A General Martyrology, Chapter 45
CHAP. XLV. A true Narrative of the War in the Valleys of Piemont between the Popish, and Protestant party upon the occasion of the Massacre.
IN the former Chapter you have a faithful Narration of what cruelties were exercised against the Reformed party in the Valleys of Piemont from the first arrival of, the Marquesse of Pianessa's forces at St. Giovanni, which was April 17. 1655. to the 21. of the same: by which time they had made such havock of the poor people, that there was now onelyonly the little Communalty of Roras which was left entire, and untouched: But that they also might in all things be made like unto their suffering brethren of the other Churches, and that it might appear that the destruction was designed to be universal, the Earle of Christophle upon that very day, being April 21. sent three hundred Souldiers secretly by the way of Villaro, to surprize them of Roras, and to put them all to the sword: This party being got upon a little hill called Rumer, belonging to Roras, it pleased God that they were met with by some Souldiers belonging to Captaine Joshua Gianavel (whom God raised up at that time as a choice Instrument for the preservation of the poor scattered remnant of his people). These Souldiers being but seven or eight of them, yet having been beforehand placed in ambuscado at a convenient Post to prevent the inrode of the enemy, they fired upon them, and plyed them so hard, that many of them were killed upon the place, and the rest, supposing by the great number of bullets that flew about their eares, that the men in Ambuscado were sixe times more in number than indeed they were, they fled back in great disorder, and confusion: which the others perceiving, they fell upon their Rear, and chased them at least three quarters of a League amongst the Rocks, and Woods, doing notable execution upon them in their flight.
The Members of this little Church of Roras, to take away all occasions of exceptions, presented their complaints to the Marquesse of Pianessa, who, that he might have the better opportunity to deceive, and surprize them, answered, that those of his Souldiers that went to Roras, Popish subtilty and perfidiousnesse.were but Thieves, Robbers, and Out-lawes, that herein had wholly disobeyed his Orders; adding that they had done him a singular favour in driving them out of their Countrey; and that he would take a course to prevent their being disturbed for the future: and hereupon he published an Order whereby he straightly charged his Souldiers, not to give them any further causes of complaints, nor to molest them in any kind hereafter. Yet perfidiously, the very next day he sent a party of five hundred chosen men to put his first bloody designe in execution.
As these men were passing over a little hill of Roras, they were so saluted by eleven Musqueteers of the Protestants, A special Providence.and six men with slings under the conduct of Captaine Gianavel, who had divided them into three Squadrons, that the enemy was soone put to flight: and this poor handful of despicable men pursued them for an whole League, slaying a very great number of them, without the losse or hurt of any one of themseves, which shews the admirable Providence of God in preserving, and prospering those that fight his battels.
The Marquesse of Pianessa, though he had failed this second, yet was resolved to make a third attempt; and still to deceive them, he made new promises, and protestations that no injury in the world should be offered them, and that in regard of the Intercession of the Earle of Christophle, their Lord and Patron, he would protect, and defend them; yet the very morrow after he sent a party of seven hundred men, who first seized upon, and secured all the passes, that none might escape their bloody hands, and then most barbarously burnt, and destroyed whatsoever they met with thorow all the Communalty of Roras.
Hereupon seventeen housekeepers, whose hearts God had marvelously strengthened, and encouraged for their poor Brethrens preservation, seeing what they must expect, and that nothing but death, and destruction waited for them, unlesse some admirable providence prevented it: as also calling to mind those signal deliverances which God had vouchsafed to his ancient people of the Jewes in their greatest straits: they unanimously resolved to cast themselves with their lives, and estates into the hands of the same God, resting upon his gracious promises, and freely submitting to his good will and pleasure for the issue of their undertaking. The Captaine of this valiant party was the aforesaid Gianavel, who marching up with this little Band, suddenly surprized, and dexterously carried away their Court of Guard with their Centinel from off a little hill where they were placed: At which bold attempt, the enemy being not a little amazed, withdrew from the place where they were, resolving to march thorow a little meadow, and so to get to Villaro or La Torre: But being not nimble enough, the others met with them at Piampra, and there slew many of them, without the losse of any one of their own, and took from them all the Cattel, and other things which they had plundered from the neighbouring places.
