the now Prince unless they should have other Instructions touching this particular That if during this Negotiation the Generals of the Army should commit any novelty the Conference should be interrupted That it should be required that affairs should return to the same condition that they were in when the meeting was granted till such time as the wrong done might be satisfied That the said Deputies should observe this Instruction not communicating it to any and that if there should be any dispute therein they might produce the Article treated on to the Deputies of the Parliament and Duke of Longueville and to those of Roan governing themselves according to the same Article and write word what was done The Prince of Conty treated notwithstanding still secretly with the Counts Fuentes and Garcies by the means of Noirsmonstere and of others and insisted that Noirsmonstere should engage himself that the Spaniards should advance their Forces to the River Aisne in Champagnia where their passage was hindred by Marshal Plessis Pralin when the Conference of Ruel was interrupted and that of St. Germains began The Princes interposed many troubles to afford time to the Negotiations of Flanders and did still insist that the Cardinal might be persecuted not that they hated him so much as they seemed to do to the ignorant people but for that this was the most plausible pretence of continuing War to the people who were already weary of sufferings Monsieur Saracin was at the same time sent to Roan by the Prince of Conty to acquaint Longueville with these Treaties who negotiated still with the Arch-Duke by means of Monsieur Stantibar to foment the Councellors of Roan who were greater Frondeurs than those of Paris But Saracin discovering that Longueville was not so partial to their Interests as was believed he wisht him to conclude the Treaties of Agreement with the Court which were already begun by the Prince of Condé's Mother who piously endeavour'd to appease her incensed Children and was the chief motive of making Condé friends with his Brother and Sister who were jealous of Beaufort's power in Paris whom the people did passionately love to the trouble of all the rest especially by reason of his strait joyning with the Coadjutor whose ready Wit all men feared The Presidents of Parliament being come to St. Germains the first President represented to her Majesty in the presence of the Duke of Orleans the Prince of Condé and of the Cardinal That the Kings going from Paris was prejudicial to his Authority the face of affairs having altered countenance their Majesties affections being turned into hatred of their people who were by hostile acts enforced to defend themselves That the faithfullest and most partial amongst them were surprized and compelled to act contrary to their profession That in the height of all these disorders the Parliament had always strove to preserve their respect unto her Majesty And though they were bound to receive a Letter from the Arch-Duke and to listen to the Contents yet they had returned no answer nor taken any resolution thereupon and that her Majesty appearing satisfied with the submission of the Kings Subjects they hoped that she would be pleased to make her Forces keep 20 Leagues from Paris and afford them conveniency for Victuals for so vast a City whereby she would inlarge the Hearts of the People of whose fidelity the Parliament sent her new attestations He then pass'd to what had been said by him whom the Arch-Duke had sent shewing the reasons that made the Parliament hear him and desired her earnestly that she would allow them 1200 Measures of Corn daily as long as that Treaty should hold The Queen answered That it had been better for France and more for the honour of the Parliament not to have accepted the Letter but since it had been done they must seek to make amends by a good Peace That she could say no more now by reason of the Chancellor's indisposition but that she would supply by Writing what was wanting in Words Then the first President and the President of Mesmes went to visit Orleans and Condé with whom they discoursed long about the means of a good Agreement They treated also in the Queen Cabinet with the Cardinal in presence of the Princes They insisted upon the opening of the Passes and after much contestation the Princes promised them they should be satisfied as soon as the Parliament should have sent Deputies with power to treat and to conclude Which being speedily done without loss of time they sent people chosen for that employment and the business began on the first of March not without some danger of sedition amongst the meaner sort of the people of Paris who incited by the fomenters of the troubles ran in great numbers to the publick Palace crying out that they were Sold and Betraid whereat well-minded men were troubled who looked for such inconveniencies as usually happen when the Rabble-rout prevail and they were forced to send some Troops daily out of Paris for a Convoy to those little Victuals which the neighbouring people allured by great gain ventured to bring thither though those that went out met sometimes with the Kings Forces and were but ill treated General Turenne kept this mean while in Alsatia with the French and High-Dutch Army and though he by his long and faithful service had won great honour in the Wars and esteem at Court yet thinking that this was not answerable to his deserts but pretending that many promises made unto him had not been performed he likewise meant to make use of this occasion and that being at the head of an Army he would become Arbitrator of the differences to boot with these instigations he was allured by his Brother the Duke of Bullion one of the Generals of Paris and upon hopes of that party which was more reputed far off than at hand he came also into the number of the Malecontents so to revenge himself for the injuries which he conceived he had received and to better the condition of his Family by making the Court gratifie his pretences particularly of having Sedan restored to his Brother and the like were the ends of all the others none daring as yet to appear so ambitious as to dream of being Head of any Province which was lawfully possessed by the King Being therefore resolved to effect these his designes he retarded his march towards Paris notwithstanding that he was sent for several times by the King The Cardinal discovering this sent Monsieur Eruart to that Army with Moneys and with Instructions to keep the Germans Loyal whereby Turenne could not effect what he desired So finding that he was followed but by a few French who were not able to defend him from the danger of being imprisoned by the Germans who were not well pleased with him for the like affront done by him some years before the General Rosse he withdrew with some few of his Domesticks from the Army which he
Friends put forth a Declaration wherein the Prince promised to second the Duke of Orleans in making the Coadjutor Cardinal All these acts were by Croisy and Camertine intimate friends to the Coadjutor carried to the Duke of Orleans who underwrit two copies without reading them nor knew he what the contents were more than what the Coadjutor was pleased to acquaint him with Without whose suggestion doubtlesly Orleans intended no ill to the Cardinal nor would the Princes friends have demanded more than the Prince his liberty which when it should have been had the Parliament would not have prest for keeping the Cardinal from Court These writings being afterwards carried to the Princess Palatine and to the Duke of Nemeurs to be subscribed by them they agreed that they should remain with Croisy who was to deliver them to the Duke of Orleans or to Conde when he should be at liberty Incouraged by these Treaties the Frondeurs began to solicit the Princes liberties which made the Cardinal aware ere long of Orleans his alienation from him not so much out of any coolness that he found in him as for the bad speeches which many of his Court used concerning him but he was not yet fully inform'd of the secret plots that were a weaving against him and it was strange that so many days being spent in these Treaties he got no perfect notice of them they were too far advanc't before he perceived them so as after having imploi'd many persons in Messages and Proposals he at last offer'd in the presence of both King and Queen to be reconciled but this was rather in appearance than real but though Orleans forbore not the Cardinals Conversation and Dined sometimes with him yet after he had underwritten the aforesaid Treaties he could not so well dissemble as not to discover his inward mind The Cardinal who was not to be parallel'd for wariness finding this and knowing that there could be nothing but the ill impressions suggested by the Frondeurs and of his other Enemies speaking thereof with the Queen in her Chamber on the Twenty sixth of Ianuary at night told her that her Majesty must warily observe the proceedings of Parliament where it might be there were Fairfaxes and Cromwells The Duke who minded nothing but how to execute the Coadjutors suggestions thought the pretence fit to give fire to the Mine so as the Parliament being met on the first of February to think of the fittest means how to get the Princes out of Prison being perswaded that the Court did not desire it and that the Kings promise was only to gain time the Coadjutor being now sure to be assisted by Orleans unmasked himself and spoke more freely than before he shewed how necessary it was to get the Princes liberty as soon as might be and that he had order from the Duke to assure them that this was his opinion which he would imploy all his power to effect The Counsellors wonder'd much to hear this for believing hitherto that the Duke stood well with the Queen they could not discern whence this alteration should proceed Beaufort ratified what the Coadjutor had said and declared that he was of the same mind nothing was resolved upon that day for the Members being astonished at the novelty adjourn'd till the next day and the Coadjutor going to acquaint Orleans how well the Parliament was pleased with what he had told them in his name made him the more inamored with their applause and established him more firmly in the Resolution which he had taken Monsieur Tillier going at that instant to know from the Duke whether what the Coadjutor had said in Parliament was by his Highness permission or no or done barely by the Coadjutors self answered somewhat angrily that what the Coadjutor had said was done by his desire and that he should always approve of what he should say or do The whole Court was much surprised with this answer and made them resolve to send to Treat with the Princes touching their liberty The next day the Duke of Orleans moved thereunto by the Coadjutor sent for the Lord Keeper for Marishal Villeroy and for the Secretary of State Tillier and bad them tell the Queen in his name That he would never come to Court nor sit in Council as long as the Cardinal was there and said further to Villeroy That as Lieutenant General of the State he assigned over the keeping of the King's person unto him which his head should be answerable for On Friday the third of February having with yet greater energie by order from Orleans repeated his opinion touching the Princes liberty told the Assembly how the Cardinal had told the Queen in presence of the King that there were Fairfaxes and Cromwells in the Parliament that it was to be feared that their intentions were to suppress Regal Authority according to the example of England That the Duke not able to tolerate so great a Calumny had assured the King that it was altogether false and that there was none but faithful servants to his Majesty either in the Parliament or City whereof he would become surety both in general and in particular and that the Duke had told the Cardinals self that he was a wicked man and worthy to be reprehended for instilling such ill opinions into a young King against his affectionate Subjects by whom his Majesty was generally loved their hatred extending only to the Cardinal whom they knew to be the only cause of the Kingdoms ruine And that upon this the Duke had sent the day before for the aforesaid Lords and had wisht them to tell the Queen that he would come no more to Court whilst the Cardinal was there At the names of Cromwell and Fairfax they were all highly scandalized insomuch as three propositions were made against the Cardinal the first that he should be made Prisoner the second and this was made by President Viola who was more incens'd against him than all the rest that he should be sent for to the Parliament to give an account of his Administration and for the words which he had said to the dishonour of the French Nation Here the first President interrupted him saying he was too hasty and after some contest between him and Coulin who spoke impertinently against the Cardinal the third proposal was made which was humbly to desire the Queen that he might be sent from Court the meanwhile the Coadjutor's friends having divulged throughout the City the aforesaid words spoken by the Cardinal of Cromwell and Fairfax the male-contents resented it and said they were injured for the French do not only love but even idolatrize their King so as in a moment the whole City which was quiet before grew mutinous the people running up and down the Streets yea even in the Palace it self crying out Let the King live and let Mazarine dye The Queen sent the next day to the Duke of Orleans to know whether he would be content or no that
that he made use of the Cardinals name to foment the divisions of the State he said he had nothing to do in any thing that had been said or done against him before his disimprisonment and that if he had afterwards joyn'd with the sense of all the Parliaments of the Kingdom and with the Votes of all the people it was only to maintain the quiet which might be disturb'd by his return and that if the Kings Council had been so diligent as they ought to have been in taking away the jealousies occasioned by so many sendings to Colen the Parliament should not have needed to be troubled at his return nor to desire a Declaration in confirmation of the Decrees which had been made which it seems was indeavoured to be deluded by that writing which wanting the usual form ought to be of no consideration That though this were enough to say That he had no need to answer that notwithstanding since it had been said in the presence of that Assembly and in the rest of the body of the City and which had moreover been Printed he thought it fit to convince all men of the calumnies which were laid upon him for what concern'd the favours conferred upon his Family by the King he said he had deserved them by the service he had done the Crown That Sfenay and Claremont had been given him in recompence for the place of Admeralty and for the settlement of his Brother in Law the late Duke of Bresse which by his death was lost That the Governments had been justly confirm'd upon him having been held by the Prince his Father that he held his liberty from the favour of their Majesties at the desire of the Duke of Orleans and Parliament that he thought he should be faulty in gratitude if he should partly alledge justice for this obligation and that the Declaration made by her Majesty of his innocency was a sufficient proof of the violence which he had suffered under that he thought it strange that after Thirteen months imprisonment without any known cause his liberty must be acknowledged as an act of Grace and that he did no less wonder that it should be said he was restored to the Kings Council since that place having been given to the Prince his Father by the late King and since the time of Regency he could not attribute that to favour which did of right belong unto him as Prince of the blood and whereof he could be no more be justly deprived without apparent injustice than of his Towns and Governments That it was ridiculous that the Cardinals new confidents who as it was likely had dictated that writing should give out that he strove rather to make himself be feared than loved by reason of thenumber of Towns which he past though he had no more besides Stenay and Claremont than those that had formerly been in his Family no complaint having ever been made of any violence by those that commanded and that he was not troubled to defend himself against any thing that was upbraided unto him had he not in some sort sacrificed his interest and glory to the obedience which he ought unto the King whereof his Enemies made use of now to discredite him and that he refer'd himself to the judgment of the Parliament whether or no these intrigues of the Cardinal were enough to upbraid him with the number of his Governments since the Cardinal and his Domesticks possest Pinarole in Italy Salse Perpignone and Roses in Rosiglion Dunkirk Mardike Bergue Dorlans Bapumes la Bassea Ypre Cotra in Flanders besides Portalongone and Piombino which he had suffer'd to be lost not reckoning an infinity of other places the Governours whereof did wholly depend upon him which was sufficient to denote that more than words were requisite to secure the Kingdom of the absence of one who had so many gates to enter by and when it was experimentally known too fatall to France that his policy was always to make himself formidable to all men That for what was said that the Forces which the King had given him might make a whole Army it was well known to all France that the advantages which his Majesty had gotten over his Enemies were partly got by them that his having changed the Government of Burgundy for Guienne was occasioned by the Queens desire merely for the peace of that Province which could no longer tollerate the Duke of Espernoun that he had preserved the Towns which he held in Burgundy because none were given him in Guieâ—ne and that having bought them it was not just they should be taken from him without having some others given him in charge or at least without having the monies repaid that his Father had given the Duke of Bellegrade That he had not received above 5000 pounds for all that had been assigned to him as well for maintaining the King's Kitchin as for the maintenance of his Troops and all this because the monies were otherwise diverted by the Cardinal and his friends as he could prove unto the Parliament that his having solicited the sending of Count Servient Lyon and Tillier from the Court could not be termed an undertaking against the Regal Authority since the Parliament justified him therein by their Demonstrances and for that he had seen their Majesties but once it was by reason of their new ordering the Council putting in persons newly ingaged in the Cardinals interest without his knowledg or consent it being most certain that none were admitted into the Council but such as did depend upon and were partial to Mazariâ—e wherefore he could not hazard himself any more in their hands who were swaid by ambition and who consequently had given him just occasion to apprehend their Counsels and to declare that whilst they were without his advice of the Council he could have no safety there That for these reasons he had forborn coming to Council not having any other considerations than those which he had declared to the Duke of Orleans in his last Declaration That his having written to the Parliaments of the Kingdom and to several Cities was done to give them an account of his actions and to make them lose the opinion which was given out that he would introduce civil wars into France in consequence of the Letters which the King writ to all the Provinces after his retreat to St. Maure with the faults therein imputed unto him it being false that he had written to raise any men more than usual as also that he had re-inforced the Garrisons in his Governments and fortified them of late forcing the people of the neighbouring Towns to work which had he done ought rather to be commended in him than blamed and that it were to be wish'd that all Governours of Frontier Towns would do the like That the retreating of his Wife and of his Sister the Dutchess of Longueville was upon the consideration that they were to preserve his Family which after so many jealousies
Kingdom That Marcouse and Vaubecourt should be given for Hostages on the Kings behalf and Count Linville and the General of the Artillery on the Dukes with promise that no Hostility should be committed in his march the treaty was thus stipulated by Turenne much to his glory which being concluded in the face of both Armies the Lorrainers began presently to march towards Bria Whilst things went thus in these parts the Parliament who now that Lorrain was come thought they had hit the nail on the head raising their pretensions still higher sent President Nesmond again to the Court to insist upon sending the Cardinal away the Commissioners being come to Melune made the Parliaments desire known adding that it was a small business for a King to deprive himself of a Servant whereby he was to regain the obedience of so many who had withdrawn themselves from it only out of that respect The King returned his answer in writing That having often heard the Remonstrances made by his Parliament wherein they still asserted their intentions to maintain regal Authority and that they would always contribute their chiefest power to the advantage of his service and that finding the wound did now begin to Gangrene without speedy remedy he desired that their Commissioners might meet with his Privy Council to the end that they might joyntly find some remedy for the threatning mischief and to keep his people from the apparent ruine whereinto they were ready to fall through the capricious unquietness and ambition of some sew and that his Majesty indeavoured nothing more than how to restore his Kingdom to its former splendor When Nesmond had read this answer he reply'd That the only way to satisfie all was to send away the Cardinal The King thus interrupted him and with a serious aspect said You have heard my pleasure no more words The Commissioners returned to Paris where they gave an exact account to their Companions of what had past Many were for accepting the propounded Conferences but Brussels with an appearing zeal to the common welfare was firm that there needed no other Conference or negotiation since all was reduced to one sole head which was the sending away the Cardinal who being the sole occasion of all resentments they must stand upon it for this being had all controversies would be ended And the more averse he found the King to part with him the more he prest it not for that he cared much for it but that knowing how difficult a business it would be he might nourish the diffidences and maintain discord For it was apparent that if the Parliament had believed that the King would have parted with the Cardinal and with that re-unite the Princes to his service he would never have pretended thereunto but would have underhand indeavoured his tarrying for it did not make for him that the Kings Authority should be the more fortified by the joyning of the Princes with his Majesty and that consequently the pretences of the Parliament should languish Brussels opinion being adhered unto it was decreed that the Commissioners without any delay should return again to the King and tell his Majesty that they had nothing to add nor to propose but the effectual dismissing of the Cardinal in conformity to the decrees and Declarations made by his Majesty and to the protestation made by the Princes who were ready to lay down Arms as soon as the Cardinal should be gon out of the Kingdom Letters written from the Queen of Sweeden to the Parliament were given to the Commissioners to be delivered to the King the content whereof was her offering her self to interpose as a friend and confederate to the Crown of France in agreeing all parties The Commissioners came to Melune the 12 th of Iune and had Audience two days after they represented the desolation of the State by the Cardinals return which they said was the only cause of all the disturbances of the Kingdom The business was referred to the Council of State and the answers examined the Cardinal renued his many former desires that he might be dismist saying it was not fit that the peace of the Kingdom should be confounded merely for him This the King denyed saying that he was master and was to be served by whom he pleased and that none but God could prescribe laws to him The next Sunday the Commissioners had Audience again wherein the King gave them a writing saying that thereby they should know his pleasure Monsieur Vrilliere read it and gave it to President Nesmond wherewith he went to Paris the contents of the Letter were these That the King did very much wonder seeing there were so many wise and well advised Subjects in the Parliament that they should not know the desire of dismissing the Cardinal was but a specious and nice pretence since the true cause of all the troubles appeared to be the interest and ambition of those who had took up Arms and waged War when the Cardinal was in Germany dismist from the Court and Government which made it clearly appear that the maladies of a State are not cured whilst pretences are stood upon the roots whereof produce as many mischiefs as by those pretences are desired to be cut off so there was no remedy that would do good but to pluck up the chiefest and deepest evil by the Root That if his Majesty should permit the Cardinal to withdraw himself into some forreign imployment with due respect to his honour how should he be secured that the Male-contents would be quieted since his departure in the beginning of the last year had rather augmented than moderated the troubles so as it was not to be hoped it should fall out otherwise when he should be gone again unless the cause which produced the effect were presently taken away That his Majesty did desire speedy and permanent quiet to his Subjects that they might not fall into the former inconveniences the rather for that he knew well that at the same time when the Princes declared they were ready to lay down Arms if the Cardinal were sent away they provided for the contrary by strengthning their party with Forreigners and by seducing other of his Majesties Subjects from their obedience that what the Duke of Orleans had said some days before to the Commonalty of Paris touching his having no power over the Duke of Lorrains men which he had boasted to have brought was not like to that which he had affirmed in Parliament that the treaty made with the Spaniards by the Prince of Conde mentioned not laying down of Arms if the Cardinal were sent away nor indeed could it be spoken of since he was in Germany when it was made That therefore the Princes were to give real and positive security for performing what they promised wherefore he desired to know whether they renounced all leagues and associations made with Forreigners and all particular treaties had and made with his Majesties Subjects against his Royal service
same time to make his Name famous and to get good store of Mony from the Spaniards and that if he should fail of the appointed payments he might at all times make his Peace with the King upon advantageous Terms and that injoying the Wealth gotten by War which far exceeded what he lost in France he should make the World know that Troubles being the advantage of a Souldier they ought never to be fore-gone by one who professeth Arms. These Treaties being over the Princes and Parliament stood still upon the point That the Amnesty granted by the King and pardon for all that had been done the last five years was not as was desired to wit not general and without condition but that it reached only to the Parisians bearing but little respect to the Princes and Parliament they therefore pretended that his Majesty should give ample and unretractable Authority to the Duke of Orleans to frame another without any exceptions and that it should be Authenticated by his Majesty in the Parliament of Paris whither the Councellors that were gone to Pontois should come Many meetings were had about this his Royal Highness writ some Letters to Court Duke Anâ—iâ—e and Marquess Ioyeuse negotiated with the Privy Council and did many other things which would be too tedious to relate But the Court finding that it would be prejudicial to the Kin'gs Authority Pasports for the Parliaments Commissioners were absolutely denied so as Affairs remain'd intangled as before The Parliament being met on the third of October to hear what News Marquess St. Lambert brought who was return'd from Court Two Boat-men were imprisoned who cry'd Vive le Roy e Mazarino and many more were led to the Concergeria and Process was ordered to be made against them and it was said that this was done of purpose by some that gave them mony that they might move the people to Sedition This being brought to Court and that the Parliament continued to proceed against some of the Assembly in the Palace-Royal the King with his Council pass'd a Decree on the fifth of October Whereby He annull'd all the pretended proceedings of the Parliament of Paris which were or were to be publish'd imposing severe punishment upon such Commissaries or Iudges as should act any thing further therein and commanded all his Majesties People in Paris to see his Orders executed The King's Army lay this mean while at Ville Neuf St. George much straitned by the Princes Troops and those of their Confederates being more than they in number and were in danger to be beaten out of their Quarters and fought with in their Retreat for not only many of their men but many of their Horses perished for want of Victuals and Forrage The Court was much troubled hereat fearing some sinister accident for the Victory consisted in that Armies abode near Paris whereby the endeavors which made for the King were fomented The Princes who knew the importancie hereof and that if the King's Army were preserved all their Plots were ruin'd did what they could to overcome it by Famine but the neighbourhood of Paris and the sickness which besell Conde Wirtemberg and many other of their Chief men which may truly be attributed to an effect of Divine Providence caused the ruine of their Party Together with these sick Princes Lorrain and Beaufort and almost all the Chief Commanders were come to Paris with a considerable number of their best Soldiers for fear of some Conspiracy amongst the Inhabitants and to advise upon what was best to be done in this the Peoples tottering condition who were weary with the length of these troubles Turenne a no less wise than valiant Commander after a short consultation had with his Collegue Ferte Seneterre resolved to get out of these Straits and to remove his Army elsewhere where it might be safe and have whereon to live The 4th of October he past his Baggage and Artillery by night over the Seene by a Bridge of Boats by break of day his Army rise in such order and silence as they past undiscovered by the Enemies Sentinels Tavanes was the only General that was left in the enemies Camp who being aware of Turenne's march though too late sounded to Horse and put his Army in order to follow and fight him But Turenne being shelter'd by the River got soon to Corbeile a place which was guarded by the King's men where crossing the Seene upon a Stone-bridge he escaped danger with much honor and quarter'd upon the Marne between Meieâ—x and Lagny raising Victuals from all the neighbouring parts for the maintenance of his Troops The Princes were mightily amazed at this Conde in particular was scandalized complaining of his Officers carelessness saying That had he been well he would not have lost so favourable an occasion But what is past being past remedy On the 7th of the next Month the Prince's Army advanc'd to the head of the Suburbs of St. Antoine and for the defence of the City incampt near St. Vincents-Castle The King and Court went from Pontois to Mantes that they might pass over the Seene there and so come to St. Germains intending to come to Paris when things should go as it was hoped they would do The Parisians were resolved to withdraw themselves out of those miseries wherein they were plunged and being all of the same mind accordingly as Fortune forsook the Princes they sided with the King wherefore Conde finding the storm ready to fall bethought how to save himself and his Army by removing quickly from Paris and because by his going away and the King's return the good of Paris and the Cardinals return was foreseen many sought to follow the Cardinals re-rising Fortune and some of the Prince's Friends began to wheel about and particularly Count Chavigny Being much vext in mind at these changes of Fortune Chavigny fell sick and died on the 11th of October and this was the end of Lyon di Boutelliere Count of Chavigny aged 44 years one who at 19 years old was admitted into the King's Council and at the age of 21 and 24 was made Secretary of State and in 1642 had the care of all the important affairs of the Crown committed to his charge and when Lewis the Thirteenth died was made Plenipotentiary at the Peace of Munster He was quick-witted of a lively spirit ready counsel and ambitious of Glory and Greatness The Parliament and Town-house met often touching the present occurrences and all good men being grieved to see the poor Country people so wasted by the Souldiers especially by the Lorrainers who left nothing unransackt divers Commissioners were chosen in the Town-house on the 9th of October to go again to Court and to desire their Majesties to return to Paris But because the King intended not to admit of publick Addresses from that Assembly which was held illegitimate since Beaufort pretended Governour of Paris contrary to his Majesties Command was there it was propounded and agreed upon in
year before to represent the Injuries done by the Parliament of Paris to Cardinal Mazarine against all Humane and Divine Laws without any legal accusation or just authority contrary to the King's Pleasure who justified and owned him for his Faithful Servant when a reward of 50000 Crowns was set upon his head besides the Confiscation of all his Goods the Pope had not concerned himself at all in his protection who had then no other support but his Holiness the King's Authority being trodden under foot and violated whereas there was now so great a Noise for the Imprisonment onely of the Cardinal de Retz to which his Majesty was necessitated for the Publike good and maintenance of the Royal Authority against which Retz was accused to have long plotted and the rather because his Christian Majesty had no other intention but to hinder his proceedings therein not to make his Process and much less to judge him as knowing well the same belonged onely unto Christ's Vicar Although the Parliament had arrogated to themselves an authority to do it against Mazarine without any of those cautions necessary to be used by any who bear Reverence to Holy Church These and the like Reasons were given by the French who also urged the President of Lewis the 11 th King of France that imprisoned and kept the Cardinal Ballua many years in restraint holding correspondence with his Majestie 's Brother and the Duke of Burgundy and yet the Pope interposed onely by Fatherly Admonitions and Requests for his delivery although the things whereof he was accused were nothing in comparison of what de Retz was charged withal They said farther That the King had procured this Dignity for his Subject to oblige him unto a greater diligence in his Service not to protect him in any thing prejudicial unto his Crown That all things necessary for maintenance of their Kingdoms were lawful unto Soveraign Princes but all things were not permitted to Subjects which conduced unto their satisfaction That none ingaged himself in the defence or gave a more intire obedience unto the Popes in matters of the Church then the Most Christian King for which he had been alwaies willing to expose his Crown but he ought likewise in the Interests of State to take to heart the good and quiet of his Subjects unto whom he was a most indulgent Father The disgust which the choice of Monsieur Corsino gave to the Court of France sprang hence his Majestie 's Ambassadour at Rome having received some inckling that the Pope intended to send another Nuntio in lieu of Monsieur the Marquess of Bagni gave notice to his Holiness That in case he intended such a thing 't were fit he should first declare what Prelate he intended to intrust with that Imployment that he might know whether he were a person would be grateful to his Majestie The Pope pretended to have no such thought but â—ome few days after published the Election of the said Monsignior Corsino The Ambassadour gave present notice of the disgust his Majesty would take at the manner of this Election rather then for the quality of the person who was in himself very considerable and one to whom his Majesty had no other exception But the Pope insisting That he had no obligation to send onely such Nuntio's as should be pleasing to the Princes unto whom they went as he obliged not them to send him onely such Ambassadours as he approved continued positive in what he had before resolved as conceiving that to alter him would prejudice the Reputation of the Holy See and commanded the Nuntio to prosecute his Voyage The Kings of France pretend chiefly in time of Warr not to receive any Nuntio's or Legate from the Pope but one that shall be to their satisfaction for a reason which obliges no other Prince besides the Popes viz. Because it happens often that those Prelates who are sent are not Subjects of the Church but of some other Italian Prince as this Corsino was being a Florentine and because although they were the Churches Subjects they might be Pensioners to other Princes therefore France hath not thought fit to accept any before an Information given of his quality lest they might otherwise receive into their house one who was an enemy or of their party For this cause therefore and no other the Kings of France have used to require that they may be advertised before a Nuntio be chosen and therefore Monsignior Corsino was stopped in Provence but afterwards upon Treaty it being known that this Prelate was independent of any but the Pope he was admitted and had been certainly received had not the accident of Cardinal Retz and sending of the Archbishop of Avignon given a stop to the whole Business The Imprisonment of this Cardinal who was one of the principal supports of the Faction Della Fronda did break and totally destroy it because although there remained yet some reliques of this fire they were such feeble sparks as of themselves could raise no flame and therefore the King's Authority growing more vigorous proceeded in the Execution of all those Councels which were esteemed proper for restoring the Kingdome into its pristine splendour The King's Revenues were by these Troubles very much diminished and therefore the business for Money was very pressing vast Debts being contracted and the Credit of the Court being reduced unto the utmost extremity notwithstanding that his Majestie 's Annual Revenue amounted to more than Eight Millions of Dobloones of Gold There were therefore many Decrees for raising Money made by his Majesty which were the last day of December verified and Registred in Parliament in his Majestie 's presence with all readiness although they were Thirteen in number To which was added one Clause to sweeten them viz. That this Relief should be employed in the most urgent Business of the Kingdom and particularly in payment of the Souldiery And those Edicts the 7th of Ianuary following were also verified in the Chamber of Accompts and the Court of Ayds in presence of the Duke of Anjou who was sent thither by his Majesty to that purpose Together with these good Reliefs unto the Civil Government the Martial Affairs began to be managed with a new vigour and good success considering the loss and ruines which had happened to the King and the whole Kingdom not only in the parts of Flanders and Guienne but also in Italy and Catalonia in which Province Cardinal Mazarine having resolved to maintain a brisk Warr that the Spaniard might be thereby diverted from sending great supplies to other parts had caused the Town of Roses to be seasonably relieved with some Barks of Provision sent thither from Provence by the Duke of Mercoeur and with the Regiment of Foot of Anjou commanded by Monsieur Friquembaut by whose arrival there was discovered a notable Treason plotted in the place by one Ganot an Intendant married to a Catalonian Woman handsome enough and wanton and therefore much frequented by the Garrison
