An Account Of The Persecutions In The Marquisate Of Saluces


The Marquisate of Saluces, on the south side of the valleys of Piedmont,

was in A. D. 1561, principally inhabited by protestants, when the

marquis, who was proprietor of it, began a persecution against them at

the instigation of the then pope. He began by banishing the ministers,

and if any of them refused to leave their flocks, they were sure to be

imprisoned, and severely tortured; however, he did not proceed so far as

> to put any to death.



Soon after the marquisate fell into the possession of the duke of Savoy,

who sent circular letters to all the towns and villages, that he

expected the people should all conform to go to mass.



The inhabitants of Saluces, upon receiving this letter, returned a

general epistle, in answer.



The duke, after reading the letter, did not interrupt the protestants

for some time; but, at length, he sent them word, that they must either

conform to the mass, or leave his dominions in fifteen days. The

protestants, upon this unexpected edict, sent a deputy to the duke to

obtain its revocation, or at least to have it moderated. But their

remonstrances were in vain, and they were given to understand that the

edict was absolute.



Some were weak enough to go to mass, in order to avoid banishment, and

preserve their property; others removed, with all their effects, to

different countries; and many neglected the time so long, that they were

obliged to abandon all they were worth, and leave the marquisate in

haste. Those, who unhappily staid behind, were seized, plundered, and

put to death.



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