Pianessa seeing all his designes thus frustrated, and that his specious promises were but as so many watchwords to bid these poor people to stand upon their guard; he speedily sent to all those of Lucerna, Bubbiana, Barges, Bagnol, Famolas, Cavors, and the adjacent places, who wete able to bear arms, to come and joyn with a good part of his own Army, to environ these poor people on every side. But God, who infatuates mens Counsels as he pleaseth, though the time of their Rendezvouse was punctually assigned them, yet they came two hours too late; all except the Troop of Bagnol, which was conducted by one Mario, a notorious persecutor, and an inveterate Enemy to the Reformed Churches: This Mario with his ragged Regiment of Theives, Outlaws, and a great number of Irish Rebels, assaulted this poor people on the upper and lower part of the Canton of Rumer, who were not about Seventeen in number; yet the Lord was pleased so to encourage them, that they presently gat upon the top of the mountain, and there after a long skirmish forced their enemies, though full of fury and malice, yet to give back, and to flie as far as the Cliff called Pairo Capello; in which fight and pursuit they killed above Sixty of them, and wounded many more, and many of them being laden with plunder, as they fled amongst the Precipices of the Rocks, fell down, and were dashed in pieces. Those of them that were lighter, and nimbler, gat safe to Pairo Capello; but when they came there they found greater difficulties to contest with than before; for being closly pursued and compassed in on every side, they were forced to take the Ropes wherewith they had bund up their plunder, and tying them to shrubs, to slide down the Rocks by them, and to fall into the River that ran below; but by reason of the violence of the torrent, and the great confusion that was amonst them, one falling on the neck of another, and such as could not swim, catching hold of them that could, the greatest part of them were there drowned. Captain Mario also amongst the rest threw himself into the River, and had not several of the Souldiers that could swim excellent well, ventured their lives to fetch him out, he had gone with the rest to receive present pay from the Devil.
This Captain Mario, having thus escaped,Gods Judgements on persecutors. was carried to Lucerna in his shirt, without either Hat or Shoos, as a man at his wits end; and shortly after he fell into a desperate disease, whereof he died: But before his death he oft cried out in a most despairing manner, that he felt a grievous burning in his bowels, as a just Judgement upon him for having burnt so many innocent persons, and their habitations.
The Protestants after this gallant action, being somewhat weary with their hard service, as they were marching back to refresh themselves, they spied another company of Murtherers coming from Villaro, whereupon forgetting their weariness, they placed themselves in Ambuscado: when the Enemy drew near the place, they perceived some of them; but not being able by their colours to discern of what party they were, they called to them for THE WORD; the Protestants answered not, but beckned to them to come nearer, which they did in a careless posture, supposing them to be friends, and when they came near, the others suddenly discharged upon them, and slew many of them upon the place, and the rest they pursued near to La Torre, and Villaro. After which signal Victory, Captain Gianavel rallied his men upon an high ground not far off, and in the very sight of his enemies, he caused them to kneel down, and with a loud voyce to give thanks unto the Lord for this very great mercy in their deliverance.
Three days after, the Marquess of Pianessa, being highly incensed by this success of the Protestants, sent to the people of Roras, expresly charging them to change their Religion, within the space of Twenty four hours, and that upon pain of death, and of having their houses burnt to the ground: To which they answered, That they would much rather chuse death, than to obey any such Order. The Marquess vexed at their resolute answer, presently dispatched away Eight thousand men, besides the Militia Forces of the neighboring Commonalties; who according to his order were divided into three Squadrons, the one to set upon the poor people on the side of Villaro, the other upon the Mountains of Bagnol, and the third on that part which looks toward Lucerna; which accordingly they did, not only murthering man, woman and childe, but exercising all manner of cruelties upon them, taking much pleasure (like bloody villains) in torturing those poor creatures, and in tossing their little Infants from off their Pikes and Halberts, and dashing their brains against the Rocks, whose cryes would have melted an heart of Adamant, but theirs were harder; the number thus taken and slain was about One hundred twenty six, the rest almost miraculously escaped their bloody hands.
Having thus shewn their valour upon naked men, women and infants, and being glutted with the prey that they found in the Country, they turned their houses into ashes; and such as survived they sent prisoners to Turin, amongst whom was the Wife and Children of Captain Gianavel, and so they marched back to Lucerna with great joy and acclamations.
Shortly after Pianessa wrote to Captain Gianavel promising him great preferment if he would change his Religion; Otherwise, threatning that his Wife and Children should be burnt: He also promised a great sum of money to any that should bring him the said Gianavel either alive or dead. To this Captain Gianavel presently answered, That there was no torment so violent, nor death so cruel, that he did not much prefer before the abjuration of his Religion; and that all these promises and threats did but the more fortifie him and strengthen his Faith: And for his Wife and Children, he told the Marquess that though he had gotten them into his power, yet he could but kill their Bodies; And as for their Souls, he recommended them, together with his own into the hands of God, in case it so happened that he should fall into his power.
