THE KING OF FRANCE DEFEATS THE SWISS ARMY AT MARIGNANO[62], ON THE FEAST-DAY OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS.--OF THE CRUEL BATTLE AND SLAUGHTER OF THE FRENCH AND SWISS. The king of France, thinking that he had secured the Swiss by the payment of the sum agreed on between them and the lord de Lautrec, marched his army to Marignano, beyond Milan; but it was not long before he found that he had miscalculated on their keeping the promises they had made him. In the interval between the signing of the late treaty and the payment of the money, the Swiss had resolved to surprise the king's army,--induced thereto by the remonstrances and preachments of the cardinal of Sion, who had corrupted them at the instigation of the emperor Maximilian, and of the inhabitants of the Milanese, who had given them corslets and other armour, together with the fairest promises. The Swiss believing that they would be joined by every Italian, and that, if successful, they might acquire territories of a great extent in a fertile country, and be feared and redoubted by all the world, caused them to act in the treacherous manner they did. The king learning that the Swiss were turned against him, was much mortified; for he concluded, that at that moment they were receiving the money agreed on. However, like a hardy knight, he was not cast down, but gave his orders for the forming of his army, to receive the enemy with the most advantage. While thus employed, news was brought him that a large body of infantry, well armed had marched out of Milan, to join the Swiss in the meditated attack against him. In fact, about three or four o'clock in that afternoon, the Swiss advanced on the king's army, but were received with such valour that many were more inclined to seek for a retreat than to persevere in the combat. The king, who commanded the main body, on seeing the Swiss advance, charged them in person, attended by his gentlemen, and defeated one band. The french volunteers now placed themselves in the position of the Lansquenets, who had in part turned their backs; but they must not be blamed for this, for they had before heard of the agreement made with the Swiss, and, without any explanation, had been led on to an unexpected battle, which made them believe that they were betrayed by the king, who wanted to have them destroyed. But when they saw the volunteers thus step boldly into their ranks, they recovered courage, and fought with the utmost bravery. The french volunteers did wonders; and although they were not numerous, amounting to no more than two thousand, they defeated a band of Swiss consisting of double their number. Great feats of arms were done at this battle, with battle-axes, lances, and two-handed-swords, so that for a long time it was doubtful on which side victory would remain.