole frame was {o Book:
loofely compacted, ai.d its different parts tended l _ r _ ^^
fo violently towards reparation from each other, 1 s¥ 3 *
that it was almoft impoffible for it, on any im-
portant emergence, to join in a general or vi-
gorous effort. In the prefent juncture, the
fources of difcord were as many, and as various
as had been known on any occafion. The Ro-
man Catholicks, 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 innovators'
who had overturned it in many provinces, and
endangered it in more. John and Albert of
Brandenburg, as well as feveral other Princes,
incenled at the haughtinefs and rigour with
which the Duke of Brunfwick had been treated
by the confederates of Smalkalde, were impa-
tient to refcue him, and to be revenged en them.
Charles obferved, with fatis faction, the work-
ing of thofe paffions in their minds, and count-
ing on them as fure auxiliaries whenever he
fnould think it proper to act, he found it, in
the mean time, more necelfary to moderate than
to inflame their rage.
Suck was the fituation of affairs, fuch the HoUsadiet
rr 1 i_- 1 i_ t- r r at Raiiibon.
cli'cernmcnt witn which the Emperor rorelaw
and provided for every event, when the diet of
the Empire met at Raulbon. Many of the
Roman
5 4 8 THE REIGN OF THE
Book Roman Catholick members appeared there ill
perfon, but mod of the confederates of Smal-
kalde, under pretence of their being unable to
bear the expence occafioned by the late unne-
cefTary frequency of fuch affemblies, fcnt only
deputies. Their jealoufy of the Emperor, to-
gether with an apprehenfion that violence might,
perhaps, be employed, in order to force their
approbation of what he mould propofe in the
diet, was the true caufe of their abfence. The
fpeech with which the Emperor opened the diet
was extremely artful. After profeffing, in com-
mon form, his regard for the profperity of the
Germanick body, and declaring, that, in order
to bellow his whole attention upon the re-efta-
blifhment of its order and tranquillity, he had
at preient abandoned all other cares, rejected
the moil prefFmg folicitations of his other fub-
jeds to rende among them, and poflponed af-
fairs of the greateil importance-, he took notice,
with fome difapprobation, that his difinterefted
example had not been imitated - 3 many mem-
bers of chief conlideration having neglected to
attend an affembly ;o which he had repaired with
fuch manifeft inconvenience to himfelf. He
jhen mentioned their unhappy difTenfions about
religion; lamented the ill fuccefs of his pad
endeavours to compofe them ; complained of
the abrupt uifiblution of the late conference,
and craved their advice with regard to the beft
and
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 349
and mod effectual method of reftoring union to Book
the churches of Germany, together with that v— ^-L
happy agreement in articles of faith, which their x 54 6 *
anceftors had found to be of no leis advantage
to their civil intereft, than becoming their Chrif-
tian profefllon.
By this gracious and popular method of con-
futing the members of the diet, rather than of
obtruding upon them any opinion of his own,
befides the appearance of great moderation,
and the merit of paying much refpecl to their
judgment, the Emperor dextrouily avoided dif*
covering his own fentiments, and referved to
himfelf, as his only part, that of carrying into
execution what they mould recommend. Nor
was he lefs fecure of fuch a decifion as he wiflied
for, by referring it wholly to themfelves. The
Roman Catholick 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
final in all matters of controverfy -, that all
Chriftians mould fubmit to its decrees as the in-
fallible rule of their faith ; and therefore they
befought him to exert the power, with which
he was inverted by the Almighty, in protecting
that alTembly, and in compelling the Proteftants
to acquiefce in its determinations. The Proteft-
ants, on the other hand, prefented a memorial,
in
35 THE REIGN OF THE
Book In which, after repeating their objections to thd
VI ^ I< , council of Trent, they propofed, as the only
*S4 6 « effectual method of deciding the points in dif-
pute, that either a free general council mould
be afTembled in Germany, or a national council
of the Empire mould be called, or a feledfc
fiumber of divines mould be appointed out of
each party to examine and define articles of
faith. They mentioned the recedes of feveral
diets favourable to this proportion, and which
had afforded them the profpeel: of terminating
all their differences in this amicable manner $
they now conjured the Emperor not to depart
from his former plan, and by offering violence
to their confc! :^ces, to bring calamities upon
Germany* the very thought of which mull: fill
every lover of his country with horror. The
Emperor receiving this paper with a contemptu-
ous fmile, paid no farther regard to it. Having
already taken his final resolution, and perceiv-
ing that nothing but force could compel them
j«ne 9. to acquiefce in it, he difpatched the Cardinal 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- Countries, to ad-
vance towards Germany •, he gave commifilons
to feveral officers for raifrng men in different
parts of the Empire \ he warned John and' Al-
bert of Brandenburg, that now was the proper
j time
EMPEROR CHARLES V. 25 t
time of exerting themfelves, in order to refcue Book
r • 1 \ III
their ally, Henry of Brunfwick, from cap- L - y ^ _
tivity f . j 54^»
All thefe things could not be tranfacted The Pro*
° __ teftants
without the obfervation and knowledg-e of the alarmed.