THE HISTORY OF FRANCE Written in ITALIAN BY The Count GVALDO PRIORATO Containing all the Memorable Actions IN FRANCE AND Other Neighbouring KINGDOMS The Translation whereof being begun by The Right Honourable HENRY late Earl of Monmouth Was finished by WILLIAM BRENT s LONDON Printed for William Place at Grays-Inne-Gate Thomas Basset Thomas Dring and Iohn Leigh in Fleetstreet MDCLXXVI To the Right Honourable and Truly Noble LADY MARTHA COUNTESS of MONMOVTH MADAM I Have in obedience to your Ladyships Commands turned into English so much of the Count Gualdo his Book as your Noble and Worthy Lord and Husband being prevented by Death left untranslated I am not ignorant how great a rashness and presumption it was heretofore accounted for an unskilful Workman to attempt the finishing of Apelles Table but I shall hope the meanness of my Stile will give your Ladyship no cause of offence when you consider that the defects thereof are so far from prejudicing your Lord's Work that like a Foil they may serve to adde something unto the Lustre of it And I am confident I shall deserve from the Reader his Thanks as well as Pardon for blundering at the remainder of the Book since 't is the cause of publishing the rest whereby our Nation may have the benefit of being acquainted with all Designes Intrigues and Affairs of State transacted in those years whereof it treats delivered to them by the choice Pens of two persons so accomplished as were the Author and his Lordship And howsoever I have resolved rather to expose my self unto the danger of any Censure whatsoever than be wanting to the profession I have made of being MADAM Your Ladyship 's most obedient Servant William Brent THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THE READER AMongst those changes which the vicissitude of Worldly things hath in this our Age produced I believe there are none either more worthy to be remembered or that can better satisfie our Curiosities than a clear knowledge of the late Revolutions in France and the War between the Crowns of France and Spain which still continues for whether we consider the Slights and Policies used by the different Factions to advance their several Parties or the multiplicity of Intrigues occasioned by those Contests or the great Waste and Spoils committed by the Armies in their Marches of which the bloody marks do yet remain in several Provinces or the sad Consequences of that Craft Envy and Emulation wherewith all Treaties have been managed or lastly the deep Prudence Care and Foresight whereby the mischiefs thereby designed have been avoided I may with confidence affirm no time or place can furnish us with better instances touching all those matters than the Transactions in those Civil Wars I therefore who from my first coming to look into the World have always thought no employment could be more Noble than that of setting down all memorable Actions of the present Age for the Instruction of that to come since History may well be termed the Nurse of all Illustrious Actions and the onely life of Fame and Memory have endeavoured to oblige Posterity by giving a sincere account of what hath passed that they may thereby be invited to imitate what is praise-worthy and avoid those things that deserve blame And since it concerns every man who makes Truth his object to use great diligence in the discovery of her because this beautious Lady seldom appears in publick places I resolved therefore to make a Voyage into France as I had done before to Germany Flanders England and other Countries where action was that I might being an Eye-witness be better able to give a true relation of all passages wherein I can hardly express the diligence and caution I have used not being satisfied with a superficial knowledge of things but endeavouring to penetrate into the true Motives Ends and Interests of those that acted As for the manner of my Writing it is the same that I have always used rude and unpolished suitable to the Profession of a Souldier wherein I have the honour to serve the famous Commonwealth of Venice as my Ancestors have done before me in the principal Employments under the command of that Republick This I assure the Reader that as these my Relations are not adorned with any Flourishes of Eloquence so he will finde them void of Passion or private Interest no party having ever gratified or disobliged me and the onely end I have in writing being to give a true account of what hath pass'd unto Posterity I make use of the same freedom in relation of all actions as well praise-worthy as blamable neither hath that been ever the least hindrance to me which hath deterred many viz. The publishing a History of persons whilst they live and therefore if there be any who thinks I am too sparing in his praises I desire he would impute it to my want of skill and would also consider that brave Exploits bring their own Triumphs along with them and Vertue is the best reward unto it self If any one be Censured or Reproached he must blame not the Copy but the Original since History performs the Office onely of a Glass and like an Eccho doth but redouble what hath formerly been spoken And if I have mistaken any thing in this Relation I shall be ready upon better information to rectifie it during his Life by acknowledging my errour in the reprinting of this History which is a Right can never be afforded unto any person after Death FAREWEL s THE HISTORY OF FRANCE The FIRST BOOK The CONTENTS The general state of France Its Alliances How the Parliament of Paris is composed The great Council The Chamber of Accounts The Court of Ayds The Paoletta Selling of Offices The rise of the Troubles The increase of Masters of Requests Monsieur Emery Means used to discredit the Cardinal Masters of Requests unite The Queen sends to reprove them The Parliament meets notwithstanding the Prohibition Deputies in the Chamber of St. Lewis Emery's Office taken from him The Parliament provoked to higher designes The Frondeurs or Slingers The Cardinal maintains the Kings Authority The Council lay aside complying Proposition to imprison some of the Parliament The Cardinal dissents Brousel arrested in his own house His words to his Children President Blanmenil arrested Charton escapes Commotions in Paris The Court prepare to maintain what they had done The great danger of the Chancellor The Parliament desert him Marshal de Milleraye relieves him The Chancellor's Coach assaulted He is graciously received by their Majesties His Saying The tumult increaseth The Chancellor's house plundered The Parliament desire freedom of Prisoners The first President 's Speech The Queen's Answer People furious First President couragious The Cardinals opinion He is incognito Parliament at Palais-Royal they resolve to continue The beginning of the War Chavigny imprisoned Di Gaulas banished President Nicola his Speech The Parliaments desire The Answer of the Prince and Queen Decree of the Council Deputies civilly received The
them in her presence Wherefore all the said Masters of Requests went joyntly to the Palace-Royal to acquaint the Queen with their grievances who sharply upbraided them with baseness taxt them with temerarity in opposing the King her Son's will and by her treating them thus did much mortifie them For there was not then any Faction on foot and this would hardly have held good had it been disturb'd at the beginning But the Duke of Orleans thinking it fit to apply Remedy to the Evil before it grew too contagious interposed himself and wrought with the Queen that she would permit them to exercise their places But they not being herewith content grew more insolent believing that many who did not openly applaud them would afterwards joyn with them in lessening the Cardinal's power which was envied by many and privately practised against as was suggested unto them by those who did but wait a time to give the blow They therefore continued their contumacy and not long after notwithstanding the King's inhibition the joyning of all the Bodies of Tribunals was decreed and met where Brousel Blammenil Charton and others spoke without any regard against the Court-government An Act of great Disobedience and contrary to all Laws and Practice all the Bodies not being accustomed to be called together nor to meet but by extraordinary order from the King But those who sought a propitious conjuncture of time to inhanse or exalt their pretended Authority by lessening that of the Kings being desirous to winde themselves into the Affairs of State laid hold of the pretence of wasting of the King's Finances and gave way to this fatal Union wherein they were applauded by many not onely for the novelty of the Act but out of hopes which other Male-contents and their idle followers conceived that they should be eased of their Grievances by the punishment of those who imploy'd the King's Moneys ill and that they should thereby have Peace which they said was retarded out of the Officers particular ends That which these Supream Companies did for no Appeal was to be had from their judgment was to send many Deputies who marched two and two through the City being invironed by an infinite company of people to shew the King that they were met to provide during his Majesty's Minority against the bad administration of his Finances from whence proceeded the Kingdoms ruine and the emptiness of the Exchequer fearing lest they might hereafter be blamed by his Majesty for carelessness when he should come to his Majority as they said Charles the Fifth had done who complained of the Parliament of those times for not having hindered the miss-spending of his Revenue in his Minority And to this purpose they chose some of their Deputies to meet in the Chamber called St. Lewis which is an extraordinary Congregation which meets onely upon urgent and grievous occasions which are unpleasing to the King for that therein things contrary to the Function of Parliament are treated of and where the Counsellours as well of Parliament as the Chamber of Accounts the great Council and of the Court of Aids sit The power of which Deputies when they are met together reaches no farther than to examine and give their opinions upon such things as they treat on which are afterwards to be reported to the Soveraign Courts wherein they are either approved or rejected These Broulieres continued on the Parliaments side by keeping together and by often meeting as on the Courts behalf in impeding them and crossing them till such time as the Court lost as much esteem as the Parliament got and till it was necessary for the King's Council to take away the Superintendency of the aforesaid Emery in that Office though it appeared necessary in that emergency of time he promising again to furnish moneys for some time to maintain that War He was ordered to retire from Paris to his Country-house in appearance of sacrificing him to the satisfaction of the people and to rid the Parliament of further trouble by preventing them in their Decrees which it was thought would be by them shortly thundered out against him This his deposing which was done contrary to the general belief served to provoke the Parliament and the Male-contents to yet higher thoughts whereinto upon like occasions humane insatiateness doth usually fall The Chambers therefore forbear not to meet nor the People to murmur they railed openly against the King's Ministers of State they cri'd out aloud against the Government they made it appear that instead of seeing that State restored Misery and Ruine did still increase though France was then more powerful and victorious than it had been known to be at any time before And in sequele of these giddy attempts which are the usual food of the petulant Vulgar it happened that Monsieur di Bachaumont Son to President Coigneux hearing his Father speak in the Parliament in behalf of the Court being one night at Supper in Monsieur di Paris his house Mareshal of the Field and discoursing there with divers Friends touching the present Commotions said jeastingly to his Companions with whom he began to sport throwing Oranges at one another That he had a designe to sling to some purpose at his Father's Opinion This jeast was taken notice of and thereupon when one declaimed boldly in pleading against any person of Quality men would say that he slung soundly that morning so passing from one Jeast to another he that railed most against the Government was called a good Slinger And this went through every ones mouth some months before there was any talk of the Faction called la Fronde or the Sling but the rise thereof was taken from the Boys who sometimes slung Stones under the new Bridge when the water was low whence the forenamed Bachaumont took occasion to say that he would sling at his Father's Opinion comparing the Whizze of a Sling to the force of Discourse in Rhetorick The chief men that declaiming in Parliament were first called by this Nick-name of Frondeurs which is as much as to say Slingers which grew as common as that of the Gueuses or Beggers did in Flanders whence so great disorders arose there afterwards were the Presidents of Novion Viola Blaumenil Charton the Counsellours of Browssel Longuille Coulon and divers others of a turbulent disposition and desirous of Innovation but in time some few fell from that Faction and finding their errours returned to their Duties from which the chief Lord President never budged who was a man of a settled and undaunted Spirit and who did always appear unconcern'd knowing how to make use of his Credit in Parliament in the Affairs whereof he was very expert for the service of the Court wherein he carried himself with much Integrity and Courage As all these things were a mighty prejudice to the King's Soveraignty and of very bad Example and a great scandal in Subjects who were bound to obey and the Cardinal being therewith sorely netled took a
to provide speedily against the eminent danger not onely by sending Messengers to the Regent to solicite her to return together with the King to Paris but by proceeding in the Decree against Forreigners And so ignorantly obstiâ—ate were they in this as they foolishly believed that as soon as the Decree should be out the Cardinal would be presently destroy'd and if you would ask them by what Forces they answered That above 50000 armed men would make the Decree be observed in despight of the World And thus they began that unhappy War which being disorderly begun every wise man knew would disorder all things The Cardinal ceased not to labour this mean while to reduce the Subjects to their due obedience by fair means He gave order that 4000 Germans old Souldiers the remainder of Weymar's men who were now under General Erack Governour of Brisack should presently advance towards Paris and divers other Troops Officers and Gentlemen that were known to be well affected to his Majesties service were likewise sent for from several other places And it being known that Count Chavigny who was not well pleased with his present condition might very much prejudice the King's Affairs by holding intelligence with the publick Enemy and with the chief of the Frondeurs in the Parliament he being a Parisian he was made Prisoner in the Castle of St. Vincent by order from the King by Monsieur Drovet Captain of the Guard And thus was he kept from contriving such Plots as he indeavoured to do whereby to put himself into the same condition he was in Richelieu's time and from whence through too much ambition he was fallen Monsieur di Gaulas Secretary to the Duke of Orleans was also banish'd by means of his Enemy the Abbot di Riviere who knew him to be inward with Chavigny and therefore equally subject to suspition By these proceedings at Court the Parliament grew hourly more jealous They met on the 22 of September where President Viola said That the people feared lest Paris should be besieged that the Court was full of hatred and revenge against the Counsellours of the Chamber terming them Tumultuaries disloyal and the causers of all Disorder That the Publick Safety was exposed to Imprisonment Exile and to other Violences wherewith they were severely threatned who seemed to be most concerned in the Common Safety That therefore it was now time to pull off Masks and without delay to provide for their own Indemnity concluding that before they should put on any further resolutions they should send some of their Members to the Regent to intreat her to bring the King back speedily to Paris and that since it was now known who was the principal Author of all the Kingdoms troubles all the Princes and Officers of the Crown should be sent to the Parliament to revive the Decree of the year 1607 whereby all Forreigners were inhibited receiving any Honours or Dignities in the State or any part of Government Viola was not well pleased with his own condition though he was sufficiently provided for by Monsieur Lambert and particularly he appeared an Enemy to the Cardinal thinking that he had kept him from being the Queen's Chancellour Blanmenil maintain'd and back'd Viola he moved that the Cardinal might be made to give an account of the Money that were sent into Italy and elsewhere and that he might purchase the name of an honest man he put himself into the number of the Iansonians President Novion plai'd his part also amongst the Frondeurs Amidst all these Agitations the Parliament resolved to intreat the Queen by way of humble Remonstrance that she would be pleased to return together with the King to Paris and put an end to the peoples Jealousies by her presence and that she would keep the Souldiers away that were coming The Duke of Orleans the Prince of Condé who was then returned from Flanders the Prince of Conty the Dukes and Peers were sent for to come the next day to Parliament to use necessary Expedients for the safety and good of the State and the Provost of Merchants and the Consuâ—s were sent for to receive such Orders as should be given them They sent a President and two Counsellours to make their desires known to the Princes but the Answer was not according to their desires for they said They could not nor would not do any thing without the Queen's consent Orleans told the Deputies That he would come no more to Parliament whilst they did licentiously advance their pretentions too far against Reason and against the Laws as they had done by their bold and scandalous Proposals that morning Condé said That the Parliament had nothing to do with State-affairs that he neither could nor would go thither and that he would be obedient to the Queen though it cost him his life Conty said onely He would not go Longueville told them in somewhat more milder words That they had transgressed the bounds of Duty and that the discourses made by the said Presidents were too passionate and did deviate from conveniency The Deputies hearing this were extremely amazed and without making any Reply return'd the same day to Paris where the Frondeurs were no less troubled fearing that they could not do what they intended without the assistance of some Prince of the Blood whose joyning with the Queen hindered all their intentions The first President and the other Deputies were gone to Ruel to acquaint the Queen with the Parliaments Remonstrance who returned answer That she wonder'd at their incongruous desire of having her return to Paris That she used every year to go abroad and take the Air That she valued more her own health and that of her Son 's than any vain ridiculous suspition of the people That they might be ashamed to make such desires to a Soveraign King whose satisfactions were to be had in Reverence and not examined by his Subjects And forthwith a Decree was past in the Council of State full in the teeth of all that the Parliament had done the day before commanding them to keep within their due bounds and not to meddle any more in such resolutions contrary to the Law and to Regal Authority Notice was given of this to the Parliament the same day that they met to hear the first President 's Report which being diversly discuss'd they resolved to make a new Remonstrance to the Queen not by word of mouth but in writing And they began to take fitting course for the safety of the City The Provost-Marshal was ordered to send to all places seated upon the River to get Grain and all things necessary for the sustenance of so numerous a City from thence to Paris They resolved that the Inhabitants should keep in Arms for a publick Guard and that the next day they should proceed to a Decree like to that of the year 1617. Though this was not the means to extinguish but rather to increase the fire yet the Parliament did so flatter themselves with
fourth part of the Subsidies but more if the present state of Affairs would permit it That as for the King 's going out of Paris it was not to be wondered at since he went every year out of the Town about the same season to take the Air. For what concern'd Chavigny's Imprisonment the Parliament had no reason to be concern'd therein he being no Member of theirs and that he was detain'd for important reasons known onely to the King's Council To this the first President repli'd It was true he was no Member of theirs but that he had always in all his imployments been advantageous to them which made it be the more suspected The Prince of Condé retorting his Argument upon him said That this Argument made against him that alleadged it for if the memory of so many good services done by Chavigny were not able to excuse him it was the more probable that his faults were great Then stept out President Viola and said That if Chavigny had erred he should be proceeded against and punish'd by Law He said that there was but one Imprisonment lawfully permitted in France called La Conceirge du Palais and that if any other course were taken the publick liberty was injured The Duke of Orleans interrupted the Discourse saying That people of better condition than Chavigny had been imprisoned That the late Prince of Condé Father to this present Prince had been imprisoned in the Basteile without any notice taken by the Parliament The first President said All this was true and that it was not long since this abuse was introduced and that an Illegitimate Order ought not to pass for Law Thus the Deputies retired re infecta and adjourn'd their Meeting to the 29th of the said Month on which day they appeared again and the Prince of Condé assuming great Authority by his means almost all their Proposals were granted unless it were the freedom of the persons imprisoned which the Parliament pretended should be within the space of twenty four hours Whereupon the Queen was content that none should be imprison'd for State-affairs without Process for above six months but the Parliament not allowing so long a time took a middle way restraining the time to three months and said That the Queen could not make any Declaration thereupon but that they might take her word The rest were not herewith content President Blanmenil would not allow of three months saying That no king of France by any priviledge of the Crown can keep their Subjects Prisoners without Process at Law for that would be prejudicial to the Publick Safety and a hazarding of the Princes themselves and of the Crowns Officers since several means might be found in three months space to make away whom they lifted before they could be proved guilty before competent Iudges It was therefore said That either the King must have absolute liberty to imprison men as long as he would or but onely twenty four hours in which time no Prisoner could beput to death without evident signe of Violence or Tyranny All men whatsoever being herein concern'd it was decreed that no man should be kept Prisoner without Process at Law for above twenty four hours At the same time that this business was discussing in Parliament Francis Dutchess of Vendosme gave in a Petition to the House desiring that the Parliament as the Sanctuary of persecuted Princes would cause Process to be made in the behalf of the Duke her Husband and of the Duke her Son who had been deni'd to have their Process pleaded not onely for three or six months but for many years But this being a private business the Parliament received the Petition and said it should be argued when the more weighty publick Affairs should be over Finally after many meetings and debates in Parliament a Declaration was issued forth for the re-establishment of Justice and for a moderation of Grievances The abuse of Accounts was regulated the Tax of ten Millions of pounds Turnois was taken off The people were eased of seven Millions which was paid to Officers and Souldiers who assisted in gathering Taxes and Impositions The Officers of the Kingdoms Salaries were established The Tax of a Crown for every run of Wine that came into the City was taken away The price of Salt was lessened and two Millions upon what entered the Gates of Paris But the supream Authority of France being onely in the King's person and no Decrees made in Parliament being valid though for the publick benefit without the King's assent this Declaration was carried some days after to St. Germains to have its full Vigour given it but the Cardinal considering how prejudicial the lessening of above two Millions of Pistols yearly would be to the King's service and how much the King's Authority would be diminished by bereaving him of so great a part of his Revenues and of forgiving faults as it would have been if the Institution touching Imprisonment for but twenty four hours had been put in practise opposed himself thereunto with all his might shewing that if when the King had power to punish faults so many were committed it would be worse when his Majesty should be deprived of that power and that the power to punish made more for a Prince than the power to reward for people fear less to offend those they love than those they fear and rewards meet oftentimes with ingratitude when Punishment maintains Obedience But the Parliament's designe being to deprive the King of means of continuing War by keeping him from Money and so to force the Cardinal to agree unto a general Peace or otherwise to weaken him so as he could not any longer pursue the course of his Victories that they might have occasion to accuse him and deprive him of his Administration the King's Council was at last forc'd to give way unto it with such disadvantage to regal Authority as that from hence arose all the disorders which did afterwards trouble the tranquillity of that powerful Kingdom It is very certain that two members of Parliament expressing upon some occasion the like conceit to Cavelliere Luigi Contarini who mediated the general Peace he wisely answered That he liked it not for if the Cardinal should want moneys and consequently means to make War it was to be considered whether Spain would admit of Peace when France should be reduced to such weakness This so prejudicial Concession being granted which followed on the 28 of October contrary to the Cardinal's opinion Peace was published by means of the rest of the Council whereby the Princes purchased the peoples applause they having gotten their chief ends A while after Count Chavigny was released from Prison where he was so afraid of being poysoned as he eat but one Egge a day The King pardoned him to gratifie the Parliament and he was sent to a Castle of his own in Turenne The Court used this means with patience per force towards the Parliament so as it was easie to foresee that
enforc'd favours would prove at last but little advantageous to the receivers It being therefore thought that the Parliament could now decree nothing against the Cardinal since they had received whatsoever they could pretend unto the King returned to Paris on the last of October with the general applause of all the people But as by this divorce of the Parliament from the Court all the Male-contents had a good occasion to endeavour their own satisfactions Anne Princess of Bourbon Sister to the Prince of Condé and Wife to Henry Duke of Longueville a Lady as handsome of Body as she was full of generous thoughts and lively Spirits began to contrive not onely how she might satisfie her own pretensions but to make those fail of theirs with whom she was not well satisfied The distaste which she pretended to have received from the Cardinal was for that she thought the Duke her Husband had been deluded by Count Serviente in his Embassie to the Assembly as Munster by hindering him from reaping the fruits of his labour in compleating the general Peace and taking Serviente to be a creature of the Cardinals and one who kept the War on Foot She contracted friendship with the Count d' Avaux a declared Enemy to Serviente and endeavour'd to make him joyn with the Duke her Husband against him which he very wisely refused to do She likewise complained that the Prince her Brother had not received that Declaration from the Court which he pretended to of being Heir to his Brother-in-Law the Duke of Bresé So a◠coming from Munster to the Court embittered against the Cardinal for these reasons She spoke her opinion plainly touching the Peace and somewhat bitterly whereat the Cardinal was much displeased so as their hearts were ulcerated and the Dutchess being resolved to be revenged went about Autumn from Normandy to Noycy where she spoke with the Duke de Rets Brother to the Coadjutor of Paris who was already engaged in the interest of Parliament by which Duke's means she held Intelligence with the said Coadjutor who used all the means he could to draw over the Duke her Husband to side with the Male-contents which the Duke did at first wisely refuse but at last being set upon on the one side by the Coadjutor's forcible perswasions and on the other side by his Wives flatteries and allurements he was perswaded to pass his word wherewith the Duke de Rets acquainted the Coadjutor and he some of the chief Frondeurs that he would be for the Parliament always provided that the Parliament did not fall upon the Court. And the same Dutchess having a great power over her Brother the Prince of Conty a Youth of about seventeen years of age who might be said to enter but then into the world she wrought him to be of the same mind and made him make the same promise though he had no reason to be displeased with the Court nor with the Cardinal But the said Dutchess thinking that it made for her House and Family that they should all enter into this Faction she made the Coadjutor without taking notice that she had any hand therein endeavour to bring her Brother the Prince of Condé also to their Union The Coadjutor undertook the business and went to Noycy together with the Duke of Longueville and some of the chief Frondeurs where they established that Union amongst themselves which did yet more disorder all things The Parliament having obtain'd the aforesaid Declaration grew more considerable and Condé began to make friends therein of whom he might upon occasion make use and become more considerable in Court and with the Duke of Orleans who then discovered the pretences which Abbot Riviere had to be made Cardinal as shall be said in its proper place The Prince knew that the chief of the Parliament did distrust the Cardinal were it either out of fear that he would deal ill with them whilst they dealt ill with the King's Authority or for that they were resolved to maintain the advantages which they had got by the Declaration of the 28 of October pretending to remove him from his Administration of Government as being a Forreigner Condé began therefore to look favourably upon the chief of the Parliament and to let them know that he did not differ from them in their designe against the Cardinal though his true end was to make himself more necessary to the Court by so doing and to oblige the Court lest it might loose him to follow his intents for he found that the Frondeurs Animosity was such as they would allow him but a limitated power and by siding with them he should increase Orleans his Authority who joyning with the Court would become Arbitrators of all Affairs and a powerful counterpoise to his designes Wherefore to win credit with the Parliament he made a publick Visit to Brousel and had many particular Conferences with Longueville who was then in great esteem and suggested to his Companions what they should do President Viola who had highly offended the Cardinal and who was a Kinsman and an intimate friend to the Duke of Chastillion by his means made known to the Prince that he might do well to grow great with the Parliament to the cost of forreign Ministers of State who had many enemies in France He spoke himself afterwards with the Prince who told him as he had done Longueville how he was inclined to joyn with the Parliament in their designe but that they must allow him time to make use of occasions which might happen without hazarding any thing This being somewhat ambiguous they would know what he did really intend The Coadjutor who was of great esteem in the Assembly made a motion upon occasion of the said Declaration of suppressing all the Loans which were wont to be made by the Partisans unto the King under pretence that all the Revenues of France were consumed by the Usury of more than 25 per Cent. his Majesty not making any advantage thereby that notwithstanding the devouring War had obliged the Court to take up moneys from the Partisans upon the same Interest The Coadjutor wrought it so as that the Doctors of Sorbon should give their opinion touching this detestable Usury The Parliament took the same occasion pretending that it was plainly contrary to the aforesaid Declaration The Frondeurs striving to attempt something against the Cardinal under so specious a pretence and which was so generally approved by the publick labour'd by these means to bring the Court to an extreme and inevitable necessity if their machinations should take effect For a long time was required to gather up the King's Revenues and the Expences did the mean while dayly continue So as having propounded unto themselves to send the Cardinal out of the Kingdom they were necessitated to desire Orleans and Condé to assist them Those who hoped that Condé would joyn in the designe of desiring the King to send away the Cardinal thought it good to
