A few months afterwards, the treaty was ratified in the usual manner by the princes swearing to observe the articles of the agreement on the Canon of the Mass and the holy gospels.(a) It would appear that after so solemn an oath neither of the powers would have thought of war; but the Papacy at this period was wont to interfere as judge on the transactions of sovereigns, and it was to the see of St. Peter, the living type of the invisible Majesty which reigns in the heavens, that princes delegated the power of punishing on treaties being infringed. They called on him to punish him who should violate even a tittle of the treaty; and to hurl down the thunder of the Vatican, in case of breach of faith, not only on themselves, but even on their hereditary rights. (b) Every thing was ready in France, in the spring of 1515, for the commencement of the campaign. At last, there was a prospect of France taking her revenge for the defeat at Novarra. The road from Paris to Lyons was crowded by horses, carriages, wagons, cannons, and troops, on their way to meet Francis, who had appointed the last named city as the place of rendezvous. His subjects showed great eagerness not only in laying down

(a) Nous Françoys, par la grace de Dieu roy de France, duc de Milan et Seigneur de Gennes, promectons sur notre honneur et avec parolle de roy et jurons sur le canon de la Messe et sainctes Evangilles par nous presentement touchées, que nous entretiendrons et ferons entretenir par nos royaumes, pairies, seigneuries et subjetz, fermement et inviolablement, le traicté de paix, union et amitié faicts et concluds le 5e jour du mois d'avril, denièrement passé à Londres par les depputez et commis de tres hault et tres puissant prince, notre tres chier et tres amé frere, cousin, le roy d'Angleterre et les nostres.-Fait à Montargis le 8e de May, 1515. (Signed) FRAN GOYS.

Ainsi nous ayde Dieu et tous ses saincts et les dictes sainctes Evangiles. Rymer XIII., 501.

(b) And to obtain a bull or apostolic rescript made and expedited in due and sufficient form, in which all and singular mattters contained and specified in the said treaty, shall be confirmed by the authority of the apostolic see, on pain of ecclesiastical punishments and censures to be inflicted on us and our heirs, and of a sentence of interdict on our kingdoms, countries, and dominions, if we violate, or allow to be violated, this treaty, or any portion thereof.-J. de Silva.-P. de la Guiche.Rymer, XIII., 487.

their lives for him, but many sold their plate and gave him the money.(c) The acts of donation are still in existence to testify to the patriotic conduct of these noblemen. One of them, the Seigneur du Bouchaige, lent 239 marks of plate to his lord the king to aid him in supporting the immense expense which he would have to incur.(d)

There were two roads to Italy across the Alps, one by Mont Cenis, and the other by Mont Genevra, both bordering on the plain of Susa,(e) where the Swiss awaited the arrival of the French army. The snow collected in winter on the mountains had not yet thawed. Holes in the rocks, which the hunter might have used to ensnare his prey, became serviceable to the peasant as a bulwark against attack. At the slightest notice, sentinels, concealed from human eye, were ready to awaken their comrades, had they, overcome by fatigue, fallen asleep. To each corps of the Swiss army was attached an almoner, who, at the approach of the enemy, gave the signal for prayer, i.e., for the commencement of the struggle. At the appearance of Tell's banner, which one of the mountaineers would run and place on one of the icebergs, the detachments would approach and form themselves into a battalion, impervious to all, save the cannon ball. Prospero Colonna, who had reason to know the French character, says, laughingly, that they would have been imprisoned in this labyrinth of mountains like a bird in a cage, had they ventured to force their way through the passage.(f) The Piedmontese peasants were engaged by Francis to discover a defile in these wilds, with every hole and corner of which they were of course acquainted, by which the French might penetrate into Italy, but their attempts were unsuccessful. Everywhere they encountered precipices, abysses, snow, and ice. At last, one of the hunters offered his assistance as a guide over these unknown regions. Trivulcio was acquainted with the passage, and said that if

(c) Capefigue, Francis I., and the Renais

sance.

(d) MSS. de Bethune.

