Eiovas near, Eiovas by Anagram is Savoy, or the Duke of it, who at that time was near Geneva; yet seemeth far from the Lake Leman, which is the Lake that passeth through Geneva, called in Latine Lacus Lemannus. Very great preparatives; because at that time he made great preparations to Scale the Walls of Geneva. Return; because he was forced to retire. Confusion; because he was confounded in his undertaking. Far from the Neveux of the great Supelman; that is, an action much unworthy the Kindred of Henry the IV. called here great Supelman, to whom he was Allied. All of their Train; that is, all that were with him in that undertaking, did partake of his return and confusion. Now the History is thus.
About the latter end of the year 1600. the Duke of Savoy having done before all his endeavours to take the City of Geneva by force, did resolve at last to have it by craft, and stratagem. He did frame a design full of Courage, Understanding, and Conduct, as well as of misfortune; it was long a hatching without being discovered, and although it was known that he caused Ladders to be made, and that he bought every where men of courage and resolution, and had a great number of them already at Chambery, well payed and maintained, waiting for the ripeness of the design, though Ignorant of it. No body could believe that it was against those of Geneva; because at that time he did treat with them of the manner of living friendly, and of the liberty of Trade, having sent to them for this purpose a few days before the President Rochette, to treat and advise of a manner of living friendly together, for the ease of the people. They did so much hearten and relish his propositions and promises, that although Cities of such condition, do not lightly believe them that have been their Enemies, nevertheless they trusted to that, and grew careless of their own preservation, thinking that there was nothing more powerfull for their security than the treaties of peace between France, Spain, and Savoy, in which they thought themselves included, under the name of the confederate with the Cantons of Switzerland; insomuch that the Dukes subjects went thither so familiarly, that the day before this Execution some Gentlemen that knew something of the design, being come into the Town to buy some Horses, said they would come again the next day to conclude the Bargain, and others had kept she same Language for other Wares, so fully perswaded were they of a success, though Heaven, who laugheth at the thoughts of the proud, had resolved to humble and abase them.
The Governour of Lion had presently notice that the Duke of Savoy was coming on the side of the Mountain, and carryed with him scaling Ladders, of which he sent notice to the King, and provided what was necessary for the defence of Lion, although the same Advice said it was not for France; yet all this could not hinder the Execution which was in the mean time a doing. D’Albigny Lieutenant General of the Duke in those Countreys he had on this side of the Mountains, had made the Troops to pass, and for that purpose had assigned them of their Quarters in the Towns of Geneva, in several places, that they might not be so soon discovered. The Randezvous was at a place called Chambery, the time of the Execution was reserved to the prudence of the Leader. The time was not according to the precept of the Parthians, who ever fought by night, nor of the Lacedemonians, who undertook nothing but in the time of the full Moon; for it was one of the darkest and longest nights of all the year, the Troops began their March about six of the Clock. Brignoles Governour of Bonnes, a small Town in Fossigny, distant three Leagues from Geneva, was the man that had contributed most of his own for the performance of this design, whom he thought so certain, that he said he would die to the world, if he did not live in Geneva. D’Albigny had set up Watches upon all the passes, to stop all Travellers, for fear notice should be given of their coming; and of that of the Duke of Savoy, to whom the Execution had been represented so sure and certain, in that he should be there himself to reap the Honour and profit of it, and to end the Triumph that his Grandfather had begun. He came over the Mountains with five Gentlemen only in his Company, and the same day came to Tremblures, a Village distant from Geneva about three Miles; and for all that they could not hinder, but an unknown Trooper did ride as far as the New-gate, and asked to speak to him that commanded there, bidding him look to themselves, because the duke of Savoy, wished them no good, and so retreated galloping. This News was brought to Blondel, the fourth Syndic of the Town, and who had the charge of the Guard that year; he answerd, he would provide for that. Another came afterwards, and told him that the Dukes Forces were about the Town, but knew not upon what design, and that himself was at Bonne; he answered, that they were not Birds, and could not fly. Mistrust is not always be commended; but too much confidence in such business, is exceedingly dangerous.