and advertise them when it was done returned the next day to Court The Parliament met and the aforesaid Decree was propounded but of 200 that were there there were but nine that voted against the Cardinal For the securing of Paris and the Suburbs they ordered such Guards as none durst carry forth any Arms or Baggage either by day or night That all Governours of Towns should suffer Victuals and other necessaries to be brought to Paris And that no Cities should receive any Garrisons or Souldiers These Orders were observed in Paris where the people were bound to obey but were laugh'd at by all every where else but the greater part of the Parliaments of the Kingdom adhered to that of Paris and had they sent out Letters greater novelties would certainly have ensued Before the King went out of Paris he writ a Letter to the Provost of Merchants and to the Consuls which was delivered them the next Morning after he was gone wherein he declared That he would not have gone out by night had he not been advertised that some of the Parliament holding intelligence with others of the Kingdoms Enemies would attempt something against him This Letter was accompanied by three others one from the Regent another from the Duke of Orleans and another from the Prince of Conde wherein they affirmed that it was they who had perswaded the King to go out of Paris knowing for certain what Plots were in hand prejudicial to his Majesties service The next day the King sent a Letter by Monsieur Sordiere Lieutenant of the Guards wherein he commanded the Parliament to remove to Montargis but notice being had hereof it was not received and they decreed That the King's Servants should return to their Majesties to desire them to nominate who they were that held intelligence with the Enemy that they might be proceeded against as guilty of High Treason Hereupon the Court sent to know whether they came resolved to render obedience and to remove the Parliament to Montargis but they answered They had no other order but to desire his Majesty to nominate those who held intelligence with the Enemies to the Crown So by the Prince of Condé's counsel they were dismist without further Audience For he contrary to the opinion of all the rest said they ought not to be heard for it made for him that there should be troubles to the end that he might make himself necessary and carry on his own Interests But he seemed to be moved hereunto thinking that the people would not be averse unto it whilst Forniere one of the Sheriffs of Paris coming with some other Deputies to have Audience of the Queen assured her that the People were ready to render obedience moreover that Monsieur Bignon had private orders from the Frondeurs that if he could not do otherwise he should yield and pass his word that they would withdraw for they feared that the People growing desperate at the King 's leaving of Paris might turn against them as the occasioners of this disorder But the Court by Condé's means would give no Audience which served for an occasion to the Frondeurs to make it appear that their Interests were defended by the Peoples publick cause and made them take up Arms and to oppose the King's Authority whereby the Parliament being encouraged they fell to make Decrees against the Cardinal which put all things into confusion and disorder This removing of the Parliament was the first thing wherewith the King made the Parisians affraid for next to the Court this Parliament is of most advantage to the City by reason of the many Presidents Councellors Advocates Notaries Proctors and Sutors The Chamber of Accounts was ordered to remove to Orleans and that of the great Council to Orleans The latter sent their Deputies to the King to acquaint him with their grievances which not being listned unto did exasperate mens mindes the more and brought many over to adhere to the Frondeurs who had been otherwise minded finding what prejudice they were likely to receive by this removal The Frondeurs making use of this for their own ends on the 8 th of Ianuary the Decree against the Cardinal being past in Parliament he was commanded thereby to be gone from Court and to go out of France within eight daies all men being forbidden to receive him and every one permitted to persecute him The execution of this was humbly desired from the Queen as shall be said and by the advice of Brousel and the other Frondeurs the Provost of Merchants who is like our Lord-Mayor and the Sheriffs were obliged to chuse Commissaries to raise men under the colour of conveying Victuals to Paris The Council of State made a severe Prohibition be presently published That none should sell either Beeves or Sheep or any other Victuals to any Parisian To begin the Siege St. Denis was presently seized on a Wall'd Town two Leagues distant from Paris where the King's Army was quartered which quarter was commanded by Marshal Plessis Pâ—â—â—â— under the Duke of Orleans who was the King's Lieutenant-General and the Troops under Condé were quartered at St. Clou a Town standing upon the River of Seine at the same distance from Paris as St. Denis commanded by Marshal Grammont The High-Dutch having sâ—ckâ— Bercy were quartered at Charenton these had express orders to deal moderately with the Parisians and not to do any thing but hinder the carrying in 〈◊〉 Victuals without any noise or scandal to keep so from irritating the People who have â—o other fault but in too easily believing a few seditious folk wâ—o are enemies to quiet Thus the passion of the Male-content predominating over the ignorance of the common People who feed upon the desire of Novelty all fair proceedings being interpreted the effects of fear the resolution of continuing War was established Paris may be called the Eye of the whole Body of France a compendium of the whole Kingdom a World in a little for it abounds in all things desirable either for conveniency or delight It is divided into three parts the one is called the City the other the Town and the third the Vniversity which are divided by the Seine which taking her original in Burgundy falls into the Sea at Havre de Grace In the beginning of the City it divides its self into two parts and then joyning again makes two Islands one whereof is that of Nostre Dame the other of the Palace These three parts are joyned together by ten Bridges of which those of Nostre Dame the Exchange and St. Michael are worth observing being all of them covered with Houses and Shops but above all the new Bridge which was begun to be built by Henry the 3 d and was finished by Henry the 4 th is most considerable both for scituation and structure This City is thought to contain above a Million of souls it wants not stately Ediâ—â—ces richly furnished it hath in it above 200 Churches richly adorned it brings unto the
Chastegniere which kept always constant to the King For which the Bishop of Poictiers one of the said Family was besieged by the Citizens in his own House for 24 hours the Abbot of Rochesposey who was his Nephew together with the Dutchess of Roan was deteined in Tours and the Marquiss who was head of the Family and Lieutenant-General of the Province was not safe in his own houses The Court was much troubled hereat seeing that it was now between those two Great Rich and Popular Cities not knowing what the end of so bold a beginning might prove But Roan chiefly exprest her ill will for the rest of the Kingdom was as then quiet knowing that the happiness of Princes doth not consist in lesning the King's Authority The other Parliaments therefore answered that of Paris That they liked not the Engagement which was not the way to bring Peace to France but to put her in a Civil War out of the capriciousness of a few envious and unquiet Spirits whence nothing but Confusion and Ruine could be expected The scarcity of Victuals and Moneys which grew daily greater was added to the troubles of the King's Council who saw that many Princes and Lords declared for Paris and Roan Nor was the Cardinal less troubled for jealousie of Orleans who seemed weary of the War Nor was he a little cruciated by Condé's unquiet disposition whose constancy in this enterprize he apprehended who was of a more fiery and lively spirit than the other but the Cardinal watched him carefully knowing how apt the French were to change opinion He was informed that Condé treated with the Frondeurs and he was troubled at his being two days out of St. Germain◠especially it being said that he was turned over to his Brother's party which though it were false yet it smelt of suspicio◠The Cardinal did therefore double his diligence in observing the Prince his actions and thinking that he had suffered some Victuals to be carried into Paris which he might have hindred the Cardinal sent a Confident of his with a small party of Horse to discover if he did so which Condé being aware of took very ill On the 16 th of Ianuary Lagne was taken a Walled Town standing upon the Marne seven Leagues from Paris by Monsieur Persan Camp-Master and the High-Dutch who were quartered at Charenton were removed thither Some Polacks got also into Meuden where there was a fair Castle not far off belonging to the Duke of Guise whose Inhabitants held for Paris Whereat the Parisians were much vexed though it was no considerable Pass to see the King's Forces come so neer Paris They therefore offered to recover it but in vain for the Souldiery in Paris were neither enough in number nor sufficiently Disciplin'd The Coadjutor raised a Regiment at his own expence which was called Corinthian he being Arch-Bishop of Corinth and being more desirous of Glory and Greatness than the rest he desired to carry on his designe by appearing popular and a friend to the Publick His chief end was to make the Court affraid of him which through too much goodness sought to win upon these unquiet and turbulent spirits of which number the Coadjutor was thought to be one who having Eloquence joyn'd to his Learning upon the celebrating of St. Paul's day which is done on the 25 th of Ianuary resolved to preach in St. Paul's Church upon the present occurrences rather to win Credit with the common people than to perswade them to Peace The Family of the Gondi one of the noblest Families of Italy came from Florence into France with Queen Catherine of Medici the chief whereof rose to a great fortune under her Government who was Wife to Henry the 2 d and Mother to three Kings This Coadjutor was Brother to the Duke of Rets Peer of France Nephew to the Arch-Bishop of Paris by the Father's side a personage of generous Thoughts and of lively Spirits full of Worth and of a wonderful Wit but ambitious of Glory and of more Greatness The Arch-Bishops of this City are by right Counsellors of Parliament but not the Coadjutors but this man for his Habilities and Wisdom was made Counsellor of Honour by which Title he had admittance into Parliament where winning favour by his profest enmity to the Cardinal he had a great stroke in the management of publick affairs His first endeavours were to grow great with the Dutchess of Longueville and with the Prince of Conty excluding Prince Marsilliack who was the chiefest in their favour which made Marsilliack so jealous as he resolved to be no longer his friend which occasioned afterwards many inconveniencies For the Coadjutor finding his designes vain in this joyned more straightly with the Frondeurs and with Duke Beaufort who made himself their head as also head of the Parisians as well for his Condition as for the hatred he also shewed to the Cardinal The Parliament was this mean while so diligent as nothing issued out but Decrees Ordinances and Remonstrances whereby they thought to maintain the War And though it had been often known that Princes disliked nothing so much as to have their actions found fault with yet the Parliament thinking that albeit the Regent was not to be removed from her resolutions by verbal Remonstrances yet they might justifie their pretensions by publishing the ground-work of their Reasons they made a Writing and sent it to Guinegande the State-Secretary wherein speaking freely against the Cardinal they blamed him for having drunk in ambitious Maximes and that as soon as he had got the Government of the affairs of the Kingdom abusing so high a favour he made himself master of the Kings person under a new title of Superintendent of his Education disposing absolutely of all places Dignities and Towns Governments Arms and Finances he onely receiving the thanks ordering punishments and making not onely the fortunes of private men but of the Publick depend wholly upon him that his administration of Government proved a strange piece of policy clean contrary to the customs of France a continuance of War the peoples misery a ruine of the Finances and which was more the corruption of the whole Kingdom That he made War his fixed Star hated Peace to the end that he might make his Councels more considerable and have the better pretence to raise Moneys and enrich himself That he had endeavoured by all means to divide the people and the Parliament and so to make the people take up Arms against the Parliament to the end that the Parliament being broken he might be the absolute Master of the Kingdom With these and the like demonstrations they concluded that they had not taken up Arms nor made any of these Decrees save onely to defend themselves against that State-Minister and for the publick preservation in which case it was necessary to proclaim the Cardinal an Enemy to the King and Kingdom That the preservation of Kingly Authority and of the King was the sole reason
taken Prisoner by the Kings Forces who whilst they strove whose prisoner he should be Count Rosan came in with five Squadrons and charged the Kings men so briskly as Marsilliack making use of this confusion freed himself from these Foot and though he were on foot and wounded took a Horse from a Souldier and got away with Count Mà tha Grance being reinforced in this skirmish by some of his own Squadrons fell so furiously upon the Enemy as he routed them immediately Roson was mortally Wounded and taken Prisoner together with divers other Officers and as many as were not slain Whereupon Grance marched into la Brie sackt the Castles of Lasegny Sercon and Villemenon and assaulted the very Town of Brie which was begirt with an ancient Wall and defended by the Inhabitants but he forced them to surrender the Town The said deputed persons were brought before the Queen as she sat in the midst of the Council where having done their due reverence Tallon told her how a Herauld had appeared at the Gate of St. Honoré just as the Parliament was sate to speak with the Assembly from her Majesty Whereat all the Councellors being surprised they knew not what to think of it but that it was to try her Subjects fidelity and to see whether they would treat with the King their Master in another manner than Vassals do when they receive his Commands That they therefore thought they had not disobeyed knowing that Heraulds are not sent but to Enemies or equals wherefore they pretending to continue the glorious Title of most humble Subjects thought it the lesser evil to dismiss him and to take the course which they had taken Wherefore they presented themselves before her Majesty with sorrowful Souls and humble Hearts to intreat her to accept of her Parliaments excuse who had not heard her Herauld for fear of offending her Royal Dignity or prejudicing her Soveraignty of the preservation whereof they had a greater care than all the World besides by which refusal she might finde the obedience of devoted Subjects and the innocency of their Councils which aimed at nothing but the preservation of Regal Authority against the power of the Enemies of France concluding that if she had sent him as to Soveraign personages she might see their respects and that they acknowledge their happiness consisted onely in their obedience To assure her Majesty whereof was the express cause of this their coming But if she sent him as to criminal people they were come to submit themselves to her Will and to be punisht by her The Queen heard these words with her wonted goodness and afterwards commanded the Chancellor to assure them that she was satisfied with the Declaration which they had made but that she could not be fully content unless their Words were accompanied by Effects and they might then assure themselves of her good will toward them and of her care for preservation of the Persons and the Fortune of all of them without exception The Duke of Orleans added That he wondred exceedingly why the Parliament did not readily render obedience to the Queen being in all reason obliged to do it and since they might promise themselves all fair dealing both in general and particular from their Majesties Clemency Condé spoke to the same purpose adding That the Queen aimed at nothing but the good of the State and the preservation of the Regal Authority and the welfare of every particular person These men returning to Paris made their report unto the Parliament whereupon they no sooner began to treat but Don Ieusippe Arnolsini was brought in to disturb it who was sent from Brussels by the Arch-Duke on the 24 th of February to Paris incognito with Letters of Credence which he presented to the Prince of Conâ—y whilst he was in private conference in L'Hostelle d'Elbâ—â—ufe with the Dukes of Beaufort and Bulliâ—n the Marshal de la Motte the Coadjutor the Presidents Conieux Navion Viola and Brousel the Counsellor The onâ— of these Letters was sealed and sent to the Prince of Conty The other was sent open to the Parliament He was privately treated with by Saraâ—ine Secretary to the Prince of Conty to finde out what he would â—e at the Spaniards by him made specious proâ—fers to advance onely as the Princes and Heads of that party should please and that they desired nothing but to free Paris and to procure a general Peace This was the Hood that caught the Prince of Conty for he thought iâ— a glorious thing if the Kingdom might be restored to Peace at the first unsheathing of Swords He therefore dispatcht away the Marquiss of Noirsmonstere Monsieur Laigne Monsieur Roussiere and Briqâ—igny who was stopt at Quinteyns The sum of Arnolfini's business was that the Arch-Duke would advance the Spanish Troops and those of Lorain to free Paris for which the Spaniards required a cautionary Town La Motte propounded Corbie but with small hopes of getting it out of his Brothers hands who was Governour thereof and was firm for the King There were better hopes in the Treaties between the Dutchess of Monbason and the Marquiss of Oquincourt who being in love with her it was hoped that she might get Peronne from him but neither did this hit For Oquincourt's affection to the King and his honour prevailed over his love to Monbason besides that this Proposal was refused by the Parliament who thought it unbecoming them to assigne over a Town of France to the Enemies of France whilst they were in treaty of a general Peace which would prove a perpetual reproach to the Loyalty which they professed to bear unto their King There was nothing therefore done in it more than that Arnolfini was heard in the Parliament where he appeared and explained the Arch-Duke's Letter and then gave in his Commission the Contents whereof was That he was sent by his Master the Arch-Duke to the Parliament where he could not think but he should be welcome since he brought the offer of Peace which was by all Christendom so much desired and so necessary for the quiet of the two Crowns That it was true that Cardinal Mazarine would not make Peace two years ago though he might have done it upon very advantageous terms for France But that after the King went from Paris the Cardinal propounded an Agreement with Spain upon very large terms saying that his chief motive therein was to chastise the Parliament-Rebels and to reduce them to reason But that the Catholick King did not think these exhibitions fair nor safe at this conjuncture of time thinking that it would be a shame for him to make use of such means so to oppress the Capital City of the Kingdom That his Majesty thought it not safe to treat with one who was condemned by Parliament as an Enemy to the King and Kingdom since the Parliament is to register and authenticate the Treaties of Peace But that as his King would make no other advantage of this conjuncture than an
the new Semistry and with leave for those that were banished to return home whereat those Counsellours were so puffed up as they made a numerous Faction against the Governour which intrench'd upon his Authority punish'd his Adherents and did in open manner withstand the usual form of chusing Consuls whereat the Court being displeased the Queen was often acquainted therewith and wish'd to consider what inconveniencies might ensue unless speedy remedy were taken But the King's Council having then their hands full of the Troubles of Paris and growing apprehensive of the Action of many Lords they put him in hopes saying That when the Affairs of Paris should be settled they would send him sufficient Forces to punish the Peccant and wish'd him wisely to dissemble But the Count being impatient instead of concealing this Advertisement did participate it to some others whom he thought his Friends the knowledge whereof coming to the contrary Faction distrusts increased and means used to cancel the fault was by running into a greater contumacy So as the Parliament of Aix following the Example of that of Paris grew licentious and as the Parisians had detracted from the Cardinal's Administration representing to the King the necessity of pleasing his people by taking all Employment from him and driving him out of his Kingdom so did the Provincials pretend to the removal of their Governour to which purpose they sent unto the Court threatning That in case of denial or delay they would no longer obey him He on the contrary pretended to sustain himself by the power of his Friends and of the Nobility and seeking rather to revenge than to secure himself drove all that he suspected out of Aix And because Monsieur de la Tour who was Friend to one Beaureville the Advocate-General of the Parliament did stir up Sedition more than the rest he caused him to be imprisoned threatning to make him an Example But the people as a Torrent which swells by the concourse of several Rivulets took this for Violence and for a private Revenge and upon pretence that upon the 18th of Ianuary a Souldier of the Guard had wounded a Servant of a Member of Parliament took up Arms and fill'd the whole City with Sedition insomuch as had it not been for the Arch-bishop of Arles and the President Seguiran who by their Credit and Authority moderated the Uproar somewhat of fatal might have hapned yet the people were not pacified though for the present they laid down Arms for their jealousies increasing as novelties multiplied two days after on St. Sebastians day which is usually celebrated in a little Church without the Gate by the procession of many people a Country-fellow cry'd out That the King's Party would shut the Gates of the City as soon as the Procession was gone out Whereupon grew so great a confusion as that the Governour 's Palace being begirt and besieged by a numerous rout of armed men they reduced him to such straights as to escape so eminent a danger he was forced to treat and to yield that he and all his men would go out of the City as he did whereby the Parliament was freed from the fear of the Souldiers and of the Governour Whereupon a Decree was suddenly made for abolishing the Semestry for joyning with the Parliament of Paris for the recalling of Consuls for restitution of the places taken from the Baron de Brass and from Monsieur Siguiram and finally for the observing those Orders onely which should be from that time given by the Count di Garces the King's Lieutenant in that Province To whom they were content to submit that they might make it appear they had done all this not to forgo their obedience to the King but onely that they might not be subject to the violence and private passions of their Governour with all which they acquainted the Court and made excuses sutable to their Delinquencie The Count d'Allets being much troubled at this Affont betook himself to provide all things necessary to chastise those who had so far forgone their Duties He got together about 5000 Foot and 150 Horse besides 600 Voluntiers of Provence and Languedock He took Chasteau Regnande Borba la Roque Maxsarques St. Pole and other Towns which had declared for the Parliament and were of no great consideration not being in any posture of defence and he encamped before the very City of Aix which is seated upon the River Are greatly peopled but begirt only with a bare Wall and Towers after the ancient manner from whence 200 men sallying out they were all taken and cut in pieces and they would have proceeded farther had not a Gentleman come at the very time who brought Pardon and Peace subscribed by the King Whereupon the next day Arms were laid down on all sides and the Kings Souldiers were sent some into Piedmont some into Catalonia But though Peace was made in Provence War was kindled in Guienne between the Duke of Espernon the Governour-General and the Parliament and City of Bourdeaux whereof to understand the occasion we must make here a short digression By the example of the Commotions of Paris a Faction was formed by certain Councellors of Parliament in Bourdeaux who by conversing with the Wife of Councellor Mirat and with some other Women who met together in her house began like the Frondeurs of Paris to pry into businesses not competent to their Callings which was to meddle onely in Civil and Criminal affairs and not to busie themselves with State-affairs which belongs onely to the King 's Privy Council Mirate was a crafty man of quick and unquiet thoughts and reputed very wise he was held to be the chief of all the rest amongst whom was President Pichon a Brother of his Monsieur Feyarde Monsieur d'Alem and divers other turbulent and ambitious Spirits These were assisted by Advocate Constanse and by Monsieur di Fontenelle At the first risings against the Duke of Espernon this Faction was fomented by Monsieur de la Vie who was Advocate-General a proud pretender who intending to justle out the first President Bernet that he might have his place whereby he might wrestle with Espernon's Authority whom he loved not made use of the troubles of Paris which made men lay aside all respect and made it lawful to infuse jealousies into the aforesaid Councellors and others of unquiet Spirits such as were Messieurs Blanck Mouesin Remont Espagnet and chiefly the President Dasis Their designe being to enhaunce their pretended Authority under the Name of Parliament that they might govern the City they began to declaim against the Duke of Espernon terming him Proud Avaritious Violent and of contrary ends to those which belonged to a wise Statesman they laid to his charge that he sent Corn out of the Country under pretence of uniting the Frontiers but indeed to make Merchandise of it That he opress'd the people and threatned them They declared that what they did was for the ease of the Country
they insinuated into the people that Espernon intended to lay two Crowns upon every Tun of Wine from which the King had exempted them That he sought to disarm them so to make them more pliable to his Will That to that purpose he had begun to draw the Canon out by night from the Castle of Ha and to bring them into the Castle Trombette from whence he might batter the City By these conceits they won upon the people who listening after whispers the Duke was invited to the Assembly to provide by his presence for things necessary and to send the Kings Forces which lay about the City ten Leagues off But the Duke who knew the designes were different from what they appeared to be that he might not be enforced to any thing contrary to the Kings Authority or being unwilling to be unhandsomely dealt with thought not good to come thither but retired to his house at Cadigliack The soberest of the Parliament got the rest to abstain from all Sedition and sent two Councellors Salamon and du Vall to him who whilst they prevailed with the Duke to send the Troops ten Leagues from Bourdeaux whereby all things were quieted the impatient and indiscreet people took the Palace of Ha whereat the Duke being highly scandalized he presently demanded the restitution thereof from the Citizens and Parliament but they denying to do it fell from their intention of depositing it into the hands of the Magistrates of the City by reason of a Letter which they received at the same time from the Parliament of Paris which was full of fair Promises and by the Duke's denial to desist from fortifying Liborne which he did by reason of a rising of the people in the Town Thus their displeasures grew greater and President Dasis sent for some of the most seditions into the publick Hall who abused some of the good Inhabitants and drove them out of the City among which Secretary Clavo and Monsieur di Duboy and then they declared themselves more openly and took up Arms under pretence of defending the Country and a Council of War was chosen wherein the first President was obliged to assist together with some Counsellours The first thing this Council of War did was to send word to the Country-people thereabouts willing them to take up Arms which they did and presently took the Castle of Varyes near Libourn which was immediately after Besieged and retaken together with the destruction of the place and of all those in it by the Camp-master Marshal Marine's men Moreover two Frigats three small Vessels and 12 Brigantines were armed by them they took four Brigades of Foot into pay and several Troops of Horse and to supply expences they made use of the publick Moneys imposed Taxes and did whatsoever was necessary for maintaining the War The Duke armed also but sought to appease the Bourdelois rather by fair means than by soul and though the two of his Letters which he wrote to the Parliament and two which he wrote to the Commonalty of Bourdeaux were but unhandsomely answered yet he seeming not to take notice of it offered that if they would forbear fortifying Libourn his Forces should not approach Bourdeaux and that he would get the King to take away their Grievances and to give all just satisfaction But all was refused and the Trumpet which brought news that the Peace of Paris was concluded was threatned to be hanged And immediately Monsieur de la Vie was sent to Court to make it be believed that the Bourdelois were the Kings most faithful and obedient servants but Enemies to their Governour who had treated them ill and been too haughty in his Government They then made the Marquess of Chamberet an old and hardy Souldier Commander of their Troops they took the Castle of Lormont and put Forces thereinto Two of Crequy's Horse-Troops were cut in pieces by the Peasants and the Country-people of those parts were so resolute in rebellion as some of them being besieged by Monsieur di Marin in the Church of Labbones they refused to yield and chose rather to perish by fire Then the Parliament of Bourdeaux writ to the Parliament of Tholouse inviting it to joyn with them and to keep the Forces of Languedock from falling down into Guienne And the Vicount Virlada in the name of the first President and of other the King 's good Servants went to Tholouse by the approbation of the Duke of Candale who was son to the Duke of Espernon who was for Peace and propounded to that Assembly That it would be an honourable and commendable action for the Parliament of Languedock to be Arbitrator of the difference of the Bourdelois Which advice being embraced by those of Tholouse they forthwith named Messieurs di Carminada di Fresars di Carlineas together with the Advocate-General Marmiesse to interpose in the business and to negotiate an Agreement Which Espernon approving of he sent Monsieur de la Barche to pass all due Complements and entered cordially into the Treaty of Agreement to assist whom came the Count d'Argensonne with Orders from the Court to use all means to mollifie the exasperated Spirits of both the sides to reduce the Parliament to its Duty and to make the Duke of Espernon contented with what the present conjuncture of time would allow but in effect not to do any thing to the Dukes prejudice nor without his consent for the Court was well enough pleased with the courage which he had shewn in the Kings service In the beginning of April Argensonne went with the Count his eldest Son from Cadilliack to Espernon-house which made the Burdelois suspect him as the Duke would have done had he gone first to Burdeaux Argenson was received with much demonstration of confidence by the Duke and told him That the whole business consisted in three points in relieving the Castle of Trombette in reducing the Parliament and People to their obedience and the third which he thought would make much for obtaining the second in building the Citadel of Libourne Which were the three things from whence all the disorders of Guienne did proceed From thence Argenson went to Bourdeaux where after having been received with much respect he propounded to them the victualling of the Castle of Trombette wherein many difficulties were met with which by his dextrousness were at last overcome and the Parliament consented thereunto though it were much opposed by the seditious sort and particularly by du Salt the Advocate-General who notwithstanding his great age and the place which he held appeared always one of those who did most oppose the King's service And here it is observable that whereas in the Parliament of Paris the younger sort were most contumacious in this of Bourdeaux the elder were most cross and did by their Rhetorick work upon the younger who by joyning with them occasioned that disorder which had almost made the whole Assembly rebellious for there were but few that kept within the bounds
the Parliament the Inhabitants and chief men of the City to insist upon his removal In the Kings Council he did publickly defend the Bourdelois condemning Espernons violent proceedings with Words likelier to foment Discord than to make Peace And to hinder that the Government of Provence might not fall upon some one too pleasing to the Court he defended his Kinsman the Count of Aletz against the Parliament and City of Aix not onely by express Letters and by particular Promises but in State-Consultations and with threats against the Deputies of that Province who complained continually against their Governour Finally the more to hinder Mercoeur's Marriage and to bereave Vendosme of the hope of being Admiral he made Marshal Breze demand the Admiralty as Father to the Duke of Breze who had been slain in the Kings service supposing that Vendosme would not condescend to that Alliance without the said Charge and he moreover wrought it so that his Father-in-law the said Marshal sold the Government of Anjou to the Duke of Rohan Chabot who was his great friend As for the fourth Faction of the Frondeurs they seemed to minde nothing but the Cardinal's Ruine either by making him be banish'd the Kingdom or by making him be seditiously slain by the people by which they thought to advance their private fortunes Duke Beaufort was resolved to keep in favour with the people with whom he did publickly contend against the Court. And the Frondeurs endeavoured to draw more Citizens and others over to their party knowing themselves to be of themselves too weak to contend against the other Factions The Coadjutor who thought himself fit for any employment how great soever and longed to get into employment and to get the dignity of Cardinal did so wisely carry his affairs as though he was a great Confident of Duke Beaufort's and the chief counsellor of his party yet he sought privately how to fall in sometimes with the Cardinal sometimes with the Prince of Condé that so if he might be able to pull down one of them by means of the other he might easily afterward effect his end which was to destroy them both and to become sole Arbitrator of all things himself The Cardinal who cunningly penetrated into the depth hereof defended himself dextrously from these the Coadjutor's seigned semblances who growing sorry for it sought for protection to Condé that they might both joyn in extirpating the Cardinal which if it should succeed it would not be hard for him to overthrow Condé who was to this purpose extraordinarily reverenced by the chief Frondeurs especially after his return to Paris from Compeigne and truly he might be said then to have Fortune by the Forelock For had he embraced this opportunity he would have become very powerful by adding the Authority of the Frondeurs and that of the Parliament of Paris to that Renown which he had already gotten But were it either that he feared he might make way for others to compass their ends or that being of a noble and generous minde be hated cozenage and double dealing he would not go so far about but governed himself according as occasions did arise to attain to what conduced most to his ends Some maligne Star seemed to have influence every where for after Tumults had been raised in many parts of Europe they came to France and afterwards to the City of Liege The Troubles which arose there were occasioned by the Citizens denying to pay the 60000 Crowns which fell to their share in the Peace which was concluded the year before by their not admitting of the Coadjutor being sent by the Elector of Culen under whose jurisdiction Liege was and for that it was discovered those Citizens had a designe to chuse the Prince of Conty for their Coadjutor Wherefore the Elector finding it now a fitting time to reduce that City to its devoire whilst it was divided he sent General Spor thither with 6000 men who entring those Territories in Hostile manner the Ligeois and those those that confin'd upon them took up Arms obliging the Elector's men to War which began by their falling upon Fleron a Village about a League from Liege which was presently stormed and burnt Iuppole another great neighbouring Village made stout resistance for being fortified and defended by many Citizens who marched out with Monsieur Hannet they manfully withstood two Assaults but not being able to withstand the third it was also taken and fired with the death of Hannet and of as many as were in it Then the Electorals encamped in the Monastery of the Carthusians not far from the City They burnt Amerceny planted their Cannon before Corvillion a little Town which commanded it took the Cloisters of St. Giles and placing their men in Battle-aray began to batter the Walls though the Besieged being a Warlike people did with great and frequent Salleys endeavour to keep the Enemy aloof Here was Colonel Arar slain who was of great experience and much beloved by the Souldiers many other of the best Inhabitants were slain here likewise The Electorals were still sollicitous in advancing the Siege fearing left the Hollanders might come in to the relief They set upon the Abby of St. Lorence which was fortified by the Ligeois and guarded by 300 men but were repulsed with much loss both then as also a second time but being wearied out by many reiterated Assaults and by the death of many of them and not being relieved by the City the Abby was taken by Storm the same day all the Souldiers were slain the Abbot and all the Monks were taken prisoners as held to have holden intelligence with the Besieged The Citizens being hereby as much terrified and dejected as they at first appeared stout and courageous and being much more cast down by the disagreement of many amongst themselves who held private intelligence with the Enemy they demanded a suspension of Arms for six days which was granted them but for 24 hours a sufficient time to treat of and conclude such a business In which time one of the Burgomasters and some others who sided with the Elector opened the Bridge-gate privately and let in the Baron of Linden Governour of Huy with 4000 armed Men who were placed in several parts of the City not meeting with any opposition save a little in St. Mark 's place where the most seditious amongst the people made a Head But being quickly overcome and their Captain slain they soon run some one way some another so as the Electorals made sure the City took Burgomaster Hennet Prisoner who was Brother to him that was slain whilst he defended the aforesaid Village made the Regiments of Spor and Goltequer enter the City by which they became absolute Masters thereof And thus did this Insurrection end with the Imprisonment of Burgomaster Bartlet to the great glory and advantage of the Elector The aforesaid Prisoners were condemned to die as chief Authors of the Tumult but Bartlet ransom'd his life at a
