History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 1300-1600 · Century 15 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II. Of EMPEROURS.
1. ROBERT Count Palatine of Rhine was Emperour, An. 1400. with univerſal conſent; but not with ſuch reverence as his Anceſtours, becauſe of the alienations granted by Charls the IV. and the late contempt of Wenceſlaus. Robert was prudent, and calmed all the jars within the Empire. When he had brought Germany into tranquillity, he went to be crowned in Italy; and to protect Florence againſt the potent warriour John Galeacius, Duke of Millain, as the Florentines had invited him with large promiſes; but they fled in the day of battel, ſo his expedition was unprofitable and diſhonourable. Neither could he be moved to ſtay in Italy, although the Gibelines and the Pope, made larger promiſes unto him. When he returned, he was no leſs troubled with the factions of the Anti-Popes, and ſchiſm in the Church. He indeavoured to aſſemble a Councel, but the Anti-Popes would not conſent. He died An. 1410.
2. SIGISMUND King of Hungary (and brother of Wenceſlaus, as yet alive) for his valour, in fighting againſt the Turks, was judged worthieſt of the Empire. Both the Popes did ſeek his favour, and pretending the authority of confirmation, ſent and confirmed his election. Platin. He ſpared no travel to remove the ſchiſm, and went perſonally unto both the Popes; and ſeeing no other remedy, he went unto the Kings of France, Spain and England, for aſſembling the Councel at Conſtance. It was once appointed to be held An. 1412. but it was delaied, becauſe Ladiſlaus, King of Naples (ſtanding up for Gregory the XII.) had taken Rome, and kept it as Lord thereof: he died the ſame year, and the Romans returned to the obedience of Pope John. Then the Councel was proclaimed, every where, to begin at Conſtance Novemb. 1. An. 1414. We will ſpeak of it by it ſelf. The Bohemians were offended for burning their Preachers, John Huſs and Jerom of Prague; and they feared not to aſſemble in the fields, to the number of 30000. and communicated, in both kinds, upon three hundred Tables erected for that uſe; then they ruſhed into ſeveral Churches and Monaſteries, and broke down the Images. Io. Cochl. Hiſt. lib. 4. Their King Wenceſlaus died, An. 1420. without children. Then wars waxed in Bohemia; for Sigiſmund, as neareſt heir, ſent Governours to rule it, untill he returned from the Wars againſt the Turk in Hungary; there he was unfortunate. In the mean time aroſe John Troſnovius (commonly called Ziſca or Ciſca, that is, one-eyed) a man of good Parentage, and brought up in the King's Court, and a couragious Souldier; the Huſſits choſe him to be their Captain; their Army was reckoned to conſiſt of 40000. they poſſeſſed the Fortreſſes of Prague, and were Maſters of other Cities and Caſtles; every where they broke down Images in the Churches. Aene. Sylvius Hiſt. Bohem. Cap. 38. At that time, one coming from Picardy, perſwaded many Bohemians, both men and women, to walk naked; and beſides other fond errours, they defiled themſelves with promiſcuous luſts, and called themſelves Adamites. Ciſca abhorred them, and although they proffered to join with him, yet he ſcattered them, and killed ſome of them. Io. Naucler. Before the Governours were arrived from the Emperour, Ciſca was grown ſo ſtrong, that they were glad to ſeek peace. Pope Martin thought to affright them with his curſe; but the Huſſits did not fear his thunder. When the wars of Hungary ceaſed, the Emperour intended to march into Bohemia; if he had gone thither ſuddenly, it ſeems, the Bohemians would have ſubmitted; for they ſent unto the Emperour in Moravia, to ſeek peace; and the Emperour condeſcended unto tolerable conditions; all the people were joifull, under hope of peace, and liberty of religion. God would have it otherwiſe, that his good mettle might ſhine, and be better known unto the world. Sigiſmund would firſt puniſh ſome offences committed, in Vratiſlavia, againſt his