called the Black Band *, very well equipped. The king advanced to Novara, which was instantly assaulted by Pedro de Navarre and others, and surrendered to the king's obedience. In the absence of the king, his queen was brought to bed, at Amboise, of a fair daughter, who was christened Louisa,-and soon afterwards her portrait was sent to him, while engaged in his Italian campaign. The surrender of the town and castle of Novara saved them from pillage, by the king's commands,—who, pursuing his march toward Milan, went to Bufalora. Here the agreement between the king and Swiss was made public, which had been accomplished by means of a large sum of money paid down, according to a promise made them by the king. The Swiss, in consequence, swore fidelity to him, and signed the treaty, but which they did not keep, notwithstanding their oaths and engagements, but falsified both. CHAPTER CCXLII.—THE KING OF FRANCE DEFEATS THE SWISS ARMY AT MARIGNANO†, on THE FEAST-DAY OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS.-OF THE CRUEL BATTLE AND SLAUGHTER OF THE FRENCH AND SWISS. THE king of France, thinking that he had secured the Swiss by the payment of the sum agreed on between them and the lord de Lautrec, marched his army to Marignano, beyond Milan; but it was not long before he found that he had miscalculated on their keeping the promises they had made him. In the interval between the signing of the late treaty and the payment of the money, the Swiss had resolved to surprise the king's army,-induced thereto by the remonstrances and preachments of the cardinal of Sion, who had corrupted them at the instigation of the emperor Maximilian, and of the inhabitants of the Milanese, who had given them corslets and other armour, together with the fairest promises. The Swiss believing that they would be joined by every Italian, and that, if successful, they might acquire territories of a great extent in a fertile country, and be feared and redoubted by all the world, caused them to act in the treacherous manner they did. he king learning that the Swiss were turned against him, was much mortified; for he concluded, that at that moment they were receiving the money agreed on. However, like a hardy knight, he was not cast down, but gave his orders for the forming of his army, to receive the enemy with the most advantage. While thus employed, news was brought him that a lage body of infantry well armed had marched out of Milan, to join the Swiss in the meditated attack against him. In fact, about three or four o'clock in that afternoon, the Swiss advanced on the king's army, but were received with such valour, that many were more inclined to seek for a retreat than to persevere in the combat. The king, who commanded the main body, on seeing the Swiss advance, charged them in person, attended by his gentlemen, and defeated one band. The French volunteers now placed themselves in the position of the Lansquenets, who had in part turned their backs; but they must not be blamed for this, for they had before heard of the agreement made with the Swiss, and without any explanation had been led on to an unexpected battle, which made them believe that they were betrayed by the king, who wanted to have them destroyed. But when they saw the volunteers thus step boldly into their ranks, they recovered courage, and fought with the utmost bravery. The French volunteers did wonders; and although they were not numerous, amounting to no more than two thousand, they defeated a band of Swiss consisting of double their number. Great feats of arms were done at this battle, with battle-axes, lances, and twohanded swords, so that for a long time it was doubtful on which side victory would remain. The Swiss behaved with the utmost courage, and charged the main body and reserve of the French with an impetuosity that astonished them, in the hopes of succeeding as they had before done at Novara. The artillery of the French was not asleep, and the Swiss made an Black band,-under the command of Ruberta della details of these wars in Italy. Marchia, from lower Germany.-GUICCIARDINI. I must refer the reader to Guicciardini, &c. for further Marignano,-eleven miles s.E. from Milan. attempt to seize it, but were repulsed with much loss,-for not a cannon was fired without killing numbers of them. This battle lasted until the going down of the sun,-and both sides fought as long as the dust and light allowed them to see each other. Some, thinking to retire to their own camp, found themselves in that of the enemy; but what caused great confusion was the Swiss shouting out" France! France!" and then attacking the French. The night was not long. The king was constantly with his men, giving them every sort of encouragement by words and example. He was particularly anxious about his artillery, which was well guarded by a party of Lansquenets. Having visited the different divisions of his army, he reposed himself in his armour on the carriage of a cannon; and I may with truth assert, that if the king had not been present at this engagement, the French would have had more than enough to do. On the morrow, the 14th of September, in the year 1515, and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the Swiss, enraged against the French, advanced on them by day-break (notwithstanding their loss on the preceding night had been more than they supposed) with an eagerness as if they had been going to a dance, and made their charge with valour and steadiness. The conflict was long and doubtful; but the king's artillery, where he was in person, did the greatest service, particularly on a strong body that kept firmly united until their losses were so considerable, the remainder turned their backs and fled for Milan. The other divisions of the Swiss made now little resistance; and to make short of the matter, all that remained were put to death, or taken prisoners; and had not the dust been great, fewer would have escaped, for it was so thick they could not see many yards before them*. BATTLE OF MARIGNANO. Designed from contemporary authorities. The heat that day was very oppressive; and