(e) Mem. de la Tremouille.-Du Bellay. (f) Questi Francesi sono miei come gli pippioni nella gabbia.

they were sufficiently hardy they might pass it. The army replied that they were willing to follow him, and bid him lead the way; and the work commenced, a work," says Giovio, "worthy only of fiends or giants."(a) In some places, the cavalry and infantry. were obliged to traverse a bridge, formed of fir trees bound together and thrown across an abyss; in others, they had to climb a sort of aerial ladder, placed on a granite rock, which they were also compelled to descend on the opposite side by holding on with their feet and hands. Occasionally, pieces of the granite would crumble off, carrying with them in their descent those who had been sufficiently venturesome to risk their lives. An avalanche would perhaps suddenly leap forward and bury those at work beneath; and over the bed of stones formed by it in its descent, they would throw branches of trees to make their horses more sure-footed.

The

The French army advanced but slowly, as they had to convey their ammunition and baggage, encountering at each step yawning gulfs and precipices, ready to swallow them up; and in reply to the murmur of the torrent, as it flowed in its onward course, the neighings of the horses and cries of the soldiers, whom a false step had hurled into the chasm or over the precipice, they exclaimed with truly military enthusiasm: "En avant, en avant." Swiss, encamped on the plain of Susa, alarmed at seeing the enemy, whose lines extended as far as the plains of St. Donato, so near them, retired to Milan.(b) The mountaineers were in a state of excellent discipline, under the command of the Landammans of Schwytz, Uuterwalden, Zug and Glaris. Roust, burgomaster of Friburg, led the right wing, composed of the peasants of Zurich, Schaffhausen, and Coire; the left wing was under the command of the burgomasters of Lucerne and Bâle, and the artillery, composed of a few culverines, under the orders of Pontely of Friburg.(c) The Swiss despised the latter corps (artillery), trusting

(a) Paulus Jovius -Historia sui temporis. (b) Archives d'Escher et Hottinger, I., 155. (c) Leo, Hist. d'Italie.-Translated from the German, by M. Dochez.

entirely to their infantry, which had done such execution at Novarra, and had decided the day both at Morgarten and Morat.

After a short prayer, Werner Steiner arose from his knees, and led on his faithful Zugghese to the charge. Meeting with rather a warin reception from the artillery, he hesitated, and would have retreated, had not Schinner hastened to his aid. Werner rallied his men, and the battle recommenced with renewed ardour. The artillery now retreated in their turn, leaving behind them a few pieces of cannon, which fell into the hands of the Swiss. The French army was evidently panic-stricken, as the constable could scarcely rally his men, and even the Chevalier de Bayard had fallen on the rear.(d) But the French cavalry, stung to the quick by their defeat at Novarra, and feeling themselves bound to vindicate their honour, spurring their horses, gallantly charged the enemy, and animated by the example of their sovereign, who was at the head of his division, achieved wonders. They had commenced the combat at ten, and still continued their deadly struggle by the light of the moon, that " soothing emblem of peace and meekness" which had risen on this scene of carnage and desolation.(e) The charges of the cavalry were incessant; and the Swiss lines, attacked by the artillery of Genouillac, opened, and then immediately closed their ranks. The lances bent down, and rose up stained with gore; the long culverines rolled along on their wooden carriages; the Alpine horn of Eri was heard mingling its harsh sound with the French clarion. In this horrible melée of horses, men, swords and cannon, Francis was wounded and unhorsed.(f) Werner Steiner was himself mortally wounded, and Pontely carried off the field severely hurt. The fight continued until the moon hid herself in a dense cloud, and enveloped the plain where the con

(d) Du Bellay.-Guicciardini.

(e) The moon arose on the scene of destruction as the darkness began to spread; and as her presence, the soothing emblem of peace and mildness, illumined the horizon, they continued the furious conflict, heedless of fatigue or death.-Turner.

(f) Guicciardini.

tending armies were engaged in mortal strife in funereal darkness, and thus caused a temporary cessation of the battle. Schinner then distributed provisions to his men, and Francis, who had been on horseback since three P.M., asked a soldier to bring him a cup of water. His request was complied with, but the liquid was tinged with blood. (a) The hostile armies were only divided by the slain, whose ghastly appearance became yet more appalling from the lurid glare of the pitch torches. The French lines approximated so closely to the Swiss that De Boissy extinguished his torch, lest the enemy should recognise Francis by its reflection.(b) The French infantry remained under arms all day, and the cavalry all night.(c) After a brief truce of a few hours, the struggle recommenced. At dawn of day, the Swiss were aroused by the voice of their almoners, who exhorted them to address a last prayer to heaven, imploring mercy, and to take some slight refreshment, for they had received provisions through the cardinal from Milan, (d) while the French had no food, inasmuch as trusting to their arms they had hoped to have taken the city ere the morning.(e)