o
Proteftants. The fecret was now in many
hands ; under whatever veil the Emperor ftill
affeeled to conceal his defigns, his officers kept
no fuch myfterious referve, and his allies and
fubjects fpoke out his intentions plainly. Alarm-
ed with reports of this kind from every quar-
ter, as well as with the preparations of war which
they faw begun, the deputies of the confede-
rates demanded audience of the Emperor, and,
in the name of their mailers', required to know
whether thefe military preparations were car-
ried on by his command, and for what end, and
againft what enemy. To a queftion put in fuch
a tone, and at a time when fads were become
too notorious to be denied, it was neceflary to
give an explicit anfwer. Charles owned the
orders which he had iffued, and profefling his
purpofe not to moled any on account of reli-
gion who mould act as dutiful fubjects ; de-
clared that he had nothing in view but to main-
tain the rights and prerogatives of the Imperial
dignity, and, by punifhing fome factious mem-
bers, to preferve the ancient constitution of the
f Sleid. 374, Seek. iii. 658.
Empire
35 2 THE REIGN OF THE
Book Empire from being impaired or difiblved by
x^^^i their irregular and licentious conduct. Though
J 5-t 6 « the Emperor did not name the perfons whom he
charged with iuch high crimes, and deftined to
be the objects of his vengeance, it was obvious
that he had the Elector of Sa*ony and Land-
grave of Hefle in view. Their deputies consi-
dering what he had laid, as a plain declaration
of his hoftile intentions, immediately retired
from Ratifbon 6 <
The Empe. The Cardinal of Trent found it no difficult
17th the y matter to treat with the Pope, who having at
Pope ' length brought the Emperor to adopt that plan
which he had long recommended, afTented with
July 26. eagernefs to every article that he propofed. The
league was figned a few days after the Cardi-
nal's arrival at Rome. The pernicious herefies
which abounded in Germany, the obftinacy of
the Protectants in rejecting the holy council
aflembled at Trent, and the neceffity of main-
taining found doctrine, together with good or-
der in the church, are mentioned as the mo-
tives of this union between the contra&ing par-
ties. In order to check the growth of thefe
evils, and to puniih fuch as had impioufiy con-
tributed to fpread them, the Emperor, having
long and without fuccefs made trial of gentler
remedies, engaged inftantly to take the field
s Sleid. 376.
with
h
Notwithstanding the explicit terms in
which the extirpation of herefy was declared to
h Sleid. 381. Pallav. 255. Dumont Corps Diplorn. 11.
Vol. III. A a be
JEMPEROR CHARLES V. 35 s
With a fufficient army, that he might compel
all who difowned the council, or had apofta-
tized 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 {hould be made upon them;
and that even after this period he mould not
agree to any accommodation which might be
detrimental to the church, or to the intereft of
religion. On his part, the Pope ftipulated to
depofit a large fum in the bank of Venice to-
wards defraying the expence of the war ; to
maintain, at his own charge, during the fpace
of fix months, twelve thoufand foot, and five
hundred horfe ; to grant the Emperor, for one
year, half of the ecclefiaftical revenues through-
out Spain ; to authorize him, by a bull, to alie-
nate as much of the lands, belonging to religious
houfes in that country, as would amount to the
fum of five hundred thoufand crowns ; and to
employ not only fpiritual cenfures, but military
force againft any Prince who fhould attempt to
interrupt or defeat the execution of this treaty
354 THE REIGN OF THE
be the object of the war which was to follow
upon this treaty, Charles ftill endeavoured to
i.: 4 6. perfaade the Germans that he had no defien to
Endeavours ....
fbiitocon- abridge their religious liberty, but that he aimed
ceal his in- .... . . .
rentions only at vindicating his own authority, and re-
Proteftants-. prefTing the infolence 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 feveral of the Princes who had embraced
•the Proteftant doctrines. In thefe he complained
loudly, but in general terms, of the contempt
into which the Imperial dignity had fallen, and
of the prefumptuous as well as diibrderly beha-
viour of fome members of the Empire. He
declared that he now took arms, not in a reli-
gious, but in a civil quarrel ; not to opprefs any
who continued to behave as quiet and dutiful
fubje&s, but to humble the arrogance of fuch
as had thrown off all fenfe of that fubordina-
tion in which they were placed under him as
head of the Germanick body. Grofs as this de-
ception was, and manifefl as it might have ap-
peared to all who confidered the Emperor's
conduct with attention, it became neceflary for
him to make trial of its effect -, and fuch was
the confidence and dexterity with which he em-
ployed it, that he derived the moft folid advan-
tages from this artifice. If he had avowed at
once ah intention of overturning the Proteftanc
church.
EMPEROR CHARLES V, 355
church, and of reducing all Germany under its
former itate of fubjection to the Papal See, none
of the c 