This Captain Gianavel having gotten together a small party of men upon part of the Alps called La Pellas des Jamies, May 22. went out in the evening to a place about three leagues off, not far from Bubiana, where he first sought God by prayer, and afterwards being informed of the number and strength of the enemy, finding them too many to be attachqued by such a handful of men, he turned towards Lucernetta, where he was furiously assaulted by the Garison of Lucerna, but he couragiously encountred them without the loss of any one man, only himself was shot into the leg, by a Souldier that had hid himself behinde a tree, with a purpose to have slain him; but the Captain perceiving whence the shot came, lame as he was, he made to the place, where he quickly dispatched him for his pains.
Whilst these things were acting, the Irish Rebels in the Marquesses Army, thinking to make themselves Masters of Babbiana, under a pretence of protecting them against the Barbets, the Peasants of the place perceiving their drift, took occasion to quarrel with them, and after drove them out, killing a great number of them.
May the 26. 1655. Captain Gianavel wrote to Captain Jahier and the rest that were retired into Val Lucerna, to meet at a Rendezvouz at Angrognia, which accordingly they did, and the day after they marched together to a place in the Plain called Garcigliana, thinking to have entred the Town; but they met with a great party of Horse and Foot, yet they disputed it with them a long time, but being overpowred, they were forced to retreat; though they got six yoke of Oxen, and many other small Cattel, and some prisoners, and that with the loss of one only man in the retreat.
May 28. They marched to St. Secondo, where, having first kneeled down, and prayed for a blessing upon their undertaking, encouraging one another, they attaqued the place with incredible valor; and the better to secure themselves against their enemies, who had lodged and fortified themselves in houses, they got Planks, Barrels, and such other things as they met with to keep off the bullets, which were poured out upon them out of those houses, and so quickly made themselves Masters of the doors of those houses, to which immediately they set fire, and so forced their entrance, putting all the Souldiers they found to the sword; and no marvel; for they had been extreamly provoked to this rigour by the others cruel usage of their Wives and Children: Besides every room of those Houses was filled with the plundered goods of the Protestants; yet did they not meddle either with Women or Children.
Then did they set fire on the Town, and plundred the Churches, which they found full of their own goods and cattel, and carried away seven of their Mass-Bells.
Many Irish slaine.At this time they slew about four hundred and fifty of their enemies, and amongst others a whole company of Irish Rebels, who chose rather to be burnt than to crave Quarter. Of the Protestants there were only seven slaine, and six or seven more slightly wounded, whereof they soon recovered.
Munday June the fourth, the Captaines Jahier, Laurentio, Gianavel, Genolat, Benet, and other officers of the Protestants went to Angrognia, and having called a Councel of warre, they concluded the next day to alarum the enemy at Briqueras, and Saint Giovanni: and accordingly the Captaines Laurentio and Jahier went by the way of Reccapiatta, that by the help of the thick woods wherein they shrouded themselves, they might the better approach Briqueras, and having gotten upon a little hill near the Town, Captaine Laurentio made there a stand to hinder any relief that might be sent them from Saint Secondo, and Captaine Jahier marching down, set fire on several Houses and Barnes.
At the sight of this fire, they of Briqueras gave notice to those of Cavors, Fenile, Bubiana, Campiglione, and other neighbouring places, whereupon the enemy quickly advanced towards them, and were as soone beaten back again: in the mean time there came a party of about twenty Horse and stood at Saint Secondo, lest the Reformed party should Salley out that way, really believing that they had a designe upon Briqueras: But Captaine Jahier marched with his company by the way of Saint Giovanni, and Captaine Laurentio went an higher way, yet both met at the place appointed, where Captaine Gianavel was engaged with the Enemies from Lucerna, and La Torre, against whom he had defended himself very stoutly: Then did Captaine Jahier charge them on the Flanck, and Captaine Laurentio on the Front, seasonably interposing his company in that place where the enemy had thought to have surrounded Captaine Gianavel, so that the Popish party was soone routed, leanving one hundred men behinde them, besides many that were wounded, the Reformed party having but one slaine upon the place.
June the second, three hundred of the Enemies went from La Torre to fetch a Convoy into the Fort of Mirebuc, situate between the Frontires of Dauphine, and Piemont: But Captaine Gianavel being at Malbec, though he had but nine souldiers with him, fell upon them, and fought a great while with them to the great astonishment of his Enemies: but at last was forced to retreat without the losse of a man, only four were slightly wounded.
