THE CARDINAL OF ST PIETRO AD VINCULA ELECTED POPE.
The cardinal of St Pietro ad vincula, legate of Avignon, and by name Francis de Savona[26], was elected the hundred and seventh pope of Rome, and took the name of Julius II. He was nephew to the late pope, Sixtus IV. and had accompanied king Charles of France at the conquest of Naples. After his election, he made his nephew cardinal of St Pietro ad vincula, and legate of Avignon.
The french army before Saulse[27], in the county of Roussillon, was badly conducted by some in whom the king had great confidence; for it was so well equipped, wonders were expected from it. The commanders might have taken the castle and the garrison, on allowing their captains to march away in safety; but although many were for it, the majority were against them. The castle was mined to its very foundations, and the army was so strongly encamped it could not be hurt; but the king of Spain, by dint of money, as it was known afterwards, blinded the eyes of the commanders, to the astonishment and vexation of all loyal Frenchmen when it was discovered.
The commander in chief, the marshal de Rieux, a Breton, marched away to Narbonne, to the great discontent of the French, as the camp was left without a leader. Every one behaved with the utmost courage, and raised the siege, carrying off the artillery and baggage without loss in their retreat. However, had all behaved as they ought to have done, conformable to their engagements with the king, in a short time they would have made great advances into the enemy's country, considering the fine army of the French.
The lord de la Roche-pot was killed, when before Saulse, by a cannon shot: it was a great loss, for he was a good and valiant knight, and the king and whole court were much grieved at it.—The french army in Naples not only kept its ground, but even made some conquests.
On Christmas-eve, in this year, the lord Louis of Luxembourg, lord of Ligny, died, about twelve o'clock at night at Lyon, and was very much regretted by the king and all who knew him, for he was universally beloved.
The 3d day of July, in this year, died Pierre cardinal of Aubusson[28], grand master of Rhodes, which he had governed for twenty-seven years: during the early part of which, Rhodes was attacked by the Turks with an immense army: but he and his knights made so gallant a defence, he was victorious, and the Turks left upwards of forty thousand dead: the rest saved themselves by flight, to the great vexation of all Turkey, in spite of their cries, 'Mahoun, avenge us!'
The sultan, finding this army defeated, uttered a horrid cry, to the alarm of his attendants, and swore to march another to Rhodes, and have ample revenge; but while he was employed in making preparations, he died. The grand master of Rhodes detained the next heir to the sultan a prisoner for thirteen years, contrary to the will of many, and then delivered him up to the pope, who, in return, sent him a cardinal's hat. He had those fortifications repaired that had been damaged by the Turks, and then converted the Jews in the island to Christianity. He formed alliances with all the princes in Christendom, and did an infinite deal of good. He was succeeded by Emeri d'Amboise, brother to the cardinal of Amboise, legate to France, who instantly left France for Rhodes, to oppose the Turks, who were continually carrying on a warfare against the Christians.
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