Governours; and was ſevere againſt the chief of the rebellion. This news coming to Prague, did ſo affright the people, that they were afraid of the like rigour; and reſolving to refuſe the Emperour, writ their Letters through all the Kingdom, as if the Emperour intended the like cruelty amongſt them. Aene. Sylvius ibid. cap. 39. All the people, with uniform conſent, put Ciſca into Prague, for their defence againſt Sigiſmund, An. 1421. Whereupon followed eleven battels (or rather preparations) deſcribed loc. cit. cap. 44. &c. Ciſca was alwaies victorious. Unleſs their enemy had written ſo, it were almoſt incredible. The moſt notable were theſe; Sigiſmund came to Prague, and beſieged it ſix weeks: All that ſpace Ciſca, and his Bohemians, had the better in every skirmiſh; and the like was in other parts of the Kingdom. The Emperour was forced to break up from Prague, and to go unto Cutua. Then Ciſca left the City, and joined with the Tabbrites (ſo named from a Town which they had founded, at that time) and not being contented with victory in defence, he took ſome Towns and Caſtles from the Imperialiſts. Then the Emperour went againſt a Monaſtery, which held as a Caſtle for Ciſca; nothing doubting to carry it, his Army was ſo numerous. Ciſca came unto their relief; and the Imperialiſts, at the only ſight of their adverſaries, were ſo far from oppoſing, that they ran away ſuddenly; and the Emperour durſt not ſtay in any part of all Bohemia. So Ciſca took more Towns and Caſtles. Before the Town Rabi, his one eye was pierced with an Arrow; but his reputation was ſuch, that he continued in his government, and that Army was led by a blind man; a thing never ſeen nor read in any other Hiſtory, ſaith Sylvius ibid. The Emperour levied another Army, and ſent for the Elector Princes; then came the Biſhop of Mentz; the Count Palatine; ſome Dukes of Saxony; the Marqueſs of Brandenburg, and other Biſhops of Germany: the Emperour ordered them to enter, with their forces, into Bohemia on the Weſt; and he, with his Hungars, did enter on the Eaſt. Blind Ciſca goeth to the fields, and when he was ready to join in fight, the Imperialiſts were ſo amazed, that they were ſoon overthrown; and ſome principal men amongſt them were ſlain. Ciſca followed his Victory one day, and brought back rich ſpoil. A Florentine leading 15000. Horſe and Foot, fell among ice, and many of them were drowned. The Bohemians, being ſo victorious, would chuſe a King to reſiſt the Emperour; they ſent and invited Vitold, Duke of Lituania; he was glad to be a King (Ciſca was no leſs diſcontented) and accepted, and within a ſhort ſpace reſigned his Title unto the Emperour; who returned againſt the Huſſites. Ciſca is ſtill victorious, and 9000. Imperialiſts were ſlain. Now Sigiſmund thinks he cannot be King of Bohemia, without the good will of Ciſca: and that age ſaw the Emperour (whoſe name barbarous Nations did fear, and all Europe did reverence) make ſupplications and prayers unto an old blind Heretick, as Sylvius ſpeaks Cap. 46. But (ſaith he) whom man could not overcome, the finger of God did kill. He ſhould rather have ſaid, Whoſe weakneſs was ſtrengthned by the power of God, againſt the malice of men, he could not be undone by craft not power of men; for Ciſca, in his old age, was willing to hearken, and to bring the Bohemians under the command of the Emperour, and ſo under the yoke of the Pope; but God's appointed time was not yet come, and he would not ſuffer the Treaty to be cloſed, nor will leave his people; howbeit they then in deſpair call themſelves Orphans: After the death of Ciſca, they were divided into two factions, and led by two Captains, Procopius the elder and the younger. All theſe circumſtances gave ſome courage unto Pope Martin; he ſent a Cardinal, the Biſhop of Wincheſter in England, unto the Emperour, with a charge to renew his forces againſt the Bohemians, and ſign the Germans with the Croſs. An. 1427. three Armies were levied; from the Sea Coaſt went the Duke of Saxony; the Marqueſs of