A General Martyrology, Chapter 47
CHAP. XLVII. A brief Description of Piemont, and the Valleys thereof.
PIemont is so called, because it is situated à pede montium, or at the feet of the Alps which separate Italy from France: It's but a little spot of earth, yet very pleasant, and of incredible fruitfulnesse. It's bounded on the East with Millan, Montferrat, and the Common-wealth of Genoa: on the South is the Mediterranean Sea: On the West, and North part it hath the Alps for a Bulwark, by which it is separated on the VVest side from Provence, and Dauphine, and on the North from Savoy, and the Countrey of Valley. It's almost all covered with high mountains, and watred with four great Rivers, viz. Po, Tanaro, Stura, and Dora, besides which there are about twenty eight Rivers more, great and small, which render it exceeding fruitful in Cattel, Wine, Corne, Hay, Nuts, and many other fruits in great abundance.
The principal Valleys are, on the North part those two, Aosta, and Susa; on the South side Stura and some others: and in the midland, Lucerna, Angrogni… Roccapiatta, Pramol, Perosa, and Saint Martino. The Valley of … ▪ been, and still is a part of Dauphine as farre as La Capella, which is situated at the lower end thereof, and divides it from Perosa: which was the ordinary passage of the French Armies into Italy.
These Valleys, especially that of Angrognia, Pramol, and Saint Martino are strongly fortified by nature, by reason of their many difficult passages through Rocks and mountains: as if from the beginning it had been designed by the all-wise God to be as a Cabinet, wherein he would keep some rare Jewel.
Those Valleys of Piemont which have been for some hundreds of years inhabited by the Waldenses, are Lucerna, Perosa, and Saint Martino▪ Lucerna contains fifteen miles in length: the highest Communalties thereof, viz. Bobio, Villaro, and La Torre are for the greatest part mountains: but Lucerna, Saint Giovanni, Fenile, Campiglione, and Garcigliana, though they have both on the North and South side a little of the mountains, yet they extend themselves into a very fair Plaine.
Angrognia is but a little Valley on the North side of Lucerna, as also Rorata, and Vallon, which are on the South side of Lucerna wholly within the mountains: So is also Roccapiatta, and Pramol, which are enclosed between the Valleys of Lucerna and Perosa.
The Communalty of La Torre took its name from an high Tower which stood upon a little hill near Bourg: But Francis the first, King of France, considering how prejudicial it might be to the affairs and interest of France, and the safety of Pignorole, he caused it to be demolished. But the Duke of Savoy rebuilt it, Anno 1652. which afterward served as a slaughter-house of many poor innocent souls.
Bricheras, which is joyned to the Valley of Lucerna, is on the East of Angrognia, and Saint Giovanni, and on the South of Roccapiatta, almost all in the Plain.
Perosa, and Saint Martino are on the North of Lucerna, Angrognia, and Roccapiatta, situated in such sort that the Valley of Perosa is at the lower end, and on the East are the Valleys of Saint Martino, and Pragela.
The Valley of Perosa is about six miles long: and its distributed, part in the mountains, and part in the Plains, and very fruitful hills. At the lower end of it are the Communalties of Porte, Saint Germano, and Villaro: In the middle, Pinachia, and in the higher part that of Perosa, where is the City and Citadel of Perosa, whence the Valley takes its name.
The Valley of Saint Martino is eighth miles in length, on the West of the Valley of Perosa, included between the Valleys of Lucerna, and Clusone, in the highest part of the Alps, which border upon the Valley of Queyras, containing eleven Communalties: viz. Rioclaret, Faet, Rodoreto, Salsa, Macel, Maneglia, Chabrans, Traverses, Bovile, and Saint Martino, which gives the name to this Valley. This indeed is the poorest, yet the strongest of all by reason of its situtation.
In these Valleys before the late horrid Massac… 1655. there were fourteen Churches of the Protestants which Co…ed two Classes, or Colloques, and those two Classes, one Synod for their Ecclesiastical Government. The one was the Colloque of Lucerna consisting of the Churches of Saint Giovanni, La Torre, Villaro, Bobi, Rorata, and Angrognia, to which was annexed that of Roccapiatta, which is between the Valley of Lucerna, and Perosa, situated upon those little hills which separate the two valleys.
The other was the Colloque of the valley of Perosa, and Saint Martino, containg four Churches in the valley of Perosa, viz. Villaro, Saint Germano, which made but one Church, Pinachia, La Cappella, and Pramoh ▪ in the valley of Saint Martino, were three Churches, viz. Villa Secca, Maneglius, Prasi.
The Church of Saint Giovanni contains within it a very fair Plain, and little hills, very fruitful, and abounding with Corn, Vines, Chestnuts, Figgs, Olives, and other fruits, but it wants Pastures, and Woods, so that they have not many Cattel, but only some Oxen to till the ground, and to carry their wine to Turin, and other places to sell. This Church hath annexed unto it Lucerna, Lucernetta, the Vineyards of Lucerna, Fenile, Bubiana, and Bricheras. In the City of Lucerna the third part of the Inhabitants were Protestants. In Lucernetta, and the Vineyard of Lucerna, almost all the Inhabitants professed the Reformed Religion time out of mind.
