[1551.] Aug. 6.
Venice. |
Odet de Selve to [ ]. Wrote on the 1st inst.
Has received his correspondent's letters of the 28th ult., which he has
communicated to the Cardinal of Tournon, and sent a duplicate to the
Cardinal of Ferrara. Their horsemen of Parma, returning from
Reggio to Parma, encountered and defeated the light horsemen of the
Count della Novellara, and took a good number of prisoners. Two or
three days afterwards, on the same road, they met another company
of light horse of the camp of Don Ferrante, who accompanied the
Count Camillo Castiglione, a relative of the said Don Ferrante, by
him dispatched to the Pope, and defeated them, taking prisoner the
Count, with long and ample instructions, in which they have dis
covered the plans of their enemies. Besides the Count, many Spaniards were taken, some of whom are men of rank. Since that, being
advised that a fine and well-armed company of Spaniards was
coming from Milan to the Imperial Camp, they sent a good troop
of horse and foot, and coming upon the others at a mile from
their camp, well mounted and fully harnessed, defeated them,
and served them so ill, that the lieutenant and ensign, with 75
others, were taken and the rest dispersed. Their captain was not
there; so much the better for him. There was great booty for the
soldiers, as well baggage as merchandise for the camp, with all
which their people returned safely home. Since the last day of
July, hearing that the four ensigns of Spaniards at Montecchio,
distant from Parma 8 m., were posted in a place easy of attack,
their people went there. Although they found the Spaniards in a
difficult position, they attacked them at two points so fiercely that
150 were cut to pieces, and the rest only saved themselves by
escaping into the fortress. All this balances the capture of Messrs.
D'Andelot and De Sipiers. The troops of the Pope who were
before Mirandola are diminished, and diminish daily. It is thought
that they are reducing themselves to a minimum to hold one, two, or
three forts, by which they hope to keep Mirandola in a state of siege.
It is not heard that more than one fort is as yet finished. Don Ferrante
discharges the Italians. It is true that instead, he can have the 4,000
Germans who are already in those quarters, and some 2,000 Spaniards,
with 400 or 500 horsemen; with these he would make war on Parma
and the Parmesan, whom it seems the Holy Father has still "en sa
manche." Thinks the late news will have a little astonished him;
for just as he insolently rejoiced over a little prosperity, so it is
likely that a good touch of the whip will make him sing out pretty
loud. One thing they are assured of daily by all their people in
Parma and Mirandola, that is, that they need have no doubts at
all. The army of the Grand Signor, as appears by advices of the
25th ult., is bombarding Malta. Many think that, by reason of the
famine there this year and the unexpected arrival of that army,
it might, being ill-provisioned, be easily lost, if the Turks were
determined upon it. God knows what neighbours the Emperor
would have there. Christendom will be much beholden to him
for the taking of Africa, which would have given us this great
blessing. They have news here from his Majesty, who informs
them of the conclusion of the marriage of his eldest daughter with
the King of England. Advices from Boulogne of the 3d inst. state
that the French troops in Parma have taken the Count Julian
Anguscioli, one of the conspirators and accomplices in the murder
of the late Duke of Piacenza. [French. Two pages.] |