noise or tumult and to sollicite the payment of the Rents as they grow due according to the Instructions given them but the Great Chamber forthwith prohibited this Deputation and ratified the Decree made by the Chambre de Vacance against all Meetings either in the Town-house or elsewhere On the other side the Chambre de Requestes being moved by the new chosen Deputies met and confirmed their Commission declaring that the same could not be made void by any other Authority but that of the Parliament and the same day some of the Lords meant to give an account thereof to the first President who having sent for the Provost des Merchands the Escheuns and Coâ—suls of the City there appeared also the Deputies of the Chambre accompanied with above â—00 Partisans civil persons who with much earnestness desired to receive the effect of the King's Declaration and the Decrees of Parliament made in their favour and that the Deputies they had chosen might be confirmed The first President satisfied them with the promise to move it the next day in the Great Chamber but the President de Coigneux who endeavoured to make them sensible that this affair was to be treated with more moderation gave great offence and many cried they would notwithstanding the Decree to the contrary have a meeting the next Munday in the Town-house which tending unto an open Sedition the Archers were commanded to seize upon the principal Authors of the Commotion amongst which they laid hold on de Constunes as a leading man whereof the Duke of Beaufort complained unto the Duke of Orleans and on the Munday there was a Meeting of many of the Partisans they being invited thereunto by Printed Billets which were set up at the corners of the Streets all over Paris 't was there resolved that a Petition should be presented to the Parliament for punishment of those by whom de Constunes had been imprisoned and that in the mean time the Partisans should be taken into the Parliaments protection The Great Chamber ordered the Petition should be shewed unto the Procurator General and endeavoured by all means to appease the troubles but those who designed troubles that they might compass their intent of bringing things into confusion upon the 11 th of December as Counsellor Iolly pass'd through the Barnardins Street there came up to the Coach a single Horseman who shot a Pistol into it that missed him but raced the Skin off from his Arm whereupon he turned his Horse and fled away without being known This accident made a great noise in Paris and all his friends made complaints of it to the Lords of the Great Chamber but the President Charton who dwelt hard by and whom Iolly intended then to visit upon the first noise of the fact went to the Louvre and demanded Justice complaining that the intent was not to assassinate Iolly but him and required Justice and there began the sitting of the Great Chamber and that of the Tornella ceased The first President assembled all the Parliament and direction was by them given to the Procurator-General to make enquiry touching the fact and that all persons who could give any information concerning it should come in the Lords de Champront and Domalt two of the Counsellors were deputed to visit Iolly and to receive all informations should be brought Châ—râ—on was taken into protection and the Counsellor Brussel voted that the City Gates should be shut up and Guards put there but it was carried in the Negative During this Assembly of the Lords the Marquiss de Bellaye who was a Kinsman to the Duke of Beaufort and of the Dutchess of Cheveus endeavoured to stir up the people that he might during the troubles advance his own factious designes and being in the great Hall began to call upon the Burgesses to shut up their Shops take Arms and provide for their own safeties telling them It was now fit to speak plainly quit any farther dissimulation and provide for their own safeties He told them the Regiment of Guards was drawing together with orders to assassinate Beaufort and several other Counsellors of the Parliament That they had begun with de Constunes for having spoken for the publick good From thence he went unto the Market-place with eight others in his company where they all used the same discourse and from thence went to Nostre Dame unto the Coadjutor to give him an account of the Action He seemed in publick to reprehend them for this action but the report is that in private he encouraged them to proceed being himself willing to come abroad if he could thereby have brought the people to a Rising being heard to say in the Court of his own house What Cruelty is this what farther security can we now have But he went not abroad by reason of the uncertainty of the matter being loath to declare himself publickly in so scandalous an Affair From thence Bollay went to Broussel's house who told him That he was too furious And from thence he went unto the Street de Marmoselles without being able to raise the people any where many telling him That if he had any particular Quarrel of his own he should revenge it himself without seeking to engage the City in it This Marquiss being of a Noble Family was much troubled with the smalness of his Fortune and having gained some Reputation in the late Rising at Paris desired nothing more than some new Troubles which he hoped might be an advantage to him The Queen being advertised of all these Passages called presently a Council to advise whether she should go to hear Mass at the Church of Nostre Dame as she was used to do on Saturdays But being advertised whilst the matter was in debate that all was quiet she went thither as formerly accompanied by the Prince of Condé and all the Grandees about the Court. At her return she found there the Provost des Marchands and the Eschevins who came to assure her of the Towns-mens Loyalty But the Frondeurs having failed in this their mornings attempt resolved for their own security to raise another Tumult the same evening And to that purpose assembled in a Piazza that borders upon Pont neus as being a great thorough Inne and the shortest way from the Palais-Royal to the Prince of Condé's house in the Rue St. Germains The Inhabitants thereabouts being troubled to see a Meeting at so unseasonable an hour sent to know what was the intent of this Meeting and by whose order it was done But answer was returned That it concerned not them to know and they were not to give them an account of it Some more curious not satisfied herewith pressed to know who they were And in this contest a Musket was discharged which made the Dwellers thereabouts take Arms and caused the Cavaliers to retire themselves over Pont neuf whereupon all things were quiet The news hereof being brought to the Count Servient he forthwith gave account of it unto the
of a person who being resolved to sway the Council as he pleased was used to Hector all that did oppose him and threaten to retire from Court and set up for himself the particular affronts he had offered to the Queen and his insolent carriage towards the first Minister of State and the rest of the King's Servants But the difficulty of imprisoning a Prince who was grown so powerful consisted not so much in the seizing of his person as in being able to make it good considering the condition of Paris and the four Factions at Court which kept the Cardinal in great suspence though he were dayly much pressed unto it by the Dutchess of Cheuveuse All the Queens Faction was entirely for him that of the Duke of Orleans had been gained to him by the Dutchess of Cheuveuse by the apprehensions she gave unto his Highness of Condé's Greatness and the suspition he had of the Abbot della Riviere his being secretly a Pensioner to him besides other great promises made him by the Queen As for the Faction of the Frondeurs the Treaties with them were long and dubious as being on the one side grounded upon the mortal hatred which the Duke of Beaufort had publickly professed against the Cardinal and the loss of Reputation he was like to incur by contracting a friendship with him so as 't was probable he might thereby loose his Credit with the Parisians and so be scorned and laid aside by all parties And on the other side being eagerly prosecuted by Condé and upheld by the Court that they might more easily ruine them both there was a necessity not onely for him but also for the Coadjutor the President Charton and Monsieur de Brussels who were the Heads of the Frondeurs either to joyn with Condé or the Court to come off the danger which hung upon them of being thought Complices in the attempt against Condé to make friendship either with him or with the Cardinal And therefore although Condé seemed to be very much animated against them yet the Coadjutor prudently weighing all circumstances and being sensible that the ruine of the Prince of Condé would consequently draw along with it that of their own party it being much more feasible to ruine Condé when they had removed the Cardinal by joyning with him than to carry all things at Court after they had by joyning with the Cardinal destroyed Condé He therefore thought it fit to make an application to him before they joyned with Mazarine and to this purpose he together with Beaufort and the rest by means of some persons of Quality their Friends made all the Promises Submissions and Protestations possible unto the Prince to oblige him unto an Union with him and to take upon them the Protection of them representing to him that being Head of the Frondeurs would be a great increase unto his power and secure him against all attempts that could be made unto his prejudice They also made great protestations of their innocency assuring him The Crime imputed to them was but onely an invention of the Court to foment a difference between them that they might with the more ease ruine both parties But the Prince refusing to accept of any satisfaction answered with much contempt and fierceness That if they desired his friendship the Coadjutor and the Duke of Beaufort should do well to leave the Kingdom and he would then consider of the matter So as the Frondeurs seeing the Prince so violently bent against them resolved at last to joyn with the Court-party to protect themselves against those mischiefs which otherwise seemed unavoidable The Treaties therefore were continued with them which for the better concealing of the matter were secretly performed and therein amongst other things it was by the Coadjutor's means agreed That in regard the Duke Mercoeur had Estate enough by being Eldest Son and Heir unto the house of Vendosme and that the Duke Beaufort his young Brother was poor that therefore he should have the Place of Admiral and the 20000 Ducats pension which belonged to it according to the Agreement with the Duke of Vendosme besides which there was 3000 Doublons by way of advance delivered to him in lieu whereof the Heads of the Frondeurs Faction undertook to keep the people quiet and that the Parisians should not rise or make disturbance upon any occasion whatsoever The Factions of the Duke of Orleans and the Frondeurs being thus joyned with that of the Court against the Prince of Condé and his party it was an easie matter for the Duke of Beaufort to ingratiate himself with the Duke of Orleans who had a great affection for him as being his Nephew and assured him of his favour and protection the Duke of Beaufort promising his faithful and perpetual service which they did for their common Interest The Duke of Orleans thinking it very necessary to be supported by the Valour and Credit of Beaufort against the Court in case there were occasion upon the depressing of Condé and Beaufort thought himself by the Duke of Orleans his protection much more secure against the Plots and Traps laid as he said to circumvent him by the Cardinal with whom he was resolved he would by no means contract a Friendship In this secret Treaty the Marquiss of Bollay's return was agreed unto and a promise made that as soon as Condé was Imprisoned he should be declared innocent in Paris he being fled in a disguise to Flanders not without danger as being very narrowly searched after for what he had done the 11 th day of December before in the Morning But notwithstanding all these Treaties and Agreements the Commotions and Stirs at Paris still continued by reason of the Impeachments which were furiously prosecuted by the Prince of Condé and seemed to be supported by the Queens Authority being carried on by Mole the first President of Parliament a great friend to Condé against the Duke of Beaufort the Coadjutor and the other Heads of the Frondeurs with an intention to make use of this opportunity for destroying the whole party and because Beaufort was upon this occasion always accompanied with a great suit of Friends and Citizens for his defence and safety the Prince did therefore also fortifie himself with a numerous attendance of Friends and Gentlemen of several Provinces that were his Confidents some of which were maintained by him and the rest came as Voluntiers upon their own expences so as there was hardly any thing to be seen in Paris but Officers of the Army and other Cavaliers who professed they were come thither to serve the Prince and certainly had not Condé's Imprisonment which soon after hapned given a stop unto the matter great store of Blood must have been spilt considering the obstinacy of both parties Condé being resolved to drive the Duke of Beaufort out of Paris and therefore pressed to have the Witnesses examined that the Impeachment might be drawn up but the Duke of Orleans who had now
daily greater answered that he would follow his Counsel but that he must first end two things which were to drive the Cardinal out of Administration of Government and to set the Princes at liberty and that then he would betake himself quietly to his book The Cardinal afterwards thinking himself obliged to put some esteem upon those who had signalized themselves in the late Battle made the King bestow the Marishal staff of France upon Villaquiere who was afterwards called Marishal d' Aumount upon la Ferte Imbault called the Marishal d' Estampes and upon the Marquesses of Oquincourt and of Ferte Senatre the one Governour of Peroun the other of Lorrain He gave the Government of La Fera intending him further honours and he consolated all the rest with hopes and promises he had also promised Count Grance to make him Marishal of France but the Duke of Orleans who growing jealous of the fame which the Cardinal had acquired by so many conquests and seeing that in the Election of the four Marishals there was none chosen that depended upon him but Estampes and that he could not get him to have the first place in precedency though he were the antientest servant opposed Grance his Election So as the Cardinal not thinking it fit to exasperate the Duke any longer hoping to bring him over afterward upon better reasons to his designs he forbore conferring that honour upon Grance who not well contented with the denial of what his so long service had deserved retreated to his Government of Graveling and by causing jealousies afterward in the Court he made Orleans suffer the intended honour to be confer'd upon him Thus every one rejoycing at the Cardinals prosperity either really or in appearance according as they shared therein others were so full of fears and emulation as not governing themselves by what was just or reasonable they fell upon all destructive Resolutions The imprisoned Princes Friends who labor'd their freedom when the Cardinal was absent finding how generally it was desired got the Princess of Conde and Madamoselle de Longueville to present each of them a Petition to the Parliament to move them to protect the Princes and to interest them in their dis-inprisonment The Petition being delivered in the Princess of Conde's name on the first of November by Monsieur Deslandes Payer a Councellor it was read the next day in the Parliament After a Narrative of what had been done touching the imprisonment of the Princes it contained that in conformity to the Laws of the Kingdom and answerable to the Declaration of the 24 th of October 1648. Process might be made and expedited against the Princes and that in the mean time they might be brought to Paris and placed in the Loâ—re with such guards upon them as should be thought fit The prime President said it was a business which would suffer much discussion and moved that it might be put off till the next week so it was put off till the next Wednesday on which day Monsieur Talon strove with a pithy Oration to inform the Assembly that the Declaration of the twenty eighth of October could not derogate from the Regal Authority the Kings Council being concerned in the Princes their affairs that therefore the said Petition should be transmitted to the Queen Regent desiring her to reflect upon it and use therein her accustomed goodness and clemency Monsieur Crespine Dean of the Parliament presented the other Petition of Madamoselle Longueville which concerned the same business desiring that they might be placed in L' Hostell de Soissouns in Paris where she might render the Duke her Father the service and assistance to which she was by birth and nature bound This Petition was not well read when Monsieur de la Roche Captain of the Prince of Conde's Guard came to the Parliament door demanding to be let in for he had a Letter to present from the three imprisoned Princes which he was commanded to deliver to the whole Assembly when he came in the Letter was read which contained the same things as did the Petitions presented by the two Ladies The Letter was written by the Prince of Conde's own hand and subscribed by the other two dated from Cudbouille the 19 th of November after that Teloune had replied that the Letter and the supplications ought to be sent to the Queen the Assembly rose adjourning their meeting till the next Friday Then the Princes their Friends represented to the Duke of Orleans how that it was a strange thing to keep the Princes of the blood in Haure de Grace an unwholesom place scituated in the Sea where they were continually in danger to die To which he answered that they were sent thither against his will and that they ought to be removed from thence The Parliament meeting on Friday to resolve upon these supplications Monsieur de Saintote came with a Letter from the King wherein he commanded the Parliament not to resolve upon any thing till they should know his will this was readily obeyed to which purpose the first President and one other President four Counsellors of Le grande Chambre and two of every Chamber of Inquests met the next morning These Commissioners being brought into the Queens Chamber who for some indisposition of health kept her bed her Majesty told them that by reason of her being ill she could not say much to them but made the Lord Keeper tell them that they should not meet any more upon any whatsoever occasion till she were better for she was resolved as soon as she should be well to take order for all things and to give them all satisfaction That as for the business of the Princes it was of high consequence and that before she could resolve any thing therein she must advise with her Council and with the Duke of Orleans which she could not now do by reason of her sickness when the Commissioners made this report to the Assembly they agreed all in putting off the business but they differed in the time some would have it for eight days some for four but four days was resolved upon Monsieur Crespine moved that publick prayers and procession might be made for the Queens health but was not seconded by above 10. or 12. voices all the rest being exasperated against her for upholding the Cardinal At the next meeting the King sent them another Letter charging them again not to meet as concerning the business of the Princes for that his Majesty would shortly take order therein But the Assembly continued and in contempt of the Kings Commands began to treat of the Princes concernments they read the Petitions of the two Princesses and the Princes Letter several motions being made it was resolved to send Douyat and Maynardau to desire the Duke of Orleans to come to the Parliament for Naiau said the business was such as he could not speak his opinion but in the Dukes presence Thus the Assembly was adjourned till the
not do some Coupe de Maistre That Cardinal Richelieu had begun it and Mazarine had continued it as was to be seen in divers Presidents and Counsellors in Messieurs de L' Hospital Vitry Barrillon Duke Beaufort Marishal Della Motta and lastly in Princes of the Royal Family He did inculcate that evils must be provided against by stout Resolutions of Parliament which had always upheld Regal Authority though the Cardinal imputed all the disorders thereunto And here he called to mind that Henry the 4 th said once to the Duke of Savoy that he acknowledged his Crown from the square Caps Lottin said hereupon that it was no new thing for Parliaments to meddle in such affairs for that it was to be found in publick Records even to the years 1415. and 1417. that the Parliament had nominated Commissioners to make Remonstrances to the King touching the ill Government of the State and that the Cardinal said false in saying that the Parliament was an Enemy to the King and Kingdom Vedaw condemning the Government of Forreigners alledged an example taken out of what History I know not of a Lake seated between certain Mountains whereinto if a stone were thrown it would become Tempestuous others spake in praise of the Princes and were all for the Remonstrances at last three or four days being spent in such like discourses in which time many Libels were posted up on several corners of the Streets tending to sedition the first President finding that the greatest part were for the Remonstrance and that it lay not in the wit of man to alter them that he might not appear contrary to the Princes to whom he was also a well wisher was contented that an humble supplication should be made to their Majesties for the Princes liberties to which function he himself with some others of the Assembly were deputed who not having audience before the 22 th of Ianuary spoke as followeth Sir It is to be believed that your Majesty is informed of the present condition of your Kingdom and of the late conquests which have been such as they may be said to be peculiar to your Crown we have with grief seen the loss of so many advantages of so many Towns in Italy and in Catalonia which have cost so much Blood and Treasure The Enemy hath been so bold as to set his Foot in France and to take Towns in sight of the French Army Your Majesty hath been forced to go into many Provinces of this your Majesties Kingdom to quench a fire which seemed to extend it self every where your Majesty hath been forced to march into several Provinces of your Kingdom to quench a fire which seemed to threaten a general Conslagration the pains and troubles of which voyages hath prejudiced your Majesties health and which is the greatest misfortune can belong to us hath put your life into much danger all men know that these disorders have happened since the 18 th of January 1650 that fatal day wherein two Princes of the blood were imprisoned together with the Governours of Normandy Some thought by this to break the thread of all our disasters and to quiet France but in lieu thereof it hath widened all wounds We very well know that there are some secrets of State which it is not lawful to pry into and that there are some mysteries which ought not to be soon made known It being sufficient that in time the truth shall be made known This perhaps hath made us believe there were many strong and valid reasons for this Imprisonment which in time might be discovered had not the Letter which was sent to the Parliament the next day decipherd the Aenigma making us know the innocency of the rather unfortunate than blamable Princes We placed the strength and welfare of this Kingdom in the Regency intrusted in our Vertuous Queen your Sacred Majesties Mother assisted by the Duke of Orleans and by the Prince of Conde but as soon as this knot was loosened all misfortunes besell us We had thought that the Authours of this Council might have altered their minds knowing that there is no way to keep off publick ruine but to think upon the liberty of these Princes and to restore unto France those Champions who have kept her so long Victorious and preserved her from all forreign injuries but though we have expected this with impatiency as necessary for the good and safety of this Dominion we will boldly say it hath been in vain the liberty of these Captives might make us know that our Enemies were no longer able to advantage themselves by our disorders and divisions But when we expected this good fortune we were struck with astonishment to see them removed to another Prison where their lives are in danger yes I say in danger and I add that they may well be kept from our eyes but never from the hearts of minds of true Frenchmen Madam this is the effect of our humble Remonstrance who ought to watch that the publick may receive no prejudice we have been long silent out of respect and had been so still had it not been that we might have been blamed for not giving notice of the threatning disorders But Sir as this Assembly if your Majesty had extended your Authority too far upon any particular Member of this Parliament had been obliged to have interceded for that Member so ought it much more do so for the Princes of the blood who are children of the Royal Family the firmest upholders of Monarchy and the most noble and honourable Members of this Kingdom So many Victories so many Conquests so many Services done to the State plead in their behalf as if any thing might be feared from their comportments the apprehensions which are conceived might suffice that unless their misfortune have a speedy end the stones which do inclose them will speak so loud as the passers by who shall hear them will carry their mournful complaints throughout all France wâ—ll awaken the hearts of all true Frenchmen which will make such a noise as it is to be feared that from this bold action some inconvenience may result unto your Majesties in this so great and pressing danger We humbly beseech your Majesty Madam to find out some convenient Remedies and that you will give us leave with all dutiful respect to say that unless you provide speedily for it the zeal care and fidelity which we owe to the preservation of the State and to the Kings service will force us to lay our hands to it and to imploy all our endeavours to keep this Crown from falling We have thought fit Madam to represent all these considerations to your Majesty and humbly to desire that you will set these imprisoned Princes at liberty to the end that they may be able to do that faithful service to the State as they have formerly done and Sacrifice the Remainder of their blood and lives to the glory of this Monarchy further beseeching your Majesty
that you will grant a place of safety to Madamoselle de Longueville where she may pay her piety to her Father This Resolution of Parliament which was the first thing that was done in favour of the Princes did much incourage the Enemies of the Kingdom to further their wisht for intent and being backt by the Assembly they betook themselves to endeavour rather the Cardinals ruine than the release of the imprisoned for though their projects were maskt over at first with the pretence of the Princes liberty which was approved of by many as what might impede greater disorders yet the Coadjutors secret meaning being by little and little to ingage the Parliament and Duke of Orleans in the behalf of the Princes and in prejudice of the Cardinal he did what he could to keep off the Cardinal and to bring the Princes to Paris under the judicature of Parliament because unless the Cardinals expulsion had preceded it might have impeded the Princes freedom or that if he had furthered it he might have been upon such conditions as he might have been arbitrator of the Government of the Court and of the whole Kingdom which was the groundwork of all his thoughts as we shall in all his actions observe so as it may be conceived that he had no solid reason for his hatred against the Cardinal but only the Cardinals glory and fortune The Queen who proceeded very considerately in all her Resolutions and who endeavoured nothing but the service of the King her Son sought to gain time hoping at last to make the Duke of Orleans see with what cunning the Coadjutor went about to abuse his natural goodness She defer'd answering the Commissioners eight days in which time she and her Counsel having dived into the Parliaments design she answered them that the Assembly had wont to advertise the King when they medled with any thing touching his Authority before they took any Resolution that they had done so the year 1562. upon the Letters which were sent them by the late Prince of Conde That the late commotions were an example of this when the Parliament would not resolve any thing upon the Duke of Orlean's Letters without knowing the Kings pleasure first therein that now they had altered their course having resolved upon the Petitions of the Princess of Conde and of Madamoselle Longueville and undertaken to make a Remonstrance for the Princes liberty not letting the King know that any such Petitions were presented them That though this was a business whereof the Parliament ought to take no cognizance since it depended soly upon the Kings Authority and that it could not be granted but by his mere goodness regard being had to what was contained in his Letters sent to the Parliament and to all the Sovereign Assemblies and received with applause by the People yet all this should not keep the King from giving the Princes their liberty which he was content they should have without delay provided that the Forces of Steney should cease and that Marishal Turenne would lay down his Arms and to the end that none that were of that party might have any pretence to retard the doing so the King offer'd pardon to all that had been or were yet of that party to which purpose he would order Letters to be sent presently to the Parliament and that as soon as Arms should be laid down the King would free the imprisoned Though some few who had other designs in their head were not well pleased with this yet the greatest part of the Parliament appeared satisfied and it was ordered that some should be sent to the King to make the keepers of the Seal expedite this Decree But whilst affairs past thus between the King and Parliament we must not omit what was done at the same time on behalf of the Princes The Princess Palatine and her friends seeing a general disposition to favour the Princes and an extraordinary aversion to the Cardinal she continued the Treaty which as hath been said was begun and at last concluded it with the Duke of Nemeurs who had both of them full power from Conde It was managed and ended by Croisy a Counsellor of Parliament and subscribed by the Duke Beaufort the Coadjutor President Viola Monsieur Arnaude and by Fosseuse every one ingaging for themselves The principal Articles contained an agreement how to obtain the Princes liberty by the Parliament and peoples means The Coadjutor insisted upon the means how to remove the Cardinal from about the King and that the Princes adherents should oblige themselves strictly thereunto And though some of Conde's Friends were for giving all satisfaction to the Cardinal to interest him in the Prince his liberty yet all were not of that same opinion least if it should be discovered that they should indeavour to pull down the Cardinal the Princes might be plunged into greater difficulties either by hazarding their lives or by losing the hopes they had of getting their liberty by agreeing with the Cardinal yet the Coadjutor insisting that he would do nothing but upon that condition and promising to ingage the Duke of Orleans therein they were forced to consent thereunto and that the Cardinal might not come to the knowledg of this they resolved to keep it from Beaufort left he might communicate it to the Dutchess of Monbason and she to others so as the Treaty being carried by Croisy to the Princess Palatine to subscribe and read it the Coadjutor handled the business so as that this Article was skipped in reading and that Beaufort did also subscribe it without perusal but pretending that the Original which was to remain with the Frondeurs might be delivered to him and that the Transcript might remain with the Princess Palatine whereby they might meet with the same inconvenience they resolved without her knowledg to put them both into the hands of Blanmevell sealed up making him give his word never to give them out but in the presence and by the consent of the Coadjutor and of the President Viola To this Treaty another was added some few days after between the Duke of Orleans the Palatiness and the Duke of Nemeurs wherein they ingaged themselves to use all their power for the Princes liberty And in the same Treaty a marriage between the Duke of Anguien eldest Son to the Prince of Conde and the Dutchess of Alanson second Daughter to Orleans was concluded with obligation that the Prince should not change any of the Kings Council nor place any others therein without consent of the said Orleans in it was also confirm'd the marriage between the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Chevereux wherein there were some rubs put by Conde's friends presaging what the consequences might be But the Coadjutor kept still firm saying this was the only means to win the Duke of Orleans his favour though it was known afterwards that he did not so passionately desire these marriages After these Treaties the Prince of Conde's
she should come and visit him and bring the Cardinal along with her who answered Her life would not be safe amongst in incen'sd people The Queen repli'd she would come alone without the Cardinal he answered He feared the people would rise Then the Duke sent to the Marishals of France to forbid them to take orders from any one but himself who was Lieutenant General of the State and of his Majesties Armies they answered That whilst the King was present they were to depend upon the King upon no other He sent the same order to the Provost of Merchants wishing him to will the Colonels and Captains not to take up Arms without his Command they excused themselves with ambiguous words and went presently to acquaint the Queen therewith who answered They might not do ill to receive orders from the Lieutenant General of the Crown since she could not believe that he would command any thing contrary to the Kings service at the same time many of the Nobility being assembled together in the Marquess of Vieville's House who was not over affectionate in his heart to the Cardinal to think how to get satisfaction from the Cardinal for what he had said to their shame he carried them to L' Hostella d' Orleans telling him That if he pleased he would frame their assembly to which the Duke not dissenting they had their first meeting and choosing the same Vieville and the Marquess Lordis for their Presidents both which were desirous of novelty that so they might be of some consideration and get advantage thereby since as yet they were in no great credit at Court The Coadjutor finding that the Parliament delaid the execution of the three proposals against the Cardinal and that the first President with many of the more moderate sort sought to sweeten bitterness and that suiting himself to the most plausible opinion he desired earnestly the Princes liberty insisted that they were to acknowledg it from the Queens goodness who had already given way thereunto and had sent Marishal Gramont Monsieur de Lyon and Monsieur Goulas to treat with the Princes selves And he perswaded Orleans to come to the Parliament and by his Authority to foment what was desired the Duke suffering himself to be perswaded by the Coadjutor came to the publick Palace on the fourth of February accompanied by the Dukes of Beaufort Gioyuse and Rets by the Coadjutor's self and by all the great ones of Parliament he told them that he had given the Coadjutor order to acquaint the Assembly with what the Cardinal had said to the King to their detraction and with what his answer was both to the Queen and Cardinal and how that in regard of such unworthy speeches he had sent word to her Majesty that he would come neither to Court nor Council so long as Mazarine was there adding That he was come to Parliament intending to joyn wholly with them and to see all things performed that they should Decree that for above a month nothing had been spoken of in the Privy Council but private business instead of taking order for the Emergencies of State or the Princes liberty that the Cardinal would not have them disimprisoned though himself had solicited any time these three months He also declared that it was the Queens importunity that had made him consent to their imprisonment and that she was induced thereunto by the Cardinals false suggestions He made also a Narrative of what had been done since the Princes imprisonment blaming what had been done at Burdeaux by the Cardinal and that if he had consented thereunto it was only that he might not displease the Queen to whom he had always profess'd much obsequiousness but that perceiving now that instead of growing better things grew worse he was resolved to go no more to Council as long as the Cardinal was there that he was come to the Assembly to acquaint them with thus much and to be advised by them knowing that so he should not erre This the Duke speaking so freely against the Cardinal was applauded not only by those few that were his Enemies but made deep impression in many others who had altered their minds since they had heard what the Coadjutor had related and which was afterwards confirm'd by Orleans The first President who was a good man and of great experience answered in very respective terms to the Duke and with much moderation That he was absolutely for the Princes liberty but not by violence nor by any other hand than the Kings Then entring upon the Dukes discontents he said That if they arose from the Princes imprisonments he might be sure they should be freed from imprisonment but if from the Cardinals greatness he was to make use of his wisdom therein for it was lawful for the King to make use of whose service he pleased and that if he thought himself injured by the Cardinal if he would declare his reason there were means to satifie him without putting France into confusion here the Duke interrupted him saying That for what concerned the Princes liberty he the Duke ought to know more than he but that he did not believe him for he had a tye in writing upon Bar that he would never set them at liberty without order from the Queen and from him the Duke Whilst the Counsellors were giving their Opinions the Master of the Ceremonies came to the Parliament with a Letter from the King commanding them to send Commissioners to him Some were of opinion not to hear him but the Duke would not suffer any such contempt they therefore resolved to continue the Assembly and in the interim to send the first President and President Bailleul with twenty Counsellors more to receive his Majesties commands Then came Count Brien the first Secretary of State who in the Queens name desired Orleans to come and assist in Council in the Court assuring her self that he who had always born such affection to her Majesty would not refuse her such a favour The Duke replied he could not answer her there but when he should be returned to his own house he would as he did that very night declaring that there could be no safety for him whilst the Cardinal was there when the Commissioners came before her Majesty the Lord Keeper acquainted them with the reason why the King had sent for them and at the same time he delivered a writing containing what the Queen had to say to them to the Secretary of State Guinegaute who read it After which the first President said that the Assembly marvelled why after the Parliaments Remonstrance and after her Majesty had past her word that the Princes should have their liberties there was so little sign thereof to which the Queen answered that Marishal Grammont was already gone to treat with them and that she was content they should come out giving necessary precaution for the safety of the State afterwards inlarging her self and re assuming what had been