Fenile is lower on the other side of the River Pelice towards the South, being a more fatt and fertile soil than any place in St. Giovanni, in all sorts of Fruit and Grain.
Bubiana, as to the Plain, is like to Fenile, and neerly adjoyning to it: but the Protestants have often been driven out of it, so that what they possessed was mostly in the hills, where they have little Corn, & Wine; but abundance of Chestnuts: So that the inhabitants, which were about fifty Families, were generally poor, living by their hard labour, and by their profit which they made of wood, which they carried to sell to the towns of Babiana, and Lucerna.
The hills of Bricheras, where there have been alwayes Protestant Families, are like those of Saint Giovanni.
The Church of La Torre is the same for situation and quality with that of Saint Giovanni, containing one Plain, where is the Town of La Torre, and hills adorned with the same kind of fruits as those of Saint Giovanni.
The Church of Villaro adjoyns to that of La Torre, but is a little higher towards Dauphine, containing a little Plain where is the Town, and the hills adorned with Vines, and Chestnuts.
The Church of Bobio is near to that of Villaro, being a little higher towards the Mountain on the West, but as fertile as that of Villaro: and being environed with many Mountains, and having fat Pastures, the Inhabitants had many oxen, Kine, and smaller Cattel, together with milk, and wool in abundance, as also they had many Chestnuts, which being cleansed, and dried, they sold, or exchanged for other Commodities.
The Church of Rorata is a little Valley, situated on the other side of the River Pelice, on the West of Lucerna, being bounded by the Mountains of Villaro. It abounds in Pastures, and is very fruitful▪ especially in Chestnuts.
The Church of Angrogna is North-West to that of St. Giovanni, towards Perosa, in a Mountainous Count…y, but fruitfull in Chestnuts, Corn, and Pastures, environed with fruitfull Mountains, which yielded good Pastures in the Summer season.
The Church of Roccapiatta contains four parcels, viz. that of Roccapiatta, St. Bartholomeo, Perustine, and La Inverso delle Porte. In these three latter there grow abundance of rich Wines, Chestnuts, and other good fruits. In Roccapiatta they have Corn, Pasture, and Fruits, but no Wine.
The Church of Villaro, and St. Germano is situated in the lowest part of Perosa, about a mile from Pignorolio: the West and North part of Villaro on this side the River Clusone, belong to the King of France, and St. Germano to the Duke of Savoy on the other side of the said River, which running through the whole length of the said Valley, separates the Kings Territories from those of the Dukes. These two places of Villaro, and St. Germano contain a little P…ain on both sides the River, the rest is in hills, yielding Corn, Wine, and Fruits.
The Church of Pinachia is within the French Dominions, adjoyning on the VVest part to that of Villaro, and contains a fair, and beautifull Plain, on the North-side fenced with pleasant hills: On the VVest is the Town, and fort of Perosa; on the South, the River Clusone, and some hills, but scarce any Plain at all. It abounds with Corn, Wine, Nuts, Grass, and other Fruits.
The Church of La Capella is on the VVest of that of Pinachia in the upper end of the Valley of Perosa; on the West it joyns to the Valley of Pragela (which belongs to the King of France) On the East to the Citadel of Perosa: It hath several very fruitfull hills in it: It hath annexed to it Pomare, and Inverso del Perosa, and some other small Villages, called Le Mean, making a little Communalty at the foot of the Valley of Pragela.
The Church of Pramol is situated on a Mountain between the Valleys of Lucerna, and Perosa, at the feet whereof grow a few …, and good Fruits: In the highest part is Corn, and much wood, and Pasture ground.
The Church of Villa Secca is at the lowest part of the Valley of St. Martino, where there is almost no Plaine but where the river Germanasco takes its course; the Hills which lie South from the said River are very cold, so that there grow no Vines: but those on the North which lie open to the South-sun are hot, and so have many Vines. In general, its tolerably fruitful in Corne, Fruits, and Pasture.
The Church of Maneglia which is on the West part of Villa Secca, comprehends three little Communalties, viz. Maneglia, Machel, and Salsa: All are in a mountainous place, but exceeding fruitful in Corne, Pasture, &c. except only in the highest parts thereof.
The Church of Prali is situated in the uppermost part of the Valley of Saint Martino, and contains two Communalties, viz. Prali, and Rodoret, bounded on the South with the Alps, and the Valley of Lucerna; On the West by the Valley Queyras in Dauphine; and on the North by the Valley of Pragela: Here is nothing but Hay and Grasse.