the king and his lords suffered greatly from thirst, for there was no water near that was pure, for all the springs and streams The marshal de Trivulce said that he had been at eighteen pitched battles, but that they were children's play compared with this. were discoloured with blood, of which nevertheless they were forced to drink; at length, some clear water was brought them. The king was as much rejoiced that the Swiss had renewed the battle on the following day, as a huntsman when he lays blinkes in the chase of a stag. The Swiss left full sixteen thousand dead on the field, who did not lose their lives like children, but as men of true courage; and all the roads toward Milan and Como were full of those who, in their flight, had died of the wounds they had received in battle. This was the first victory of king Francis I., and was very marvellous it proved so great, considering how much he had been deceived in the Swiss by their treaty some days prior to the combat. It is worthy of remembrance,-for, since the days of Julius Cæsar, this nation, so valorous in war, never lost in battle so many as sixteen thousand men. Louis XI. had defeated, when dauphin, a body of three or four thousand: a duke of Milan had also conquered a body of two thousand, which inclines me so much to exalt this victory of the king over enemies so determined and numerous, for thirty-six thousand men had marched out of Milan. Toward the end of the combat a reinforcement of Venetians arrived, which the constable of Bourbon had gone to seek. The troops made all diligence, were well accoutred, and ready for battle; but they found the Swiss defeated, and flying in all directions for Como and Milan. The Venetians pursued the enemy, and showed themselves men of courage, particularly their commander, sir Bartholomew d'Alviano, and the son of the count de Petigliano, who did wonders; but as he was attempting to leap a wide ditch his horse fell upon him,-and he was surrounded and slain by the Swiss, for none were near enough to prevent them. The lord d'Imbercourt was also killed fighting valiantly; he had rushed among the ranks of the Swiss, like to an enraged wild boar, and was of a most warlike nature, with the intrepidity of a lion, as many can testify, who have seen him engaged on former occasions. Francis, lord of Bourbon, was inclosed by the Swiss and put to death, his men not being nigh to rescue him. The prince of Tallemont, the count de Sancerre, the lord de Bussi, the captain Mouy, with a very great number of lords and gentlemen of renown, whose courage had many times been displayed in war, were killed at this battle. During the engagement, neither baggage nor artillery were in danger of being taken, for they were excellently well defended by those who ran as much risk as others engaged in the main battle. Many were well mounted, so that, if fortune had been adverse, the poor adventurers might have been able to support their friends, and have renewed the fight. The king made, this day, several new knights. During the conflict, the cardinal of Sion fled, on seeing the quantities of dead, under pretence, as he told Maximilian Sforza, of bringing back reinforcements, but returned when too late. In the course of this great butchery, a body of Swiss retreated toward a cassino of the van-guard, where was posted the duke of Bourbon, constable of France: he instantly pursued them, had the cassino set on fire, and, unless they could have flown through the flames, not one could have escaped. May God have mercy on their souls, and of all those who fell on this day! It is a great pity that it should be in the power of two or three persons to cause the deaths of so many human creatures, whom they seem to estimate no more than as so many sheep. Alas! they are not beasts, and have sense and reason, or at least ought to have, although sometimes their strength fails through wicked intentions. Some of the wounded Swiss fled to Milan, others to Como: those who entered Milan told the citizens that they had gained the battle, on which they were led to the great hospital to be cured, but when the Lansquenets afterwards entered that city, they put an end to their misery in a strange and terrible manner. CHAPTER CCXLIII.-MILAN SURRENDERS TO THE KING OF FRANCE. THE CASTLE, BESIEGED BY THE FRENCH, SURRENDERS ON CAPITULATION. Not long after this victory, the townsmen of Milan waited on the king, to beg his mercy and pardon for what they had done, and to present him with the keys of their gates. The king mercifully received them, and forgave them, but not without making them pay a heavy fine. The French army now marched to lay siege to the castle of Milan, into which Maximilian Sforza with a body of Swiss, and others whom he collected, had thrown themselves. The artillery made, within a few days, several breaches in the outworks; and Pedro de Navarre had worked his mines under the walls of the castle with such success, great part of them fell down. Maximilian, perceiving himself in danger, made offers to capitulate, when the king sent his chancellor with other gentlemen to treat with him. They were all handsomely dressed: the chancellor had on a flowing robe of raised cloth of gold. Having entered the castle, they instantly began a negotiation with Maximilian for peace, and proceeded in it so far that he accompanied them to the king's camp, where the treaty was concluded, on condition that the Swiss in the castle should be allowed to march away with their baggage in safety, and be paid the whole of the money that had been promised them by the king of France. Maximilian, by this treaty, resigned all pretensions to the duchy of Milan* to the king, who received him with kindness, and had him escorted to France, where he was henceforth to reside. The king made a brilliant entry into Milan, and staid there some time, during which he was magnificently feasted by the nobles and gentlemen of the town and duchy. In regard to the inhabitants of Pavia, they escaped being pillaged, from their poverty, for all of the richer sort had retired into Milan so soon as they heard of the king's successes,― and a treaty was concluded with them by means of a sum of money. CHAPTER CCXLIV.