removed by the removing the cause some others of the Cardinals Domesticks taking offence at the strange proceeding of the Frondeurs and Male-contents said That he was to maintain himself by force and to asswage the tumor before it did more insistolize these said That the King was absolute Master and that the Subjects were to renounce not to censure the Kings actions that all the strong holds Soldiers Subjects and greatest part of the Nobles were for the King Wherefore they ought not to foregoe the Resolutions of suppressing of some ambitious Spirits who were incouraged only by the popular breath of Paris which being a populous City was subject to the fatality of wavering according to the fury of the rabble rout That the strength of the Duke of Orleans of the Frondeurs Parliament and people lay only in their opinion of the Courts weakness which the more reservedly it proceeded against them it made them the prouder and made one contumacious act a ladder whereby to climb up to greater so as to be feared they must appear not to fear that the people seeing a Masculine resolution put on would rather think of saving themselves than of precipitating themselves into a party which was not able to sustain them That the friends of the imprisoned Princes fearing that their lives might be indangered would forbear those attempts which might force the Court to use violence that friends would be incouraged and that it being in the Kings power to bestow all places and honours the desire of merit would prevail more with most men than the unquiet party That therefore they must be no longer in resolving for slow resolutions in such cases shewed weakness and fear which was the only reason of the rashness of the seditious nor did they forbear to say that absolute power might be used upon the Parliament Commissioners yea even to life if their associates should transgress the bounds of duty The Cardinal thought this advice was not to be contemned and had he accepted it it might peradventure have done the deed but the Cardinal though he wanted neither courage nor wit to have done it answered that since the business concerned only himself he would not ingage the Kings Authority in his defence against a Nation to which he intended glory and advantage not misery and troubles being confident that the Duke of Orleans the Parliament and people would at last clearly discern the cunning of those that were Enemies to quiet and that when this cloud should be once over the innocency of his actions would in time appear more clearly he therefore did only feel the pulse of the Provost de Merchants of the Sheriffs Field-Officers and Colonels and finding them readier to obey Orleans than the King he resolved to yield to the Popular violence believing that like an high going Sea it would grow calm when the winds should cease Nor would he indeavour to carry the King and Court out of Paris as well for that it would be very hard to do by reason of the strict guards that were kept in all the Streets as also that the Court being gone that powerful City would rest at the disposal of his Enemies which was the thing they would be at Being thus resolved to be gone he acquainted the Queen with it saying That if the Duke of Orleans and the Parliament would be satisfied with this things would go well the loss of his person not being to be considered if thereby the publick peace might be purchased But that if no good should accrue by his absence her Majesty might then believe there were some conceal'd plots against her service that she should therefore in such a case keep conceal'd and indeavour by all means to get the King out of Paris and that she should not by any means suffer her self to be perswaded to set the Princes at liberty for when he should be gone and that pretences should not thereby cease they were not to be set at liberty unless upon such conditions as that they should owe the Obligation only to the King's goodness and to no body besides He caused a Letter to be sent to La Bar subscribed by the Queens own hand with order to obey what she should command and to set the Princes at liberty if agreement were made with them or else to detain them till they might in time be set free with more safety things being thus setled he left the Abbate Vndedey with the Queen to have a care of what should occur and in the Evening upon the sixth of February he called for Count Brienne the first Secretary and acquainted him with his Resolution of being gone recommending the Kings interest unto him whose Authority he said was several ways plotted against and without more ado went down stairs got on Horse back and accompanied by only three went by the Rue St. Honore toward the gate de Conferance but hearing that many were run before to the Twilleries where Madamoselle d' Orleans then was for they had had some inckling of his departure he turned about and went by Porte Richelieu and got into the Fields where many of his friends waited for him he went towards St. Germans accompanied by the Counts of Harcourt and Palaw by the Marquesses of Ronserolles Brevall Plessis Belliere by Baron Camilliack and by many others of good condition who in all might make about four hundred Horse He staid at St. Germans and sent speedily to Monsieur Lyon who was gone before to Haure de Grace to negociate with the Princes to know what their intentions were touching agreements and to know of La Bar if coming thither with orders from the Regent he should be received and obey'd But Lyons negotiation proved imperfect by reason of the novelties which had hapned at Paris by which the Queen was compell'd to send orders for their Releasement without any manner of conditions She also sent Count Broglio to Tillier with a Letter acquainting him that the Council stood firm to their resolution of not setting the Princes at liberty till that acknowledging their obligation only from her they might have no occasion to reconcile themselves with the Frondeurs but neither did this hit for one of the Lords of the Privy Council acquainted Chasteauneuf that the Cardinal had conceal'd that the Princes should be set at liberty by none but him This man though he were then an open Enemy to Conde did notwithstanding consent to his liberty so to sweeten him and to let him see that he had forgot all former injuries wherefore it being given out that Mazarine was gone to free the Princes their Enemies fell to consider what prejudice might redound to them if Conde should come out meerly by means of the Cardinal wherefore that they might prevent him they began with great ardor to procure his liberty And Chasteauneuf caused President Perault a great friend of Conde's to be let loose out of the Bastile without order from the Queen but howsoever the Cardinal
be in safety out of Paris And the Frondeurs growing still more wavering being still bent to bring affairs to some extremity strove to raise sedition in the City under colour whereof they might legâ—timate their pretence to remove the Queen from her Regency chose a new Council for the King and that they might take the Government of the Kingdom upon themselves but were it either out of Gods goodness or the innate goodness of Orleans and Conde who were against too violent Revolutions all such attempts were still kept back leaving the Government to the Queen and continuing the Kings Council in their places in peaceful manner The Cardinal went from Haure with about One hundred Horse and with some of his friends marching in long cold dark nights till he came into Picardy where he was received civilly by all but by the Town of Abeville where he was forced to pass over the Some in small Boats which were there by chance and being past over he came to Dorlans a strong Town between Amiens and Arras accompanied by Bar the Governour thereof where he staid a while considering how he might take his journey with most safety for there was danger in passing those Frontiers without a pass which made the Queen write to him to be gone speedily out of the Kingdom The Parliament being assembled on the 20 th of February the King's Declaration was brought unto them which contained that no Forreigners though naturalized should hereafter be admitted into the Council of State which being read it was added that no Forreigner nor French Cardinal should be admitted into the Council which was done not so much in respect of Cardinal Mazarine as to exclude the Coadjutor who disturb'd all things that he might be made a Cardinal and so become first Minister of State Beaufort was one of those that were the Authors of this Addition being distasted with the Coadjutor for having concealed from him the negotiations which he secretly held with other confederates And the Princes friends insisting still to have them declared innocent the Queen being willing to please them was content that such a Declaration should be made the contents whereof were That the King growing apprehensive of the Princes their actions by information had from several parts was forced for the good of his State to secure them that time which matures all things and brings the truth out at last had made him know their innocence and how the Crown was prejudiced by their imprisonment that therefore in an affair of such importance and in respect of the Parliaments earnest supplications and by the advice of his Unkle the Duke of Orleans and others of his Council he had resolved not only to give them their liberty but to take away all pretences that might prove prejudicial to their Loyalties he did declare the said Princes not only innocent of all jealousies which had wounded their Reputations but that all Conde's actions in particular had never tended to any thing but to the establishment and increase of Regal Authority and to the good of the Crown whereof the King was fully satisfied annulling all Letters and Decrees given out against the said Princes and restoring them to their former places honours and dignities this Declaration was verified in Parliament on the 27 th Printed and disperst throughout all Europe And therein were also contained the Dutchess of Longueville Marishal Turenne and all the rest of that party Six days after the Parliament met again and the Decree made against Forreigners though naturalized was read with the addition of excluding all French Cardinals from the King's Council Orleans was the first who spoke being wisht so to do by the Coadjutor and said that after this Declaration the Clergy had made a Remonstrance upon it to the King and that Archbishop Ambrune had told his Majesty that of the three orders which are in France the Ecclesiastick was the first and noblest that no such motion had at any time been made since France had been a Monarchy That the Oath which Cardinals take unto the Pope comes after that which they take to their King and Countrey so as they were injured by being excluded the King's Council and in being berest of serving the State that this exclusion would not be well taken in Rome'â— that they had been Mazarinians that had insinuated this novelty into the mind of some body to revenge themselves of the Parliament by putting discord between it and the Clergy that when this Declaration was made he was present and was against inserting that clause foreseeing the mischief it might occasion by causing division between the Clergy and Parliament The first President said That the French Clergy were not any ways concern'd in this for in the decree all French Archbishops and Bishops were excepted wherefore they had no reason to complain and that the Archbishop Ambrune would be but little praised for his Remonstrance it being well known who it was had excited him to make it Monsieur de Courtine master of the requests alledged two examples to shew that the Clergy ought to content themselves with their callings and not meddle in Court affairs The one of Antonio Perez who being fled into France in the time of Henry the 4 th was one day asked by his Majesty how he thought France might be best governed he answered by three things by good Council rich Finances and by keeping great power in Rome inferring that to be powerful in the Pope's Court they must have many Cardinals there and that therefore they were to be kept at Rome as not being necessary in France The other was the example of the late Archbishop of Burdeaux who going to take his leave of the Pope's Nuncio when he went to command the King's Fleet the Nuncio thunder'd these words into his ears You shall not give an account of the men that shall be slain in the War which you go to make but of those that shall dye in your Diocess during your absence you shall be sure to give an account inferring that a Pastor should have a care of his flock Monsieur Barin la Galissennieve who was also master of the requests spoke against the Cardinal saying he was to be made to give an account of his Administration of Government President Charton said that the Crown had suffered much by the Administration of Cardinals and that worse was to be expected if they were continued in that imployment The Resolution was put off till the next day when much dispute being had thereupon by the first President it was at last decreed that the Cardinals should assist in their Functions in Rome and not meddle in State ' affairs and that her Majesty should be humbly desired to send a Declaration to the Parliament conformable to the Decree of the 9 th and of the 20 th of last February as well against Forreigners as against French Cardinals that they might not be admitted into the King's Council and Archbishop Ambrun's
not be done without jealousies amongst themselves and in the Parliament it self which was desirous to inlarge its Authority which being usurped must needs have been to the prejudice of the Princes whose Maxim it was to keep the Court weak and flexible to their pretentions but not to increase the power of Parliaments which was the reason why they abstained from all violence and meddled not with the Government not forbearing notwithstanding to bereave the Queen as much as in them lay of her faithfullest servants that they might place their friends and confidents about her which though it were foreseen by her and her State-Officers yet they suffered that cloud to discharge it self upon the Cardinal and they instead of giving themselves over to the contrary party did stoutly maintain Regal greatness so to find out means how to bring the Cardinal back so the remainder of that year past on as shall be by degrees related 4 The Spaniards in Flanders were this mean while intent upon what the issues of the Novelties which were budding forth in France would be upon which other considerable consequences for them did depend They sent to the Dutchess of Longueville and to Marishal Turenne in Steney to mind them of the agreement made between them never to separate till the Princes were set at liberty and the peace between the two Crowns were concluded They answered that they would go to Paris to co-operate therein as much as they could and that if the Spaniards should not be content and that their Mediation should do no good they would return again to Steney and make good their promise where with all were fully satisfied whereupon the Dutchess went from Steney and sent Monsieur Sarasine Secretary to the Prince of County to Brussels to thank the Arch-Duke and Count Fuensaldaglia to assure them that when they should be at Paris they would indeavour the perfecting of the treaty by which the Princes after their disimprisonment had obliged themselves to continue the War till such time as peace were concluded between the two Crowns The Dutchess came to Paris on the 15 th of March with great applause of the People and was met without the City by the Princes her Brothers by her Husband and by a great many Lords and Ladies and this the rather because her coming brought with it some appearance of a general peace which the people did very much desire so as if her departure from Paris were cause of great disorder her return was no less noble and glorious The Gates of Paris were still guarded as before with Armed Citizens for they still suspected the Queen would carry away the King and now the Court nor L' Hostelle de Orleans were no more frequented with visits but Conde's house and Longuevilles the famousest Warriers flocking to the one and all the Ladies to the other the Prince of Conde and his Sister Longueville might have then become Arbitrators of the Kingdom if actually keeping that inclination to peace as they seemed by their words to do they had made use of the favourable conjuncture of time for they coveted nothing more than reality in proceeding of the Treaty of peace nor was there any that doubted the truth of their desires for the Dutchess of Longueville sent away Monsieur Croisy to Steney with power from the Court to conclude peace or a general Truce This treaty was so carried on as though neither the Spaniards nor the Princes faction did really desire it it afforded Turenne a fair pretence to withdraw from the Spaniards imployment so as that Orleans as shall be hereafter related being afterwards offended by the innovations of Paris for the permission given by the Council to the Marquess of Chasteauneuf the Flanders Agents thought it now a fit time to listen to the proposals of peace made by Croisy For the whole negotiation was reduced to a particular conference between the Duke of Orleans and the Archduke without the intervening of Mediators and it being believed that the Queen would not trust the Duke of Orleans with such a negotiation the Archduke made his good intentions towards peace appear unto the people which if refused would increase the troubles in France for all the stops that should be met with therein would be imputed to the Court but it proved otherwise for the Duke of Orleans being in some sort reconciled to the Queen the Spanish Agents though they gloried in this their desire by sending Don Gabriel di Toledo to Paris and by assenting to the particular conference which was agreed should be held between Peroun and Cambrey Croisy having declared that the Duke of Orleans the Duke of Longueville the first President and Count Servient would be there their little desire thereunto appeared when they said that they must first expect orders from Spain and that though they knew it was the Catholick King 's intention that this treaty should be commenced they could proceed no further therein till they had received Commission from the Catholick Court which was by the going of Marquess Sillery to Brussels who by his proposal puzled the whole business wherefore Turenne knowing that he had fully satisfied his promise of procuring peace took occasion to retire and to fall totally off from the interest of Spain and went likewise from Steney to Paris But Conde being intent upon making himself great and professing much gratitude and affection to the Duke of Orleans that he might come more vigorously with him in withstanding the violences of the Court and to bind themselves to a more faithful confederacy concluded articles of marriage between the Princess of Alanson and the Duke of Anguienne Conde's eldest Son which though peradventure it might not be pleasing at Court by reason of the consequences which it drew after it yet it behoved the Court to seem to like it for the prejudice which might have been otherwise received by the increase of popular tumults Conde's indeavour to break the Marriage between the Dutchess of Chevereux and his Brother was very prejudicial to him for thereby he provoked a Ladies hatred who was apt to bring much trouble upon him the success whereof by reason of what insued thereupon being worthy to be known I will briefly acquaint you with it The Dutchess of Chevereux was always no less noble than generous in her proceedings wherefore the first time that the Prince of Conde visited her after he was at liberty she delivered up unto him the promise which her friends had gotten in writing for the marriage between his Brother and her Daughter saying that she had not desired that writing to oblige him thereunto otherwise than to assure him by such an earnest of her indeavouring his liberty This noble action was much talkt of at Court whereat the Queen was much troubled as if she did triumph over her misfortunes so as not only for the Queens dislike thereof but in respect of the interest of the Crown these insuing marriages were held to be the
they obtained from him in these words We do consent and approve that the Nobility do Assemble to give in their grievances in writing so asthey put them into our hands and that they comprehend not any thing therein which is not conformable to the orders and decrees of the States General and that when they shall have received satisfaction in their grievances they dissolve when we shall bid them Vpon these conditions we promise them our protection This was written and subscribed on the second of February 1651. They then sent to the Prince of Conde and to the other Princes to congratulate their liberty and Marquess Lordis President of the Nobility made an Encomiastical Oration to the Prince the act of Union was subscribed on the 21 th of February as it had been drawn up seventeen days before by all the Nobility of the Assembly except the elder Marquess Vieville who was won over to the Court upon hope of being made superintendant of the Finances The Princes were well satisfied with the Assemblies complement they then dispatched away Letters through all the Provinces to exhort all other Gentlemen to enter into their Union and continued the Assembly that they might advance their designs Count Fiesco did very much labour the Convocation of the States General as the only means to come by the wisht for general peace strove to keep the Clergy firm to their first intentions and accordingly Archbishop Ambrune and Bishop Cominges spoke boldly for this Convocation using examples and places of Scripture to draw all men to the same opinion In this interim the Parliament which did not like the Convocation of the States General as well for fear left their Authority might thereby be moderated and that the Sale of places might peradventure be thereby suppressed and confer'd upon better deserving men as also out of the innate jealousie which is commonly found between Parliaments and States the latter pretending to be superior in Authority and the other did maintaining that States can resolve nothing unless it be by them verified notwithstanding met And here Monsieur de Coqueley brought a request presented by the Procurator General wherein he blamed the Assembly of the Nobility for being met without the King's Authority and insisted upon the inhibiting thereof but whilst they were deliberating hereupon and that the first President moved that the first Authors thereof should be punished reading the Letters sent by the Assembly to the several Provinces wherein the Duke of Orleans was concerned by whose permission the Assembly met that Duke and the Prince of Conde were intreated to come to the Parliament to deliberate upon this weighty affair for the Assembly began to be in great vogue in the Provinces and there was danger that by continuing the Assembly new disorders might arise This mean while the Queen by agreement with the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde sent on the 16 th of March to the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to inform the aforesaid meeting that it should break up and that as for their desire of having the States General called they should have it granted to meet on the first of October next at Tours The same was confirmed by the Duke of Orleans and the Captain of his Guard past his word that what had been said by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle in the name of the King and Queen should be punctually perform'd The like did the Cavaliere de Vieville by order from the Princes of Conde and County none of which were pleased with the calling of the States General as things too prejudicial to Regal Authority and to themselves in particular and therefore they sought by such excuses and promises to carry things on to the end that all might afterwards dissolve into nothing The Duke of Orleans instigated by the Coadjutor who partook of all his secret Councils became Protector of the Assembly of the Nobility the major part whereof depended upon him as being his intimate friends And the Coadjutor being very much troubled that even French Cardinals were by Decree of Parliament debar'd being of the Privy Council whereby he was deprived of his hope of becoming the chief Minister of State and of being Cardinal made the Duke of Orleans incourage the Clergy to joyn with the Nobility and to complain onto the Queen of the unjust proceedings of Parliament whereat the Court was not at all displeased seeing her adversaries at variance within themselves This Assembly of the Nobility was introduced when the King's Authority began to totter by reason of the hatred conceived against the Cardinal and it was begun by certain Bishops who were discontented at the Court proceedings and by certain Nobles who were not therewith well pleased only to make a noise and to make themselves of some consideration at first these Assemblies were held but by a few and in private houses The chief Authors of those of the Clergy were the Archbishop of Sens Brother to Marquess Termer the Bishops of Orleans Haghen and the old Bishop of Albi who were all three of the house of Bene and come to France from Florence the Bishop of Cominges and others the Marquess of Lourdis and of Vieville the Counts of Betumirs Fiesco Montresore Vrse Fourilles Montignack and others who were all without any charge and but little considered at Court they took their pretence from some ill usage of the Nobility in the Country of Vexin by the King's Officers about a suit touching some counterbar'd Salt brought in by the Soldiers and hid amongst their baggage in the March which the Army made towards the Frontiers some of them came to Paris to complain thereof and finding men displeased at the imprisonment of the Princes and laying hold of that pretence that Mazarine had told the Queen in full Council that the Nobility of France hated the King and that the Parliament would do as that of England had done they bethought themselves of calling the Assemblies by the Assent and Authority of the Duke of Orleans who was not altogether content with the Court. So as nothing but novelty was sought after whereby to win credit and get some Office or place in the King's Council The same whereof being spread over the whole Kingdom so numerous was the concourse of Prelates and of Cavaliers as they became formidable not only to the Court and Parliament but even to the Princes who had first protected the Assembly for they thought that the States General would moderate their power by taking away their Governments and places and that peradventure they would take the boldness of England for when the third Estate should concur and the States General should be met the Arbitrement of affairs would almost depend upon these Afterwards private houses proving too little for these Assemblies they were adjourned to the Covent of St. Francis and St. Augustine where in the great Halls thereof affairs were disposed of in good order But this being done without the King's
permission and State-affairs being therein treated of the Queen forbad all that belonged to the King or Court to go thither as did also the Duke of Orleans and the Princes but finally all ended in the aforesaid eager desire that the States General might be called that by the Authority thereof the disorders of the Kingdom might be provided for and it was prai'd that they might be held in Paris But the Queen did withstand it as much as she could and was seconded therein by the said Princes After many contestations not without heart-burnings on both sides the said Convocation was by Letters from the King put off to be held on the first day of October at Tours and was afterwards adjourned to the eight of the said month on which day the King entring into his Majority the Court and Princes hoped to disanull it since it was introduced by the discontent and interest of particular men and not for the publick good as was pretended France never having been in a more flourishing condition then it was then had it not been for these intestine alterations The Assembly finding that the Queens design was to spin on time till the King was of years that he as his Mother hoped might make it vanish those Gentlemen were much confused and were in dispute whether they should obey the Kings orders or no but the Parliament being met in the interim to oppose these Assemblies the Duke of Orleans declared that he had assented thereunto First to obtain the Princes liberty Secondly to Counterpoise the Cardinal and to remove him from about the King and lastly to preserve every mans interest that notwithstanding that these three points were ended the publick quiet could not be secured whilst Count Servient Tillier Lyon and Madame Navailes were about the Queen all which being the Cardinals Creatures he although he were far off did by their means govern the Court disposing of all things as he had done formerly and having disposed of three Abbies of late of no small concernment that he would therefore desire the Queen to remove these four from her and would intreat the Execution of the Decrees That lie and the Prince of Conde had indeavoured to separate the Nobility upon good pretence and to that purpose the Queen had given way to the calling of the States General on the first of October next But that the Nobility having represented that this promise might prove null since her Regency would then be at an end the Queen had promis'd what she was not able to perform unless the King should consent thereunto that as the Queen had been desired to put off the meeting till the first of September next so he desired the Assembly to retard all resolutions till the next Monday in which time he hoped to end the business with satisfaction to all that he was sufficiently informed that the Cardinal's friends had used all their indeavours that the Parliament might make a Decree against the said Assemblies and that they had indeavoured to divide the Prince of Conde from him since the Mazarinians could not subsist but amidst divisions and disorders The Prince of Conde spoke to the same Tune and added that it was not long since they had gone about to pluck him from his Royal Highness but that they had gained nothing therein for that he was constant in the Union agreed upon for the King's service and preservation of Regal Dignity After this the first President spoke against this Assembly terming it unlawful contrary to Regal Authority that they ought to obey the orders brought them by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle not joyn with the Clergy was yet more to contemn the King's Dignity and therefore was not to be tolerated by Parliament that the end thereof was to confound Government and to introduce civil War so as to oppose it and destroy it was to serve the publick good That the Duke of Orleans had promised by the Marishal de L' Hospitalle to cause it to dissolve on last Wednesday and that notwithstanding it still continued that the Parliament was grieved to see the fractures of the Royal family which was fomented by some troublesome spirits who abusing his Royal Highness good nature fed him with false representations and adding one disorder to another did confound all in so much as after the Cardinals expulsion those who stood candidate for the same Dignity afforded matter of new Revolutions the remedy whereof was no longer to be retarded The Duke of Orleans answered That he had not appointed Wednesday with the Marishal de L' Hospitalle that he would resist and not maintain any thing that was prejudicial to the King's service and promised that on Monday next the Assembly should be quietly dissolved The first President replied that he heard another Assembly was held in the Covent of the Carmelites at the Palace Mobert which took upon it the quality of the third Estate and which tended to new sedition that therefore it was no longer time to neglect the King's service and the States interest the King's Authority being so far ingaged and that the business was to be taken into consideration according to yesterdays Decree The Duke answered he did not think the Company would deny him three days at the end whereof he promised to be present in Parliament and to give his consent to all Decrees if the Assembly were not first dissolved The President of Mesmes asked him whether or no he would disapprove the said Assembly if it did not dissolve before Monday And Marishal Grammont to ease the Duke of replying propounded that if the Assembly should not dissolve before Monday his Highness should promise to disapprove it and to oppose it with all his Power and Authority upon which promise the Resolution was put off till Monday President Cognieux Brussells Thou and Charton spoke in favour of the Assembly and Thou said there was of the best blood of France therein to which the first President answered that there were men in France who were twenty times better than they who had not subscribed it whereof those of the Assembly being advertised they presently publish'd a declaration of their pretentions shewing that they were met only for the publick good and this was accompanied by a Letter sent upon the occasion of the Assembling of the Nobility which did contain a declaration against those who said their Assembling without the King's Authority was Criminal they said that all that could be objected to it was that it was done without the King's permission for that the Laws forbid all publick meetings without his Majesties consent that for any thing else what the Nobility did complain of and whereof they could speak was correlative to the Law and what in justice could not be denied that during the King's minority his Authority was in the Regent and in the Lieutenant General of the Crown so as their Authority must be had to make a lawful Assembly that the point lay