Generally in all these Churches (except on the tops of the mountains) there are plenty of Fruits, especially of Chestnuts, and in some places there are vast spaces of Ground yielding almost nothing else: as in the little Hills of Bubiana, and all along the Valley of Lucerna, and in the South parts of the Valley of Perosa: So that the Inhabitants in those places dry, and clense great quantities of them, part whereof they keep for their own use, and the rest they sell, or exchange for Corne, and that, quantity for quantity, with the Inhabitants of the Plaine, it being a great part of their food in Piemont. They also dry these Nuts in an Oven, or on a Kilne, and make thereof an excellent sort of Bisquet, which they first string as they do their Beades, and so hang them up in a moist place the better to preserve them. These they frequently make use of instead of Maqueroons, and such sweetmeats.
Of the late Persecution of the Church of Christ in Poland, Anno Christi 1656.
THe All-wise, and holy God, whose wayes of Providence are alwayes righteous, though often secret, and unsearchable, hath made it the constant lot, and portion of his people in this world to follow his Sonne in bearing his Crosse, and suffering persecutions. For they that are borne after the flesh, do alwayes persecute them that are borne after the spirit. But scarcely have any sort of the Churches enemies more clearly followed the pernicious way of Caine herein, than hath that Antichristian faction of Rome, that Mother of Harlots and Abominations, whose garments are died red with the blood of Saints, which they have alwayes cruelly shed, and made themselves drunk with. And amongst those chosen and faithful witnesses, the Lord seemeth very signally to have raised up those Christians, who (though dispersed in divers Countreys) have been commonly known by the name of Waldenses, who for some Centuries of years have lived amongst their enemies as Lambs amongst Wolves, to bear their testimonies to the Truths of Christ, against the Apostasies, and Blasphemies of Rome; for which they have been killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
One part of this little flock, and remnant which the Lord hath left, & reserved, are scattered partly in the Valleys of Piemont, of whose Tragical sufferings you have had a faithful account in the precedent Chapter: the other part of this poor, but precious remnant, have been dispersed in the Kingdomes of Bohemia, and Poland, whose sufferings, together with the Lords signal Providences about them, are now to be spoken of, as they have been related to the Lord Protector O.C. and the State here by two godly persons delegated by those persecuted Churches, which are now the sad Monuments of their enemies rage, and of the Lords sparing mercy.
These sometime flourishing Churches were by degrees worne out by the constant underminings, and open outrages of the Antichristian party; being first driven out of Bohemia into Poland: and then after their taking root, and spreading in Poland into a numerous company, they were forced out of their chiefest Cities there, and at last by the Jesuited, and enraged Popish Army, were persecuted in their few hiding places with fire and sword.
Their Ministers were tortured to death by most exquisite, and unheard of Barbarisme, by cutting out of the tongues of some, pulling out the eyes, and cruelly mangling the bodies of others. Yet did not their rage, and brutish cruelty reach only to the Ministers, but to private persons also; yea, even to women, and to young children, whose heads they cut off, and laid them at their dead mothers breasts.
Nay their rage brake out, not only against the living (not one of whom they spared that fell into their hands) but also against the dead, plucking the bodies of Honorable persons, and others out of their graves, tearing them to pieces, and exposing them to publick scorne.
But the chiefest eye-sore, and object of their fury was the City of Lesna, which after plundering and murthering of all whom they found therein, they burned to ashes, and laid it in the rubbish. Only the Lord in mercy having alarm'd the City by the report of their enemies approach, the greatest part of the Inhabitants (being three famous Churches) saved themselves by flight, and are now wandring up and down in Silesia, the Marquisate of Brandenburg, Lusatia, and Hungary, poor, destitute, afflicted, and naked, the relation whereof you have in this ensuing Narrative written in Latin by some of themselves, and called Lesnae Excidium.
The History of the destruction of Lesna faithfully related.
LEsna a City of great Poland, almost thirty years ago began to be famous both far and near; but now being suddenly and utterly razed hath nothing left beside the name and fame thereof. For the fuller discovery of this businesse from the beginning, we must briefly relate the Original and progresse of this town.
