The Swiss cantoned at Susa, Villaine, Rivoli and other parts, hearing of what had passed at Villa-franca, retreated toward Milan followed by the French as far as Turin, whence the duke of Savoy came out to meet the king, and gave him a handsome reception. The king, having received from the duke of Savoy five large pieces of artillery, continued his pursuit of the Swiss who had passed the Po in an extraordinary hurry,--for they had no boats, nor any means but cords to drag their artillery and baggage over, with which they marched day and night. They burnt the castle of Chivazzo, and part of that small town, belonging to the duke of Savoy, which lay on their line of march, killing many of the inhabitants and plundering the town, because they would not afford them provision, nor allow them a passage through Chivazzo. Some of the Swiss were slain, that had remained behind to pillage. In this interval, the lord de Prie, with a body of Genoese, arrived at Alexandria and other towns, which he sacked, although their inhabitants had fled,--but they were deserving of punishment for the many tricks they had before played the French. The french army kept pursuing the Swiss, who seemed inclined to march to Jurea[59], but, turning short, entered Novara. The king arrived with his army at Vercelli[60], where it was rumoured that an agreement would take place between the king and Swiss. The lord bastard of Savoy and the lord de Lautrec, with others, were charged with this commission; but notwithstanding this, the king continued his march after the Swiss, who had quitted Novara, and taken the road to Milan. He was now joined by a considerable reinforcement of Lansquenets, called The Black Band[61], very well equipped. The king advanced to Novara, which was instantly assaulted by Pedro de Navarre and others, and surrendered to the king's obedience. In the absence of the king, his queen was brought to bed, at Amboise, of a fair daughter, who was christened Louisa,--and soon afterwards, her portrait was sent to him, while engaged in his Italian campaign. The surrender of the town and castle of Novara saved them from pillage, by the king's commands,--who pursuing his march toward Milan, went to Bufalora. Here the agreement between the king and Swiss was made public, which had been accomplished by means of a large sum of money paid down, according to a promise made them by the king. The Swiss, in consequence, swore fidelity to him, and signed the treaty,--but which they did not keep, notwithstanding their oaths and engagements, but falsified both. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 59: Jurea,--on the great Dora in Piedmont.] [Footnote 60: Vercelli,--30 miles SW. of Milan, 38 NE. of Turin.] [Footnote 61: Black band,--under the command of Ruberta della Marchia, from lower Germany. Guicciardini. I must refer the reader to Guicciardini, &c. for further details of these wars in Italy.] CHAP. XXXVIII.