Afterwards Captaine Gianavel with a small party marched to La Palle des Guienets, from whence he sent to some that were retired into Villora, requiring that all those of the Reformed Religion should within twenty four hours come out of the said place where Masse was celebrated, and that upon the paine of being dealt with as enemies, and that such as through weaknesse had abjured, and would persist in their abjuration, should depart thence upon the same penalty. Hereupon all the Papists fled presently out of Villaro, and the Protestants came in to Captaine Gianavel, and such of them as were able to bear Armes followed him chearfully: the rest contributed according to their abilities towards the maintenance of him, and his Troops. Those which through frailty had abjured their Religion went over the Mountain into the Valley of Queires; yet not long after they returned like so many wandring Sheep to the true Shepherd of their souls, and testifying their repentance, were again received into the bosome of the Church.
After those of Lucerna were retreated, the Captaines Jahier, and Gianavel, with some other Officers called a Councel of Warre, wherein they resolved to sally out, and if it were possible, to surprise those of La Torre, most of which were Irish. But the enemie having timely notice, was so prepared, that they killed some who had passed the Bridge at Angrognia, which so encouraged them that they thought to have enclosed all the small body of Protestants, and to have cut them all off: but after many assaults to no purpose, they were forced to retreat to La Torre with the losse of very many of their Souldiers, besides many others that were dangerously wounded.
The next day the Captains, Jahier, and Gianavel went before La Torre, against whom many of the Souldiers came out; but not sallying forth in a full body, they were all slain upon the place, which their Captains seeing, they thought fit to send out no more: whereupon the Protestants retreated towards Angrognia, to a place called La Verne, where a few houses were yet left unburnt.
The next day was spent in the review of their Army, and holding a Councel of warre, where they resolved to send a party against the Communalty of Crusol, the inhabitants whereof had made Incursions upon them, and committed many Outrages in the beginning of the Massacre: and accordingly they marched all night, being four hundred ninety and five men, and passing by La Torre undiscovered, a little after midnight they arrived at Crusol, where they took four hundred head of Cattel, six hundred sheep and Goats, with much other booty, and that without the least resistance: For the Inhabitants of Crusol, being terribly affrighted, had cast themselves into the mouth of a most fearful Rock, whence they could not be gotten out: and so the Protestants returned over one of the Alps of Villaro, where arriving the next day towards evening, they divided the spoil amongst the Souldiers.
Presently after their departure the enemy from Lucerna, Cavors, Briqueras, and other places to the number of eight hundred, having heard of their designe against Crusol, marched to their relief: but finding that they were gone too farre to be overtaken, they resolved not to lose their labours, and so fell a plundering the poor people (though their friends) much worse than the Protestants had done, and afterwards falling out amongst themselves about dividing the spoil, they destroyed one another instead of doing hurt to the Reformed party.
The very same day that this enterprize was against Crusol, the enemy at Saint Secondo advanced to burn the rest of the houses at Roccapiatta, and being advanced as farre as to the little hill of Angrognia, they thought to have surprized the rest of the forces left under the command of Captaine Laurentio, and Captaine Jahiers brother: But they having timely intelligence of it, marched presently to the top of the Mountain with one half of the Souldery, leaving the other halfe under the command of Captaine Bennet of Saint Germano, who also with all possible expedition, took his Post upon the said little hill with seventeen of his men, and placed the rest in Ambuscado. But the enemies hearts misgiving them, they shamefully retreated, at which time they took one Giovanni Pietro Ragio as he was coming from Pinachia, and binding his head with a cord, they strained it with such violence, that they made it sink into his brains, and so they sent him to Turin, where he ended his dayes shortly after by a languishing, and miserable death.