When above seven hundred years ago, Mieczislaus, then Duke of Poland, took to wife the daughter of Boleslaus Duke of Bohemia, and together with her received the Christian Faith, it happened that among those of the Bohemian Nobility that accompanied him, there was one Peter de Bernstein, whom, because he was a person endowed with many vertues, Mieczislaus was willing to detain him in Poland, and to that end bestowed upon him rich possessions, the chief whereof was a Village called Lezsyna, (i. e. a grove of hasle-trees) upon the very confines of the lower Silesia, being situate twelve miles from Wratislavia, five from Glogaw, and ten from Posnania. From this place therefore of his residence, Peter de Bernstein taking the rise of his denomination, according to the custome of the Nation, he and all his posterity were called Lezscynii, and were afterwards admitted to all sorts of Dignities in the Realm; so that of this family there were never wanting some or other that were Captains, Governours of Castles, Palatines, Marshals, Chancellours, Bishops, or Archbishops, even to this day: and besides this, for their noble management of affairs in several Embassyes to the Roman Emperour, they were adorned with the title of Earles of the Empire, which they still enjoy. But Leszcyna it self begun by little and little to change its name, and by contraction was called Lessna, and their neighbour Germans called it Lissa ▪ This Village, something above one hundred of years ago had the dignity and title of a market town granted to it by the famous King Sigismund, and tradesmen were invited hither out of the neighbouring Silesia, and so the use of the German tongue was brought in together with them. As for Religion, it was reformed in Lesna about the same time, by the most illustrious Count Andrew, Palatine of Bernstien, according to the rites of the Bohemian Confession, which it hath retained to this day, and became as it were the Metropolis of the Churches of that Confession, throughout all the greater Poland. And when, after the year 1620. a very sharp persecution was raised against the Professors of the Gospel in Bohemia; and not long after the Ministers and Nobility were banished, they were fain to seek refuge in Poland, whom that most pious Noble man, the Lord Raphael de Lesna, Palatine of Belse, received under his protection, appointing Lesna, Wlodava, & Baranovia for their places of refuge. But for as much as the greater part did seat themselves at Lesna because of the neernesse thereof, and not long after, a far greater company flocked thither out of Silesia (for there also the butchery of souls grew wonderful fierce, in the years 1628. and 1629.) it came to passe that Lesna, by the addition of many streets, grew into a large City, having three market places, four Churches, a large School, above twenty streets, one thousand six hundred houses, two thousand freemen of the City, and abundance of other company. There was built also a very fair Church for the service of God according to the rites of the Augustane Confession, which had over it three Pastors, learned men; and a School for the mother tongue with some Schoolmasters, beside the Free-schoole, which had a learned man of the forementioned Confession appointed over it, by the title of Prorector. The Citizens also having ordered themselves according to the best policy they could, there were found out handsome wayes for a publick revenue that made no noise, and were little felt, and without any mans dammage or burden, so that they were able for some years to maintaine workmen for the compassing of the City about with a Bulwark and Trench, and for the building of gates with walls and faire turrets: And lastly, there was built a very fair Court-house in the middle of the market-place of the old City; there was scarce the like in all great Poland, except at Posnania. In a word, Civility, trading, merchandize (for all things were here bought and sold) and Religion did so flourish here, that this City did not come behinde any City in Poland for its admirable pleasantnesse. All this was matter of joy, not only to those pious Christians that were scattered out of several places for the Gospels sake, and here gathered together under the protection of God, but to others also that came hither from all parts, as strangers: but it galled the enemies of the Gospel extremely, so that it made them leave no designe unassayed for the overthrow of this City of refuge for the godly. At the first (Annis 1628, & 1629.) they made use of several accusations and slanders to King Sigismund the third, suggesting to him that it was a confluence of all sorts of men that were enemies and traytors to his Majesty; that it was good to nip them in the bud, &c. But through the prudence of that great Senator, the Lord of the place, whose wisdome went beyond their envy, and who knew well enough how to counter-work all malicious projects of that kinde, all those their battering-rams were at that time used in vain.
But, Anno 1653. after that the Swedes were broken by the Emperours army in Germany, and were driven out of Silesia, new plots were hatched at Glogaw to send out one or two of the Emperours regiments, who should suddenly invade Lesna, sack the town, and put the inhabitants to the sword, or at least scatter them. But it pleased God so to order it, that this plot was discovered by some of themselves two days before the appointed time, and so vanished into smoak, though the smoak of their devices did not yet cease to rise. For after the death of the most illustrious Prince Palatine of Belse, when his estate was divided amongst his sons and heirs, and the County of Lesna fell to the illustrious Lord Boguslaus, his third son, then newly returned from travelling, the Plotters were not wanting so to lie in wait to insnare this candidate of great wisdome and vertue, that after they had wearied him for some years with the promises of honours (unto which there was no door of entrance but by entertaining the Roman-Catholick Religion) at last they enticed him to professe Popery. But however they heaped many honours upon him, procuring him some Captainships, afterwards the Generalship of great Poland, and lastly the Arch-treasurership of the Realme, yet could they not procure his hatred of the Professors of the Gospel, and the dissipation of his subjects, which was the thing they hoped for, but he still preserved intire to his Lesna those priviledges both Civil and Religious, which his father, of blessed memory, had promised, offered, or confirmed to them. They attempted therefore this other device: The Bishop of Posnania ventured to redemand the old Parish-Church, because it was of ancient foundation, and pretended that it might not any longer be left to the use of Hereticks. The Lord Treasurer answered, that his Grandfather (Andrew Palatine of Brenstien) had built another Church for the Catholicks (whose number was very small in the town, scarce ever above three or four Citizens) to exercise their Religion in, and endowed it with revenues to that purpose, that the greater number of Citizens might enjoy the greater Church. But all was in vain, though he doubled the maintenance of the Roman Parish-priest: for Anno 1652. they brought the Lord Count before the tribunal of the Realme, where the cause must needs go against him, the very same persons being accusers, witnesses and Judges; yet he obtained that this Church should not suddenly be taken away from his Subjects the inhabitants of old Lesna until they had built themselves a new one. This building they presently set about with the help of forrein Churches: (according as they were in a capacity to help, things being every where in confusion) But when the adversaries saw that it went on apace, and that this was like to be bigger than the other (for so great now was the multitude of Citizens of this Confession, that the old Church was not able to contain them) they began again to mutter and threaten, that this might not be endured, that the Hereticks should have a bigger Church than the Catholicks; that they did but build this also for the Catholicks, &c.