Brandenburg from Franconia; and the third from Rhine, Bavier and Suevia, under the Conduct of Otho Biſhop of Trevers. Theſe entred three waies into Bohemia, and joined together; when they heard the Bohemians were approaching (a thing moſt ſtrange, yet reported as true by Sylvius cap, 48.) they were ſo terrified, that without ſeeing the enemy, both Captains and Souldiers, without ſhame, abandoned the Fields and ran away. The Huſſits purſued, and got all the Baggage and Artillery; and not being contented, they ſally out of the Kingdom, and return with rich ſpoil. The Legate accuſed his croſſed Souldiers of ſo baſe cowardize, and exhorted them to turn their faces againſt the vile Hereticks; nevertheleſs they ceaſed not to flie, untill the Victors left purſuing. Ibid. At that time were wars alſo between Millain and Florence; and between the French and Spaniards in Naples: But Pope Martin not being ſatisfied with ſo much ſpilt blood, ſent another Legate, Julian Cardinal of St. Angelo, to perſwade the Germans to aſſume the croſs once more againſt the Bohemians. An. 1430. The Bohemians, by their Letters ſent abroad, did lament that ſo many men were ſlain through the deceitful malice of the Pope; who, like to Satan, was rich in promiſes unto them which would fight againſt innocent people, but is not able to perform; who is not aſhamed to proclaim lyes, and ſlander them as miſcreants and hereticks; and refuſeth to fight with the weapons of God's word, becauſe he knoweth his own hereſies will be diſcloſed; but truth is never afraid of falſhood, and is mightieſt of all things; but he deceiveth both in body and ſoul all that believe him. And they intreated all men, both rich and poor, for God's ſake, and for righteouſneſs, that they would, by ſome means, procure a ſafe and friendly communing at ſome convenient place, and bring their teachers with them, that they may hear one another; and the party erring may be brought to acknowledge their error, and not deſtroy one another blindely; which if thoſe whom they implore, will refuſe to do, on the other ſide, they will take the Lord to be their help, and will defend the truth unto death: nor will they be afraid of the Pope's curſe, who is not God (as he maketh himſelf) and theſe many years hath accurſed them; but God hath been their help by his gracious bleſſing, &c. Ph. Mornay. in Myſter. Nevertheleſs, the Marqueſs of Brandenburg is choſen General of another Army; He and the Dukes of Saxony and Bavier, three Biſhops Electors, with others, to the number of 40000. horſe, and not ſo many foot, went againſt Bohemia. The Cardinal went along with them. Where they came, they ſpared neither age nor ſex; and no man (conſidering their number and apparent power) doubted of their victory: But when the Bohemians came near them, a voice went among the Imperialiſts, that they ſhould ſtay no longer; none knew whence the voice was; a ſuddain fear cauſed them to flie. Julian ran unto the Dukes and Commanders, exhorting them to fight, not for poſſeſſions or worldly glory, but for Religion, Chriſt's honor, and the ſalvation of ſouls, Aen. Sylv. ibid. but fear was more perſwaſive, that they left their colours, weapons, and all that they had, An. 1431. At that time the Emperor was at Noremberg; and determined to deal no more with them by Arms, but would provide againſt them in the Councel at Baſil; and the Legate Julian went thither. Many other broils were in the Churches of Germany at that time, as Crantz. in Saxo. lib. 11. cap. 25. ſheweth: For the Biſhop of Magdeburg, and his Clergy were exiled: the Church of Trevers was divided between two Competitors fighting, and both accurſed; and both in contempt of the keys did their office: the Church of Mentz had controverſie with the Citizens, caſting out their former Senate, and chuſing another; ſo that the Clergy were forced to leave the City: the Church of Bamberg was in the ſame condition: the Church of Utrecht, after Sweder's death, had contention for a new Biſhop: nor could Pope Eugenius