-POPE LEO X. AND THE KING OF FRANCE MEET AT BOLOGNA, to confer ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS.THE KING RETURNS TO FRANCE. ABOUT this period died the commander of the Venetian forces, the lord Bartholomew d'Alviano. His death was caused by a fever from overheating himself. He was much regretted for his valour and his attachment to the French interest. The Lansquenets received from the king, at two different times, double pay. And during his residence at Milan, a treaty was concluded by him with the Swiss cantons, by means of a large sum of money paid them, notwithstanding they had been so lately conquered by the French. When this treaty was signed, ambassadors were sent from the pope to the king, to invite him to Bologna, that they might hold a conference on the state of the affairs of Italy, and for the mutual strengthening of their friendship and alliance. The king, in consequence, left Milan with a numerous attendance, especially of men-at-arms, and arrived at Bologna, where he had a welcome reception from the pope, who entertained him handsomely,—and they had frequent and long conversations together. One day the pope performed a solemn service in the cathedral, at which the king assisted. It lasted some time; after which, an alliance was concluded between them. The pope gave up to the king several towns that belonged to him in right of the duchy of Milan. He gave also a cardinal's hat to the bishop of Constance, brother to the grand master of France. When everything had been concluded between the pope and the king, he returned to Milan, and thence took the road to France, leaving the duke of Bourbon, constable of France, his lieutenant-general of the Milanese t. He made all diligence in crossing the This was brought about by the constable of Bourbon, who bargained that Maximilian should enjoy a yearly pension of 30,000 ducats, &c. See the French and Italian historians, and particularly Mr. Roscoe's Lorenzo de Medici and Leo X. Is not this a mistake was not Lautrec governor of the Milanese, and who offended the inhabitants by his severity? Alps, and arrived at La Baûme, where the queen and his lady-mother were waiting for him. He was joyfully received there, as well as in many other towns in Provence. On leaving La Baûme, they all came together to Avignon, and had a handsome entry. Thence they proceeded to Lyon, where the queen made her public entry, and was received with all demonstrations of joy. At this time died Ferdinand king of Arragon, who during his reign had made many conquests, more especially over the Moors, whom he had subjected to his obedience. At this period also died the magnificent Lorenzo de Medici, brother to pope Leo X., who had lately married a sister to the duke of Savoy, and sister also to the countess of Angoulême, mother to Francis I. king of France. He had been appointed generalissimo of the army of the church. Nearly at this period a furious battle was fought between the Sophi, called Ishmael, and the Grand Turk, and won by the latter, when more than one hundred and sixty thousand men were slain *. The Sophi, however, undismayed, collected fresh troops, and marched a considerable army against the Turk, whom he in his turn defeated, and drove him beyond the walls of Constantinople into Greece. The Sophi remained in possession of all the conquered country, while the Turk was like a captive within the territories of Christendom, and the war was continued on both sides. CHAPTER CCXLV.-THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN ASSEMBLES A LARGE ARMY TO ATTEMPT THE WHILE the king of France was at Lyon, and toward the end of Lent, in the year 1516, another war broke out in Italy, through the usual manoeuvres of the emperor Maximilian : he at this time was excited by the angels of king Henry of England, which had not for a long time flown in his country,--and by their means he subsidised the cantons of Swisserland and the Grisons. He also urged the citizens of Milan to revolt, principally through Galeas Visconti; and thinking everything in a good train, he marched toward Milan with a body of troops that he had collected, under the brother of Maximilian Sforza, now resident in France according to the treaty that had been concluded with him after the battle of Marignano. The emperor having, as I have said, assembled an army, marched it from the plains of Verona to Lodi; but the constable, whom the king had left as his lieutenant in the Milanese, hearing of this, collected as many men together as the shortness of the time would allow, and advanced to meet the enemy. His numbers were not great, on account of this expedition of the emperor being unexpected, although he had received hints of his intention some seven weeks before, but he was not certain of the truth. The constable marched his army to the river Adda, and found the enemy posted on the opposite bank. A short time prior to this, the king of France had summoned some of the nobles of Milan to come to him, who proceeded as far as Suza, to the number of thirtyseven, when they held a consultation; and on the morrow, thirty-three of them fled to join the emperor, but the other four remained loyal to the French, continued the road to Lyon, and related to the king the shameful conduct of the others. To return to our subject; the duke of Bourbon, when on the Adda, despatched messengers to the Swiss cantons, to hasten the troops the king had agreed for,—and in consequence, about nine or ten thousand infantry, for the preservation of Milan, marched to Jurea. The duke of Bourbon was preparing to attack the imperialists, when he heard that Milan was on the point of a revolt; and as he had not sufficient force to meet the In the Art de Vérifier les Dates," I find that Selim I., emperor of the Ottomans, marches in the year 1514 against Ishmael king of Persia, defeats him in the plain of Chalderon, and gains Tauris. War was continued between them until the year 1516, when Selim turned his arms against Kanson, sultan of Egypt. |