extraordinarily devoted to their King the Inhabitants of Burges by the means of Chasteauneuf who was much beloved in that Province wherein much of his estate lay sent a Citizen of theirs speedily away to Fountainbleau to invite the King to their City where he should be lovingly received and faithfully served Divers discourses were had hereupon before their Majesties Chasteauneuf was for their going thither out of three reasons wherein his own interest was concern'd the first for that being no friend to the Prince he sought to bring him lower the second because by such advancement he got esteem amongst the people and thereby made himself necessary for the administration of Government The third for that the further the Court should go from Paris he thought the Cardinals return would be the more difficult as well by the Parliaments animosity as by the bad season wherein he was to pass over fourteen Rivers and by keeping him away he put the Duke of Orleans in Authority which was his chief end the Guard de Seaux opposed this saying that it behoved not to hazard the King's Authority by undertaking what was not sure to succeed well and that the foundation was to be grounded upon his own strength not upon the uncertainty of the peoples favour which was always wavering This design of Chasteauneuf's being seen into by the Cardinals confidents whereof there were but few in the Council though they all appeared to be much his friends they concluded there was no better expedient for the service of their Majesties and of the Cardinal than to make use of their own Forces and to get that thereby which they could not do by reason nor fair means wherefore by orders from the King who by reiterated Letters had sent for the Cardinal back Abbate Vndedey went to Brules to acquaint him with the necessity of this expedient and to acquaint him truly with all that had past assuring him of their Majesties excellent intentions towards him For whose service it was requisite that he should return and take upon him the Government of affairs they being now sensible that none could do it better nor with better affection The Cardinal listened diligently to the Abbate as confiding much in him yet was he doubtful what to resolve upon but at last the reasons alledged by Vndedey prevailing he resolved to raise with his own monies an Army of about 5000 fighting men whom he committed to the charge of the Marishals of Oquincourt and of Ferte Senetre the Count Navailes and Broglia who took upon them the imployment and diligently apply'd themselves thereunto This being thus resolved The Cardinal desired a pasport from the Spaniards to return to Bullion which they procrastinated foreseeing how prejudicial his return to Court might prove wherefore he went unexpectedly from Brules and instead of going to Iuliers went towards Duren a City belonging to the Duke of Newburg and from thence to Aquisgrave Siege Hâ—y and then to Dinan whither the aforesaid Counts of Novailes and Broglia came to agree about their leavies for which they there received monies and in forty days which they staid in that Town they raised their men But because the Male-contents might not in the King's absence plot things prejudicial to the Court the Guard Seaux Guinegaude Secretary of State Marishal Vievelle and the Marishal de L' Hospitalle were left there to whom joyntly the King gave all Authority being assisted by the Duke of Orleans who remained there as Viceroy which was because the Guard Seaux being the first President in Parliament might prevail much by his Authority that Guinegaude might make the dispatches of State Vieville who was the master of the Finances might find monies and the Marishal de L' Hospitalle as being Governour of Paris and much esteem'd in the City by those who loved the Court But the Duke of Orleans who was not well pleased with the Kings going against the Prince as well for the union between them as for fear the Cardinal should return comply'd artificially and palliated his affection as well as he could with the Duke of Arville and with others who were sent unto him by the King to be assistant to him Yet the Dutchess of Chevereux and the Coadjutor who desired the downfall both of the Prince and Cardinal watched the Duke of Orleans narrowly and making use of the credit they had with him indeavoured to stave him off from them both and would have wrought their ends upon him had not Count Chavigny and Monsieur Gaucourt who were the Prince his friends counterpois'd their designs being fomented by Beaufort and the Frondeurs who desired to uphold the Prince that they might keep the Cardinal from Court But Beaufort on the other side considering what need there was of a Commander of the Forces in Guienne who might vye for valour with the Prince wrought it so as the King gave that imployment to Count Harcourt a Prince full of courage and of great esteem in Arms and who was well disposed to the Kings service and a sincere friend to the Cardinal whereupon he went to Fountenbleau after he had received the Patent in Paris the same day that the King went from thence to kiss their Majesties hands and so to go towards his charge The King had with him 4000 of his French Guard and Switzers and for their General the Marishal de Estre whose Lieutenant General was Count Paluau both of them particular friends to the Cardinal and 4000 more were taken out of the Army of Picardy under the Marquess of Castelneau who was also Lieutenant General together with other Troops which were raised in other parts Marquess St. Luke Lieutenant General of Guienne was ordered to take what care he could of that Province and that he should keep in Cohors and Montaubank to keep those Towns in the King's obedience which he did This going of the King to Berry did infuse much fear into all the Prince his friends in so much as they sever'd themselves and withdrew some to Montrond some elsewhere the Prince of County and Dutchess of Longueville forsook even Burges in great confusion when they knew the agreement made between the Inhabitants of that place and the Court but the Dutchess of Nemeurs as not accustomed to the rumor of War went to Vandosme that she might keep quiet there The Court being gone from Paris the tumults which were almost ceased in Paris grew greater than ever as well amongst the people as in the Parliament to impede the Kings journey and keep the Cardinal from returning Wherefore the Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort the Frondeurs Parliament and part of the people return'd to their former commotions not with Arms but by decrees of Parliament and Remonstrances to the Court but Chasteauneuf who still indeavoured to keep the Cardinal away and to make the Court prevent the resolutions of Parliament used this precaution as when he found that any decrees were to issue out from thence contrary to the
private ends of the King's Council he anticipated them by Letters from the King commanding the same things which he thought the Parliameâ—t would ordain and did studiously apply himself thereunto upon these emergencies with intention to save thereby the King's reputation seeming as if he were the Authour of those decrees changing the aspects of those decrees which tended much to the prejudice of his supream Authority but the Parliament finding out these artifices made no more account of the King's Letters thinking that the Court did not therein desire what it seemed to do and that all was but tricks to make vain their designs And the Queen suspecting not without reason before the Prince departed that Marsine General of the Catalonian Forces was turn'd to be of his party as being much affected to him and that by his concurring with Conde he might much prejudice the King's service she thought she might make him lay aside all sinister opinions by putting some esteem and honour upon him and to keep him loyal out of mere gratitude as he had been till then much to his glory and this was by sending him Letters Patents to be Viceroy of Catalonia but the Messenger who carried them came too late for he had already abandoned the King's service and betook himself to serve the Prince as hath been said and shall be said hereafter Count de Ales was at this time in Paris his Father the Duke of Angolesme being dead who was Governour of the Province where those that sided with him Maugre Vandosme kept the City of Tolon a famous haven in that Province where he was particular Governour and having out of a desire of returning thither consented that Conde's friends should attempt some novelty there The Baron of St. Marke a Gentleman of Aix and friend to the Prince was sent thither with others that related to him intending to raise a party for Angolesme and to interest the Prince therein but after some rather Chimera than undertakings it turn'd all to nothing by the vigilancy of the King's Commanders who diverted all their plots and the City remained as before in obedience to the King wherefore the divisions failing in that Province whereby the Prince had thought to bring Forces into several parts of the Kingdom and to divert the punishment wherewith Guienne was threatned the Male-contents were mightily affrighted and confused The Prince of County Dutchess of Longueville the Duke of Nemeurs and others who were in the Castle of Montrond fearing least they might be therein shut up went out by night with 200 Horse leaving Marquess Persan there with a good Garrison of Foot and Horse afterwards the Town was besieged by Count Paluau with about 3000 men at a distance commanded by Cavaliere Barada and others the besieged were constant in the defence thereof as well against Famine as against the assailants County with his Sister Longueville and Duke Nemeurs went to Burdeaux losing some of their baggage for the Marquess of Sauntbeuf with many Gentlemen of those Provinces was continually upon their backs The King came to Burges to the great content of those people whom he permitted to demolish the Tower which belonging to Conde's Government was interpreted the beginning of a breach and it was known that they were to think of War rather than of Peace which being resolved upon they were treated with to raise men the Towns of Dordognia were secured by Conde he put Garisons into Bergerack St. Foy Libourn and Perigreu good Towns which commanded a great tract of Country All the Towns upon the Garomne till you come to Agen were secured by Conde who treated with Count de Ognone Governour of Rochel Brouages and the Isles of Oleron and Ree and with much ado having drawn the Count over to his party he provided diligently for all emergencies Ognone joyn'd with the Prince hoping to be made Duke and Peer of France by the Prince his means which he had indeavoured to do by the Court but could not at this novelty not only the Kings party was much troubled but all others who wished well to the State It was therefore resolved that the King should go into Poictou to secure that important Province which is esteemed one of the best of all France and to provide against the eminent dangers of Rochel Count de Ognone was second Brother to Marquess St. Germain Beaupre and as one who had been Page to Cardinal Richelieu had contracted a particular friendship with Marishal de Bresse chief of the Navigation he was imploy'd in the Fleet and after made Lieutenant in the Government of Brouage which belonged to the said Bresse and in Rochel Oleron and the Isle of Ree which belonged to the Queen after the said Bresses death it was not hard for him to get to be wholly master thereof though he were not well beloved by the people He entred into Conde's party by the Princess her mediation who was Sister to the said Bresse The King wrote to the Duke of Orleans before he went from Burges that out of the great desire he had of his Subjects quiet he did again refer Conde's business totally to him and desired him to speak with him and to know the reason of his discontent wishing him to take along with him the Marishal de L' Hospitalle Messieurs de Alegre Marguiri Mesmes Menardeau Champre and Chaumont assuring him that he would do what he could to serve him In pursuit hereof the Duke sent Monsieur de Serre Son to Marishal de Aubettere to desire the Prince that he would give him a meeting in Richelieu Conde sent la Serre back with answer that he should hear from him in this particular within three days Soon after the Prince was come to Burdeaux Gurville went thither and told him from the Duke of Bullion that if he would listen to reason the Duke would mediate for him and indeavour his satisfaction and how the Cardinal did much fear that if civil Wars should arise in France they would not be well able to maintain War abroad wherefore he studied how to divert it and that he had declared that he would procure the Government of Blay for him and all fitting satisfaction for his Friends Gourville made this proposal to him but the Prince having then sent to treat with Bullion and Marquess Turenne would not listen to the proposition but said That if he would put the treaty in hand he must first declare in his behalf and that his Brother Turenne must go to head his Forces which were gone into Flanders and that when this should be done he would give ear to what had been proposed The Prince spoke high because he thought that Turenne would not refuse the command of his Army and that when he should have so famous a Commander on his side whom he only feared it would make much for him in treaties of peace or in making War And being that very day assured of Count de Ognons joyning with him as
for about 20 days making only some small Skirmish At the same time the Castle of Dion which till then had held for Conde was after 12 days siege surrender'd to Espernoun The King had all this while deferred his Declaration against Conde hoping that being aware of his errour he would accept of the agreement managed by the Duke of Orleans who proceeding slowly therein the Court grew jealous that they held intelligence together and that though they seemed to oppose the Cardinals return yet they did in their hearts desire it that they might make good their pretences which were grown very low and to draw over the people to them but at last on the 16 th of November the said Declaration was sent to the Parliament of Paris and was presented by the first President which caused great noise in the City and chiefly in the Duke of Orleans his Court and amongst the Frondeurs the Declaration said That the Prince of Conde was become guilty of high Treason having taken up Arms against his Sovereign and against the State that he held confederacy with the Spaniard intending through his ambition to disturb the peace of the Kingdom The Prince of County Dutchess of Longueville Dukes of Nemeurs and Rochefaucolt with other of their friends and adherents were contained in the same Declaration The King's Declarations being to be registred in Parliament they could not refuse to do it seeing that Conde was in open War against the King it was therefore Registred but with a caution that the Prince might have a months space to return to his obedience but the Frondeurs not being content with the proceeding of Parliament and highly netled with the fame of the actions of the King's Forces in Guienne foreseeing thereby the Prince his ruine and therewith the like of their own faction on the beginning of December scattered abroad divers papers in the Streets of Paris inviting the people to meet in Tornon-street intending by sedition to cause the Parliament to make such Declarations as might divert the Court from their begun proceedings against the Princes And some of the most outragious getting into the midst of an insolent Rabble went first with them to L' Hostelle de Orleans exclaiming against the bad Government and then went to the first Presidents house who strongly defended the Courts cause and consequently the Cardinals for he was grown so hated by the Male-contents as upon this occasion and many others he was in danger of being hainously outraged but being a couragious Gentleman instead of hiding himself he came down into the yard to that tumultuous rout and did by his presence so appease their fury as it might be well seen these tumultuaries were set on more by others than by their own passion for when they saw him not they were inraged against him and when they saw him had not a word to say such force hath integrity and a masculine vertue to mollifie any unbridled insolency The Parliament being met the 9 th of the next month made another decree against the Cardinal upon advertisement that he raised men to re-enter France and began to think upon all means how to hinder his return but he staying still at Dinan solicited new leavies whereby to come and re-inforce the King and his time of departure growing near he renewed his desire of a pasport from the Spaniards but they feeding him only with words he stole away suddenly one night and without drawing bridle for eighteen hours went to Bovillion not without danger of being interrupted by the Spaniards who kept an eye upon him or by Conde's Forces who being quartered on the other side the River did ever and anon make excursions into the neighbouring parts He sent from thence to acquaint the Spanish Commanders that he vvas gone and that though they would not pleasure him with a pass he hoped they would favour his friends with one which was presently granted and they were with much honour conducted by Don Antonio Pimontel to Bovillion from whencegoing to Sedam he resolved to march forthwith with the 4000 men which he had raised into France together with the Forces of Marishal de Oquincourt which were sent unto him by the King When this news came to Paris it caused great rumour and the Frondeurs Parliament and Dukes of Orleans and Beaufort were more troubled than the rest who being surprised when they least thought of it said aloud that it was not to be thought the Court would have so apparently broken their word which was so faithfully given and that their scorn in being thus deluded was too apparent They therefore hereupon called together all the Chambers of Parliament and decreed that in prosecution of the judgment given by the Parliament four days before Commissioners should be sent to their Majesties to complain of what was done contrary to their Majestie 's service upon the Frontiers by raising men giving out of monies and by news of the Cardinals return which were all contrary to his Majesties Declaration and the Duke of Orleans was desired to send some from him to joyn with these Commissioners and to insist upon keeping the Cardinal from returning They afterwards by publick decree prohibited all Cities Towns and Governours upon those Frontiers to assist him upon pain of high Treason and though they got but little good by these Declarations at which all men laughed thinking it a madness in them to command where the King had all lawful power yet some of them were so bewitch'd by a foolish presumption of Authority as they believed an order of Parliament was sufficient to keep the whole Kingdom in obedience So proceeding from one inconvenience to another declared on the 29 th of December that the Cardinal had incur'd high Treason for having contrary to their prohibitions return'd to Sedam and being ready to return to France They ordered also that his Library and all his Moveables should be sold and all his Rents and Benefices were confiscated and voted 50000 Crowns to be given to any body that would kill him or bring him alive into the hands of justice desiring his Majesty in such case to grant a pardon to the Murtherer who if through misfortune he should be slain in doing it they declared the 50000 Crowns should be given to his Heirs This infamous and scandalous decree by what was known afterwards was made by the private intelligence of Count Chavigny who by this means thought to keep the Cardinal from returning The Court of Rome was acquainted with all this it being believed that the Sacred Colledge would not suffer such an example to remain in memory of man and that such remedies might be found for it as depend upon the Pope's Authority but it being considered that if they shouâ—d fail in their attempt the Apostolick dignity might be too far ingaged it was past over nor did the Cardinal want Enemies as well in Rome as in France This mean while Marishal de Oquincourt following the King's orders
by the River Seene Their Majesties vvere received in Auxeres vvith incredible joy So as the Court being comforted to find so great loyalty in those Inhabitants the King dismist his ovvn Guards and vvould be guarded by the Citizens Auxeres is one of the chiefest Cities of Burgundy seated upon the Banks of Tone begirt vvith Walls and Tovvets after the ancient form of a large circuit and vvell peopled having about Five thousand armed men usually lifted in it From thence their Majesties came to Sens an Archipiscopal City upon the same River and from thence to Montreule and so to Melune upon the Seene vvhere the King vvas received also vvith extraordinary content and thither came many Parisians to kiss his hand and to assure his Majesty of their uncorruptible fidelity And the preservation of all these places being the only means in these present conjunctures to vvin the game for from those plentiful parts the Parisians greatest subsistance comes Foot and Horse Garisons vvere put by the King into Forgeaux Iogray Sens Montereux and into all the Walled Cities and Tovvns in those parts And vvhilest the Court vvent from one place to another the Army marched still by the parallel Line So as vvhen the Court came to Melune the Army came to Moret a little Tovvn upon the River Loin near Fountainbleau not incountring any Enemy for they lay tovvards Estampes to keep the Passage and Communication free betvveen Paris and Orleans The Famishing of Paris vvas propounded in the Kings Council and the compelling it to lay down all contumacy by bereaving it of the Commerce of the River but the Cardinal vvould not listen thereunto knovving that though the City fell then into extravagancies it vvas by the procurement of some seditious people vvho vvere more greedy to advantage their ovvn particular interests then the publick good as vvas given out but that being freed of the Witchcraft vvherevvith thev vvere possest the King should not need to desire any thing of his Subjects Moreover that it was not good to exasperate the people of that City yet more by rigor and to preci pitate them desperately to declare for the Prince which was the thing desired by him and his followers and without which their party could not subsist That those people often altered their opinion and sometimes for the better as it was likely they might do now they having desired his Majesty to return to his Royal Throne to which they had sent Monsieur de Leaygue to him Though by these strong Reasons he sought to perswade the Council to return it was notwithstanding observed that the Parisians were only moved by the suspicion they had of the Kings Forces which not being able of themselves to oppose they must consequently throw themselves into the hands of Foreigners or succumb to the Regal Authority But three things hindered the effecting of this Council The first was the condition of those who made the invitation the second because their Subjects who were well affectioned to the Court counselled the contrary the third that it became not the King to put his person in ballance with the People or Frondeurs without good Caution By these and the like arts Paris was kept from declaring particularly but keeping as it were Neutral though it appeared otherwise it afforded time for such things as made for the Kings behalf The Court went afterwards from Melunt to Corbeile and from thence to S. Germans by the way of Silly being still sheltered by the Army But before the King went from Gien he sent a Letter to the Marishal de l'Hospitalle and to the Corporation of the City to acquaint them with his going from thence and with his drawing near Paris Wherefore he commanded that no Assembly should be made before his coming for he intended to be there in person and having heard under hand that Guards of the Inhabitants were to be placed at the Gates he gave order likewise for the same to let it be seen that it was done by his Majesties order and not by the Parliament And the said Guard being desired by Merchants as well in respect of the nearness of the Armies which came even to the Suburbs as for the peoples insolency who in a sedition were apt to plunder the houses of the ablest men And that though Paris was not in open Rebellion against the King they held notwithstanding frequent correspondency with the Princes and for that Counsels and Preparations for War were made there and in the Assemblies a General was made who should be one of the Corporation assisted by the Deputies of Parliament In which Parliament it was Decreed That when the Cardinal should be driven out of the Kingdom with assurance never to return they would immediately lay down Arms But as they made use of this pretence only to make the people believe their actions innocent and that they aimed at nothing but the Publick good by sending away that State Minister to whom they imputed all their grievances and the continuance of War So the Court knowing that if the Cardinal should be sent away they should get no more by his dismission then they had done when he was before sent out of the Kingdom and that by yielding to the Princes pretensions the Regal Authority would be insensibly wounded which ought to be absolute and independent They also pretended that it belonged neither to the Princes nor to the Parliament to give Laws to their Prince but to receive Laws from him And that the very pretending that the King should make use of such State Ministers as they should chuse deserved correction since it stood not with the Maxims of good Government That any of his Majesties Council should depend upon any bodies will but the Kings They therefore said it was impertinently done to desire that any one should be turn'd away whose service the King approved of to place another there who was not so much to his satisfaction and who would be more careful to please private men than the publick or the Crown and that it did plainly appear that to deprive the King of the Cardinal was to take his satisfaction from him as they listed that therefore to avoid so pernitions an example though the King should have a mind to dismiss him he should forbear doing it and maintain him against all men the King being their sole Patron and Master The Parisians who were not aware of the Princes their actions had a general assembly the next day wherein they chose Commissioners to desire that their Majesties would return to Paris and to send away the Cardinal which was the way to restore peace to his faithful Subjects But the Council finding that the design of the Princes and Parliament was to banish the Cardinal to the end that they might govern all things as they listed they would not alter their resolution of maintaining the Royal Dignity but on the contrary resolved to suppress the exorbitant and indiscreet pretences of the Princes and
lessened The King staid at St. Germans whither a Deputation was sent unto him in the name of the Duke of Orleans and Prince of Conde from Count Chavigny and Secretary Goulas and the Duke of Rohan but not without jealousie of one another for it was thought their private instructions differed from their publick ones doubtless Chavigny was the ablest and wisest and he was for Conde Goulas was for Orleans and Rohan for them both these went with seeming orders not to confer with the Cardinal but by private agreement to treat with him as soon as they were come to Court and had made their Commission known they were told the better to cloke the cause of their coming that they had taken pains to no purpose and that so they might return so after having shewn some reluctancy they obeyed the Kings will without any contradiction whilst all were curious to know the contents of this conference they were struck with wonder when it was known that the Gentlemen were shut up with the Cardinal in his Cabinet and that they did privately negotiate with him but they were much more a stonished when they heard that Count Chavigny had himself alone private conference that night with the Cardinal to whom he propounded the Prince his full agreement if four things might be granted him viz. That Count de Ognone might be made Duke and Peer of France Count Marsin Marishal of France Prince County Governour of Provence and Conde himself Plenipotentiary of the general peace The Court would have yielded willingly to the first two nor would the Cardinal have opposed it much since it only concerned Titles But the Government of Provence and the Plenipotentiariship were totally rejected for the Cardinal declared he would never suffer his Majesties Authority should be prejudiced for his particular interest This Deputation did much injure the Princes for it was made in a time when the Parliament and Parisians were most incensed against the Cardinal and when all the chief Companies had resolved to desire he might be sent away when the Commonalty of Paris began to be of the same mind and when the Duke of Orleans and the Prince had declared in Parliament that they demanded no other satisfaction but that the Cardinal might be sent away wherefore they began to suspect them when they saw them act contrary to their former express declarations and many that were very well inclined to them grew cooler in the business which as shall be seen was one of their chiefest ruins After the Gentlemen were gone to Court from the Princes the Parliament Commissioners came thither with Remonstrances to their Majesties for sending away the Cardinal against whom President Nesmond spoke very freely The King listned unto them very graciously and told them that he was very well informed of his Parliaments good meaning and wished that they were so of him that he would confer with his Privy Council and would declare himself within three days thus with these general answers which were no ways positive did the Commissioners return to Paris They likewise that were sent from the Chamber of accounts and from the Court de Aides had audience the same day and had the like answer The Provost the Merchants the Sheriffs Procurator General the Communalties Notary and other Parisians came also to his Majesty representing unto him the miserable condition of his subjects and what necessity there was to send away the Cardinal who was the sole cause of all the mischiefs and misunderstandings The Guarde de Seaux answered that his Majesty was very certain of the love of his good City of Paris for whose further satisfaction he promised to return thither as soon as the passages should be open This he did to flout them for that at the same time when they made these representations to him they indeavored to hinder his journey by breaking the Bridges of Seene and Marne The Chambers were already met to know what answer their Commissioners brought from the Court and Orleans Conde and all the chief of the faction were there when news was brought that the Kings Forces assaulted the Bridge of S. Clow which was guarded by a small Fort whereupon the Prince got presently on Horsback crying aloud as he rid along the Streets Let us go to relieve our Friends This caused such a hubbub in Paris as above Eight thousand Armed Men ran on Foot towards the Wood of Bullonia not far from S. Clow with such fervor and readiness as if they had been old Soldiers and it was observed that there were Counsellors and Officers of Justice amongst them The Prince appeared at the Head of the Bridge accompanied with about Three hundred Voluntiers amongst which was the Count di Rieux the Dukes of Rohan Rochefaucolt and Sully Prince Marsilliack and other of the Gentry and the Cannon shot which the Kings men made at them shewed that they themselves were not come to conquer but rather to retreat as they did The day was fair and the Parisians very glad to see themselves under the famous Conde and their welbeloved Beaufort who drew them forth into Squadrons with no less delight for the novelty then labor for their unskilfulness The Kings men being retreated from S. Clow the Prince went to Madrid this is a Palace built by Francis the First King of France to keep his word to the King of Spain That he would not go from Madrid when being taken Prisoner his Ransom was in Treaty And here he resolved to fall upon S. Dennis a league from Paris begirt with weak and ill composed Walls and kept by Two hundred of the Switzers Guard But before he went about it he sent to know the Duke of Orleans opinion who having consented thereunto he marched with all those Horse and with about Five thousand Armed Parisians backed by Six hundred Soldiers of Fortune which were newly raised to recruit Condes Brigade and that of Burgondy Beaufort went with some Horse to the Highway from whence relief might be brought from S. Germans and Conde came by night to certain unperfected Earth-works from whence he sent to the Switzers to yield and march out But they answering by the Mouths of their Muskets those who were with him were so struck with such a panick fear though they were experienced Men and had shewn their courage in a thousand other Incounters as they all began to flie none staying with the Prince but Duke Rochefaucolt Prince Marsilliack Messieurs Berset Guitaut S. Ibar Gurville and Fontrailles So as if but twenty Horse had then come out of the Town they might easily have taken the Prince and the Seven that were with him prisoners But this fear being over and the Prince have rallied his men which were run away he went himself on Horsback on the Head of his Men and lighting at the same time got upon the Wall which was there broken down and entering in overcame two or three Baracadoes and made himself master of the place charging
Fronda who with their adherents made about 300 and dividing them went in Squadrons to meet the Olmeristi who by Blanck the Procurators direction had taken the publick Palace he fell valiantly upon them and broke some of their Barracadoes but not being backed by Fontenella's Squadron he could not perfect his design The Dutchess of Longueville by her fair words and by her Majestical aspect made them face about and the Princess of Conde as one who strove with her Husband for glory and applause came into a Street next to the publick market and by her Authority kept the Olmerists from assaulting the Parliament whereof two or three were slain by shot out of the Windowes The confusion being thus ceased and the parties parted by these two Princesses The Olmerists being fomented by the Dutchess of Longueville were still resolved not to be supprest by the Parliament but as Inhabitants of the City pretended to be the chief directors thereof for having forgon their obedience to the King they thought it not fit to be subject to the Parliament which was full of interessed people and govern'd by ambition being thus perswaded they possest themselves of all the principal stations That very night those who were in the quarter of the Chappreaux Rouge remaining there fomented by Lenet and by the Princess of Conde to moderate the power of County and of Dutchess Longueville Lenet having assigned over the publick house of Convoy to a particular assembly of some Counsellors of the lesser Fronda but finding many Citizens of the faction of Chappreaux Rouge who were well vvishers to the King and unconcern'd in their party as also that the Parliament too proud of their successes vvould quell all superiour Authority or those vvho they vvere jealous off and considering moreover that the greatest part if not all the Olmerists vvere mean people easie to be corrupted by monies Lenet joyned vvith the Dutchess of Longueville and they caused the alteration vvhich happened on the 24 th of Iune vvherefore the Olmerists the next day being assisted by some Giurati and Captains of the Wards vvith many Officers of the Troops mingled amongst them met armed in good order vvith Drums beating giving out that Harcourt drevv near the City and demanded that Monsieur Belgarde Montaspau and of the Advocate General Saut that Fountenelle and Giraut who were Giurati should be delivered up unto them and made the same desire to Monsieur Chavignack who was come some few days before to Burdeaux with orders from the Prince to appease them and the meaner sort of people impatient of not being speedily resolved by the Princesses having assembled the field Corporals of both the Fronda's and the other prime Officers and Citizens came out of the Palace publickly with two pieces of Canon and about 2000 armed men commanded by some of Conde's Captains and with an Elm and other Wood in a Cart to fire the quarter of the Chappreaux Rouge and threatning to plunder it at the noise whereof the two Princesses desired Pichon and Dasis and others of the lesser Fronda to un-arm their houses to the end that the people meeting with no resistance and finding the doors open might want pretence to vent their fury but they continuing their opinion that the people being naturally poorly spirited would be quell'd by vigorous resolutions began to shoot at them out at the Windowes whereat the people being more incens'd they brought their Canon to before the House of Pay Paulin where they were received with a shower of shot from Pichon's house and from another house where la Roche Guionet and Vrest were with Ten of their friends who did so valiantly defend themselves as above One hundred of the Olmerists being hurt they set fire on both the houses and barbarously plunder'd Pichon's house who by chance was then in the Princess her house The fire was violentest in the house where la Roche was which was totally burnt and he himself had much ado to escape Other houses were likewise plundered the factiouspeople would have committed greater disorders had not the Princess and Dutchess of Longueville interposed who caused the Hostia to be carried which was conducted by Tobias Giurato who labour'd much for his friends the Frondeurs some of which were gotten into Counsellor Thiebauts house imploring the Princesses protection and obtain'd that the whole Company of the grand Fronda might come along with them who with Bows of Elms in their Hats counselled the people who were their friends to retire which they did and carried back the three pieces of Artillery into the publick Palace The next day they set three great Elms upon the Steples of St. Michael St. Eulalia and St. Remigio mixing red Standerds with them which was ill taken by the good French as if it had denoted favour to Spain The Prince of County being returned from Libourn found the City in such a condition as he was glad to make use of the Olmiera as of a Theater wherein the peoples fury and Princes interests were acted A certain Priest who was a melancholy Astrologer imagined that City might be made a Commonwealth which he Communicated to President Hosteime and held intelligence with the English to whom the Olmiera writ their design but the Prince of County being acquainted with this Caballe and that a certain English man called Edward Sigisby treated hereupon incognito in Burdeaux he forthwith assembled the Olmiera and made a discreet speech unto them wherein he caused them to resolve never to talk any more of a Commonwealth nor of any thing else with Forreigners without the Princes their express consent A month after Hosteime and the Astrologian Priest were expell'd the Town which had like to have occasioned some uprore had it not been for the Duke of Guise who was then come from Spain as you shall hear hereafter whilst the Prince of County and Dutchess of Longueville were sick the Olmiera met daily in the common Palace to the number of Thirty Counsellors and Four Presidents which were every month changed These treated of the civil Government of the City whilst the other Twelve judged Criminals but nothing was binding save in the general assembly or the Lords day wherein all those whose names were written in the Catalogue of the Olmiera which were about 1000 mean base people who concluded articles of Union under the title of serving the King Country and Princes vowing to defend the meanest of them that had any deliberative vote in the publick meetings of Citizens even to death For other things little of remark was done by the Armies in these parts for both sides were equally weak Their happened only two considerable actions the one near Roche Shirles where the Count Mora being advanced with some of the Prince his Troops to surprise Monsieur de Folevilles Quarter Foleville repulsed him and took many prisoners amongst which were La Mora himself who was wounded in the head Count Chatelus who commanded the Prince his Gens d' Armes
