XVIII. Danube into Bosnia, and thence, through CHAP. Thus far this mighty enterprise seems to (a) Guicciard. Storia d' Ital lib. xiii. ii. 154. A. D. 1518. A. Et. 43. A. Pont. VI. XVIII. CHAP. have proceeded with favourable omens, and Leo had already, perhaps, anticipated in his own mind, the time so frequently foretold, A. D. 1518. A. Æt. 43. A. Pout, VI. when he should be hailed as the restorer The sovereigns of Christen dom engage only in a defensive alliance. of the eastern empire, the deliverer of the holy land, and the avenger of the atrocities committed on Christendom by the Turks. But these magnificent expectations were not destined to be realized. It is true, that the general truce for five years which he had proclaimed among the European sovereigns, was accepted by them with apparent cheerfulness, and that they vied with each other in avowing their readiness to afford their assistance in promoting so just and so important an enterprise.(a) A treaty was also concluded between the kings of England, of France, and of Spain, in express compliance with the requisition of the pope, and in which he was declared to be chief of the league;(b) but although (a) The declaration of Henry VIII. on this subject, is preserved among the Cottonian MSS. in the British Museum, and is given in the Appendix, No. CLXXVII. (b) This treaty, bearing date 2d October, 1518, is given in Du Mont, Corps Diplomat. tom. iv. par. i. p. 266. But in the title the editor has erroneously called Charles of Austria the emperor Charles V. The ratification of Charles bears date the 14th January, 1519. although the avowed object of this union was the mutual defence of each other's dominions and the protection of Christendom against the Turks, yet it was merely defensive, and by no means calculated to answer the purposes which Leo had in view. How, indeed, was it to be expected that so many different states, some of them immediately and others only remotely interested in the cause, should concur in carrying on a distant and offensive war? After the instances which had been exhibited since the commencement of the century, of restless ambition, unprovoked aggression, the overturning of states and kingdoms, and the breach of the most solemn treaties, could it be expected that the voice. of the pontiff should at once allay all suspicions, and destroy those sanguinary passions which now only slumbered to acquire new strength? Add to this, that the political horizon of Europe, although calm, was not cloudless. The young sovereign of Spain had already given indications of a vigorous and decisive character, and the advanced age of his grandfather Maximilian afforded reason to suppose that it would not be long before discussions might arise of the highest importance to the public tranquillity. Under such circumstances it was scarcely to be supposed, CHAP. XVIII. A. D. 1518. A. Pont. VI. A. t. 43. A. At. 43. CHAP. posed, that the principal sovereigns of EuXVIII. rope would desert their stations, or weaken A. D. 1518. their strength by engaging in distant and danA. Pont. VI. gerous expeditions, which afforded no prospect of an adequate recompense, and might expose those who were sincere to the designs. of those who might not hesitate to take advantage of any circumstances that might contribute to their own aggrandizement. The ratification of the defensive treaty among the chief powers of Europe, which was afterwards confirmed by the pope, prevented him, however, from experiencing the mortifying reflection that his exertions had been wholly in vain; and perhaps the notoriety of this formidable league, might in fact have had a beneficial effect in deterring the Turkish emperor from attacking the Christian territories. The pontifical legates at the different courts still continued to promote, to the utmost of their power, the great object of their mission, towards which they affected to consider the treaty already formed as only a previous step, and they obtained at least the credit of having performed their duty with vigilance. and with ability (a) but notwithstanding their exertions, (a) These negotiations are greatly illustrated by the conidential XVIII. A. D. 1518. exertions, no further measures were adopted CHA P. If, however, the envoys of Leo X. failed in accomplishing the chief object of their mission, they rendered him, in other respects, a very acceptable service; and the pontifical treasury was replenished by the contributions obtained both from the laity and the clergy, under the various pretexts which these crafty ecclesiastics well knew how to employ.(a) At the court fidential letters between the cardinal da Bibbiena, and the cardinal Giulio de' Medici; in the Lettere di Principi, vol. i. p. 27, 34, 35, &c. (a) The exaction of these contributions gave rise to great dissatisfaction, particularly in Germany, where the doctrines of the reformers had already made considerable progress. The oration made on this occasion by the apostolick legates before the imperial diet, was soon afterwards printed by the adversaries of the Roman see, and accompanied by a kind |