and his Cardinals go ſafely from Rome to Baſil, but were all plundered by the way, even to the skin, ibid. The next year Sigiſmund went to Rome to be crowned; but not with ſuch equipage, nor ſo looked upon as others were before. The Bohemians ſent Procopius the elder, and ſome others to Baſil; but the Nobles would not be content to be ruled by the two Procopii; for they were ſuſpicious of them, as hearkning too much unto the Councel; nor was their opinion vain, ſaith Aen. Sylv. cap. 51. Mainard was the Author of this mutiny. They aſſembled in Parliament, and choſe Alſcio, a Nobleman of ſmall eſtate, to be their Governor; but all was done as Mainard would. Sigiſmund, after his coronation, came to Baſil; where he heard ſome controverſies decided: then he came to Ulme; where he underſtood that a battel had been fought in Bohemia, and the old Commanders were ſlain; and the faction of the Nobility were prevailing: then Sigiſmund ſent unto Bohemia, requiring them, in a quiet manner, to accept him their King, according to his right. Mainard had privy correſpondence with Sigiſmund; he called all the Soldiers into hovels or barns, (whereof many are there) pretending that he was to march againſt the Lands of the Emperor, and he would give them in theſe barns wages for the expedition; but he ſhut the doors upon them, and burnt them all; and then he brought the reſt of the Countrey under the Emperor's command, Aen. Sylv. cap. 51. The Emperor entered into Bohemia, An. 1436. with great ſolemnity; then Images were reſtored, Altars were repaired, and Monks returned into their Cloiſters; ſome Huſſites fled out of the Countrey; a time of recantation was granted unto others; and the moſt bold among them were puniſhed: But Sigiſmund could not prevail as he would; for they preached againſt the Monks and doctrine of Rome; and followed their former order in their Churches; and were riſing in Arms againſt Sigiſmund, ibid. cap. 52. But he died the next year, leaving only one Daughter, which was married to Albert Marqueſs of Moravia, and now, by marriage, Succeſſor of the Kingdom of Hungary. Sigiſmund had dealt with John Paleologus, Emperor of the Greeks, to make an union with the Latines in matters of Religion, and thereby he might have aid againſt the Turks; and likewiſe through weakneſs of German Princes, he might be choſen Emperor; ſuch motives were prevalent; but when he was upon his way, he heard that the Emperor was dead, and he began even then to repent of his voyage. When the Princes Electors did conveen, Pope Eugenius and the Councel of Baſil ſent their Legates, craving to delay the election until the affairs of the Church were ſetled. The Electors ſaid, The condition of the Empire cannot permit a delay: Therefore the Orators of both parties did threaten the Electors with their curſe. The Electors did appeal from them and their curſe, unto the general Councel that ſhould be next and lawfully called; ſo they went on.
3. ALBERT the II. Marqueſs of Moravia, was choſen unanimouſly, and was gracious unto all Germany, for he was learned, wiſe and ſtout. The Bohemians, which before had fought for Religion, ſent unto Caſimire, Brother of the King of Poland; and he was willing to accept the Kingdom, but was hindered by Albert; nevertheleſs, the Bohemians and Sileſians continued in a warlike poſture. Aen. Sylv. cap. 55. Albert puniſhed the Jews for pertinacy in their Rites. He heard that Amurathes the II. was entered into Servia, and was intending to invade Hungary; therefore when he had dealt with the two Anti-Councels for unity, he went againſt the Turks. Amurathes hearing of his preparation, returned into Macedonia and Theſſalie, ſubduing all where he came. Albert diſmiſſed his Army; and died in Hungary An. 1439. John Emperor of the Greeks conceived hopes of aid in Italy, and arriving at Venice, made choiſe to ſeek the aid of the Pope, rather then of the Councel at Baſil; but at laſt his experience taught him, that the Pope was ſeeking but to inlarge his own power; and ſo having almoſt begged his bread in Italy the ſpace of two years, he returned with no ſatisfaction: and having heard the ſcoffings of ſome by the way, he had no grace among his people, and was forced to quit his Crown, in favor of his Brother Conſtantine.