Those that were to do the Execution, and to get up first upon the Ladders, went along by the River of Albe, that the noise of the Waters might hinder the Sentinals to hear them. Two things did happen, that were an ill Omen for them, they saw in the Skies unusual fires, a Hare did many times cross their way, and gave them a false Alarm, and as many things being considered in the night time, do trouble the imagination, and that fear maketh one think that Bushes are Squadrons, and Thistles Pikes, as it did happen once at the Siege of Paris by the Burgundians. They did discover about Eleven of the Clock some Posts, to whom the Cloth-workers of Geneva use to nail their Stuffs to dry them. Those that went formost would have Charged them, thinking they had been an Ambuscado; from thence they went all along the Rhosne to the Meadow of Plain Palais. Brignolet, and those that were ordained for the Scalado followed d’Albigny, who led them down into the Town-Ditch, on the side of the Corraterie, without being discovered by the Sentinals, although the Ducks that were in the Ditch, did (for to awake those of Geneva) what the Geese did at Rome against the French. They went over the Ditch upon Hurdles for fear to sink in the Mire, and did set up three Ladders of a wonderful invention; because they could be easily carryed upon Mules, and they could be folded into so many pieces, that they could reach the highest wall that is; and besides that, so strong and firm, that no Ladder of one piece could be more; they had besides that provided Hatchets, Hammers, Pincers, and other such Tools, to cut Iron Chains, break Locks, draw Nails and Bars, they had besides several Petardoes and Petardo-Masters. Fortune, who hath a great power in such undertakings, did fail them in their need, after she had brought them to the middle of the City, and made them masters of the streets for above two hours.
By one of those Ladders went up about two hundred men, Brignolet was the first, followed by d’Attignac and Sonas, and did carry himself more valliantly and prudently; having got over the Wall, he surprized the Sentinal, and drew from him the Watch-word, and his Life, then threw him over into the Ditch, and stood in his place to stay for the Round, that he might do as much to him, as he did when it came near him to give him the Watch-word. D’Albigny, and one Father Alexander a Scotchman, and a Jesuite, were at the Ladders foot, incouraging those that went up. The Boy that carryed the Lanthorn saved himself, and gave notice to the Court de Garde of what had befallen his Master, at which the Court de Garde was not much moved. This was a doing between One and Two of the Clock, expecting that of four, at the which they had proposed to make their greater attempt, and in the mean while to give time to the succour to draw near, and to the day to break, because all Warlike Executions done by night, carry always some confusion with them. No body had gone to bed in the Town with a thought to be awakened so soon, they rested upon the assurance of the Peace. The undertakers had a whole hours time to get up, and as much before they met with any opposition. If d’Albigny had been Within to husband that time better than did Sonas, Brignolet, and d’Attignac, they might have cried, the Town is won. About half an hour past two of the Clock, a Sentinal that was in the Mints Tower, having heard some noise in the Ditch, shot off his Gun to give the Alarm, which compelled Brignolet to discover himself, charging all that was in the Court de Garde of the New-gate, that he might Plant the Petard, and make way for the main Body that was in Plain Palais. They got very well the Court de Garde, but against the Rule of War, which commandeth to kill all, they let one escape that had so much wit as to get up, and to let down the Port-Cullis, to frustrate the effect of the Petard. The Town was at that time full of Cries and horrid Houlings, of which the Savoiards should have made their profit, and increased their courage, as it did weaken that of the Townsmen, that knew not where to run, some crying one way, some another. The undertakers lost themselves in the appearance of so happy a success, those that were without should have given the Alarm at some other Gate, to divide the Forces of the Town, those that were within made no use of their Hatchets, Hammers and Pincers, they forgot to set some Houses on fire; the spirit of astonishment seized upon them, having in their thoughts the Sack and Plunder of the Town, more than the perfection of their Conquest; they made only use of a certain croaking like Frogs, as the Turks use the Bret, Bret, to animate and rally themselves. Brignolet being compelled to discover himself, marched towards the New Gate, distant from that place about 200. Paces, and there was wounded, and died a little after; the Fight began in the dark, and the Court de Garde was dispersed, one Souldier hearing them call for the Petard, got upon the Gate, and cut the Rope that held the Port-Culis, and shut up the Petard between the Port-Culis, and the Gate which they went about to break open, with their Hatchets and Hammers, at the first resistance the Petards Master was killed. The Order is such at Geneva, that in all extraordinary accidents, every Citizen knoweth the place of his Randezvous, and there goeth with his Arms, and the Town House is never destitute of Souldiers.