At length the irruption of the Swedes into Poland (Anno 1655. gave them the long wished for occasion of oppressing and rooting out not only the Lesnians, but also all the Professors of the Gospel (or as they were wont to be called, the Dissenters from the Roman Religion) throughout Poland. For although the Papists themselves had transacted with the Swedes at their coming out of Pomerania (in the agreement of Uscia) and had delivered to them expressely and by name the chief Cities, Posnania, Kalisch, Fraustat, Meseritz, and Lesna, and the rest, after some weak resistance, had yielded themselves up to the Swedes, yet while the King of Sweden was slowly, and as it proved, dangerously busied in Prusia, they took counsel together for the resuming of their armes, to fight for the liberty of their Countrey, and the Catholick Religion (as they call it) to drive the Swedes out of the Countrey, and to root out all the dissenters in grosse. That this their purpose might make the quicker progresse, and be set on the more strongly, there were Jesuites and Monks sent out every way, to intimate these things to the multitude, and to encourage them to so glorious an undertaking, compelling those that were slow with the thunderbolt of Excommunication, and promising the relaxation of the pains of Purgatory, and eternal rewards to them that were forward. To this end King Casamire being recalled out of Silesia, they commanded the Nobility to flock to him, and to give the King of Sweden a meeting in his return out of Borussia. The Commonalty also they stirred up against the Professors of the Gospel, making themselves their furious leaders; and such was their successe, that in lower Poland a great number of families (it is not yet known how many, because the furious tumult still continues) almost within the compasse of a monethmonth (in February and March) were miserably butchered, men and women, young and old being murthered without distinction, all, save such as could escape into the neighbouring parts of Hungary, and so save their lives by flight. But the Nobility of the greater Poland, most of them having retired themselves into Silesia, began there to gather themselves into small companies, in the beginning of April, and to break forth; by whose coming the rest being encouraged, made a great slaughter of the Swedes that were garrison'd in the small towns, so that General Muller was fain to go forth with an army of Swedes to restrain them.
As for Lesna, the hereditary Lord thereof, the Treasurer of the Kingdome, was gone into Borussia to salute the King of Sweden some way to take care for the safety of his Countrey: But about the beginning of April he returned to Lesna without seeing him, the King then being full of action, and ranging up and down. This businesse procured much more envy both to himself and the City, as if he had plotted with the Swedes against his Countrey, having never been true and faithful either to the Church or his Countrey: therefore they breathed out flames, and belched out threats so much the more fiercely both against him and his City. However there were not wanting such as by private messages gave him hope of pardon, if he would but withdraw himself from them, as afterwards he did. But the enemies prepared themselves to destroy that so populous a City by force (if they could) or else by flames, furnishing themselves with many sorts of weapons for that purpose. Of this doing although the inhabitants of Lesna had notice by several messengers, yet a fatal security prevailed with them to think that there was no fear of such an enemy as was not furnished either with Infantry or Artilery for such a designe. Upon Easter day a … of Poles broke into some territories (belonging to an eminent Professor of the Gospel) neer Lesna: for whom they made diligent search, but finding that he was from home (for he had retired himself to Lesna for Religion sake) they plundered all his movable goods, and took his …ervant (Martin Multz, a Bohemian) and hanging a great stone about his neck, threw him into the river that ran by, and so drowned him.