Eight dayes after, Captaine Gianavel, having waited three whole dayes at Angrognia for the coming of Captaine Jahier, that with joint forces they might assault the Town of Lucerna, when he came not, he resolved to assault it himself, and so marching all night, he arrived at Lucerna by break of day. His first work was to cut off the Pipes that conveyed water into the Town, and brak down the Bridge that no relief might come to them from Bubiana, Barges, and Bagnol: then did he assault the Town, and quickly defeated two of the out-guards: but the Regiment of Monsieur de Merolles, and divers others being got into the Town the night before, he was constrained to give over the enterprize, and to retreat, whereas if Captaine Jahier had come in time, and joyned with him, probably they had carried the place,
June the eighth, Captaine Gianavel being left alone at Angrognia only with his own Company, and some few others, was assaulted early in the morning by the Souldiers of La Torre and others, one part of them getting upon the top of the Mountain, and the other part going the lower passage to possess themselves of the Gate of Angrognia by the way of Saint Bartholomew, intending suddenly to fall upon Captaine Gianavel and his small company, having already devoured them in their hopes: But it pleased God that at the sound of the Trumpet, when all should have fallen on, Captaine Gianavel soone awaked, and having first sought unto God by prayer,A special Providence. he fell upon the enemy, and gat the advantage of the place from them, and after a short Dispute, forced them to turne their backs, though there were at least two thousand five hundred of them, and all the Captaines company was not above three hundred, yet did that handful of men pursue them as farre as to the descent of Angrognia, into the Woods, and steep places of the Rocks, where they slew a very great number of them.
Captaine Gianavel seeing it impossible to think of any further attempt for the present, entreated Captaine Jahier to give over for that day, and to refresh himself and his Souldiers: but he being at that time more passionate than prudent, refused his good counsel, and picking out one hundred and fifty choice men, sweetly took his leave of Captain Gianavel (little thinking that it should be his last) and so marched down into the plaine, where he burnt several of their Houses who had formerly burnt, and destroyed so many of the Protestants, bringing away with him a good Booty of Cattel, and other Goods.
This valiant Captaine who hitherto had been so successeful in all his attempts,His Charactea thinking in the close of the day to Crowne all his former undertakings, as he was now near the execution of his Designe, Lo a Squadron of Horse surrounded him and his fourty five men (for at this time he had no more with him) at a Countrey house, not farre from Ossac: and though he and his men did all that could possibly be expected from them, killing three Captains, with the Commander in chief of that Squadron, besides many others, yet he at last and thirty five of his followers, all lost their lives; and the enemies in great Triumph, cut off Captaine Jahiers head, and the heads of his sons, and carried them to Turin, presenting them to the Duke and his Mother, who rewarded them with six hundred Ducatoons for their good service therein.
Captaine Jahier deserves to be renowned, especially for his great piety, and zeale for the service and honour of God, and the preservation of his poor afflicted Church and Members. He was of so undaunted a spirit, that the terrors of death, and the most cruel torments could never affright him. He was bold as a Lion in his enterprizes, but meek, and humble as a Lamb in the middest of his Victories, alwayes lifting up his hands towards Heaven, from whence he acknowledged all his help to come, and alwayes recited fit and comfortable passages out of the Scriptures (wherein he was admirably versed) for the encouragement of all his followers, and the strenthening of their faith upon all occasions. As to his outward parts, and accomplishments, he was a man of a sound understanding, and good judgement, and above all, of a wonderful active spirit, which had he but used with moderation, he had been hardly to have been paralleld.
The death of so brave a Commander, and the wound of Captaine Gianavel, in that juncture of time did not a little startle the Protestants: A special Providence.But necessity often puts inconsiderable men upon bold enterprizes: for these poor men did not despond, nor lose their courage, but assembling shortly after in a Mountaine of Angrognia, they descended into the plaine, where twice they were assaulted with violence, the last of which was by a dangeros Ambuscado, where the enemies were at least six thousand, and they not above one hundred: But God of his infinite goodnesse so encouraged their hearts, and guided their hands, that they slew very many of their enemies, and amongst them many principal Officers, whereas the Reformed party lost onelyonly one Michael Bertino, a Serjeant of Angrognia, and had but one common souldier wounded. The sonne of the said Bertino seeing his father fall dead at his feet, was so farre from being discouraged, that he immediately stepped into his fathers place with these words, Though my father be dead, yet be of good courage my fellow souldiers, for God is a father to us all.
Munday following they had a very sharp dispute at La Torre, and about Tagliaretto, where they killed and wounded a great number of their enemies, without the losse of any of their own men. Indeed in this time the enemies reaped their Corne in the plaines of Saint Giovanni, but they could not carry it away but with the losse of many of their lives.
About the same time there came to them one Monsieur Andrion, a Major of a Regiment of Horse, with two other Gentlemen that were strangers, who were followed with some Volunteers, whose friendly visit of their poor afflicted Brethren, and their good advice in such a juncture of time, was taken (as it deserved) very kindly: and God made it a singular means to uphold the fainting spirits of some weak Brethren, who seeing others come in to the help of the Lord against the Mighty, went on with a great deale more chearfulnesse, and alacrity: and these staid with them till the peace was concluded at Pigner…l.