would imploy the former the King would be contented and would agree with them touching the Propositions contained in the aforesaid answer promising to send away the Cardinal before the Princes should perform their part when they had agreed with their Commissioners or with those of the Parliament But the Princes instead of accepting this offer not suffering the Commissioners to stay at S. Dennis and expect an Answer brought them back as hath been said where continuing to say The Court made merry with them they resolved the Cardinal should be dismist before they would do any thing The Parliament seeking how to make valid their pretended authority chose the Duke of Orleans to be Lieutenant General of the Crown and Conde to be General of the Forces under him but this was to little purpose for the other Parliaments of the Kingdom refused to do it and reprehended them for it But Orleans thought how he and Cardinal Rets who managed the whole business should be able at last to drive away Mazarine without ruinating the Court which Rets did least the Court being too much abased his irreconcileable Enemy Conde should be exalted too high Thus Rets his particular interest who longed to be the sole Administrator of Government by Mazarines expulsion and then by Condes ruine through the Union of the Queen and Orleans was judged the true cause of the ruine of that whole party and finally of his own imprisonment The Parliament did further Decree that the sale of the movables and of all things that belonged to Mazarine should go on and Fifty thousand Crowns as hath been said was set upon his head The Duke of Orleans went the next day to Parliament and accepted of the place of Lieutenant General of the Crown as long as the King was ruled by the Cardinal and desired he might have a Council chosen by the Parliament To which reply was made that they referred it wholly to his Royal Highness He went afterwards to the Exchequer where he made the same request and had the same answer He took for his Council of State Conde Chancellor Segniere Count Chavigny Nesmond and Longuevile Aubry and Archiere Presidents of the Exchequer and of the Court des Aydes Dorieux and le Noire and all the Dukes and Peers of that faction which were the Dukes of Rohan Rochefaucolt Brisack and Sully their first Consultation was had on the third of August But all this vanished into smoak for the whole Kingdom and even Paris it self being well wishers to the King there was not any that would obey the Lieutenant General Nay the Parliament of Tolouse which was the Metropolis of Languedock Orleans his proper Government though it professed much devotion to him declared The Decree of the Parliament of Paris to be null and void all which things proving contrary to the expectation of the Princes Conde grew almost desperate Wherefore not caring to please others since he was almost ruined for want of Moneys he assembled some of the Inhabitants by means of some of his adherents and perswaded them to furnish him with some Monies and though other means might be used to get Moneys from the people with less noise yet this was made use of which seemed more specious and feasible but in reality harder A Tax was laid upon all Gates of Houses wherein a Cart or Coach might enter of Twenty five Crowns upon the middle sort and Shops ten and upon lesser five This Imposition caused great rumor and aversion So as not above Twenty five thousand Crowns were gotten by it The Prince foresaw the unsuccessfulness of this and divers others but he failed of his design which was to make the Court believe that he could command Paris at his pleasure But this did little good at Court aad less in Paris For instead of disbursing Moneys the Parisians they broke forth into great complaints against his violence which did much increase the hatred of the Inhabitants against him and his adherents and caused the alterations which insued and not only the Prince but Beaufort began to grow less in the peoples good opinion for behaving himself too arrogantly in this Tax and the Parliament lost Reputation also Conde inlarged his quarters in the Village Iouise Four leagues from Paris since the King 's were gone to Pontoise but wanting Victuals and forage there he brought part of them to Charinton and part to St. Clow. Emulation and hatred continued all this while between Nemeurs and his Sisters Husband Beaufort not only for what had formerly past between them but through other disgusts occasioned by Ladies jealousies upon occasion of the sitting in the new Council which was contrived by the Duke of Orleans wherein Beaufort strove for precedency before Nemeurs no remedy being to be found and the business growing hotter Nemeurs challenged Beaufort who accepted the defiance They went towards Evening to the Horse market on the 30th of Iuly on foot with Sword and Pistol having each of them four seconds Count Burny Messieurs Ris Herecourt and Brillet were for Beaufort and Marquess Vallars who carried the challenge Messieurs Champ Vseck and Chasse for Nemeurs Nemeurs discharged his Pistol which missing Beaufort discharged his which hit and kill'd Nemeurs Beaufort went to part the seconds who were wounded already and ran half mad to his Brother in laws house bewailing bitterly what had happened Herecourt dyed of his wounds as did also Riâ— Orleans and Conde were much troubled at this sad accident Conde whose great friend and confident Nemeurs was would not see Beaufort in many days nor would his Sister Wife to him that was slain see him but complaining bitterly on her Brother went from Paris to bewail her self at her Country house Nemeurs was a young Prince of an high spirit and extraordinarily valiant of a courteous affable and generous nature as are all those of the house of Savoy which is reckoned amongst the antientest and Noblest of all the Families of Christendom he dyed without Heirs male there remained no more of that house but the Duke of Omale Archbishop of Reims who was his only Brother Touching precedence in this unfortunate Council of State another dispute arose between the Prince of Conde and Count Rieux of the house of Lorrain second Son to Duke de Elbeus For Rieux disputing with the Prince Taranto eldest Son to the Duke of Tremaglia Kinsman to Conde Conde would have appeased the difference but Rieux thinking that he leaned too much to Taranto did by injurious words provoke him to give him a blow with his hand whereupon Rieux drew his Sword and worse would have happened had not the Duke of Rohan and President Viola parted them and because Rieux in this action transgressed the terms due to a Prince of the blood Orleans sent him Prisoner to the Bastile not so much for punishment as to keep them asunder till his anger was over from whence he was set free the next year at the desire of the Duke of Lorrain
be done without a King whilst there was a King This was the best thing the Cardinal could do for this Maxime well observed fomented the Prince his ruine since not being able to free the Parisians from the ruine wherewith they were threatned without his withdrawing he would be undoubtedly undone for by staying there he would increase their miseries whereby he would draw on the peoples hatred and if he should go away he would loose the assistance of so rich and powerfull a City and would be forced to retire to his Towns upon the Maax forsake the Kingdom and cast himself into the Spaniards hands The Spaniards were much confused when they heard the Cardinal was gone from France for they foresaw that by his removal all pretences which did any ways cloak the Male-contents reasons ceased and wisely weighing how they might maintain but not advance the Princes party two ways were thought upon the one to advance with their whole Army and drive the King from about Paris and so keep the Citizens true to the Princes the other to feed the Princes and Parisians with hopes but without effects to the end that by appearance of their aid they might keep fast to their pretentions and redoubling their disobedience might at last be necessitated to declare against the King and becoming unworthy of pardon and afraid to be punished they might strive to continue their usurped Authority The first was gain-said by suspicion that the Court being reduced to straits should grant the pretentions of the Princes which were still hotly pursued by their well-wishers The other seemed not fit for the present conjunctures for when the Princes and Parliament should be void of all hope and promise made by the Spaniard they must be ruled by necessity and be contented with such terms as they could get They therefore chose a third way which was to cause their Troops to advance that they might thereby soment Conde's unquiet thoughts who making War in France as first Prince of the blood and one of the valiantest and best esteemed Commanders of the age was likely to disturb the whole Kingdom long Wherefore after having staid a while at Fimes and thereabouts and having changed Fuenseldaglia's Forces for those of the Duke of Lorrain who had again taken pay for his Army for two months from the Spaniard they marched towards the Seene it was thought better-to send the Lorrainer then Fuenseldaglia for that they had rather put Forreigners to hazard and sufferings than their own Soldiers as also because if Spaniards and Italians who differ so much both in habit and face from the French should come into France they would rather provoke the hatred and aversion than civilities of the French towards them who do naturally abhor Nations of another Climate This Army consisted of 3000 Horse the most part Germans under the Duke of Witemberg of Six Regiments of Horse paid by the Country of Leige and the parts adjacent in the name of the Princes commanded by the Chevalliere de Guise and Count Pas and of 6000 Lorrainers which in all made between Ten and Eleven thousand good fighting men and well in order This Army being come on the first of September almost without any obstacle to Sessene a little Town in Brie Fourteen leagues from Paris thought to approach the Seene and to come to Villeneuf St. George in the same place where some months before the Duke of Lorrain lay when he came to relieve Estampes but he was prevented by Turenne whose Army being much lessened by their continual labour intrenched his Army there and threw two Bridges upon Boats over the River to succor the other side and to provide forrage for the Horse Lorrain kept therefore higher up and falling down afterwards into the Plane incamped on the East side of the River the Army of the Princes going the next day from St. Victoire past over the Seene at the Pontneuf of Paris and over the Marne at Charinton and joyned with Lorrain the Princes Forces consisted of about 3500 what Horse what Foot the one commanded by Baron Cleinchamp which were the remainders which came from Flanders with Nemeurs the second was Orlean's own Forces Commanded by General Beaufort the third were Conde's men under Prince Taranto the General and the Lieutenant General Tavanes For Rochefaucolt was not yet cured of his wounds These three bodies of Armies and the other two of Lorrain Wirtemberg and Duke Charles having assigned over their Spanish Forces to Conde Lorrain declared he was no Enemy to France nor to the King thereof but that he was only obliged by the Spaniards to bring those men to Conde which being done he was free He went the same day being the Sixth of September to Paris where consulting with Orleans in Orleans his own Palace wherein he was lodged with Conde and the rest of the party they resolved to draw near the Kings Camp with all their Forces and either to fight them as occasion should serve or to incommodate them chiefly in their forrage in performance whereof they made divers quarters about Villeneuf St. George in safe places and well fortified from whence sending out great parties of Horse to plunder and get Victuals their past several skirmishes between them and Turens men with Reciprocal success but of little moment the Soldiers being thus incamped all about Paris was besieged by its own Friends the King was desired daily to come to Paris who answered he vvas vvilling to do so but that the Parisians must first get Orleans to cause Conde to return to his Government of Guienne and Beaufort to Annet a Castle of his Fathers and all Forreigners out of France The Cardinal of Rets Dutchess of Chevereux and Chasteauneuf who were all three Condes Enemies made use of these favourable conjunctures and were not wanting to stave Orleans off from joyning with Conde and to re-unite him to the Court for the reasons already alledged Notwithstanding all these troubles of the Court the siege of Montrond continued and Count Palau who commanded there in chief knowing how few the besieged were and what scarcity they had of Victuals resolved to open his Trenches and hasten the taking thereof but meeting with more opposition than he expected he fell to finish his line the circumvallation whereof being but small it might the more easily be kept Marquess Persau who commanded therein for the Prince to keep from being reduced to such necessity as he must surrender upon discretion articled on the 22 th of August that if he were not relieved by the 30 th of that moneth he would deliver up the Castle to the King and would match out on the first of September with Arms and Baggage That Hostility should cease on both sides and that daily Victuals should be given by the King's men to the Soldiers and Inhabitants they being paid for it that no Fortifications should be made on neither side and that if relief should come Persau and his men should be Newters
thought to keep Mazarine away or to reap his ends which were to put himself into such a posture as that he might keep his Imployment and reimburse the Monies which he had spent in these Troubles whereby he had incurr'd a great Debt The Kings Answer was generall as formerly That he was ready to come to Paris when the Enemies to the common good were driven out This was the Courts Maxime to excite the City against the Princes who though they laboured to make men believe that the Amnesty at Pontois was but a piece of cunning it was notwithstanding accepted of by the generality not only in Paris but in Bourdeaux though the Court being far of and the Princess of Condy Prince of Conti Dutchess of Longueville and others being in Bourdeaux prevailed by their presence and authority in that City The new Councel of the Olmiere resolved That the Parliament should not accept thereof without the Prince of Conde's consent The Burdelois were the more obstinate herein because the Kings Army wanted a General in Guyenne when Harcourt was gone from thence hoping according to the intimation given them by Marsine to recover the Towns lost by Condy's especially since the King's Forces were grown so luke-warm as they suffer'd Marsine to do what he would Wherefore it being requisite to provide a new Chieftain the Command of that Province was committed to the Duke of Candale the only Son to the Duke of Espernone a young lively and generous Prince and very valiant Marsine advanc't in the mean while to take the Castle of Ieloux in the Province of Albret within three Leagues of Bazas and entring the Town which had neither Walls nor Garrison he assaulted the Castle which was yielded up unto him the first day upon Discretion Monsieur di Carbonsieux remaining Prisoner there He left a Garrison there Commanded by Monsieur de la Magdalene Captain of Conty's Brigade who holding Intelligence afterwards with Monsieur Trassy the King's Commissary was discovered by his Lieutenant and wounded twice by him as he sought to escape through a Window and was shot to Death by order from Marsine He then besieged the Castle of Chasteau di Masnes in the Sandas wherein the Mistriss being absent who was Wife to the Marquess of Villa frank it was notwithstanding for some dayes defended by Monsieur Trajane till having no hope of relief he was forced to yield Here was much good Houshold-stuff of Espernouns and above 10000 Sacks of Corn Monsieur St. Micant Governour of Bazas was left Commander thereof Marsine went then to take Mas d' Agenois a City seated upon the Garomne above la Reolle not far from Marmanda begirt with Walls and Towers after the ancient fashion he assaulted it bravely but it was stoutly defended by Monsieur de la Barre till not being able to sustain a second assault for want of Men it was taken by force many of the Souldiers and Citizens being slain and not a few of the Prince his Men amongst which Monsieur Ligier a Guiarate of Bourdeaux Being puft up by these prosperous Successes Marsine past over the Garomne took St. Basile and hearing that Marmanda and Agen were ready to compound for after Harcourt was gone all the people thereabouts were at their wits end he advanced thitherward Monsieur Galapian shew'd him how easie it was to prevent the King's Men by taking the aforesaid two Cities but this Opinion was not followed but that of Monsieur Bavias prevailed or rather particular interest which invited him towards Perigont a rich Country and not ruin'd by War He came before Sarlat a Town in the bottom between two Mountains one League distant from Dorgona a great River where having made a breach in the Walls he could not notwithstanding make an assault being hindred by a subterranean Cave from whence several Soldiers sallying out the Enemy was repulst and the place would have been preserved had not the Citizens been divided among themselves but many of them inclining unto the Prince's party they forc't the others to come to an Agreement and receive their Garrison which Marsine left there under Monsieur Lavagniack Onderdieu He advanc't from thence with his Horse and got good Contribution from the neighbouring parts When Candal was come with the King's Forces he repulst the Enemy Marsine being gone towards Perigord so as the Forces being divided were the more easily destroy'd This Prince made much progress wan many of his Father's Enemies by his generosity and got estimation at Court At this time Duke Mercure kept in Provence as Governor thereof but without Angolesme's dismission who was the true Governor who by Order from the King was made Prisoner in Bern by Monsieur Guialotiera and brought to the King's Camp before Montrond The Duke had promis'd the King to go no more to Provence without his Majestie 's leave and to stay at Paris but pretending to go to his own lands he was detein'd by the way it being thought that he meant to go to Tolon the chief Haven of that Province to foment the Sedition which was begun there which imprisonment joyn'd to the diligence used by Mercure reduced Tolon to obedience and rendred the whole Province peaceful Angolesme was Prisoner about three Months but the Queen being assured by the Dutchess his Wife and by Duke Ioyeuse of his good intentions he was set at liberty in the beginning of October and was by his Majesty permitted to tarry at Paris and at the Court keeping still the Letters Patents of Governor of Provence When Cardinal de Retz and the rest of the Clergy's Commissioners had delivered their Message to their Majesties at Champaigne the aforesaid Pierre was sent back with the Answer which was this That his Majesty bearing still a good affection to his good Town of Paris and being well assured of its sincerity was exceedingly grieved to hear how it had been opprest particularly on the 4th of Iuly last when all things were perverted which he had applied to make his good intentions known Firing Massacres and other strange things being practised to divert his faithful Subjects from their duties lawful Officers and Magistrates being banished the Governor Provost of Merchants and others forc'd to flee for safety of their lives in whose Places the Authors of these Outrages were put that new Sheriffs were chosen contrary to the King's Prohibition Taxes laid upon the People whilst those of the Country-Towns were barbarously plunder'd that his Majesty had done what was possible yea many things to the prejudice of his Dignity to restore them to their former Liberty and to preserve them from the miseries of War affording the Princes honourable means to lay down their Arms and to return to their due Obedience instead whereof they had made an Assembly of the City the Chief Magistrates whereof had neither lawful Title nor Character under a specious pretence of demanding Peace to delude the People when they themselves refused it and declared they could not accept
His Majesty was met at the Louvre-gate by the Cardinal de Retz together with a great number of Prelates at night Fire-works and Bone-fires were made the Bells rung Cannons went off from the Bastile and Arsenal and you might read Joy in the Faces of all honest men for this return whereby that City was quieted which had been so mâ—ch disturbed and so it did succeed for his Royal Presence dissipated all turbulent Clouds as doth the Sun Some Malecontents said notwithstanding that the Court came to Paris only for refuge That Conde might return who had a great Army that the design was to raise Impositions that therefore it behoved them to keep in Arms and to keep better Guards than bâ—fore for the King beguirt the Louvre with Guards and his Army lay not far off The night of the King's Arrival Monsieur Saivin was sent to the Duke of Orleans to will him from the King to retire to his House at â—imoâ—â—s He answered somewhat sharply and Beaufort who was present said That he should contain himself within his Quarters But they consulted again what Orleans had best to do some were for his not obeying but that he should tarry in his House at St. Germain's Suburbs from whence he could not be so easily driven out by the King 's bare Guards for it was thought the people would not take up Arms against a Prince so near a kin to the King and besides many Parisians depended yet upon him and upon others of his Party whereof Cardinal de Retz was one and who was much favour'd by the Parisians he insisted that if all the well-affected people would repair to those parts they might withstand the Court by the help of the Inhabitants of the Suburbs and that making Conde return with his Army and with the Spaniards and Lâ—rrainers it might be that the King unwilling to live amongst such confusion upon the foundation of Citizens who were subject to change might return to St. Germains or else that the business falling to a Treaty wherein Retz might become necessary to the Agreement he might be well with the Court and assisted by Orleans might be taken in to have a share in the State Government which was â—â—s main end The Duke would not follow this advice but resolved wisely to obey and to withdraw the next Morning to Lymours accompanied by Beaufort and Rohan and many others of their Party His Daughter Madamoâ—selle went also out and lived at Fargeaux a Castle of hers by the Loire towards Briara It was happy for the Court that Orleans would not agree and that he withdrew from Paris for the King being now in full Authority and the Duke refractory and out of Paris with all his adherents happy events might easily succeed The same day the Parliament met at the Louvre all save those who had not received particular Letters from the King which were the Presidents Bâ—llieule Thou and Violet the Councellours Brouselle Salement Genoa Pertaile Brisack Croysy Fouquet Machault and Martinau and all of them having their places in the great Hall near the King's Lodgings the King being underneath his Cloth of State said His Guard de Seaux should acquaint them with his will who after a short and Eloquent Oration upon the present Occurrences acquainted them with Four Declarations the Re-union of the Two Parliaments the general Amnesty the Prohibition that the Parliament should meddle in nothing but in things Civil and Criminal according to Law and the Names of those who by the King's orders were to withdraw which were the fore-named who had received no particular Letters from the King to whom Councellour Bitaut was added who by mistake had a Letter sent him all these were willed to withdraw as also Beaufort Roâ—an Rochefaucauâ— Frontailles Bulley Penis the Domesticks of Conde and of the Dutchess of Longueville President Perâ—ult the Wives Children and Domesticks of all that served then under the Princes and in any Towns held by them as well in Guienne as elsewhere who were not to return to Paris without the King's leave it being laid to their charge That they were those who had alwayes subverted the Parliament and made the People seditious Express Orders were also made against all things contained in the third Declaration The Queen of England and the Dutchess of Chevereux went the same day to visit the Dutchess of Orleans who sâ—aid in Paris by reason that she was with Child to whom Cheverâ—ux said in the Queen of France her Name That her Highness had leave â—o stay in her Palace or to go whither she pleased The Dutchess was very much affected with the novelty of this Action and answered modestly That she could not abandon the Duke her husband and thâ—â— not being able to do otherwise in the condition she was in she would be carried in Mens Arms but she did not so for she had express Orders from her Husband not to hazard her self being so near her being brought to bed as she was some few dayes after of a Daughter Prince Thomaso went to visit her and said That he was never of opinion that the Duke should go from Court whereunto if he would have come he should have been received with all cordial Affection by their Majesties But because it was not thought fit to suffer so conspicuous a Prince to remain an Enemy to the King Duke Anuille was sent to him to Limours on Wednesday to Treat of Agreement wherein the King desiring that Mazarine might be comprehended nothing was done The Duke was resolute never to be reconciled to him nor never to come at Court whilst â—e was at the Helm of Government for all things else he would have comply'd with the King A while after Secretary Tilliere and some others went to win him over but they could not prevail at last having acquainted Conde with what had past to whom he sent Camp-master Godoviâ—â— and being answered That he agreed with him in all things it was agreed That he should go 〈◊〉 quietly at Bloyse that he should send for his Forces from Conde's Army and joyn them to those of the King on Condition that they should not be imploy'd against the Prince to whom professing himself a friend he could not fail him in any whatsoever condition The Duke's Affairs being thus adjusted he perform'd what was agreed upon and withdrew himself wholly from the care of the World applying himself to live quietly and free from trouble Beaufort retired to Vandosme and all the others that were banisht went to their Country-houses mightily grieved and much more mortified that Mazarine should triumph over their Miseries President Nesmond and Councellour Vedau propounded the meeting of le Chambers of Requests to think how they might protect their companions who were in disgrace saying They would rather quit their Imployments than suffer such a prejudice But the major part being of another Opinion the Chambers met not and Nesmond being sent for to Court received a sharp reprehension accompanied
with some Threats which were afterwards put in execution for he and Vedau were exil'd as well as the rest Some were unwilling to go from Paris but were forc't for fear of greater violence only Brousels being old and poor and wanting a Country-house went not from Paris but kept conceal'd there fomented by his Neighbours who did not only desire him not to go but promised to defend him against all Violence He constantly affirm'd He feared nothing for he was guilty of nothing that if the Court desired his Life let them take it for he valued not Life now that he had one foot in the Grave which commonly gave life to good Mens praises These Expressions wrought upon the hearts of many Men whose minds were not yet quiet Many people and in particular the Letters of Lodgings came before the King whereof there are an innumerable number in Paris telling his Majesty That they had got nothing during his Majestie 's absence wherefore they desired his Majesty that he would absolve them from what was due by them to their Land-lords at our last Lady-day and Mid-summer Their Land-lords opposed it affirming That that was their Livelyhood and that their Allegations were false for most of those that complained had got more in the time of War than in Peace Wars making all things lawful in troublesome times The King had respect to their Demands and granted six Months abatement to all that let Lodgings and to all Artificers who could not work for want of venting their Ware but as for those who during the War had made advantage of their Merchandise as Bakers Butchers Armorrours and such like he declared That they should pay Orders were afterwards given for the Civil Government of the City for to assure themselves of Paris was to please the people which having succeeded happily by their means who govern'd when the Court was under Hatches it was little less than miraculous to see their fury cease so soon of themselves and to see the scorn of a multitude mittigated who boasted That they would maintain their extravagancies though the Frondeurs were broken though the Parliament should be obedient the boldest sort of people confounded and though his Majesty should Triumph more by Justice and Innocency than by Force and Power Whilst Affairs went thus at Paris extravagancies continued in Bourdeaux The Councel of the Olmiera had amongst other things past a Decree That all Castles and Towers in places neer the City should be slighted and particularly that the Walls of the Castle of Budose should be thrown down which was seated on high upon the Banks of the River Chiron which coming from the Sanda falls into Garomne over against Cadilliack this place being inviron'd by strong antient Towers upon the Walls was surprised by a Captain of Horse of Baltazar's Regiment who put it and himself afterwards into the King's Service The Prince of Conti to favour the Councellour Spagnet took upon him to preserve it to which purpose he desired the favour of the Olmiere who met often to advise whether or no they should gratifie Conty some were for the yea some for the nay but having no mind to content Spagnet nor yet to displease Conty they sought how not to satisfie the one and yet not discontent the other but as it often proves that the occasion proves worse than the effect they unadvisedly fell to dismantle the Walls of the Castle of Ha in Bourdeaux and to commit divers insolencies in the City Conty was surprised at the Rabbles strange and licentious darings but finding the peoples rage grow too hot he fought how to asswage it spinning that out at length which he could not hastily procure at last he did a little moderate their fury and kept the great Tower from being demolished The Parliament though Frondeurs were no less astonished at the Olmiera's rash attempt whilst Command being sweet they thought it hard that their Authority should be eclipsed by the popularity which they formerly had worshipped They therefore thought it good to dissipate this new union as soon as might be which by unlawful pretences went about to derogate from the Parliaments Authority and to strengthen themselves by the Authority of the Princes who to become grateful to the people sought to satisfie them so as the great Frondeurs grew more incensed and not contented with an Assembly wherein every Sabboth-day the Finances were treated of and where Gurguel was Chair-man they listned to Proposals made by more mature and well-minded Citizens and agreed how to surprise the place of the said Olmiere's meeting which sometimes was not very well guarded At this time Father Berteau a Franciscan was at Bourdeaux sent thither by the Queen who was often seen with the Rector of St. Peters who was well affected to his Majestie 's Service and reverenced by all Men for his singular Piety He shew'd him how great a shame it was that the scum of People should give Laws to so famous a City so full of gallant Free-men how that neither for Conscience nor Honour they were not to withdraw themselves from lawful Obedience and to submit to the yoke of Slavery all the Councellours were almost of the same Opinion either for that they were weary of their past extravagancies which had brought them to a Precipice or for that they envy'd the increase of the Olmiest's Authority which drew unto them the liberality of the Princes and Spaniards They therefore conspired to destroy the Olmiere whereof the chief men were Duratesta Villars Giraut and others Maisot who at first was a great Frondeur acquainted Blanc Mauvesine Tarang and Mirate with the business they agreed all to get as many arm'd Men as they could into their Houses wherewith to surprise the Publick House This Maisot by his Wives means who was very devout had an inckling of some things that he was to do by the Rector of St. Peters and Father Bertaut He was likewise promis'd to have the Parliament Re-establish't with advantagious Conditions if he could reduce Bourdeaux to its former Obedience But he who had an unquiet spirit glib tongue talking indiscreetly with every Citizen afforded matter of a suggestion which was made by some of the Olmiere whereof Lande Bâ—â—ratino and St. Angelo were two to slay the chief of that Councel at a Banquet which was to be made them by Iurate Robert Maisot promis'd them 1500. double Pistolets to be paid unto them by Rux a rich Citizen if the business were effected One thousand five hundred Men were therefore placed behind the publick House to make themselves Masters of it and to â—ry through the Streets Vive â—e Parliament and were to carry the heads of the chief Olmerists who were to be slain at the said invitation upon the heads of their Pikes But Lâ—â—de and St. Angeloâ—e accused Maisot before the Prince of Conty who causing him to be brought unto him by Villars told him He had discovered his Practices Maisot said He would prove himself to be