On the third Holy-day in Easter the report was very hot that the Swedes had lost all, and that the King was slain: upon which account when the Lord Treasurer did betake himself to Wratislavia in Sil…sia, the Citizens of Lesna were something afraid, although the Commanders of the Swedes that were there in Garrison (being three co…ours of horse) did encourage them; as did also the Administrator of the City and County of Lesna, who requiring anew the oath of fidelity from the Citizens, did promise them to stay with them, and bid them be of good courage. Being lifted up with this hope, and drawn on with the promises of new Auxiliary forces to come very suddenly to them, they promised themselves all manner of security, so that no man took any care to get out of the way, or to carry any thing of his goods to a safer place: yet they kept strong guards night and day, sometimes the third part of the Citizens, and sometimes half being upon duty. The Swedish horse also ever and anon made excursions to see what the enemy was a doing, and whether they were neer. But they never brought back any other news, but that there were no footsteps or signes of any enemy appearing: Yea, even that very day in which the Poles came in the afternoon, the Swedes returned with good booty, but not a word of the enemy. But about three dayes after upon Thursday, April the 27. an army of the Polonian Nobility, mixed with a rout of peasants, shewed themselves unexpectedly out of the Woods, and anon they drew forth into the open field, and so set themselves within sight of the City, about five or six furlongs from the Suburbs. When this was perceived, the alarm was given, and the Citizens hasten to their armes, and place themselves on the walls; yet not knowing who they were, and with what intent they came, and wondring much, why, according to the custome they did not send forth a Trumpeter. (For that which they did bruit abroad afterwards, and many perhaps beleeved, that the Lesnians gave the occasion of hostility by killing their Trumpeter, is just nothing: Heaven and earth will bear witnesse that this was devised meerly to colour over the hainousness of the fact:) At length they begin their work with firing a Brick-kiln, that stood not far from the Suburbs. Then the Swedish Troopers (about one hundred and fifty in number) which were already mounted & gone out of the City, going a little farther, encountered with the Enemy in light skirmishes, for the space of two hours; in which many of the Poles, and some of the Swedes were slain. But while the Swedes were earnest with the Citizens for some help, as it were to defend the Suburbs from further burning, some were drawn forth (about seventy of the younger Citizens) who mixed themselves rashly and confusedly among the Horse-men; which when the Poles saw, they feighned a flight, returning towards the Wood: But as soon as they perceived that they had drawn them far enough from the Walls, they wheeled about, some fetching a compass to come behind the Lesnians, and so to get between them and home, and the rest returning straight upon them, fell on in a full body. The Swedish Horse when they saw this, turned their backs, leaving the Foot to the mercy of the Enemy; but the Poles followed them so close at heels, that two Colours (about four hundred men) passed through the Suburbs to the very gate, and wanted but little of entering the City it self with them, had not some good confident fellow, ventured to step in between, and bar the Gate against them, while others of the Citizens sent a showr of Bullets among them, and so beat them back: So the Poles being glad to stop, yea, and retire (just at Sun-set) set fire on the outward parts of the Suburbs, and burnt some Granaries and Wind-mills, thereby making the whole night light to us; while themselves returned through the Wood to Oseczno, which the Germans call Storoknest. The City being thus filled with fear, spent the whole night without sleep; the men in watching upon the Walls, and the women in gathering themselves together in the Market-places and Church-yards, and other open places, and there wearying Heaven with Psalms and Prayers to God.
When the morning came, and no enemy appeared, the Citizens went forth and fetched in the slain to bury them; among whom were found about forty Citizens, but above a hundred of the Poles, and among them their chief Commander himself, Cresky, who formerly had taken Pay under the Swedish General Banier, and was accounted more expert then the rest: In the mean time it was hotly reported that the Administrator of the County and many of his Retinue were wanting and gone; whereupon the courage of the Citizens began to fail, and they went to the Senate, to desire leave to send away their wives & children, that if the enemy should come again they might be the more couragious in defending themselves, not being daunted with the out-cryes and tears of the women. Some disswaded them with good reasons, saying, That those that should be sent forth under pretence of convoying the rest in safety, would not return again, and so the rest of the Citizens should be left in greater fears; That the Spartans of old were wont to take their wives & children to the war, with them, that having them in their eyes, they might fight the more stoutly for their safety. But all was in vain, though the Swedish Commanders also endeavoured to hinder the flight of the richer sort, which they could not do, being overcome with the cryes of the multitude. There were some Ecclesiasticks also who desired leave to depart for a few dayes, because that the Antichristian fury was bent chiefly against them: But the Senate left it to their consciences, whether in such a case they could leave the people then when they would most need instruction and comfort; especially if wounded and dying. But the others persisted in their importunity, and there went out before Noon about three hundred Waggons, which were all that could be got in the City.