In the mean time the Magistrate cryeth, He that loveth me let him follow me. Some Countrey Fellows of the Neighbouring Towns, who kept their watch by turns, being led by some Captains and Citizens, did present themselves at the New Gate, where they were stoutly received, and beaten back, and yet the first shot of theirs killed the Petard-Master, who was much troubled with his Tools. This first Charge would not have driven them back, if the body of the Citizens had not come, and Charged them so furiously, that they lost all their Courage; Necessity which strengthens even those that want Courage, did so animate the Citizens to their defence, that the undertakers were fained to give back. The more nimble went again to their Ladders, which proved useless; because the Canon that was Planted in the Fort of Loye, near the Ditch, had broken them; so that they left four and fifty dead upon the place, and upon the Curtain of the Corraterie, and thirteen that were taken alive. If the Town had had Souldiers in readiness to make a Sally in that Andabatism, the night being sometimes favourable to such expeditions, those that were at Plain Palais, would not have retreated in so good an Order.
There were thirteen taken alive, among whom were the Baron of Attignac, the Lord Sonas, the Lord Chaffardon, upon promise of their Lives, and to be Prisoners of War, or else they had preserved an Honourable death to all the promises, to be spared in laying down their Arms; among them was d’Attignac, who fought valiantly, and gave his order of St. Maurice to his man, bidding him save himself, being resolved to die with his Sword in his hand.
The Lords of Geneva would not use them as Prisoners of War; but as Thieves and Robbers come into the City over the Walls. They said that the Duke was too generous a Prince for so wicked and perfidious an action: there was several Opinions concerning their Sentence of Death, the more moderate would have them be put to Ransom, others would have them be kept Prisoners, that they might serve for exchange, if some of the Town were taken in the continuation of the War; but the more violent did stir the people, in representing unto them the loss of their Religion, the ravishing of their Wives and Maids, the Massacre, the Sack and Plunder of the Town, and their perpetual slavery, and the complaints of the Widows and Children of those that had been killed, were so much considered, that the more moderate Opinions did not appear injust, but in how much they tended to Death. They were Condemned to be Hanged, which is thought the most Ignominious Death: they desired to have their Heads cut off as Gentlemen, which was granted, but it was after they were Hanged. Fifty nine were found killed and wounded, who had all their Heads cut off. In the Ditch there were some Arms found, thirty dead, and four wounded, all their Heads were cut off, and set with the rest upon the Gallows. Of the Citizens of the Town there were seventeen found dead, most of them killed by their Companions in the dark. Their Names were John Canal, one of the Lords of the Councel, Lewis Baudiere, John Vandel, Lewis Galatin, Peter Cabriol, Mark Cambiagua, Nicolas Baugueret, James Mercier, Abraham de Baptista, Daniel Humbert, Martin de Bolo, Michael Monard, Philip Potter, Francis Bouzesel, John Buignet, James Petit, Gerrard Muzy, and about twenty wounded. The Sunday after Dinner, about two of the Clock, 67 Heads, as well of those that were killed, as of those that were Hanged, were fastened upon the Gallows, and the Bodies thrown into the Rhosne. The next Tuesday there was a solemn Fasting day kept, and they began to publish every where the wonders of this Deliverance.