4. FREDERICK the III. Duke of Auſtria, was choſen Ianuary 1. An. 1440. in the 25. year of his age, and reigned 53. years. Albert had two Daughters, and left his Wife big with childe. The Hungarians ſent unto Vladiſlaus King of Poland, to accept their Crown; but when their Queen brought forth a Son, Ladiſlaus, they crowned him, in the fourth monethmonth of his age. His Mother ſent him unto his Uncle the Emperor, to be brought up by him. The Hungarians thought it not expedient to want a King in time of ſuch danger; therefore they followed their firſt purpoſe, and brought in Vladiſlaus: He once put Amurathes to flight, that Amurathes ſought peace; and the King, miſtruſting his own ſtrength, conſented unto peace for ten years: They both confirmed the peace and conditions by ſolemn oath, after their ſeveral maner; but as it is ſaid of Eugenius, the oath was violated, and the King was killed in the fourth year by the Turks. Then the Bohemians would chuſe another King: The Queen did advertiſe them of the birth and title of her Son; and ſome did accord: But in open Parliament, by conſent of the moſt, Albert Duke of Bavier was choſen King. Albert refuſed; ſaying, He would not bereave a pupil: a rare example. The Bohemians then ſent unto the Emperor, intreating him to undertake the Government during the minority of his pupil. He ſaid, he could not; becauſe of the difficulty of his other affairs; and he adviſed them to chuſe Governors among themſelves. The Orators, by their own motion, proffer the Crown unto himſelf. He ſaid, That were unrighteouſneſs, eſpecially in the perſon of a Tutor. So they did chuſe Governors; ſome of the Romiſh Religion, and ſome contrarily minded: Theſe did agree upon a toleration in matters of Religion, Aen. Sylv. cap. 57, 58. Frederick wrote a Letter unto Charls King of France, ſhewing his earneſt deſire to cure the malady and ſchiſm of the Church; and this cannot be without a meeting of Princes, and chief men of Eccleſiaſtical and Civil Eſtates; and therefore as he, by advice of his Prelates and Princes, had appointed a Diet at Mentz February 2. following, ſo he intreated, with ſincere affection, that his Brotherhood, for the glory of God, and comfort of the Church, would ſend Commiſſioners to treat, adviſe, and conclude in things of that kinde, belonging to the benefit of all Chriſtian people; but if his Brotherhood would be pleaſed to come perſonally, it were moſt glorious, and would bring forth the more copious fruit. The Letter is dated at Vienne May 1. An. 1441. Regni 1. In Faſcic. rer. expetend. fol. 160. That Diet was held as followeth in the next Chapter. He ceaſed not until he removed the ſchiſm between the Popes; and then was crowned by Pope Nicolaus; who alſo did celebrate the marriage between the Emperor and Elenora, Daughter of the King of Portugal, An. 1452. He was joyfully received in all the Cities whereſoever he came, becauſe none did fear him; and he went without ſhew of hoſtility or great power, ſaith Crantz. in Saxo. lib. 11. cap. 32. and there was univerſal peace in Italy ſo long as he was there; but when he left it, peace took her leave: For in Lombardy, Naples, and other parts, they returned to their wonted ambition and tumults. The Bohemians alſo fell at variance, and forced the Emperor to quit the tuition of their King. And the Emperor was moleſted by his Brother in Auſtria, until his Brother died. Conſtantine Paleologus was moleſted by his elder Brother Theodor for a ſpace, yet prevailed. After the battel of the Hungarians at Varna, An. 1444. where Vladiſlaus and Cardinal Julian were ſlain, Conſtantine went to Peloponneſus to reſiſt Amurathes, but loſt it. Then Scanderbeg left his office of Janizar, and took upon him the Government of his Father's Kingdom