After this there followed some quietness, with hopes that the Enemy would return no more, having found by experience how well able the Lesnians were to defend themselves and theirs; and perhaps they had never returned indeed (as it was know afterwards) had they not been encouraged by that Hight of the Citizens: For two dayes after the twenty eight of April, there was a Letter delivered to the Consul from the Commanders of the Polish Forces, in which they demanded the surrender of the City, and gave them hope of good usage; but if they would not embrace that offer, they then threatned to destroy them with fire and Sword, having now such an addition of Foot souldiers, that they were able to take the City by storm. They added moreover that they had received a Letter from the Lord Treasurer, wherein he intreated them to spare his Lesna upon their submission, saying, that he had already given them a command to set open their Gates. If ever there were indeed any such command, it must needs have been suppressed by some one; so that the Citizens never knew of it; otherwise they would have provided a little better for the safety of themselves and their goods. But so it must needs be, that our sins (through others treachery) should be brought to punishment. This message of the Poles to the Senate did wonderfully daunt the Citizens; For these things were not kept secret, but before the Consul could call together the Senate and the Commanders of the souldiery, the report thereof had run through the whole City, as also that there was very little Gun-Powder left, and they had not wherewithal to defend themselves; so that the Citizens being taken with a pannick fear, cast away their weapons and courage together, and betook themselves to flight; especially when presently after, they who were on the Guard, discovered the Body of the Enemies coming the same way they came before; For they forsaking every man his station, hasted home, advising their wives, children, and neighbours to flye, themselves leaving their weapons upon the Walls, or at the Gates; or afterwards casting them away in the fields, that they might not be a burden to them. When the Swedish souldiers saw the Citizens thus in amaze and running away, they also soon mounted, not to meet the Enemy (as before) but to run away too from the face of the Enemy. Then followed the Senate in such a trembling fit of fear, that every one run out at the Gate that was next him, or over the very Forts and Ditches; so that in one hours space, a most populous City was left destitute of inhabitants: Save a company of sick and aged people, and a few others that could not so suddenly get away, or for some other cause were necessitated to await the issue. But all hastened to those Moorish woods, by which Poland is parted from Silesia, in such confusion, that when the nearest passes (towards Thorlang and Krosken) were not wide enough, they tumbled by Troops to other passes (Strizwik, Prybisch, and Hundsloch) that were more remote. The Swedish Troops went to Fraustad, and from thence, taking the Garrison along with them, towards Meseritz: But the passage through the Moors was very difficult, in regard that the company crouding one upon another, as if the Enemy were just at their heels, did not onelyonly many of them stick in the deep Mud (in vain crying out for help to those that passed by, every one being solicitous only for his own preservation) but were also mired and lost! Here children lost their parents, and parents their children, wives their husbands, and one friend another; so that they could scarce find one another again; in two, three, and four days time.
The Enemy by a Trumpeter, who was sent to Posnania gate enquired what the Citizens meant to do; to whom John Kolechen, a learned Citizen, and well acquainted with many of the Nobility (in confidence whereof, having sent away his wife he adventured to stay) came forth and answered, That the Gates stood open, the Swedish Enemies were gone, and the rest of the Citizens stood to their courtesie, and desired their favour.
A little after that, came the illustrious Grzymaltowsky with many of the Nobility to the same Gate, and when the aforesaid Kolechen, with another in his company, had gone out to them and scarcely perswaded them that the City was forsaken, and that there was no treachery; they went in, and when they were disposed into the next fair houses, they were entertained with a noble supper (which was prepared to sweeten them a little, if it might be) and had plenty of Wine out of Dlugosses Cellar, who was a rich Senator.
At last when they were half Drunk, they set upon Kolechen with threats, and would have made him their Prisoner, but that he escaped wonderfully out of their hands, and saved himself by flight. But they durst not stay all night in the City, for fear the Swedes and Citizens should set upon them unawares out of some Ambuscado; and so they returned to their own company, and in the morning with many hundred Waggons they came back, killing all they met, and setting themselves to plunder the City. Here then you might have seen strange examples of barbarous cruelty on the one side, and blockish folly on the other. For though no man made resistance, yet like Mad Dogs they flew upon all that either came out or were drawn out of the holes wherein they had hid themselves. Of some they pulled out their eyes; Of some they cut off their Noses and Tongues; Of others they cut off their Hands and Feet; others they stabbed and slashed, and so butchered them with innumerable wounds, that it could not be known who they were: And (which was more) they spared not his Highness, Prince Frederick, Landgrave of Hassia, though dead, whom they had slain half a year before at Costena, and who was decently Embalmed by the Lessians, and kept laid up in the Chappel of the New-Church upon a Scaffold, till he might be transported to his own Country: They first rifled his Coffin, which was handsomely adorned, taking away his silver and guilt keyes, and all the silk that was about it; then they set upon the Princes corps, and took away his silk robe, lined with Ermines, and so left him once again naked, and lying on the ground. But (after the burning of the City, his body being found in the same place, untouched by the fire) he was cloathed again by the ancient Lesnians, and put up in his Coffin, and buried in a certain place, where he is still honourably kept. But that mad rabble shewed abundance of folly in this, that whereas they might have made Lesna their nest (the Swedes having Garrisoned themselves in the strongest places of the Province) or at least might have gathered together the richest of the plunder; (for there was such abundance of victuals, wares, housholdstuff of all sorts, and treasure that was brought hither from other places, as to a place of safety, that a thousand Waggons could scarce have carried it away in many dayes) yet such was their over-eager desire of their destroying this hated City, that the very same day; yea before noon, they set fire to the City and Suburbs in every street, (for the Waggons which they brought with them were not empty, but loaded with Torches, Pitch, Straw, and such other combustible matter) and so cruelly destroyed that most pleasant City, together with all that abundance of all sorts of things that was in it.
This fire lasted three whole dayes, and there were those that took care that nothing should scape it; for when the New-buildings of the New-churches, did not easily take fire, they brought Straw, Pitch, and dry wood; and put under the roofs and the in-side of the steeples, and so forced them to take fire: And they came again upon the third day (1. May) and whatsoever was left they set fire to again. They burnt also the very Wind-mills, whereof there were seventy about the City; and a very pleasant Park of the Countesses, which lay close by the Castle; that every place might be filled with spectacles of cruelty, and at length it might come to be said, En cineres ubi Lesna fuit!