July the eleventh 1655. Sieur John Leger, Pastor of the Church at Saint Giovanni, who deserves to be remembred for the great paines, and many services performed by him in the behalf of the Churches of the Valleys, having notice that the enemies were of opinion that he was come back from his journey with Armes and Money, and Ammunition, and thereupon presuming that they would suddenly make some notable attempt to prevent what they so much feared, he went to Colonel Andrion, and pressed him to put his designe in execution.
The poor people had as yet no standing Army: but the Bands of each Commonalty were quartered at a great distance the one from the other; and certainly they had been cut off every man of them within a few dayes, had not their Centinels been very watchful; and above all, if Captaine Charforan had not on the one side timely discovered the enemy, an the poor people on the other side been exceedingly heartned to the Battel by the great valour, and singular conduct of the Sieurs Andrion, Michelin, and Leger.
The Enemy was very numerous, having been lately reinforced with many Troops. They encamped themselves within half a League of the Reformed party, and early in the morning they divided themselves into four Brigades, three whereof fell upon the Protestants with a marvelous Resolution in three several places at once: the fourth stood still, ready to succour their friends if there were need. The fight continued at least four hours without intermission, and was the sharpest that ever was fought in the open field: and that which made the enemies more fierce, was, their hopes to have beaten back the Protestants from their Post called the Castelas, which if they could have effected, they had been certainly Masters of the Valleys Perosa, Saint Martino, and Lucerna: But the poor people having lifted up their hearts by earnest supplications to the Lord of Hosts (as they used to do upon all such occasions) Major Andrion, and the two other Captaines which he had brought with him, gave forth such orders as were necessary, encouraging their men exceedingly, so that without budging a foot, they kept their ground, all save a few who were either quite tired, or faint for want of food, or that wanted powder, or flints in their fire-locks: But these, the Sieurs Mechelin and Leger imployed in rolling down great stones upon their enemies heads as they came to attacque them, which proved very successeful, doing much execution upon the enemy, and causing them to abate much of their fury; and whereas in the beginning of the fight they cryed alwayes, Advance, Advance, ye relicts of Jahier: the Protestants now began to cry as fast, Advance, Advance, ye relicts of Saint Secondo, and withal they ran upon those murtherers as so many Lions, and caused them to turn back, and flie towards La Torre and Lucerna as fast as they were able, leaving behinde them fifty five upon the place, and about fourty that were killed in the flight, besides many others who were carried either dead, or dangerously wounded, to Lucerna. Themselves confessed that in this encounter they lost at least three hundred men, amongst which were many Officers of a Bavarian Regiment.
When such multitudes of dead, wounded, and dying men were brought into Lucerna, the Syndick, who was indeed a Papist, but not so superstitious as many others, said to some, Hitherto the Wolves devoured the Barbets: But now the Barbets devour the Wolves; which words being reported to Monsieur Marolles, the Commander in chief in Lucerna, he threatened to imprison him, and to give him the Strappado for them, which so terrified the poor man, that he presently sickened, and within a few dayes died.
Two dayes after this great fight, the enemy being much enraged for their great losse, spread themselves all over Angrognia, and began to set the Corne on fire, which being seene by the Company of La Torre, who at that time were upon the Mountaine of Tagliaretto, they speedily gave notice to those of Saint Giovanni, and Angrognia, who hasted thither, and charged them so fiercely, that they forced them to flie, and to leave most of their Ammunition behinde them: and in the meane time Captaine Belin assaulted the Towne of La Torre, killed the Centinel, and souldiers upon the works, and gave the Towne such an hot Alarum, that most of them fled towards the River of Pellice; and probably if he had had a few more men with him, he had at that time made himself Master of La Torre.
July the eighteenth, the General of the Protestants gave Order to fall upon the Towne of La Torre, which accordingly was put in execution. Captaine Belin gave the first onset, who being followed with many other Officers, and Souldiers, they quickly made a considerable breach in the Garden-wall next to the Convent, which so encouraged the rest, that they fell on with an invincible resolution, and in a short space burnt both the Convent, and most of the Towne down to the ground. Those in the Fort finding themselves hardly beset, began to Parley about surrendring of it upon honorable termes: But some horse coming seasonably to their relief from Lucerna, which the Protestants might have prevented if they had been so careful as they should have been, they were frustrated of attaining their desires.
Besides these, there were divers other battels fought in divers places where the Reformed party had considerable advantages against their enemies, but for brevity sake they are here omitted.