Foxe - The Book of Martyrs

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
1. For the preservation of the papal authority.
2. That the church livings may be all under one mode of government.
3. To make a union among all parties.
4. In honor of all the saints, and of the ceremonies of the Church of Rome.
This severe edict was followed by a most cruel order, published on January 25, A.D.
1655, under the duke's sanction, by Andrew Gastaldo, doctor of civil laws. This order set
forth, "That every head of a family, with the individuals of that family, of the reformed
religion, of what rank, degree, or condition soever, none excepted inhabiting and possessing
estates in Lucerne, St. Giovanni, Bibiana, Campiglione, St. Secondo, Lucernetta, La Torre,
Fenile, and Bricherassio, should, within three days after the publication thereof, withdraw
and depart, and be withdrawn out of the said places, and translated into the places and limits
tolerated by his highness during his pleasure; particularly Bobbio, Angrogne, Vilario,
Rorata, and the county of Bonetti.
"And all this to be done on pain of death, and confiscation of house and goods, unless
within the limited time they turned Roman Catholics." A flight with such speed, in the midst
of winter, may be conceived as no agreeable task, especially in a country almost surrounded
by mountains. The sudden order affected all, and things, which would have been scarcely
noticed at another time, now appeared in the most conspicuous light. Women with child, or
women just lain-in, were not objects of pity on this order for sudden removal, for all were
included in the command; and it unfortunately happened, that the winter was remarkably
severe and rigorous.
The papists, however, drove the people from their habitations at the time appointed,
without even suffering them to have sufficient clothes to cover them; and many perished in
the mountains through the severity of the weather, or for want of food. Some, however, who
remained behind after the decree was published, met with the severest treatment, being
murdered by the popish inhabitants, or shot by the troops who were quartered in the valleys.
A particular description of these cruelties is given in a letter, written by a Protestant, who
was upon the spot, and who happily escaped the carnage. "The army (says he) having got
footing, became very numerous, by the addition of a multitude of the neighboring popish
inhabitants, who finding we were the destined prey of the plunderers, fell upon us with an
impetuous fury. Exclusive of the duke of Savoy's troops, and the popish inhabitants, there
were several regiments of French auxiliaries, some companies belonging to the Irish
brigades, and several bands formed of outlaws, smugglers, and prisoners, who had been
promised pardon and liberty in this world, and absolution in the next, for assisting to
exterminate the Protestants from Piedmont.
"This armed multitude being encouraged by the Roman Catholic bishops and monks fell
upon the Protestants in a most furious manner. Nothing now was to be seen but the face of
horror and despair, blood stained the floors of the houses, dead bodies bestrewed the streets,
groans and cries were heard from all parts. Some armed themselves, and skirmished with the
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