Epirus; for Amurathes had taken him from his Father, and promiſed to give him his Father's inheritance. Upon this hope the young Prince abode with the Turk, and did him good ſervice; but when his Father John Caſtriot was dead, and the Turk oppreſſed that Countrey, and ſought-occaſion to kill him, his native Countrey and he had their correſpondence, and he eſcaped from the Turk's Court: Then he fought ſundry battels againſt the Turk, and was victorious. At laſt Amurathes amaſſed a great Army againſt him, which he was not able to reſiſt by all likelihood, if the valiant Prince of Tranſylvania, John Hunniades, had not come unto him with a new Army; at that time they were both foiled; yet the Princes eſcaped, howbeit hardly; and the next year Amurathes died in drunkenneſs, Lao. Chalcocon. lib. 6. In the year 1453. Mahumet, the next Emperor of the Turks, razed Athens, for envy of learning there; then he beſieged Conſtantinople. The Emperour Conſtantine had no aſſiſtance from Chriſtians, partly for troubles among themſelves, and partly for the ambition of the Pope; who was offended with the Greeks for not ſubmitting unto him: nor did the Greeks eſteem of their Emperour, becauſe he vexed them with grievous taxes: So that City was loſt Iune 28. and the fiftieth day of the ſiege; Conſtantine was ſlain; and ſuch cruelties were committed, as the like hath been ſcarcely written. The ſame day Galatia was rendered unto Mahumet. Chriſtians were ſorry for theſe loſſes; but private intereſts hindred them from attempting a recovery. In the year 1456. Mahumet entred into Hungary; then the renowned John Hunniades, with the aid of the Emperour, went againſt him with ſuch happy ſucceſs, (as it pleaſed God) that the Turks were overthrown at Belgrad; Mahumet was wounded; and Hunniades got all his Artillery and Baggage Auguſt 6. All Chriſtendom rejoyced at that victory with bone-fires, as being themſelves delivered from the fear of ſuch an enemy. Then the Turks went againſt the Iſlands of Archipelagus; and the valiant Hunniades died in September next; but Hungary had peace. Frederick ſet his minde to eſtabliſh peace in Germany; and ſuffered much for preventing eminent evils. Crantz. loc. cit. ſaith, His patience was uſeful for the time, and it was deemed to be his wiſdom. Many did lament ſeveral abuſes in the Church and Commonwealth; they ſaid his anſwer was, The time of Reformation is not come as yet; nor did it come in his days; and it is not known when it ſhall come, ſaith Crantz. In this place the watching providence is to be remembred; Ladiſlaus intended (by a plot from Rome, as it was reported, ſaith Aen. Sylv. cap. 71.) to make an end of all the Huſſites at once, in this manner: He was to marry a Daughter of France; the marriage ſhould have been ſolemnized in Prague; where many Princes and Prelates were to aſſemble from Germany and France; beſides Cardinals, Potentates, and others from Rome; who if they had gathered, might have done as they had projected. When this marriage was in preparation, and the Princes ready to take journey, Ladiſlaus died, after he had been tied to his bed 36. hours, not without ſuſpition of poiſon, in the 20. year of his age: So Bohemia was delivered from that intended maſſacre, and two Kingdoms were vacant; many pretended right to the Crown of Bohemia; and the Kings of France and Poland were ſuitors: When all their claims and ſuits were heard; they, preferring the good of the Kingdom, declared George Pogiobratz their King, ripe in judgement, and a good Warriour. Matthias, the Son of John Hunniades, was then a priſoner; and Ladiſlaus had cauſed to bring him from Hungary to Bohemia, to be executed there; but when the King was dead, the Bohemians had nothing to lay unto his charge, and they diſmiſſed him; before he entered into Hungary, the Hungarians proclaimed him their King; thou wilt admire, who readeſt this, ſaith Naucler, of theſe two young Princes; the one is carried from his throne (when he thinketh to be married) to his grave; and the other