the Queen-Mother of the late King and intended to seize upon that great City as is written in the History of those times and now at last shewed a great Loyalty in preserving it by his generous Actions for his Majesty as also did the Marquiss his Nephew who was Lieutenant General of Poictou who without any regard of the Expence went to meet and serve the King when he came into that Province with a good number of Gentlemen and kept open house for the Court two moneths together The Bishop had another Nephew an Abbot Brother to the Marquiss a person replete with virtuous qualities it was great reason that for the merits of the Brother of the whole Family and for those also of the Abbot himself that Dignity should have been conferred upon him and the Court esteeming likewise that 't was just intended to gratifie him with it But in Governments it happens often that Princes and their Ministers are by emergent occasions enforced to prefer Publick Interest before the satisfaction of private persons and the Abbot after the hopes given him thereof for a year and a half was at last excluded without the least cause on his part given for his being deprived of it The Abbot notwithstanding acquiesced without resentment unto the King and Cardinal's pleasure preferring his Majestie 's Satisfaction before any particular concernments of his own and that no suspicion might be had that he intended to engage himself amongst the Malecontents retired himself and went to make his residence in Rome comforted in this That both his merit and the wrong done to him were publickly notorious The Cardinal Anthonio being informed of the great Worth of the Abbot condoled with him and by an Act suitable unto the generosity of his nature declared a readiness to make a resignation thereof to him but he with a greatness of mind equal to such an offer returned him thanks and refused to accept of it And with Patience which is the Scene of all the Virtues considered that the Favours of Princes though slow are like the soft and gentle motion of benign Planets which fail not in due season to communicate their influences unto the bodies which they govern The Archbishoprick of Lions was given to Monsieur Villeroy Brother to the Mareschal of France a Person of Eminent and singular Parts Of many other Ecclesiastical Benefices and Abbeys which were void Mazarine though he gave promises to several yet refused to dispose any that he might keep all in hopes and consequently make them more obsequious and that he might be alwaies master of something whereby to reward and gratifie those who should best serve him to his satisfaction which was a thing very ill taken by divers who thinking they had sufficiently merited by their long patience could not without much trouble suffer this delay and exclaiming against this Maxime said The Cardinal was like him who gâ—ve not the Medicine till the Patient was dead The Duke of Guise and the Mareschals de Turenne and Grammont were about the same time made Ministers of State as well in reward of their Services as for their great Capacities and Wisedome And now the King leaving the Reins of the Government wholly unto the Cardinal's management to avoid Idleness gave himself unto those sprightly Exercises which are commonly most suitable unto the Lively Chearfulness of Generous Youth that was unto a wondrous Ball danced often by his Majesty and several other great Cavaliers with general Applause and Commendation in the great Hall of the Petit Bourbon excellently set out and adorned by Scenes and Machines invented by Giacomo Torrelli an Italian his Majestie 's Engineer to which being very much assisted therein by Signior Ascunio Amaltei a famous Priest it was danced the first time upon the 23. of February at Night in presence of the Queen of all the Princes Princesses Grandees of the Court and Ministers of Forâ—ain Princes It was divided into four parts or nights wherein there were Forty three Acts or changes all of them so extreamly splendid both for the novelty of what was represented the goodness of the matter therein recited the Sumptuous Magnificence of the Cloaths and Gracefulness of all the persons who acted in it that the Spectators had been at a stand unto which they should have attributed most of Gallantry had not the King like to a Radiant Sun behind a Cloud from the disguise of those Habits shot forth such Rayes of his Majestick Looks and graceful Action as dazeling the Eyes of all enforced them with just reason to acknowledge that there was none could equal the Grace or Majesty of his deportment In the beginning of the Action fire catched accidentally upon the Hangings which were before the entrance on the Stage and was like to have disturbed and confounded the whole order of it but the fearless Courage of his Majestie and care of those who had charge of ordering things restored all forthwith to its pristine quiet And this was taken for a Presage of what should follow like to the Auguries of the Assyrians and Persians who regulated all their Enterprises by the Omens gathered from that Element Truly those who made this Observation were not deceived because the day before that very night the Count Beauvais Lieutenant General of his Majestie 's Forces in Champaigne having notice that the Prince of Conde being come to Stenay had lodged about 1400 Horse and Foot in the Village of Therme marched thither privately and about an hour after midnight fell upon them with so much fury that more than 300 Foot and 200 Horse were taken prisoners and the rest with the Count de Briol Commander by the darkness of the night made shift to disperse and get away This good Military Rencounter was attended by another Fortunate Success in Civil Matters of no slight consequence which was the Commitment of Monsieur Croissy Fouquet a Counsellour of Parliament one of the Prince of Conde's part and who had been a great Stickler amongst the Faction des Frondeurs which was raised against the Cardinal He was taken in Paris not so much because he was a banished person as for holding private intelligence with the Prince of Conde and because he had made use of a pretended Pass from Court to Treat and Advertise him what passed and manage a new Cabal with those of the Prince's party He had alwaies shewed himself a bitter Enemy of the Cardinal 's and it being thought a matter of importance unto the settlement of his Majestie 's Authority that some example should be made and especially of some Member of Parliament there was a resolution taken to make his Process Upon which he desired to be brought from the Bois de Vincennes unto the Bastile where he thought the Parliament amongst whom he had much credit and many Friends would favour him there were assigned Commissaries for judging of him and the Monsieurs de Lâ—sco and Bison were appointed to draw his Process but he continuing firm
and from thence drew great hopes of being able to maintain the Divorce they had made from the King's Obedience they sollicited upon that score General Cromwel at London that he would undertake the protection of them and in case that succeeded according to their hopes they thought they should be able to make good their own contumacy and by the assistance of England make themselves free and independant of their own Sovereign This Discourse was dictated rather by Fury and Passion then Solid Reason and accordingly they found themselves in a short time deluded by those vain imaginations All wayes of sweetness therefore used by the Court of France to mollifie the obdurate obstinacy of that fierce untamed people proving fruitless they are resolved to use rigour to prosecute the Warr vigorously against them There were therefore express Orders sent that they should endeavour by all means to streighten the City on every side thereby to enforce them by necessity to comply with their duty since other means would not incline their wills and above all that the Maistry of the River should be made good against all attempts the Spaniard should make which would reduce the City to despair and specially if they could keep things in that posture till the Vintage and if the King's Forces could disturb them therein it would be one of the great damages and punishments could be inflicted on them the Revenues of that City consisting principally in the great plenty of Wines there made by sale of which unto the English Hollanders and others they raise a very considerable profit But in respect 't was also necessary to provide for the Frontiers towards Flanders where the Prince of Conde united with the Spaniards made extraordinary preparations and boasted that they would make a very advantageous Campagne by reason of the Towns he held in Champagne and the intelligence he had in Paris towards which it was the publick talk he meant to march The Cardinal therefore with no less diligence sought to prevent the blow by making all provisions â—itting for it He considered that all consisted in the uniting the Forces of the Kingdome it being very hard to beware of a domestick Enemy and that therefore if he could not reduce Conde whose Mind was carried away with high pretences and the advantages and hopes he drew from Spain unto his duty 't was fit to deprive him of the Credit and Party he had in France which being done he would be then reduced to the condition of being a private Captain onely to the Spaniard The Cardinal therefore bent his thoughts in order thereunto upon two things the one to take from him those Places he held in France and the other to deprive him of those Friends which followed him Upon this design there was a General Amnestie granted unto all persons who repenting their Errour would return unto the King's Obedience Whereupon the Count of Tavannes who had alwaies declared high for the Prince and had worthily performed all parts of a Valiant and undaunted Cavalier being unsatisfied with him left his Party and retired to his own House The same did also several other of his adherents perceiving well that nothing can be an act of greater rashness than to oppose the Soveraign Authority of ones own Prince to submit unto the obedience of a stranger The Prince made shew not to be troubled at it because he had not Forces sufficient to maintain his Friends and repair the loss they suffered for him in their own Countrey and that 't was necessary for him to keep unto himself that little pittance he had from the Spaniard which being far short of the vast promises were made though hardly sufficed to maintain himself in a condition inferiour to his Birth and Quality He would also himself have made his Peace â—if the King's Council would have condescended to his Pretensions which in such case he would have moderated But as it was a thing very desireable to gain him when he had a great Train of discontented French that followed him so now when he was abandoned by all and as it were a private Captain to the King of Spain his Propositions were no more to be admitted he being at that time rather a trouble than advantage to the Spaniard so as he would be able to do less harm abroad than by returning into France As to the first 't was thought that being covetous of Glory and Reputation he would ill suit with the Spaniards who are full of Ambition and Pretensions that the free and open carriage of a French-man would never be well matcht with the reserved and close deportments of a Spaniard that the imperious absolute demeanour of Conde could not but make him odious unto the Spanish Commanders who are all upon punctilio's that the Antipathy between the Nations and difference in Language would presently put him into disorder who knew not how to command and be punctually obeyed but by French-men If his Actions should meet with good Success the Glory of them would make him envied and suspected as a Forraigner in the same manner as Mazarine's had caused him to be in France And if 't were otherwise the damage would be accompanied with scorn there having been as much spent upon his single person as would have served to keep an Army The Jealousie which the Spaniards would alwayes have That he who was not satisfied with being the first Prince of France could not content himself with being a Servant to the King of Spain would keep them in a continual distrust of him which in a short time would destroy the grounds of Friendship And this could not happen but with notable advantage unto France because it would at last be brought to this that either the Spaniards must destroy Conde or he to revenge himself must destroy them so as to leave the Prince in their hands was a great charge unto them which instead of being an advantage to them would puzzle all their Counsels and deliberations As to the second if the Prince should be agreed with and restored to Court and that the Affairs should prosperously succeed all the applause would be attributed only to his Direction so as he would eclipse the Lustre of all others with the splendour of his Glory and re-assuming his first thoughts of giving Law to all without receiving it himself from any would consequently destroy the order of Government which in a Monarchy must depend onely upon one single Person Besides that there would then be no occasion to shew the World that France had other Captains no less Valiant and Ministers of State as Prudent as those the King of Spain could boast of The King would out of his own Clemency have condescended to restore him unto his former degree of Place and Favour if Conde without farther medling with the Affairs of the Kingdome would have resolved quietly to retire himself and enjoy the benefit of his Estate and Revenues in any Country out of France which
so infamous a death Theubon gave not over for all this to set a fort new Engines for compassing his ends and together with Count Maria one of the King's Mareschal's de Camp had frequent intelligence with all those whom he thought fit to serve in this occasion amongst which pitching upon a Treasurer of France called Filiot a Person very bold and zealous who passed to and from the City he made choice of him to Confide in and to keep a foot the correspondence Marin held with the two Brothers de Chateau and with the Counseller de Sault Son to the Advocate General who growing desperate to see the Authority of Parliament submitted to the impertinences of the Olmiera was entred into the party and determined to put himself in the Head of some Citizens and open one of the Gates to the King's forces The business was wisely carried and the success was in a manner certain as being managed by Persons in whom the People put their trust but for as much as 't is a Maxime of the French Nation more frank and open than any other That secrets in the Breasts of Young Men are kept like Water in a Sieve Chatein one of the Brothers having discovered the business to the Count d'Autell Governour to the Duke d' Anguien 't was discovered by means of a young Citizen of whom the Count was Enamoured Filiot was taken and the Counseller de Sault and both imprisoned the other Brother who knew nothing of this discovery was gone to advertise the Duke of Candale that he should draw to Bourdeaux with the forces believing 't was impossible it should miscarry The King's forces advanced with so much secrecy and speed that notwithstanding the discovery of the Plot if the Prince of Conty had not been in person at the Port they had entered in that Confusion without the help of any other Complices This March of Candale did so confirm the certainty there was a Plot and filled those of the Olmiera with so much Rage that like Fools and Mad-men they all ran about furiously in Arms crying that better 't were to suffer Death a thousand times with Armes in their hands then to be betrayed with so much baseness They made presently a Solemn procession to give thanks to God and charged a Franciscan Fryer to make a Sermon exhorting to Union and Loyalty unto the Country the Fryer went into the Pulpit and although he were by Faction a Frondeur and of that judgment yet being in that moment enlightned by the Eternal Wisdom he spake in presence of the Princes Princesses Frondeurs and those of the Olmiera so well to dispose them unto Peace that all were marvellously touched and confounded and the People wonderfully Edified at his great Eloquence and Learning Whereby 't is seen that the Divine Providence Concurrs both to the settleing and overthrow of Crownes The Innocence and goodness of his Majesty being protected and the ingratitude of Subjects being there opposed by the Divine Justice Filiot's Process was after made and no sufficient proofs coming against him he was put upon the Torture which was Cruelly given him in the presence of Duratesta head of the Olmiera and of the Advocate Pontellier When he was first put upon it he swooned but having implored the help of God and of the blessed Virgin he found himself so much comforted and strengthened that he endured it Valliantly without discovering any of his Complices There was no farther proceeding against de Sault the Teares of his Father and Services done by the Son unto the Fronda prevailing against the punishment due for a Treason against the Princes which had it taken would have exposed them unto the fury of the Souldiers without Capitulation Conspiracies and Plots having all failed to reduce Bourdeaux under the King's obedience and the Forces which Vendosme and Candale had being of themselves too weak to overcome a City so strong and obstinate The Cardinal gave order unto Monsieur d'Estrades Lieutenant General in Rochel to draw what Souldiers he could out of the bordering places and to March up with them forthwith unto the Duke of Vendosme Estrades was extreamly diligent and being a Person very expert in War and affectionate unto his Majestie 's Service came thither speedily with a good Strength of Men near Bourg the taking of which Place as necessary towards that of Bourdeaux was enterprised by his counsel But there being a necessity for the vigorous carrying on thereof to invest it on three sides and the Foot being sufficient onely to do it upon two the Duke of Candale was desired That he would furnish Forces necessary for that purpose The Duke corresponded with all readiness to the Desire of the other Generals and coming to discourse it with the Duke of Vendosme and d'Estrades in the Fort Casar he gave Orders to his own Regiment with that of Lorrain and Champaigne to march and he himself would be of the Party having agreed with Vendosme touching the Command Bourg was Attack't and on the 29th of Iune they broke ground on three sides On the first the Duke of Vendosme was with the Regiment of Britanny and that of Monsieur de Rozacerviere Mareschal on the second the Duke of Candale with the Regiment of Champaigne and that of Monsieur de Saint German on the third Monsieur d'Estrades with the Regiment of Douglas and that of Monsieur Saint Romain This last Approach was so vigorously advanced that on the fourth day Monsieur Delas Mareschal de Camp lodged on the brink of the Fosse and cut in sunder a great Pallisadoe in the middle of it notwithstanding a perpetual shower of Musquet Bullets and a multitude of Bombo's Granadoes and other wild-fires which were continually rained from the Walls to hinder his attempt This advance was made by the King's Forces without the help of any Battery by the negligence of the Canoneers and the failing of the Pieces which were but twice discharged The besieged were so astonished with this extraordinary Courage of the French and so cowed with the lustre of their Arms and Cloaths trimmed after the new Mode that they were in such confusion it seemed they could do nothing else but gaze upon that gayety which perhaps was new unto their eyes Don Ioseph Osorio who Commanded there without thinking farther then on his own safety and to get out of these broils Capitulated the Third of Iuly and marched out from thence the 5th with 800 Men Arms Baggage and two Pieces of Cannon but to his great blame of Cowardise and baseness and as such he was by order of the King of Spain imprisoned after at St. Sebastians although he justified himself by reason of want of Victuals This Important Place being then lost by the Spaniards in five dayes onely for keeping whereof they had laid out a great Sum of Money in fortifying it a la Royalle and circling of it with strong Walls the Generals and Captains of that People were not onely troubled but all
had commanded with much Glory and Honour and his Army remained obedient to the King commanded by General Rosse Turenne kept in the neighbouring Towns expecting some turn of Fortune and though he could perswade none of the Army to follow his perilous Fortune he advanced to relieve the Parisians who were encamped at Vitry and Villeieve and had thrown a Bridge over the Seine somewhat higher where it joyns with the Marne thereby affording means for Victuals which were brought though but in small quantities from Brie and thereabouts to the City the Army being encamp'd abroad on the West-side Marshal Rantzaw's misfortune may be added to that which befel Turenne he was Governour of Dunkirk and being no friend to Condé yet having caused jealousie in the Cardinal he thought good to make him his friend and came to St. Germains where on the 28 th of February he was arrested and sent to the Castle of St. Vincent and Grinoliere his Serjeant-Major as also Priore Pristiere his Secretary were imprisoned in Gravelin This mean while the Conferences between the Kings Agents and the Deputies of Parliament began who though they abhor'd the Cardinal's presence pretending that being declared guilty by the Parliament it became them not to Treat with one that was Condemned yet it being the Queens will that he should be there or that else she would condescend to nothing he was admitted though against the good will not onely of the Deputies but also of some of the Court who intended to cast all the Odium upon him and thereby to gain so much more the affection of the People and to make it be believed that they were onely they who were the Authors of the Agreement Whereunto both sides being well inclined Peace was concluded on the 11 th of March upon these Conditions That all Hostility should cease and that the Passes should be opened That the Parliament should go to St. Germains where the King being in his Seat of Iustice the Declaration and Articles agreed upon should be verified And that then the Parliament should return to Paris to perform their Employments That in the year 1649 all the Chambers should not meet upon any whatsoever pretence unless it were to receive some new Officers and for the Merchants affairs wherein upon such cases nothing should be treated of save ordinary things tending to the Civil Government of the City That the Declarations of May July and October in the year 1648 which were made in Parliament together with those of the 6th of January 1649 and till that present time should be void and null save what concerned Criminal affairs between particular parties That all the Letters under the Kings Seal sent upon the last Commotions of Paris as also the Declarations and Decrees made by the Privy Council in that point from the 6th of January to that instant should be abolished That all the Forces raised in Paris and out of it should be cashiered when his Majesty should have caused his Forces to retreat to the usual parts upon the Frontiers That the Inhabitants should lay down their Arms and not reassume them without the King's permission That he who was sent by the Arch Duke should be sent back without any other Answer That all Writings and Moveables should be restored to those from whomsoever they had been taken That the Bastile and Arsenal together with the Artillery and Ammunition therein should be put into his Majesties hands That the Prince of Conty the other Dukes Peers Princes Officers of the Crown Lords and Gentlemen and all of whatsoever condition should be restored to their Statu quo as if nothing had happened and that their past actions should never be questioned That those who would not be concluded in this present Treaty should receive no favour or assistance whatsoever from the City of Paris nor from any others That the King should return to Paris as soon as his occasions should permit him That those who had raised any Moneys Forces sold any Moveables Warlike Ammunition or Victuals either out of the Arsenal of Paris or elsewhere should be freed from giving any account thereof That the Election of Xantes Coignack St. John d'Angely taken from the Court des Aydes and attributed to the Court des Aydes at Guienne should be restored to the Court des Aydes at Paris where they were before the Edict That in case the Parliament of Roan should accept of this present Treaty within the space of ten days the King would take order for the abolishing of the new Six Moneths and the re-uniting of all the Officers of the said Six Moneths and of part of them to the body of the said Parliament That the Treaty of the Parliament of Provence should be put in execution according to the Form Tenour and Letters sent by the King for the revoking and abolishing the Six Moneths of the Parliament of Aix and Chamber of Requests in conformity to the Articles agreed upon between the Deputies of the Parliament of Paris Concerning the discharge of the Taxes propounded by the Election of Paris the King would be informed of the state or condition of the said Elections as soon as the Forces were retreated and would provide for the ease of the Grievances of the said Election as he should think fit That when Deputies should be sent to treat of Peace with Spain his Majesty would be pleased amongst them to send some of the Parliament who should have the same Authority as the rest According to all Maximes of War or Civil Government the King ought not as then to have made an Agreement since in case the Siege had been maintained yet 15 days the City was reduced to great extremity and the seditious People mought have been punished according to their disobedience yet a deeper and more secret Maxime prevailing it was condescended to though with some prejudice to the Court onely as was believed out of the jealousie of the Prince his actions and that Condé thinking that by the Peace the Besieged's hatred would rest wholly upon him and the praise upon the Cardinal it is said that he endeavoured to get all advantages for the Parisians though they were reduced to so straight terms as they ought rather to beg pardon than to demand Conditions But were it out of this or any other more secret reason many bad effects ensued upon it for the Parisians seemed to be but badly content with the first Articles and much more for that the Parliament had refused to take protection of that of Roan Wherefore when the Deputies of the Chambers were seen to fit in presence of the Prince's and King's Officers as if they had been Commissioners from a free Commonwealth the people were so scandalized thereat and grew so indiscreet as the Decrees which were before reverenced as Oracles became scorn'd and detested And then the Usurpers of Regal Authority were aware that whilst they would have climb'd too high they fell from their own Tribunal and instead of getting
the Government of publick Affairs they lost the lawful right of judging what was particular At the same time when the Parliament began to treat apart the Princes began to Negotiate their Agreements separately every one according to their particular Interests pretending to be totally dis-engag'd from the Parliament whilst they saw that the Parliament which was the primum mobile of the War and with whom they had confederated endeavoured Peace The Frondeurs were very fierce for War till the Conference at Ruel where the chiefest of them were wrought upon Longueville by his Brother the President of Maisonsi Viola by the Prince of Condé Cogneux and others though they were in some sort engaged with the Arch-Duke The Prince of Conty and Dutchess of Longueville broke with the Coadjutor for that he being Beaufort's Confident and having drawn all the Frondeurs and people to dance after his Pipe he went about to blindfold them and make them serve his designes and his proper Interests and not that of their Families Thus during the time of Conference of Peace the Prince of Condé who desired to reunite them to himself and not to let slip so seasonable a conjuncture sent his Confident Monsieur di Mousay to complement them The Dutchess of Longueville confer'd long with Mousay upon the point of Reconciliation and bid him assure the Prince that she would carry her self to his satisfaction when Peace should be concluded After these Treaties though Conty had made his peace with the Court without Beaufort or the Coadjutor yet when they had discovered their discontents they forbore not to do all they could to make Conty stick to them He and the Dutchess his Sister were well inclined thereunto being otherwise unwilling to lose the fruit of their Declaration and that of the Duke of Longueville in favour of the Parisians which consisted in mitigating the peoples hatred of Condé thinking that thereby she might become more necessary to the Court and more considerable with her Brother who till then had not too great an esteem for her Some told Condé that the Court being in the posture it was in the true way to get advantage on both sides would be to let the Prince of Conty head the Frondeurs yet he who then scorned the Frondeurs and who hatred Beaufort particularly by reason of the great esteem the Parisians had of him resolved absolutely to severe Conty from their Interests and by little and little to destroy that Faction which being disperst he might afwards more easily pull down the Cardinal or make him comply totally with him The occasion of the Arch-Bishoprick of Liege which at this time was presented confirm'd him in this opinion believing that if he could procure that dignity for his Brother he might establish his House the better The Canons were divided many whereof had recourse for protection to France against the Elector of Culen who would have his Brother chosen Coadjutor That they might engage the King of France in their Interests they offered to chuse the Prince of Conty who fed his Brother with these hopes to make him abandon Paris and to bring him to Compeigne where the Court then was and where he acquainted the Cardinal with his designe he who received the testimony of his confidence whilst the War of Paris lasted could not but assist him but considering afterwards that it was not good to embroyl France in the affairs of Germany and against the House of Bavaria between whom there was good intelligence held seemed to proceed so reservedly in the affairs necessary to effect this designe that the mean while the Elector making his Agreement all the Princes hopes vanished which was thought to be one of the reasons of his complaints and his beginning to distrust the Cardinal These designes proving vain Conty and Longueville reconciled themselves to the Coadjutor and appeared outwardly to be good friends though jealousies remained inwardly between them for Conty could not depend upon any one The Duke of Bullion seemed somewhat distasted at these Negotiations between the Parliament and Court and their hopes in Paris being revived by the drawing down of the Spaniards Flemish Army he thought it strange that his concernments should be given over He therefore moved the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville not to make the Agreement but to go with their Troops into Normandy and being assisted by the Spaniards to continue the War there hoping hereby to effect his designes and to make the Court grant his pretensions This Proposal being liked by the other Princes they thought to fall upon it but it was laid aside as well for the difficulty which would be found in executing it as for that Bullion made his peace otherwise by the Prince of Condé's means with whom he had still had good intelligence But the Duke of Longueville not being put by vertue of this Treaty into possession of his Towns nor into his Government of Normandy which was a new motive to him and Conty to put on any resolution rather than to abandon the Dukes Interest the Abbot de la Riviere by consent with Condé made a particular Agreement be propounded by Monsieur de Flamerin to the Prince of Conty whereby the Duke was to be re-possessed of all his Towns and Conty should have the Government of Danvilliers for his security if he would yield the name of Cardinal to la Riviere This Negotiation was managed and concluded by the Prince of Marsiliack with intention to let Longueville know that the Prince of Conty was cause of his re-establishment and thereby to joyn them closer together as also to keep la Riviere who was then in great favour with the Duke of Orleans stedfast to Conty's Interest who concurring in all things with his Sister Longueville intended so to establish themselves as they should not be defrauded of their pretensions when the King should be of age Thus was the agreement made between the King and Parliament whereupon the Cardinal seeing the Courts condition bettered declared that he would not now yield unto any of the Propositions formerly pretended unto by the Spaniards since he saw himself in a condition of being able to withstand them unless some new Emergencies should disturb him The Pope's zeal and the like of the Commonwealth of Venice to facilitate Peace in all parts made the Arch-bishop of Tarzo who was Nuntio and Pietro Basadona the Venetian Embassador in Spain to provide against the Evils which the affairs of Paris made them apprehend wherefore they intreated his Catholick Majesty to command his Plenipotentiaries that notwithstanding the novelties that were risen they should not defer nor obstruct the making of Peace They obtained their desires and the Catholick King ordered that the Treaties should be drawn to an end and yielded to all things that were fair and honest The Nuntio Bagin and the Embassador Morosini informed the King of France immediately of this generous act and gave notice to Count Pignoranda
Cardinal Mazarin who neither would or knew how to return to Paris whilst he had so considerable a Rival that was supported by so many Friends who were Enemies unto him That he kept aloof from Paris on purpose that he might not be known for the Contriver of this business and for fear lest the people rising in favour of the Prisoner should make him feel the effects of their long continued hatred and rancour against him But whether it were so or otherwise the Cardinal Mazarin declared he had no part in the action and for proof thereof writ unto his Majesty a very favourable Letter on the Prisoner's behalf he represented to his Majesty That by reason of the Character he bare of the most Christian King he was obliged to defend the Immunities of the Church and therefore he mâ—st earnestly besought him that he would have in this case such regards as were fit for his Royal Piety and the Title he had of being first-born Son unto the Church recommending unto him with all earnestness the Interests of the Prisoner Upon this Letter several Judgments were made Many were of opinion he dealt not therein clearly from his heart but endeavoured to palliate the Crime whereof himself was the sole Author and that this was an Artifice which had been long before premeditated Others who knew the execution thereof to be unâ—oreseen and causual were satisfied that Mazarine was in his nature rather obliging than revengeful towards his Enemies thought it to be an effect of his good inclination proceeding from a desire to oblige that Prelat by so remarkable a benefit to a reciprocal return of kindness and to a generous emulation of corresponding to so noble and ingenuous a carriage These were not any way mistaken because it appeared after that Cardinal Mazarin had used his utmost endeavour to gain Reâ—z and to remove those sinister conceptions which he had of him and that he failed in the Design was an effect of the incorrigible nature of Cardinal de Retz envious of the glory and good fortune of Mazarine Many others of the most considerable Persons amongst the Clergy employed themselves in his favour but Politick respects prevailing before the satisfaction of particular Persons made it evidently manifest his Majesty had no other ends but the happiness and quiet of his Subjects And because the Court of Rome should have no occasion of offence thereby against France for having done an Act so much abominated by the Canon Laws there was a Courrier dispatched unto the Pope to give him an account of the whole business The Friends of the imprisoned Cardinal sent thither also another some few hours after to complain unto his Holiness of that violence and to engage him in the Prisoner's protection The News in a few days after reached Rome and the Pope who had little affection for the French and least of all for Mazarine was wonderfully nettled at it and if he had power equal to his will possibly some things of consequence had been resolved and put in execution He assembled forthwith Congregations of the most able Cardinals his Confidents and although there wanted not some moderate Persons amongst them who failed not to represent that in a matter so delicate much circumspection ought to be used Orders were notwithstanding sent to Monsieur Marini Archbishop of Avignon That he should together with the Officers of his Court transport himself to Paris and there framing a Process touching the Crimes whereof the Prisoner was accused should require to have the Judgment of them left unto the See Apostolick to which only belongs the power of giving Sentence against Cardinals But as at Rome they were most certain That having formerly refused to receive Monsignor Corsino Nuntius Elect into France only because he came without first giving notice unto the King or his Ministers of his arrival they would much less receive the Archbishop with his Commission and that therefore they resolved a thing which could not take effect So it was plainly understood at Paris that this was the advice of those who desired to furnish the Popedom with pretexts of blaming France for want of respect tâ—wards the See Apostolick and to give the Pope occasion to joyn with the Enemies of that Crown there being some in Rome as well as Paris who beliâ—ved the King would not have dared to contradict the Pope in that unhappy conjuncture of Affairs and that therefore this bold resolution of sending the Archbishop Marini into France would add very much to the reputation of his Holiness and splendor of the Ecclesiastical Authority The Prince Cardinal Trivultio who was then in Rome as the Person intrusted with management of the Interests of Spain and as Ambassadour to his Catholick Majesty wisely foresaw the vanity of this resolution notwithstanding that he endeavoured always as a good Minister of State to continue in his Holiness the sinister impressions against France yet he approved not this advice shewing plainly the ill success was likely to attend it This Prince had executed this Function but from the 25th of November the year before which had been put upon him in the manner and for the Reasons following The Cardinal of Arragon being dead shortly after his Promotion which was very much delayed either as not cordially sollicited by the Cardinal Albernaz who desired not that a Competitor of such a Quality and Kinsman of Don Louis d' Aro should prevail or to facilitate the Promotion of the Count d'Ognate the Cardinal di Cuena was at the same time sent or called back unto his residence at Malega whereupon his Catholick Majesty ordered Trivultio to leave the Government of Sardinia and repair suddenly to Rome to supply the Cardinal of Arragon's place who was destined thither and gave him all the Spiritual Promotions in Italy which became void by his death But Trivultio being unable to go the Voyage so speedily because he was first to quiet the Kingdom which by reason of some private accidents was in commotion the death of Don Anthonio Ronchiglio happened whom Don Iohn of Austria at his parting from Sicily had left President there whereupon the Duke Dell. Infantado who was Ambassadour at Rome being appointed Vice-Roy there the Cardinal Trivultio received new Orders to hasten his Journey that he might enter upon the charge of his Embassy The Affair happened directly according to Trivultio his Presage because the proceedings of the Roman Court which had no other foundation but the opinion and desire of those who promoted it was suddenly quashed when the entry of the Archbishop Marini into the Kingdom was stop't by Mazarine who knew the nature of the French very easily inclined to pleasing Novelties but inflexible to such resolutions as threaten them in which they consider nothing but to maintain the King's Authority And the French shewed themselves to be ill satisfied with the Court of Rome reproaching it for partiality for that whereas there had been several applications made unto it the