An hour before sunrise, Francis had left the gun-carriage which had served as his pillow during the night, to take council with his officers; and the enemy hastened to extinguish the fires they had lit during the night lest their movements should be betrayed. As on the previous day, the Swiss infantry commenced the engagement, but Francis was prepared for them. The artillery-men were at their cannon; the cavalry on horseback, and the lancers had their lances ready couched. Schinner thus harangued his mountaineers: "Comrades, remember Novarra. You were then one against ten yet you defeated the French and chased them from Italy. At them again, in the name of God." (f) Francis addressed not his men. The white plume,

waving gracefully in the air from his helmet, touched their hearts more deeply. The rival armies had had no leisure to bury their dead, so that the Swiss marched over the bodies of their slain comrades (g) Roust charged the lancers, who fled at the first onset, but rallying, returned to the engagement, supported by M. de Guise, but they were again repulsed.

At this juncture, the Gascons and Navarrese, at the king's command, charged the mountaineers, while the cavalry of Genouillac attacked them in flank; and then were men seen to fall as if they had been so many skittles. But if the artillery took effect on the Swiss, the swords of the men of Uri, Unterwalden, and Zug, were by no means idle, and victory was at one period of the day confidently claimed by both parties. If Roust crossed the rampart defended by the French, Maugiron and Cossé, at the head of the bowmen, repulsed the detachments that had attacked their rear. While the issue of the battle was yet in the scale, the war cry of Venice, "Marco! Marco !" was heard, announcing the arrival of the Venetian general, Aviano. The Swiss now hesitated,(h) but rallying again attacked the enemy. At this decisive moment, Trivulcio opened the dyke of Lambro, and inundated the Swiss camp. The mountaineers had now to contend against two enemies,-against the one with their arms and the other by boring holes in the ground with their lances, as an outlet for the water; but at last their desperate courage flagged, and they were soon perceived retreating slowly, having first formed under the very fire of the artillery, with their arms in their hands, their flags unfurled, rolling their cannon before them, and bearing their wounded on litters from the field of battle. Only one of their banners, the bull of Uri was missing; and it was afterwards discovered in the death-grasp of a mountaineer belonging to that canton.(i)

Francis had gained his spurs; his horse had been twice stabbed. He was seen

(8) Sismondi, Histoire des François. (h) Ligue de Cambrai.-Planta, Histoire

de la Confédération Helvétique.

(i) Archives of Escher and Hottinger.

Bayard noble a "Make

every where in the field with a splendid carbuncle on his helmet, and wearing on his breast a gold fleur de lis. By his side was a squire with the French banner.(a) As the last Swiss soldiers returned from the field, he sent for the Chevalier de de Bayard, and thus addressed him: “Bayard, I wish to be knighted by you." replied, Sire, the king of so kingdom is already a knight !" haste, there is no time to be lost; nor have we the leisure to speak of the laws or regulations. Do what I request you." Then drawing his sword from its scabbard, Bayard said: "Sire, let this sword avail as much as if it had appertained to Roland or Oliver, Godfrey or his brother Baldwin. You are assuredly the first sovereign that has ever been knighted. God grant that you flee not in war;" and then apostrophizing his sword and waving it in the air, he added: "Thou art fortunate in being called on to confer the honour of knighthood on so brave and virtuous a sovereign. Thou shalt be henceforward esteemed as a precious relic, and shalt never be used save against the Turks, Saracens, and Moors;" and then, after twice striking the king's shoulder he sheathed his sword.(b)