Where fairest Lesna stood of old,
Now nought but Ashes we behold!
The Citizens sadly beholding these flames some miles off, ran thither next day by Troops; whether out of a desire of quenching the fire (if it were possible) or else to save something out of the flames; (for most through fear had gone away empty handed) but the Enemy came upon them; and although they stoutly defended themselves, and slew many of their Enemies, yet many of themselves were slain; and many others also on the dayes following, when some Villages that belonged to the County of Lesna, and were inhabited by professors of the Gospel, were in like manner burnt down. There perished in these flames many aged and sick people, that could not get away; besides such abundance of houses, houshold-stuff of all sorts, precious wares, corn (many thousand bushels whereof were brought hither) libraries and other things, that the loss would amount to many Tuns of gold; and many thousands were thereby reduced to meer beggery. But that which was saddest of all, was, that the Church of the faithful, that was here gathered together out of divers places and Countryes, to enjoy the pure worship of God, was so utterly overthrown, that it cannot but cry out with Sion of old, when it was rased by the Babylonians, Lament. 1. and 3. O all ye that pass by, behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger! For he hath sent a fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against me; he hath made me a desolation, so that I am not able to rise up; my children are desolate, because the Enemy prevailed. Sion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her. I called for my lovers, but they deceived me. Mine Enemies chased me sore, like a Bird, without cause. They have cut off my life in the Dungeon. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: Thou saidst, Fear not; It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
It must not be concealed what wonder hapned the first day of the burning of the City about evening, at Czirna (which is the first Town of Silesia, next to Lesna, about two miles distant) Some of the Lesnians went out to look upon the sad smoke of their Country; and as they were looking, there fell from the clouds which carried the smoke over Silesia, together with the soot, a leaf of burnt paper, which when they took up, they found to be a leaf of the Bohemian Bible, containing the 6th. and part of the 7th. chapters of Matthew; where those words of Christ came first to sight, With what measure ye meet, it shall be measured to you again; with many other of Christs exhortations to trust in the fatherly Providence of God. This leaf was presented to the Lord of the place; and a Lesnian Physitian, who was there by chance, that read and interpreted it, and divers others, can bear witness to the truth hereof; and the Lord of the place laid it up among his rarities! What now should Sion do, but cry out under the cruel oppression of the Enemy, Render unto them a recompence, O Lord, according to the works of their hands, Lament. 3.64. And indeed God began to revenge his peoples wrongs the fourth day after, when they furiously assaulted Costena, a Town four miles from Lesna, where they were often repulsed stoutly by the Swedish Garrison; and having suffered a great slaughter (about five hundred of them being wanting) they were forced to retire in great confusion. The like also they met withall at Kalissia, and other places, being slain and put to flight by the Swedes. Herein it hapned unto them much after the same manner, as it did to Tilly formerly when he had ruined Magdeburg, the God of vengeance manifesting himself the avenger of his people: And now they begin to acknowledge and upbraid one another with their folly; the Nobles, in that they have spoiled their mart and treasury; and the Clergy, in that it is hapned otherwise than they intended. For their purpose was, utterly to ruine the Hereticks (as they term them) with their nest; but now that they see the nest spoiled, and the birds saved, it is much more matter of grief and vexation than of joy to them. For here God performed what he promised of old to Baruch, I will give thee (in the midst of thy Countryes ruines) thy life for a prey, Jer. 45.5. So God gave to thousands of his worshippers, who were snatched out of the midst of those ruines, their life for a prey, having set bounds to the fury of the Devil, which he could not pass; as he did of old, when he gave Job into his hands, as to all that he had, but so, that he should spare his life. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Truly we have cause to say with David (Psalm 124.) If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us, then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul; then the proud waters had gone over our soul: Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us a prey to their teeth: Our soul is escaped, as a Bird out of the snare of the Fowlers; the snare is broken, and we are escaped; our help is in the Name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth. Oh the wonderfull providence of our God! which then saves when he seems to have forsaken, and then makes alive where he seems to have killed. We had been undone, if we had not been undone: We had been undone in our lives, those furies gathering together soon after, in far greater troops, if we had not been undone in our estates, which were left to them for a prey by our flight (which the fatherly providence of God, fore-seeing greater evils, procured, by sending that fright among us.) Blessed be the Name of the Lord again and again: We notwithstanding, with other afflicted ones, in what Nation soever, whom that proudest Babylonian flood of waters seeks to swallow up, will not cease to cry, How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry with thy people? How long shall thy jealousie burn like fire? O remember not against us former iniquities; let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us, &c. Psalm 79. And with the souls of those that were slain for the word of God, that lie under the Altar of Christs merits, for whose faith we are killed, How long (O Lord) holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth! Rev. 6.9, 10.