Shortly after, Ludovico returned and marched his army out of Novara, and encamped them near to the French; but God, knowing the usurpation and wickedness of Ludovico, inspired the French with courage to defend themselves, when attacked by him. Notwithstanding the duke of Milan thought himself certain of destroying the French, the matter ended without blood being spilt, and without a battle. It was said, that the Lansquenets, refused to fight against their countrymen; and likewise, that the duke had not paid his men their arrears, which made them unwilling to serve him. On the other hand, the French were determined on battle; but when they marched to charge the milanese army, it surrendered to them without striking a blow.
The duke of Milan, observing this, disguised himself in the frock of a cordelier monk, and, by mixing with his men, thought to escape; but the lord de Ligny and the lord de la Trimouille made such good arrangements with their army, it was impossible; for they ordered the whole of the milanese force to pass under the pikes, so that the duke was discovered, made prisoner, and put under the guard of the French in Novara, which place had thrown open its gates. The lord Jean Jacques[17] was present at this conquest, for he had always been faithful to the king. The duke had in his pay an astrologer or necromancer, in whom he put great confidence; but his astrology was of no avail to prevent him being made prisoner.
According to agreements entered into with the milanese army, they were allowed to depart in safety with their arms and baggage,—but the duke and his artillery remained with the French. The lord-cardinal of Amboise was then at Vercelli, and vowed the king under the protection of our Lady des bonnes nouvelles.
Intelligence of this success came to the king at Lyon, the vigil of Palm-Sunday, which rejoiced him exceedingly; and bonfires were made in the streets, for joy that the French had been victorious. Immediately after, news was brought that the duke of Milan was a prisoner, which caused the rejoicings to be repeated by all ranks of persons in Lyon. The children of the duke were sent into Germany.
FOOTNOTES:
[16] Vigeue. Q. Vigevano.
[17] The lord Jean Jacques. Trivulce, a Milanese, marquis of Vigevano, governor of Milan, captain of one hundred lombardy men at arms and of two hundred archers, king's lieutenant of the french armies in Italy. He was present at the battles of Foronuovo and Aignadello, and held great and honourable employments under Charles VIII., Louis XII., and François I. He was made marshal of France in 1500, died in 1518. He was uncle to Theodore Trivulce, governor also of Milan, and marshal of France.
See Brantome, vol. ii. des Vies des Hommes illustres étrangers.