Francis immediately after the battle, wrote the bulletin, wherein he describes a most glorious victory, in very simple language: "I was with the bowmen, and the rearguard was commanded by my brother, the Duke of Alençon. In front were the Swiss forces, drawn up three deep; the first 10,000, the second 8,000, and the third 10,000 strong, alleging that their object was to chastise and humble a prince, who was too well accompanied for them, so that they fled from our artillery, which however could not do much execution. The cavalry under the Constable, Mar

of

shal de Chabannes, Imbercourt, Telligny, Pont-de-Remy and others, fought admirably till nightfall. There was at one time a little confusion; but God vouchsafed that I should come to their aid with a body of 200 men, and we succeeded in routing the enemy at night. We had been twentyeight hours on horseback without eating or drinking. The Swiss resolved on the morrow to try once more the fortune of war, and as they were marching out of their cantonments I attacked them with twelve pieces of cannon and drove them back; but inasmuch as they had taken up a strong position, they left 8,000 men and all their artillery under my nose, and sent the two bands into which they were divided, to different parts of the field; the one against the Constable, and the other against Alençon. About this time D'Alviano came up with the Venetian cavalry, and cut the enemy to pieces, while I charged the lancers; and thus we fought with the Swiss for eight hours, during which time many, I can assure you, were laid low. Will you then, Madam, thank God for the victory which He has been pleased to vouchsafe to our arms; also laugh at De Lautrac and De Lescun for being absent ? We have great fear that we shall not be able to recover the Comte de Sancerre."(c)

The battle of Marignano entailed other consequences besides the capture of Milan and the fall of Maximilian Sforza. It completely annihilated that prestige of superiority hitherto claimed by the Swiss infantry and they henceforward were unable to sell their assistance on such advantageous terms. It also taught nations to depend on their own strength, and not on their allies. The artillery had acted well, and that would in future decide the fate of battles.(d)

NONE could fathom Wolsey. At Oxford, at Lymington, where he was rector, at the manor of the Marquis of Dorset, in Fox's ante-chamber, under the shade of the trees at Bridewell, he never lost sight of the character he was called on to represent. Who would have noticed him as rector of a country town? But under the mask which he assumed to act the part of the boisterous scholar and the morose regent, the sanctimonious priest and the versatile courtier, the Seneca and Democrites, he attracted universal attention, he excited universal surprise; he was a novelty on earth and the subject of general conversation; a being who united in himself every shade of character, and towards whom Henry in particular felt himself irresistibly drawn, so that the comedian had no difficulty in making his way. The cardinal was at this period, as Erasmus truly observes, the real monarch of England. The actor's personality now began to be developed. Fox had himself been deceived. He imagined that he had discovered an excellent substitute for the extravagant Surrey, one who would be able to amuse as well as govern Henry. Wolsey was anxious to apply the ideas of spiritual unity, as taught by St. Thomas, his favourite author, to the government of kingdoms. Monarchy, under the Plantagenets, had suffered, because it had been obedient to too many masters ;-to the king, as head of the state; to the peers and members of the House of Commons, as representatives of the people; to the privy councillors, as responsible ministers. England, to rank among the great continental nations, must obey only one will. She was more in want of a minister than of a king. For the sovereign there were pleasures and amusements suited to his age, but on the minister devolved the weight and anxiety of business.

Henry was too acute, and observed that Wolsey aimed to be this one governing power. But where, it had been asked, did he acquire his immense knowledge? for he could quote Horace and Virgil to Skelton, St. Thomas and Scotus to Fox, Perugino and Raphael to Holbein, Polybius and Vegetius to Howard, and Vitruvius and Sansovino to Torrigiano. Not contented with studying the great problems of psychology, he dipped into the physical world at his leisure; and after having examined the position assumed in the creation of her purely spiritual acts, would vouchsafe to think of her material form. Architecture was one of his favourite studies; and if we are to attach any faith to his biographers, Magdalene Tower, one of the chief architectural beauties of Oxford, was planned by him. (a) If he amused the gentle sex by his delicately-narrated anecdotes, if he was witty at table, if he deceived with the simple ingenuousness of a child, still it must be acknowledged that he could decypher character at a mere glance; that he was by no means ignorant of the details of government; that he was acquainted with all matters both at home and abroad, and was no less attached to his country than to his master. His ascendancy over the mind of Henry has been attributed by his enemies to his being an adept in the black art.(b)

The English monarch and his minister,

(a) Dallaway observes that it is generally understood that in this year (1492) the fine tower of Magdalene College was planned by Wolsey.-Howard.

Wolsey was bursar of Magdalen while the tower was being built, which may have given rise to the report that he designed it.

(b) So fascinating was his conversation, and so absolute was his power over the affections of Henry, that it was even reported he had bewitched the king with necromancy.-Strype.