from priſon (when he feareth to be beheaded) to a throne; a ſuddain and ſtrange change. But Matthias lived not long; and unto him ſucceeded Vladiſlaus, the Siſters Son of Ladiſlaus, and married the Widow of Matthias. The Emperor ſtrove then for the Kingdom; after a battel, theſe two covenanted, that if Vladiſlaus and his line ſhould fall, Maximilian, the Son of Frederick, ſhould ſucceed. Vladiſlaus had one Son, Lewis, who died in a battel againſt the Turks, An. 1528. and then the covenant was accompliſhed, and the houſe of Auſtria are Kings of Hungary. After the death of Ladiſlaus was ſtrife alſo for the Dutchy of Auſtria; three Brethren, the Emperor, Albert, and Sigiſmund contend for it; they did name ſome Umpires to decide the controverſie; but it is hard to judge againſt the mighty. Frederick carried it. But in the year 1463. Albert beſieged his brother, in the Caſtle of Vienna, ſo ſtreightly; that the Emperour ſent for relief unto George King of Bohemia (whom he was wont to deſpiſe as an Heretick) and he ſent unto Pope Pius, intreating him, that he would not accurſe George with his Thunder; the Pope yeelded, becauſe of that neceſſity, ſaith Naucler. And the Bohemians delivered the Emperour; but ſo warily, that he neither did periſh, nor was victorious. In the year 1466. Frederick went to Rome; ſome ſay, to perform a vow; others ſay, to treat with the Pope concerning Wars againſt the Turk; whatſoever was his purpoſe, he returned in peace; and by his means, peace continued in Italy and Germany. At that time Charls (ſurnamed, The Hardy) Duke of Burgundy, Flanders, Gelderland, Holland, &c. durſt hold all the World for his enemies; and ſpared not to invade and take Towns where he pleaſed. He had a conference with the Emperour at Lutzemburg; and amongſt other purpoſes, he demanded the Title of the Kingdom of Naples, becauſe it ſometime had belonged unto the Empire; and now he intended to make Conqueſt of Italy. The Emperour knowing and miſliking his ambition, gave him fair words and departed the City in the night. Wherefore the Duke beſieged Colein: The Emperour came againſt him with a great Army, yet deſirous of peace: They were both induced to agree, and Charls left the bounds of the Empire. But he could not live in peace; he intended to march into Italy, and to moleſt the Switzers in his way; but he was killed by them, in the year 1476. Then the French, the Switzers and others, repoſſeſſed themſelves of what Charls had taken from them; and Maximilian, the Emperour's ſon, married the only daughter of Charls, and kept his inheritance not without troubles. In the year 1480. Mahumet, having conquered the Iſlands of Archipelagus, invaded Italy; his Baſſa Acomath took Otranto and ſome other places; all Italy was in fear. Mahumet died, and his ſon Bajazeth was moleſted with Civil wars; ſo Italy was freed. In the year 1486. Frederick cauſed his ſon Maximilian, to be choſen King of the Romans; and made ſeveral Statutes, under great penalties, againſt all that ſhould diſturb the peace of Germany. The year 1492. is remarkable, firſt for the death of Pope Innocentius, and election of Alexander the VI: Next for expelling the Moors out of Spain, by Ferdinand King of Caſtile, above 700. years after their firſt arrival; it is written that 224000. families of the Jews were baniſhed. Thirdly, under the name of the ſame Ferdinand, Chriſtopher Columbus, ſailing Weſtward, diſcovered the Iſles Azores; as Americus Veſpuſius, in the year 1499. diſcovered the Weſt-Indies, which after him was called America. Pope Alexander gave that Kingdom unto Ferdinand. When this gift was reported unto Artabaliba, King of Peru, he ſaid; That Pope muſt be a fool, who gave unto another what he never had; or certainly he is impudent and unjuſt, who gives another man's Lands unto ſtrangers, and ſtirreth up men to the ſhedding of innocent blood; as Benzo & Lopez do record. When all the Empire was in peace, Frederick died An. 1493. The Reign of his ſon was, for the moſt part, in the next Century.